Chicago (Greek) - Greek Islands

Greek Islands
200 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 312-782-9855
Date of Review: July, 2008

In the heart of Greektown, there is no better place to enjoy a meal than at Greek Islands restaurant. Located on the corner of Adams and Halsted, this large restaurant is a perfect place for a dinner for two or a larger dinner party. In addition, they have adequate banquet facilities for rehearsal dinners, large parties and outings of this type.

This large, casual restaurant has the feeling of a Greek tavern. I would imagine you would find something similar in Greece, although the sea instead of the Chicago city skyline would serve as the backdrop. They have a large bar area with a long bar that is great for casual dining or drinks. The bar features quite a few circular tables and some high tops for 2 lining the windows providing a great up close view of the Chicago city skyline and Halsted Street.

The seafood display cases across from the host / hostess desk that you pass as you enter the restaurant speak to the outstanding quality of the seafood at Greek Islands. I have had the grilled octopus and found the charbroiled flavor of the octopus excellent. This dish is a great starter or entrée and it is served cooked in some outstanding olive oil. I mention the olive oil because everything is high quality here and that definitely includes the Greek olive oil served on your table with basic, complimentary Greek bread (from one of the Greek bakeries up the street). The fried calamari is lightly pan friend and served with simple cocktail sauce. It is some of the freshest calamari I have had in a restaurant that does not border the sea or ocean. The fresh flavor reminds me of calamari I had on the Mediterranean in Croatia and Portugal. The home made gyros at Greek Islands are outstanding. You can order a healthy appetizer portion for ($5.95) or have the gyros over an Athenian salad or as an entrée. On my last visit, I chose the Gyros Salad. This dinner size salad features homemade gyro meat served over the Athenian salad which is excellent in its own right if ordered alone ($4.75). What makes the gyro meat home made? I can’t explain the details but the taste for one. The slices of slow roasted, wholesome lean lamb and beef gyros have a rich, succulent flavor that comes from the meat and cooking style. This is not the same type of gyro meat you get at your typical fast food spot. Not even close. The Athenian salad it is served over features beautiful fresh ingredients including imported feta, cucumbers, flavorful kalamata olives, red vine tomatoes, pepperocini’s and red onions in a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing that doesn’t take away from the fresh taste of the vegetables. I was especially impressed with the flavor of the tomatoes as they tasted like they were grown in someone’s backyard. The salad was served with a good size order of tzatziki (also good as an appetizer) which was thick, zesty and creamy.

You can’t go wrong with eating tapas style here either as the garlicky skordalia, imported feta and any of the appetizers are all good. The spanacorizo is a nice side dish that features spinach and rice in tomato sauce.

Greek Islands offers unbelievable value for the quality and quantity of the food. On my last visit, I had the gyros salad (which was more than sufficient as an entrée) and my total bill was $14 including tax and tip. Some of the best values on the menu include the Gyros appetizer at $5.95 and the Grilled Octopus appetizer at $7.75.