Greek Islands

Greek Islands: Authentic Greek Cooking in Chicago Since 1971

Greek Islands has served Greek cuisine in the Chicago metropolitan area since 1971. According to the restaurant's own account, it began with a group of immigrant friends who opened their own place after years of hard work and, in the company's words, turned it into the most popular Greek restaurant in the United States. The same ownership remains at the helm, following founding principles the company sums up as good food, good service, and good value.

Two Locations: Greektown and Lombard

The restaurant serves guests at two locations. The first is in Greektown, downtown Chicago, and the second is in Lombard, in the city's western suburbs. The company presents both as part of the same Greek dining experience.

Greek Products Imported Directly

One feature the company emphasizes is its direct importing of ingredients from Greece. Greek Islands selects and ships extra-virgin olive oil, wine, cheese, seafood, olives, herbs, and spices from their country of origin to its restaurants. The company says it uses only fresh, natural, and healthy ingredients in its cooking.

The Menu

The menu combines Mediterranean dishes and Greek recipes. Items featured on the website include Mediterranean-style salmon baked in a pouch with vegetables; yiouvarelakia, rice meatballs made with beef and lamb, topped with a special egg-and-lemon sauce and served with potato; and tomato and pepper stuffed with sautéed ground meat, herbs, rice, cheese, and pine nuts, also served with potato. The menu is rounded out by a wine selection and a list of specials that the restaurant publishes periodically.

Group Dining and Events

In addition to regular dining-room service, the restaurant offers catering and hosts private parties and events. It has private rooms for celebrations, identified on its reservation form as Kafenerio and Taverna, and sells gift cards.

Hours and Weekly Closing

Both locations are closed on Mondays. The company attributes the closure to a staffing shortage and says its team covers the rest of the operation. The Chicago location is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Lombard location is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Atmosphere and Guest Feedback

The restaurant describes its aim as recreating the feeling of being at home and treating guests like family. Testimonials on its website praise the atmosphere, decor, and music for evoking Greece, as well as the food's authenticity. Dishes mentioned by diners include skordalia, taramosalata, Greek salad, and bone-in lamb kokkinisto in tomato sauce.

Locations

Chicago: 200 S Halsted, Chicago, IL 60661 · Phone: (312) 782-9855

Lombard: 300 E 22nd St, Lombard, IL 60148 · Phone: (630) 932-4545