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The Athens Grill
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
9 reviews for The Athens Grill
9 reviews in English
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Review from Alexander S.
Ames, IA
6/23/2010
This is a somewhat challenging review to write. The information on yelp and on the restaurant's website make the place seem like a fairly casual restaurant. When I got there though, I felt under-dressed and not prepared to spend as much as we ended up spending on the food. While the food was good, it wasn't outstanding, and maybe not entirely worth the price. Furthermore, for side dishes several meals had a choice of rice or french fries. The french fries are a poor choice to offer, and the rice was underportioned and not very flavorful (especially when eating lamb and other dishes that have bolder flavors to them).
I don't want to seem cheap or petty, but it really irritated me that their online menu didn't match the menu at the restaurant, even in tone if not in substance. -
Review from Jane B.
Riverhead, NY
1/11/2012
I had visited a few times before they expanded and I loved it. Unfortunately since the expansion they have become a "gourmet" Greek restaurant. Warm pita was put on the table with no oil or anything. The souvlaki was good, but looked like one skewer served over what was supposed to be cuoscous but looked and tasted like little round italian pasta. It was artfully served on a rectangular plate like in a fancy restaurant and cost over $20! This isn't what I expect when I order souvlaki. Frankly, it was too expensive and I don't intend to go back. I live in Riverhead and will drive to the Hellenic in Greenport when I want to fill up on Greek food.
Comment from john m. of The Athens Grill 1/20/2012
dear jane, sorry we did not please you but we do have to… More » -
Review from Leigh H.
Selden, NY
Updated - 6/6/2011
After receiving a "kind" comment from the chef at Athens, I felt the need to edit my review. It is no surprise that other people haven't given them such high ratings, particularly with regard to service. Chef John's behavior is case-and-point for unprofessionalism. No customer wants to feel as if they were treated poorly and I will be making every effort to deter people from giving them business at this point.
The chef questions why I am writing this review in 2011, when I last ate there in 2008? For starters, it is because I recently joined Yelp. I am also working my way through Riverhead restaurant reviews. Yelp is a place that allows you to review places, whether it be positive or negative, and I have written primarily positive reviews. He also asks why I returned so many times when I did not care for it? I thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt with it being a new restaurant. It was also the only Greek restaurant in town and I like trying new places. Each time I went, however, the food and menu were not consistent and this is disappointing. The final straw was a night I went and waited for a long time without service.
Chef John also tries to pick on me by claiming I've only tried gyros. Not true. I've had the spinach pie (normally known as spanakopita), falafel, taramasalata, moussaka, etc. I just happen to absolutely love gyro's, so it is my primary go-to at a Greek restaurant. Is it wrong for someone to want chicken parmigiana at an Italian restaurant?
Again, skip this place. The people and food aren't worth it, and go to Hellenic in East Marion.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/1/2011
I love Greek food and was excited to try Athens. Riverhead needs life and this was something the… Read more »
Comment from john m. of The Athens Grill 6/7/2011
sorry we did not fulfill your definition of a greek american… More » -
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Review from Renee M.
Brooklyn, NY
8/23/2011
I used to love this restaurant and when I went back to Riverhead this summer to visit my parents I was super surprised when I saw it was expanded. Despite the large expansion they (very rudely) told my parents and myself that they weren't seating any more people for the rest of the night (it was 8pm!!!!) and that they only take reservations for parties of 4 or more (my dad had called ahead to try to make a reservation but no one picked up).
I've lived in New York City for 5 years, and that is where I would expect such snobby service and only for a really great and popular restaurant. I would NEVER expect that kind of service in the booming cosmopolitan chic restaurant scene of Riverhead. Can we get a reality check?
But alas, my family and I went next door to Tweeds where although it actually looked crowded (unlike Athens) we were sat immediately and had a wonderful meal. -
Review from Brittany W.
Center Moriches, NY
5/8/2011
Went there once with a friend, and wouldn't bother considering going back.
My beer was flat, the wait was long, our waitress was devoid of personality and courtesy(pretty much the two basic traits you should have in the customer service business), and my food was dry and incredibly unappetizing.
I honestly can't recall ever being more disappointed during a culinary experience than I was at Athens. Check out Greek Bites in Center Moriches instead! It's a bit of a trip, but at least you'll get what you pay for. -
Review from Irina R.
Westhampton Beach, NY
3/28/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Great Greek food! I've been here a few times, but recently they have expanded and they're even better. On Saturday night they have live jazz music and it's a wonderful addition to an already great restaurant.
Stick to the traditional Greek menu items and you'll be fine. Unfortunately, their wine list is very disorganized. The wines are good, but they are presented poorly on the menu. If you don't know wine, this menu may be hard to navigate. Nonetheless, this is a must try restaurant. -
Review from Sandy O.
Hampton Bays, NY
9/29/2010
I just moved here from an area of MA that has a large Greek population, so the Greek food is really good. I was excited to try Athens in Riverhead for some tzatiki, chicken souvlaki and a gyro platter. We ordered takeout. The total price for those three items was $49.50 (kind of pricey I think), but was willing to look past it if it was good. When we went to pick up the food, the restaurant looked clean and had a nice, relaxed atmosphere, but it was empty! Only one couple dining in. Again, I was willing to look past it because it was a Tuesday night. When we brought the food home, I was shocked! The Tzaiki came with only 1 pita, and there was a large layer of oil covering the tzaiki ... gross!! It was runny and looked horrible. The chicken souvlaki platter had really dry chicken and the "greek rice" wasn't the nice Greek pilaf you'd expect - it was dry white rice with chopped up veggies and it looked like it came out of a box of rice!! No taste and dry as heck. The gyro platter was the same and the gyro meat looked grey and was tasteless. The greek salads .... lol ... no olives (isn't that what a Greek salad is all about ... and no feta!). It was old, soggy green lettuce soaked in some kind of oil (no dressing taste at all!) With a few pieces of onion topped with a lemon! This was so disappointing.
Just a tip - If you are really looking for some Greek food and can't drive all the way to my hometown in MA, I tried a place near the Orient Point ferry called Hellenic Grill. It was worlds better than this place. A little bit of a drive, but may be well worth it to you if you are craving some Greek specialities. Keep on driving past Athens! YUCK. ;(
Again, so disappointed as this is only a 10 minute drive from home. Ugh. If anyone knows of anything better and closer to Riverhead ~ please post! -
Review from Jonathan S.
Manorville, NY
6/8/2009
My husband isn't a huge fan of Greek food, but I am and Athens Gyro and Grill is awesome.
We first went here on my sister's birthday, a weekday in the (late) afternoon. We had the place almost to ourselves (although I've now seen there can be quite a large business lunch crowd). We ordered a lot of different foods to try since we were celebrating.
My husband got a burger which he enjoyed. Everyone else got wraps. I had the Athens wrap and it was so good. My husband tried it and he liked it as well. But by far the best item at this restaurant is the zesty feta dip on the appetizer menu. If you go here you have to get this dip, it is amazing. I heard a rumor that this restaurant might close and almost cried at the thought of never having zesty feta dip again! We also had the yummy spinach pie.
I also tried the Shephard's wrap at another point (during Lent) and it was very good. The wraps are very oily but delicious. The fries are good too.
I picked up lunch here a few times for myself and my co-workers and it is very simple to park in the back (on the Peconic Riverfront) and go in through the back entrance and pick up your order at the counter.
We also went here on my birthday last year and the food was delicious. The calamari is the best I've ever had, very crisp and fresh- not at all chewy and soft on the outside. My only complaint was I ordered lemonade and it was absolutely filled with cut up lime. I don't know if this is a personal taste issue, because I hate lime, but it was so strong like lime it wasn't like lemonade at all.
Also, they don't offer the wraps on the weekends. You can only get them on the weekdays- which is very disappointing when you're in the mood for take-out.
The service here has always been excellent. We've never had a problem. -
Review from Dan T.
Manorville, NY
12/28/2009
Scored some pretty tasty Mediterranean from friendly, laid back servers with my http://restaurant.com certificate. Kinda slooooowwwww, but not a bad atmosphere, by Main St. standards.
