Classic Buffalo Spotlight: 5 Delicious Greek Diners
Many immigrant groups have come to this country and started restaurants introducing their traditional foods to Americans. The Greeks were no different, except the restaurants they introduced almost all had a fascinating combination of Greek food and traditional American diner staples. Buffalo, like New York City and Chicago, has been blessed with many of these Greek diners for decades, offering comfort food, Greek classics and breakfast all day for any weary shopper, tourist, or family. Here are some of the many great choices in the area:
Pano’s Restaurant, 1081 Elmwood Ave.
Pano’s is the perfect place to pause and refresh when shopping or visiting the nearby museum district. The two story restaurant is bustling and attractive, with a large summer patio area. Offering a nice array of Mediterranean specialties and entrees, Panos has excellent souvlaki, and a particularly delicious egg sandwich in a pita called “the fix.” The homemade black bean veggie burger is wonderful as is their Greek salad dressing.
The Fix at Pano’s
Mythos Restaurant, 510 Elmwood Ave.
Farther down Elmwood is the cozier, but elegant, Mythos. A smaller, but more focused menu here includes many Greek specialties as well as paninis and wraps. Omelets and home fries here are first rate, and they have an excellent brunch menu available Saturdays and Sundays, with specialty waffles and crepes alongside the usual breakfast choices.
Kostas Family Restaurant, 1561 Hertel Ave.
Kostas will soon be celebrating 40 years as a North Buffalo family tradition. Its Greek temple facade and large airy porch are easily spotted if you are shopping on Hertel, and the bright interior is decorated with delightfully kitschy murals of the Greek Isles. Known for its wonderful souvlaki and thick lemony avgolemono soup, Kostas’ huge menu has a wide array of Greek salads and appetizers, as well as burgers, omelets, sandwiches and entrees. Their chicken fingers, served Buffalo style with hot sauce and blue cheese, are a favorite in my own family.
Kosta’s Family Restuarant
Sophia’s Restaurant, 749 Military Rd.
The most famous of Buffalo’s Greek diners may be Sophia’s in the Riverside neighborhood. A bit off the beaten path, this neighborhood favorite has been featured on The Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”. Be prepared to wait on weekends because this is a popular joint and not huge. You will be rewarded with excellent souvlaki, and the best corned beef hash in town.
Tom’s Famous Family Restaurant, 3221 Sheridan Dr.
Starting to flag while shopping at the Boulevard Mall or along Niagara Falls Boulevard? Never fear, Tom’s Famous Family Restaurant has something for everyone. Bright and cheerful, with a wide ranging menu that includes all day breakfast and Greek specialties, Tom’s is also known for its grilled hot dogs with homemade “Texas red hot” sauce. You can even take home a bottle!
Tom’s Restaurant – Home of the Souvlaki
This is just a sampling of the many Greek diners in the Buffalo area. They all offer excellent food and a warm family atmosphere. Be sure to check them out!
