Hellenic News & Happenings, by Judy McCleery
7/29/22
You did it, dear readers! The Hellenic has earned the North Forker’s Best of the North Fork award in the Mainstay Restaurant category and the Family Restaurant category. George and Maria Giannaris are so grateful for your support. The Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant is a North Fork icon, and it is no surprise that it took top prize in these categories, because frankly, this family-run restaurant is a North Fork mainstay, offering delicious Greek specialties alongside burgers, sandwiches and full breakfast.
Although The Hellenic’s menu is quintessentially Greek, there is something to appeal to everyone’s palate. Find a burger called the Inhaler (yes it’s that good), grilled lamb chops, a club sandwich, along with a full page of salads to suit just about anyone’s appetite. Do not be afraid to dig into a local broiled whole fresh catch of the day as well! Executive Chef George clearly learned much at his Greek immigrant father’s knee, for everything is served cooked to perfection, seasoned just right with just the right amount of Grecian flair.
George has also figured out a way to make even the more pedestrian Greek fare memorable and delicious. Souvlaki and gyros served with pita bread that actually melts in the mouth, and just tastes so good. Their signature tzatziki yogurt sauce, the deep fried calamari, and good heavens, the house-made lemonade is in a class of its own.
The Hellenic even received a nomination for the North Fork’s best ice cream, and with one taste you will know why. Gourmet flavors such as bourbon vanilla, Belgian chocolate, Hellenic baklava are standards. Other flavors offered depending on the season and availability of ingredients include Frappe mocha, blueberry cream pie, strawberry, raspberry, banana, Hellenic Lemonade, strawberry mango and mint straciatelli. It didn’t earn top honors this year, but we know this gelato will be deliciously famous as soon as the word gets around.
Again, George and Maria extend their gratitude to all who voted for The Hellenic in this year’s Best of the North Fork, and invite everyone to stop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, so you can discover some new favorite dishes. The restaurant is open Thursday to Tuesday, and also offers catering.
Judy McCleery is a photographer, writer, wordsmith, content creator and lifelong NorthForker.