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Athens
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
500 N 4th AveSte 6
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 624-6886
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 4 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Julia S. said: "(+) - mahi mahi with pita chips - yellowfin tuna honey sesame salad - falafel - gyro - pesto lavosh turkey wrap - chicken tikka masala (-) - food can take forever to come out Been here way too many times, but cant help coming back…" read more »
52 reviews for Athens
Review Highlights
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"...was wonderful as were the Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves." In 4 reviews -
"The olive oil was amazing as was the balsamic vinegar." In 6 reviews -
"The braised lamb was so succulent and tender." In 4 reviews
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52 reviews in English
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Review from Tom C.
Seattle, WA
2/11/2012
Soup and Greek salad were excellent and priced well. Will definitely return next time we are in Tucson.
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Review from Lauren K.
2/9/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Another place in Tucson where I don't understand the ratings. It's almost like I'm being served different food, or I'm the only one that notices when food isn't served fresh. Athens is definitely not serving fresh food, certainly not in the two times I've been there.
Both times we ordered the saganaki. It is served and presented in the normal Greek restaurant way: flaming. They use a decent version of this particular cheese, and overall it's just a good, tried and true, dish. This dish sets the standard too high for this place.
Their menu items are all authentic and standard Greek dishes. We've tried a few of their entrees. The food starts out fresher with better ingredients than other places in town, but once it was served, it was painfully obvious that by the time it gets to you, it is no longer fresh. Everthing was clearly frozen. For a long time. And defrosted probably improperly. And by the speed of service (lightning fast), I'm afraid that might mean with a microwave. Many dishes were served sitting in pools of water, which is a dead giveaway that food has been frozen, particularly with dishes that aren't even sauce based, where it might be possible that instead of frozen, it's just cooked wrong. Another dish, the pastitsio, was a goopy mess that got rubbery in the microwave. Even the dessert baklava was sitting in water and it was ice cold and almost impossible to chew.
Besides the food, the service is just ok. Not overly friendly or welcoming, but they are ok about refilling your drink. The restaurant is a little dingy and frumpy, but it has a lot of potential to be really nice. The prices are really high for the quality they're serving you. $15 for rubbery, microwaved pasta? I think I'd rather eat at Olive Garden in this case.
Their parking lot is atrocious. Just awful. There's about ten cramped spots and that's it. Come early or enjoy trying to park on 4th.
I want to support this place, I really do. I love Greek food. And local Greek food should be even better! But I just can't when the food isn't even sorta fresh. Sorry. -
Review from Yolanda G.
Tucson, AZ
9/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
OPA! This traditional restaurant is great! The staff is incredibly friendly and the food is divine. The moussaka was SO good and the baklava is a tasty dessert. They offer a variety of traditional dishes.looking forward to the next visit!
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Review from Olga T.
Phoenix, AZ
11/5/2011
Athens has delicious Greek food. As a Greek-American, I enjoy and appreciate how authentic it is. My favorite is the grilled octopus. The staff is very nice. We go there every time we are in Tucson. DELICIOUS!
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Review from Meghan B.
New Orleans, LA
11/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was not very impressed with the inside atmosphere and decor of the restaurant. It is stale and stuffy--so we decided to sit outside on the patio. The outside atmosphere is quaint with tables in a courtyard. It has a romantic feel with white lights in the surrounding trees and bushes.
The staff were very friendly and nice.
I was very impressed with my trout stuffed with crab--it was on the special's menu of of the evening -it is not on the regular menu. The trout was thick and had a lot of favor-the crab stuffing (although very rich) was very good. I was very pleased with the trout.
The sides were okay. I got double veggie no starch, please! The green beans were okay, but nothing to rave about. Instead of a side of rice or pasta I got a salad to substitute--the salad consisted of a couple leafs of lettuce, a small piece of tomato and a slice of red onion--I was not impressed!
All in all it was enjoyable eating experience. -
Review from Philippos S.
Tempe, AZ
4/2/2011
I thought the food was great. We sat on the patio and started with the saganaki. For our entrees we had chicken souvlaki, psaronefri, and the grilled octopus. Finished with a rice pudding and kadeifi. The chicken and pork tenderloin were juicy, well seasoned and perfectly cooked. Loved the tomato sauce and cheese over the rice. The roasted potatoes were also great (actually reminded of my mom's potatoes back in Cyprus).
If I was to change something it would be to go a bit lighter on the olive oil on the grilled octopus as the taste of it overwhelmed the taste of the octopus.
Overall great food and experience and will definitely return. -
Review from Barnabas L.
Phoenix, AZ
Updated - 10/13/2010
Cyriana (the owner), was very kind and invited me to come try them out a second time.
This time the service was great, food was excellent. We had one of their appetizers which they light this cheese on fire with brandy, i forget all the names but it was very very good. We also had the calamari, which in my opinion is a lot better their way than other places..it also wasn't oily/greasy like how they normally are. It was really good appetizers get a 5 star from me.
The entres were also good, but not as great as the appetizers were. We were too stuffed to go for dessert, but they had a decent choice, and some of their desserts weren't ready or prepared till later in the evening (7pm)
i would come back, my friend enjoyed the place too!
this post is a little smaller because my laptop is running out of batteries!! AAAA1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/11/2010
Went here on labor day and wow horrible service. They aren't slammed by business but they definitely… Read more »
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Review from Anthony B.
Phoenix, AZ
11/1/2011
Don't sit outside. Waited for about fifteen minutes before I left. The food looked real good. Sheesh
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Review from Tracy C.
Tucson, AZ
4/4/2011
OMG! We decided to try something different tonight and wow! A quiet night at Athens. Started with the combo plate "Pikilia" - fresh and very good. The best dolmathes I've ever had. I got the "Pastitsio" and my wife got "Spanakopita". We both had eyes for the other's plate, so we shared. Portions were the right size (not too big, but enough so my wife had a small lunch for tomorrow). I've never had the "Pastitsio" before so didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised and completely satisfied. Very good!
Service was great! My wife couldn't decide on a Greek wine and our server let her taste wines until she found on she liked! She really made sure my wife was happy with her selection. Couldn't have gotten any better service.
Food and service are top rate! It's a great value for the price. I would call this a mid to high level price structure, but well worth it! We spent roughly $60 for the two of us and as I said before, my wife had a small take home for lunch tomorrow.
We will be back! -
Review from gaby g.
Oakland, CA
10/1/2011
The food is absolutely delicious. I've been to Greece and love Greek food, and the food at Athens is authentic and legit. The service was slow, but apologetic and friendly (hey, it was Friday night after all). A great mom-and-pop vibe. Nice outdoor patio. I had the chicken souvlaki and the chicken was tender and perfectly cooked. My fiance had the gyros plate and that was even better than the chicken - very flavorful. I'd get that next time. Athens is a little pricey (about $80 for 4 people) but worth it. Would definitely return!
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Review from Brooke R.
Bay Area, CA
1/7/2009
Situated behind the Chocolate Iguana and with an entrance from 6th St, dining at this inappropriately named restaurant was the best decision I made all weekend.
Both my dining partner and I ordered lunch specials, I had a gyro sandwich with a soup, and he had a grilled eggplant sandwich. They offer two soups here, I chose the chicken option. It had a chicken broth, rice, and chicken pieces. This was very good. My gyro was fluffy and stuffed with the standard lamb/beef meat combo. The tzatziki sauce came on the side, and this was creamy with a little bite. Onions and lettuce were also on the side of my plate. The grilled eggplant sandwich somehow had balsamic dressing fused in with the bread, yet the bread was toasty and not soggy. Other grilled vegetables were on the sandwich as well, including zucchinis and incredibly sweet bell peppers. On the side of his sandwich was a Greek salad.
I cannot describe to you how good their feta cheese is, but when you come here, make sure to order something with feta.
They have a slew of desserts, all sounding incredible, but we chose the one that started with 'M,' which was like an apple pie. The crust was filo and the filling was gooey apple. Homemade whipped cream was dolloped on the side and cinnamon was sprinkled all over.Listed in: I'm Hungry and On Campus
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Review from James K.
Tucson, AZ
9/22/2009 ROTD 9/17/2010
Eating here is quite simply a treat, a luscious, unqualified treat.
My girlfriend took me here for a birthday dinner, and I wanted to devour everything on the menu.
I have never had a better dolma anywhere. The grape leaves are tender, succulent, appropriately oiled up, and contain a silky smooth filling that fairly melts in the mouth. Actually, everything in the appetizer sampler was to die for - even the marinated vegetables had an otherworldly quality to them.
For the main event, I didn't hold back. My way of thinking was that I splurge at nice restaurants so infrequently, and it just didn't make sense to go to a Greek restaurant and scrounge for health food. I ordered the Pastitsio, which, if you have never tried it before, is one of those "must consume before you die" kind of meals. It is a meaty, stick-to-your-ribs Greek lasagna, with layers of noodles, tangy red sauce, spicy ground beef, and heart-attack-inducing bechamel. It was orgasmic.
For dessert, we went with the honey-drenched yogurt cake. When the cake arrived, both of us were initially nonplussed, and one of the diners nearby was heard to snarkily comment, "Ugh, it's just yellow cake. What a waste of money." Nothing could be farther from the truth, however. The cake was a rich, creamy, cornbread-like dish that was soaked in a spicy honey. The slice was so laden with honey, in fact, that it barely maintained its structural integrity, and seemed to dissolve as soon as a mouthful hit my tongue.
The decor was pretty standard, and, if anything, the owner might be trying a little too hard to create a chic experience. The walls are busy with art, and, for some reason, my gf was positively disturbed by the painting of a milk jug that hung over our table, but I can't say that I paid much attention to the decorations. The food was just so good.
Service was also outstanding. Our waitress was pleasant, attentive, and knowledgeable. She suggested some great wine pairings and did a wonderful job with our service. Additionally, the proprietor circulated around the dining room, checking in with his various customers and chatting about the menu - never in an obnoxious or intrusive way, though.
I just couldn't be happier. Maybe it was all the wine. Maybe it was the birthday high I was feeling. Maybe it was the fact that I got to spend the evening with a beautiful woman. Whatever the case may be, though, there was a confluence of factors that made the night a fantastic dining experience. After I work off the calories and eat healthy again for a while, I will eagerly anticipate my next celebratory excuse to return. -
Review from el p.
Chandler, AZ
8/14/2009
So after my orientation at the U of A, we decided we were super hungry. Wanting to christen my first day in Tucson, we wandered 4th... looking for food of course! :) And low and behold, we stumbled upon Athens on 4th Avenue.
At 11:30am, the place was dead. There was one other table besides ours, but we didn't let that detract us. I ordered the olives & cheese appetizer and sipped on water with lemon, attempting to beat the Arizona heat.
FETA. FETA. FETA. If you order one thing, make sure it has feta. I have never had better feta cheese in my life and everyone at my table agreed. The olive oil was amazing as was the balsamic vinegar. Sooo good.
I had the salmon salad, everyone else had the gyro lunch special. The salad was a huge portion (I only finished half) and everyone else inhaled their gyros. I can't wait to be back in Tucson for this restaurant . It was the best. -
Review from Anne W.
1/18/2009
After eating an entire week of just mediocre food in Tucson.. we were lucky to find a place that is family owned and could accomodate a huge group (we had about 34 people). We had a set menu complete with different appetizers, main course, and dessert for about $38 with tax and tip.
I was impressed witht the food since I am not really such a fan of Greek food. I thought the hummus and babaganoush (have no idea on the spelling but it's a very delicious eggplant dip) was fantastic! The saganaki (again I am hazy with the spelling but it is fried cheese lit on fire and very delicious) was really good as well. I decided to go with the mousaka (damn these Greek words are hard to spell) and it was very yummy in my tummy. The dessert was some traditional Greek dessert which I didn't enjoy as much but I was so full anyways and rolled on home.
Great find. Not near the bars though.. confused about that at first. You've got to talk another four blocks or so to find that. -
Review from Carmen M.
Mesa, AZ
6/10/2009
Phenomenal! I couldn't be more impressed. Ok, I could, but only by sitting seaside.
On the surprisingly pleasant June night, we ate outside in the quaint courtyard of Athens on 4th. First we ordered the house red ($14/half carafe) and Tiri Saganaki ($8.75), sauteed and flambeed cheese with pita. Next up was the Moussaka for me ($15.95), salmon for my mom($16.95) and my friend got the Dolmathes ($13.95). We were all delighted with the flavors. They were big portions, but I made a big dent in mine and didn't feel too weighted down to miss dessert. It was good, but I can't remember its name...some sort of fruity pastry with a big dollop of cream and a sliced kumquat on top. Scrumptious!
I'm looking for an excuse to go back to Tucson just to eat here again. Happy days ahead!!! -
Review from Ed G.
Vail, AZ
5/5/2009
I got to try this place out just last night. Their patio is very comfortable and quaint. The warm Tucson night probably didn't hurt it any either. While the street noise was sometimes distracting (an ambulance and later a police car both headed right by with sirens on and multiple motorcycles that seemed louder than normal) it is off of 4th Avenue, which is where you go for the city life feel anyways. So I think it all just added to the expected ambience and was enjoyed overall.
The braised lamb was so succulent and tender. The sauce they used was very mild and let the taste of the meat shine through. I got green beans with it and I've now realized I've never had well prepared green beans before! I'm sure they were cooked with too much oil, but they tasted amazing. A slight bit of spice to them also.
They had some yogurt they made that they used for desert (served with honey, strawberry, and raspberry) that had a gentle tartness to it. Very fitting finish to the meal.
While our waiter was a young man who spoke Greek very well, he also was very good at being scarce, forgetful, and generally unaware. George (General Manager & Owner) however was readily available and very social throughout the evening with many tables, including ours. I never felt more than a minor comment away if things got too ugly. George definitely would have taken care of us if needed.
I can't wait to go back and try the sweetbreads, their other specialty claim. -
Review from Dailoc N.
Smyrna, TN
I sure love greek food, and this is one of the better places I've ever been too. Not only is the food good, the decor and atmosphere were great too. Located downtown in the hipster/college crowd part of town, the place had a cozy mellow feel. The service was a little slow, but the waitress was very attentive.
For an appetizer I had the pikilia: a combination plate with dolmathes, kefalotiri cheese, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, and cucumber. Light, refreshing and tasty. Maybe add a few more olives and some pita bread.
For the main dish I had grilled fish, forgot what kind. It was very buttery tasting, I remember the the nickname being butterfish. Grilled so that the skin was very crispy, yet the meat itself was very juicy and tender. A little too oily/buttery for my taste. Maybe should have went with the sea bass instead. The rice side-dish was a good compliment to any fish. Flavorful but not too overwhelming. Not sure what was on there but it was good. -
Review from Amanda B.
Tucson, AZ
9/19/2011
Great atmosphere, reasonably priced menu with a great taste!
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Review from Chris S.
Newport Beach, CA
5/11/2010
Took 14 people here last week for my Moms 75th b-day.
In short, it was an awesome experience. The food was a 10 and the service was off the charts. The Owner, George, came to the table within 5 minutes of us being seated (outside in the courtyard). He noticed that we had my 3 young kids and immediately brought some "kid friendly" apps out.
The wine selection consisted of all Greek which was "Greek" to me. So to help us decide they did a nice little tasting session with us while bringing more incredible apps out.
Just a great atmosphere and incredible food, the entire group just loved it.
Thanks for a great night! -
Review from Shannon G.
Tucson, AZ
6/24/2010
With out a doubt the perfect choice for authentic Greek cuisine in Tucson is Athens on 4th Avenue. It's absolutely my favorite! From fresh homemade dishes to a cozy warm and relaxing atmosphere....this family-owned restaurant is pure pleasure for the taste buds and idealistic for a romantic evening out on the town. You will most likely find me and my husband Graham here once or even twice a week. Yes it's that good!
When you walk into Athens you can smell the delicious aromas floating through the air. Located on the corner of 4th Avenue and 6th Street, this gem is the ideal spot for dinner with the girlfriends or a date night with your significant other.
Graham and I typically like to dine on the small outdoor patio...if we're not getting melted by the Arizona heat of course. The food is so fresh and the choices almost seem endless that you can almost spend an hour going through the menu. The most outstanding appetizers are the calamari and most definitely the flaming saganaki (cheese sauteed in butter and flamed with brandy), followed by a very enthusiastic "Opaa!". My favorite entree is the seasoned lamb chops served with a side of green beans and garlic spaghetti. This typically is served with a choice of rice or potatoes but I absolutely LOVE the spaghetti. I pretty much always order this!
Our evening at Athens always ends with the owners Andreas and his beautiful daughter Cyriana and her husband George joining us for more wine and enjoyable conversation.
If you love Greek food, you must try this place. It's probably the best Greek food I've EVER had.Listed in: Restaurants
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Review from Hannah B.
Austin, TX
7/22/2008
Best Greek in Tucson. Not sure why no one has written a review yet. This place has great food and great service. I only ever eat outside. The owners are super chill and friendly. Everything I've ever gotten off the menu was super awesome. I went there for my birthday in June and our waitress ended up sitting with us at the end of the meal and chatting, as did the owner :). He tried to offer us ouzo (sp?) but we politely declined as, well, its gross. heehee. They also stay open until everyone's done. Like I said super chill. Its a family run business, and I've heard you can get them to cater for you and they're totally up for it and make special custom food just for you. (You can also just say: Here's how many people, now... Be awesome!, aka make whatever you want... And they will be/do it)
Only open at night, starting at 4 or 5 i think. Perfect for entertaining out of town guests like parents, or for a slightly more upscale -but not stuffy- night out. -
Review from Saba B.
12/1/2011
Someone brought up saganaki recently, so we sought out at a cozy table in Athens to sample their version. Our server expertly fired the brandied platter, and the plump, grilled little blanket of goat cheese was truly mouth-watering. The lemon butter was beautifully rich, and little squares of pita on the side sopped it up readily. My honey-yogurt salad was rich with raspberries, raisins, pecans, cuke, and apple. His gyro platter was decent, but not exciting. The dolmathes disappointed. While plentiful (six large stuffed grape leaves), they lacked the vinegary bite I crave. The lamb filling was hardly seasoned. The dessert menu was impressive, and we had to fight the urge for Metaxa cheesecake. Service is a bit pokey, but Athens is a family endeavor and you wouldn't rush your sister. I have no idea why Athens hasn't pushed for a more visible entrance, but they certainly seemed busy enough. Would've at least liked a little Greek music for background, and maybe even a bit of glass-smashing and belly dancing on the weekend to liven things up
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Review from Philip M.
Folsom, CA
5/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Traditional Greek including some excellent fresh seafood dishes. Warm inviting ambience and excellent service. We ordered the Pastitsio, Souvlaki & lamb shank. Everything was outstanding.
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Review from Suzie M.
West Los Angeles, CA
4/26/2011
We went here on Saturday to meet up with some friends in town from Phoenix. I've been to a few Greek restaurants in town and they were OK but nothing special. Based on our meal there recently I will be coming back to 4th Avenue the next time I get a craving for this type of cuisine!
The menu is much more extensive and ranges from the popular dishes like saganaki (flaming cheese) to gyros. They also have a lot of other dishes that are less common at chain restaurants - and a lot of seafood specials. I tried one of the specials, crabbed stuffed trout and my husband had dolamades (stuffed grape leaves). The rest of our group had a variety of other dishes. I really enjoyed the fish, it was flaky and I'm always a fan of crab meat. All dishes came with a choice of potatoes or rice, and there's so much food you're guaranteed to have leftovers.
The waiter was also very knowledgeable about the menu - they don't have any allergen menus (gluten free, etc) but when I told him my allergies he knew what to recommend and what he'd need to discuss with the chef. For example, the sauteed prawns are usually dusted with flour. So I felt confident when I ordered that I wouldn't be getting sick!
They also have an extensive wine list from the region and a few beers. I tried a white wine that was comparable to a Sauvigon blanc - very good!
My only complaint is the parking - there is a VERY small lot behind the restaurant that was full when we arrived at 4:30. Of course this is a common complaint on 4th Ave and it's usually no problem to park a few blocks away. After all the food we ate - we needed the exercise! -
Review from His T.
Tucson, AZ
6/30/2009
I was not as impressed with this place as so many others have been. The food was certainly passable, but nothing to write home about.
I got the sweetbreads, which was listed as a house specialty, and my girlfriend got the gyro plate.
The gyro plate was generous, but the meat was no different from that which can be had at any run-of-the-mill Greek establishment, and it dried out very quickly. I don't mean this to be overly-insulting, but I honestly would have preferred a gyro from Pita Pit. That probably says more about the under-appreciated quality of Pita Pit than it does about Athens. My point is, the dish was underwhelming.
Unfortunately, the sweetbreads were also underwhelming. Tender, to be sure, but rather small and bland. The taste was more breading than anything. I realize sweetbreads tend to be delicate so I understand that it's difficult to get them to shine, but the dish was the most expensive on the menu and I was hoping for better.
On a positive note: The highlight of the meal was the stuffed pepper appetizer. It easily rivals a similar appetizer at Barrio Grill, though this version is grilled red pepper and features the pepper more prominently than the filling, which as rich and delicious. Really a treat.
The server was nice and the atmosphere pleasant - cozy but tasteful. We had read about the feta cheese but none of our dishes came with feta so we were out of luck there. I'll have to go back to try some of the popular dishes in the earlier reviews, but for the time being I'd say this was just passable. -
Review from alafair n.
Tucson, AZ
9/23/2009
Three of us happened upon this place after getting turned off by the (all) low fat options on real food in the candy shop/bakery next door. While the prices seemed a bit steep for lunch, we figured it was a small price to pay for a quiet, air-conditioned, and hopefully good meal. None of us considered the obscene portions!
Before I get to the actual food, the place gets points for serving delicious iced tea and happily bringing extra ice and a pitcher of tea for our table.
We were started out with fresh, hot bread and the wonderful Greek olive oil. I was shocked at how delicious I found these simple items. I had the soup and salad lunch combo. The chicken soup was hearty, and the cucumber & tomato salad was accented by the amazing feta cheese. I ended up taking home a chunk of bread and most of my salad, which made a great dinner. Another person had the lentil soup, which was nice and lemony -- very similar (but don't tell them I said this) to a Turkish lentil soup, and gyro combo, which she declared amazing. The third had the Greek salad and couldn't finish it ... so I took her leftovers home with me.
I'm not sure how their dinner is, but already know what I want if I end up there for dinner -- the appetizer platter. Or a giant bowl of soup. -
Review from Morgan L.
Boulder, CO
1/31/2010
There were things I liked about Athens, and things I did not like at all - hence the mid-range rating. Their menu was spot-on Greek-American and the flavors were authentic. The dolmas and gyro were delicious and fresh. I might have ordered the wrong item - the seafood platter. The dish came out with gritty mussels and clams, which were not even mentioned on the menu (the dish advertised salmon, mahi mahi and scampi). Although the scampi and butter sauce were delish, there was no excuse for sand in shellfish. The kitschy/overly cute and underwhelming service did nothing to compensate for a bad entree.
Two desserts were really well executed - baklava and yogurt cake. All in all, I'd recommend it, but don't order anything with shellfish. You'll be picking dirt out of your teeth long after you've settled the check. -
Review from kathryn o.
Tucson, AZ
12/30/2010
Had dinner from 6 to 7:45 p.m. on 12/29/10
Food: delicious. We had the stuffed red pepper w/ pita bread appetizer and another one with 4 stuffed grape leaves, 4 pieces of special hard cheese, feta, olives, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber. Husband had the lentil soup which he liked. I had a small greek salad which was exactly like the appetizer minus the stuffed grape leaves (so I wish I had gotten a different appetizer). Husband had shellfish, and I had salmon. Both wonderful. Dessert was the yogurt cake drizzled with lemon syrup. Decaf coffee was better than the kind at coffee houses; husband had the greek coffee.
Service: polite, attentive, friendly but not too familiar (I don't like too familiar), and lots of smiles all around. Owners greeted us upon entering and leaving.
There were several large parties (holiday time), but we never had to wait for attention from our servers our party of two. Even with large parties, the place did not feel crowded or too noisy.
We don't drink, so cannot comment on that, but they have an extensive wine and special drink menu. Overheard others say their martinis were good.
Took home leftovers b/c portions are large. Left feeling satisfied and happy.
Free parking behind or they will reimburse you if you park in a particular lot, so call ahead to ask about that.
Reservations recommended.Listed in: Restaurant
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Review from Stephen G.
Tucson, AZ
10/30/2010
I've heard the buzz for years so I was excited to try the food. Authentic, wonderful, the only place to eat Greek food in Tucson. It is an expensive mixed bag. Lunch table for 4, $70 plus tip; 3 gyros $10 each, one steak sandwich $10 and two appetizers at $10 and $6.50 and three soft drinks at $7.50. The hostess, who kept the drinks and water filled, was spot on perfect. Service and the food was so slow we began to wonder if we would be late for our 3:30 pm appt. We sat at 1 pm. Then we found out why. The gyros were cooked to oblivion, dark, chewy, dry and lacking in flavor. Like beef jerky. The medium rare steak sandwich was cooked well and also dry. No onion or tomato for the gyro either. Maybe it isn't authentic, but it is better with them than without. The tzatziki sauce was the best I have ever had. Slad dressing excellent too. The grilled octopus was wonderful as were the Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves.)
There are far better gyros at Fronimos. Bigger salad too with more feta and more kalmata olives for less money and WAY faster. We'll try this again, but not for gyros or steak sandwich. -
Review from David G.
Scottsdale, AZ
2/17/2011
This restaurant has very good food and an "attitude" that naturally draws out the enjoyment potential in its diners. It didn't even matter that the place was mobbed and we had to wait 25 minutes for our reservation -- it felt liking visiting a friend's place and nobody seemed to mind. The wait was well worth it, as each dish was just about as good as it could be. Someone here knows how to cook. The wines are also well selected and fairly priced.
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Review from Toni M.
11/10/2008
Tonight is our first night in Tucson. We bought Daphne, our GPS, and the laptop. We checked into the B&B, took a short nap, and decided to go to this restaurant for dinner. Alan found it yesterday or the day before on Yelp. I may be a native Californian, but my soul is Mediterranean and I'm always up for a new Greek restaurant. For some reason Daphne couldn't find directions to the place and we spent 15 or 20 minutes wandering in the wilderness of downtown Tucson before Alan called the restaurant to get directions.. When we arrived we were frustrated, irritated and relieved.
We looked at the menu and it looked good. We were seated promptly and soon a man we think is the owner swooped down on us and metaphorically gathered us in and welcomed us. He asked what we wanted for an appetizer and when I told him scordalia he suggested a triple appetizer w/ scordalia, tzadziki and eggplant. Done. Then he suggested calamari. We didn't even bother to ask whether there were tentacles. We knew. Then he told us to put our menus away and concentrate on the appetizers. He asked about wine, whether I liked red or white, I said red and he brought a bottle of a Greek Cabernet. He gave me a taste, which was very smooth, very good, w/ a subtle hint of sweetness and when I liked it he poured a full glass and left me the rest of the bottle, about another half glass, to finish.. He brought Alan a beer from Norther Greece, which Alan pronounced tasty. The triple appetizer came w/ generous portions of each spread mounded in rounds of red bell pepper, each topped w/ an olive. in between the dips were piles of pita triangles. There was a small chunk of feta, some tomato slices and a couple of peperoncini to complete the dish. The calamari was perfectly cooked. A bit of Greek salad and lemon wedges accompanied it. For our mains I ordered braised lamb, which came w/ rice or pasta and vegetables, broad green beans in a tomato sauce. Alan ordered a gyros platter. Everything was marvelous. We will be redolent of garlic tomorrow and 'll bet we'll return for dinner before we leave Tucson.Listed in: My Arizona List
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Review from alan m.
Tucson, AZ
3/5/2011
We have eaten at this restaurant at least 10 times and have always loved the food and service. However, today we were there for lunch; I had a shrimp salad which had undercooked shrimp(which was sent back) and no dressing. My wife's lentil soup which was ill tasting and also sent back. Has the chef been sent up to the new place in Oro Valley?
By the way, no apologies or bill adjustment were forthcoming. -
Review from Livio T.
9/2/2008
Not only is this the best Greek in Tucson, its the best Calamari and Lamb you can get in Tucson to boot! Also, if you want to be treated like family, this is the place for you! The owner, George loves to come out and talk food and wine at length, and if you so engage him in such a conversation, he just might offer you and your guests a round of ouzo!
So my wife and I took some friends (another couple) on a Friday night to have dinner, and we lucked out as we got Athena -- yes, that's really her name -- our favorite waitress. She's just about the sweetest, most thoughtful and attentive waitress one could ask for. And yes, she's like that even on a busy Friday night!
So the place was packed, we had to wait just a short while (~30 min) to be seated. Athena spouted off some great sounding specials, but in all seriousness I told her, and our guests, that she should have just said, " Tonight we have lamb, lamb and lamb." Our guests took my queue and ordered the Braised Lamb (a lamb shoulder chop first braised in extra virgin olive oil then slow cooked amongst tomatoes, onions and some exotic spices). My wife order the Pastitsio -- a Greek staple at many restaurants, but far from ordinary! We also ordered Calamari and a Greek salad for the four of us to split (a small salad was more than sufficient for the four of us!). The salad and the bread are very satisfying, but the calamari truly defies belief. Now, being Italian and coming from a family in the restaurant business, I know good Calamari, and Athens nails it on the head. The Calamari there is tasty, never rubbery, chewy or fishy in any way. Its delicate and simply delicious!
After the very satisfying appetizers, the "bad" news came. I was informed that only two Braised Lamb chops remained, which I only slightly begrudgingly insisted that our guests take the remaining two. Athena (and George) we very sympathetic and were ready to make it up to me. They offered a free bottle of wine to the table, or the other lamb dish (the broiled lamb chops - which is $7 more than the braised!). I chose the other lamb dish thinking that I would be paying the other dish's price, but no -- they offered it on the house! Not only that, George came out as soon it was less busy and offered the table a round of ouzo!
Let's just say that our guests were floored by the place, the people and the food -- as my wife and I always are. But let us not forget dessert.... all I can say is, forget baklava! Don't get me wrong its good there, but if you want something different and completely fantastic, get the honey yogurt cake. Oh, and did I mention its more than enough for four? -
Review from Benjamin M.
Tucson, AZ
2/26/2011
Last night, my husband and I had the best Greek meal we've ever had. White wine clams, honey yogurt salad, and crab stuffed trout, finished with lemon cheesecake. It was awesome.
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Review from H C.
Raleigh, NC
8/19/2010
We went here with our kids, very picky kids. The waitstaff was very polite and patient with the ordering process with them. The food was fab! Loved this place - app gyro was awsome, a little of everything.
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Review from surranna v.
Brighton, MI
11/3/2008
I can wait to go back. We had the stuffed sweet peppers and the gyro appetizer. The stuffed peppers are insane. We then ordered both types of soup and both hit the spot. They are the ultimate in comfort food. We sat outside which was so perfect with our soup and warm bread. The olive oil is so darn good I felt like drinking it. This place was busy and the service was still on point. I can't wait to go back for some lamb.
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Review from Jason K.
Tucson, AZ
Service was decent and food was excellent.
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Review from Michael H.
Cherry Hills Village, CO
3/21/2009
Wow! In a town that seems to favor chains and formula Mexican food, this place rocked my socks. Gourmet Greek food, most rare in my experience. Wine list is all Greek. Tried a cab that was fine. Calamari appetizer and stuffed red pepper appetizer outstanding. Lamb shank good, fish soup in tomato base (Greek version of cioppino) was out of this world good. I don't usually give 5 stars, but after a dozen meals in Tucson on 2 trips this year, this place stood out above the rest.
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Review from LISA M.
Tempe, AZ
11/11/2009
Got familiar w/ this place when I lived up the street. I credit my digestive & respiratory health to frequent doses of the avgolemono soup. Mmmm! And comes with bread. The 5th star would be there but the price (for soup anyway) is outrageous- over $10 for the larger size. Have not eaten in-house more than a few times, but everything has always been excellent, including the flaming cheese!
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Review from Nicholas S.
Tucson, AZ
8/27/2010
This place deserves 10 stars! This is one of my favorite restaurants in Tucson. The owner, George, is such a nice guy too. I normally go here for dinner with friends on the weekends but have gone during the week for birthday dinners etc... The food is incredible here! The prices are a lot more reasonable then other restaurants in Tucson. The greatest thing for me was the friendly atmosphere. George (the owner) sat down one night with my friends and I and brought some Ouzo over and poured us some shots... we chatted until almost 1 in the morning and laughed and had the greatest time. That experience was probably one of the best I have ever had at a restaurant... George treated us all like family.
