Great Greek?

[hippodeir]

Any recs for greek food in LA? I love The Great Greek in Sherman Oaks, but it's too far! :)

[Ernie]

Papadakis Taverna in San Pedro. My partner is Greek with some very picky family cooks and agrees.

[Bonnie D]

This place was gross. Potatoes were dry and everything was covered in dressing and sauces. Boo.

[Ernie]

That's too bad, it is usually very good, especially their lamb dishes. What did you order?

[Das Ubergeek]

I'll go with "overrated". I think "gross" is overstating the case.

[hpcat]

It's extremely casual but I love the food at Papa Cristo's. Pico and Normandie.

[klaatu]

+1! Great food and a great little market (buy a baguette).

[David Kahn]

Agree about Papa Cristos. It is one of Los Angeles's gems.

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Papa Cristos
2771 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

[another_adam]

Add one more vote for Papa Cristo's--I could take or leave the atmosphere, but I love their marides (fried fishies). The oktapodaki are usually nice and charry too (occasionally they seem be not quite on target, but usually good). And the pickled peppers are good too :) It's too bad that everything's always accompanied by obligatory slices of lackluster tomatoes, but oh well...

[Dybno]

I know this is not the closest place, but if you ever find yourself in Malibu I remember really liking Taverna Tony, also Papa Christos on Pico is pretty good.

[Obessed]

Sofi (3rd Street), Ulysses Voyage (in the Grove)

[David Kahn]

I've only been to Sofi a couple of times, but on each visit, I thought the best thing about it was the patio. Of course, different strokes...

[foodhappy]

I completely agree with the suggestion to go to "Sofi." My husband is Greek, and still swears that it is the closest thing to the real deal, outside of Greece. Their Saganaki (Flaming Cheese) is amazing!

[rancherostyl]

yuck. I was baptized across the street from c&k (papachristos), so have loved the market all my life, but the cafe? Please. That little man should be ashamed. Why is it that people so strenuously object to other "Americanized" ethnic cuisines, but everyone gives a pass to these floor show Greek places, 90% of which are horrible. It can't be financial, because great Greek food is as cheap to make as great Mexican food. The tacky atmosphere at most places is as offensive to most Greeks as, say, the sleeping-sombrero-wearing guy adorning the walls at some Mexican places. Sorry for the rant, but this has always bothered me, and I admit it's my own peoples' fault.

That said, aside from the embarassing name, Le Petit Greek (I pray that's a sly slagging-off of the mincing Papachristo himself) on Larchmont is unreasonably expensive but consistently good, especially the more peasant-y things, like the grilled fish, tarama salata, tzatziki, and warm pita, not to mention some good wine. Even the gyro would be a big seller on the street in front of the Grande Bretagne in Athens or somewhere on Iraklion. But that's just one place, so, aspiring Greek chefs take heart, there's still a yawning vacuum for you to fill.