Editorâs Note: Our columnist is not a trained or paid professional, nor does he get complimentary meals from the restaurants visited. He and his party arrive unannounced and do not reveal that they will be doing a review. Comments or questions may be sent to Sam Geati, greengeezer9@comcast.net.
Whenever Judy and I are going to be in downtown Chicago, we try to work in dinner in Greek Town. Previously, the only restaurant we patronized was The Parthenon, but this time we decided to give another restaurant a try. We had heard good reports on Greek Islands, which is just a block north of the Parthenon. So here is a review by comparison of the two establishments. Both provide valet parking. We had no waiting time to be seated at 5 p.m., which is generally true of most restaurants in Greek Town. One can get momentarily lost within the very expansive layouts at either place, as there are several side rooms. Outside (seasonal) dining and party rooms are also available.
The menus are similarly interesting and extensive with basically the same appetizers (i.e. flaming Saganaki cheese, etc.), Greek salads, and traditional dishes other than daily specials. Judy loves the combination plate, which generally consists of mousaka (baked eggplant with ground meat casserole), pastichio or pastitsio (baked pasta casserole, Greek lasagna), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), keftedes (meatballs) and slices of roasted lamb. This is served with mixed vegetables and rice with tomato sauce, all for $15.95, similarly priced at the Parthenon. Judy rated the Parthenon as the winner when comparing the same dish with what she had at the Greek Islands. Her decision came down to the lamb slices, which she said were dry and without any sauce at the Greek Islands.
I ordered the broiled Octopus. This seafood dish was very tender with tasty pieces marinated and served with the same mixed vegetables or potato and rice for $16.95. This is a special treat for me, as it is difficult to find this elsewhere, especially as well-seasoned and cooked to perfection. So, for me, itâs a toss-up on the entrĂ©e.
I also had a cup of fasolada, a navy bean soup that was delicious and reasonably priced at $2.85 a cup. Judy sampled it and agreed that it was excellent. Only âdownerâ for us was the bread, which was not hot or crispy. We didnât order a dessert, so that was not a factor in our decision, nor was the level of service, which was pretty equal. When all things were considered, we decided to stick with The Parthenon on our next trip downtown. We rated both as above average in all categories of food quality, value, service, and ambience. You really canât go wrong with either place if you are a lover of Greek cuisine.
Greek Islands (two locations) â 200 S. Halsted, Chicago, 312-782-9855. 300 E. 22nd St., Lombard, 630-932-4545. www.greekislands.net
The Parthenon â 314 S. Halsted, Chicago, 312-726-2407. www.theparthenon.com
