Athenian Grill

Elite '08

80

216

Carrie C.

Austin, TX

I miss this place.  It should be opening on 6th in One American Center across from Ruth Chris soon.  Everything I've had at the Colorado location was fantastic.  I crave the Mousaka, the lasagna style layers of eggplant and whipped potatos and ground beef.  The gyros were always good but fairly typical gyros and I never really went for the gigantic salads, but I loved the pot roast on rice and the lemon chicken soup.  I would stare down the clock beginning about 11:30 on a cold mid-day because at noon I knew I could race over and get in line for the warmth of that meal.  The portions were huge and the most talkative guy behind the counter was always very friendly and it felt good to know that I was supporting him by eating here.  Just good dining karma all around - great people, nice (if extremely cramped) space, wonderful food.  Also, I made friends with the dude that sells the Austin Advocate on 8th and Congress by bringing him my left overs from here which he really appreciated.  It's good food that fills you with happiness and comfort, (cheese ahoy!) and makes you appreciate and want to share the simple pleasures in life.

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3

36

Bobby A.

Los Angeles, CA

Disappointing. I fear it will be some time before Austin comes into Greek cusine.

Instead, go to Whole Foods and pick up some Kalamatas, Feta, Yigande Beans and have a picnic at Town Lake. Oh sorry, "Lady Bird" lake.

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Elite '08

134

264

Jaye J.

Austin, TX

Mmmmmmm, Athenian Chicken Salad! It's the best, but I get it with the gyro meat instead of chicken and ask for the dressing and other sauce on the side (they drown it if you don't).

Athenian Grill is one of my favorite lunch spots. It's pretty quick as it's a walk up counter, but get there early. Today the line was almost out the door. Seating is usually not a problem but every now and again, you get tool boxes who sit and linger even though the line is out the door and people are standing there, looking helpless as they look around for a place to sit.

To those jerks who sit there, discussing the selling price of Dell today, I say, get your ass up fools. Sometimes the busboys will come by and bus their tables, asking if they're done, giving them a hint, and these jacktards still sit, oblivious that there are people besides them.

The baklava is beautiful at Athenian. It's really big and chock full o' nuts, as well as topped with a slice of preserved lemon. If you can stomach it (the portions here are huge), I highly suggest it.

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3

4

Marissa Q.

Austin, TX

Chicken Salad and the Combination place are the ticket.  Prices may be a little on the high side - but they give you so much food you can take the rest home for dinner.

I picked up my lunch from Athenian today  - it looks like they are moving to 8th & Brazos.  I hope the move doesn't take too long....

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Elite '08

99

301

Isabelle K.

Austin, TX

Good Greek restaurant. I like their lamb dish and baklava. when I got there, the restaurant was full of people.
It's very hot inside during winter. One of my friend wore leather pants in winter. She was totally sweaty there.
They put several Santonrini's pictures on the wall. So I told my friends that I have been there.

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3

39

Cyrus M.

Dallas, TX

This place is DEE-licious! I always get the Combination Plate.. which is a combo of Chicken and Lamb/Beef meat... and comes with pita bread, a salad, a cheese pie thingey, and rice pilaf (sometimes switch that out with hummus). It hits the spot every time. I don't know what's in that Lamb/Beef meat (you can see it cooking and rotating on this rotisserie skewer rotator thingee.. and they slice it right off while its turning..) but it is really tasty.

The workers and owners seem to be all greek and are very polite.. has a very authentic feel to it. Never a long wait.. and for lunch you can get your food pretty fast.. as it is sort of cafeteria style during the day... and normal dining at night.

I've been wanting to the get the baklava.. but I'm always so stuffed by the time I'm done... good portions.. and affordable.

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22

41

Astra P.

Austin, TX

I used to go here pretty frequently for lunch -- it was a bit pricier than I liked, but the food was so good I couldn't resist. On the plus side, if you get the Greek salad with that pile of mouth-watering chicken on top, well, it's a pretty big portion -- enough for two, or for saving half for later. So it's really two meals in one.

The lunch prices are understandably cheaper; I've never actually been there for dinner, but I think they have table service then and it gets a bit swankier. During lunchtime rush, you just head up to the counter with a tray and order what you want. Good luck getting a seat, too -- it can get pretty busy then, even though there's a pretty decent number of tables, with a few little tucked-away spots off in corners or on the upper level near the other bar.

I love the decor, too. Lots of large, framed prints of Greece and the surrounding isles, with enticing views of whitewashed buildings surrounded by an expanse of blue; makes me wonder why anyone would ever leave. They've got some Greek art on the walls too -- Athena and Achilles and the like, looming over you while you eat. It's certainly one of the pleasanter places to eat downtown, and if you have to pay a little extra, well, I figure it's worth it.

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Elite '08

206

458

Susie G.

Austin, TX

GOOD FOOD!!!

Walking into this beautiful restaurant, which somehow goes unnoticed on the side of Colorado, is the Athenian Grill. It is what it sounds like. Wonderful and beautiful Greek food in large amounts.

The selections were numerous, the place was warm, the servers were beyond friendly ( even though I was a half an hour late joining my group cause I couldn't find parking anywhere!) and the food was pretty much out of this world. I had gyros, and knew then that the gyro's I had had elsewhere and ooed and aahed over were nothing compared to the real thing.

A  table full of foodie people groaning in amazement over their dinner= a definite 4 star rating. Come here. Its really good. No, I mean it.

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Elite '08

16

73

Erin L.

Austin, TX

I lived across the street from this restaurant for over a year before trying it out, and I'm sorry I waited so long. I've never been to lunch, when it seems packed, but I've eaten dinner here a couple of times and taken food to go. Although it's worth noting that I've NEVER seen the place full at night, so reservations and a wait should not be a concern.
Their hummus is rich and creamy and the warm, fresh pitas that come with it? I could eat an almost infinite amount.
 The greek salad that comes with every entree is a little heavy on the dressing, but you can almost forgive that since it's so deliciously tangy.
 The spinach chicken is generously portioned with just the right seasoning. Their combination plates are also quite hearty. Also, even though it's not on the menu you can ask for a gyro wrap at dinner instead of the gyro plate. It's a lighter alternative. Their waiters are really friendly and know their stuff, so if you aren't sure, they are a great resource.
 It's worth noting that they've recently relocated to Brazos street, but it's worth the trip if you're looking for delicious, athentic greek.

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2

3

Connie G.

TX

Ever since visiting Greece last year, I've been on a mission to find an authentic Greek restaurant in Austin.  Ladies and gentlemen.... Athenian Grill.  My girlfriend and I had a glass of Retsina (white Greek table wine).  For those of you who have never had it, it's not your typical white wine-- it has an intense flavor and a distinct sappiness (because it's treated with pine-tree resin).  It's definitely an acquired taste.  The tzatziki we started off with was WONDERFUL!   It's exactly as I remembered it in Greece.  For my entree, I had the mousaka.  It was quite a bit different than I had experienced, but still absolutely delicious-- so good, I had to order one to go.  ;o)  A few days later, I returned to try something new and arrive minutes before dinner.  For lunch, you order over a counter and all the plates are under $9--  I had the combination plate which comes with chicken & gyro served with a greek salad, greek meatballs, a cheese pie, and rice pilaf, and a side of tzatziki with pita bread--  an abundance of food for great food for a low price!  I highly recommend this place for those looking for an authentic Greek experience.

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