Greek Islands

Save your cravings for this bustling restaurant, a step above other Greektown eateries.

(312) 782-9855

200 S Halsted (Adams Street)
Chicago, IL 60661 41.87922 -87.647259

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Neighborhoods: Greektown, West Side

GREEKISLANDS.NET

Years in business

Established in 1971

Hours:

Sun-Thu 11am-12am

Fri-Sat 11am-1am

Price:

$$

Last updated 11.30.11

Category:

Restaurants, Catering, Wholesale Importers

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Brunch, Private Rooms, Date Spot

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Greek, Mediterranean

Smoking Permitted:

Section

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Greek Islands

The Owner

Greek Islands

Owner

In the heart of Greektown, Greek Islands has remained consistently reliable and has become America's most popular Greek Restaurant. The atmosphere is fun and the service is welcoming. The menu features lamb, fresh fish and all the Greek standards, including moussaka, dolmades, spanikopita, etc. The wine list features unique wines from a small Greek estate winery. Over 20 appetizers and 55 Entrees are available. A real value and it's highly acclaimed. Commendations are many and include Zagat's 2003, 3 Stars from Pat Bruno of the Chicago Sun-Times 8/29/03, recommended by Rachel Ray from "$40…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Mediterranean colors of coral and blue, white stucco walls and pale stone floors set the mood at this casual Greektown restaurant. Four large dining rooms are filled to capacity throughout the week, with servers running from pillar to post to keep up with brisk business. Dine with a big group--they'll make appropriate accommodations. Scream "Opa!" and nobody minds. – – The Food – Cheese is flaming everywhere you look. A recommended starter, aside from the traditional saganaki, is the taramasalata--a thick, creamy spread of fish roe, breadcrumbs, lemon juice…

Editor's Tips

Parking:
The restaurant offers complimentary valet parking.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Delightful, memorable meals in a warm, fun atmosphere!”
  2. “The food was delicious, service excellant, and the atmosphere lovely.”
  3. “Delicious food, excellent ambience.”
  4. “Tables are perfectly spaced, but it isn't necessarily romantic, but it works well as a place for a date with good conversation.”
  5. “Terrific food; terrific atmosphere; terrific service”
  6. “The ambience is the best in greek town.”
  7. “Great atmosphere, reminds me of a big family gathering.”
  8. “It's a beautiful restaurant, has great food, and a lively atmosphere.”
  9. “the ambience was delightful, however, but the restaurant was entirely too loud.”
  10. “the atmosphere was incredible and the food was even better.”
  11. “like going there, much much fun, lost of good food and service is great.”
dessert
75.0% positive
  1. “The cinammon rice pudding dessert was a perfect ending to our meal: light and not overly sweet.”
  2. “couldn't eat dessert because portions were very big!”
  3. “Fresh and Aunthentic as the main course, Creme's, custards, cakes, will surely top off the wonderful experience.”
  4. “For dessert I had a nut cake which seemed to come straight out of a very cold fridge as it was very firm, and it tasted old.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “It had been a while since I have been to the Island--I love the Parthonon and always have great food there--but there is an excellent waiter who I met in Tarpon Springs and he moved to Chicago and works at Greek Islands--his name is Moskos and is an excel”
  2. “Good wine list with many Greek and domestic selections by the glass.”
food quality
91.30000114440918% positive
  1. “It is fresh--the spinach in the spanakopita even tasted fresh.”
  2. “The place is jam packed constantly and the food is fresh.”
  3. “myself don't enjoy Greek food but after my visit to Greek Island i changed my mind.”
  4. “have been going to the Greek Islands for as long as they have been open and never once experienced a bad or unhealthy meal.”
  5. “Delicious food, excellent ambience.”
  6. “The food was good but the service was horrible this time.”
  7. “Greek Islands has great food and excellent service!”
  8. “Still, other than the service, this place serves great Greek food and I will return.”
  9. “Incredibly delicious Greek, but bad service.”
  10. “Absolutely delicious Greek food.”
  11. “Best Greek food in Greek Town!”
  12. “Their dolmades are the best in town and their avgalomono soup comes out piping hot, rich in chicken flavor with a lemony zing.”
  13. “Prices were a little high, but honestly the food was superb - I had Veggie Mousaka and I hate aubergine, but it was outstanding.”
  14. “Some of the best Greek food in Chicago!”
  15. “Since moving here 8 years ago from the west coast, it's been difficult at even the most touted "sea food" places to find Shrimp w/the taste and texture that is truely FRESH.”
  16. “From the bold appertizers such as the mouth warming Skordalia to the delicious dinner entree's.”
  17. “It had been a while since I have been to the Island--I love the Parthonon and always have great food there--but there is an excellent waiter who I met in Tarpon Springs and he moved to Chicago and works at Greek Islands--his name is Moskos and is an excel”
  18. “The food at this joint is authentic.”
  19. “It's a beautiful restaurant, has great food, and a lively atmosphere.”
  20. “Laugh, a great meal, and a joy to your tastebuds.”
  21. “like going there, much much fun, lost of good food and service is great.”
  22. “the atmosphere was incredible and the food was even better.”
  23. “the food was amazing,the service was top notch,the prices will bring me back here again.”
  24. “go to the greek islands for home cooking for delicious food.”
  25. “We just love the food.”
  26. “The service is so fast that the meat will be sizzling as it arrives at your table.”
  27. “All in all not a great experience but maybe I ordered the wrong dishes.”
  28. “The foods were very delicious.”
  29. “The food is good and well worth the wait.”
  30. “Terrific food; terrific atmosphere; terrific service”
  31. “The food was delicious, service excellant, and the atmosphere lovely.”
  32. “The cinammon rice pudding dessert was a perfect ending to our meal: light and not overly sweet.”
  33. “eat there at least 6 time a week and I tell you I am healthy and the food is always good and fresh for crying out load they are always running out of food every day how could it not be fresh daily.”
  34. “Excellent food!”
  35. “In a town where the standard is high for good Greek food, Greek Islands stands out.”
  36. “their red snapper is very reasonably priced and so fresh, and their lamb chops are divine!”
  37. “no matte what we order from salads to chicken to ribs its great tasting.”
  38. “the best greek food in all usa”
  39. “The waiter was too hurried and mad us feel rushed and did not have a good enough knowledge of the food.”
  40. “And in Diane's winter years, even with failing health, we could always count on a good meal and warm greeting from the staff at Greek Islands.”
  41. “hope the Greek islands learns form their well documented mistakes permanently, and continues to thrive for years so I can take my future children to experience amazing authentic Greek cuisine as I had been taught as a child.”
  42. “My SO and I have been on a hunt for the best Greek restaurant in Greektown, and I have to reluctantly agree that the food here is the best.”
  43. “Excellent food, generous portions, nicely priced.”
  44. “For friendlier service and decent but not necessarily phenomenal food, Rodditys is better.”
  45. “Not only is the food delicious but they capture a spirit that I've never f.”
  46. “the best food and value by far!”
menu variety
50.0% positive
  1. “Food is flat out great, quality, taste, portions, selection, etc.”
  2. “menu also a bit disappointing.”
  3. “Good wine list with many Greek and domestic selections by the glass.”
  4. “Great menu and great value for what you get!”
overall
75.0% positive
  1. “My native greek friend says this is her favorite restaurant outside of Greece.”
  2. “My SO and I have been on a hunt for the best Greek restaurant in Greektown, and I have to reluctantly agree that the food here is the best.”
  3. “Greek Islands located in the heart of Greektown is another great ethnic Greek restaurant that we have found in Chicago.”
  4. “Let me tell you, this was the best greek restaurant i've been to.”
  5. “Not a great place to dine”
  6. “This is a very nice but casual restaurant.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “It had been a while since I have been to the Island--I love the Parthonon and always have great food there--but there is an excellent waiter who I met in Tarpon Springs and he moved to Chicago and works at Greek Islands--his name is Moskos and is an excel”
  2. “Still, other than the service, this place serves great Greek food and I will return.”
service
70.59000015258789% positive
  1. “Greek Islands has great food and excellent service!”
  2. “The service was outstanding.”
  3. “Horrible service!”
  4. “The service is so fast that the meat will be sizzling as it arrives at your table.”
  5. “For friendlier service and decent but not necessarily phenomenal food, Rodditys is better.”
  6. “like going there, much much fun, lost of good food and service is great.”
  7. “Incredibly delicious Greek, but bad service.”
  8. “The wait staff was a little slow but that kind of stuff does not bother me so to those that it does, slow down and enjoy life a little more.”
  9. “And in Diane's winter years, even with failing health, we could always count on a good meal and warm greeting from the staff at Greek Islands.”
  10. “The food was good but the service was horrible this time.”
  11. “It had been a while since I have been to the Island--I love the Parthonon and always have great food there--but there is an excellent waiter who I met in Tarpon Springs and he moved to Chicago and works at Greek Islands--his name is Moskos and is an excel”
  12. “the food was amazing,the service was top notch,the prices will bring me back here again.”
  13. “Still, other than the service, this place serves great Greek food and I will return.”
  14. “The waiter was too hurried and mad us feel rushed and did not have a good enough knowledge of the food.”
  15. “Terrific food; terrific atmosphere; terrific service”
  16. “The food was delicious, service excellant, and the atmosphere lovely.”
  17. “As to the people who supposedly got sick, you got to be kidding.”
value
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “the food was amazing,the service was top notch,the prices will bring me back here again.”
  2. “Great menu and great value for what you get!”
  3. “The price was totally reasonable.”
  4. “Food is flat out great, quality, taste, portions, selection, etc.”
  5. “The food is good and well worth the wait.”
  6. “couldn't eat dessert because portions were very big!”
  7. “Excellent food, generous portions, nicely priced.”
  8. “for the last 5 years i will only go to the greek islands for the best value and consistency.”
  9. “the best food and value by far!”
wait time
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The wait staff was a little slow but that kind of stuff does not bother me so to those that it does, slow down and enjoy life a little more.”
  2. “have been going to the Greek Islands for as long as they have been open and never once experienced a bad or unhealthy meal.”
  3. “You only get one shot so slow down and enjoy the experience.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/08/09

Delicious Medditerrian Foods

by hiwa at Citysearch

I and my friend went to the restaurant yesterday. The foods were very delicious. I ate meatball and rice pilafi. it was very delicious. I couldn't eat dessert because portions were very big!

Be sure to try the restaurant.

  • Pros: very fast services
  • Cons: very crowded
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/29/09

Terrific food; terrific atmosphere; terrific service

by dave71us at Citysearch

When asked what was on the menu, the owner took my friends and I on a tour of the kitchen and probably would have let us sample, but we didn't ask. The service was outstanding. Drinks were refilled, bread basket was never empty, and the food. Absolutely delicious Greek food. The price was totally reasonable. For two people including appetizer and entree + soft drink, it was around $40. One of my favorite restaurants in the world. Not to be missed!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/29/08

One of My Chicago Favs

by kencitadel at Citysearch

By far best rest in Greek Town

Service is excellent even during dinner rush on week ends

Food is flat out great, quality, taste, portions, selection, etc.

Wait staff so effecient you wonder how any rest can top

Cost of meal is same as an Outback, Fridays's but his place is better than Gibson's, Morton.s. Cap Grill in quality and tatse.

Words do not do this place justice.

You can take clients, kids, family, a date, etc to GI.

I travel and eat out every week and this is in my top ten rest list on any continent, country, city, town, etc

Fish, pork, chicken, soups, salads, especially beet salad are beyond words

This palce defines value for dollar

  • Pros: Fish, Pork, free valet park, salads, soups, service, wait staff
  • Cons: desserts are blahhhhhhhhhhhh, but who cares
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/20/08

SOME OF THE BEST GREEK FOOD I have ever tasted1

by riddhi7 at Citysearch

Delicious food, excellent ambience. Prices were a little high, but honestly the food was superb - I had Veggie Mousaka and I hate aubergine, but it was outstanding. My husband ordered the Spanakopita and loved it. The waiters made us feel rushed and even though previous review had said the place was baby-friendly, I defintiely did not feel that way. Our waiter, Dmitri positively scowled at the baby and did not do anything to put us at ease. However, the food, like I said, was out of this world!

  • Pros: Food
  • Cons: Service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/15/08

Great casual for friends and family

by tnoves at Citysearch

My native greek friend says this is her favorite restaurant outside of Greece. I have been here twice, and can't wait for the next time. It's a beautiful restaurant, has great food, and a lively atmosphere. I would definitely recommend going with family or a group of friends. They have large tables and easily accommodate everyone. The decor is gorgeous, but not overdone at all. You feel like you're right in Europe. Tables are perfectly spaced, but it isn't necessarily romantic, but it works well as a place for a date with good conversation. Great menu and great value for what you get!

  • Pros: Menu, food, atmosphere
  • Cons: Not right downtown

The Details on Greek Islands

Place Categories:

  • best greek food
  • excellent service
  • best ethnic greek restaurant
  • recommend place
  • great lively atmosphere
  • worst experience
  • best value
  • delightful ambience
  • excellent generous portions
  • great menu
  • good wine
  • nice smokey taste
  • authentic greek cuisine
  • charming neihborhood
  • excellent waiter
  • best lamp chops
  • excellent server
  • recommend mostaccioli
  • fast buck
  • good conversation
  • favorite restaurant outside
  • good greek islands
  • memorable meal
  • rich flavor
  • divine lamb chops

Message from Greek Islands

  • Family-style Dinner
  • Catering and Banquets
  • Wine List

In the heart of Greektown, Greek Islands has remained consistently reliable and has become America's most popular Greek Restaurant. The atmosphere is fun and the service is welcoming. The menu features lamb, fresh fish and all the Greek standards, including moussaka, dolmades, spanikopita, etc. The wine list features unique wines from a small Greek estate winery. Over 20 appetizers and 55 Entrees are available. A real value and it's highly acclaimed.

Commendations are many and include Zagat's 2003, 3 Stars from Pat Bruno of the Chicago Sun-Times 8/29/03, recommended by Rachel Ray from "$40 a Day," and Best Ethnic by Playboy 4/05.

Greek Islands
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