Snuck into My Greek Cafe on Madison today after hearing good reports from friends and co-workers. Something I heard from several people was that the Greek salad was great, and they were right on about that. No lettuce–just big chunks of tomatoes, rings of red onion, chopped cucumber and a few Kalamata olives on a plate, topped with a slab of tangy feta, sprinkled with oregano and doused with olive oil. A big squeeze of lemon would’ve made it perfect–but then I’ll put lemon on anything.
Atmosphere was calm and relaxing, a little funky. Although the bar was empty at lunch, it’s a nice size bar and could turn into a great neighborhood spot. I haven’t been in at night yet, so I suppose it’s possible that it’s already hopping in the p.m.
We’re doing these “first bites” just to give you a taste of new spots that have opened. Usually they’ll be followed up before long with a review in Playbook, although they might not always be. It’s an opportunity for you to weigh in, too, so let us know your thoughts…
First Bites
Responses to “First Bite”
July 8th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
It’s right where Madison cuts off at Danny Thomas, just to the west–it’s next to Stop 345 and I believe owned by the same folks.
July 9th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
This location seems to be a death sentence for bars and restaurants. It has been at least 3 different things in the past couple years. It’s definitely not a great area….very industrial looking at that corner, it’s basically under an overpass, and the restaurant itself looks like a warehouse on the outside, no windows. I’ve never understood why people keep buying it and trying more restaurants. It seems like they need to just give up on putting a restaurant there, or do a complete over-haul on the outside of the building to make it even slightly attractive to people driving by. Right now, it just looks shady.
July 9th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
There is a similar salad on the menu at Ciao Bella next to Kroger on Mendenhall, which is also available w/grilled shrimp. That is one of my favorite salads & I am overdue for one. I might be willing to try My Greek Cafe at lunch but wouldn’t want to go there at night alone. How/where is the parking?
July 9th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
I like the First Bite concept. Thanks for giving us the heads up.
I love Greek food and Memphis has always been really short with options for Greek. I keep thinking some of the folks over at the Greek Church on Highland might consider playing off the success of their GreekFest and open a restaurant.
July 10th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
There used to be a restaurant here called George & David’s that had Greek food, & Melos Taverna in Midtown did as well. I agree that we could use a LOT more Greek food in this area. I like Greek dishes at Jim’s East & Petra, & gyros in some of the delis around town. But nobody really has the all-Greek restaurants that you find in abundance in larger cities like Chicago. It’s my favorite ethnic cuisine & I enjoy it every time I get the chance.
July 10th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Parking is right by the cafe, or at least very close. There’s a parking lot just west of the building, so you do have to walk past Stop 345 to get to My Greek Cafe. It’s true it doesn’t really invite drive-by traffic, but I don’t think I’d be worried about going there at night. But truth be known, I’m probably a bit of a fool about feeling safer than I really am. I watch what’s going on around me, but I don’t worry when I’m out of my own. But read a non-food post later today to see what happened to us last night, and you’ll see why I say I’m a fool.
Melos! Ah, I miss it… It was one of my favorite places.
July 10th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
I’m a partner in the restauarant, and the building at My Greek Cafe @ Stop 345. There’s parking behind and to the West at the bottom of the Danny Thomas overpass, and it’s well lit at night. We’ve done alot of upgrades over the years on lighting, the interior is quite nice, and the neighborhood’s definitely on the rise! The previous restaurant/pub (Paddy’s Memphis Pub) was very successful, and the music was awesome, which we’re in the process of bringing back w/a vengeance, w/Susan Marshall doing a dinner concert August 4th. Paddy passed away in 2005. Chef John Gegumis, formerly of O’Kypos, was one of our regulars, and I’m pleased that we’ve hooked up to bring his talents back to the Memphis restaurant scene. The food is authentic Greek, from an authentic Greek, and we use nothing but the freshest ingredients. Check us out!
July 11th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
What is your phone # and can you bring your own wine. I am an avid Greek fan!
July 12th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Isn’t it about time to declare a moratorium on the words “My,” “Big,” and “Fat” being used in conjunction with “Greek?”
It was a good movie, but for crying out loud, the Greeks invented civilization!
July 13th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Okay, maybe the name’s a lil’ trite, but it’s easy to remember, and creates some personal ownership, and it really is “My” Greek Cafe-Mike Todd, Owner. (There’s also another secret reason, but you gotta come by for me to tell you!)
PS-Phone #’s 507-2720, Biz Office is 725-5625 (We’re still listed under Stop 345, fighting the phone co. to get the new listing in the “411″ listing till the new phone books come out!
July 14th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Went to My Greek several weeks ago and I am still looking for a good greek restaurant in Memphis. The salad is in fact an authentic greek version but lacked flavor and needed to be “kicked up” several notches with some greek spices.I ordered Lamb and was served Roasted Pork. The waitress brought the order and said “you had pork?” and I said no I ordered Lamb. She said “Oh I meant Lamb”. One look told me it wasn’t Lamb and the first bite confirmed the fact. I have eaten Lamb since I was six years old and I am now 68, so I am sure I know Lamb!! When I finally got the waitresses’ attention she insisted it was Lamb and I insisted it was not Lamb. She ask if I wanted to order something else and since it took so long to get my “Lamb” I declined. Which brings up another subject, the service was terrible. It was not the fault of the waitress since she was handling the WHOLE place by herself with a little help from the bartender. There were two tables with 8 to 10 people each and the rest of the tables were occupied. Chef John can serve the best greek food (which he doesn’t) but with no service it doesn’t matter how good the food is prepared. I definitely will not go back and if I did I would have to go in a hurry because My Greek will not be open long.
I wish the Unicorn & Melos were back in business!!
July 19th, 2007 at 11:51 am
I know I don’t have Greek food enough to be called an “EXPERT” at knowing exactly what it takes but I can say that I know what I like. For Memphis having its own abundance of restaurants it is nice to see a place like My Greek Cafe come into being.
The food is wonderful. I have not been disappointed yet. Regardless if it is lamb or pork or just the Greek Salad with a side of spanakopita I have enjoyed it. The first night I went with my best friend, her husband, and my boyfriend we were treated like family. The Owner was never far from the table and was always asking how it was. The wait staff was great. I have to say in this town, there is an abundance of good food, but a lack of civil individuals serving it.
But my favorite part is Friday nights when the bellydancer is ‘on stage’. I believe it is Jasmine dancing. Wow.. she is fun to watch and how she dances with everyone. It is great when I can sit with friends on a Friday night, enjoy a glass or two of wine, good food, and great entertainment.
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