Stop Ordering Chain Restaurant Souvlaki
Greek food is a beloved cuisine, yet many people order the same dishes repeatedly or opt to order it from somewhere that might not care about flavor and authenticity. Why buy dolmades from a supermarket when you order fresh kleftiko from a true Greek restaurant? Here are 10 Greek dishes to stop ordering and 10 you must try.
1. Moussaka
Moussaka is an iconic Greek dish, but it's also very touristy. It's not something that Greeks eat daily, and it needs to be cooked in a specific way. Too often, restaurants cut corners, which impacts their texture and flavor.
2. Pastitsio
This baked pasta dish is referred to as "Greek lasagna", but it's hard to make at home, and many inauthentic Greek restaurants produce a version that's dry and heavy.
3. Spanakopita
Ordering Spanakopita at a Greek restaurant can be delightful, but it doesn't always reflect its authentic roots. You should definitely not buy Spanakopita from the grocery store freezer aisle unless you want a soggy version.
4. Dolmades
Dolmades are stuffed grape leaves, but many versions you can find will be canned or mass-produced. You shold avoid dolmades unless you are at a truly authentic Greek restaurant. This dish requires time and patience, and only a select few will go through the trouble.
5. Taramasalata
This classic fish roe dip should be tangy, flavorful, and a bit briny. Careful ordering it just anywhere, because with this dip, it's easy to take some shortcuts, which will undermine its deliciousness.
6. Baklava
Baklava is a world-famous Greek dessert. Ordering it at a non-Greek restaurant will introduce you to a more generic version that will be far less appealing than the real thing.
7. Gyros
Gyros is one of the best foods in the world. Greek fast food chains produce a gyro that is oversimplified and sometimes missing a key ingredient or two. You don't want a gyro that's bland with chewy meat. The real stuff uses high-quality cuts and balanced flavors.
8. Greek Salad
Greek salads make the list because they are a bit on the ordinary side, despite being treated as a must-have when dining at a Greek restaurant. The thing with Greek salads is you shouldn't order them when tomatoes and cucumbers aren't in season, regardless of restaurants serving them year-round.
9. Calamari
Calamari is fresh and delicious but unforgiving. If a restaurant doesn't know how to prepare and cook it perfectly, then it becomes a terrible eating experience. This one is best to skip unless you are sure you are ordering from the right place.
10. Saganaki
Saganaki is fried cheese, and it's basically the Greek version of dinner and a show. Ordering it is fun, but it's gimmicky. This dish can also be heavily salty, and it's heavy for an appetizer. A lot of Greek restaurants get this dish wrong, and it comes out overly greasy or too chewy.
1. Kleftiko
Kleftiko is a slow-cooked lamb wrapped in parchment with potatoes, herbs, and garlic. It's way too good to be ordered so seldomly outside of Greece.
2. Fasolada
Often known as Greece's national dish, fasolada is a white bean soup that many Westerners are unfamiliar with. Its flavor and ingredients reflect the best of Mediterranean cuisine, and it's incredibly comforting.
3. Loukoumades
Loukoumades are small dough puffs drizzled with honey and cinnamon. They're the Greek version of donut holes, only a bit lighter. Try ordering a batch instead of baklava the next time you're in the mood for Greek food.
4. Gemista
Gemista are vegetables stuffed with herbs, rice, and sometimes minced meat. They are tender, hearty, and make for a wonderful summer meal. Their simplicity makes them often overlooked, but do yourself a favor and try this classic Greek dish.
5. Briam
Briam is Greek ratatouille and conveys the country's incredible selection of produce. This Greek dish is a vegetarian's dream, but even meat lovers will enjoy this plate of freshness.
6. Youvarlakia Avgolemono
These tender meatballs are simmered in broth and finished with a sauce made with eggs and lemon. It's hearty, comforting, and has a nice hit of tanginess. This dish isn't popular with tourists, but it can be enjoyed by anyone who loves authentic Greek food.
7. Revithada
This chickpea stew is slow-cooked in a clay pot with classic Greek ingredients like olive oil, herbs, and onions. It's traditionally cooked overnight, which is why you won't find it on a lot of menus. If you do, you owe it to yourself to order a bowl.
8. Fava Santorini
People often think this is a fava bean-forward dish, but it's actually a creamy yellow split pea puree topped with olive oil, capers, and onions. It's incredibly hearty and satisfying. It's often served as a starter and pairs well with the more popular Greek dishes like gyros and moussaka.
9. Stifado
Stifado is a beautifully slow-cooked stew with beef, onions, tomatoes, and red wine. Its uniqueness comes from being flavored with cinnamon and spices. The onions provide a natural sweetness, while the spices add warmth and a surprising depth of flavor. The aroma alone will have you thinking about seconds before you're halfway done your first bowl.
10 Bougatsa
Bougatsa is a flaky pastry filled with semolina custard and topped with sugar and cinnamon. More popular Greek dishes often keep it out of the spotlight, but it's crispy, sweet, and every bite is memorable. It's a beloved breakfast item because it pairs well with coffee, but you can also enjoy it as a mid-afternoon treat.
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