Back to USA Volleyball home pageWhat do you get when you douse Kasseri cheese with brandy and light it on fire? Saganaki — the most popular appetizer in all of Greektown. Waiters flambé the dish tableside and yell “OPA!” as a giant flame leaps to life from the small serving skillet. Watching the surprised reactions on the faces of diners unfamiliar with the custom never gets old.
That’s just one of the many reasons that Detroit’s Greektown remains a top destination for locals and visitors alike.
It’s All Greek to Me!
Historic Greek restaurants New Parthenon and Pegasus Taverna set the standard for the neighborhood, with delicious food, generous portions and reasonable prices. Imagine a long list of menu options — including lamp chops, spinach pie, lemon rice soup and gyros — each with exotic Greek names, of course. Kitchens remain open until 3 a.m. or later — making these restaurants the final stop for many after downtown sporting events, theater performances, concerts or last call. Santorini Estiatorio, named for a Greek island, opened at the end of 2012. As the new Greek kid on the block, the restaurant has quickly lived up to the quality of its elder neighbors.
Culinary Identity Crisis
While Greektown is an accurate name based on the history of the area, over the years, restaurants of various cuisines have made a home for themselves here. Try Fishbone’s for its New Orleans Creole-inspired menu, Red Smoke for barbeque or PizzaPapalis for gourmet deep dish pizza.
Feeling Lucky?
Of course, no visit to Greektown would be complete without a stop at Greektown Casino-Hotel. One of three casinos in the city, Greektown Casino is a popular tourist destination. With a new Super Pit table game area, a new video poker lounge and more than 2,700 exciting slots machines, this is the perfect place for the ultimate gamers. There is also a range of dining options, from casual to upscale, to fit the needs and budgets of all visitors.
Celebrate your win by dancing the night away at Niki’s Lounge. If you didn’t pack your boogie shoes but still want to hang out and have fun, try Firebird Tavern, Pappy’s Sports Bar & Grill or the rooftop patio at Old Shillelagh Irish Pub (nothing Greek about this place!).
