It’s all Greek to me, and it tastes great!

Dolmathes, Souvlakia, Pasticho and Baklava.  It’s all Greek to me and it tastes great! That’s why I’m so excited about the 36th annual Birmingham Greek Food Festival.  More than 20,000 people attend the event each year.  Birmingham’s Greek community displays its zest for life through music, dancing and souvenirs at the festival.  But for me, it’s all about the cuisine.

I always get the Souvlakia ($9).  Its marinated lamb skewered and grilled on an open fire.  It comes with rice pilaf, Greek salad and a roll.  You could also order Greek chicken ($9) marinated in olive oil, lemon juice and oregano, Pasticho ($9), which is a like a lasagna of macaroni and beef with tomato and béchamel sauce, or a Gyro Sandwich with tsaziki sauce ($6).

Definitely try the Pites ($5), filo triangles filled with either feta cheese or spinach, or the Dolmathes ($5), grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice and topped with lemon. And for dessert, there’s Baklava ($3), Loukoumathes which are Greek donuts ($4) and an assortment of Greek cookies.

It’s the most fun if you dine in.  After a few minutes of Greek music and dancing, you’ll start to feel like part of the big, Greek family.  But if you’re in a hurry, you can use the take-out window.  Just drive up, hand them your order and pay.  You’ll be rushed off with a bag full of goodies that will be tough to resist on the drive home.  Καλὴ ὄρεξη! (Bon appetit!)

The Greek Festival takes place September 11-13, 2008, at the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral at 307 19th Street in downtown Birmingham.  It lasts from 10:30am-10:00pm each day.

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