Lovers of Greek food no longer have to trek the Dan Ryan Expressway for a trip to Greektown.
A trip down Roberts Road in Palos Hills leads diners to the Grecian Corner Restaurant, where authentic Greek fare is served with the ambience of a neighborhood kitchen. The dining room is cozy and comfortable and food from the open kitchen provides a wonderful aroma.
Owners Pete and Helen Panagiotopoulos, who reside in Palos Hills, satisfy ethnic diners by serving up dishes like Lamb a la Garden, medallions of spring lamb sauteed with fresh tomatoes and artichoke hearts ($7.95) or Mediterranean-style lamb chops with pasta ($8.50).
”Everything we serve is fresh,” said Pete, who has worked as chef for several Greektown restaurants. ”My father was a butcher in Greece, so I learned about the finest cuts of meat at an early age,” he said.
Helen pitches in and waits on tables and the couple often work a 12-hour day at the restaurant.
”We love owning our own business,” Pete said. ”To see people enjoying their food makes us happy.”
Specialties include spinach and cheese pie ($4.25), pan-fried squid with vegetables ($6.45) and baked codfish Plaki in tomato and wine sauce ($7.95).
Gourmet house specialties include Chicken Alexander, strips of chicken sauteed in butter with lemon and wine ($7.95) and Chicken Olympus, sauteed boneless chicken in egg lemon sauce ($8.45). Of course, gyros are available, served with fries for $4.50.
For a sweet ending, there`s yogurt with honey ($2.50) or baklava ($1.25). Salads, wine and beer round out the menu.
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The Grecian Corner Restaurant, 9921 S. Roberts Rd., Palos Hills, is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday. Closed Mondays. Call 708-430-4033.
