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Name: Athenian Room
Address: 807 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614
Telephone: (773) 348-5155
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.86

Athenian Room

807 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614

(773) 348-5155
Store is closed

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Athenian Room Menu

Appetizers

Shrimp

Taramosalata (greek Caviar)

Spanakopita (spinach Pie)

Feta Cheese

Kalamata Olives

Bowl Of Soup Served In The Winter Only
Salads

Large Greek Salad

Small Greek Salad

Greek Villager's Salad

Vegetarian Salad

Large Salad With Tuna

Large Salad With Chicken Breast Shish Kebob

Large Salad With Gyros

Tossed Salad
Spartan Sandwiches

Gyros

Cheese Gyros

King Size Gyros

Chicken Breast Shish Kebob

Cheese Chicken Breast Shish Kebob

Pork Tenderloin Shish Kebob

Cheese Pork Tenderloin Shish Kebob

Feta Pita

Cheese Pita With American Cheese

Greek Fries

French Fries
Athenian Dinners

Skirt Steak Alexandros Style

Chicken Kalamata Style

Chicken With Bar- B- Que Sauce

Shrimp
Kalamata Dinners

Chicken Breast On Pita

Chicken Breast (shish Kebob)

Pork Tenderloin (shish Kebob)

Gyros Dinner

Greek Feta Charburger On Pita Bread

Charburger
Desserts

Baklava

Healthy Meal suggestions for Athenian Room

Appetizers

Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taramosalata (greek Caviar) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spanakopita (spinach Pie) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Feta Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kalamata Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bowl Of Soup Served In The Winter Only [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Large Greek Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Small Greek Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Greek Villager's Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Large Salad With Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Large Salad With Chicken Breast Shish Kebob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Large Salad With Gyros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tossed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Spartan Sandwiches

Gyros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Gyros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Size Gyros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Breast Shish Kebob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Chicken Breast Shish Kebob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Tenderloin Shish Kebob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Pork Tenderloin Shish Kebob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Feta Pita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Pita With American Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Greek Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Athenian Dinners

Skirt Steak Alexandros Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Kalamata Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken With Bar- B- Que Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Kalamata Dinners

Chicken Breast On Pita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Breast (shish Kebob) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Tenderloin (shish Kebob) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gyros Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Greek Feta Charburger On Pita Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Charburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Baklava [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Joshua W.

Chicago institution, period. Been coming since I was 10. Lived around the world and have never found a better roast chicken. It's just one of those places I crave when I am away. The fries are outstanding because they are born in the seasoned juices of the chicken Kalamata. It's cheap and outstanding, that's all there is to it.
(4)
M J.

I think I'm biased if you can call it that. Maybe I didn't do my homework (which is why this isn't one star) but passing by I saw athenian room as this cool greek place with a nice patio. When I went in it was just a stuffy fast food joint. Nothing much on the menu. The fries are good. They come with this vinegar dressing ( I think they call it greek dressing? ) and that is also another reason for the two stars. There is nothing spectacular about this place and I was just taken aback when I realized that's it's simple fast food you can get anywhere...
(2)
Meredith B.

The spinach pie was by far the best part of the meal. It was hot and the phyllo was crispy. The chicken kebab was take-out quality, and the liquid soaked through onto the fries making them cold and soggy. The entree really didn't have much good about it at all.
(2)
Lex N.

It doesn't get much better than this! Favorite Greek restaurant and I grew up in Greek Town... The Kalamata style chicken, skirt steak and gyro are my favorite meals. As for apps: the spanikopita and teramasalada (I don't know how to spell any of this...) are excellent. And the salad, the oh so simple salad, so good. I try to make this salad at home and it never tastes the same. Just the best. My favorite restaurant in Chicago. Been coming here since before I could speak.
(5)
Carol J.

My first apartment in the city was on Webster and I had to pass this humble little place on my way to work at the the late great Grant's Tavern. I can't tell you how many char grilled, sent from heaven burgers I've had with the the giant steak fries with a touch of mediterranian oil and spices drizzled upon them. Or the awesome Greek Salad. Or the famous kalamata olives I once mistook for beetles in my salad after a Grateful Dead show (whole different story). I've always had a soft spot in my heart for this little place and their juicy, moist Grecian chicken and fresh, fantastic food. Its good to see an old friend. After change upon change in the neighborhood, they are more or less the same.
(4)
Anneliese K.

Love love love the Athenian Room. The food is delicious, and they make it so quickly! My favorite entree is the chicken kebab sandwich with Greek fries. So delicious! FYI, the Athenian Room is a great place to eat in the spring/summer/fall because you can enjoy the sunshine while you eat outdoors in the heart of Lincoln Park. In the winter, you can bring your food into Glascott's and have a beer with it. This is definitely a favorite!
(4)
Jason M.

This is exactly what you'd think it is. A fine, cheap, greek food place in Lincoln Park. The greek food selections are nothing to write home about, but they're certainly fine. There are two things that make it stand out: 1- It has a door that connects it to Glascott's. While there's nothing special about Glascott's, it does mean you can have this greek food while sipping on a decent beer from next door. 2- It has an old school charm that reminds me of restaurants I went to with my folks in the 80s. It just has that old Chicago feel.
(3)
Steph B.

I like Athenian Room. I do. However, I had THE weirdest experience there recently. Considering I've only been there for lunch and drank iced teas, I wasn't sure of their policy. A friend told me it was BYOB, so my friend and I brought a bottle of wine. We walked in to be seated, where we saw the hostess/waitress and who I assume was the owner. Before taking the wine out of its bag, I asked about the policy to make sure we weren't being presumptuous. She basically exploded at us, throwing her hands in the air, asking us WHY on earth do we and "everyone else today" think they are BYOB? She was quite rude to us, and we'd planned to leave. Luckily, a friendly server smoothed the situation over and we stayed, but it was quite puzzling. (Turns out, Athenian Room is attached to a bar, as previous Yelpers have noted. Guests can purchase alcohol there. Wish I knew this prior to my visit!) Ambiance is lacking, as is attentive service- it's not bad at all, just not commendable. Also, the time I went for lunch, we wanted to sit outside, but no one seemed to have any idea how to seat guests-- a line formed, and people waiting either left or had to sit inside, although we were willing to wait for outside seats. The kitchen set-up is too loud-- servers and bussers clanking plates and silverware around as if there aren't table surrounding the area. It'd be helpful to include that area behind closed doors, if possible, as it was distracting and loud! Food is pretty good here, and available at a pocketbook-friendly price, which is why I will most likely return. The Greek salad is a generous portion and the plates I've ordered are flavorful. The iced tea is yummy too. If service and/or atmosphere/noise improve, I'd knock Athenian Room up a star.
(3)
Stephanie T.

I went here for dinner the other night with 3 of my girlfriends and the whole experience was great. We arrived at the restaurant without reservations but were seated rather quickly in this small "we're all family" kind of place. The decorations are minimal but it still gave off a very warm vibe. As a group we decided to split a couple of the appetizers and house salads and they were all fantastic. As far as drinks, one of the girls went to the bar next door to get a glass of wine and the rest of us stuck with water but noted that there were no free refills on any soft drinks or iced tea (big bummer for me because I drink about 3 diet cokes over the course of a meal). As far as the main course goes, 2 of us had the chicken kabobs and 2 of us had the 1/2 chicken and by far and away the 1/2 chicken won. The chicken kabobs were pretty tough to eat because the chicken was so dry but the fries that came with it were really good (as was the pita). The 1/2 chicken was perfectly cooked so next time I come I will be ordering that for sure. All in all it was a good meal at an authentic/rustic feeling place and I will be returning soon.
(4)
Quinn M.

Disappointed that after 15 years of giving them business I was pushed behind three tables of two who were all behind me....after waiting for 15 minutes and watching couple after couple get seated before me I had to go give my business elsewere.
(1)
Lindsey C.

The service isn't so friendly, but there are two things I can say you can NOT go wrong with here. Kalamata chicken and skirt steak = delicious. Go for those two things and you can't go wrong. Best steak in the city for the price! There is very little variety on the menu, but at least they do those two things well.
(4)
Zoe M.

If you live in Old Town/ Lincoln park and want some decent Greek food without having to travel to Greek Town, this is a reliable spot. We love Webster, so the location to us is great! The menu is simple...not as many choices as a Greek Town restaurant. I appreciate the gyro spit, being Greek, I can't stand frozen pre-sliced gyros. This place does it right. The chicken souvlaki pita is yummy too. The decor is shabby-diner, old photos of Greek ruins on the walls and small tables. I'd opt for the patio on a nice day. Service is fast, but if you want any alcohol you have to bring it in from the pub next door. If I need some Greek food in a pinch, this is my spot. If I want more choices and some of my other favorites, I need to make the trip to Greek Islands!
(4)
emily m.

Had to write a review after eating my leftovers for lunch today. I have been coming here for over 6 years, and it is better then Greek town! I moved from LP to RP a few years back, and still make the trek down to LP just for this place!
(5)
brian w.

Don't listen to the haters. This place is fantastic, and hasn't been around since the early 70's by accident. Go with the Kalamata chicken or the skirt steak... For $10 you can have one of the most consistent and satisfying meals in the city. Two skewers of chicken breast, onion, red/green peppers served over Greek fries (olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper, lemon juice), and a pita with raw onion and tomatoes on the side. Perfect every time. Also, don't sleep on the side of feta or their salad.
(5)
Jo W.

Yummers. I came here today to meet Rob L for some lunch. I arrived before him, and there was a wait for a table. I hung out up front, watching the staff in the kitchen. The giant hunk of spiraling meat? Pretty awesome. We were seated towards the back of the dining room. Our server was nice and friendly. I ordered the chicken shish kebobs. Holy food, batman. I was presented with two skewers of chicken, pita bread, fries, and some sauce for the pita bread. It was a LOT of food. And it was damn good. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. I sampled some of the pita bread (sans sauce) and some fries and they were good as well (fries were really greasy, though), but the chicken alone filled me up quickly. I walked out of there stuffed and happy, and have leftovers in my fridge waiting to greet me tomorrow. It was also ridiculously cheap, which is always a plus. Great spot for a quick lunch. I'd definitely come back here.
(4)
Vishnu B.

This place could get away with having just one thing on the menu, but I would prefer it to at least serve two. On second thought, maybe a third option would help... Now, WITNESS THE NEW MENU: 1.) Kalimata Chicken, which is only 9 dollars and is probably the best chicken that I ever had. Maybe an exaggeration, but from from what I can remember it might have been. 2.) Feta ...yes, just the mini plate with a block of feta, because all you need is the creamy finish of a goat's cheese. 3.)Anything, because we have a computer in the back and a Whole Foods around the corner. If you have the time to wait a couple hours, we'll make anything. Please keep it Greek, because then it would be significantly easier. Also, we are a Greek restaurant in Lincoln Park (pull's collar)...get this guy outta here!!!
(5)
Javier Q.

I came here to pick up an order of the pork shish kabob and the Greek fries. One I was disappointed with filling the cup halfway with soda and charging me $2 for it Smh.... The pork shish kabob was bland in flavor and I made better at home.....the Greek fries looked like a heart attack... I thought I was going to drop dead after eating half of the fries. Drenched in heavy oil, lemon, and vinegar. Would I come back....Nah... I'll stick to greektown for Yummy Greek food :)
(2)
Vincenzio S.

My Favorite place in Lincoln Park. Their Gyros is perfect not oily.... They have this greek red sauce that I use instead of the usual Tzatziki. The best fries on the planet make me crave this on a weekly basis. I have been going here since my parents took me since the early 80s. Great food & great owner Alex who always takes care of me and my family/friends. Giddy Up! Great Chicken too!
(5)
Lindsay D.

If you were to ask me what my favorite cuisine would be, Greek would be in last place. Athenian Room completely reinvented my taste buds for Greek-style plates. We ordered a bottle of white wine and ordered the strip steak, gyros plate and 1/2 chicken. Everything was incredibly flavored!!! The service was awesome and it was super crowded (which Ive noticed it always is). Its definitely crowded for a reason; this is a great greek restaurant hands-down. This is coming from me; the one who wouldnt have touched baklava with a 10-foot pole. Now all I can say is "OPA!"
(5)
Annie G.

Oh my gosh. The smells when you walk in to this place. Mouth watering. I'm sure the smells are meat smells, but I don't care. The restaurant is very simplistic. Same goes with the menu. I had gotten word that the Athenian Room served a bad-ass pita grilled cheese, otherwise known as the "Feta Pita." Try it. It rocked my world. Though I'm sure many of the other dishes are just as delicious. Now here comes my issue, which actually turned out to be a mixed-blessing. Here's a little history about my Coke consumption: I was born in August and my mom would always say, *in high-pitched mom voice* "That summer was the hottest summer San Francisco ever had!" So long story short, because of the heath my mom drank tons of Coke when she was pregnant with me and thus engendered my Coke addiction. Now fast forward to 24 years, and 107 days (yes, I counted) later. I look down at the drink selections and see, "Coke (No Free Refills)." I do a robot-like scan of the room and spot the size of the Coke glasses. Tiny. Panic starts to set in. I start doing the math on how much it would be if I paid for each and every refill that my body would need to function. This is where I have to give Athenian Room some props. One glass of Coke was enough. I made that glass last my whole meal and I'm probably a lot healthier because of it. No Coke hangover for me. And then our sweet waitress brought over some Baklava on the house. Props.
(5)
Meghan S.

I have been coming here for years, since I was a kid. This place is not huge and does not serve alcohol, but you can bring over alcohol from the attached bar. The Kalamata Chicken is the best thing on the menu, but everything is good. The prices are so reasonable, especially for the amount of food you get. Whenever I have people visiting me from out of town I always bring them here. It is convenient, good, and inexpensive, you really can't go wrong.
(5)
KM I.

Oh how I love A-room. It is very Americanized but everything is delicious. You cannot go wrong with gyros, a Greek salad, a cheeseburger....and especially the terramosalata. So delish, just don't ask what it is made of. The owners here are super sweet. I'd like their baklava to be a little less sweet though.
(5)
Katie S.

I went here at the recommendation of a friend who knows the owners - the food is great (I recommend the skirt steak with greek fries, delicious and a great deal at $15), and the service is usually pretty good though can feel a bit rushed. One waitress I had a few weeks ago left something to be desired (maybe I had the same person as Aaron A., as she seemed to disappear after the food was brought out to us.) It's also sort of annoying that you have to go buy your booze yourself and bring it over from the bar next door. 4 stars for the food, closer to 3 for the service - wish there was a 3.5 star option but I'll round up and go with 4.
(4)
Eliza B.

Everyone seems to love this place but I don't really get it. The atmosphere is ok and the food is not anything special as far as authentic Greek goes. If you're looking for a standard gyro or a half chicken come here but if you want some delicious, authentic greek food stuck to Greek town.
(2)
Stephanie M.

We really enjoyed our dinner here! I had the Kalamata Chicken dinner and hubby had the Gyro Dinner. It was reasonably priced, good sized portions, and a lot of flavor! Good baklava! Not great atmosphere and kinda cramped. Our server was nice and very attentive. I would go back for the chicken!! I'm with Tina on that one!
(4)
Scott J.

This plpace is the best damn Greek in the entire city. And i'm not just saying that as an Irsish-American who doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm saying this as a friend of many Greek-Americans and straight FOB Greeks who have all agreed with this statement. This is from Greeks who live in Greek-town (not literally) and would never wanna be caught dead saying that there's something better. The food is amazing! Absolutely some of the most authentic Greek food you can find in the city. Another thing i love about this place is that you can get a REAL GREEK SALAD. A salad WITHOUT LETTUCE, just cucumbers, tomatos, olives, onions, feta, olive oil and vinegar. Its called the villager's salad, i highly recommend it. Also, the Greek platter is great for the money. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants some great Greek food.,
(5)
Alexis F.

This is the place to go if you are craving a home cooked meal and your mother was Greek!
(5)
Laura C.

By far one of my favorite places to go to in the city. I am always suggesting this place to friends who haven't been there. The food is great, inexpensive and comes out quickly...what more could you ask for? During the spring and summer months you can sit outside on a nice night. Athenian Room doesn't have a liquor license, but is right next to a bar and provides you with easy access to order your drinks from there! My family and I go to Athenian Room or get it to go at least once a month (sounds pathetic, but we love it!) and I suggest you do the same!
(5)
Kara B.

As a Greek woman I am disgusted that the Athenian Room purports to serve "Greek Food." My table of five tried the feta (which was inedible), the Greek Salad, the Gyros and the Kalamata Chicken. All of the food was absolutely horrible. The Greek Salad had almost no dressing, lacked onions (a basic requirement for a Greek salad) and had limp lettuce. It was unacceptable as a regular salad, but as a Greek salad it was criminal. The gyros was equally bad, with pre-packaged tzasiki and disturbing mystery meat. On the up side, the pita bread was hot and fresh. Finally, their specialty Kalamata Chicken was horrendous. It looked like a large, cooked rat which was made all the more concerning by its greasy, odd texture. Despite being doused in an oily lemon juice/oregano sauce the chicken itself was dry and tasteless. I was terribly disappointed. To add to the pile of complaints, our waitress was incredibly rude. The restaurant was empty but she took almost 20 minutes to come to our table. When she did, it was like she was doing us a favor by taking our order. Needless to say, I have no plans to return.
(1)
Karl M.

The Kalamata Chicken. I've never had anything but this dish. The chicken is roasted to a golden brown crispy perfection, served on a bed of thick cut french fries and a tasty vinegar sauce. It is preempted by a simple iceberg salad with feta and olive oil. The bread is great for sopping up the rest of the juice but don't fill up on it before you get the bird!!!
(5)
Lenene W.

Found this place by accident, and so glad we did. Everything looked so good, we asked the table next to us what they were having and literally told the waitress we would just have the same thing they ordered the same way. The bf got the gyro salad that was huge and I got the Kalamata chicken. The chicken was so good that embarrassingly I ate the whole thing. I was sad because I couldn't take it home but it was just so good. The staff was friendly and so was the vibe in the place.
(4)
Mike P.

The gyro is great here but the lady (i assume owner) that works the front counter is potentially one of the rudest individuals that I've come across. With anything, it's best to schmooze her until she can't possibly be mean to you. Frankly, however, I love the place. Great greek food, you might even call it a grecian delight.
(3)
Keith M.

Salads were good, Greek chicken and fries were well seasoned and tasty. The chicken kabob was dry and bland.
(3)
Susan F.

For going here as much as I do, I have never written a review! How silly This place is so cute and in such a nice area of town. The staff is very friendly and while man Greek restaurants have a very limited menu, I'll give it to Athenian Room to extend the regular menu. I usually get the chicken breast shish kebob for a little over 5 dollars. IT includes about 6 chunks of chicken with veggies in a pita with a big side of tazhiki sauce with is always delicious! They also have really good charbroiled burgers and the chicken dinner are HUGE..Imagine...pretty much a roasted half chicken, no joke! The service is sooo fast here that it's worth a bus ride or a walk. THe best part is that Glascott's, the bar right next to it, takes order from there too, so you can enjoy Athenian Room at the bar next door!
(4)
Patrick C.

Cheap. Good. Fast. This place is exactly what I wanted it to be. My wife and I had a salad and the chicken and it was all damn good. We will see you again.
(5)
George R.

(Hi, Momma!) If you care for great, traditional, well prepared, tasty Greek fare, head to the Athenian Room. The owners are always working and supervising the kitchen. They demand quality from their staff. The food is prepared the same every time in the most compact kitchen in Lincoln Park. Everything is good, including the very pleasant staff of waitresses and bussers. They always welcome you and they always provide fresh water for the dogs on the patio. You can get beverages from Glasgott's next door, which is a great relationship for those after-sports dinners. They cater to larger groups. And, the prices are very reasonable for a hefty dose of the best Greek food in Chicago. Take it from me, the Athenian Room is fantastic!
(5)
Krisi I.

OMFG !!!! i loooooove this place. it is small, romantic, casual and in the back of. glasscott's. the food is always great - especially the steak, the fries and the sauce they put it in. gyros is also excellent. the service - we always get one of two waitresses - the twins - they are superb. atmosphere is laid back and you always feel welcome parking sucks we never have to wait longer than five minutes for a table and did i mention it is so reasonable priced? yes ...... next time if you want to go on a date or just a casual dinner this is the place :))
(5)
KuangYou C.

To be honest, the food here is not as good as Greek Island. However, the price is pretty decent. I went there with two other friends. I ordered the gyros dinner. My friends ordered the shrimp set and the kal***** chicken (not sure the name). Gyros...not bad but a little bit salty. Chicken is average but definitely big enough for your stomach. I didn't eat shrimp, but my friend said it is normal. We ordered the cheese appetizer but we don't really like the taste.
(3)
Alex M.

I've been going here for years..probably since '85. Everything I've had is good. it's funny, I always tell people to get the chicken, but I almost always get the skirt steak. I've had the chicken, skirt steak, gyros, shish-k-bob, the Greek burger (on a pita with a good amount of feta). There is good soup in the winter and the baklava is good for dessert. The other thing is nothing has changed - the pictures on the walls, the placemats, etc. One of the owners are always there, too. 5 stars.
(5)
Heather D.

After several hours of day drinking, all I wanted was a village salad, feta, fries and tzatziki (odd combo, I know). As I was looking over the menu, they had a vegetarian salad with fries, pita, tzatziki & greek salad! What's not to love about a salad with fries on top? It was delish! I would've given the Athenian Room 5 starts but they don't deliver. :( But otherwise, it's a casual restaurant, reasonably priced and the food is fantastic!
(4)
Carolina P.

This place is awesome!!! The greek fries are heaven and so is the tarmasalata. I can't spell it, but its wonderful. Also the service is very fast and the entrees are pretty inexpensive. Just don't expect a refill. Water yes soda no.
(5)
Scott S.

The Menu offers little wiggle room for picky eaters but if you just enjoy good delicious Fresh Greek, then go to Athenian Room. Order the Kalamatta chicken and be done with it!
(4)
Richie D.

Ah, definitely not Greek town. The prices are great because they are not pricey. The Greek-style fries are also yummy with a lemon kick to them. Their gyros were some of the best I've ever had, so that's what I'd recommend. You have tons that you can take some home as left-overs. The atmosphere is nothing too special. It's definitely great for its location and prices.
(4)
Angie K.

Such a home-y mom and pop shop. I can't exactly speak to the authenticity of Greek food but I sure thought this place was authentic! Small and crowded but surprisingly this works for the place- it makes it feel like a big family gathering with some loud uncles that have brought their own bottles of wine to the party. After reading Bossy Pants, I had to try what I've heard was Tina Fey's favorite dish- the Kalamata half chicken. This fact could of course be simply a marketing ploy, but I'm okay with that because it sure was delicious! Juicy and tender chicken with vinegar-sopped fries underneath. I couldn't finish the whole meal so took the rest home - but as you would assume, the fries were no longer crispy when reheated. So eat your full when they're fresh!!! The boyfriend got the gyro and he hungrily scarfed it down. He loved it! I will say it didn't make for great smelling burps when he was drinking beer later but he sure enjoyed that gyro! The waitress suggested the feta and it was great feta but .. I didn't just want to eat feta alone. They should make it a feta and ___ dish to that highlights the feta but doesn't leave it just by itself. Adorable and intimate place in Lincoln park. The food is filling and tasty so get ready to leave a little fluffy (and maybe take a nap after).
(4)
Hannah C.

We ordered the gyro dinners. Gyro was good, if a little dry - although that was easily remedied with the plentiful tzatiki sauce. The fries were absolutely amazing - fresh, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and flavorful. Some people got significantly more of the fry sauce on their plates - and I would have liked a little more since it was so tasty! The baklava was great - it was less sweet and more cinnamon-y than most and very moist. A great treat! Pretty good food and fast service at a reasonable price. A good spot to have near your apartment.
(4)
Lucy W.

The thick cut fries are delicious. I just wish there was a vegetarian option other than a salad! As yummy as feta and olives are, I need a bit more than that. There should be some sort of wrap, like gyros, but with veggies instead of meat. That would turn me into a frequent customer.
(3)
Elizabeth T.

This is my favorite Greek restaurant in the city. The gyros salad is my go to order! Cheap, delicious, you can't go wrong!
(5)
Sabrina A.

I like this restaurant very much. It is very inexpensive for very nice quality food. It's a little cramped yes but if you come on an off hour it won't be bad. Everything is always good Bad part is that waitresses feel/look like they don't want to be there. Also a few times they get the order wrong which is upsetting. Drink refills are not free which is odd. Overall try it. My favorite is the teramisolata
(4)
Christa F.

We hit up Glascott's one evening recently and ordered from the Athenian which is attached. It's kinda nice that a non-food bar has a restaurant attached to the rear! I ordered the Chicken Kabob Dinner. It came with Greek French Fries (uh?), Pita Bread, Tomatoes, Onions, and Tzatziki Sauce for $10.50. They failed to add Green Peppers to the list (bleh), but I removed them. The chicken on the kabob was nicely grilled and had a great flavor! The french fries were good too (with all the Greek seasonings), but the olive oil and butter that they had been tossed in got poured onto my plate. I couldn't make a pita with the meat and bread due to how soaked the pita was with all of the grease. That was a huge negative to an otherwise great dish! The boy ordered the Gyro Dinner. It came with basically the same thing that my dinner had. His fries were not all greasy like mine. It was almost as though they tossed both of our fries together, took his out, then dumped the rest of the stuff on my plate. The gyro meat was piled very high! All gyro meat comes from the same place no matter where you are in the country. I don't think people know this. So, unless the restaurant is making it themselves, it will taste the same as the next place you go to. The important thing is that they keep it moist. This was dry, unfortunately. Still tasty, but dry. The waitress that came over from the restaurant was friendly. It didn't take a long time to receive our meal. It did seem to take a while to get our credit card back. That could just be due to the 2 places being separated. This seems like an ok neighborhood joint. There were a couple of things that they could improve on though just to keep their dishes consistent from customer to customer.
(3)
K K.

True Chicago Staple - have been Craving their food for almost 25 years. Anna and Alex are gracious hosts who provide great classic Greek food in a warm friendly restaurant.
(5)
Irem M.

Delicious, simple food in a laid back setting. This is a great week night place to get a quick meal. Portions are very generous. You can't go wrong with the Greek Salad. One of my friends gets the hamburger every time and claims it's the best thing on the menu...
(4)
Erin R.

The food has been so-so every time I've gone. However, the location, the patio and the partnership with Glascott's has kept me coming back.
(3)
Eric F.

If you only have one Gyros in your entire life, this is the one to have. It is huge. It is fresh. And it is offered with one of two sauces: traditional yogurt and garlic sauce, or a red sauce similar to BBQ. Get the yogurt sauce. This is not the Gyros you will get outside of Chicago; which is mostly lettuce. Th Gyros here are all meat, overflowing so that you need ten napkins, The secret is that they use the Chicago based Gyros meat spools that rotated perfectly on the vertical cookers. The best places for Gyros in other parts of the country are the ones that use these same Chicago spools (never get a gyros that comes pre sliced and is warmed on a grill). The Athenian Room also offers Souflaki, Greek Salads, and thick steak fries. Get the fries. They're good. You can eat in or take out. Both are great. But the place is not quite a regular Greek restaurant. It is more like a fast food Greek Place with table. They do not offer alcohol as I remember, but it is adjacent to a bar with a door going directly to it. Eat a Gyros here. You will not be disappointed. I love this place.
(4)
Phil T.

Totes great comfort food if you grew up eating gyros as a kid. This is basically no thrills just concurrently great food with great service. Food comes out fast and full of flavor every single time. The taramosalata is waaaay beyond addicting and is a must order for an app. The soup that's only served during winter is the standard lemon rice soup but still very good and again comforting flavors. For entree the gyros or the chicken you can't go wrong with either. I basically choose if I want white or dark meat and that decides the dish both of them are pretty equally Delish. For Athenian I tend to lean towards gyros bc im always eating chicken. Every time I'm glad I do bc they are Delish and full of flavor. Best thing about this place is you don't walk away with gyro burps like you do with other places. :-). Those be nasty!! The Greek fries are great but I like to change it up and do the feta fries. Both are good!
(4)
Isabel C.

Solid place in the DePaul/ Lincoln Park neighborhood. Great prices and good service. Wish their menu was a little more extensive and explained some of the items but my go to is a Greek salad with chicken or just a regular gyro. I really love their patio in the summer time but on a cold winter day this place is great spot too! It's a regular in my book & I'll keep coming back!
(4)
Cindy N.

I had the gyro dinner it was delicious. Huge portion. The only thing I would have done different is have the sauce they pour over the fries (although what probably the tastiest part of it) put on the side, it makes the french fries all soggy...
(4)
Lisa D.

This place was very disappointing. I took my parents here for dinner and as I ordered my food I asked for additional tomatoes. The response of the waitress was "sorry, we don't do that here." What? What do you mean 'we don't do that here?' I just thought it was very strange. The service remained very poor and I was very disappointed.
(2)
Mario D.

Been here one time I must say I was impressed. Place is old and not updated but the food was good. I was expecting Greek Island type of place but I was wrong. Small cramped seating. No cell phones aloud which I thought was weird. I mean it's 2015 Other than that the steak I had was so good I will go back again.
(4)
Rahul G.

I went to this place for the first time in several years the other night. Still so good. I used to live right around the corner and it was my go to. It can get crazy busy so make sure you go at a good time, no reservations. I love their gyros, so yummy. The fries soaked in the oil/lemon juice is amazing, so flavorful. Service can be hit or miss, with the ladies running around everywhere. The food comes out quick though.
(5)
David M.

I've been eating at this place for years the steak never changes it's amazing but whatever you do do not use you're so phone you will be kicked out by the hostess me and my wife called her the steak Notsi lol....
(5)
John W.

Honestly this place would be an amazing place to eat but there are a number of flaws holding it back. The service is poor. The waitresses are lifeless and often make you wait a long time before picking up your check. The owners nickel and dime you for stuff that should be complementary. For instance, sodas don't come with refills and you have to pay an extra 50 cents for a second pita when the gyro dinner clearly comes with enough meat for two gyros. They also take a maximum of two credit cards for a table. Quality control is poor. I've had some of the best gyros I've ever had here and also some of the worst. At times the gyro meat is very succulent but frequently it's very dry. Almost dry to the point where you would want to send it back. The skirt steak is very good but it will never be cooked the way you want it so I don't think they should even bother asking you how you want it. By the way, they've raised the price on that from 14.50 to $17. Other than that, the place is cramped. If you can get past all these flaws it's a good place to eat, especially if you're lucky and come at a time when the gyro is fresh. Try to avoid off hours because they'll serve gyro meat that's been on the spit for too long. Oh, by the way, when they ask you if you want feta cheese - that costs extra, not that they'll tell you that unless you ask.
(2)
Maggie M.

Good place! But the prices on here are all wrong!! Please check with their internal menu before you order!! Gyros salad said 5.50 on The yelp menu-- then showed up and it was double. $10.00 still a great deal!
(3)
J R.

best restaurant! the service is great, and the food is unique and fabulous!
(5)
John R.

One of the best tasting steaks I've eaten with wines sauce and feta burger is amazing all there food is great
(5)
Nick S.

A hidden treasure in the City! I have been going here for over 20 years now. This place is one of Chicago's hidden treasures. The Athenian chicken is by far the BEST that Chicago has to offer. You get a half chicken that is baked in the oven with their secret recipe of wine and Greek herbs. Included in your order are their steak fries, Greek salad and bread. If you want some extra secret sauce they will take your dish and add more secret sauce to your dish. If you want some extra secret sauce on the side, this is not allowed so don't ask. Try it yourself and see. Their homemade Taramosalata (Greek Caviar) is a must have! Another dish that is well known is their Athenian steak. The portion is so big that they have to fold both of the sides of the steak in order to fit it onto the plate. For dessert you have to try their baklava simply delicious.
(5)
Lee A.

The Kalamata Chicken cook to perfection. The skin was crispy and the meat was moist. I love the flavor of the lemon on the bed of fries and it was season just right. The food was fresh and the Baklava was flakey. So good. Roberto was extremely friendly. I did have an overall great experience. The only tip I would advise the owner to change the bread they use in the bread basket because it's too hard. It doesn't seem as fresh as all the other food.
(5)
Kim B.

It's all about the chicken Kalamata style (aka "Tina Fey" chicken). The chicken is cooked perfectly with crisp skin and juicy meat. It's served on a bed of Greek fries that actually manage to stay crispy even though they're covered in the delicious lemon chicken marinade. Don't bother trying the gyros here. The portion is huge but the meat isn't very flavorful, in my opinion.
(4)
Yoga M.

So disappointed! Wanted a tasty Greek meal and this place had high hopes. I went with the highly recommended Kalmata chicken. I cannot explain how dry and tasteless this was. If I ever served this dish at my home, I would be so embarrassed. It reminded me of the movie Christmas vacation where the turkey is so dry and they are all endlessly chewing it. My husband got the skirt steak and wasn't thrilled with it. This is one time yelp steered me wrong :(
(1)
Nick C.

Chicken kalamata dinner or gyro dinner, both unreal. Avalemono soup is also really good. Amazing food at a reasonable price!
(5)
Ciara E.

The Kalamata chicken is out of this world and reasonably priced (includes salad and fresh bread). I've had Greek chicken in at least a dozen different places in Chicago, and this place is number one, hands down. The owner gave me baklava for free during my last pick-up and it's excellent. I think they add cloves to it. The restaurant doesn't serve alcohol, but they have an interior door to Glasscott's, and you can order drinks from them. The only complaint I have for the Athenian Room is that they don't have moussaka on the menu.
(4)
Katelyn J.

This place is definitely a must-try. I had the Chicken Kalamata and loved it. I have no idea how the fries sit in the juice and soak up all the deliciousness yet somehow stay crispy but it's mind blowing. I have to say my chicken was a little dry but not terrible. I would definitely order it again. My friend ordered the skirt steak which I sampled and we both loved. The prices were great, and you get more than enough food. The service was slow but that could have just been our waitress.
(4)
Jonathan F.

3.5 stars! This little place isn't much to look at, but the food is really good. I grabbed some shrimp, pitas and tzatziki for an appetizer and it was delicious! I want to take a half-star for the creepy patron staring at me while waiting for his food...seriously a weirdo. Not gonna phase me! BYOB'ers take note: the listing on Yelp says BYOB but it *technically* only applies to wine purchased next door. I, being of the belief that the standard rules and caveats of society apply not to me, found a way around this: talk to the waitress...she knows what to do. Service was fast, food arrived hot and properly cooked...I can't type any more I'm hungry now!
(3)
Maria G.

OMG! Delicious, fresh and authentic Greek fare....what more do you want?!! Seriously, this place was very low key, family friendly with great service and mouth-watering food. It has become a go to neighborhood stop for me. I suggest it becomes yours too!!
(4)
A M.

This place is really, really good, some of the best restaurant chicken I've ever had. The salad is really good, and I love the seasoning they use to make the Greek fries. Also, terrific gyros.
(5)
Jonathan T.

I wish I liked this place better because it's in Lincoln Park but unfortunately it doesn't hold a candle to Greektown. I thought the food was a little greasy, too tangy/acidic, and not that authentic. But it is really cheap.
(2)
Ares D.

A great spot in Lincoln Park, you will be greeted at the door by the welcoming long time managers. The Athenian Room never disappoints with tasty (and big) portions of the best Greek and Greek American food. The house fries are a must.
(5)
Toby M.

This is a staple of mine.
(5)
Dana D.

I heart this place. I always get carry out, and it's as fast as going through a drive-thru! While I only go back and forth between two dishes - the Greek salad with chicken shish kabob and the chicken shish kabob dinner - it just never gets old. I can always count on a good meal here!
(5)
Austin L.

It's cheap, it can be healthy, it's fast (if you need that), and everyone's incredibly friendly. I'd give it a 3 and 1/2 if I could (or knew how) just because it's a pain to go the adjoining bar Glascott's to get any alcoholic beverages. Still, my fiance and I go there all the time and we love it. Try the skirt steak...you'll be pleasantly surprised...
(4)
mari a.

At one time in my life I too was a carnivore, and this is where I came to indulge. I also must admit that the Athenian room has single handedely tore me from my vegetarian convictions on more then one occasion. So vegetarians, if you're thinking about losing your religion. . . here's a couple of recomendations: The skirt steak Alexandros is an absolutly scrumptious tender piece of meat, loaded with Meditaranean spice, and the Greek fries that accompany it are moist from swimming in the delicious Greek vinaigrette, but still maintain a nice crunch! The subtle spice delivered from the Greek fries is unforgettable! I must not leave without saying a word about the charburgers, the BEST burger in CHICAGO. And I'm out!
(5)
Amanda C.

This review is based on taking a gyro to go into Glascott's next door. I'm not a huge gyro fan but had to eat something and I will say it was pretty good. It was enormous and I split it with a friend. Comes with a lot of really good fries which I think are homemade from potatoes. The woman at the cash register wasn't too friendly but that could be because we were from the bar. She did let us bring the plate and silverware with us though. A gyro is probably the cheapest thing on the menu at $9. I might try their other items sometime and sit down- the restaurant area looked cozy.
(3)
tony c.

this is a pretty good little place. gyros are decent. greek fries are better elsewhere (maybe i set the bar a little high. i love greek fries. (try cross-rhodes!)) the people are very friendly, the food is just not all that mind-blowing. it's priced accordingly to the area, which you can't help, but it's just not that great for the price. decent though.
(3)
Gabe L.

I went for the 2nd time last night and it did not disappoint. I can't get over the delicious of the gyros and the greek fries. 3 of us ordered Greek salads with gyros (huge portion, lots of meat), sodas, olives, spanikopita, and 2 orders of greek fries and the total bill with tax and tip was $57. This may be the best value restaurant in Chicago. While a lot of people have posted about the amazingness of the Chicken i can't imagine ever not ordering the gyros here. I will be going back frequesntly.
(4)
Bridget B.

I have been to the top three greek places in Greek Town and the food does not compare to this little hole in the wall. I have literally been dining at the Athenian Room for over 25 years. Nothing has changed since then. The food is consistantly delicious, fresh and reasonably priced. The service is consistantly unconsistant but the food and atmosphere is so perfect, I have gotten over it. (The tall european lady has been there FOREVER and it shows. She is unfriendly and needs a career change. She is not even an owner, just a hostess. They usually have like one nice server at a time and very friendly and helpful bus staff but that's about it. Either way, I have lived in chicago my whole life and Athenian Room is by far my favorite restuarant. The skirt steak is to die for and the kalamata chicken is amazing. Spinach Pie (spanakopita) is a MUST !! Glasscotts next store is awesome as well, one crabby bartender but all the rest are really nice and they have good specials.
(4)
Natalie T.

I only eat spinach pie and salads at Greek joints and both were OK. Spinach pie didn't have the dill I like to taste or any other spices for that matter. Salad had high quality feta but a watery oil dressing. The bread was fabulous, chewy like a baguette, which surprised me. We wanted rice though, and after being told they have a rice lemon soup but no rice, the server said they had Greek fries. I asked: what are Greek fries? She said they are like French fries. I said OK, so they are essentially French fries renamed 'Greek fries.' She didn't think I was funny. Then she said that the Greek Fries are french fries with Greek sauce on them. Well, I didn't want fries but that was a pretty funny conversation. The host who sat us was very friendly and seemed to be dressed like a priest. Relaxing vibe. Nothing spectacular--just a homey joint with renamed fries.
(3)
Elizabeth P.

After hearing everyone talk about the Athenian Room, I decided to finally give it a shot. The restaurant has been open since 1972, same owner, same location - they must be doing something right! And they are. All I can say is, I'm hooked. I went with my husband and a couple of our friends. We started of with the taramosalata, a tasty spread served with warm, fresh pitas. I was a bit worried to try it at first since I am not a fan of caviar, but all my worries are now gone. We ordered a couple of spanakopitas, warm gooey spinach and feta in a crisp filodough, straight out of the oven. We also started off with the large greek salad, (only 7 dollars and more than enough for us to share) which came with kalamata olives and a HUGE slab of feta on top, drizzled in an oil and vinegar dressing. For dinner, my husband ordered the skirt steak. A long, lean piece of tender steak, served with those greek fries, in that famous wine sauce of theirs! AMAZING. I ordered the chicken kalamata, which apparently Tina Fey said is the best chicken in Chicago. And it was - a half chicken served in that wine sauce on top of a pile of greek fries, with a side salad. Crisp, cooked right to the perfect point, tender white and dark meat - I finally know what all the fuss was about. One of our friends ordered the greek feta charburger - I did not really understand why someone would order a burger at a Greek restaurant, but after trying it, I do now. Our other friend ordered the gyros dinner and they really liked it. The staff was very friendly, our server was very respectful and attentive, checking back on us several times. The only bad thing I can say would be the wait - we did have to wait for about 15-20 minutes before being seated, but hey, if everyone else is waiting, that can only mean the food is worth the wait. Also, they do not accept American Express, only Visa or Mastercard, which I wish we had known before. All in all, we were very pleased with our food and we will definitely be going again! The portions are HUGE, the prices are CHEAP (especially for lincoln park!), the staff was friendly, and the food was delicious.
(5)
Jamie O.

I enjoy the simple atmosphere of this local Greek joint. It does well for what it advertises, reasonably priced, tasty Greek street food. Had their chicken kabob and found the chicken flavorful and fries indulgent.
(2)
Michelle M.

The Greeek Fries and Feta Burger are not found any where else as good....I have been going here for years! There is nothing that beats this great little place! EXCELLENT!!!
(5)
Wayne L.

Me my husband and my kids walked in around 4:30 pm for dinner and we just stood there for what it seemed a very aquared long time before somebody said anything. It was not busy at all waitresses are standing in a corner nobody taking the initiative to say anything. Finally the owner gruffly had us sit down. We all ordered the gyros and it was dry and plain. The fries it came with were nothing special. We wanted to go there because we saw a segment onTV Chicago's best. We won't be going there again ever. It is nothing special the food was just ok. Mikeys gyros would have been better and cheaper!!!lol
(1)
Jenny N.

I live a few blocks from here and can't believe I don't go here more often seeing as I LOVE IT. So I guess my 5 star review can only be for the Greek salad, Greek fries, gyros and baklava as that is all I've ever ordered from here, but they're really good. Their gyros are big with tomatoes, onions and good tzatziki. Good service, cute outdoor seating area. It's BYOB but you can also go Glascotts, the bar next door, and bring over a drink from there.
(5)
Eric D.

i'm perplexed by reviews that claim "it doesn't get any better than the athenian room". while i acknowledge that their greek fries-- generously cut steak fries bathed in vinegar and seasoning salt-- are quite tasty, their gyro underwhelms in every way. the athenian room offers only one choice of meat for their gyro (which may be a matter of semantics, although other restaurants offer lamb, chicken, etc.), a beef-lamb blend that tastes like every average italian beef sandwhich i've ever eaten... a true disappointment, especially for a dedicated greek restaurant. when a restaurant offers a limited menu, i hold the expectation that what they do offer should be fantastic. far from it, the gyro at the athenian room barely qualifies as "good". further, i've knocked a star off of what would otherwise be a two star review because of the treatment i received when ordering my meal. the responses i received to simple questions about the menu were met with a tone of derision that bordered on pretension, and i was made to feel like a child for ordering an additional condiment with my gyro. i felt as if i was being rushed through my order, even though i was one of only five patrons in the entire restaurant, and the only person ordering take-out. if i had gone to say, the weiner's circle, this type of customer service would be charming; i've never experienced this kind of treatment at a greek restaurant, though. i can put up with average food... that alone is never reason enough not to return to a restaurant. but when food is this average and customer service is this poor, you can bet that i've given the athenian room my last dollar.
(1)
Aneesh N.

Maybe because I go to UIC and therefore am right next to Greektown I'm just spoiled, I don't know. But, I went here hoping for something significantly better than what I got. I ordered the pork tenderloin (shish-kabob) dinner. It looked good when I got it, but the meat was quite dry, and didn't have a great deal of flavor. Additionally, I don't understand what makes the "greek fries" so great. The prices aren't terrible, but I felt that I should've been getting more for my money. However, I'm definitely not knocking the service. Great service, very nice server, didn't wait too long for my meal. Next time I want greek food, I'm not leaving greektown.
(2)
Leang E.

It's a very simple place that does an alright job. It was warm enough to sit outdoors, but it's not a large patio. The menu was straightforward and to the point. They didn't have anything elaborate on there, and I'm thinking not really like Greektown. We started with a salad and the pita bread with taziki sauce and feta cheese. I had the Chicken Kalamata, and it was fabulous. I love the crispy skin of the chicken and most of the fries were still crispy and hot over the lemon sauce. We didn't have room for any baklava, but I wouldn't doubt that it was just as yummy. It's a very affordable meal, and our waitress was pretty attentive and nice. It's nice to have this place in the Lincoln Park area.
(4)
Araceli R.

nice place my boss took me to this greek restaurant and i like it the menu is small , simple and delicius she order taramosalata for appetizer then she have a chicken kalamata style for me skirt steak alexandros style very good and pita bread soo we come back w / my family :)
(4)
Luciana B.

Best. Steak. Ever. I could eat these until I literally die of over-consumption of amazing steak. Try it. You will not be sorry. And if you are, you clearly have inferior taste buds.
(5)
Fuffie G.

The food is always decent and it's definitely cheap, but the owners are also becoming a little too cheap. I think it's crappy that they charge you extra if you want feta in your Greek salad? What?? Isn't that one of the main ingredients in a Greek salad? Also, they have Heinz Ketchup bottles on the table but uh uh uhhhh...it's not Heinz Ketchup in the bottles...cheap and tacky. The last time I was there there was a sign that says no cell phones when you walk in and when I was leaving there was a man screaming at the owner that people were on their cell phones. Isn't that more disturbing than a person actually talking on the phone??? Greek Islands isn't that much more and it's a much nicer environment.
(2)
Carlo N.

Though the thought of not having Saganaki or Lemon Rice soup at a Greek Restaurant shocked me; a little patience can go a long way. The food there was amazingly good. The gyros was on par and the Greek Fries were great! Feta cheese as an app surely made me forget about Saganaki. We also ordered the skirt steak...hands down one of the best marinated skirt steaks I have ever had. Not an ounce of dryness to the steak and they go so well with the Greek Fries. Go with an open mind and try this place out; Great food at a reasonable price. I'm looking to go back this weekend!
(4)
Adam T.

To be honest, it's not "5 stars" in the sense of "most amazing restaurant of all time"--it's "5 stars" in the sense of "best Greek food I've had in years--and I've been to Greece!" Just had lunch at the Athenian Room--Lemon Rice soup followed by Chicken Shishkabob with Greek fries, tsatsiki, pita--all for under 10 bucks! In short: amazingly good food, friendly service, and of course--the perfect location (I heart Lincoln Park!).
(5)
Edward W.

Love the skirt steak. Nothing too fancy here just good food. You can even sit outside in the summer.
(5)
Steve M.

I've been eating Athenian Room for the last 16 years of my life (give or take), and I'm astonished I haven't written it up yet! D'oh! Two words: gyro dinner. Succulent gyro meat, onions, yogurt sauce that is both tangy and creamy, and perfectly heated pita. Add fries and squeeze lemon on them, and anyone can become a believer! Also, their salads are fresh and crunchy. Bonus points for being connected to the bar next door, where you can take your food and order drinks! Athenian Room: an LP/Chicago staple for as long as I can remember. Here's to sticking around for generations to come. Oopa!
(4)
Rachel W.

Mmmmmm. I am such a fan of greek food, and I adore Athenian Room. I cater them for work so we do gyro bar, chicken kebabs, spanikopita, taramousalta (sounds scary as it's blended potatoes/fish eggs), but it essentially is like salty salmon spread...delish. The salad has fresh olives and tons of feta. People are split between vinegar & regular fries, so I always order both. Last time they threw in baklava and it had a hint of cinnamon. YUM. At any rate...if you're into Greek food, definitely check them out.
(5)
Lindsay H.

I am obsessed with the Chicken Kalamata! I also love that its obvious that the management is super old-school with all the quirky little rules about how the food has to be served, how the check is paid, etc. Love this place!
(4)
Zach E.

Didn't start off so great, but the food made up for it. We were 5 and told there would be a 15 min wait. We waited close to 45 minutes for a table. Granted it was Saturday night , but it was clear this was a place that if you knew management or had been eating there for years you would get bumped up on the list. Nevertheless, once we sat down the service was great. Food came quick. I don't eat meat outside of my house, so I can only speak to the vegetarian /"pescatarian" options. Spinach pie was maybe best I ever had. Olives were tasty. Ordered two salads, both huge and tasty. Pita was great and the fries are terrific. Friends had the half chicken and devoured it and said it was amazing. Overall, very impressed .
(4)
Kate H.

The best part about the athenian room is the quality of the food. Everything here is consistently delicious and I live close by so it is a staple in my neighborhood go-to. I love all of the salads and the gyros are out of this world. However, pretty much every time I go the service is terrible. Maybe one out of every five times I go I will have a nice server. The servers just tend to be very rude and short even when they are slow. I also wish they would start serving alcohol instead of making customers walk to the bar next door every time they need a new drink. The one time I did get great service the waitress went and got the drinks for us next door, which was FANTASTIC. Overall I would recommend to any greek food lover! Just don't take it personally when your server ignores you!
(4)
Whitney K.

I thought we had found a hidden neighborhood gem...well, apparently 300 other people found it also! I think Athenian Room is probably more like a 3/3.5 in my book, but I gave them a 4 for one reason: PRICE. For under $20, BK and I were able to stop in on a Saturday night and have a fairly good meal in a cozy, cute atmosphere just down the street. Which is nearly impossible in this city, even if you get (gasp!) fast food . We got the Chicken Kalamata plate and the Chicken on Pita. BK loved his greek chicken, as most others have noted, but neither of us was very impressed with the fries. I think maybe ours were just overcooked a little for our taste, but they also were a little bland to me. The pita that I got was fresh and warm, but the grilled chicken was just so-so. The tzatziki sauce helped though, and the man used the rest of it to give his fries a little flavor. This was our first time, but we'll probably be back to try it again once the patio opens since its so close. We saw several other orders go by our table that looked good-gyros! The service was quick, even for a Saturday night we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes. I do wish that they had their own restroom separate from the bar next door, though. It was dirty and gross even at 7pm, but oh well!
(4)
Emily D.

My only complaint about The Athenian Room is deciding what to get is such a hard decision. The gyros, skirt steak, and of course, the famous chicken are all amazing. If it's your first time, definitely go with the chicken. I rarely order chicken in restaurants as it's usually underwhelming, but I crave the Athenian Room chicken constantly. The juice soaked fries underneath are incredible as well. A great value and cozy atmosphere make it one of my favorite restaurants in the city.
(5)
Colleen R.

Chicago Classic! Get the Kalamata Style Chicken Dinner (with the Greek fries) for a treat! Wish they were BYOB!
(4)
Alice L.

It's worth noting that this isn't *really* a Greek restaurant. Their menu spans two pages, one of which consists mostly of burgers and such. My boyfriend was on his way and I asked if he had a standard order at Greek restaurants that I could put in for him in advance. He told me to get him an order of Mousakka, and when I asked the waitress if they had that she didn't know what it was. However, if you approach this as mostly a diner-ish kind of place with some Greek influences, you'll be very happy. I got the Chicken Kalamata (thanks Tina Fey!) and it was as delicious as all of the three hundred other reviews described it to be. Do note, however, that we came at 8PM on a Tuesday night and still had to wait a bit. Totally worth it though.
(4)
Zack S.

I had always wanted to check this place out after I heard that it's Tina Fey's favorite restaurant in Chicago. Oh man was she right! The Kalamata Chicken is outrageous. The fries are an unbelievable compliment to the salty delicious chicken juice. Can't believe I'm saying this but it might be the best chicken dinner I have ever had! I was so moved by the first dinner that I went back again the next night for the Skirt Steak dinner. Wowza. Amazeballs.
(5)
Temi C.

4 stars for food, but 1 point deduction for service. The gyros and kalamata chicken are really good. I was hesitant to order the kalamata chicken (a Tina Fey favorite) because I thought it might be prepared with olives, but to my joy it's only named after the Greek city. It's succulent, lemon-y, and very well seasoned. The taramosolata is also worth ordering. We've dined here and ordered carry out from time to time. Service is always lacking. Last time I ordered extra tzatziki and pita, paid for it, then found out when I was all the way home that it wasn't in my order. I called and the lady asked if I paid by credit card. I said yes and asked her to refund me those items. She said she would. I check a week later and no refund. I called the restaurant and was now told that they never refund anyone. Next time I order I will be given those items free of charge. STFU. I paid for something I didn't receive and now I have to go back, and spend more $ to get it? Who says there's going to be a next time? Who am I kidding? Their gyros and taramosalata are too good for there not to be a next time, but it's still the principle. Work on the customer service Athenian Room because I would love to give you the 4th star.
(3)
Christina F.

gyros are so good. fries are amazing. prices are good, food is great and it makes a good date spot or casual lunch. looooove this place!
(5)
Kit G.

Best inexpensive meal in Chicago. I am addicted to the Kalamata Chicken, which is also Tina Fey's favorite meal in Chicago - there is a video online about this. Anyway, that video did inspire me to try the Kalamata Chicken and I am now obsessed. It is crispy and tender. The vinegar and wine sauce that covers the Greek Fries is incredible. The fries are still crispy even though they are soaked in the delicious sauce, it is magic. The meals come with bread and a salad - why don't more restaurants do that these days? Let's recap, bread, salad, delicious chicken and fries - and it is only $9.50! Things to know: The do not take reservations. I got really lucky and got a table at 8pm for 2 on a Saturday. They do not serve alcohol, but you can go next door to Glascotts and get a drink and bring it over. You have to carry the drink over yourself (because Athenian Room doesn't have a liquor license).
(5)
Tamera B.

My favorite greek for the perfect lunch. This is has good as it gets!!
(5)
Laura G.

The chicken at Athenian room is just SO delicious. For $9.50, you get half a chicken and delicious fries. The fries sit under the chicken and soak up all the juice. People love the skirt steak as well. Service is usually good and quick; we only waited 5 minutes on a busy Friday night. However, The waitress we had the other night was very unfriendly, and I was surprised because service has been much better in the past. Maybe she is new? Besides that, a Chicago staple for yummy Greek food. A definite must try!
(4)
Rose K.

The Athenian Room is one of Chicago's best kept secrets. I wish I could say I've been going here for years, but I too discovered it through miss Tina Fey! And thank God - this place has the greatest Greek food in Chicago. I always tell myself I am going to try something different when I go to the Athenian Room, but I end up ordering the gyro dinner time and time again. It's AMAZING. They give you a heaping pile of gyro meat on a pita (with the option to have tomatoes and I think onions as well) with tzatziki sauce on the side. Holy moly is it good. Add to that the fact that it's all served on a pile of fries and you'll never want to leave. Oh, and one of the best parts is that they are shaving the gyro meat out in front as soon as you walk in the door! Yeah, they get me with that every time. Besides the food, the service is great! The food comes out so quickly, it surprises me every time. The only downside is that there is no bar in the restaurant. If you need a drink, you'll have to go next door and grab one. But the nice thing is that you can bring it back into the Athenian Room and have it with your meal! You'll just have to make another trip if you want another drink. Finish off the night with a cup of coffee and their baklava. Phenomenal. The prices are really great too! I'm always poor as hell but I can afford to hit up the Athenian Room every now and then. Try it, you won't be sorry!
(5)
melanie a.

This is our favorite place to go in summer after a long day at The beach. Kids love the food, prices are great, and we get to sit outside and see what's going on. Portions are really generous, too.
(5)
Alison O.

Tina Fey was not lying when she said the Kalamata Chicken is amazing! The seasonings are perfect and it is served over a bed of greek fries. Everytime I go to this place, it is packed, but the food always comes out on time and piping hot. It's BYOB, but you can walk through the hallway to Glascott's and get a drink there to bring back to the restaurant. If you are craving a little upscale Greek this is the place to go!
(4)
Jenny O.

This place is wonderful. Great, funny, friendly staff and excellent food. The skirt steak is for sure my favorite by far. The gyros are excellent too!!! Highly recommend this restaurant !
(5)
Michael B.

This was a recommendation from my aunt who still talks about the chicken with drool dripping down her face. After about two years of living in the neighborhood, I decided it was time to give it a shot. My girlfriend and I carried out two orders of the chicken kalamata dinners which come with a side salad, fries (covered in their lemon oil mix), and bread. The bird was absolutely delicious! Succulent and melt off the bone juicy. Literally one week later we went back to get the full dining experience by dining in. My woman stuck with the regular and ordered the same chicken meal, but this time was unable to finish. I guess the allure had worn from our first experience. I on the other hand went out on a limb and ordered the gyro. I withheld my temptation to go with the dinner portion, but when I got the thing I was happy I did! It was HUGE! Biggest gyro I had ever eaten by far, but thanks to the delicious flavor, was not as difficult as I had expected to join the clean plate club. One of the best value meals in the city (under $7 for about a pound of gyro meat!) After two visits I see why my aunt speaks so highly of the place. It is very authentic food and you can't beat the prices.
(4)
Jack P.

I couldn't help noticing this place getting some attention of late, and I've never put in my two cents. It's on my "top five cheap eats" list as well as my top five gyros. In the past 25 years or so, I've been here many, many times. It is still my go to spot for a gyros sandwich. Not only for the gyros, but the greek-style fries with lemon and oregano. I also love the Greek chicken and the skirt steak. And you cannot beat the prices. Never had an unfriendly server or service that was sub-par or slow. Great neighborhood and family vibe, too. I've had many a gyros sandwich here. The regular is priced at $5.99, and I think the large is around $1.00 more. The regular is quite large enough, in my opinion. And with the Greek fries, around $2.25, it makes for a good value for fresh, delicious gyros. I usually request additional tzatziki. And I like the fact that I have to sneak through a side door and pick up my beer at the bar next door (where my claim to fame in the 80's was ripping my suit pants wide open while break-dancing.) It feels very speakeasy/naughty having to sneak a beer that way. If I recall, you have to use their bathrooms, too. Talk about things going full circle! The Athenian Room is exactly the type place I would like to visit if I were a tourist in the big city and wanted a fun and reasonably-priced, authentic neighborhood ethnic spot.
(4)
Sharif H.

I really don't understand the rave reviews for this restaurant. The food is average at best. The portions are large, I'll admit, but I have had more flavorful Greek food at lower prices at many Greek restaurants in the city. What distinguishes Athenian Room from every restaurant I have visited in my 15 years living in the city is the abominable service. I decided to visit this restaurant one more time before reviewing it on Yelp to give it another chance. It was very busy the first experience and our waitress never came to check up on us during our meal and we literally did not see her for fifteen minutes when we were trying to pay our bill. The second visit it was not nearly as busy and had the same unfriendly and unattentive service. I truly feel that the attitude of the owners pervades the entire culture and the owners and staff take their customers for granted. I am fairly easygoing and low maintenance when dining out and Athenian Room is a glaring example of an overrated restaurant that is in desperate need of a wake-up call. They should realize that there are many options in the city and discerning foodies will make a statement by not supporting restaurants that don't appreciate their business. Athenian Room will not get another chance.
(1)
Todd K.

Wow!! Went to Athenian Room with a group of co-workers on a random Thursday. I wasn't sure what to make of the place from the outside, but looks can be quite deceiving. We had a group of about ten and ordered several appetizers. We tried the spanikopita and Greek olives. I'm not a huge fan of either, but the samples I had were awesome. I ordered the Kalamata Chicken, raved upon by Tina Fey. Let me just say - I've had lots of Greek food over the years - this place wins hands down. The chicken was tender and crispy, tender fries served as a nice nest for the bird. I ate every last bit of the fries. And, yes, they charge for Feta cheese on top of the salad, but it's worth every cent. Bring everyone you know - just not at the same time I'm there.
(5)
Samantha L.

I have been eating here since I was in grammar school, and I like the fact that the food is still the same! I have to admit that it has been many years since I have dined in, my work usually just orders take out, but I remember that the atmosphere is no frills and quaint. Perfectly adequate. My absolute favorite thing here are the Greek fries! They are swimming in all sort of oil & vinegar & spices. They are so good. I usually get the gyro plate. The portion sizes are really big. So glad that the Athenian room is still around and I plan to keep coming back for years to come!
(5)
PingPing N.

Chicken Kalmata $9.50-- Roasted chicken on gumby-shaped french fries on a lemony liquid sauce bath, Chicken skin baked to the crisp and was perfect. Chicken was kinda dry and tasteless. Kind of like the rotisserie chicken you buy in the pre-packed boxes at the grocery store. But hey, thats the meaning of rotisserie, right. Only the skin has flavor??? I picked a dish thats not my style but wanted to see what everyone was raving about. Gyro King Sized $6.50-- Worth it. LOADED with thin slices of meat and onions. The tzaitki sauce wasnt all that though. Needed a pinch more salt, garlic, something. We prefer thicker cuts of meat, not so thin that you can Almost see through it, though. Caviar Hummus-- I didnt even have a taste but the Mr says he couldnt even detect the caviar at all. It was light in flavor and just your typical hummus.
(3)
Tracy T.

I used to be a big fan. Now ... dunno. I've gotta say the gyros was incredibly dry. Also, it was incredible slippery on the floor and when I mentioned it to the hostess, she said "it's wet because it's raining" -- no "i'm sorry" , no "be careful" no "thanks for letting me know" Finally, we had to work hard to get the wait staff to help. I may not go back again.
(2)
Kymberly J.

This place has a lot going for it: 1. they put cinnamon in the iced tea!!!!!! 2. The chicken in the kabobs is the juciest kabob chicken I have ever teasted. 3. The gyro meat has a unique flavor...not all processed-like as at some places 4. The prices are low. 5. The service is fast and friendly 6. The greek fries are friggin' awesome. They have some lemony goodness on them that cant be beat!
(4)
Kyle P.

Love it..... Went with some Greek people and all kinds of cool stuff start coming out. Try it out. Grecian chicken is great
(5)
Liz K.

Yumm-o! The Athenian Room is awesome! If you're looking for a cozy and inexpensive place for dinner, this is the spot! All of their menu items are Greek foods and their proportions are HUGE! Literally, one platter is definitely enough for dinner and then leftovers. I had the Gyros Dinner Platter and I have never seen so much gyros in my life. The bottom of the plate is blanketed in Greek fries. Deeeelush! Also, that whole plate of lovin' was about $9.50.
(5)
Andrea H.

Well, it's cheap, I'll give it that. I live right by this place and decided to stop in one night for (I guess it was late?) dinner. Apparently we walked in about 30 minutes before closing. Our server made us very aware that we were inconveniencing her, not only by her attitude, but by the fact that she told us we better hurry up and order before the kitchen closed. Awesome. Good thing the menu is so limited, it expedited the decision process. I swear I thought they offered more than sandwiches, but it turns out not much more. The food was ok, but I won't be back. The server started clearing our table before we were finished and made us pay mid-bite so she could get the hell outta there. I'm sorry I went.
(2)
Danny M.

So let me tell you about my Athenian Room experience ... I go in completely set on ordered a gyro with feta. I see on the menu they have a gyro and a gyro with cheese. Naturally, I go for the cheese and I go out of my way to tell her feta (even though I assumed that was the cheese). She proceeds to tell me that the cheese is American? What? American cheese on a gyro? I am at a GREEK restaurant? Why would I get AMERICAN cheese? Does this make sense? No. I ask her if they could do feta and she says no, but I can order the feta appetizer for $2.50 and get it. $2.50? I can go to Trader Joe's and get a whole container and do it myself. Silly waitress. So on to my next question ... I ask the waitress was the gyro dinner was because I was also intrigued by the fries. At this point, this lady has 0 interest in serving me but that's not my problem. She tells me the gyro dinner is just more gyro meat, and it includes bread, sauce, etc etc. I asked if it comes like the sandwich and she says no. I then ask "Can you make it like a sandwich" and she says no. Am I in another universe? What is going on here?! I finally settle on the Feta Charburger (Thanks to some Yelp-ers) on a pita bread. The meal (for 8.75) comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, tzatziki sauce, giant hamburger, a huge slice of feta, and these wonderful greek fries. The greek fries were coated in oil and special seasonings that were divine, and I used the extra tzatziki for dipping. Yes! I would go back for the fries. The burger in a pita was HUGE. Like I didnt want to eat the rest of the day, and I eat a lot. It was very tasty albeit a little messy. The feta lacked some flavor, but it was nice to just see it on there. The sauce was delicious and full of garlick-y goodness. They asked me how I wanted my burger cooked and I said "medium." Of course, it came out med well, which was to be expected. So in short, customer service leaves something to be desired. They have beautiful outside seating. The food is quite tasty and very authentic. Go in to get the fries (you can get a side order for $2.25). I would try it again now that I know the "rules" and perhaps up my star rating. I just really wish you could get a gyro with feta, a la Nikos on Elston, for less than $9. Is that to much to ask?
(3)
Stephen R.

Is there ever a bad greek place? I mean all their dishes are solid although ironically I think their worst dish is the gyros because the meat was dry on this day. The chicken, lamb, and all the other pitas were outstanding. The gyros are good but this batch wasnt great, and I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was just an overcooked day.
(4)
Heidi O.

I came here after a recommendation from Tina Fey involving phrases like "chicken juices on fries" and I wasn't disappointed. I got chicken juices all over a blouse I had bought for the occassion (not a chicken eating blouse per-se, but I was going on a date with a very special man and wanted to look like I didn't belong on public transportation) It was a magical evening and I think of it fondly as a night where there was lots of making out. Eat here and you too will have the opportunity to gorge yourself on the aphrodisiac that is greek chicken.
(4)
Jesse F.

Today was my first time at Athenian Room, and, because of the experience, tonight is my first time writing a yelp review. I will let the experience speak for itself. Three friends and I went to Athenian Room for lunch. We all ordered meals, and while we were waiting a friend joined us. He pulled up a chair to our table from an empty table (amongst many, many empty tables), and a minute after he joined the waitress came to our table and said because he wasn't ordering anything, he had to leave. He then said he would have a bowl of soup so he could stay, and she very rudely told him he would still have to leave. We were shocked at this, and decided to cancel our order and leave. As we were paying at the counter, we explained to the manager/owner that we were leaving because the waitress had been rather rude to us (thinking he'd want to know). Shockingly, he said, "you can't just add someone to your table, so you can leave." At that point, we were all very frustrated and one of our friends cursed. This was of course very very inappropriate of my friend, but, in another shocking move, the owner very loudly cursed back at him, with a room full of customers. I am so disgusted by the way this restaurant treated us, and wish there was something more I could do then write this review. I just would not want to support a business that treats customers this way.
(1)
Liz G.

Very average right down the middle with the exception of the gyro I ordered. The menu is very limited, not even offering hummus. What Greek place doesn't have hummus? The gyro I ordered was very large, tasty and came with a thick tzatziki sauce. They don't have any alcohol but you can bring it in from Gascott's next door which is connected through a walkway by the restrooms. You can also bring your food into the bar. Overall I wasn't that impressed, The gyro was good but could have just as easily come from a street vendor or a take out place, but it was still good. Also I need to stop going to places with great patios in the winter, I'll give Athenian Room another shot this summer.
(3)
Jessica L.

This place is fantastic! Great date spot that doesn't break the bank. Such a cute little place, you actually have to go to the connected next door bar to get drinks! The food came out so quickly! Everything was amazing! The chicken was so juicy and succulent with a crispy barbecued skin. The skirt steak dinner was also very delicious and flavorful but I prefer the chicken. We also tried the gyros plate which was soo much yummy gyros meet, only comes with one pita though so you need to order extra! No saganaki on the menu but awesome spanikopita app! YUM!
(5)
Halley W.

one of my most frequently asked, vegan related questions is ... "what do you eat when you've got a hangover?" my answer : athenian room. the vegetarian salad (which is actually vegan) is amazing ... hangover or no hangover. so good, in fact ... that i got it on my most recent visit (and every previous visit). i actually can't figure out why this salad is so good because it is super low budg. but it is so.eff-ing.good. but really, the piÃ¨ce de rÃ©sistance ... vegan (!!!) baklava (!!!). all i can say is yum. (side note : there was confusion with the waitress as to whether or not this had butter ... when the owner clarified the recipe, she also gave me some baklava gratis for my troubles. woohoo! +++) they've also got a few other vegan items (per the restaurant): - navy bean soup (only on wednesdays for a limited time). - cucumber salad w/out the tzatziki sauce. - tossed salad. - greek fries & french fries (cooked in soybean oil & with no non-vegan items... just fries). - olives. athenian room -- fast. cheap. lots o' vegan goods.
(5)
Jorge H.

Prices are decent and the feel to the place is not bad. Definitely got my bang for my buck. One thing though, the cup of water my friend had still had lipstick markings on it... gross.
(2)
Jeremy S.

I've eaten at Athenian room a bunch of times and it's pretty good... You can place orders for pick up right as you enter the restaurant. There is also a general seating area for those who want to eat in. Portion sizes are fair, however recently I've noticed that I've been getting very small amounts of fries in my to-go orders. Hook it up guys they're just fries and everyone loves them! They have a valet in the front and if you are there to pick up just let the attendant know that you are looking to pickup and will be out soon. It will save you the hassle of parking in the heart of lincoln park boutiques. The chicken is juicy and pitas are always warm. It's the best on the go Greek place I have come across outside of Greektown. Prices aren't quite cheap but also aren't too extravagant. All and all solid place, so go check it out!
(4)
Amy M.

3.5-4 stars fits this spot perfectly! My bf and I are regulars here; good family run business. The food is above average, the servers are efficient, and the overall experience is decent. Their menu is limited though I usually get the same thing each time so this does not bother me. Definitely worth a visit. If we didn't live so close, we would still probably come here every few months. Also, the staff turnover seems to be quite low here so they must be doing something right... My only complaint is that the people who run the cashier (probably owners) can be a bit more friendly and genuine. I understand the stress of running a business but those emotions do not need to be shown to customers. Oh yea, no music in the background; would be nice for some Greek music to be playing softly in the background to make the experience more authentic. Overall, keep up the good work.
(4)
Melissa D.

I absolutely loved this place. I even debated giving it a five. My husband and one of my friends weren't quite as impressed as I was though. I had the skirt steak and I LOVED it! I can't wait to have it again. It was seasoned perfectly. If you like flavorful rather than bland food this is a great dish for you. The fries were amazing as well. They were on the plate with the steak and had absorbed a lot of the sauce/flavor. The place definitely has that old school kind of a feel. They serve you the kind of salads people ate in the early eighties......not much more than iceberg lettuce but I don't mind that once in a while, especially when it is topped with their amazing feta. My husband had the gyro platter which I also liked but not quite as much as the skirt steak. The restaurant does not have a liquor license but you can walk into the bar that is linked to the restaurant to get a drink. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago.
(4)
Stacey D.

Chicken Kabob's were great! Just wish I was able to get more tazaki sauce. Great partnership between the Athenian Room and the Irish pub next door.
(4)
Matt M.

A haiku: I'd eat a grown man as long as you covered him in extra wine sauce
(5)
Michael N.

Chicken Kalamata is awesome. If you want alcohol go next door to the bar to get it. Servers will not.
(3)
Jess H.

Tina Fey told me that this delicious chicken came served over a bed of steak fries and the chicken juice got all soaked up in those fried potato bites. She said it was delicious. So I ordered it. I only have three things to say: 1. Eternally crushing on Tina Fey. 2. She won't steer you wrong, the chicken with chicken spices and juice on steak fries - why aren't you there now? 3. Why don't more places serve steak fries? F a crinkle cut. God. ps. Some of the other reviewers are correct, that woman up at the front who seats people? She isn't friendly.
(4)
Jen H.

Great go-to for a casual meal. I love the chicken pita and greek fries. My husband gets the gyro. His plate is always overflowing with shaved meat. This is the only restaurant that he leaves with a to-go box. If you want a drink with your meal, go next door to Glasscots and order it, and then bring it over to your table. Nothing fancy, but good, dependable food!
(4)
Timo R.

A friend and I just ate here... because he knew of Tina Fey's affinity for it. I had the kalamata chicken platter... delicious... and the fries underneath the meat soaked up the juice mentioned in a previous post... sooo good. I was so full that I couldn't fit in any baklava afterward. Maybe next time?
(4)
Elissa M.

If you're the type of vegetarian that occasionally caves to the siren song of meat, then the Athenian Room is your destination. You will not experience "average-tasting-meat" remorse. I was originally turned on to the Athenian by an interview I saw with Tina Fey, wherein she mentioned their Kalamata chicken. The phrase "chicken juice soaks into the fries" was enough for me. I was sold. The patio seating is a nice option... my only complaint is that in order to get a glass of wine, you have to go to the bar next door and bring it back. If I wanted to get up to get my own wine, I would have eaten at my mom's house. I went wineless. The chicken was triumphantly crispy with spices on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. And, as Tina mentioned, the juice from the chicken does indeed soak into the bed of fries it is served on. Pure heaven.
(4)
John P.

I ordered a gyro and it was the worst gyro I've ever had. My parents were with me and also did not enjoy there meals. Skip it and just take the trip to greektown
(1)
Mike V.

If you grew up in the Lincoln Park neighborhood than you've most likely been to Athenian Room. I've been going here along with my friends ever since I was born and even after not going for a year or so the waitresses and owner still recognizes us. Anyway, I can say that every time I have eaten here I haven't been disappointed. It's a sure thing. Make sure you get the greek fries which are amazing. The kalamata chicken is also pretty good. So, in conclusion, big portions, good food, and a very comfortable atmosphere that makes you feel like you're at home. A Lincoln Park staple.
(4)
Jaclyn S.

Tina Fey was right, this place is boom :) You really can't go wrong with greek fries, if you don't know what I am talking about...you need to come to Athenian Room. This is where to go for Greek food if you don't want to go to Greek town. I could not believe how little they charged too. We had a meal for 6 people and paid $70! Stand out items were the spanakopita (best I have ever had!), greek salad (topped with a huge piece of feta), chicken dinners (enough for 2 meals), and obviously the greek fries. I love this place and will be going back every and anytime I am in the mood for Greek.
(4)
Kori E.

YUM! I have eaten here several times, but this was the first time I believe I was sober ;) My boyfriend and I were walking along Armitage on Sunday and decided to stop in for a bite to eat. We sat outside and shared both the Large Greek salad and a Gyro dinner. There was MORE than enough food for the both of us. The Greek salad comes with a block of feta cheese, olives and tomatoes and this wonderful blend of vinegar and olive oil with some spices! The salad was very fresh, light and delicious! The Gyro dinner was just as good. We split it in half and we were both stuffed, it comes with an ample amount of lamb, tziki, onions and tomato and the fries are soaked in vinegar! The meal was DELICIOUS! Ive also had the cheeseburger there and it is soo tasty! They give you plentiful food for a very reasonable price! Our meal was $17!
(4)
Andrew K.

Athenian Room is one of the greatest, reasonably priced Greek restaurants in Chicago. The service is fast and polite and they have a patio for the spring/summertime. As for the food...awesome. I get the gyros or chicken kalmata every time, both come on top of a plate of fries which are equally tasty. The only downside is that they do not have an alcohol license, but that is easily solved by walking next door and grabbing a drink which they actually let you bring back in! Overall great weekday spot to grab a cheap dinner.
(4)
Lisa C.

I was looking forward to eating Greek food and The Athenian had good reviews. How disappointing, have they changed chefs since people wrote these rave reviews, or are they friends and relatives of the owners? It seemed the basic ingredients were salt, vinegar, a bit of lemon juice and more salt. Everything had a cringe factor to it. To start with the Taramasalata definitely had a freezer burn flavor to it. Then the salad which came with my dinner was so drenched in vinegar it made one wince, though as a saving grace I did manage to find a small piece of tomato in it. I wanted to order a Moussaka that wasn't on a Greek menu so I settled for shrimps while my son had the well reviewed chicken Kalamata. Both came on a bed of soggy so called Greek fries which just tasted like they were also in a bed of vinegar. The shrimp were so breaded that they had no other flavor than the coating and obviously came out of the freezer. My son who has a good appetite couldn't eat his chicken as it was so salty. What saved this from a one star was the fact we were greeted nicely and our waitress was competent. $40 for what we ate with 2 cokes felt like robbery, as we spent the next two hours feeling nauseous. Give it a miss.
(2)
Anita D.

I MISS THIS PLACE SO MUCH! Recently moved to Orange County, CA and cannot find anything even remotely similar to Kalamata Chicken Dinner! I lived in the area for 15+ years and went to Athenian Room regularly, took visitors there, brought take out to friends in the burbs. Their decor is out of date but who cares when the food is so fantastic and inexpensive.
(5)
Charlotte T.

The husband and I were walking around the neighborhood, and I remembered the Tina Fey article where she raved about the chicken. So we just had to stop in. Prices were extremely reasonable! Less than $10 for the Kalamata Chicken which was a half chicken with crispy skin doused liberally with this tangy vinaigrette on a bed of thick cut crispy fries. This is now in our rotation of neighborhood restaurants!
(4)
Marisa A.

The food here is still very tasty, but the service is so meh. Tonight I was never asked if I wanted anything to drink, the salad that was supposed to come with my gyros evaporated, and I had to look animatedly bored in order to get the check. This isn't the first time at the Athenian room when I felt like I was better versed in my please and thank yous than the staff, and I don't like that when I'm the diner. The hostess has just rubbed me wrong too many times. See ya, Athenian room.
(2)
Tessa G.

WOW WOW WOW. I first heard about this place through Tina Fey. No, we're not pals--well, not yet, but she was talking about her favourirte places to eat in the city. She sold the hell out of this place. She talked about their key dish Kalamata Chicken over steak fries. I talked to a woman at work who had also been there a handful of times. She said the dish was phenomenal but that the key is "to eat the steak fries first, because the chicken will reheat, but the fries won't." So remember that when you're just eating fries for your meal. So I went there one Saturday with my counterpart (it's located near DePaul) and could not wait to experience it. The kalamata chicken is plopped beautifully over the fries where all those savory juices soak in real good. The chicken has an awesome tang to it, kind of acidic, but I love acidic foods. It also has that real melt-in-your-mouth quality as well. Love it. Enjoy! Don't forget the bakalava!
(4)
Courtney A.

Delicious. I dream about the Greek fries. Nice waitstaff and kind owners
(5)
Meghan D.

Okay, so I only went there because Tina Fey said to. However, if you're gonna trust someone about food, I think Tina Fey is a great place to start. I was not disappointed. The chicken kalamata style is one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. Half of a roasted chicken on a bed of fries with a lemon wine sauce. Oh man. The juices soak the fries and those chicken juice soaked steak fries are reason alone to eat here. A friend and I split 1 order of it and were both full for most of the day. Also, we went on a Monday around noon and the place was not really packed. At all. Got a table instantly and the service was quick.
(4)
Kevin K.

This is one place that I never get sick of eating at. I either dine in or carryout at least once a week. The skirt steak is one of the most underrated dishes in the city, the gyros are delicous and the chicken is always perfect...I dare you to find something on the menu that's not great. The prices are right and their service is fast. They don't serve alcohol but you can order your drink next door at Glascott's or bring your food into the bar.
(5)
John M.

Food was very good. Really enjoyed the Skirt Steak. Will go back for dinner when in the area
(5)
Foodie S.

BEST CHICKEN IN CHICAGO! HANDS DOWN. Tina Fey wasn't kidding when she said "You need to order the roasted chicken. It's cooked on a spit, it comes on a bed of steak fries and the chicken juice gets into the fries. Unbelievable." Not only do the chicken juices get into the fries, the fries STAY CRISPY!!! I believe this is because they are fried in DUCK FAT. Duck fat ='s DELICIOUS! The service is also just as great as their food! They do not serve liquor but you can buy drinks at the bar next door and bring them to your table. THEY ARE NOT BYOB. If you prefer to drink alcohol during your entire meal, you can dine in at Glascott's (the bar next door) and they do serve the full menu.
(5)
Mne M.

The best skirt steak i've had in my life!!!!!! so juicy, and.the greek fries are soooo good too it was my first time there and that dish was amazing. I went there specifically for the skirt steak since i've heard great things I left satisfied I will be back!!! :)
(5)
Jeff M.

Went there this evening. Sitting by the street. Food was bad. I ordered a large salad with tuna. It cost $9. The salad had three things in it: lettuce, olive and tuna. That was it! Nothing else! The portion was small and the salad was oily. The tuna was straight from a can - stale. When we made the order, the waitress asked if we wanted feta cheese. I was like, "Of course!" Wasn't it a Greek restaurant? I thought all Greek salad came with feta cheese. At the end, we were shell-shocked to see that each side of feta cheese cost us $2.50. Bad bad bad. Service was horrible. We were sitting outside. We, like all other customers, were constantly running out of water. No one came to refill. People from tables were asking for refills every now and then. Service was non-existent. But the worst part was when we tried to settle the check. There were four of us and we wanted to split the check. However, the waitress said no. We went inside and tried to make it work at the cashier. The cashier said it was too complicated for them and she refused to recalculate. She told us calculate on our own if we wished. WTF? Couldn't they use a calculator to do some quick math? After all, the receipt was hand-written. It was not even typed! The quality of the food and the service level were shameful. The price was way too high for this kind of food! Avoid at all cost!
(1)
caesar j.

Chicken Kalamta!!!!! Best Chicken in town! Tasty food and Fast service with reasonable pricing! It is too good to be true! Even 30 Rock agrees with us: hulu.com/watch/187122/30â€¦
(5)
Eric M.

My wife and I would run past this place during our workouts and the smell almost made us stop multiple times it was that good. We finally set up a date to go try them out. I have to say I was let down. The decor is so lowkey it almost seems like they don't care. The locations of tables is also odd, ours was right next to the wall in-between two other tables. It was that "too close for comfort" feeling. Our server was nice but rarely visited us. We were only checked on our drinks once and when we were finished eating our plates sat at our table for a good ten minutes. As for the food, it's not that great. I ordered their half-chicken which was burnt in spots and really had no seasoning. It's not a great sign when Boston Market does chicken better than you. I wouldn't recommend this place to people and suggest you head to Greektown for better food.
(2)
Joe I.

YahSU, The Athenian Room is a bedrock of the Lincoln Park restaurant scene (this place has been in the neighborhood forever). This restaurant exists somewhere between fine dining and home cooked meal. Right when you enter, your greeted by Anna or her husband (owners), usually you can get a seat in minutes (even on the busier nights). This place serves up a solid menu of Mediterranean fare, but the best dishes on the menu are the Chicken Kalamata Dinner or the Gyros. Portions are generous so bring an appetite. *Side Note: this restaurant does not serve alcohol, but you can go next door to Glascott Saloon and bring over whatever you like (the two spaces are adjoined). !
(5)
Katy W.

Went on a friday night and it was hard to find parking. Got the Kalamata chicken which was scrumptous, and my friend loved the fries. Didn't have to wait for a table. Not the cleanest restaurant.
(4)
Kerry C.

I got here at least once/two weeks. I get the same thing every time: Chicken Kebab Salad. My boyfriend always gets the Chicken Kalamata Style. I always steal his Greek Fries. For $18 for meals + tip, it cannot get any better. You don't go here for a burger. You go here for greek food. The salads are for some reason SO AMAZING even though it's just iceberg, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers. I don't know what it is but it's always so crisp! I love this place and hope I never move too far away to deter my frequent visits. Oh, and my boyfriend's family has been coming her for over 25 years. It's THAT good.
(5)
Eric S.

Go get you some feta! Everything is great and easy on the wallet.
(5)
Bryant C.

I'm not going to take much time on this one. I like to consider myself somewhat of a gyro expert. The gyro was sub-par. The spinach pie was ok. Frankly, everyone elses salads seemed to have some weird combinations. I can't even exactly remember what made me think they were weird, but I know everyone else just thought they were ok. That's it....
(3)
Tina W.

We have eaten at this restaurant many times and really enjoy coming in the summer to sit al fresco. The food is great, quick typical Greek food and I love the Greek fries. The problem for me is the service. How many times must you return to an establishment where service is less than desirable? For me it has been one too many! We live in Lincoln Park and like the convenience of this restaurant, but I value my hard earned money and will not be giving this place any more chances. I want to have a pleasant experience when I eat out (and do understand that all restaurants have off days, but not consistently). Off to Greek Town we go from now on and I suggest you do the same. Unless you prefer less than satisfactory service.
(2)
Josh E.

You know what two things I love to get whenever I go to a Greek restaurant? Saganaki and lemon rice soup. The first thing I noticed about the menu is that there wasn't any saganaki. The waitress explained this was because their kitchen wasn't big enough (huh?). Then I saw they had a soup of the day. Luckily the day I was there it was lemon rice (whew!). With all that behind us, my brother and I each got some soup (wonderful), split some feta (I'll take whatever kind of cheese I can get) and shared some chicken kabobs with Greek fries (perfect seasoning). Everything was great and at the end the waitress even brought over a piece of baklava on the house. If only they'd had saganaki...
(4)
Corey R.

Just thinking about this place is making my mouth water. I've been twice. I have had the Kalamata Chicken twice. I want it again, now. It's a simple dish, really. But perfect. You get to start with a nice greek salad while you wait for the chicken. Not too big, not too small. Just the right pre-meal size and not drowning in dressing. Then your chicken arrives. It's a thing of beauty. Roasted and seasoned to perfection. Crispy skin, juicy chicken. Sitting on a bed of fries that are the best in the city. All resting in a sauce that is indescribably tasty. Olive oil, lemon, rosemary and other seasonings. I like to dip the fries in and then use them to mop the sauce onto the chicken. It's huge, too and inexpensive! I'm picky about restaurants and I have nothing bad to say about Athenian Room.
(5)
Sharon S.

Went to the Athenian Room last night for quick dinner and indeed it was. We waited a short 5 min for outdoor seating and my friend and I both ordered gyro sandwiches. Impressively the sandwiches came in less than 5 min! It was crazy fast. We didn't order too much as we were just grabbing a quick fix but it was fast and delicious. I would definitely recommend it and go there again. They're also partially connected to the bar next door. I don't think Athenian Room has a bar but it seems you can just walk to the bar next door and order something there. The 2 establishments also share the same bathrooms.
(4)
Ang R.

I officially don't get the 5 star ratings for this place. I've had better gyros from little fast food joints. I was very excited about the prospect of great gyros so close to home, and I'm completely disappointed. The greek salad is a joke, and the greek fries were not good. The pitas had a funny musty taste, and the tzatiki was pretty normal. Again, I've had better at little fast food joints. And you know what? It wasn't THAT cheap. Not cheap enough to justify the quality of the food, that's for sure. I will not be going back. I guess when I want gyros, I'll have to go with the fast food type, or trek out to greektown.
(2)
Lisa S.

The Athenian Room is near are house and we were told that the fries alone were worth the trip. Good advice. My husband had the steak, loved it. Very tender, marinade is great, fries soaked up all the great goodness. I had the chicken gyro. It was fairly average, but was served so hot I needed a napkin to hold it. Would like to return to try the gyro, and the 1/2 roasted chicken that a majority of the restaurant was eating during our meal.
(4)
John R.

quick, indulgent and damn reasonable, this place made for a great pre-game this past Sunday before heading to Soldier Field. I had the Gyros plate and a small greek salad...friggin' great stuff -- total gluttony, but really good. random, but i'm a fan of a great fountain soda and this place did not disappoint - perfect mix of fizz and syrup... also, they have a bunch of sidewalk tables, great for a lazy outdoor lunch!
(4)
A S.

I have an addiction - Kalamata Chicken + Greek Fries! The place is packed over the weekend. Would be easier to go during the week. The food is unbelievable and good price too.
(5)
Noah B.

Bad Service - Great Food. I continue to eat here because of the great food and the cheap prices, but don't expect a lot of attention from your server. Fat chance on getting a drink refill. After you make your order and get your food you're not likely to see the waitress again until the bill comes.
(3)
Elizabeth K.

This place is always jam packed, but today it looked slow so my friend and I went there for lunch. Neither of us had ever been there and we wanted to check it out. The menu was pretty limited. I ordered the grilled cheese pita, which is exactly what it sounds like. No, it's not hard to melt american cheese on a pita, but it was still really good. The Greek fries were delicious, kind of oily but I think that's the point. The waitress was really nice and attentive and she even gave us a free baklava, which was yummy. A filling meal for two people for under $20 at a Lincoln Park restaurant is a great deal. I'll go back for my grilled cheese pita again.
(4)
Trey B.

If only they delivered! Try the Gyros dinner with a greek salad on the side! Scrumptious! Yes, you will have leftover's. Great cheddar burgers too! FYI, if you feel like drinking booze, have no fear, Glascott's Bar is connected to the restaurant. I now you can get it delivered via postmates.com ! wooo hooo!
(4)
Michelle L.

Great Greek food at a decent price. I love the Gyros sandwich and they give you plenty of meat to make 2 sandwiches (just ask for an extra pita). The staff is nice, and service is quick. Gives you the authentic feeling...even out of Greek town. Sit down is a little tight and overcrowded and you have to go next door for alcohol (not too bad). But I prefer for take-out. I used to live down the street and eat here once every couple weeks, but if you are in the LP/DePaul area, it's a great take out place.
(4)
Don M.

Great family style greek restaurant. Best calamatta chicken in Chicago. The owners are the nicest people you can meet.
(5)
Carl S.

Fantastic!! My favorite dish is the Gyros dinner with extra sauce on the Greek Fries. Yes, it is an accurate statement that the fries here are soggy. This is due to the fact that they are soaking in one of the greatest greek red wine/vinaigrette sauces ever invented. So many flavors bursting out of it! And the meat couldn't be better! NOTE: try to aviod a lot of sauce if you have any canker sores in your mouth, ouch!
(5)
Christy C.

OPA!!! I was CRAVING Saganaki like a wild woman and I live in Lincoln Park, so where the heck else would I go other than Athenian Room?! Much to my dismay Athenian Room does not have Saganaki (fried greek cheese). Why no Saganaki? I ordered a salad and had to ask for Feta cheese because it didn't come on it (wtf?) and our waitress forgot to bring it :( Maybe I was the red headed step child of the restaurant because I just noticed in someones review that they got free bread and I did not. I think it was a Monday and Gladscott's was having $3 glasses of wine so that was awesome cuz you get your own drinks from Gladscott's- only if your sitting outside. So make sure you sit outside if you're lookin to wash your meal down with something from the bar.
(3)
Fred S.

This is a good "dive". The food is good, not great. The food is cheap, and you get a ton of it. I would definitely disagree with the reviewers who have suggested that the food is better than in Greektown, but I think that comparison is pretty unfair to the Athenian Room. This is a sandwich, gyros, souvlaki sort of place... What it tries to do it manages to do well. I ordered the gyros platter, and it comes with the fries that everyone raves about. They are good. They are the big, thick steak fries that you find so often at Greek restaurants in Chicago. The sauce that they put on the fries is really tasty; I think this might have been the first time in years that I didn't put ketchup on french fries. The gyros were flavorful, but dried out. The tzatziki is simply bizarre. It has the consistency of cream cheese. It is tasty, but I prefer the "typical" texture for tzatziki. The gyros platter also comes with tomatoes and onions and a large pita. To be sure, this isn't health food. Perhaps the most bizarre thing that I observed at the Athenian room - they serve soft drinks(pop, ice tea), but you don't get a refill. So, for a $1.35 you get a single glass of pop and no refills. To their credit, they are very clear about this on the menu. I looked around the restaurant, though, and everyone appeared to be drinking water. Hmmm... I wonder why? Dinner for two of us was a whopping $18.50 - and I was full until lunch the next day. The service was great. Our waitress was very friendly and remarkably fast.
(3)
Steve B.

The atmosphere is nothing special - just your typical diner, but this place has great food at cheap prices. Possibly the best Greek food outside of Greek Town in the city. All the reviews are spot-on. The Chicken Kalamata is amazing, and the greek fries are awesome! My wife had the gyros and they were very good as well. This place isn't your typical BYOB - they don't serve alcohol, but if you want a drink you can sneak through "the magic red door" and grab a drink from the bar next door and bring it back to your table. Beware: the waitress will ask if you want feta cheese with your salad (which is great - highly recommend it), or pita with your entree, but they charge you for every single item. Everything is a la carte. Overall, we had a great experience and we will definitely be back again.
(4)
Tohru O.

Take it from Tina Fey: hulu.com/watch/187122/30â€¦
(4)
Joe M.

mmmmm mmmmm MMMMM GOOD! So I'm walking along Halsted on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I have friends in from out of town and they want to do some shopping. I could take them to 900 N. Michigan, but why go to a mall when you can go for a nice stroll and check out the boutiques. And then it happens... Hunger Strikes, unsuspectingly, like a flash flood sweeps across the Sahara, out of nowhere like a bolt of lightening on a lazy summer evening. Frazzled and confused I scramble for solutions. I'm the native, I should have all the answers, but I don't... I've never eaten in this neighborhood before..... Then panic begins to take over. My though process is clouded and irrational... I'm asking myself all the wrong questions; Why did this happen to me? How did I get myself into this situation? Why???? STOP! a warm soothing wave of comfort crashes against the shores of my frantic disposition and washes all the fear and uncertainty away..... sweet relief Aha Greek food... Hearty in nature, moderate in price; love is the emotion I reserve for you...
(5)
ak a.

Always consistently good! Great taramosalata and bread! Chicken lemon soup is great as well as their chicken Kalamata, gyros and skirt steak. Fast, great service! I can usually find parking on the street, too. Good baklava! Get wine or drinks at bar that is attached next door.
(4)
JP D.

No complaints here. I live right next to this place so I've been here a number of times, mostly for lunch. I came here for dinner once with my girlfriend and noticed something odd. This was a big date place. Lots of people were here on one-on-one dates. The ambiance, surprisingly, fit the bill at night. The only negative is the no alcohol rule, (although you can walk to Glasscotts)
(4)
Craig Glenn S.

Love, love this place! It's basic, simple and GOOD. I get the same thing every time so I can just tell you to get the chicken shish-kabob dinner (I get my fries dry)... be prepared to wait if you come on the weekend... I'd personally wait a little longer for outdoor seating if weather permits. Go there and love it! Love the owners too;-)
(5)
Dan W.

Chicken Kalmata. Seriously. It's amazing.
(5)
Melissa H.

Decided to checkout this place since we love Greek food. Salad was good, but the feta was lacking flavor (feta in Greece is amazingly flavorful) and there were no olives in the salad...but the egg lemon rice soup was delicious!! I had the fried shrimp dinner and hubster had the kalamata chicken...both had the lemon juice on the bottom of the plate where the fries were soaking it all in. We will definitely be back! It's a cozy restaurant that was very different from typical Lincoln Park restaurants.
(4)
Rob L.

I will say this. Its an okay place. I met Jo W for lunch here a few days ago and I had to think about how I felt about this place. It was good. But, really, nothing I want to run back for. It had nothing to do with the wait, which Jo patiently did for about 20 minutes. They were busy, its not a big place, the crowds were bustling, totally understandable. The host, Greek, very nice, friendly, assured us until we sat down, that we were going to be sat soon, which we were. Our waitress was cool, friendly and quick. Our food out came out with a few blinks of an eye. The food was all right. Nothing I would rave about. Its good. Its solid, but really I didn't love it nor was I impressed with it. I guess I am comparing it to other Greek places I have been to, which is a little unfair. I really look at this place as a Greek diner. Yes, it has Greek food, yes it had milkshakes and burgers, (with feta cheese non the less!), which makes it more of a diner. I had the salad with chicken kabob, a side of feta and a pita with taziki sauce on the side. It was fine, simple, but just okay. I didn't walk out feeling like I needed to come back. I wouldn't say no.... but I ain't running. For all its high points, (including its cheap), it didn't win me over that much. For a diner I give it four... for the Greek food I give it three.
(3)
Rob C.

Since my sister moved out of Lincoln Park I can honestly say i don't find myself there too often. The Athenian Room, as far back as I can remember, has the best BBQ chicken I have ever had. The greek fries are awesome as well. Service is great, they don't serve booze but you can go through to Glascott's to grab whatever you need and take it back to your table (seems like a lot of work, especially if you've had a couple already). The waitresses are sweet and the owners (who Im pretty sure have been there every time i have) are always incredibly genuine. Cell phones are not allowed in dining area. (Some might find this inconvenient, but I could live without hearing some lincoln park trixie talk about how her meathead boyfriend got in a fight at Barleycorn's last night.
(4)
Cate R.

I live very close to here so my roommate and I eat in or do takeout often. This was the first Lincoln Park restuarant I tried and I immediately said, "Well, we won't need to cook!" The food is good, relatively cheap, and fast. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Greek fries, steak fries doused in a lemon oil and vinegar (?) dressing that are just delicious. I can't say enough about the Greek fries.... It is pretty small but also pretty well-known. There is a door to Glascott's bar so I think you can bring drinks back and forth although I've never tried it. It can be crowded, but I've never waited that long for a table. Take out is fast and friendly, a great option for a weeknight.
(5)
Robert E.

Kalamata chicken. That's all you need to know. And I'm a gyro man. Trust me. Only reason they don't get 5 stars is their bathroom situation kind of sucks, you have to walk through a bar. Great food, great prices, great restaurant.
(4)
Megan W.

I visited this restaurant today after school with some friends. The food was okay, we all ordered gyros and greek fries, however their menu is slightly limited. We were disappointed to find that there was no saganaki (flaming cheese), moussaka, lamb or falafel on the menu? Our vegetarian friend could not find many vegetarian options on the menu as well. The service was okay. It would have been great but our waitress seemed skeptical and angry to serve a bunch of teenagers.
(3)
Jenna D.

Athenian room is one of those hidden gems. It's inconspicuous location gathers a small crowd of people young and old and almost always at least one family with a really cute baby. The service here is always friendly and the food is consistently good. While they have a variety of Greek dishes ranging from chicken to Feta burgers, most people agree they have some of the best Gyros in the city. One of their other specialties?...GREEK FRIES. My boyfriend always asks for extra Greek dressing on his.....and they always indulge him. We love Greek/Medi food so we have a long list of favorites. I like this place cause its more casual and inexpensive that some of our other hot spots. NOTE!: I highly recommend hitting this joint up now as one of their seasonal offerings is some of the best Avgolemono soup around.
(4)
Jill S.

Big fan of Athenian Room's charburgers (you can get this with feta) and greek fries-- I love that the fries come with your order of a burger, and not extra as a side dish, makes for a cheap, big meal! I order from here carry-out once a month, and they are quick and good. The burgers are enormous and delicious. The fries are thick steak fries and really good with greek seasonings. The people that work there are really nice, in fact several times I go in to pick up my order I've gotten a free baclava, and who wouldn't love that?!
(4)
Bart D.

If you're looking for Greek food in Lincoln Park, then Athenian Room is the place to go. The menu is not as large as most Greek Restaurants, but they do the standard fare and they do it well. They get extra points for the friendly wait staff and some outdoor seating.
(4)
Christina S.

I had a horrible time here! What am I missing? The sandwich was bland. The fries were soggy. The iced tea was strange. We were wedged into a corner table (such that there was literally no way I could sit with my legs under the tabletop). And the waitress was gruff. My husband LOVED his steak, and I see he's not alone. Eh, I'll have to give it a second try.
(2)
Louis A.

Food was good --- had the chicken kabob dinner. everything was reasonably priced. Service was a little shaky. Our server had an attitude...and wasn't sure if it was because she was trying to play along with us...or if she just had an edge. Either way, things were a little weird when my friend asked for a substitution...and she wasn't flexible whatsoever. For that reason, he even asked for additional tomatoes...and when the food came he didn't get any tomatoes at all. hahahaha. But whatever --- this place was a fun and decent way to spend a Saturday night.
(3)
charlotte s.

was in the area and wondered where to eat. checked yelp and decided to try this place. obviously the people who gave this place excellent ratings don't have the same vision for greek food as i do.. the menu was limited and i wouldn't consider this somewhere to go if i was craving greek food... the old man (probably the owner) was friendly but the server was pretty indifferent
(3)
Kate C.

This place is a Lincoln Park staple that I just love. I don't normally like thick french fries, but I love how they are drenched in vinegar - its delicious, although it might sound weird. I get the burger a lot and the chicken is great too. My brothers and boyfriend swear by the gyros. Everything tastes very natural and simple. I like the cozy, small ambience too.
(5)
Lauren L.

I will start off by saying: I don't like Greek food, so this may be a biased review, because all I ordered was a Greek cheeseburger, which was just a normal burger with feta cheese. However it was good, the service was friendly and quick, and it was unique. I also really enjoyed their french fries, they had a unique sauce on them, and were soaked in something, they were good. If I liked Greek food I probably would have loved this place, as my boyfriend loved it!
(4)
Dave L.

First of all, very reasonably priced food in a homey little resteraunt. The food ranges from meh to very good, depending on who's cooking in the kitchen. I went there twice; the first time I had the Chicken Kalamata. The Greek Salad that comes with it was quite good and OF COURSE the feta cheese was absolutely delicious. The chicken itself was just meh, but the fries were terrible. Not only are the base fries (no seasoned, no anything, as one of my party members requested them) just meh, they were drowned in the sause of the Kalamata. They were literally inedible. :( The next time I came in (my other party members, who ordered kebobs had a terrific experience) I ordered kebobs. While they claimed the first time was better, I was quite pleased with the kebobs themselves. You get two sticks which is a deal. And the pita breat with Tzatsiki sauce is mmmmmm =) Good for the cheap price.
(4)
J M.

Hands down, the best and most afforable Greek food in Lincoln Park, I would also venture to say the best in the City, above Greek town! The gyros is the best and the Greek fries are incredible. The chicken shish-kabobs tend to be good, but a bit dry. The lady that is the manager is often very rude (apparently others have noted this in their posts!), so be prepared to get some attitude. I guess that's the price you pay for good food at a reasonable price.
(5)
Kathleen C.

Yum! I have been coming to this place for over a decade and the recipes haven't changed. I wouldn't say it is specatular but it is good, Greek food that is available quickly. My friends say they have fantastic burgers, too. My problem is that I always want to orde about 5 different things because I have never eaten anything here that I didn't like! Kinda wanna ditch work and go right now...
(3)
John B.

Because of the difference between where I live and where it lives, I don't visit the Athenian Room nearly often enough. And that's a tragedy. The menu is simple, but everything they do, they do well. The gyros are some of the best in the city. The souvlaki -- shish kabob sandwich -- is moist, tender and delicious. My friend Mary loves this place because they serve a salad topped with Greek fries -- what's not to love? Their take out is swift. It can get noisy here -- it's not very big, and it gets busy -- but no matter how busy it is, you never feel like your server has forgotten you. EDIT, 10.3.07: So an interview I had scheduled at DePaul (informative, not job) got blown off today, and the only benefit was that I was a couple of blocks away from the Athenian Room. Score! This may not be the best gyros and fries in the city, but you'll have a hard time convincing me of that. The Greek fries are tossed with herbs and come sitting in a lemon chicken broth (sorry vegetarians). The fries are big and fat and not super-crisp, but that's fine because you need them to soak up as much of the lemony broth as possible. The gyros meat is pretty salty, but that's fine because the tzatziki is fairly mild, and together they're perfect. Sat outside in the sun, had a diet coke on the side, and life could not have been better.
(5)
Maria R.

Everyone I know loves this place, and although I am not the greatest Greek food fan, I must say that what they do, they do it well based on the steady stream of customers and take-out orders. My husband loves the hamburger and roasted chicken, and my daughter loves the kabob. I love the fries but then feel real guilty as they are especially greasy and yummy. Salads are a bunch of iceberg lettuce with oil and vinegar, so not much to write home here. I will try something different next time. BYOB - however, you can order alcoholic beverages from the bar next door and bring it back to your table, which is highly convenient.in case you forget your bottle of wine or beer. All in all, it is a good spot. Good vibe and good people watching in the hood.
(3)
Irena A.

I love this place. Good prices. Tasty food. The best part are the greek fries and the gyro! The avgolemono soup is great also.. If you don't feel like going to greektown.. this place is a safe bet. The service is friendly also!
(5)
Jen R.

I've been meaning to try this place for awhile now since it's not too far from me. Now my waistline wishes I wouldn't have. I was craving a gyro for over a week, so naturally I just got the gyros dinner. I got it to go and my arm fell down a bit when I grabbed the bag. I think it was about 5 lbs of food! I practically ran home since it smelled so good and I couldn't wait to try it. In summary, it was a giant take out container full of meat, onions, tomatoes and FRIES. All of the flavor from the meat soaked into the fries on the bottom and I really can't imagine a more delicious combination. The tzaziki sauce was on the side which is a nice touch so there is no worries of it overwhelming the rest of the food. My only complaint? They only give one slice of pita. There is seriously enough food for two in this "dinner" (or enough for dinner and a 3 am "snack" as I realized) so it would have been nice to be able to make more than one sandwich. But I'll just buy more pita next time. You must try this dinner. It makes me hungry just writing about it.
(4)
Jess F.

If you're in Lincoln Park and craving greek food this is a nice little place. I've been here twice and both were pleasant experiences. The first time I went with my family and we got the appetizer called Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) which was kickass. Then for my meal I got the Gyros Dinner. The meat was delicious, and so was the pita, but they put some kind of oil on the food that absolutely soaked the pita when I put it back on the plate which made it really soggy. The oil also got all over the fries and made them soggy after a while as well. The next time I went I got the Greek Feta Charburger and again, delicious, but that oil got all over my fries and bottom of burger. Not sure what the oil was, or if thats typical for greek food (I don't really eat at many greek places). We also got dessert (Baklava= good but not great. not warm fresh out of the oven taste. Kinda tasted almost store bought) The staff is nice enough. Both times they seem kind of snooty though, I think it's just because most of them don't speak English very well but I dont know. They didn't do anything bad but I just got a weird vibe. The place itsself is kinda cramped, but really cute. It's also attached to a bar (which is where the bathroom is) I'm not running to go back, but its pretty good food.
(3)
Monica M.

This is just based off of their gyros. I love gyros, but I hate them if they are greasy. They are not like that here. It comes with a ton of meat, enough for two gyros. Greek fries are great, but I prefer mine regular. Highly recommend them. My friends say the salads and chicken kabobs are great too.
(5)
Elizabeth A.

Big portions, great prices, and great food. The gyros are very yummy with the tzaziki sauce. Good place for a casual dinner!
(4)
David C.

What a great atmosphere. It's kind of a hole in the wall but the hole is really cool inside. Right when you walk in you catch sight of the gyro meat and the hairy Greek men working the grill. I love that. I had the cucumber salad and the chicken kabob pita. The cucumber salad was nothing but cucumber...I should have seen that coming...but it was great because they brought me their garlic filled tzatziki sauce to slather on top. The sandwich was great, but next time I'm getting the Kalamata Chicken. Those Greek fries they serve it on made me cry tiers of vinegar soaked joy.
(4)
Kelsey D.

Admittedly, I'm no connoisseur of Greek food, but I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Great shish-ke-bobs and pita. I need to go back and try the spanikopita and kalamata chicken. Loved the baklava!
(4)
Ted W.

Top Notch Gyros. Whole chicken with tziki sauce, deal.
(5)
Nancy C.

Finally, I found a good Gyro place in Chicago! Prices are pretty good, and portions are huge. I order the sandwich (not dinner) gyro b/c it's so big. Admittedly, the meat was too salty for my taste and I came out feeling really thirsty. But overall, the taste is good and I especially like sitting outdoors in the summer. Also, there's valet parking, which is nice.
(4)
Laura Z.

This is one of my happy places. Introduced to this place by my (ex) boyfriend, who took me to Glascott's because I love draft cider. Can order food from Athenian Room and eat it while downing (too many) delicious alcoholic apple juices. Primo. Almost forgot about the place until several years later, after starting a regular rendezvous with a nice gentleman who lives down the street. Lemme tell you, there are few things that appeal more to a groggy-eyed girl late on a crisp weekend morning (especially after a serious night of drinking). And according to some of the other reviewers on here, this may be the best time to go. Every time I walk in, I'm warmly greeted with open arms (seriously) by the most friendly older man with a thick Greek accent. He must be the owner. After ordering my gyro to go, he almost always offers me some tide-me-over appetizer on the house; a cup of lemon chicken soup, some hot tea or coffee. And then for good measure, he throws in a complimentary baklava into my to-go bag as I happily scamper away... well, maybe scamper is too strong a word. More like sloth away and slide into my own bed, eager to gorge and thoroughly enjoy my delicious feast -- prepared with love by the nicest Greek man in Chicago.
(5)
Zach F.

LOVE this place! Great neighborhood spot in Lincoln Park and the food is delicious. My favorite is the Gyro Salad and my only knock on the place is the tzatziki sauce, which is not very good and no hot sauce except tabasco!? Come on guys...let's get some siracha or something! Regardless, if I feel like Greek, I'm headed to the Athenian Room.
(4)
Sarah M.

My husband and I went on a Saturday at 2:30pm and had to wait 5 minutes for a table it was that busy. Which is a great sign of a bustling business. We didn't mind. The place needs updating like crazy and the tables were a bit cramped, but we were seated by a friendly hostess. We saw 2 people with small dogs in the place which, while unappetizing and unsanitary, speaks that this is a very neighborhood-y joint. We ordered the gyros with cheese and regular fries (which are huge cut) and it also came with tzatiki sauce. Everything came out within minutes and it was delicious. The best Greek food I've had outside of Greektown. I was disappointed that they didn't have saganaki because I was really craving it, but we ordered a piece of baklava to go and the waitress gave us one for free. The price is right for a lunch place. I wouldn't go expecting a fancy dinner by any stretch, but it did the trick.
(4)
Eli Z.

Solid restaurant, nothing too fancy, but good tasting food with a very simple menu. The menu is not very complicated and there are not a huge number of different options, but the prices are amazing (Most meals are less than $10) and have PLENTY of food. The non refill drinks are a little lame as are the pita bread a la carte, but even with several pieces of pita, drinks and meal, it was only about $30 for two people, which is hard to find these days. Service was good, the waitress was helpful in explaining some of the dishes (greek caviar- pretty good) and the food came out pretty fast. The place was pretty crowded which I guess is a good sign but we were sat right away.
(4)
Alex R.

The Athenian Room is really close to where I live, so I've given them several chances to impress me. The inside of the restaurant is very pleasant, and the service is fine. However, the food is just mediocre. I highly recommend staying away from the gyros, since they are always dry and on the crunchy side. The chicken is better. The fries are definitely good -- so always get the fries.
(2)
Ashley G.

Two words: Kalamata Chicken. This dish is fantastic. The chicken is super moist and served over seasoned fries that are to die for. The best part? It's under 9 dollars. And that's the most expensive thing on the menu. The place is small and cozy... which could be a plus and a minus. Personally, I like the atmosphere of a hometown restaurant sometimes. It's always bustling and the bus boys are as helpful as your server.
(5)
Rhonda M.

I've been coming here since I was a kid (I'm now in my mid-40's). The gyros is fantastic, the greek fries are phenomenal, the greek salad and taramasalata are great. This place has stood the test of time. You run to Glascott's next door for your cocktails/alcoholic beverages and trips to the restroom, but that only adds to the experience. A Chicago institution and soooo yummy! Oh, don't forget to get a cup of lemon chicken soup!!
(5)
Caroline M.

Greek-chic interior-not your typical gyros dive place. Gyros are very good, but also comparable to others I have had at various places. Go here for the great location (quaint outdoor seating in the warmer months, good people watching near Halsted in Lincoln Park) and cozy, clean ambiance.
(4)
Patrick n.

The Skirt steak and Kalamata chicken are great. We also ordered the taramosalata which is pretty tasty. Cheap, quick, and a good location, what more can you ask for?
(4)
Yvette B.

Good unpretentious Greek food!
(4)
Kevin S.

Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, but my experience with the food here was not that great. My girlfriend ordered the gyros plate and I had the chicken shish kabob. The gyros were so dry. I can honestly say that this was the driest gyros I have ever had in my life. My plate was alright, if not a little bland. We might give this place another shot because it seemed that everyone else there was having a great experience, but our food wasn't all that great.
(2)
Tom G.

Gets the job done in a pinch. Decent food at a great price for Lincoln Park. Kid Friendly.
(3)
Andrew M.

A neighborhood Greek Restaurant that has been in Old Town since before I was born, the Athenian Room delivers what it promises. You can get great gyros and chicken souvlaki, as well as Greek fries, which come drenched in lemon juice and spices (sooooo goooooood). The Athenian Room offers valet parking and is located right around the corner from Glascott's, a popular neighborhood bar. It's reasonably priced and the food is good. Always a solid pick.
(4)
Rah Rah C.

Beware. The food might be good but I will never know due to the terrifying customer service experience I had! I walked there with my dog who happens to be a well behaved 83 pound American Pit Bull Terrier. I asked one of the servers if it would be OK if I sat outside on their dinky patio with my dog and she said no problem. I sat down at the only table available which happens to be next to a family with two small kids in high chairs. Not really who I want to be sitting next to but hey, had no choice. My dog is being obedient and laying on the ground next to me. The mother of the two small kids at the table starts looking at me all paranoid and whispering to her husband, She then gets up to find a server. I see her return with a server and they start to move all of their things. I am thinking bye, didn't want to sit next to you and your loud kids anyway. They disappear inside the restaurant. Then a few minutes later the owner comes out and says in a condescending tone "Make sure your dog is not scaring people". I give her a look and say "Well he has been laying here by my side the whole time while I have been waiting for somebody to take my order. I am sorry but I can't control other people's fears or insecurities about the breed". She then replies hastily "You don't have to get so defensive". I said "You know I really wanted Greek food and to try this restaurant since it is in my neighborhood but since you wish to get an attitude with me, I will be leaving. My dog nor I have done anything to anybody while we have been waiting FOREVER for somebody to serve me. So what's really the problem? That I am brown or that he is a pit bull or both? I don't need to eat here and refuse to be treated this way." Got up and left. Other people as I was leaving were like "Oh my goodness, I am sorry that happened. If your dog was a Golden Retriever nobody would have said anything". Whatever. The beauty of living in a big city is I have choices, you old miserable bitch. I don't have to eat at your stank ass establishment with your slow as molasses staff and cheap nasty plastic patio furniture that even Walmart wouldn't carry.
(1)
marisa s.

not to be the 5-star rating maniac...but i have to give props to my fav spots in chicago. this is by far my favorite lunch place and greek place to get something quick and fairly cheap. i hail from detroit...a huge greek/coney island city with some great greek food. we have places called "coney islands" that don't exist in chicago, where you can grab a chicken finger pita, gyro, greek salad with chicken, chicken lemon rice soup, spinach pie and opa!/saginaki/flaming cheese for cheap and real quick. there aren't even any REAL delis around here either...like in the D...good jewish food is hard to find around here (Manny's is pretty good...and i heard the burbs had good deli food, but then i tried it and it still doesn't compare to metro detroit)...i digress... so quick greek food. the greek salad with a chicken kabob on it ROCKS. it comes with pita and tzadziki sauce, for around $7-8ish. i have also gotten the greek salad with gyro meat on it, which is heartier, unhealthier and delicioso. also, the feta pita is good - nothing to it, but good for veggie-tariaaaans - just grilled pita with fresh feta sorta melted with tomatoes. the feta you have to order on the side, but is fresh feta and is worth it (unlike most feta that is put on "greek salads" in the city). the outdoor seating there is key for the summa summa time, and in the winter, when you eat, be ready for smelling like greek food and wanting a gyro even though you came in for a healthy greek salad. i have probably been here around 50 times and i can't stop, won't stop. don't hate - eat a gyro, greek salad and APPRECIATE. word.
(5)
Francesca L.

Where should I begin...the owner or whoever works at the front desk is absolutely the rudest women I have ever come across. Not only did she tell me they didn't have Greek salads, when I wanted to place my order and saw on the menu Greek salads she simply told me she's not going to explain to me what comes on it and gave me a side salad with a kabob? At this point not only was I super confused and annoyed by her, and the fact that I couldn't order a Greek salad? something so plain and little that was on the menu??? I don't get this place or why people rave about it. Its not a hidden gem at all. Its a P O S restaurant that doesn't know what the hell they are doing. Maybe the owner should learn how to speak English and treat her customers with respect. Who tells you you cant order whats on the menu? that's like going to a clothing store and saying sorry you cant buy the clothes because we don't have any...when you are looking right at them. Won't ever be coming back here again.
(1)
Ellen M.

My favorite gyros in Chicago - been having them here since I was about three, back when Frank's books was across the street (ok, Frank's is no longer there, but he's my dad). Standard greek entrees, and the best yogurt sauce! The greek fries are delectable. Anything on the menu's a good bet.
(5)
Yvonne O.

I think the best way to describe this place is "a greek take-out joint with seating and table service". There are no frills, the food comes out super fast (literally I was in and out in 20 minutes and ordered a regular dinner) and the choices are all derivations of about 5 things. You can get shrimp (frozen, fried out of a bag), burger, gyro, chicken or pork in different sandwich, plate or skewered forms, but the flavors are the same. The fries are different, but good - they will be soggy unless you eat them quickly due to the salad dressing poured on top. The bread is standard and the salad plain (but I am good with no onions). My server was super nice and attentive without being pushy. I ate my plate with salad and bread for $10 and was full. Really, I am not here for any sock-smelling flaming cheese - that's for the tourists on Halstead. I'm here for filling food fast and that is what I got. (But, I do admit I would love more lamb options!)
(3)
Ryan K.

This place is nice and clean and ideally situated. The staff is also attentive and congenial. But I have never had anything to eat there that overwhelmed me. At least not the few times I've been there.
(2)
Lauren C.

This place is great for inexpensive and delicious Greek food in Lincoln Park. The Greek fries are the best fries I've ever had, and the gyro dinner is huge! They have delicious bread and salads as well. The only downside is that the wait staff is occasionally overwhelmed, so you may have to wait awhile to order.
(4)
Josey B.

This place rocks. It's a total joint in many ways but the food is spectacular. Explains why it's been there forever. My personal favorite is the Greek Vegetarian salad (with feta). Hello, who doesn't like Greek fries on top of a salad? Service is lightening fast and you can get drinks at the bar next store and bring them in. I used to live in the neighborhood 15 years ago and they still remember me when I go in!
(5)
Kelsey M.

This place is great for casual, cheap greek food. The menu is very basic, but you can easily please picky non-greek food eaters too. They offer staples such as gyros, greek salads, kabobs, etc, but also have hamburgers too. The greek fries are awesome, salads are always fresh and the gyros are really good as well. The food here is "clean", not overly greasy. An added bonus: I happen to live next door to this place and have noticed that they are obsessively clean. They spray down and scrub the sidewalk by their dumpsters every night. Not too mention I one time saw someone their hands and knees scrubbing the sidewalk where there outdoor seating is one morning. They have people in cleaning by 7 a.m. every morning! This makes me like this place even more!
(5)
Alison S.

I had wonderful experience at the Athenian Room. I ordered the char burger. It was delicious, as are the greek fries. Our waitress was really attentive and very kind. I really appreciated her demeanor. I will definitely go back to the Athenian Room, because both the service and the food is exceptional. The only downfall would be the atmosphere.
(5)
Cupcake C.

Yum! My boyfriend and I visit every week for the Chicken and Greek fries. He likes the skirt steak. It is very good. For drinks, you have to go next door to Glascotts.. it is easy and just part of the deal. Also, no cell phones..warning. Try the chicken KALAMATA. Yum.
(5)
Kristina B.

Forget about pizza and cheeseburgers for hangovers, this is my go-to place! I love their Greek Caviar (not as fancy, nor nearly the price of the caviar we know). The gyros are good, as well as the chicken kabobs. Don't forget about the greek fries, no ketchup needed!
(4)
Zedar B.

I ate here once (1 x) for lunch this summer. Maybe I didn't order well, because it just seemed average to me. For about $12 I had the spanakopita and a "small" Greek salad (a lot of iceberg lettuce and big slice of feta made this pretty large). The complimentary white seasame bread was good, as was the service, but nothing was great. I recommend trying other things on the menu.
(2)
Heather M.

I am not a steak eater and at this place I love the Greek steak - it is so good in the yummy juices. I normally order the chix kabob and the fries on the side are so good. The portions are soooo big and priced just right. We never have to wait long to be seated but parking of course is not so good. They don't serve booze but it is connected to the bar next door and you can go right on over to get yourself a drink. Which is good but I have been there for dinner when there was a football game during the day and the drunk stragglers would be loud and obnoxiously eating at a table near us but not the restaurants fault. The staff is always friendly and great service - I love it!
(5)
Miss L.

There's consistently delicious food, large portions, and good prices. There isn't anything bad enough to warrant deducting a star, but I wasn't so impressed as to give it a 5. I gotta agree with Andrew M. though, it's always a solid pick.
(4)
Jennifer L.

I dream about the gyros salad and greek fries (extra crispy, extra vinegar)! The kalamata chicken is tops and I get really excited when my husband orders the feta burger b/c I get to have a bite!
(5)
Olivia R.

I have to agree with all of the great reviews- Athenian Room is amazing! I've been to Green Town on many occasions and think that Athenian Room is just as good. The greek fries are incredible, but they also have some really good salads as well!
(5)
Frank A.

Yesterday was my recovering day after a weekend long Pride partying binge. I wanted to keep it low key so I decided to go see a movie at Webster Place. After the movie we decided to explore the area and grab some dinner. So, we ventured down Webster Street to Halsted and came upon this gem at the corner of Webster and Halsted. Usually, when I want Greek food I go to Greek Town, but decided to give this little mom and pop restaurant a shot. Wow, the menu is extremely basic but the food is extremely delicious. Your taste buds will love you. I ordered the chicken shish kabobs and it came with a healthy serving of Greek fries and pita bread. Zac ordered the traditional gyro and that too was a large serving. We had so much food that we'll be eating the left over's tonight. I also ordered a small Greek salad and wasn't so impressed, however the rest of the food and service made up for the not so great Greek salad. The pricing was extremely reasonable.
(4)
Maura S.

I often forget about the Athenian Room but it is amazing. I am NEVER let down by their kabobs with a lot of tzatiki (spelling??) sauce. Great great Greek food
(5)
Andrea F.

Delicious food, enough said. The Charburger with Feta Cheese was exceptional, get it!
(5)
Peter H.

Gyro plate dinner or whatever is good here, good greek fries.
(4)
Maggie H.

I like when the guy who seats me is also the guy that owns the place. I even think he took the pictures from Greece on the wall. Go for the Chicken Pita Plate and the Greek fries, but skip the Chicken Shish Kebob Salad. It's inexpensive and the perfect lunch spot between Oz Park and Sprinkles. Kudos to our server who seemed to be managing a packed dining room and patio on her own!!!
(3)
M M.

This was my first experience with Greek food and I really enjoyed it. The lines were long, I don't believe they accept reservations though. I went here on a casual date and I thought it was perfect because we went next door to Glascott's, got a drink, and then by the time we were done with that the table was ready! My date made me try the gyro and a feta appetizer- I am a picky eater but am trying to expand my horizons, and must say I enjoyed both despite some hesitation! We finished our meal and then headed back over to Glascott's to play pool. Great idea for a fun, casual date or if you are a family with kids.
(4)
Susan J.

We frequent The Athenian Room at least once a week and it's always super tasty and so easy on the wallet. Try the Kalamata chicken with a red wine vinegar kick or super huge gyros. This is the type of Greek food you would find at a local place in Greece with simple and authentic flavors. Note that many think this is a BYOB and it is not. They have an agreement with the bar next door and that is where you can purchase alcoholic beverages. Just because they do not serve alcohol does not mean you can bring your own.
(5)
ali a.

If you like greek food, you should definitely go here. Its a Lincoln park restaurant that is one of my favorites. Its casual, good, and cheap. I always go for a salad, but also love the chicken dishes. The service is fast even though this place is always crowded. Its a great alternative to greek town if you are in the Lincoln park neighborhood.
(5)
Mindy S.

Who needs to go to Greek Town when there is great greek food right in Lincoln Park. The kalamata chicken is amazing, and they have great salads! The portions are big and the food is so cheap! I'm ready to go back and I was just there last night! Yummy!
(5)
Juliana P.

the service isn't that great. you could die waiting for bread. but other than that the food is amazing! only downside is the aforementioned service and the fact that they charge you per refill. the chicken kalamata though is heaven. as are the gyros.
(4)
Rachel G.

This is our favorite restaurant. The Greek salad is simple, yet delicious. There is indoor and outdoor seating. It's a great place for a cheap food with great service! I love it!
(5)
Clayton J.

The lamb is excellent here. For Lincoln park, this is definitely an excellent Greek restaurant. I think I had some sort of pita here, but the price was a tad bit too high. It's a great place to take your date, and I have several times. I remember once eating outside here on their sidewalk patio. It was really nice, and I liked the food. Very good, solid restaurant, and I suggest you try it if you're in the hood.
(4)
Colleen W.

I live in L.A. now and I still make it a point to travel back to Chicago for the insanely delicious Kalamata chicken at Athenian Room. It's not in Old Town; it's a stone's throw from DePaul University, but everything else Andrew & Ellen say is true: unbelievable fries, gyros and oooo, babythat taramosalata is mighty fine, too. Cheap, fast, clean, good. But beware: it's totally addictive.
(5)
A. B.

One of the BEST cheap eats in the city! Good Greek food served by friendly staff. Outside seating during the summer is a plus. Although A.R. doesn't have its liquor license (I think), Glascott's bar next door supplies full bar service. One of my favorite spots in the city!
(5)
Miss O.

i wasn't impressed with this place. i got the chicken and it was okay. the gyro was extremely dry. the menu selection was very limited. i'd rather make the trek to greektown than go here again...
(1)
eden s.

Listen up because as regulars know, you go here for just a few things and things have to be ordered their way...Sorry to say it... you need them more than they need you. This place kind of reminds me of the "Soup Nazi" --- you know that episode from Seinfeld. The woman who runs the place has a heavy German (?) accent I think. She doesn't sound Greek to me, that's for sure. If you want a refill of soda, you pay, they don't allow you to make ANY substitutions...IE: If I want a steak salad I have to order both a large salad and the skirt steak (7.95 + 12.95). They don't allow cell phones, they get a bit annoyed when you ask for extra BBQ sauce and for being a regular you get no special treatment...I'm not sure the woman who is always at the front even recognizes me and I have been going there weekly for 10 years! Don't expect the warm and fuzzies from her...again you need them more than they need you. That said, this place is what it is. And the food is FAB. But you have to know what to order. Don't go in there ordering the chicken breast kabobs or the spanikopita like you would at more traditional greek restaurants ...save that for somewhere else. The main things to order are 1.) Chicken Kalamata 2.) Skirt Steak 3.) BBQ Chicken 4.) Cheeseburger (yes, I said it, one of the best cheeseburgers in Chicago). And with each order the Greek fries are a necessity. The gyros are decent...not great but everything else I mentioned is absolutely amazing. I have been going there weekly for years and don't need to look at the menu (because it never changes), and there dingy decor could use an update, but I guess that is part of the charm. Anyway, if you stick to my advice, you won't go wrong.
(5)
Lily T.

Yum! Love the Greek salad and grilled chicken pita. Who knew vinegar on fries could taste so delish?
(5)
Allison W.

This place is tucked away off of Halsted, but has amazing food. I got the Gyro Dinner and it was reasonably priced. It was easily two meals. It came with vinegar french fries, two servings of gyro meat, and a pita. Word of caution, make sure to order two pitas.
(4)
Anonymous P.

Cheap, salty, simple.
(2)
Megan G.

I must preface this review by saying that I was here on St Patty's Day. We were going to the bar next door, saw the line and decided that a tasty gyro is just what we needed midway through a marathon drink-fest. We walked in and were seated immediately when a few more of our friends decided to ditch the line and join us. We pulled the table next to us over to make it one big table. The hostess/manager lady did not like this very much and came over screaming at us and shaking her finger in all of our faces. Ok, once we got past weird hostess/manager lady, we all ordered the gyro platter and there was not another word spoken for about 10 to 15 minutes. The best gyro this side of Greektown! Not one person had and any scraps left on our plates. Oh, and they don't have any bathrooms here so they sneak you in the back door of the bar next door for restroom usage. My major maulfunction with this is that if there is a line outside, imagine what the line inside looks like! Boooo!
(3)
Darian J.

This place is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! I was doing some online research to find a reasonably priced Greek restaurant. I had an odd craving for Spanakopita. I found Athenian Room and immediately started my voyage to Lincoln Park. I was already heading to the zoo so it was rather perfect because Athenian Room was literally a straight walk to the zoo. And a very nice walk. It was also nice to sit out on the patio. I came around 2 so there was no wait for a table. My waitress was pretty solid, she didnt hover. Which I particularly enjoy. I could truly enjoy my food in peace. And boy did I. I ordered Spanakopita to start, and the Chicken Kalamata style for my meal. The meal included Greek fries, the chicken, a salad, and French bread with butter. The Spanakopita came right out super fresh and hot. The pastry was flaky and buttery, the spinach and feta filling was warm, gooey, and creamy and tangy. The salad was your basic lettuce tomato with dressing combination. Nothing special there. But what WOWed me was the chicken. Okay, first of all I had no idea when I ordered chicken that I would receive half of a chicken. Literally. The leg, breast, and wing. The outer skin was blackened, the inner meat was succulent, juicy, flavored to the bone, and served on top of the Greek fries. Those fries were something from another world too. Perfectly fried, but drenched in vinegar and Greek herbs. My tastes buds were going insane. As always I ordered too much, but I forced myself to down every bite because it was THAT good. Seriously this restaurant is a must try.
(5)
Tiffany L.

Not bad, but also not worth the hype. There were definitely some hits, but I wasn't a fan of the large differences in quality. The portions are very generous--we got the kalamata chicken and the spanakopita, and that was enough for two people. I really enjoyed the spanakopita; the pastry was buttery and flaky while the spinach and feta filling had a very good ratio and nice texture. The chicken (which was actually a half chicken) came with a side salad and a loaf of bread, the latter of which I found rather stale. I loved the vinegar sauce that came with the chicken; I just wished there was more of it given that the chicken was rather dry and somewhat tasteless once you got past the drumstick. I also loved the steak fries, which went extremely well with the vinegar-based sauce (despite not being a fries person!) The standouts of the night were easily the steak fries that came with the chicken as well the spanakopita. However, I was rather disappointed with the experience overall and felt like the quality of food just wasn't really there.
(3)
Kristine N.

Delicious food! You can bring it over to Glascott's to eat while watching a sports game, or you can bring drinks from Glascott's over here nice set up. We ordered the kalamata chicken which came with salad, bread, and fries. The chicken was perfectly broiled and very well seasoned. It was sitting on top of thick steak fries which were marinating in all of the lemon citrus. Yummmmm. I've heard the gyros are pretty good also. Maybe I'll try them next time!
(4)
Jonathan S.

My parents were so great to do take out to my place. Avgolemono soup was our starter. Followed by a gigantic Greek salad with enough feta cheese to feed a small village. Finally I had an amazing King size gyros, pita on top of meat, resting on a batch of incredible Greek fries. I showed such restraint by only eating 2 fries and really only ate a little more than a third of everything but it was fabulous. Thank you for a great meal. ~Jonathan
(5)
Ash R.

It bums me out to have to leave negative feedback because we have been eating here for more than ten years. But the way they treat their customers when they double charge them is awful. After having another great meal, we attempted to pay and were told they don't take American Express. We were told to go to the ATM around the corner. When I said we were going to pop over to our bank, the older lady (the owner) at the register made a face and demanded to know why we wouldn't use the ATM that was right next door. She loudly asked again and made a comment about us not being able to pay for our meal, eventually an older gentleman stepped in and told us to go and come back. Which we did. Today I realized that they had in fact charged our American Express card for our dinner despite the fact that we paid in cash. When the same woman called me about the error, she was again rude. Instead of apologizing for the mistake she yelled at me and even blamed the waitress saying she was new even though the older lady admitted that she was the one who charged our card and had meant to void the transaction. In the end, I told them to just keep the money. Like I said, fabulous food, really nice servers but rude management even when the mistake is theirs. UPDATE Omigod! I have to add after the above encounter the owner began texting me late at night on a Sunday. Arguing about how there was no evidence that they had charged our card. I sent them a screen shot that showed the charge and she continued to say that it wasn't charged. Hello?! You are looking at a screen shot complete with transaction id for the charge you made to my card that you're saying you didn't make! I have never had a business owner ever send me texts with snarky comments and combative arguments. I'm still shocked that this is how they do business. All she had to do was apologize for the mistake and all could just move on. Harassing your customers via text is not the way to do business. Unbelievable...
(1)
Katy B.

A friend recommended I stop here for a bite since I was in the neighborhood. It was hard to pick just one thing, but I went with the Chicken Breast Shish Kebob dinner which came with Greek Fries, Tomatoes, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce on Pita. I also split a greek salad and the feta actually came in a slab on top instead of crumbled. I only ate half of my entree and was full.... I was happy later that night when I remembered I had leftovers! The service was good, food came out hot and the quality was great. It wasn't too crowded, but I'm sure it gets packed. I will definitely be going back to try more off the menu!
(4)
Mary W.

I love this place!!! I always get the chicken kabob salad with feta. Be sure to get FETA!!!!! The Kalamata chicken is insanely good! Greek fries get A++++++ Price point is right on for how delicious everything is.
(5)
Cindy M.

This place is Amazing;) Came here twice with my Cousin and both times we were very pleased with our meals. This time I ordered the Kalamata Chicken & my Cousin ordered the Signature Steak dinner. Both come with a SUPER Delicious lemon herb sauce and Greek Fries Oh My We totally recommend trying either Signature plates and you won't be disappointed ;)
(5)
Angela P.

I was under the impression that the best food could be found in Greektown, but Athenian Room in Lincoln Park is absolutely on par with Greektown's best. I had the Kalamata Chicken with Greek fries. The chicken was seasoned and marinated well; the lemony juices and basil flavored my fries too. The chicken was tender. I shared with my tablemates and none of us could believe that chicken could be so good! The feta is a nice appetizer, but probably best for cheese fiends like myself. It's a small-ish appetizer, smaller than a brick of cream cheese, so for larger groups you might want to double up on this one. Lucky for me, my family each took small nibbles but didn't express too much interest in it. I swiped some pieces of gyro meat and tasted the tatziki sauce (I'm not even going to try and spell that). The meat was, like the chicken, very tender and seasoned perfectly. The sauce was better than other restaurants - lemony and tangy, not too salty at all. The food is four stars, but the service could be better. It was busy when we got here, but we kind of had to push and shove our way to the hostess stand, because busboys and waitresses were pushing and shoving their way past us. We sat outside, and our waitress came to take our order but didn't offer any drinks. We ordered all at one time then, but I think it's strange that if you want beer, you can get it at the bar next door. They were quick to deliver the check and turn over the tables. We were given the check with no inquiry about dessert. My dad wanted to try the baklava, but I said forget it since we already had the check we could spend our hard-earned money elsewhere. Take-out might be the way to go here.
(4)
Kyle D.

Overall: Great food and atmosphere, just not up to par service and presentation. The good: Tasty food with large portions. The gyro meat was great and the half chickens were moist and tender. The dessert was good too. Cheap too! The bad: The service wasn't too friendly and was slow. Un-attentive at times. The presentation was poor too (menus and such). One downside that some people (not me) might not like is everything is served with fries. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 7/10 Food: 8/10
(4)
Kaitlin S.

This place is just fantastic! Very cheap, with the option to buy liquor from the bar next door. Gyros are great and the wine sauce they put on their fries is great! Quick pick up if you don't want to dine in. Highly recommend.
(5)
Kara H.

Really good Greek food. Light but really filling. I've ordered takeout a few times before and have sometimes discovered free baklava in my bag. It's sooooo good I now have to order it every time. Restaurant doesn't have alcohol but most people get drinks next door and bring them over.
(5)
Kim G.

Delicious! Love this place. Very tasty meats! I like their salads. Feta cheese is a good add on.
(5)
Leslie S.

Our friends highly recommended the Athenian, and so we went with them one snowy evening in January to try the much-praised Kalamata chicken. For both me and my husband, it was a disappointment: chicken absolutely soaked in vinegar is not something that appeals to either one of us. We were expecting chicken with strong lemon flavor, and what we got was a big drink of vinegar. The Greek fries, underneath the chicken, were so soggy by the time they reached the table that they were really inedible. The chicken was also served with a salad, which was rather bland. If I ever found myself at this restaurant again (and for me, it wouldn't warrant a second trip), I would request the "juice" on the side of the chicken, and I would skip the salad altogether. I like a glass of wine with dinner, and so the whole idea of walking next door to order a beer or cocktail mid-dinner doesn't sit well with me. I am really puzzled as to what kind of license the Athenian has, and why its customers can't BYOB if they can go to the bar next door and bring back a drink. I would infinitely prefer to bring my own bottle of wine, rather than leave the table twice to refill my drink. (Above all, I would prefer the waitstaff to bring me another glass or bottle, but...) In terms of bright spots, we ordered two portions of taramasalata, which was actually very tasty. Service was also extremely attentive; our waitress was friendly and very prompt to respond to our needs and requests. The restaurant itself has an intimate feel to it, and was very warm, which I appreciated! The prices were also very, very reasonable. Our bill, for four people, was $68 (not including drinks, of course). Still, I have had amazing Mediterranean food, and this was not.
(2)
Thomas G.

At the risk of showing my age, I have to say I remember there being a barber shop at that location before it was The Athenian Room. I used to live right across the street at 818 W. Webster. As a young lad in the early 1970's, my friends and I went there and talked with Alex, the owner, while he made our gyros sandwiches. Not very long ago, I went back there with my wife to see if it had changed. Thankfully, it had not. The fries were just as delicious, the sauce just as creamy, the gyros just as yummy as I remembered it. I hadn't remembered it being so popular before, but the popularity is well deserved. It just so happened Alex was there the day we went. He was sitting in the dining room, looking out the window. I went up and reintroduced myself to him and he to my wife. He smiled and said he remembered me and my friends. This is where I tried my very first gyros. It remains among my favorites. It's nice to know some things don't change :) I drop in whenever I'm in my old neighborhood.
(4)
Bryan W.

Easily some of the best Greek food in Chicago land. I love the hole in the wall feel and the food comes out hot and fresh.
(4)
Vernon P.

Best Skirt Steak in Chicago for an incredible under $20 price. Service is excellent. A family run business for over 30 years. The ownership is personable and they remember my name and greet me with kindness every time I stop by. I have been going there since 1989. Comfy cool place on a hot summer evening.
(5)
Alissa W.

Amazing greek food I found this place on yelp suddeny when I needed a quick place to stop and get lunch. I was surprised the reviews are accurate and great. Definitely a good place is you are craving greek food for a reasonable price !
(4)
Paul S.

The greek potato wedges are addictive. Ive tried to make them at home and can not match the Athenian Room.
(5)
Angie K.

Feed me feta! I randomly had a craving for creamy, soft feta and realized I hadn't been to Athenian Room in a long time. In rush hour traffic, hubby and I ventured here on a rainy Thurs. He was parking the car while I walked in. One waitress told me I had to wait for him to be seated, even though I knew what to order the both of us and I saw tons of empty seats. I sat down in the waiting area and 10 seconds later, another waitress seats me with no problem. Alrighty then. Bread basket is served upon seating but I would suggest to not even bother with it because you will eat your heart out with all the other items. Feta was first (MUST HAVE), then I got my usual veg salad and he got his usual gyro but made it a dinner portion this time. Eek, big mistake for our bellies. Food overload ensued. Food came very quickly as usual (as these are really popular, easy to prep items) but we had serious belly aches after from over-eating :\. It's not BYOB, but you can pop into Glasscott's next door and bring a beer over, which we did. I love the food here but I feel that the waitresses have a bit of an attitude which is why I'm sticking with 4 stars. Every time I've visited, something is just up with them. Do you need a hug, girl? I will continue to go to Athenian Room because the prices and food are always on point. Can't wait til it gets warmer to do outdoor seating.
(4)
Dana C.

Am I missing something? Why do people love this place so nuch? Went here with my boyfriend we both got the gyros. They were mediocre, though next to the accompanying soggy fries and tasteless salad they were the best thing on the plate. I don't think I've ever had a more boring meal. I'm giving it three stars because the food came quickly, the server was helpful, and the bill was cheap. If I hadn't had such high expectations from all the hype I may not have been so disappointed. Probably won't be back.
(3)
Emily J.

My coworkers are always talking about how good the Athenian room is and now I understand why-it's amazing! My friend and I caught a quick dinner here prior to a holiday play and it was just what I was in the mood for-filling, tasty, and inexpensive. I got the large Greek salad with gyro and pita and it was excellent. The salad is a good size and is full of very fresh lettuce, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes with a delicious and light olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. I asked for feta as well and was presented with a legit hunk of cheese doused in olive oil, it was delightful. The gyro here deserves a whole five stars on its own. Perfectly balanced between salty and sweet, crispy and chewy, it is the quintessential gyro and probably the best I have had. The pita here is great too-soft, warm, and served with fantastic tzatziki. I stuffed my pita with salad, gyro, tzatziki, and feta for a flavorful combination. If you have the appetite for them (and who doesn't), don't miss the vinegar soaked fries. Served with pita, lettuce, tomatoes, and gyro, these fries are top notch, but be warned-they are extremely filling. Aside from the fabulous food, the prices at the Athenian Room are unbelievable! Entrees are $10, some even less and the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol so you don't have to worry about that added cost. It's nice to know that you can still get great food in Chicago without paying out the nose for it. Next time I go to the Athenian Room I am totally coloring on one of the Greek god inspired paper menus; it'll make a perfect souvenir.
(5)
Cinthya Q.

The food is always amazing and the price is great. Can't beat the Lincoln park location with the outdoor seating in the summer. The one star comes from the tyrant working at the front. I'm assuming she's the owner or manager. Lady. Please relax. Don't treat your employees like crap and please don't treat your loyal costumers like you're the one doing us the favor. We like the food, we like the ambience, but we don't like your attitude, your rudeness, or the shortness you direct towards us and your employees. Today she screamed at the young hostess at least four times in front of us. I just can't stand watching people belittle others. Love the food and love the costumer service from the valet, the servers, cooks, and the bus boys. However, we have decided that after years of loyal patronage we can't continue to support such a tyrant at the front. Learn some common decency and how to speak to your employees lady! Without them, you and your restaurant would be nothing!
(1)
Emily Z.

I think I made a huge mistake by not getting the chicken everyone talks about... but I was craving a salad. Vegetarian Salad with pita, tzatziki & Greek fries, is a Greek salad with the Feta Cheese replaced with crisp delicious steak fries. Everything was fresh but it just lacked some flavor for me, kinda boring. Even though Tina Fey says the chicken is delicious I don't think I'll be back.
(3)
Michael B.

Literally everything tastes good. Gyros, chicken kalmada, soup...everything! The restaurant is small, but you can eat at Glascotts, have a drink & watch T.V.
(5)
Chobytrys O.

Long over due. I've been coming here for the past 10 years and its just as great now. The Skirt steak is arguably one of the best cuts in the city. If I'm solo I like to sit at the bar next door and enjoy the food while watching ESPN.
(5)
Dustin H.

Wow this place has great food. The gyros offer a large portion of good with great flavor. The Kalamata chicken is just as tasty, especially dipped in the lemon butter wine sauce. The only reason this place didn't get a 5 star rating is due to our waitress's preference to present an annoyed attitude throughout our entire dinner. I hope my next visit will be much more pleasurable and change my outlook on the service. Unfortunately, It's tough to change a first impression.
(4)
Chelsea B.

Aaaammmaaazzing!!! Oh man is this place good!!! I've been twice in one day, lunch and dinner. My favorite is probably the half a chicken withy the Greek fries but everything I've had has been great. Small place but I've never had to wait too long. And to top it off, the prices are great!
(5)
Jana K.

This is such a great casual restaurant. It's very reasonably priced. The chicken kalamata and the gyros are awesome. Get there early it gets crowded.
(5)
Dee F.

Disappointed :( My mom was so excited to bring us here and once our dinner arrived everything kind of crumbled. We had an issue with our food (something was in one of the plates (long hair) so I quietly went up to the front just to see if I could find our waitress and just order another dinner. I was trying to be discrete about the whole thing in order to respect the business and the customers that were eating there as all. Almost 10 minutes went by and so one of us had to get up again. Well, the owner managed to parade over with a big know it all attitude talking very loudly and making us uncomfortable. I don't need all that, I was trying to just be quiet and get a new dinner. We got a new dinner but the whole experience left a bad taste in our mouth and we won't be back nor recommend to anyone either.
(1)
Patrick F.

This is one of the best kept secrets in Chicago, I highly recommend trying the Gyros or Chicken
(5)
Theresa N.

Excellent gyros and Greek salad. Nice to sit outside on a sunny day! You have to BYOB - which is fine because you can purchases drinks near foot at Scotty's and bring to your table.
(5)
Bobby M.

The experience I had was not worth what I was charged. Food decent but nothing special, definitely overpriced for the portions. Waitress was lifeless (but the busboy was super friendly) and 2 of them just sat at a table in same room right near us talking. First time here, probably wouldn't come back. Really don't understand what any type of hype was about it.
(2)
Jennifer S.

We've been going to the Athenian Room for 25 years. It is our go-to place when we want a great dinner and don't feel like cooking. We feed a family two adults and two kids for around $30 because the chicken is big enough to share. The kalamata chicken and gyros are better than Greek Town. Surprisingly, their burgers are delicious, too. It is family owned, homey and personable. Anna has called us by name and remembered our children's names from the time they were babies in their car seats -- a welcome and unexpected personal touch in a big city. We're never disappointed.
(5)
Peggy T.

I love Athenian Room and used to come more often. Last night was my first time there in months, and I was so happy to be back! We were seated right away and the Chicken Kalamata was just as good as I remembered. The fries soaked in the oil/chicken juices are amazing! My cousin had the Skirt Steak and it was almost as good as my chicken dish. Others in our Group tried the Gyro Dinner and the Pork Souvlaki dinners and everyone was pleased. They serve bread with your meal, which is always a plus,but it could definitely be served warmer. The prices are pretty good and the food comes out quickly. I only wish they had a better selection of appetizers, perhaps SAGANAKI? I will be back soon, I can't believe I forgot about this place for so long!
(4)
David S.

Very disappointing. I was expecting more based on the reviews but the food was less than average. The salad was soaked in so much oil and vinegar that it chocked you on the first bite. I had the steak which the waitress said was her favorite, and it was tough and hard to cut. It also came submerged in some sort of juice that added nothing to the taste. My son had the chicken kabob and the chicken was dry and relatively tasteless. Our server was pleasant enough but had no clue about the food she was serving. They left the check from the previous customer sitting on the table which was odd. No attention to detail and absolutely no creativity with the food. In an area that has 100's of choices to eat put this way down on the list.
(1)
Frank P.

I've been going here for over 22 years since I moved to Lincoln Park in 1993. The food has always been good and consistent. The owners are always friendly and appreciative of our business. I grew up in a smaller town and this has the neighborhood, small town feel. Kid friendly. I personally love the gyro and greek fries. You can buy drinks from the adjoined bar next door if you want too! Great place to take a couple families and plop down for a good meal and conversation.
(5)
Tom W.

I was introduced to the Athenian Room by a friend a few years back. I'm not much on restaurant steak but she insisted I have the skirt steak Alexandros. I will always be grateful to her for this. It was delicious. We've been back many times and while the chicken Kalamata looks tasty, I cannot bring myself not to order the skirt steak. How do I pass up that steak? I don't. I get the steak and I eat every bit of it and am happy. The last time we went she suggested we get the Taramosalata. I recalled her excellent steak suggestion and agreed immediately. From now on it will be part of my order. It came with plenty of warm pita and was a great start to the meal. I have used the word steak many times in this review. Get the steak. Or get the chicken them tell me what you thought about it. I'll never betray my skirt steak, but I'd like to hear about the chicken.
(4)
Nicolas D.

#1 place in Chicago for Greek. Best food, highest quality, most authentic. Cannot go wrong - everything on the menu is bomb! The burgers are also awesome if your looking for a American style food item. Be sure to get the Feta burger is an awesome twist on the traditional cheese burger (and pretty massive). The waitress my first time their was wonderful. One of the best experiences I've ever had at a place of this caliber. My girlfriend and I tried a wide variety of authentic and original Greek dishes (Greek Villagers Salad is unique and a must). Even provided a piece of baklava on the house! Keep up the awesome service!! Now one of my regular places to dine.
(5)
p d.

I eat in occasionally and when I do the service is poor and the owners nickel and dime you. I know only get take out and again, nickel and dime you. The most aggravating is that they need a new phone system. Everytime I call, no matter if Im on a landline or cell, the woman owner says " I can't hear you. You have a bad connection." If you saw their phones........hello, 1990 called they want their phones back. I have to repeat and yell..........so aggravating.!
(3)
Ashley B.

The best Greek food! Definitely a favorite of my husband and I. You have to try the kalamata chicken and the gyros! The Greek salad with feta is also amazing. The prices are very fair and the service has always been good for us. No alcohol is served but you can get something at the bar next door (Glascots?) and bring it on over. This place is a must try!
(4)
Justin B.

Glad I came by to try this, but not sure I'll be back. The gyros at Niko's and Falafel & Grill are so good and so close to my house AND so cheap that even at $7, Athenian Room loses out on the gyro price front. The fries weren't as tasty as my other faves, but the space in the restaurant and the staff were solid. And the feta cheese was fine but didn't take me back to my time in Athens or in Santorini. A-OK, indeed.
(3)
Richard K.

Simply awful. How is this place still open? The Greek salad was sparse and pretty bland. They only have egg lemon soup in the winter. You have to get drinks from the bar next door. The bbq chicken was criminal. Even the gyros were bad.
(1)
Danielle S.

We came here on a Ssaturday during lunch time, and surprisingly they weren't busy! We were seated and helped right away. We grabbed some drinks from the bar and brought them over to our table and ordered away! It is a small place - I can see where seats would fill up fast if they were busy! We ordered the Taramosalata, Chicken Kalamata Style, and the Greek salad. the Taramosalata was amazing - the pitas were soft and everything was very tasty! The Chicken Kalamata Style was juicy and tender. You didn't even need a knife to cut it. The only dish I wasn't crazy about was the Greek salad - I felt like I could have made that at home. The dishes are big enough to share (and we did), and I feel like it's really a great deal for your money. I'm sure we will be back again!
(4)
Alexandra K.

Athenian Room has some of the best Greek food I've ever had. I love to go when I am in Chicago since its so good, reasonably priced and a friendly wait staff. If gyros aren't your thing (not sure why they wouldn't be) the char burger with feta is also a great choice. The Greek fries are perfectly seasoned and one of my favorites. I would recommend to anyone looking for delicious greek food in Lincoln Park.
(5)
Brittany H.

I used to work near Greek town, and I've tried a bunch of the restaurants there. I have my favorites, and I would've never expected a Greek restaurant in Lincoln Park to take the cake. The food was amazing and very affordable, and it has the typical family owned Greek restaurant feel, so you know it's authentic. The gyro platter was delish- the meat was seasoned perfectly & it was a very good portion for the price. The Greek fries are also a must try. A bunch of people had the chicken dinner, which was literally half of a chicken. There's definitely no skimping on the portions at this place. Next time you're craving Greek food, skip Greek town & try Athenian room.
(5)
Amr A.

I peeped this joint on Check Please Chicago and decided to check it out, and I could not be more pleased with this spot. This place has been open since 1972 with the same decor and a couple of the same cooks, I mean they must be doing something right. Ive heard the kalamata chicken was Tina Fey's favorite dish in chicago, and she was absolutely right. The half chicken was cooked to a lemony olivey perfection and its served over a bed of crispy steak fries soaked in the juices from the chicken, whats not to love. I do wish they served some rice with the chicken and it would put it over the top for me. I also tried their Gyros, and they were amazing as well. I am Mos Def hitting this place up again when in the area.
(5)
Rose F.

We had a bad experience with the owner. We had a problem with the food and asked to see our waitress. The owner came over and we explained the food had a long hair in it. She was defensive and rude. We just wanted a new plate so we could all eat together. Very disappointing. Especially since we were so excited to eat there. After we received our food nobody even came back to see how things were. We were just handed the bill. Wow! I guess they're so busy that customer service and respect doesn't matter.
(1)
Amanda L.

One of my favorite no fuss places in the city. High on flavor, consistency and deliciousness! Price makes this one of the best values for the quality in the city. Always a friendly place to stop in for pick up or eat-in. I'm a customer for life and I can honestly say their Large Chicken Kabob Salad compares to nothing else in this country. BEST Greek Salad ever in the USA. I'm hungry thinking about it!
(5)
Sarah T.

Outstanding! We are out of town-ers who c's at the suggestion of local friends, and we were not disappointed. Check out the Greek chicken and just say yes to the house made feta.
(5)
Laila C.

Their chicken is delicious but their owner is a bitch. She yelled at me and I saw her yelling at a couple of other people too. I'm sure running a very busy and successful business is stressful, but lady, chill out. They don't take reservations and they fill up fast. Get there with your ENTIRE party, put your name in, get a drink or drinks at the pub next door and then order the chicken kalamata once you get seated. Also get the Greek Caviar. It's like caviar hummus. Delicious. Get 2 if you have more than 4 people, you'll need it.
(4)
Alexandra F.

All the food is just perfect so much taste and generations of fantastic foods:). They have a lot a lot of variety and tastes in their food which you can tell all the chefs are professional!
(5)
Brian S.

Really good and reasonably priced Greek food. I definitely recommend it for a nice casual dinner. It's not the best of the best, but definitely worth the bang for the buck.
(4)
kathleen l.

Had the pleasure of being talked down and scolded by the owner before lunch arrived. We ordered a plate of tomatoes for our 4 year old and the server said they couldn't do that. We said we would of course pay for it and she went to inquire. The owner marches over and to tell us, with tude, they would not accomodate and they do things "the way they like it." She proceeds to tell us we can order the villager salad which has tomatoes in it and we said our 4 yr old doesn't like salad. The owner proceeds to tell us we can order the villager salad with only tomatoes???? So let me get this straight, I can have tomatoes as long as I order the villager salad with only tomatoes. Great, we will take that. Oh, but it didn't stop there. She kept on, without realizing how redic her argument was. We couldn't help but laugh. It was twilight zone worthy. Way to stick to a rule to prove a non point. I can only imagine how she treats her staff.
(1)
Laurina J.

Would give five stars if the manager was not so irritating and treats you as if one is lucky to eat in the restaurant. I lived across the street for 10 years and ate here at least once or twice a week. Skirt steak hands down the best I ever had. I can taste it now. Gyros are excellent as well. Owner is AMAZING, he would always put in free treats when we ordered. My daughter has amazing memories of picking up our food and he would put treats inside. Well, we did order sometimes three times in a week! Maybe manager is family, not sure but food is fabulous!! Noticed a reviewer Thomas G. said he lived at 818 W. Webster so did I for 10 years!! In fact still own the place just renting it out. How funny.
(4)
AV G.

The place has over 300 reviews--I scrolled through a handful to see what other yelpers said before i set the record straight. I have been eating here for 25 of the 40 years the place has been open You will not find a better greek chicken dinner ($9.50)--fries, bread, salad 1/2 bird. Period. The place has a very small menu, and has refined the bread,sauce,napkins etc down to a science It is an excellent local diner that does a remakable job. Any opinions to the contrary is an indication that you don't know what you are talking about
(5)
Cindy M.

I was recently in the restaurant during one of their slow times. Food was decent as always. However, the female owner was on a rampage. She was yelling at the kitchen staff and calling them pigs. She then sat down at a table and was complaining loudly to the waitstaff about other employees. I was there with my 2 kids and they were shocked at her behavior. My message to the owner...maybe it's time to retire! If your job makes you so miserable that you must treat other people like that, it's time to leave the restaurant business or hire someone to manage your place while you stay away!
(1)
FoodieChic L.

Love, love, love Athenian Room! I frown everytime I come in here, only because I checked it out after I graduated from DePaul. How did I miss this place? Needless to say, I'm making up for it by coming here on a weekly basis with the hubby. Fast service, fresh-quality food and inexpensive! If you are expecting a fancy shmancy place, this isn't it. The dÃ©cor is very outdated, the owners are typical Greek guys that count the register cash in front of you - but their food makes up for it. Best gyro and Kalamata chicken (with fries drenched in the juice, delish!) Only discretion is that this is NOT a typical Greek restaurant in the sense that there is saganaki, calamari, mousaka, etc... instead, they have steak and hamburger on their menu. My hubby (a meat guru) claims that AR has one of the best steaks! Need I say more?
(5)
Dwight K.

Not fancy but consistently good. Excellent cheese burger cooked to perfection. Cannot go wrong with Kalamata chicken or skirt steak. Every time I visit this is my must go to restaurant.
(5)
David J.

My experience at Athenian Room was pleasant. My girlfriend and I went there on a Saturday night at 8 pm and were both happy and displeased to see a full dining room with a line waiting to be seated. We were seated after about 20 minutes of waiting, during which time we were able to go into Glascotts for a drink. The hostess will find you either in the restaurant or in the adjacent bar. When we were seated, we promptly received our drinks and were soon adressed by a waitress. And here is where my review turns from 5 to 4 stars. She hovered over our table just staring at us; expecting us to say "Oh yeah, we would like ____". After about 10 seconds of staring, she says "Would you like anything?" in an almost snotty rude way. She didn't ask us if we would like an appetizer, or a soft drink or anything along those lines. Granted, it was a busy saturday night, and I am sure she had a lot of customers to deal with. We ordered our meals (we both tried the Gyro dinner) and were happy to see it arrive in just under 5 minutes. The gyro meat is already made and constantly on a rotisserie, so it is a fast meal for the restaurant to serve up. I imagine if I had come at a different time when it was less busy, I would have had much better service. But the bus boy (or whatever the man's title was) always made sure our water was refilled. So the service was average, on a busy night. I recommend Athenian Room to anyone in the Lincoln Park area looking for a meal under $15 dollars per person.
(4)
CC R.

athenian room is absolutely horrible, i hate i spent my money at this place, let me tell you why: horrific service, the waitress never greeted us, she didn't even say happy mother's day, she was very rude! never came by to ask us if we were ready to order, did not check on us! place is dirty, the floors need to be swept & the windows and front door need to be cleaned!!!!! had the gyro dinner it was cold, do not waste your money here, you see this place keep driving, try a greek restaraunt in greektown on halsted where they have better service and food. this place is atrocious!!!!!!!!
(1)
Sam T.

Okay so I come from a very Greek family, I am 100% Greek as well and I must say this place was awesome. Great food, really reasonable prices. The steak was to die for, I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Amy H.

Used to go here for fun school field trips in high school. Kept going back with friend because food is so good. I order half a chicken with BBQ sauce but I've also had the burgers and it's all yummy. The Greek fries are to die for!
(5)
Meg R.

Hidden gem in Lincoln Park that serves phenomenal Greek food. The kalamata chicken is a must have meal, the chicken is incredibly juicy. They do not serve alcohol but you can buy a bottle of wine next door at Glasscotts and bring it over. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is cozy. They do not take reservations but the wait is usually reasonable.?Athenian Room has definitely become one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago.
(5)
Julia V.

The chicken is amazing crispy and moist. I love the olive oil and feta. I love the outdoor area. I will definitely come back to try more items.
(4)
Manny B.

This has the best Kalamata Roasted Half Chicken, over fries, in the city. I love to eat my chicken first, letting the fries soak into the au jus from the chicken. No need for catsup on the fries. The skirt steak is also a winner and since they do such a high volume of Gyros, it's the best, too. Service is good, no booze, but you can go next door and carry a drink through an attached side door. The quality, quantity, and taste per dollar spent is off the charts. Been there many times and will keep going back.
(4)
Nicholas P.

Kalamata Style Chicken Dinner!!! I mean, do I really have to say it after everyone else has? Comes with a very simple salad and bread, which is a good contrast to the intense flavor of the lemony wine sauced burrrrd!
(5)
Kelly S.

Whoa! The roasted chicken kalamata style dinner blew me away. I'm a 'crispy chicken skin lover' and this chicken tickled all my buttons on that level. It was moist and had great flavor. The half chicken sits on top of very crunchy steak fries. It also comes with a dinner salad. The juices from the chicken plus some sort of very light dressing w/oregano soaks into the fries making ordinary spuds into spectacular spuds. The iced tea was also so good. It is ordinary brewed tea but when they brew it, they toss in a cinnamon stick which adds an unusual but delicious flavor to the tea. Baklava for dessert rounded it all out. I've had better baklava. Service was very friendly and efficient. Prices were most reasonable for the quality you get here. I believe the chicken dish at lunch was like $9. Tina Fey was right on the money with this!
(5)
Paul G.

I had a gyros dinner, a mixture of lamb and beef. Omg so much meat!! If you are looking for a cheap food with a huge portion, this is the place. But if you are looking for a authentic greek food, try elsewhere in the greek town. Although the gyros dinner was a huge portion, the meat wasn't the best. And it comes with fries....Gyros was too much for me, and extra french fries on the side wasn't the most pleasant experience. After I finished, I felt like I just visited a regular diner or pub. You know, personally, any plates that comes with fries, I would say lost its authenticity. But definitely I agree on cheap price and huge portions!
(3)
Edward R.

Had lunch here with my lady and I must say the service was horrible. The waitress didn't speak. She didn't come to check on us (to see how was our food, did we need anything, etc.) We even had to ask for the check. As far as the food goes we both ordered the gyros dinner. The worst gyro I've ever had! The fries however was very good. They was in some type of lemony, oreganoy broth! I won't ever go back though. The food wasn't worth it and the service alone is the real reason I'll never return.
(1)
Antonietta B.

Was parking my car intent on a quick shopping trip down halsted when the aroma from Athenian Room beckoned me. I was greeted and sat (table for 1) quickly on a saturday afternoon lunch rush. My server was very pleasant and brought me my diet coke with lemon in a flash. I ordered the large greek salad with chicken and the server recommended I add feta (ok, twist my arm). As I waited I saw people around me enjoying big piles of thick steak fries and half chickens perfectly roasted. My salad came out with big ripe tomatoes, cucumbers and a rather small skewer of the most delicious chicken. Lemony, seasoned well and juicy I wanted more! The salad was probably over dressed but the vinegary dressing hit against the chicken and feta and pita perfectly. And the feta! Oh man, obviously homemade served with a bit of olive oil and salty delicious kalamata olives. The whole thing was divine! I felt so good after eating it, not too full, and fueled ready for some serious shopping. Great, great place. Can't wait to come back and try more offerings!
(4)
L F.

been coming here since 1985. juicy fries are the draw for sure. ordering for take out for 20 years and they just can't seem to get it right. Vos , the male who answers, is nice and pleasant enough... and offers credit or help when they forget a meal, don't close the containers so all the juice leaks out all over. the woman , however, has the worst customer service and worst attitude i've ever experienced. yelling, rude, and does not apologize when she screws up. from the notes below, others have had issues as well. double check your order before you leave, and frankly don't order at all if you want to be satisfied. such a shame --
(2)
Elaine M.

The Athenian Room is absolutely wonderful! Tina Fey knows what she's talking about when recommending Chicago places to eat. (Side note: I ate here before I knew the goddess Tina Fey gave the Athenian Room her personal recommendation.) All in all, it's a great place to go and stuff your face feta, meat, and yummy fries. You also really get a bang for your buck. For dinner you get a plate overflowing with delicious food that leaves a healthy food coma in its wake. Food rec time: order the Feta burger. Just do it. Your taste buds will be happy you listened. Seriously, its mouth watering and they top with a HUGE piece of feta. Go to the Athenian Room and enjoy every bite.
(4)
Jason D.

Had one of the best meals here during my trip to Chicago. The lamb is out of this world.
(5)
Robert L.

I Don't Know What People Are Giving This Place 4 Stars But They Obviously Never Had Authentic Greek Food. I Give It -5 Stars, Ordered The Gyros Dinner And Left More Than 3/4 Of The Plate On The Table, Fries And Pita Were Sitting In A Puddle Of Grease, Bottom Line I Was Happy To Pay To Get Out Of There, Only Getting One Star Cause I HAVE To Give It Something
(1)
Yale K.

Ordered the skirt steak same as usual through 17 years . medium rare. I received 3 seperate pieces of steak not the usual full skirt. Proceeded to cut each of the 3 pieces open to find each one cooked through, no pink just grey. I said I dont mean to complain but...plate was whisked away with no word. 2 minutes later the owner(lady) comes back and says sir that is medium.(medium rare was my order). I say there is no pink and I was served 3 separate small pieces so how was it going to be possible for it to be medium. I was just there a month ago and it was pink. She made the waitress put the plate back down in front of me and walked away without a word. Did my plate seriously leave the table and come back? Very disappointed after being a long time patron
(1)
Benjamin D.

I love the Athenian Room and you will too as long as you go into it expecting Greek American food, not traditional greek. It's very inexpensive, the food is great and the outdoor seating in the middle of Lincoln Park is perfect. It's also a place where you can navigate your meal towards being a bit healthier if you choose! With that being said though, highlights are the Greek Fries (simple but crack level addictive), the villagers salad (no lettuce, great feta) the skirt steak (one of the most famous in the city) and the Kalamata Chicken. You won't spend much and there's something for everyone! Go! Cheers.
(4)
Cris V.

Awesome food for the price. I highly recommend the Kalamata Chicken. The half chicken sits on top of French Fries and Greek Style olive oil mix. I always order a couple extra pita breads because the one that comes with it is never enough. They scoff at you a bit when you don't pay with cash. But it is worth their anger to get to their chicken.
(5)
Zack P.

Very small dining room, but has outdoor seating in the warmer months. If you want a great gyro, give them a shot. I would suggest carry out due to the lack of seating, but you will enjoy the gyro for sure!
(4)
Rebecca C.

I came in here with my family, excited to try the food since a friend had recommended it to me. We sat outside on their sidewalk patio, and sitting on a tree-lined street just off of the bustle of halsted was more than pleasurable. Our server was attentive and sweet and had a lot to say about the food which got me more excited. I ordered the feta burger upon her recommendation and my siblings and mother ordered more traditional Greek fare including gyros and a salad. I honestly wish I was more impressed by the food but I can't say it was anything special. My burger was a bit on the dry side and the gyros were pretty standard. While nothing in particular was utterly horrible, I would regretfully say you can go ahead and give this one a pass. Service 4 stars Environment 5 stars Food 2 stars Price 3 stars
(3)
Agnes L.

Some dishes were a hit and some were a miss, so beware and follow the suggestions of the server. I went with my husband and a group of friends so I was able to sample. What I (and our server) loved - *The Kalamata Chicken: Incredibly juicy, roasted half-chicken served over seasoned wedge fries. We were not ashamed to eat off the bone. This is definitely the best dish on the menu because almost everyone around us ordered it and looked happy! *The "Greek Caviar": Made from the roe of cod or carp that has the texture of hummus What I settled with - *Large Greek Salad with Gyro meat, pita and tzatziki: All traditional veggies were fresh but wished I had more tomato and cucumber slices. The meat was not as flavorful or tender as I would have preferred. Pita bread was decent portion size and slightly toasted but not very fluffy. Lastly, the tzatziki sauce was a bit thick and creamy for my taste, but my husband loved that recipe in contrast to my affinity toward a lighter, zippier tzatziki. P.S. It gets crazy busy on the weekend, and they don't take reservations so you may have a bit of wait. Utilize the connected bar if that happens. Also, with the blessing of being busy comes the curse of being stressed. The person who had greeted us was not in the best of moods, but thank goodness our server was friendly and helpful.
(3)
Lauren F.

If you're looking for an authentic Greek meal with any variety in the menu at all-definitely pass on Athenian room and make the trip to Greektown. I brought my Greek grandparents here when they came into the city to visit. We always go to Greektown but I've heard such great things about Athenian Room and its a lot closer so I decided to try it out. Big mistake. The menu has absolutely no variety whatsoever. Cheeseburgers? On the menu at a "Greek" restaurant? They don't even have saganaki. Our party of 7 only ordered 2 different dishes between all of us-2 got the Chicken Kalamata and 5 got the Gyros Dinner. Both were good, they do make a good gyro, but by no means anything I would come back for. Big letdown, I'll be making the extra trip to south Halsted street whenever I want some authentic Greek cuisine.
(2)
Jaime G.

God i love greek food. I loved this little lincoln park greek place despite the deep fried shrimp i ordered. Had the greek salad with delicious fetal, side of kalamata olives, greek fries and the shrimp. Wouldnt recommend the shrimp or the dipping sause at all but the outdoor seating and everything else was excellent. I must of ordered the one thing that bad on the menu. however I did try my wife's Greek chicken entree with garlic sauce and fries and it was absolutely Delish. So come here and stick to the traditional dishes. They are yummy. And try the outdoor deck. It's heaven on a beautiful night but you'll have to be patient with the svc outside (really slow).
(4)
Mark P.

Writing this review after 4 or 5 visits, I am sure the Athenian Room is consistently good. I really enjoy the gyro. They also have great Greek fries. Parking in Lincoln Park is always tough and Athenian Room offers valet parking for about the same price as feeding the meter. Good Greek food at fair prices. Always a winner here !
(4)
Emily W.

It's a nice restaurant, but menu is very limited comparing to the ones in Greek town. Food portion is giant, but nothing too special.
(4)
Kip T.

Best. Greek. Food. Ever. I could eat the Kalamata Chicken every single night and the Gyros are - bar none- the best in the city.
(5)
Char Y.

we came on a saturday night and the wait was 1 hour! we waited and watched delicious looking and smelling food being served. it was torture! we were finally seated and ordered Taramosalata - SUPER smooth and delicious! Chicken Kalamata Style Skirt Steak Alexandros Style the entrees came with salad and the portions were HUGE! really recommend the juicy well seasoned chicken!
(4)
Keith H.

I really enjoyed my meal at the Athenian room. The menu is really quite small, but straight to the point. You know exactly what you're here to eat and they'll have it ready in 5 minutes. I order the Gyro Dinner and I fell in love. The greek fries are soaked in a lemon/wine sauce and the meat is just delicious. I would recommend asking for the Pita on the side as it gets soaked with the sauce and is not very easy to make a sandwich with if that is your preference. I'm a big fan of the baklava. You could actually taste all of the ingredients without it being overly sweet. And dessert for less than $3? That's unheard of in Chicago. I think if you're hoping to come here on a date, the food will come much to quickly for you - you could easily ask them to delay the order I would imagine. There is valet parking if you can't find your own. I came when DePaul was not in session, and there was lots of spots on the streets around the restaurant.
(4)
Genie B.

Gyros and Chicken... The chicken is amazing! I've never turned down an opportunity to eat here. Always a solid lunch option. Incredibly cheap, considering the portions they give you. Great service too!
(4)
Chicago T.

Great food. Great prices. As a recent reviewer expressed, just don't walk in there expecting traditional Greek food and you'll be fine. Their skirt steak is delicious, tender and plentiful. You will not find a skirt steak this tasty for the price charged anywhere else in town. If you do, please drop me a line. The fries are outstanding. The Gyros stands out among other gyro joints in town. The Greek salad with feta is so good and the salty kalamata olives are a great touch. I love these items so much, its all that I've eaten in the years we have been going there. Oh, they do serve an awesome lemon-rice soup, only during the winter months. The soup has a rich lemon flavor without being tart. They do have the traditional Greek baklava and serve a good cup of coffee. Weekdays is the best time to go. It can get pretty busy on the weekends. They have a reasonably priced valet service.
(4)
Rebecca N.

I LOVE this spot! I have been coming here my entire life with my parents and thought it was a little hole in the wall that only my parents knew of--boyyyy was I wrong! FAVORITES: The Greek chicken with fries is unreal! It is less than 10 dollars for enough food for two. The fries soak up all the flavor from the chicken and it is spectacular. The Greek salad with feta cheese and gyro meet is also one of my favorite dishes. For an appetizer I can NEVER skip the taramasalata. I get it with pita bread instead of the french bread that comes with it. This is an awesome spot if you are looking for a good lunch or easy low-key dinner. I have been here with friends and family and everyone is always impressed.
(4)
Elibe E.

Athenian Room is one of those neighborhood places that has the kind of charm that cannot be duplicated. Several staff members have worked here for 10+ years. The service is always kind and attentive. My recommendations: - Chicken kalamata - Greek fries (steak fries covered with a lemon-herb vinegar + oil sauce) - Chicken kebob The baklava is always great too.
(4)
Josh B.

This is one of those Chicago institutions were time has stood still. Everything is same as I remember from back in the day- great and generous portions of food. Re contend the gyro dinner, chicken kalamata, taramasalata, char burger...,all great. Partybif 7 sans alcoholic bevs just Ã¼ber $100. Kids lived it but they did get a bit tired hearing old Glasscott stories! Bathroom is inside of the bar though restaurant is independent of it- after slogging through a March Madness bathroom at a bar said he didn't think he would be going to any bars when he got older!
(4)
Meredith A.

Tasty and fresh Greek food. Everything was delicious. Enjoyed sitting outside. Will for sure be coming back.
(5)
Sara P.

This review is for the Kalamata chicken dinner. We ordered it for takeout on a cold winter night. Wow, what an amazing dish and a steal for the area. Very tasty, generous portions of roasted chicken. It comes with steak fries which are heavenly to dip into the sauce. The salad that comes with it is very plain and could use some oomph. They asked us if we wanted feta on the salad over the phone but did not tell us there would be a substantial extra charge for it. We would appreciate a warning next time. It also came with bread, which was pretty flavorless. I have had gyros here in the past, and that was pretty run of the mill, nothing to write here about. If this restaurant did not have the Kalamata chicken, this review would be three stars. So, order wisely when you come here!
(4)
Mary H.

Several friends had recommended Athenian Room, so when I moved to this neighborhood it was at the top of "Must Try" list. I had also been told it was BYOB -- BUT THIS WAS A LIE! Do not bring a bottle of wine, unless you want to be judged by everyone in the restaurant. They do not have a liquor license, so you can go next door to Glascott's and bring in your drinks. Kind of quirky, but whatever, cheap beer is cheap beer. The food is good and comes out quickly. These gyros taste like every other gyro I have ever had -- huge, greasy and satisfying -- and the menu is quite small. I was glad to see they didn't attempt to double the prices here just because they are located in Lincoln Park, our meal was $25 (with tip) for an appetizer and two entrees. I'll probably be back when I'm in the mood for another gyro.
(3)
Aaron Jae M.

Great place, I have been coming here for years. It is a little sad that I still ask for the crayons and coloring mats but it's just tradition. I live right next to greektown and yet I still make the journey north to come here for greek food. It's just that good. Their chicken is huge and delicious. Their greek fries are the best. And you can always count on their gyros to make your taste buds smile. P.S. Tina Fey has publicly endorsed (there's a youtube video of it somewhere) this restaurant for their amazing food. She recommends putting the chicken on a bed of greek fries so the fries absorb the juices from the chicken and get even more delicious which most thought was impossible.
(4)
Jeffrey Z.

Great gyros. The atmosphere is very old school, and the service isn't great (not all that attentive or friendly), but the food comes out quickly. The food and speed are the reasons I remain a regular.
(4)
Allison E.

I hear this place is one of Tina Fey's local favorites. I knew I liked her for some reason. She's apparently a woman with excellent taste in food. I dined here with a friend who absolutely raves about the skirt steak. He's right, its pretty spectacular. I had the Kalamata chicken which came soaked in this divine vinegary juicy meat juice. I don't know how else to describe it, but it was just perfect, truly special. FYI, the feta is extra, but big enough to split between two people. I do believe Athenian room is BYOB. They do not serve alcohol themselves. However, the bar next door is basically attached and you are welcome to wander over, grab a drink and bring it back to the table by your own hand. Extra 10 points for skirting Chicago liqueur laws.
(5)
Diva G.

Ordered the much talked about Kalamata Chicken & Gyros Dinner. The Kalamata Chicken definitely lives up to all of its hype. 5 STARS! Juicy, tasty and enough for 2 people - if you prefer white meat bring someone that prefers dark meat. The fries are crispy even though they are beneath the chicken and submerged in vinegar, oil & seasonings. Sooooo yummy!!! I also enjoyed the small salad with tomatoes and cukes that comes with the meal. The dressing was tart and DEE-LISH!! The Gyros Dinner wasn't bad, but I can't say that it was good either. 2 STARS. I did not care for the meat, sauce or pita bread. I am definitely a gyros connoisseur and it's all about the meat AND the sauce. I really don't understand all of the hype about their gyros. The fries are GREAT, but their gyros AND sauce are both lacking in flavor. PLUS, who wants a soggy pita bread??!! If you really want to experience an EXCELLENT gyros AND sauce, head north a few miles on Broadway (south of Irving) and stop in at Windy City. The service here was great- attentive and reasonable wait time for the food. 4 STARS. I will definitely return for the Kalamata Chicken and maybe even try something else on the menu, but they can keep the gyros!
(4)
Joe O.

Their meat was subpar; and that's a deal breaker for any restaurant I choose to frequent.
(2)
Patty C.

Good food + Big portions + Cheap price = Long wait. However, the wait is bearable and worth it. The service is friendly too.
(4)
Amanda M.

This is my usual spot. Tried the chicken kalamata, gyros, kebobs, charburger...all delicious. Love their tangy juices that are embedded into its food, especially the fries that are soaked into all of its deliciousness! Pretty generous servings and very affordable prices. And always great service. Just wished their side salads weren't so generic with just iceberg lettuce and tomatoes, but everything else definitely worth it.
(4)
Jorge C.

The Athenian room has the best gyros in town. We've tried gryos everywhere (including Greektown) and these are still the best. Order the gyro sandwich or dinner and be ready to be full. My wife and I typically order one dinner and one sandwich with an extra pita. This easily makes 3 big gyros and cost about $20. Only inconvenience, is that if you want a beer, you have to get it from the bar next door
(5)
Zo O.

Came here cause of Tina Fey. Chicken is soft and cuts like butta (chicken kalamata style). Cheap & huge portions. If you're in the burbs though, Omega restaurant in Niles does it better.
(4)
Max P.

Skirt steak was awesome, as were the gyros. Definitely going back to try the other food in the menu.
(4)
Paul B.

Excellent inexpensive Greek in Lincoln Park? Sign me up! I wanted to write a review to let everyone know this place is NOT BYOB as stated by our server. If you want to have a drink, you must go to connecting Glascott's for an adult beverage. Aside from slightly feeling like an alcoholic, everything was wonderful and I will definitely be back! Highly recommend the Kalamata Chicken, holy huge portions!
(4)
Seth F.

Best Non-Greek-Food-Factory Greek food in the city (that's a term, I swear). The Athenian Room is like an actual restaurant, more personable than such places as the Parthenon or Greek Islands. There's no family style option like the Parthenon and it's not really good for groups as either of those (or really any of the Greektown joints), but if you are looking for some solid and not fancy food, the Athenian Room fits the bill. If I could tag my restaurants, the Athenian Room would receive a "Weekday" tag, meaning it's a great option when you are looking for sustenance and don't want to cook. I find that Lincoln Park is never short of mediocre restaurants serving relatively simple food but among them, the Athenian Room is the best. Shouldn't be terribly difficult for you to find what you like on the menu, but I would recommend the chicken, and I almost NEVER recommend the chicken.
(4)
Grace I.

I've been coming here for a while, and I'm sure to come back. My most recent visit on the 28th, where I ate lunch with my mother, and our friends from out of town. I always come with my mother, but our friends have never been. My friend Alex and her sister Felicity both orded gyro dinners, while me and their father stuck with the gyro sandwich. My mother and Alex and Felicity's mother got the Kalamata chickens. It was a lot of food, so we all shared. The gyro meat was juicy, and pretty flavorful. I'd have to say there were too many onions, but that's just my preference. The chicken itself was also wuite juicy, and the juices served well as a sauce. The greek fries were amazing as usual, with that tangy sauce that makes you want more. Alex said her's were too saucy, but other that, we all had a grand old time.
(4)
Jackie S.

Loved the food, but was terribly disappointed with the service. It was my first night out to dinner with my 3 week old to meet up with my friends. I walked in and was immediately told I cannot bring the stroller in. Taking him out of the stroller would equal a crying baby which I think would be more disturbing. I asked to speak with the manager and she begrudgingly seated us in the back corner, but explained she will not make this exception again. Needless to say, I will not be coming back here.
(1)
TechGoddess A.

Had the chicken breast on Pita. The chicken was dry and tough. The fries warm and greasy. I think all of the 4 and 5 stars are from the owners or their friends. There is no way on earh this is a 5 star restaurant.
(2)
Ashley A.

I tried some of my friend's gyro & it tasted the same as any other gyro I've had. This place only gets two stars because the lady at the front desk was so rude and because this place doesn't have a washroom. The lady told me the place was closed when I walked in, even though there were still a few minutes left and I wasn't planning on ordering food, just went there to meet up with a couple friends before heading down the street somewhere else. I told this to the lady, but she was still very rude & made us feel rushed. I pulled up a chair at the table where my friends were seated and the same lady stated I couldn't sit there because the chair was blocking (partially) the isle and that it was a fire hazard. This is understandable, but she was continuously rude & I only planned on sitting there for about five minutes while my friends finished their food. Our server was nice & timid, probably because she felt awkward about the drama with the lady.
(2)
Dana F.

Great Greek food. Large portions for decent prices. Family oriented place. Will be going back.
(4)
Erica C.

This place is never disappointing! Food always comes out fast no matter how packed the restaurant is. The skirt steak is the best meat in this city! Have been coming for years and will continue to come! Everyone i introduce to this restaurant is always pleased!
(5)
Stephanie C.

I've missed the AR since I've moved to the suburbs. Their gyros are phenomenal their skirt steak is juicy and tender as well as the chicken Kalamata. Their burgers are big and juicy and gotta love those Greek fries! If you go in the winter time be sure to get a cup of lemon rice soup it's creamy and delicious! Still haven't found anything that compares in the NW suburbs
(5)
Keyla R.

Isn't it funny how well you get to know some places in your neighborhood so that they no longer seem that special to you? Now try going with for a while and you will realize how much you miss them! Such is the Athenian Room. Nothing fancy about the place. Been there forever, it seems. And the decor is completely nondescript. So you start to take them for granted. Try not to do that with this place. Go have a leisurely meal one nice summer evening, sitting at their outside patio area. Enjoy their utterly fantastic Chicken Kalamata, which is a grilled chicken with a lemon sauce. Or enjoy their BBQ chicken, or just have a gyro. The taziki sauce is great. Oh, and if you are ordering the gyro, they are huge! We sometimes order just one with two piece of pita so we can split it between us. ' Couple all this with friendly service and reasonable prices and you can see why you might miss the place if you could no longer get to it.
(4)
Mindy S.

I'm glad that other Greek restaurants are in my neighborhood, because I really didn't care much for Athenian Room. The overall experience was lackluster for the following reasons: -- It appears that regulars get above average attention, and non-regulars get below average attention (from the hostess). We waited a long time to get seated at our table because the hostess continued to chat with some regulars, and she wasn't paying attention. Mind you, it was a busy Friday night around 8:30pm. -- The food is like what you would get from a quick take-out greek place. By the looks of the inside, I figured it would be more along the lines of your typical Greektown restaurants, but it was merely a glorified (larger) fast food joint. -- The food was so so. -- There were a bunch of random people hanging out between the outdoor tables and the restaurant building itself. They appeared to know the hostess, and literally were there, milling around the tables, then they would leave, then they would come back again. It was odd, and incredibly distracting to the hostess. The salad that comes with dinner was cheap (iceberg lettuce, some tomatoes, 2 cucumber slices). The dressing on it was good. The steak was pretty good. The greek fries were the best part of our meal. When you're in a Greek food mood, skip Athenian Room and head up to Melanthios Greek Char House or somewhere similar.
(2)
Jennifer N.

I love this place! The kalamata chicken is amazing. Add the feta when you get a salad...it is some of the best I've had. That being said, when I first visited, I was a little confused. At other Greek restaurants, I have always gotten chicken that comes with a side of rice. Greek rice is my favorite. If that is what you are looking for, you won't find it at the Athenian Room. The chicken comes with Greek fries (which are basically steak fries, but magical. They sit under the chicken in oil but somehow they don't get soggy). The price is great. I've never had bad service.
(5)
Blair R.

Anyone who knows me knows I think there is nothing better than a piece of feta, so the fact that I can get a feta cheese appetizer at Athenian Room already makes me a big fan. But I also enjoy the Athenian room because is is inexpensive, good food, easy and reliable. I returned last night with my Vegan friend. I typically order the Chicken Shish Kebab dinner and that's what I stuck with, but I also like the chicken pita sandwiches and salads. My vegan friend went with the vegetarian salad option that is topped with french fries. It's not that any of these dishes are amazing. But they are good and simple and you won't leave feeling like a hefer. We love to finish our meals off with a piece of baklava or by walking around the corner to Annette's! For a no brainer, safe bet on a weeknight, Athenian Room is the way to go.
(4)
Allen B.

I'm just going to get down right to the thick of it...Athenian Room...is the *ish like Patrick Swayze. I'm talking Patrick Swayze from Roadhouse and not from Ghost. I had the Alexandros Skirt Steak and for an appetizer I had the Tara-mooooos-alata (spelling not precise). Both exquisitely GREAT GREAT eats. Its nestled right behind Glasscott's Saloon and customers can go in there purchase some brews and bring it into the restaurant. How *effin great is that???!! The owners are tremendously nice and quick on their feet to make sure their customers are welcomed. And I seem to use a lot of adjectives my all my reviews.
(4)
Taylor D.

My boyfriend (he is Greek) and I wanted to grab some Greek food without having to drive to Greektown. We live in Lincoln Park so Athenian Room was close for us! It was a nice summer night so we ate outside. We walked into the restaurant, a server handed us menus, and we sat ourselves. Very odd. We each had a greek salad. It was a bit dry and tasteless, and the cucumbers were a bit dry. Both of us ordered the kalamata chicken. The chicken was very tender, but since when do the Greeks use french fries? They were good, but I was hoping for greek potatoes or rice. There was a lot of wine in the dish, which I could tell was not completely cooked out. Also, they do not have saganaki. We were very dissappointed. What Greek restaurant does not have saganaki?!? Service was just okay. Nothing spectacular. We probably will not be back anytime soon. The Parthenon and Greek Islands are much better choices for AUTHENTIC greek food.
(2)
Jordan P.

This place is a total hole in the wall / divey restaurant, but the food is delish! I've been frequenting this place since I was a teenager and I have yet to be disappointed. Everything I've had here has been delicious. The best thing there are the Greek fries. I could eat those things for a week straight. I think they're seasoned with some sort of white wine sauce that's addictive. In terms of entrees, you really can't go wrong with the skirt steak, the kalamata chicken, the gyros, or the chicken kabobs. They also have great pita bread and the feta cheese is sooo yummy. They don't serve alcohol, but if you want a drink you can go to connecting Glascott's, the bar next door, for a drink. The down side about this place is that the decor is sort of lacking. It's looked exactly the same for the last 15 years and could definitely use a facelift. Also, the servers are consistently terrible. They're not attentive and act like they're doing you a favor by taking your order. But I just ignore all of that because the food is so yummy!
(4)
John G.

This place has decent food, but the last few times that I've ordered takeout, there has been mistakes on the order. If important pieces of your meal are not there (or the way that you prefer) it will ruin your meal completely. I would like to give them another chance at some point, but I guess I will have to completely inspect the order before walking out the door. Some of the staff could use to loose the attitude that they portray and instead learn some serious customer service training. Judging by the other reviews, I'm seeing that it is a common problem with this place.
(2)
Chatzy F.

This place is the best greek food! The Kalamata Chicken is the most mouth watering chicken ever! They have good Gyros and the greek fries are very good ! You can eat there or carry it out! They have the best salads and everything is always fresh!
(5)
Johanna P.

Delicious chicken and I LOVE the steak fries! Can't wait to go back and try the steak. Oh and great prices!
(4)
Christina M.

I am furious! I usually come here at a minimum of once a month. The service isn't always amazing but the food is usually good. We walked in and were seated promptly....we waited about...10-12 minutes before being greeted....where I basically had to waive the waitress (who sat us) down....(she ended up being out server). I order...... I walk over to glascotts to get two beers and I end up standing and staring at the bartender try to fix the register.....this about about 10 minutes....I just walked out. and we wait the same amount as usual for our food....no big..... I asked for my steak well done and it was medium......because my gf knew i was aggravated she walks my food back and asks for it well done....I get my steak back in under 10 minutes....it still was not well done.....at that point I lost my appetite. I told her I didn't want it anymore seeing that my Gf was almost done with her food and if I send it back and try it again I'm sure it will not be the same seeing that it would be REfired for a 3rd time. She says "are you sure you don't want it" I say " No thank you. I'm ok, I do not want it." She then takes the steak. Another ten minutes pass and we get the bill. To my surprise....MY steak is still on the tab...I was appalled. I walked up the female manager/ owner and tell her...."I come here so often I've never had such horrible service and adding salt to the wound you are going to charge me for a steak I never ate and was cooked incorrectly twice?" She responds " the server asked if you wanted it to be refired she said you said it was ok....and that you did not want it anymore....But you ordered it you have to pay for it." Fast-forward a few minutes of banter where I finally am worn out and I say... "Fine if I have to pay for the steak than I will take one to go...." She agrees....someone comes from the back in minutes with a package.... "What's that?" I ask "Your steak" She responded I'm now shocked. "Where was this? I've been standing with you for almost fifteen minutes." I ask "We have it on a counter to be thrown out so we just packaged it." she responded At this point I was so irate I couldn't hold back. I told her. "This is unsanitary how can I assume that food that was sitting unaccompanied...waiting to be thrown out? God knows where....I refuse to take, eat or pay for." She kept fighting me and I walked out. My friend stood behind and and spoke to the lady who still made us pay....And then said we were no longer welcomed back. Believe me I won't be back!
(1)
Derek B.

This is my new favorite Greek restaurant in the city! My wife and I got the kalamata style chicken. It was served in a lemon oil/vinegar sauce that was delicious. The prices were great too! We will definitely be back.
(5)
Nathan C.

While the Chicken Kalamata was tasty; this place was nothing special. They have a cheese gyro here (strange if you know Greek food) and it is a prepacked cheese square thrown on the pita...
(2)
geri s.

I really don't like giving bad reviews, especially to small business owners but this has been a long time coming. DON'T FALL FOR THE FETA CHEESE SCAM! When you order a meal that comes with salad,they ask you if you would like Feta cheese on top of the salad.... The same way servers ask if you want pepper on top (implying that it doesn't cost anything extra) When in reality they charge $2.50. The same exact price as the Feta Cheese appetizer. If someone wanted an appetizer, I'm sure they would have ordered it with their dinner. A simple solution could be to inform the customer that it does cost $2.50 extra and ask if it's okay. I guarantee if people knew in advance they would say it was not okay. The service is so bad it's unbelievable. The place is owned by an older couple. I honestly don't know how the sweet man puts up with the lady I believe to be his wife. I've never seen her smile, not even once and I've been frequenting this place for over 10 years. I once ordered a burger to go, and when I opened it, the bun was literally a ball of wet dough as they didn't package the burger bun separate from the juice they drench the fries in. When I called to complain the lady acted as if it was no big deal that my burger was completely ruined. She didn't even offer to have me come back for a new one. All she said was that she will let the cooks know. I gave her a piece of my mind and then decided to boycott the place for a good six months. I couldn't fight my craving any longer... I caved and went back today with three friends for my old time favorite, the Chicken Kalamata Dinner. I warned them about the "scam" and they witnessed it, along with the terrible customer service. One friend had to leave about 20 minutes before the rest of us but her finished dishes remained on the table till well after we all finished lunch and paid for it. We all walked by the owner on our way out and she didn't even say goodbye to us. This time I reserved my right to complain on Yelp since going directly to the source did absolutely zero.
(1)
andrea b.

The outdoor seating is lovely though really close to the street so you'll have to block out the honking and car noises about a half foot from your table. Also there was a wait for seating so we had random people gathering on the sidewalk next to us chatting which was kind of annoying but besides that, still enjoyable. I love a good greek salad with chicken, definitely one of my favorite meals. This place does it well. The chicken came on a kebab and was scrumptious though the portion could have been larger. Pita bread comes on the side and is really yummy. Tomato chunks, kalamata olives and some seasoning rounded out the iceberg salad. I had to order the feta separately for an additional cost which I thought was kinda strange... My date ordered their specialty chicken which comes with large delicious fries saturated with the chicken seasoning and juices. Really tasty. Our waitress was brisk and all business, but friendly and checked on us during the meal. The bussing staff was super attentive and had my water glass filled as soon as it hit half full which was very appreciated.
(4)
Alexandra B.

This place... Is now one of my favorites in Chicago. Apparently Tina Fey has mentioned she likes this place, which is a plus, but the food itself is really good. I had the chicken kalamata, with feta on the side... Basically half a chicken over fries drenched in this lemon vinagarette, Nom Nom, I had to keep myself from eating the entire thing, for fear of my stomach exploding. So tasty. Sooooo tasty. Next time I'm in the city it's a must.
(5)
Joe M.

Greek civilization seems to have peaked a while back, at least in terms of philosophy, science and epic poetry. But that doesn't mean they don't honor the tradition of serving a killer gyro across the breadth of Lincoln Park. It is a heritage: In Plato's Symposium, there's a dialogue between Socrates and some chap named Agathon clarifying the true nature of the gyro. Agathon finally yields to the logic behind the fries sitting in a pool of lamb grease. "I can't find any way of withstanding you, Socrates," he says. "Let it be as you say." "Not at all," says Socrates. "It is truth that you find impossible to withstand. Truth, and the way the fries absorb the delectable lamb meat juices and plethora of Grecian spices." As an added bonus as true as the Socratic dialogues, this ancient culinary expertise is available for fewer drachma than most nearby eateries will charge. I can hardly imagine what it must have been like to endure, thousands of years ago, the pains of being pure at heart. A life before the Hellenistic period, the death of Alexander the Great, and before great minds pondered the philosophical significance of the first-class, tzatziki-kissed gyros from the Athenian Room. This is a good place to go if... you respect finely made gyros as much as you do millennia-old aphorisms.
(4)
Gin Y.

So, I'm just putting in 3 stars because I have yet to try the other food on the menu. A friend of mine and I went here for lunch on a weekday. We ordered the gyros and shared the greek fries. The gyros were big (they didn't skimp on portion size), and the greek fries were really good (like the vinegar they added in there). But, they weren't fantastic. However, I did see another table order a chicken dish and kabobs. If I come here again, I may try those options, as well as the skirt steak. My friend and I did try the baklava, which was ok. It was a little sweet for my taste, but good. Pretty affordable food in a nice area.
(3)
Jessica S.

The food is decent - however... the manager/owner woman is the most HORRENDOUS woman to deal with. She has messed up my order THREE times now, and yells at you when you call her and ask her to correct the order! She is rude, displays revolting customer service, and displays the most atrocious social skills I have ever encountered. I cannot go back due to her despicable and nasty behavior. Adios, Athenian Room!
(1)
Dana R.

I was very surprised with the Athenian Room, to be honest, I wasn't 100% sure what to expect. The food was amazing, and the service okay (hence the 4 stars). I have been here a few times, and every time I try something different. With some nice Vegetarian options, and a cozy atmosphere, I recommend the Athenian Room.
(4)
Kimberly D.

I was in the mood for some greek chicken so decided to give Athenian Room a try for lunch after a friend had recommended the restaurant for gyros. There is valet service, which price is not too bad, and worth it for those peak times when parking on Webster is difficult. We ordered the Chicken Kalamata Style, which came with a salad and greek-style fries, and the Gyros. Chicken was a good flavor and was pretty mosit. Salad could have used more dressing but adding more feta cheese to it, made it taste better. Loved the greek style fries, but probably because it is the first time I have had it and have nothing to compare it too. My friend thought the gyros were good but was not the best that he has had. Overall, was a decent dining experience and service was good and friendly.
(3)
Anthony S.

Not bad, the menu selection is quite limited, but there's enough of a selection that surely you will find something that is suitable. As this was my first visit here I kept things simple and went with the Gyros Dinner with Greek-style fries (didn't know such a thing existed). Anyway over all the gyros were okay, not the best, not the worst. I did think they over did it on the lemon juice for the fries, as they were kind of soggy along with my pita. If you're looking to have a glass of wine or beer with your dinner, you're out of luck, fortunately Glascott's Groggery is next door and if you happen to be sitting outside you can order a drink from there and enjoy it with your meal. Next time I plan on trying some of their appetizers and some of their chicken dishes, they looked more appetizing than the gyros.
(3)
Jon L.

How can you not love a classed up gyros stand? The menu is small, the portions are generous and the atmosphere just works. Nice little weekday spot. Wish I lived closer to it, as it'd be there a few times a week. Had the Kalamata Chicken, their crown jewel. It's half a chicken served on a bed of awesome fries. Then dump this amazing lemon and oregano sauce on top. This simple combination really brings out complex flavors. Greek salad, about what you would expect. Ice berg, cukes and tomato. Gyros, rock solid. But Gyros are always good. I suggest the chicken or a salad with a kabob. I saw a few of those walk by and they looked delicious.
(4)
Jason P.

Athenian Room is my personal neighborhood favorite and in my opinion one of the best restaurants for the price in Lincoln Park. Good service but most of all the food always tastes great. If you go, I suggest the cheese gyro with onions and a side of the Greek fries. You won't be disappointed. If you are a vegetarian, their vegetarian salad is a great option.
(5)
Alison L.

I ordered a gyro, and I have to say, it didn't compare to NYC street vendor gyros. The meat was much too dry and thin, and there weren't enough toppings (it was just like three pieces of tomato and some raw onions on top of a pita, with huge, dry flakes of meat). My friend ordered the chicken shish kabobs, and those looked much tastier. Unfortunate, though, since if I want greek food, it's the gyro meat that I'd usually go for! Prices are good. It was about $5 for the gyro. One MAJOR turn-off: The owner is unbelievably rude. My group tipped 20%, and they miscounted. The owner ended up chasing us down the street in order to yell at us for being bad people. Even if we hadn't tipped, that is just not professional or respectable at all. I won't be coming back.
(2)
Leon G.

From the moment you walk in, you see the grills afire and the delicious smells hit you like emeril yelling "Bam!" NO FRILLS here. Just great homey food that will make you leave smiling. Wanna beer or some wine? You have to walk into the adjoining bar and get one there. But you are there for their amazing greek chicken a greek fries, sitting in a shallow pool of chicken juice, tangy red wine vinegar and spices. Nirvana!! Chicken is always juicy, crisp skin on the outside and generously seasoned. Sometimes I'll order their skirt steak....cannot go wrong with that either. Burgers are good too. Salads are typical iceberg with cuke, tom, a few kalamatas and a wedge of feta. Dressing is good...typical sharp vinegary stuff.
(5)
Eric W.

I wish I could put half stars here. This is a perfectly fine Greek restaurant. There is nothing actually wrong with it per se; however, I think its somewhere between 3 and 4 stars worthy. I'll try to balance the positives and negatives so you see what I mean. First off, we walked in and said we wanted a table outside. They said 5 minutes, and I thought "sweet, no big deal". Then, about 5 other people came in and the hostess said the same thing. Normally I wouldn't care, but she didn't write anyone's names down or tell us to stand anywhere specific. So you had about 10 people milling around randomly hoping they were called first. We were, but it still made me nervous. When we were seated the table hadn't been wiped off when the hostess walked us up. Negative. We ordered drinks and asked for a basket of bread. Nothing wrong here. The bread was real fresh and came with butter. I ordered the fatty mcgee Gyro dinner and the lady ordered a salad with chicken. Holy hell they give you a lot of meat with the gyro. It was like they portioned out how much would fit on the sandwich, then tripled that amount. The lady loved her salad. Positive. With it came "greek fries". I'm not sure who came up with these things, but they're basically steak fries sitting in a puddle of greek dressing. Find if you like oil. Gross and overwhelming otherwise. Ask for the fries regular style. Negative. Takeaways: ~$23 with tip Awkward outside service. Little disorganized. The food itself is great. Exactly what you would expect. Skip the "greek fries".
(3)
Jessica M.

Athenian Room has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine. I hadn't been in a while, so I revisited last night, and was reminded how much I LOVE it!! The food is so good!!! My favorite is the Chicken Kabob Salad!! You get a little bit of everyhting: their amazing dressing, feta, perfectly grilled chicken, taziki, and pita. The service is just whatever, but nothing too bad, and the owner is always there supervising things in the kitchen which makes you appreciate the quality of the food you are about to eat. If you are looking for a ton of options, definitely not the best choice, but if you are looking for amazing greek food then this is it!
(5)
Meagan L.

I was pleasantly surprised with the Athenian Room. My friends and I went to lunch here on a Friday afternoon and didn't have any problem getting a table. I order the Kalamata Chicken, per a friend's recommendation, and I was not disappointed! It was delicious and there was so much food at a reasonable price! The chicken is so tender, it's amazing!
(4)
Michelle D.

So average. :| I got the shrimp dinner...wish the menu would have let on that it was fried. I'm not big on fried food. Also, the feta cheese I got with my salad was extra...awesome...glad to find out when I get the bill. I should have known better. If the waitress asks if you want something, it's extra. And if you order $10 shrimp, it's probably fried. I made a mistake and ordered the wrong thing, I should have ordered the Kalamala chicken, I have a feeling that would have been a lot better. It was a cheap dinner, but I only ate half of it. Pretty disappointing. I will say, my boyfriend enjoyed his dinner. He got the shish kabob chicken dinner.
(2)
Ben K.

The Athenian room really brings me back to the 3rd century BC when we'd roast massive cones of lamb on a vertical spit and shave off strips of meat to all the other feast attendees carring around their empty pita. In fact, they say Aristotle himself worked the grill as an adolescent here before moving on to metaphysical concerns. But seriously, the Athenian Room puts forth a pretty delicious basic greek dining experience. I had the gyros over greek salad, which is an excellent combination that allows you full control over building your gyro in the pita provided. The meat is tasty, the salad is fresh, and the gyro is simple and delicious without being too oily. The greek fries are killer (but I wish I could get a little more of the herbed dressing they are floating in, and possibly use it as my salad dressing). And the whole thing is extremely affordable (at the dual cost-bonus and sobriety-hindrance of having no booze on the menu). My only regret is that having found my staple dish here, I may never get to try the Kalamata Chicken.
(4)
Pete P.

This place is deliciousness They have some of the best gyros in the city. The kabobs are great as well and so are the fries. The service is reasonably fast and the waitresses are all friendly. All in all a great greek spot
(5)
Aaron A.

Here's the deal. I came here after hearing all the rave. Not impressed. Matter of fact I left here pissed off and I won't be coming back unless it is to yell at the worst waitress I have ever encountered. The food was mediocre. Nothing I would go ape about. It was cheap and filling. The worst part was the service. The restaurant was not packed at all. The waitress was attentive for the first 10 minutes. However, once the food was brought out she was no where to be found. We had to get up and track someone down for a slice pita bread, another time for our plates to be cleared and two more times for the check. All the while we could see her outside chit chatting. Needless to say, she didn't deserve a tip. She wasn't even there to collect the bill- another waitress had to step in. Here is the kicker. Randomly she ran into us later in the night and says "Remember me? Thanks for the tip." Yeah, here is a tip, a waitress is supposed to wait on their customer not the other way around. Another horrible thing about this place: If you want a beer or need to use the bathroom you have to come next door to this shit hole they call a bar. Enter at your own risk. It's disgusting. You've just been yelped in.
(1)
Xtina B.

Best gyros dinner ever :) Soooo delicious!!
(4)
Tera D.

I would actually lean towards 4.5. I think I probably could have ordered something better than I did, and will do just that next time I go. I had heard that it was a fantastic cheap deal, and in an effort not to bankrupt my boyfriend, I suggested we do a date night here. Needless to say, he was thrilled at the $26 bill, although that did not include drinks, since it's not really on the menu. I got the Kalamata Chicken, since it's sort of their specialty. Frankly, I hate chicken, so I'm not sure why I did this. It was surprisingly good for chicken, but it did not compare to the bf's gyros, which I loved. The salad was also tasty, especially if you're a feta cheese lover, which I certainly am!
(4)
Emmanuel B.

Excellent greek-style roasted chicken. The rest of the stuff is okay to good, but the chicken rocks!
(4)
Jen N.

The only way one could possibly enjoy the food here is to have no idea whatsoever of what real Greek food tastes like. I order the vegetarian salad, it comes with fries ON TOP of it (very odd, not good), and with barely any dressing, just mostly lettuce. They are normal fries, that likely come frozen in a huge bag, but they add some lemon and oregano and it's "Greek Fries" ok that is not hard to do, and the fries were average. The salad was unappetizing, as was the nasty hunk of feta cheese served on the side on a small plate. The selection on the menu is limited, (I think most people go for the gyros) and they serve no alcohol. The service was equally bad, and even though the place was not busy, I waited forever to see a waitress or to get a check, I honestly thought they forgot. Overall, it is a "fast food quality" meal, and I'm surprised this place stays in business so long.
(3)
Kelly S.

Quite possibly my new go-to lunch spot while at work. Yesterday I ordered the large Greek salad with gyro meat. For $12 I had enough food for 2 meals. It came with pita bread and two little blocks of feta. Reasonably priced and healthy. I will definitely be frequenting Athenian Room! Carry-out was fast. My order was ready in about 10 minutes. I would have liked to sit and enjoy the outdoor seating... if we hadn't been having a June monsoon!
(4)
MELEK L.

My favorite dish in all of Chicagoland is right here at the Athenian Room. It's called Athenian Chicken. I know I already touted its loveliness, but it really is ridiculous how much I order this meal. They always make it to my specifications (extra sauce in the bottom of the chicken, no dressing on the salad, add feta cheese) without issue or attitude. The last time I visited, I found that they had a new sturdier container for my trip home and they even threw in a comp baklava!! Brilliant of them...because it was amazing. :)
(5)
G A.

My mouth starts to water at the mere thought of the Kalamata Style Chicken and the sumptuous steak fries that absorb all the ambrosia like sauce. The location can kind of be a pain to park around and the service slightly indifferent but your patience will be handsomely rewarded.
(4)
John W.

Does every college campus have a bright little Greek place whithin walking distance? It sure seems like it, and The Athenian Room could be the archetype. The gyros platter was exactly what I expected and had a generous amount of meat. The only reason I didn't rate this higher was the lackluster gyros salad my wife ordered. Although the waitress warned us that feta was extra, it still seemed like it was a few ingredients short of a proper greek salad.
(3)
Nanci F.

This a good neighborhood restaurant. Sitting outside on a nice day is so pleasant. You can bring your dog. The waitresses are fun and friendly. The food is ok but not very authentic Greek.
(3)
Melanie B.

So, I bring everyone here, and I'm always singing this place's praises and sending people this Yelp page, so I thought it was time to add my own review. This place is wonderful. I have not ever gone wrong here. My faves are the gyros plate, the Greek salad (with a side of yummy, shareable feta), and, of course, the kalamata chicken, which is served over a huge plate of steak fries and topped with a vinegar-and-oil sauce. The skin is crispy and the meat is juicy -- it's perfect. We live around the corner, and I pass it every night on my way home...it's SO hard not to order takeout all the time! In the summer, they have outdoor seating, and the sparkly lights add such a charming atmosphere. You can also get drinks from the bar that's attached, and sometimes the bartender comes over to you for your order. It's casual and comfortable, but the food always delivers.
(4)
Sonia C.

Really good food for awesome prices! I came here with a group of friends and had a great time! I asked the waitress for a recommendation and she told me that the most popular dish was the Chicken Kalamata - 1/2 roast chicken served with Greek fries and salad - so I ordered that. The chicken came and it was, well, AWESOME - seriously one of the top five roast poultry dishes I've ever had. The skin was crackling crispy and well-seasoned, and the steaming meat was not only juicy, it practically fell off the bone. The meat was nestled atop a pile of Greek fries which were truly wonderful steak fries covered in olive oil and lemon juice. The fries did get soggy since they were marinating in chicken juices but I loved the taste of them anyway. I was a little tipsy when I got here and food always tastes better when you're intoxicated, but I really think this was a great combination of taste and value. My friends tried the chicken shish kebabs served with pita and the fried shrimp dinners (among other things), but the Chicken Kalamata was truly the standout dish. I found it a little odd that the restaurant was basically the back room/afterthought of a bar but the service was good. The bill came to about $8pp (including tax & tip, no one ordered drinks) which was truly a steal.
(5)
Art S.

My boss told me stories about how he would always come to this place and have a chicken dish that he really liked. He mentioned that his friends always got the skirt steak, and didn't really try to convince him to order it. One day he tried one, and afterwards he wouldn't talk to them for two weeks (he was so mad that they hadn't tried to convince him sooner). I thought he had to be exaggerating, but when he took me there I had the lemon drop soup, AMAZING!!! I had a good side salad. And then there was the skirt steak...BEST EVER!!! You can not find a better deal in this city. Throw in the greek fries that go with it, and my mouth is watering right now as I write this. Great decor at the A-Room also makes it a great place to bring friends, family or even a date. Every time I have a buddy come in from out of town we A-Room it up.
(5)
Lauren P.

this place is right by my house so i can smell the delish greek food. in the summer, there are tables outside, and while they don't serve booze there, they let you buy a drink from the bar next door and bring it over to enjoy. i'm not a huge greek food fan, but what i did have here was good, especially the fries and gyro! it's always packed, so they must be doing something right.
(3)
Katie D.

If you're looking for greasy, fast Greek food in Lincoln Park, The Athenian Room is your place! Been here twice now and gotten the char-burger with feta both times. The burgers are huge and the tzatziki sauce that comes with it compliments it perfectly. Burgers also come with "greek fries" or "dry fries." I definitely recommend the "greek fries" i.e. steak fries in some lemon garlic oil/seasoning. Have been here with others who have been really happy with their orders of kebobs or gyros with american cheese. Best part about the Athenian Room? It's really cheap for a lot of food. If you want alcohol with your meal, The Athenian Room does not sell it but you can purchase it through Glascotts. I've had two experiences with this here: once we had to walk over to Glascotts ourselves to get it and another time someone from Glascotts was walking around asking if we'd like to order any. Only gave it three stars due to service I had last time I was there. I politely asked if I could substitute the greek fries for a small side salad with my burger and instead of a nice "sorry we do not do substitutions," the waitress looked at me like I was the devil and sternly said "no we don't do that" and continued to stare at me like I was an idiot. Maybe she was having a bad day, but I'm pretty sure she only smiled and was nice to us when delivering the check aka realizing she needed to be to get a better tip. Despite weird service experiences, I will definitely come back when I am in the mood for something greek and greasy.
(3)
Mundo M.

Ok this place was crazy good. I got the Kalamata Chicken served on a bed of steak fries soaking in this amazing light sauce. The chicken was so tender and moist. They serve a really nice salad, make sure to get the feta cheese with it. Hint, only order one feta plate ($2.50) and it's enough for two salads. You also have to get the chicken rice soup. It was perfect. Share that too as it is a big portion. You cannot go wrong here. Parking is fairly easy on Halsted street. Only one bad thing about this place is the restrooms.They share it with Glascotts (bar) and they have a really disgusting restroom. It was nasty when i went there in college and still nasty now.
(4)
Brian P.

delicious! such good portion. although i got the carry out. if you're craving gyros and are in the area, this is the place to go! .. as good as it gets from any greek restaurant in the states lol .. that's if you're a fan of pita inn as well. AMAZING PORTION AND TASTE!!!!
(5)
Zander H.

This is one of my favorite restaurants. Service is extremely nice and fast and you can get a meal for two for under $25.00. Highly recommended. For those who are not fans of Greek food, but have friends and family who are, they have a great cheeseburger and fries.
(5)
Jeremy G.

tzazikikikikikikiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii nommy nom
(5)
Raoul D.

Athenian Room has been our family favorite for over 15 years. Vas, Alex and Ana always greet us with unpolished warmth. The food is always great ,our favorites are the gyro dinner, skirt steak and french fries. It is great comfort food.
(5)
Linda N.

I experienced my pre-teen years in this neighborhood and was eating here before most yelpers were born -- when that neighborhood was not one of the most premier in the city. It is one of the few (very) places that remain from my youth (anyone remember Roma's on Webster and Sheffield? or Pete's on Fullerton?) This is where I had my first ever gyro. I do not live in the area, so I have been back about 8x in the past 30 yrs, but each and every time is just as good as the first. There is something about the gyros ordered with the red sauce (vinegary,ketchupy, not too sweet) much different than your traditional Tzatziki sauce. Wow..just thinking about it......I believe I may have to visit this weekend!
(4)
Nick B.

Athenian Room is great greek food, in Lincoln Park, at a reasonable price. I've been going for years. The Chicken Kalamate style dinner is my fav; they put a chicken on type of greek fries that are soaked in vinegar/seasoning. The Avgolemono soup is great, but they only serve it in the winter. I'm also a fan of the Tiramusulata (sp?) and the Villager's salad at this restaurant. I would pit Athenian Room's food against any of the GreekTown establishments (Parthenon, Greek Isles, etc.) anytime. A great spot to eat for a cozy quiet winter dinner, or dining outside in the summer. Dress is casual.
(5)
Melissa D.

I absolutely love this place. So does my boyfriend. We always order in-house, but then take it next door to the bar to grab a few beers and not have to worry about having someone wait on us. Sometimes, its just nicer that way. Two thumbs up for that. My bf swears that this is his favorite restaurant in the city and he craves it once a month. I am definitely OK with these cravings. The food is awesome. The kalamata chicken is so tasty. It's tender and full of flavor. Quite possibly the best Greek chicken I've had. The skirt steak was incredible as well. I've never thought I would like caviar. I never even imagined trying it. They have this caviar dish, more like a spread to put on pita, and it is freaking amazing. I wish i had some of it right now! OK, I am not a vegetarian whatsoever, but the past 2 times we've been there, I've ordered the vegetarian special. The salad is just amazing. It comes with pita, tzatziki(omg, i love that stuff) and their Greek fries. The fries are soooo good. Soaked in lemon and olive oil and sprinkled with salt. :) I doubt we'll ever eat inside the restaurant, not with the fantastic bar next door, but we will definitely be back plenty more times. The help is always super nice, and two thumbs up to the owner who told my boyfriend he was a lucky guy :) Yay, I love this place.
(5)
Jasmine S.

I placed an order for pickup and they didn't give me one of the items. I didn't realize until I got to my office. I called and the lady was very rude. I had to come back to get the item and of course, the woman doesn't the have courage to be there and instead left my food on the counter. The gyros weren't even very good, bland and dry. I would not recommend ordering carry out from this place. Talk about bad customer service and the food wasn't all that good.
(2)
Casandra A.

The skirt steak is amazing! Everything I've tried is great! Def. my favorite restaurant in Chicago! A must try!
(5)
Neda M.

The food was mediocre Americanized Greek cooking that lacked any authenticity and the service was absolutely terrible. All of the employees were mean and unresponsive to any questions about menu items. Our initial server was instantly rude when I asked her to explain what came with certain items and when the other server delivered the food she rudely threw the plate on the table and stormed off. When my dinner guest addressed the issue to another employee she overlooked his complaint and blatantly didn't care. To top it off, on our way out the door, the server who threw the food yelled, "bye, thanks so much for coming in," in the most sarcastic and mean tone I have ever heard. I wish I had the words to explain just how out of line her comment sounded. My dinner guest addressed it to the manager explaining the server's rudeness, and she responded with, "oh, I don't think she'd do that." I have no idea what why all of the employees were so mean but I will never go back to a restaurant that is so disrespectful towards its customers. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone who appreciates decent manners.
(1)
Jill K.

6 weeks ago I was actually in Greece, so "authentic Greek" tastes were still fresh on my mind. Aside from the chilly Chicago weather, my trip to Athenian room was like I stepped back into Greece. You can tell that this place is legit from the moment you are greeted until the moment you leave. My friend and I were welcomed by a beautiful woman with a Greek accent who led us to a cozy little table against the wall. A table close by ours was occupied by a Greek family, their beautiful foreign language faintly echoing off the restaurant walls and falling upon my interested ears. It was a beautiful background that definitely enhanced the atmosphere. Our server was amazingly friendly and so helpful when it came to recommendations.I had the chicken kalamata style dinner, per our server's recommendation. Apparently, this dish is one of Tina Fey's favorite and she is known to frequent this restaurant when she is in town. Come on - if Tina Fey likes it.... My salad came quickly (definitely ask for a side of their feta...mmmm) and our meal was out very shortly thereafter. Oh, man...Tina Fey, you do me so right. That woman knows her food as well as she knows her comedy. The chicken was so succulent, having obviously been marinated for several hours and slow-cooked so that the meat fell off the bone. I was one happy camper. It was a big portion, so I took some home to nosh on it later. Before we got the check, our server brought us a piece of their homemade baklava - on the house. Now, I was hesitant to try Athenian Room's considering I just had the world's best baklava on the beach of Santorini, so I didn't think anything would even come close to what I had. I wouldn't say that Athenian Room overturned my #1 spot for the best baklava, but it is definitely the best baklava I have ever had in the U.S....and that's saying something! The simple, friendly ambiance of Athenian room coupled with their authentic Greek food assured me that, like Tina Fey, I would be back for more.
(5)
Ariel L.

This is a totally biased review because I have been eating here since i was in the womb. My parents moved to Fremont and Webster in 1971. I was born in 1973. My mother says she ate there the weekend i was born, which I believe, because i have had a love affair with the place ever since. Over the years i have taken friends, dates, colleagues there, and all have been satisfied. The skirt steak is one of the best on the north side, an the Chicken Kalamata is outstanding. Gyros are also very good. Don't waste your time with the salad though, as it probably has zero nutritional value. Prices, which only went up in the last 10 years, are still very reasonable for the amount off food you get. I think the biggest complaint i hear is that this doesn't compare to the Greek restaurants in Greek town. That is a fair complaint. There is no Saganaki, and a lot of other traditional items are not on the menu. My response is that the Athenian Room has a small kitchen, so they can't make everything, but what they do make is gold. Glascotts bar next door serves liquor, so you can go over and get a drink and bring it back, and on a nice day they have outdoor seating on a beautiful street. I don't think there is much to complain about truthfully. Good food at cheap prices. If you need something more elaborate, go elsewhere (that's fine by me because then you won't take my table).
(4)
Samar N.

So I am not going to lie, Part of my initial attraction to this place is that Tina Fey says in her book that it is one of her favorite places to eat in Chicago. My boyfriend ventured here, shortly after we listened to the book on tape,during a guys trip to Chicago and could not stop raving about it. So after all that I KNEW I had to try it. Decided to go check it out with my boyfriend and 2 friends who are Chicago Locals but had never been to the place. It is a cute little no frills kind of restaurant, when we walked in they had about a 20 minute wait so we decided to go to the connected bar and get a few drinks and play some ski ball ( BONUS!!!). They do not serve alcohol but you can go grab a drink next door and bring it back in with you. I got the Chicken Kalmata and OMG it was to DIE for. I still get random cravings for it and look up flights to Chicago at these times thinking that maybe I could fly over a get my fill?? The Chicken comes over a bed of french fries and all the juice get all of the french fries making them soggy and amazing!! My boyfriend got the Gyros and one of my friends got the greek burger, I can't seem to remember what her boyfriend got but both of these items were delicious but if you are coming here for the first time i would say ORDER THE CHICKEN!!!!
(5)
Tracy F.

Chicago has a great Greektown. Tons of authentic restaurants and large menus. Athenian room isn't authentic. I've had the Greek chicken and the gyros. Both are great. However, the menu is extremely small - not nearly as many options found in Greektown. Service is friendly but nothing special. The place is also chock full of teenagers and parents with young children, so it's not too much of a date place. Better for a couple of friends or family. I will always go here when I'm craving gyros, but if I want anything else, I'll head south.
(3)
Melanie S.

I'm fairly certain that I ate my first gyro sandwich at Athenian Room back in high school (which was just a block away). My bff in high school was so continental, introducing me to the likes of a good gyro sandwich or shrimp tempura from the little Japanese restaurant across the street (curiously, it's also still open). This was of course back when the most exotic thing to ever touch my lips was a crepe. Many years later, my tastes have changed and improved but I still enjoy a gyro sandwich every now and then. Last night brought on a craving for one like no other but I didn't feel like going all the way to Greektown and really, I just wanted a more quick, casual option, but I also didn't want to do takeout. It was a lovely warm later summer evening so we decided to drive down to Lincoln Park and sit outside on Athenian Room's patio to enjoy our food. It was filled with families and even a few well-behaved doggies. Everyone was in good spirits, eating their food. It was a nice sight to see. On to the food. It's still as good as it ever was. Their gyro plate comes with pita, tzatziki, tomatoes, onions, and it's served over their Greek fries, which are fries tossed with a lemon // oil // vinegar dressing with oregano. It's a lot of food (easily enough for two servings or leftovers) for a decent price. I'm sure it's the same Kronos gyros that's served in every one of the 19654 restaurants in Chicago that offer a gyro.Their kalamata chicken is also delicious. Really, everything here is quite good. It may not be the best Greek food you've ever experienced, but you won't be disappointed, you won't leave hungry, and it won't break the bank. Service is amiable (it's usually college-age girls) and efficient. AR doesn't have a liquor license, but you're free to grab a pint from Glascott's next door. In fact, a quite-enterprising bartender from Glascott's came around and offered up beer and wine to AR's patrons. Athenian Room also does a brisk takeout business if you'd rather enjoy their gyros in your own friendly confines.
(4)
Bart S.

To me, 5 Stars- I have been coming here for over 20 years! Hadn't been in a while only because I have moved further west, and the parking around here is a bit of nightmare....but the food is the same great quality .... For me, it's the Greek Style Chicken Kalamata , in the lemon juice and olive oil, with the thick cut Fries in the juice..KILLER! I also like the Gryo's here. Place was packed, but the awesome Dutch Lady owner said 10-15 min wait, and it was about 10 to get a table. The service was quick and good. I will be back sooner rather than later this time.
(5)
Gab G.

Well, Tina Fey was right. Go to the Athenian Room. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Order the Athenian chicken dinner Kalamata style. (Gyro dinner is good, too. Pass on the shrimp Kalamata style unless you're looking for six fried shrimps with fries.)
(4)
Michael H.

Opened in 1972, Always Busy, small family run.. Get The Skirt Steak, Its consistently perfect everytime! Gyros are also Top Notch, really like this place.. Also attached to Glascott's So if you want to have a drink they will bring your food over to you in the Pub..
(4)
Kim N.

Im torn by this place. I liked the old school 70's decor. A sign it's been around for a while. It reminds me of the old Greek place in college I ate at. The lunch menu however is not as vast as I expected. Was thinking I was going to get some old home cooking but it was more of the Greek American style. Now not to say the food wasn't good, it was. The gyros and fried shrimp with the vinegar/oregano fries were tasty. The iced tea had this interesting cinnamon tinge to it. No refills though. That's way old school. The service seemed a bit lukewarm at first and we didnt stay long enough to get friendlier treatment. It seemed that some of the locals got some warm greetings. Maybe if we were neighborhood folks we could have gotten better treatment? Unsure. 3.5 stars
(3)
Ryan C.

We went there for dinner last night because its close by and we had enjoyed it previously. However, this time we were left unimpressed. We had the greek salad and the shrimp dinner. The salad was very bland and not what I would consider a really Greek salad. The shrimp dinner was very basic and not Greek one bit. The shrimp was oily and fried and the fries were dripping with oil. Next time if we want good Greek food we will be heading someplace else.
(2)
Disa C.

This place by far is the best place too get a steak. The Greek steak is marinated in wine and vinegar. Ahh sooo good! The thick cut Greek fries that come with the steak are a bonus! Fyi they dont sell liquor but you can bring the drinks back from the bar thats connected too Athenian Room.
(4)
Paul D.

Easiest 5 stars ever given! Whether you dine in or carry out, the Gyro Dinner is the best meal in the neighborhood.
(5)
Claire C.

Best Greek food in the city, anything you order will be yummy, you can't go wrong. My personal faves are the spinach pie, skirt steak and wet fries.
(5)
Cesar M.

I have been to few Greek restaurants in the past and this is on of the best. In previous restaurants portions were small and prices were big (Greek town specially) but on this one prices are reasonable for the portions. I went there with a friend on the way to the movies, so we did not have time to wait around for a table or slow service. And we did not, we got seated practically as soon as we walked in and the service was fast and friendly. We had the Kalamata chicken, skirt steak, salad and feta pita. Everything was good, but I enjoyed the feta pita the most. The feta cheese was flavorful but not too strong and combined with the tomato well it was perfect. The potatoes were a little too crunchy but again everything else was good so. I asked the waitress what kind of iced tea they had. "cinnamon iced tea" she replied. I thought did she say cinnamon??? I never had cinnamon iced tea before so, I will take that please. it was different and good. And just as fast as we walked in, got seated, ordered, ate, we left to the movies. Good food and service.
(4)
Jeff J.

Came for lunch with a friend on Saturday. He mentioned how packed it always is when he walks by, and Saturday was no different. We scored a table outside to take advantage of the nice weather. We were surprised to see a woman taking alcohol orders for the place next door-- I'm guessing Athenian Room doesn't have a liquor license and has a deal with this other place. Pretty sweet arrangement if you ask me. We each ordered the chicken kebab off the kalamata section, per many people's reviews. I'm not really sure what the fuss is all about. The chicken is not moist, as discussed in other reviews, but actually rather tough. The moistness could come from the puddle of oil it's sitting in (but who wants to eat their food in a lemon-y, oily mess?). And the yogurt sauce, which should have been the highlight, seemed like it was your run of the mill sauce, unceremoniously dumped into a small plastic saucer. It's fairly priced, so if you're looking to stay within a budget, it might be a good choice, but otherwise, I didn't find anything good to write about.
(2)
Taylor M.

I am giving Athenian Room two stars not because of the quality of the food, but because of the quality of the service. The service was so terrible and rude, my friends just wanted to walk out. I was out with two girlfriends and we decided we were hungry and Athenian Room was walking distance from where we were. When we got there the valet guy said they were still open and to go in. The first time we were treated rudely was when we walked in at 9:40 (they close at 10) and the lady at the front doesn't even greet us. She rudely states "We close soon at 10". I asked if that meant she wanted us to dine elsewhere. She said no, but they would be closing at 10 sharp. I figured that gave us 20 minutes... no problem. Our server was pleasant, but the lady keep making sure we knew that they would be closing and made us order the second we sat down. I thought this was strange because up until about 10 she continued to seat people. The staff continued to make us feel extremely rushed and unwelcome for the remainder of our meal. I ordered the lemon chicken soup which was okay. I have had better. It was a bit watery here and I prefer mine to be be a little thicker. The gyros were good, but they only give you a tiny portion of the yogurt sauce. We ended up leaving before I even finished my food because we felt so uncomfortable. This really bothered me. If you work in the service industry, you should be pleasant to your customers. Other negatives were the lack of a bathroom. Athenian Room connects to Glascott's a dive bar. So if you have to go to the bathroom be prepared to leave the restaurant, go to the bar, and wait in line with a bunch of drunk people to use a bathroom that is beyond filthy. Also, Athenian room does not accept Discover Card.
(2)
Eliana A.

Been going here for 10+ years with family and the steak and greek fries are the best in the city! The only downsides is the place has become popular now and its extremely busy all the time. Lastly the "hostess" (older lady with glasses), is by FARRRRR the rudest "hostess" ever and she seems to be working everyday lol smh. Where's the etiquette? Without her, I'd give this place 5+ stars, a shame.
(3)
Andrea R.

I rarely eat at the same restaurant twice in a month since there are so many amazing dining destinations in Chicago. So you know I really like a place when I visit twice in a WEEK. It had been a long time since I had visited Athenian Room before last Monday night. And it totally hit the spot! I ordered the large salad with gyros, which isn't something I'd usually get, but weird things happen to your taste buds when you're pregno. It totally hit the spot, especially the pita bread that came with it. It was so yummy that I not only ate my pita bread, but my friend's too. Fortunately, she's on a bridal diet and was happy to share with the pregnant woman. My party of 5 left completely stuffed and we only paid $13/person. Why did I ever stop coming here? On Thursday when another friend asked where I wanted to go for dinner I opted for Athenian Room again...I can't get enough! Same amazing gyro salad, perfectly soft pita bread, and affordable prices. The only downfall is that finding parking can be a bit difficult in this area (so many permit spots), but they do have valet parking outside for $7. Don't be surprised if there's a 3rd visit for Athenian Room in the very near future.
(5)
Bernadette R.

I just moved to the neighborhood. I wanted to try this place since the reviews were decent. I ordered the gyro dinner and was completely disappointed. The bed of french fries in itself should have been a red flag. The meat was a strange consistency, extra salty, and they gave you one pita. The tzatziki sauce was very tart as well. If this is your only option, then it's alright. Personally, I'd rather spend my money on something better.
(3)
Bomby K.

I went their with a group of friends and ordered the gyro dinner and it was delicious.. Very Fresh.. The meat wasnt dry and was very flavorful..melt in your mouth. The portions were so big that I shared my plate with 2 other people! I definitely recommend ordering family style and sharing. Also for the first time I tried greek caviar and WOW! I must say that I am a huge fan! it didnt look or taste like regular caviar at all! It was white and creamy.. looks like greek yogurt.. My sister in law whom is a vegetarian tried it and loved it! Althought the food was great,,, their waitress was less than mediocre.. She just seemed to be having a bad day..
(4)
Mark B.

This place is a classic. I've been going since I was little and still has the same people running the show. Great gyro and chicken dinners and good pub next door to play a game and grab a pint to bring back to the restaurant with you.
(5)
Brian O.

My wife ordered the roast chicken and I had the gyros. They give you big portions, and both of us could not finish all of it, even though we had been bike riding all morning. Would come back again if I was in the area but not good enough to drive across town for.
(3)
Pete V.

So my wife is now addicted to the Athenian Room...and we're back after just a week! We stopped in on Sunday for lunch. Got a table right away and of course, now, being completely versed in the menu and timing, etc. We immediately order the villagers Salad, the gyro sandwich and the chicken shish kebob sandwich. The villager salad was enormous. A mound of fresh tomato slices atop cucumber and topped with one large slice of feta, and a few olives here and there. This was plenty for two people and I was tankful I hadn't given in to the urge to order a second appetizer. The chicken shish kebob sandwich was good, but I'm still a fan of the gyro. Nice tender chunks of chicken and tons of onions and tomato on a light pita and a heaping cup full of tzatziki sauce...you really can't go wrong for $6. I did make the mistake of having some of the gyro sandwich, which left me stuffed to the hilts on my way out! Regardless, it was another successful venture to the greek oasis in LP and I'm looking forward to more next week!
(4)
Chelsey O.

I really want to like the Athenian Room (I can walk there, it is Greek food, reasonable prices), but after eating here 4 or 5 times, I am not a fan. Since I am veggie I get a Greek Salad and indulge in the Greek fries. While the salad is a nice portion for $7, a couple times I've had it has been poorly dressed with giant pieces of lettuce and tough tomatoes. This last visit my bf got a gyro entree which came with a lot of me, but only one piece of pita - on the menu they call out pita and tzatziki as if they were additional or extra, but in reality they just make the meal. Service is fine, but never outstanding. Food is quick (since they pretty much just have popular dishes ready to go at the counter), but sometimes are already cold. If anyone else knows of a killer Greek Salad in the area - let me know.
(2)
Lucy N.

Athenian Room is a great place to order out lunch. I have never been really impressed with this place. Probably because I am not a fan of iceberg lettuce with chicken, feta and olive oil on it. It's a healthy quick option for those on the go.
(3)
Emmett F.

If you have a craving for Greek food, you gotta try Athenian Room. I live down the street and it's a nice place to sit outside in the summer or to order carryout. The prices are very reasonable, though they do charge for some extra's (like olives or cheese) so watch out for that. Also, the wait can be a bit long and I'm not sure if the owner really follows the first-come, first-serve rule. Like most people, I go for the gyros or kalamata chicken, but I really crave the Greek fries. Stop by Glasscott's before, during, or after your meal, and make it a fun and delicious night!
(4)
Ashley C.

Greek fries are heavenly!!! I had the skirt steak on recommendation from our bartender at Glascott's and it was Divine!! Was in Chicago for the marathon and wanted a treat, that meant beer. Had beers at Glascott's and wanted food and was told to order from the Athenian Room. Pleasantly surprised at how easy it was and the food was amazing. I do not eat fries, usually, but the Greek fries were unexpected and delicious. I recommend Athenian Room for girls' night out, date night, any night where you share with friends because portions are huge.
(4)
Katie D.

If you're looking for greasy, fast Greek food in Lincoln Park, The Athenian Room is your place! Been here twice now and gotten the char-burger with feta both times. The burgers are huge and the tzatziki sauce that comes with it compliments it perfectly. Burgers also come with "greek fries" or "dry fries." I definitely recommend the "greek fries" i.e. steak fries in some lemon garlic oil/seasoning. Have been here with others who have been really happy with their orders of kebobs or gyros with american cheese. Best part about the Athenian Room? It's really cheap for a lot of food. If you want alcohol with your meal, The Athenian Room does not sell it but you can purchase it through Glascotts. I've had two experiences with this here: once we had to walk over to Glascotts ourselves to get it and another time someone from Glascotts was walking around asking if we'd like to order any. Only gave it three stars due to service I had last time I was there. I politely asked if I could substitute the greek fries for a small side salad with my burger and instead of a nice "sorry we do not do substitutions," the waitress looked at me like I was the devil and sternly said "no we don't do that" and continued to stare at me like I was an idiot. Maybe she was having a bad day, but I'm pretty sure she only smiled and was nice to us when delivering the check aka realizing she needed to be to get a better tip. Despite weird service experiences, I will definitely come back when I am in the mood for something greek and greasy.
(3)
Mundo M.

Ok this place was crazy good. I got the Kalamata Chicken served on a bed of steak fries soaking in this amazing light sauce. The chicken was so tender and moist. They serve a really nice salad, make sure to get the feta cheese with it. Hint, only order one feta plate ($2.50) and it's enough for two salads. You also have to get the chicken rice soup. It was perfect. Share that too as it is a big portion. You cannot go wrong here. Parking is fairly easy on Halsted street. Only one bad thing about this place is the restrooms.They share it with Glascotts (bar) and they have a really disgusting restroom. It was nasty when i went there in college and still nasty now.
(4)
Brian P.

delicious! such good portion. although i got the carry out. if you're craving gyros and are in the area, this is the place to go! .. as good as it gets from any greek restaurant in the states lol .. that's if you're a fan of pita inn as well. AMAZING PORTION AND TASTE!!!!
(5)
Zander H.

This is one of my favorite restaurants. Service is extremely nice and fast and you can get a meal for two for under $25.00. Highly recommended. For those who are not fans of Greek food, but have friends and family who are, they have a great cheeseburger and fries.
(5)
Jeremy G.

tzazikikikikikikiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii nommy nom
(5)
Raoul D.

Athenian Room has been our family favorite for over 15 years. Vas, Alex and Ana always greet us with unpolished warmth. The food is always great ,our favorites are the gyro dinner, skirt steak and french fries. It is great comfort food.
(5)
Michael H.

Opened in 1972, Always Busy, small family run.. Get The Skirt Steak, Its consistently perfect everytime! Gyros are also Top Notch, really like this place.. Also attached to Glascott's So if you want to have a drink they will bring your food over to you in the Pub..
(4)
Linda N.

I experienced my pre-teen years in this neighborhood and was eating here before most yelpers were born -- when that neighborhood was not one of the most premier in the city. It is one of the few (very) places that remain from my youth (anyone remember Roma's on Webster and Sheffield? or Pete's on Fullerton?) This is where I had my first ever gyro. I do not live in the area, so I have been back about 8x in the past 30 yrs, but each and every time is just as good as the first. There is something about the gyros ordered with the red sauce (vinegary,ketchupy, not too sweet) much different than your traditional Tzatziki sauce. Wow..just thinking about it......I believe I may have to visit this weekend!
(4)
Nick B.

Athenian Room is great greek food, in Lincoln Park, at a reasonable price. I've been going for years. The Chicken Kalamate style dinner is my fav; they put a chicken on type of greek fries that are soaked in vinegar/seasoning. The Avgolemono soup is great, but they only serve it in the winter. I'm also a fan of the Tiramusulata (sp?) and the Villager's salad at this restaurant. I would pit Athenian Room's food against any of the GreekTown establishments (Parthenon, Greek Isles, etc.) anytime. A great spot to eat for a cozy quiet winter dinner, or dining outside in the summer. Dress is casual.
(5)
Melissa D.

I absolutely love this place. So does my boyfriend. We always order in-house, but then take it next door to the bar to grab a few beers and not have to worry about having someone wait on us. Sometimes, its just nicer that way. Two thumbs up for that. My bf swears that this is his favorite restaurant in the city and he craves it once a month. I am definitely OK with these cravings. The food is awesome. The kalamata chicken is so tasty. It's tender and full of flavor. Quite possibly the best Greek chicken I've had. The skirt steak was incredible as well. I've never thought I would like caviar. I never even imagined trying it. They have this caviar dish, more like a spread to put on pita, and it is freaking amazing. I wish i had some of it right now! OK, I am not a vegetarian whatsoever, but the past 2 times we've been there, I've ordered the vegetarian special. The salad is just amazing. It comes with pita, tzatziki(omg, i love that stuff) and their Greek fries. The fries are soooo good. Soaked in lemon and olive oil and sprinkled with salt. :) I doubt we'll ever eat inside the restaurant, not with the fantastic bar next door, but we will definitely be back plenty more times. The help is always super nice, and two thumbs up to the owner who told my boyfriend he was a lucky guy :) Yay, I love this place.
(5)
Joshua W.

Chicago institution, period. Been coming since I was 10. Lived around the world and have never found a better roast chicken. It's just one of those places I crave when I am away. The fries are outstanding because they are born in the seasoned juices of the chicken Kalamata. It's cheap and outstanding, that's all there is to it.
(4)
M J.

I think I'm biased if you can call it that. Maybe I didn't do my homework (which is why this isn't one star) but passing by I saw athenian room as this cool greek place with a nice patio. When I went in it was just a stuffy fast food joint. Nothing much on the menu. The fries are good. They come with this vinegar dressing ( I think they call it greek dressing? ) and that is also another reason for the two stars. There is nothing spectacular about this place and I was just taken aback when I realized that's it's simple fast food you can get anywhere...
(2)
Meredith B.

The spinach pie was by far the best part of the meal. It was hot and the phyllo was crispy. The chicken kebab was take-out quality, and the liquid soaked through onto the fries making them cold and soggy. The entree really didn't have much good about it at all.
(2)
Lex N.

It doesn't get much better than this! Favorite Greek restaurant and I grew up in Greek Town... The Kalamata style chicken, skirt steak and gyro are my favorite meals. As for apps: the spanikopita and teramasalada (I don't know how to spell any of this...) are excellent. And the salad, the oh so simple salad, so good. I try to make this salad at home and it never tastes the same. Just the best. My favorite restaurant in Chicago. Been coming here since before I could speak.
(5)
Carol J.

My first apartment in the city was on Webster and I had to pass this humble little place on my way to work at the the late great Grant's Tavern. I can't tell you how many char grilled, sent from heaven burgers I've had with the the giant steak fries with a touch of mediterranian oil and spices drizzled upon them. Or the awesome Greek Salad. Or the famous kalamata olives I once mistook for beetles in my salad after a Grateful Dead show (whole different story). I've always had a soft spot in my heart for this little place and their juicy, moist Grecian chicken and fresh, fantastic food. Its good to see an old friend. After change upon change in the neighborhood, they are more or less the same.
(4)
Steph B.

I like Athenian Room. I do. However, I had THE weirdest experience there recently. Considering I've only been there for lunch and drank iced teas, I wasn't sure of their policy. A friend told me it was BYOB, so my friend and I brought a bottle of wine. We walked in to be seated, where we saw the hostess/waitress and who I assume was the owner. Before taking the wine out of its bag, I asked about the policy to make sure we weren't being presumptuous. She basically exploded at us, throwing her hands in the air, asking us WHY on earth do we and "everyone else today" think they are BYOB? She was quite rude to us, and we'd planned to leave. Luckily, a friendly server smoothed the situation over and we stayed, but it was quite puzzling. (Turns out, Athenian Room is attached to a bar, as previous Yelpers have noted. Guests can purchase alcohol there. Wish I knew this prior to my visit!) Ambiance is lacking, as is attentive service- it's not bad at all, just not commendable. Also, the time I went for lunch, we wanted to sit outside, but no one seemed to have any idea how to seat guests-- a line formed, and people waiting either left or had to sit inside, although we were willing to wait for outside seats. The kitchen set-up is too loud-- servers and bussers clanking plates and silverware around as if there aren't table surrounding the area. It'd be helpful to include that area behind closed doors, if possible, as it was distracting and loud! Food is pretty good here, and available at a pocketbook-friendly price, which is why I will most likely return. The Greek salad is a generous portion and the plates I've ordered are flavorful. The iced tea is yummy too. If service and/or atmosphere/noise improve, I'd knock Athenian Room up a star.
(3)
Stephanie T.

I went here for dinner the other night with 3 of my girlfriends and the whole experience was great. We arrived at the restaurant without reservations but were seated rather quickly in this small "we're all family" kind of place. The decorations are minimal but it still gave off a very warm vibe. As a group we decided to split a couple of the appetizers and house salads and they were all fantastic. As far as drinks, one of the girls went to the bar next door to get a glass of wine and the rest of us stuck with water but noted that there were no free refills on any soft drinks or iced tea (big bummer for me because I drink about 3 diet cokes over the course of a meal). As far as the main course goes, 2 of us had the chicken kabobs and 2 of us had the 1/2 chicken and by far and away the 1/2 chicken won. The chicken kabobs were pretty tough to eat because the chicken was so dry but the fries that came with it were really good (as was the pita). The 1/2 chicken was perfectly cooked so next time I come I will be ordering that for sure. All in all it was a good meal at an authentic/rustic feeling place and I will be returning soon.
(4)
Quinn M.

Disappointed that after 15 years of giving them business I was pushed behind three tables of two who were all behind me....after waiting for 15 minutes and watching couple after couple get seated before me I had to go give my business elsewere.
(1)
Lindsey C.

The service isn't so friendly, but there are two things I can say you can NOT go wrong with here. Kalamata chicken and skirt steak = delicious. Go for those two things and you can't go wrong. Best steak in the city for the price! There is very little variety on the menu, but at least they do those two things well.
(4)
Zoe M.

If you live in Old Town/ Lincoln park and want some decent Greek food without having to travel to Greek Town, this is a reliable spot. We love Webster, so the location to us is great! The menu is simple...not as many choices as a Greek Town restaurant. I appreciate the gyro spit, being Greek, I can't stand frozen pre-sliced gyros. This place does it right. The chicken souvlaki pita is yummy too. The decor is shabby-diner, old photos of Greek ruins on the walls and small tables. I'd opt for the patio on a nice day. Service is fast, but if you want any alcohol you have to bring it in from the pub next door. If I need some Greek food in a pinch, this is my spot. If I want more choices and some of my other favorites, I need to make the trip to Greek Islands!
(4)
emily m.

Had to write a review after eating my leftovers for lunch today. I have been coming here for over 6 years, and it is better then Greek town! I moved from LP to RP a few years back, and still make the trek down to LP just for this place!
(5)
brian w.

Don't listen to the haters. This place is fantastic, and hasn't been around since the early 70's by accident. Go with the Kalamata chicken or the skirt steak... For $10 you can have one of the most consistent and satisfying meals in the city. Two skewers of chicken breast, onion, red/green peppers served over Greek fries (olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper, lemon juice), and a pita with raw onion and tomatoes on the side. Perfect every time. Also, don't sleep on the side of feta or their salad.
(5)
Jo W.

Yummers. I came here today to meet Rob L for some lunch. I arrived before him, and there was a wait for a table. I hung out up front, watching the staff in the kitchen. The giant hunk of spiraling meat? Pretty awesome. We were seated towards the back of the dining room. Our server was nice and friendly. I ordered the chicken shish kebobs. Holy food, batman. I was presented with two skewers of chicken, pita bread, fries, and some sauce for the pita bread. It was a LOT of food. And it was damn good. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. I sampled some of the pita bread (sans sauce) and some fries and they were good as well (fries were really greasy, though), but the chicken alone filled me up quickly. I walked out of there stuffed and happy, and have leftovers in my fridge waiting to greet me tomorrow. It was also ridiculously cheap, which is always a plus. Great spot for a quick lunch. I'd definitely come back here.
(4)
Vishnu B.

This place could get away with having just one thing on the menu, but I would prefer it to at least serve two. On second thought, maybe a third option would help... Now, WITNESS THE NEW MENU: 1.) Kalimata Chicken, which is only 9 dollars and is probably the best chicken that I ever had. Maybe an exaggeration, but from from what I can remember it might have been. 2.) Feta ...yes, just the mini plate with a block of feta, because all you need is the creamy finish of a goat's cheese. 3.)Anything, because we have a computer in the back and a Whole Foods around the corner. If you have the time to wait a couple hours, we'll make anything. Please keep it Greek, because then it would be significantly easier. Also, we are a Greek restaurant in Lincoln Park (pull's collar)...get this guy outta here!!!
(5)
Anneliese K.

Love love love the Athenian Room. The food is delicious, and they make it so quickly! My favorite entree is the chicken kebab sandwich with Greek fries. So delicious! FYI, the Athenian Room is a great place to eat in the spring/summer/fall because you can enjoy the sunshine while you eat outdoors in the heart of Lincoln Park. In the winter, you can bring your food into Glascott's and have a beer with it. This is definitely a favorite!
(4)
Jason M.

This is exactly what you'd think it is. A fine, cheap, greek food place in Lincoln Park. The greek food selections are nothing to write home about, but they're certainly fine. There are two things that make it stand out: 1- It has a door that connects it to Glascott's. While there's nothing special about Glascott's, it does mean you can have this greek food while sipping on a decent beer from next door. 2- It has an old school charm that reminds me of restaurants I went to with my folks in the 80s. It just has that old Chicago feel.
(3)
Javier Q.

I came here to pick up an order of the pork shish kabob and the Greek fries. One I was disappointed with filling the cup halfway with soda and charging me $2 for it Smh.... The pork shish kabob was bland in flavor and I made better at home.....the Greek fries looked like a heart attack... I thought I was going to drop dead after eating half of the fries. Drenched in heavy oil, lemon, and vinegar. Would I come back....Nah... I'll stick to greektown for Yummy Greek food :)
(2)
Vincenzio S.

My Favorite place in Lincoln Park. Their Gyros is perfect not oily.... They have this greek red sauce that I use instead of the usual Tzatziki. The best fries on the planet make me crave this on a weekly basis. I have been going here since my parents took me since the early 80s. Great food & great owner Alex who always takes care of me and my family/friends. Giddy Up! Great Chicken too!
(5)
Lindsay D.

If you were to ask me what my favorite cuisine would be, Greek would be in last place. Athenian Room completely reinvented my taste buds for Greek-style plates. We ordered a bottle of white wine and ordered the strip steak, gyros plate and 1/2 chicken. Everything was incredibly flavored!!! The service was awesome and it was super crowded (which Ive noticed it always is). Its definitely crowded for a reason; this is a great greek restaurant hands-down. This is coming from me; the one who wouldnt have touched baklava with a 10-foot pole. Now all I can say is "OPA!"
(5)
Annie G.

Oh my gosh. The smells when you walk in to this place. Mouth watering. I'm sure the smells are meat smells, but I don't care. The restaurant is very simplistic. Same goes with the menu. I had gotten word that the Athenian Room served a bad-ass pita grilled cheese, otherwise known as the "Feta Pita." Try it. It rocked my world. Though I'm sure many of the other dishes are just as delicious. Now here comes my issue, which actually turned out to be a mixed-blessing. Here's a little history about my Coke consumption: I was born in August and my mom would always say, *in high-pitched mom voice* "That summer was the hottest summer San Francisco ever had!" So long story short, because of the heath my mom drank tons of Coke when she was pregnant with me and thus engendered my Coke addiction. Now fast forward to 24 years, and 107 days (yes, I counted) later. I look down at the drink selections and see, "Coke (No Free Refills)." I do a robot-like scan of the room and spot the size of the Coke glasses. Tiny. Panic starts to set in. I start doing the math on how much it would be if I paid for each and every refill that my body would need to function. This is where I have to give Athenian Room some props. One glass of Coke was enough. I made that glass last my whole meal and I'm probably a lot healthier because of it. No Coke hangover for me. And then our sweet waitress brought over some Baklava on the house. Props.
(5)
Meghan S.

I have been coming here for years, since I was a kid. This place is not huge and does not serve alcohol, but you can bring over alcohol from the attached bar. The Kalamata Chicken is the best thing on the menu, but everything is good. The prices are so reasonable, especially for the amount of food you get. Whenever I have people visiting me from out of town I always bring them here. It is convenient, good, and inexpensive, you really can't go wrong.
(5)
KM I.

Oh how I love A-room. It is very Americanized but everything is delicious. You cannot go wrong with gyros, a Greek salad, a cheeseburger....and especially the terramosalata. So delish, just don't ask what it is made of. The owners here are super sweet. I'd like their baklava to be a little less sweet though.
(5)
Katie S.

I went here at the recommendation of a friend who knows the owners - the food is great (I recommend the skirt steak with greek fries, delicious and a great deal at $15), and the service is usually pretty good though can feel a bit rushed. One waitress I had a few weeks ago left something to be desired (maybe I had the same person as Aaron A., as she seemed to disappear after the food was brought out to us.) It's also sort of annoying that you have to go buy your booze yourself and bring it over from the bar next door. 4 stars for the food, closer to 3 for the service - wish there was a 3.5 star option but I'll round up and go with 4.
(4)
Eliza B.

Everyone seems to love this place but I don't really get it. The atmosphere is ok and the food is not anything special as far as authentic Greek goes. If you're looking for a standard gyro or a half chicken come here but if you want some delicious, authentic greek food stuck to Greek town.
(2)
Stephanie M.

We really enjoyed our dinner here! I had the Kalamata Chicken dinner and hubby had the Gyro Dinner. It was reasonably priced, good sized portions, and a lot of flavor! Good baklava! Not great atmosphere and kinda cramped. Our server was nice and very attentive. I would go back for the chicken!! I'm with Tina on that one!
(4)
Scott J.

This plpace is the best damn Greek in the entire city. And i'm not just saying that as an Irsish-American who doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm saying this as a friend of many Greek-Americans and straight FOB Greeks who have all agreed with this statement. This is from Greeks who live in Greek-town (not literally) and would never wanna be caught dead saying that there's something better. The food is amazing! Absolutely some of the most authentic Greek food you can find in the city. Another thing i love about this place is that you can get a REAL GREEK SALAD. A salad WITHOUT LETTUCE, just cucumbers, tomatos, olives, onions, feta, olive oil and vinegar. Its called the villager's salad, i highly recommend it. Also, the Greek platter is great for the money. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants some great Greek food.,
(5)
Alexis F.

This is the place to go if you are craving a home cooked meal and your mother was Greek!
(5)
Laura C.

By far one of my favorite places to go to in the city. I am always suggesting this place to friends who haven't been there. The food is great, inexpensive and comes out quickly...what more could you ask for? During the spring and summer months you can sit outside on a nice night. Athenian Room doesn't have a liquor license, but is right next to a bar and provides you with easy access to order your drinks from there! My family and I go to Athenian Room or get it to go at least once a month (sounds pathetic, but we love it!) and I suggest you do the same!
(5)
Kara B.

As a Greek woman I am disgusted that the Athenian Room purports to serve "Greek Food." My table of five tried the feta (which was inedible), the Greek Salad, the Gyros and the Kalamata Chicken. All of the food was absolutely horrible. The Greek Salad had almost no dressing, lacked onions (a basic requirement for a Greek salad) and had limp lettuce. It was unacceptable as a regular salad, but as a Greek salad it was criminal. The gyros was equally bad, with pre-packaged tzasiki and disturbing mystery meat. On the up side, the pita bread was hot and fresh. Finally, their specialty Kalamata Chicken was horrendous. It looked like a large, cooked rat which was made all the more concerning by its greasy, odd texture. Despite being doused in an oily lemon juice/oregano sauce the chicken itself was dry and tasteless. I was terribly disappointed. To add to the pile of complaints, our waitress was incredibly rude. The restaurant was empty but she took almost 20 minutes to come to our table. When she did, it was like she was doing us a favor by taking our order. Needless to say, I have no plans to return.
(1)
Karl M.

The Kalamata Chicken. I've never had anything but this dish. The chicken is roasted to a golden brown crispy perfection, served on a bed of thick cut french fries and a tasty vinegar sauce. It is preempted by a simple iceberg salad with feta and olive oil. The bread is great for sopping up the rest of the juice but don't fill up on it before you get the bird!!!
(5)
Lenene W.

Found this place by accident, and so glad we did. Everything looked so good, we asked the table next to us what they were having and literally told the waitress we would just have the same thing they ordered the same way. The bf got the gyro salad that was huge and I got the Kalamata chicken. The chicken was so good that embarrassingly I ate the whole thing. I was sad because I couldn't take it home but it was just so good. The staff was friendly and so was the vibe in the place.
(4)
Mike P.

The gyro is great here but the lady (i assume owner) that works the front counter is potentially one of the rudest individuals that I've come across. With anything, it's best to schmooze her until she can't possibly be mean to you. Frankly, however, I love the place. Great greek food, you might even call it a grecian delight.
(3)
Keith M.

Salads were good, Greek chicken and fries were well seasoned and tasty. The chicken kabob was dry and bland.
(3)
Susan F.

For going here as much as I do, I have never written a review! How silly This place is so cute and in such a nice area of town. The staff is very friendly and while man Greek restaurants have a very limited menu, I'll give it to Athenian Room to extend the regular menu. I usually get the chicken breast shish kebob for a little over 5 dollars. IT includes about 6 chunks of chicken with veggies in a pita with a big side of tazhiki sauce with is always delicious! They also have really good charbroiled burgers and the chicken dinner are HUGE..Imagine...pretty much a roasted half chicken, no joke! The service is sooo fast here that it's worth a bus ride or a walk. THe best part is that Glascott's, the bar right next to it, takes order from there too, so you can enjoy Athenian Room at the bar next door!
(4)
Patrick C.

Cheap. Good. Fast. This place is exactly what I wanted it to be. My wife and I had a salad and the chicken and it was all damn good. We will see you again.
(5)
George R.

(Hi, Momma!) If you care for great, traditional, well prepared, tasty Greek fare, head to the Athenian Room. The owners are always working and supervising the kitchen. They demand quality from their staff. The food is prepared the same every time in the most compact kitchen in Lincoln Park. Everything is good, including the very pleasant staff of waitresses and bussers. They always welcome you and they always provide fresh water for the dogs on the patio. You can get beverages from Glasgott's next door, which is a great relationship for those after-sports dinners. They cater to larger groups. And, the prices are very reasonable for a hefty dose of the best Greek food in Chicago. Take it from me, the Athenian Room is fantastic!
(5)
Krisi I.

OMFG !!!! i loooooove this place. it is small, romantic, casual and in the back of. glasscott's. the food is always great - especially the steak, the fries and the sauce they put it in. gyros is also excellent. the service - we always get one of two waitresses - the twins - they are superb. atmosphere is laid back and you always feel welcome parking sucks we never have to wait longer than five minutes for a table and did i mention it is so reasonable priced? yes ...... next time if you want to go on a date or just a casual dinner this is the place :))
(5)
KuangYou C.

To be honest, the food here is not as good as Greek Island. However, the price is pretty decent. I went there with two other friends. I ordered the gyros dinner. My friends ordered the shrimp set and the kal***** chicken (not sure the name). Gyros...not bad but a little bit salty. Chicken is average but definitely big enough for your stomach. I didn't eat shrimp, but my friend said it is normal. We ordered the cheese appetizer but we don't really like the taste.
(3)
Alex M.

I've been going here for years..probably since '85. Everything I've had is good. it's funny, I always tell people to get the chicken, but I almost always get the skirt steak. I've had the chicken, skirt steak, gyros, shish-k-bob, the Greek burger (on a pita with a good amount of feta). There is good soup in the winter and the baklava is good for dessert. The other thing is nothing has changed - the pictures on the walls, the placemats, etc. One of the owners are always there, too. 5 stars.
(5)
Heather D.

After several hours of day drinking, all I wanted was a village salad, feta, fries and tzatziki (odd combo, I know). As I was looking over the menu, they had a vegetarian salad with fries, pita, tzatziki & greek salad! What's not to love about a salad with fries on top? It was delish! I would've given the Athenian Room 5 starts but they don't deliver. :( But otherwise, it's a casual restaurant, reasonably priced and the food is fantastic!
(4)
Carolina P.

This place is awesome!!! The greek fries are heaven and so is the tarmasalata. I can't spell it, but its wonderful. Also the service is very fast and the entrees are pretty inexpensive. Just don't expect a refill. Water yes soda no.
(5)
Scott S.

The Menu offers little wiggle room for picky eaters but if you just enjoy good delicious Fresh Greek, then go to Athenian Room. Order the Kalamatta chicken and be done with it!
(4)
Richie D.

Ah, definitely not Greek town. The prices are great because they are not pricey. The Greek-style fries are also yummy with a lemon kick to them. Their gyros were some of the best I've ever had, so that's what I'd recommend. You have tons that you can take some home as left-overs. The atmosphere is nothing too special. It's definitely great for its location and prices.
(4)
Jonathan F.

3.5 stars! This little place isn't much to look at, but the food is really good. I grabbed some shrimp, pitas and tzatziki for an appetizer and it was delicious! I want to take a half-star for the creepy patron staring at me while waiting for his food...seriously a weirdo. Not gonna phase me! BYOB'ers take note: the listing on Yelp says BYOB but it *technically* only applies to wine purchased next door. I, being of the belief that the standard rules and caveats of society apply not to me, found a way around this: talk to the waitress...she knows what to do. Service was fast, food arrived hot and properly cooked...I can't type any more I'm hungry now!
(3)
Maria G.

OMG! Delicious, fresh and authentic Greek fare....what more do you want?!! Seriously, this place was very low key, family friendly with great service and mouth-watering food. It has become a go to neighborhood stop for me. I suggest it becomes yours too!!
(4)
A M.

This place is really, really good, some of the best restaurant chicken I've ever had. The salad is really good, and I love the seasoning they use to make the Greek fries. Also, terrific gyros.
(5)
Jonathan T.

I wish I liked this place better because it's in Lincoln Park but unfortunately it doesn't hold a candle to Greektown. I thought the food was a little greasy, too tangy/acidic, and not that authentic. But it is really cheap.
(2)
Ares D.

A great spot in Lincoln Park, you will be greeted at the door by the welcoming long time managers. The Athenian Room never disappoints with tasty (and big) portions of the best Greek and Greek American food. The house fries are a must.
(5)
Toby M.

This is a staple of mine.
(5)
Dana D.

I heart this place. I always get carry out, and it's as fast as going through a drive-thru! While I only go back and forth between two dishes - the Greek salad with chicken shish kabob and the chicken shish kabob dinner - it just never gets old. I can always count on a good meal here!
(5)
Austin L.

It's cheap, it can be healthy, it's fast (if you need that), and everyone's incredibly friendly. I'd give it a 3 and 1/2 if I could (or knew how) just because it's a pain to go the adjoining bar Glascott's to get any alcoholic beverages. Still, my fiance and I go there all the time and we love it. Try the skirt steak...you'll be pleasantly surprised...
(4)
mari a.

At one time in my life I too was a carnivore, and this is where I came to indulge. I also must admit that the Athenian room has single handedely tore me from my vegetarian convictions on more then one occasion. So vegetarians, if you're thinking about losing your religion. . . here's a couple of recomendations: The skirt steak Alexandros is an absolutly scrumptious tender piece of meat, loaded with Meditaranean spice, and the Greek fries that accompany it are moist from swimming in the delicious Greek vinaigrette, but still maintain a nice crunch! The subtle spice delivered from the Greek fries is unforgettable! I must not leave without saying a word about the charburgers, the BEST burger in CHICAGO. And I'm out!
(5)
Amanda C.

This review is based on taking a gyro to go into Glascott's next door. I'm not a huge gyro fan but had to eat something and I will say it was pretty good. It was enormous and I split it with a friend. Comes with a lot of really good fries which I think are homemade from potatoes. The woman at the cash register wasn't too friendly but that could be because we were from the bar. She did let us bring the plate and silverware with us though. A gyro is probably the cheapest thing on the menu at $9. I might try their other items sometime and sit down- the restaurant area looked cozy.
(3)
tony c.

this is a pretty good little place. gyros are decent. greek fries are better elsewhere (maybe i set the bar a little high. i love greek fries. (try cross-rhodes!)) the people are very friendly, the food is just not all that mind-blowing. it's priced accordingly to the area, which you can't help, but it's just not that great for the price. decent though.
(3)
Gabe L.

I went for the 2nd time last night and it did not disappoint. I can't get over the delicious of the gyros and the greek fries. 3 of us ordered Greek salads with gyros (huge portion, lots of meat), sodas, olives, spanikopita, and 2 orders of greek fries and the total bill with tax and tip was $57. This may be the best value restaurant in Chicago. While a lot of people have posted about the amazingness of the Chicken i can't imagine ever not ordering the gyros here. I will be going back frequesntly.
(4)
Bridget B.

I have been to the top three greek places in Greek Town and the food does not compare to this little hole in the wall. I have literally been dining at the Athenian Room for over 25 years. Nothing has changed since then. The food is consistantly delicious, fresh and reasonably priced. The service is consistantly unconsistant but the food and atmosphere is so perfect, I have gotten over it. (The tall european lady has been there FOREVER and it shows. She is unfriendly and needs a career change. She is not even an owner, just a hostess. They usually have like one nice server at a time and very friendly and helpful bus staff but that's about it. Either way, I have lived in chicago my whole life and Athenian Room is by far my favorite restuarant. The skirt steak is to die for and the kalamata chicken is amazing. Spinach Pie (spanakopita) is a MUST !! Glasscotts next store is awesome as well, one crabby bartender but all the rest are really nice and they have good specials.
(4)
Natalie T.

I only eat spinach pie and salads at Greek joints and both were OK. Spinach pie didn't have the dill I like to taste or any other spices for that matter. Salad had high quality feta but a watery oil dressing. The bread was fabulous, chewy like a baguette, which surprised me. We wanted rice though, and after being told they have a rice lemon soup but no rice, the server said they had Greek fries. I asked: what are Greek fries? She said they are like French fries. I said OK, so they are essentially French fries renamed 'Greek fries.' She didn't think I was funny. Then she said that the Greek Fries are french fries with Greek sauce on them. Well, I didn't want fries but that was a pretty funny conversation. The host who sat us was very friendly and seemed to be dressed like a priest. Relaxing vibe. Nothing spectacular--just a homey joint with renamed fries.
(3)
Elizabeth P.

After hearing everyone talk about the Athenian Room, I decided to finally give it a shot. The restaurant has been open since 1972, same owner, same location - they must be doing something right! And they are. All I can say is, I'm hooked. I went with my husband and a couple of our friends. We started of with the taramosalata, a tasty spread served with warm, fresh pitas. I was a bit worried to try it at first since I am not a fan of caviar, but all my worries are now gone. We ordered a couple of spanakopitas, warm gooey spinach and feta in a crisp filodough, straight out of the oven. We also started off with the large greek salad, (only 7 dollars and more than enough for us to share) which came with kalamata olives and a HUGE slab of feta on top, drizzled in an oil and vinegar dressing. For dinner, my husband ordered the skirt steak. A long, lean piece of tender steak, served with those greek fries, in that famous wine sauce of theirs! AMAZING. I ordered the chicken kalamata, which apparently Tina Fey said is the best chicken in Chicago. And it was - a half chicken served in that wine sauce on top of a pile of greek fries, with a side salad. Crisp, cooked right to the perfect point, tender white and dark meat - I finally know what all the fuss was about. One of our friends ordered the greek feta charburger - I did not really understand why someone would order a burger at a Greek restaurant, but after trying it, I do now. Our other friend ordered the gyros dinner and they really liked it. The staff was very friendly, our server was very respectful and attentive, checking back on us several times. The only bad thing I can say would be the wait - we did have to wait for about 15-20 minutes before being seated, but hey, if everyone else is waiting, that can only mean the food is worth the wait. Also, they do not accept American Express, only Visa or Mastercard, which I wish we had known before. All in all, we were very pleased with our food and we will definitely be going again! The portions are HUGE, the prices are CHEAP (especially for lincoln park!), the staff was friendly, and the food was delicious.
(5)
Jamie O.

I enjoy the simple atmosphere of this local Greek joint. It does well for what it advertises, reasonably priced, tasty Greek street food. Had their chicken kabob and found the chicken flavorful and fries indulgent.
(2)
Michelle M.

The Greeek Fries and Feta Burger are not found any where else as good....I have been going here for years! There is nothing that beats this great little place! EXCELLENT!!!
(5)
Wayne L.

Me my husband and my kids walked in around 4:30 pm for dinner and we just stood there for what it seemed a very aquared long time before somebody said anything. It was not busy at all waitresses are standing in a corner nobody taking the initiative to say anything. Finally the owner gruffly had us sit down. We all ordered the gyros and it was dry and plain. The fries it came with were nothing special. We wanted to go there because we saw a segment onTV Chicago's best. We won't be going there again ever. It is nothing special the food was just ok. Mikeys gyros would have been better and cheaper!!!lol
(1)
Jenny N.

I live a few blocks from here and can't believe I don't go here more often seeing as I LOVE IT. So I guess my 5 star review can only be for the Greek salad, Greek fries, gyros and baklava as that is all I've ever ordered from here, but they're really good. Their gyros are big with tomatoes, onions and good tzatziki. Good service, cute outdoor seating area. It's BYOB but you can also go Glascotts, the bar next door, and bring over a drink from there.
(5)
Eric D.

i'm perplexed by reviews that claim "it doesn't get any better than the athenian room". while i acknowledge that their greek fries-- generously cut steak fries bathed in vinegar and seasoning salt-- are quite tasty, their gyro underwhelms in every way. the athenian room offers only one choice of meat for their gyro (which may be a matter of semantics, although other restaurants offer lamb, chicken, etc.), a beef-lamb blend that tastes like every average italian beef sandwhich i've ever eaten... a true disappointment, especially for a dedicated greek restaurant. when a restaurant offers a limited menu, i hold the expectation that what they do offer should be fantastic. far from it, the gyro at the athenian room barely qualifies as "good". further, i've knocked a star off of what would otherwise be a two star review because of the treatment i received when ordering my meal. the responses i received to simple questions about the menu were met with a tone of derision that bordered on pretension, and i was made to feel like a child for ordering an additional condiment with my gyro. i felt as if i was being rushed through my order, even though i was one of only five patrons in the entire restaurant, and the only person ordering take-out. if i had gone to say, the weiner's circle, this type of customer service would be charming; i've never experienced this kind of treatment at a greek restaurant, though. i can put up with average food... that alone is never reason enough not to return to a restaurant. but when food is this average and customer service is this poor, you can bet that i've given the athenian room my last dollar.
(1)
Aneesh N.

Maybe because I go to UIC and therefore am right next to Greektown I'm just spoiled, I don't know. But, I went here hoping for something significantly better than what I got. I ordered the pork tenderloin (shish-kabob) dinner. It looked good when I got it, but the meat was quite dry, and didn't have a great deal of flavor. Additionally, I don't understand what makes the "greek fries" so great. The prices aren't terrible, but I felt that I should've been getting more for my money. However, I'm definitely not knocking the service. Great service, very nice server, didn't wait too long for my meal. Next time I want greek food, I'm not leaving greektown.
(2)
Leang E.

It's a very simple place that does an alright job. It was warm enough to sit outdoors, but it's not a large patio. The menu was straightforward and to the point. They didn't have anything elaborate on there, and I'm thinking not really like Greektown. We started with a salad and the pita bread with taziki sauce and feta cheese. I had the Chicken Kalamata, and it was fabulous. I love the crispy skin of the chicken and most of the fries were still crispy and hot over the lemon sauce. We didn't have room for any baklava, but I wouldn't doubt that it was just as yummy. It's a very affordable meal, and our waitress was pretty attentive and nice. It's nice to have this place in the Lincoln Park area.
(4)
Araceli R.

nice place my boss took me to this greek restaurant and i like it the menu is small , simple and delicius she order taramosalata for appetizer then she have a chicken kalamata style for me skirt steak alexandros style very good and pita bread soo we come back w / my family :)
(4)
Luciana B.

Best. Steak. Ever. I could eat these until I literally die of over-consumption of amazing steak. Try it. You will not be sorry. And if you are, you clearly have inferior taste buds.
(5)
Fuffie G.

The food is always decent and it's definitely cheap, but the owners are also becoming a little too cheap. I think it's crappy that they charge you extra if you want feta in your Greek salad? What?? Isn't that one of the main ingredients in a Greek salad? Also, they have Heinz Ketchup bottles on the table but uh uh uhhhh...it's not Heinz Ketchup in the bottles...cheap and tacky. The last time I was there there was a sign that says no cell phones when you walk in and when I was leaving there was a man screaming at the owner that people were on their cell phones. Isn't that more disturbing than a person actually talking on the phone??? Greek Islands isn't that much more and it's a much nicer environment.
(2)
Carlo N.

Though the thought of not having Saganaki or Lemon Rice soup at a Greek Restaurant shocked me; a little patience can go a long way. The food there was amazingly good. The gyros was on par and the Greek Fries were great! Feta cheese as an app surely made me forget about Saganaki. We also ordered the skirt steak...hands down one of the best marinated skirt steaks I have ever had. Not an ounce of dryness to the steak and they go so well with the Greek Fries. Go with an open mind and try this place out; Great food at a reasonable price. I'm looking to go back this weekend!
(4)
Adam T.

To be honest, it's not "5 stars" in the sense of "most amazing restaurant of all time"--it's "5 stars" in the sense of "best Greek food I've had in years--and I've been to Greece!" Just had lunch at the Athenian Room--Lemon Rice soup followed by Chicken Shishkabob with Greek fries, tsatsiki, pita--all for under 10 bucks! In short: amazingly good food, friendly service, and of course--the perfect location (I heart Lincoln Park!).
(5)
Jeff M.

Went there this evening. Sitting by the street. Food was bad. I ordered a large salad with tuna. It cost $9. The salad had three things in it: lettuce, olive and tuna. That was it! Nothing else! The portion was small and the salad was oily. The tuna was straight from a can - stale. When we made the order, the waitress asked if we wanted feta cheese. I was like, "Of course!" Wasn't it a Greek restaurant? I thought all Greek salad came with feta cheese. At the end, we were shell-shocked to see that each side of feta cheese cost us $2.50. Bad bad bad. Service was horrible. We were sitting outside. We, like all other customers, were constantly running out of water. No one came to refill. People from tables were asking for refills every now and then. Service was non-existent. But the worst part was when we tried to settle the check. There were four of us and we wanted to split the check. However, the waitress said no. We went inside and tried to make it work at the cashier. The cashier said it was too complicated for them and she refused to recalculate. She told us calculate on our own if we wished. WTF? Couldn't they use a calculator to do some quick math? After all, the receipt was hand-written. It was not even typed! The quality of the food and the service level were shameful. The price was way too high for this kind of food! Avoid at all cost!
(1)
caesar j.

Chicken Kalamta!!!!! Best Chicken in town! Tasty food and Fast service with reasonable pricing! It is too good to be true! Even 30 Rock agrees with us: hulu.com/watch/187122/30â€¦
(5)
Eric M.

My wife and I would run past this place during our workouts and the smell almost made us stop multiple times it was that good. We finally set up a date to go try them out. I have to say I was let down. The decor is so lowkey it almost seems like they don't care. The locations of tables is also odd, ours was right next to the wall in-between two other tables. It was that "too close for comfort" feeling. Our server was nice but rarely visited us. We were only checked on our drinks once and when we were finished eating our plates sat at our table for a good ten minutes. As for the food, it's not that great. I ordered their half-chicken which was burnt in spots and really had no seasoning. It's not a great sign when Boston Market does chicken better than you. I wouldn't recommend this place to people and suggest you head to Greektown for better food.
(2)
Joe I.

YahSU, The Athenian Room is a bedrock of the Lincoln Park restaurant scene (this place has been in the neighborhood forever). This restaurant exists somewhere between fine dining and home cooked meal. Right when you enter, your greeted by Anna or her husband (owners), usually you can get a seat in minutes (even on the busier nights). This place serves up a solid menu of Mediterranean fare, but the best dishes on the menu are the Chicken Kalamata Dinner or the Gyros. Portions are generous so bring an appetite. *Side Note: this restaurant does not serve alcohol, but you can go next door to Glascott Saloon and bring over whatever you like (the two spaces are adjoined). !
(5)
Katy W.

Went on a friday night and it was hard to find parking. Got the Kalamata chicken which was scrumptous, and my friend loved the fries. Didn't have to wait for a table. Not the cleanest restaurant.
(4)
Kerry C.

I got here at least once/two weeks. I get the same thing every time: Chicken Kebab Salad. My boyfriend always gets the Chicken Kalamata Style. I always steal his Greek Fries. For $18 for meals + tip, it cannot get any better. You don't go here for a burger. You go here for greek food. The salads are for some reason SO AMAZING even though it's just iceberg, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers. I don't know what it is but it's always so crisp! I love this place and hope I never move too far away to deter my frequent visits. Oh, and my boyfriend's family has been coming her for over 25 years. It's THAT good.
(5)
Eric S.

Go get you some feta! Everything is great and easy on the wallet.
(5)
Bryant C.

I'm not going to take much time on this one. I like to consider myself somewhat of a gyro expert. The gyro was sub-par. The spinach pie was ok. Frankly, everyone elses salads seemed to have some weird combinations. I can't even exactly remember what made me think they were weird, but I know everyone else just thought they were ok. That's it....
(3)
Tina W.

We have eaten at this restaurant many times and really enjoy coming in the summer to sit al fresco. The food is great, quick typical Greek food and I love the Greek fries. The problem for me is the service. How many times must you return to an establishment where service is less than desirable? For me it has been one too many! We live in Lincoln Park and like the convenience of this restaurant, but I value my hard earned money and will not be giving this place any more chances. I want to have a pleasant experience when I eat out (and do understand that all restaurants have off days, but not consistently). Off to Greek Town we go from now on and I suggest you do the same. Unless you prefer less than satisfactory service.
(2)
Josh E.

You know what two things I love to get whenever I go to a Greek restaurant? Saganaki and lemon rice soup. The first thing I noticed about the menu is that there wasn't any saganaki. The waitress explained this was because their kitchen wasn't big enough (huh?). Then I saw they had a soup of the day. Luckily the day I was there it was lemon rice (whew!). With all that behind us, my brother and I each got some soup (wonderful), split some feta (I'll take whatever kind of cheese I can get) and shared some chicken kabobs with Greek fries (perfect seasoning). Everything was great and at the end the waitress even brought over a piece of baklava on the house. If only they'd had saganaki...
(4)
Corey R.

Just thinking about this place is making my mouth water. I've been twice. I have had the Kalamata Chicken twice. I want it again, now. It's a simple dish, really. But perfect. You get to start with a nice greek salad while you wait for the chicken. Not too big, not too small. Just the right pre-meal size and not drowning in dressing. Then your chicken arrives. It's a thing of beauty. Roasted and seasoned to perfection. Crispy skin, juicy chicken. Sitting on a bed of fries that are the best in the city. All resting in a sauce that is indescribably tasty. Olive oil, lemon, rosemary and other seasonings. I like to dip the fries in and then use them to mop the sauce onto the chicken. It's huge, too and inexpensive! I'm picky about restaurants and I have nothing bad to say about Athenian Room.
(5)
Sharon S.

Went to the Athenian Room last night for quick dinner and indeed it was. We waited a short 5 min for outdoor seating and my friend and I both ordered gyro sandwiches. Impressively the sandwiches came in less than 5 min! It was crazy fast. We didn't order too much as we were just grabbing a quick fix but it was fast and delicious. I would definitely recommend it and go there again. They're also partially connected to the bar next door. I don't think Athenian Room has a bar but it seems you can just walk to the bar next door and order something there. The 2 establishments also share the same bathrooms.
(4)
Ang R.

I officially don't get the 5 star ratings for this place. I've had better gyros from little fast food joints. I was very excited about the prospect of great gyros so close to home, and I'm completely disappointed. The greek salad is a joke, and the greek fries were not good. The pitas had a funny musty taste, and the tzatiki was pretty normal. Again, I've had better at little fast food joints. And you know what? It wasn't THAT cheap. Not cheap enough to justify the quality of the food, that's for sure. I will not be going back. I guess when I want gyros, I'll have to go with the fast food type, or trek out to greektown.
(2)
Lisa S.

The Athenian Room is near are house and we were told that the fries alone were worth the trip. Good advice. My husband had the steak, loved it. Very tender, marinade is great, fries soaked up all the great goodness. I had the chicken gyro. It was fairly average, but was served so hot I needed a napkin to hold it. Would like to return to try the gyro, and the 1/2 roasted chicken that a majority of the restaurant was eating during our meal.
(4)
John R.

quick, indulgent and damn reasonable, this place made for a great pre-game this past Sunday before heading to Soldier Field. I had the Gyros plate and a small greek salad...friggin' great stuff -- total gluttony, but really good. random, but i'm a fan of a great fountain soda and this place did not disappoint - perfect mix of fizz and syrup... also, they have a bunch of sidewalk tables, great for a lazy outdoor lunch!
(4)
A S.

I have an addiction - Kalamata Chicken + Greek Fries! The place is packed over the weekend. Would be easier to go during the week. The food is unbelievable and good price too.
(5)
Noah B.

Bad Service - Great Food. I continue to eat here because of the great food and the cheap prices, but don't expect a lot of attention from your server. Fat chance on getting a drink refill. After you make your order and get your food you're not likely to see the waitress again until the bill comes.
(3)
Elizabeth K.

This place is always jam packed, but today it looked slow so my friend and I went there for lunch. Neither of us had ever been there and we wanted to check it out. The menu was pretty limited. I ordered the grilled cheese pita, which is exactly what it sounds like. No, it's not hard to melt american cheese on a pita, but it was still really good. The Greek fries were delicious, kind of oily but I think that's the point. The waitress was really nice and attentive and she even gave us a free baklava, which was yummy. A filling meal for two people for under $20 at a Lincoln Park restaurant is a great deal. I'll go back for my grilled cheese pita again.
(4)
Trey B.

If only they delivered! Try the Gyros dinner with a greek salad on the side! Scrumptious! Yes, you will have leftover's. Great cheddar burgers too! FYI, if you feel like drinking booze, have no fear, Glascott's Bar is connected to the restaurant. I now you can get it delivered via postmates.com ! wooo hooo!
(4)
Michelle L.

Great Greek food at a decent price. I love the Gyros sandwich and they give you plenty of meat to make 2 sandwiches (just ask for an extra pita). The staff is nice, and service is quick. Gives you the authentic feeling...even out of Greek town. Sit down is a little tight and overcrowded and you have to go next door for alcohol (not too bad). But I prefer for take-out. I used to live down the street and eat here once every couple weeks, but if you are in the LP/DePaul area, it's a great take out place.
(4)
Don M.

Great family style greek restaurant. Best calamatta chicken in Chicago. The owners are the nicest people you can meet.
(5)
Carl S.

Fantastic!! My favorite dish is the Gyros dinner with extra sauce on the Greek Fries. Yes, it is an accurate statement that the fries here are soggy. This is due to the fact that they are soaking in one of the greatest greek red wine/vinaigrette sauces ever invented. So many flavors bursting out of it! And the meat couldn't be better! NOTE: try to aviod a lot of sauce if you have any canker sores in your mouth, ouch!
(5)
Christy C.

OPA!!! I was CRAVING Saganaki like a wild woman and I live in Lincoln Park, so where the heck else would I go other than Athenian Room?! Much to my dismay Athenian Room does not have Saganaki (fried greek cheese). Why no Saganaki? I ordered a salad and had to ask for Feta cheese because it didn't come on it (wtf?) and our waitress forgot to bring it :( Maybe I was the red headed step child of the restaurant because I just noticed in someones review that they got free bread and I did not. I think it was a Monday and Gladscott's was having $3 glasses of wine so that was awesome cuz you get your own drinks from Gladscott's- only if your sitting outside. So make sure you sit outside if you're lookin to wash your meal down with something from the bar.
(3)
Fred S.

This is a good "dive". The food is good, not great. The food is cheap, and you get a ton of it. I would definitely disagree with the reviewers who have suggested that the food is better than in Greektown, but I think that comparison is pretty unfair to the Athenian Room. This is a sandwich, gyros, souvlaki sort of place... What it tries to do it manages to do well. I ordered the gyros platter, and it comes with the fries that everyone raves about. They are good. They are the big, thick steak fries that you find so often at Greek restaurants in Chicago. The sauce that they put on the fries is really tasty; I think this might have been the first time in years that I didn't put ketchup on french fries. The gyros were flavorful, but dried out. The tzatziki is simply bizarre. It has the consistency of cream cheese. It is tasty, but I prefer the "typical" texture for tzatziki. The gyros platter also comes with tomatoes and onions and a large pita. To be sure, this isn't health food. Perhaps the most bizarre thing that I observed at the Athenian room - they serve soft drinks(pop, ice tea), but you don't get a refill. So, for a $1.35 you get a single glass of pop and no refills. To their credit, they are very clear about this on the menu. I looked around the restaurant, though, and everyone appeared to be drinking water. Hmmm... I wonder why? Dinner for two of us was a whopping $18.50 - and I was full until lunch the next day. The service was great. Our waitress was very friendly and remarkably fast.
(3)
Steve B.

The atmosphere is nothing special - just your typical diner, but this place has great food at cheap prices. Possibly the best Greek food outside of Greek Town in the city. All the reviews are spot-on. The Chicken Kalamata is amazing, and the greek fries are awesome! My wife had the gyros and they were very good as well. This place isn't your typical BYOB - they don't serve alcohol, but if you want a drink you can sneak through "the magic red door" and grab a drink from the bar next door and bring it back to your table. Beware: the waitress will ask if you want feta cheese with your salad (which is great - highly recommend it), or pita with your entree, but they charge you for every single item. Everything is a la carte. Overall, we had a great experience and we will definitely be back again.
(4)
Tohru O.

Take it from Tina Fey: hulu.com/watch/187122/30â€¦
(4)
Joe M.

mmmmm mmmmm MMMMM GOOD! So I'm walking along Halsted on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I have friends in from out of town and they want to do some shopping. I could take them to 900 N. Michigan, but why go to a mall when you can go for a nice stroll and check out the boutiques. And then it happens... Hunger Strikes, unsuspectingly, like a flash flood sweeps across the Sahara, out of nowhere like a bolt of lightening on a lazy summer evening. Frazzled and confused I scramble for solutions. I'm the native, I should have all the answers, but I don't... I've never eaten in this neighborhood before..... Then panic begins to take over. My though process is clouded and irrational... I'm asking myself all the wrong questions; Why did this happen to me? How did I get myself into this situation? Why???? STOP! a warm soothing wave of comfort crashes against the shores of my frantic disposition and washes all the fear and uncertainty away..... sweet relief Aha Greek food... Hearty in nature, moderate in price; love is the emotion I reserve for you...
(5)
ak a.

Always consistently good! Great taramosalata and bread! Chicken lemon soup is great as well as their chicken Kalamata, gyros and skirt steak. Fast, great service! I can usually find parking on the street, too. Good baklava! Get wine or drinks at bar that is attached next door.
(4)
JP D.

No complaints here. I live right next to this place so I've been here a number of times, mostly for lunch. I came here for dinner once with my girlfriend and noticed something odd. This was a big date place. Lots of people were here on one-on-one dates. The ambiance, surprisingly, fit the bill at night. The only negative is the no alcohol rule, (although you can walk to Glasscotts)
(4)
Craig Glenn S.

Love, love this place! It's basic, simple and GOOD. I get the same thing every time so I can just tell you to get the chicken shish-kabob dinner (I get my fries dry)... be prepared to wait if you come on the weekend... I'd personally wait a little longer for outdoor seating if weather permits. Go there and love it! Love the owners too;-)
(5)
Dan W.

Chicken Kalmata. Seriously. It's amazing.
(5)
Melissa H.

Decided to checkout this place since we love Greek food. Salad was good, but the feta was lacking flavor (feta in Greece is amazingly flavorful) and there were no olives in the salad...but the egg lemon rice soup was delicious!! I had the fried shrimp dinner and hubster had the kalamata chicken...both had the lemon juice on the bottom of the plate where the fries were soaking it all in. We will definitely be back! It's a cozy restaurant that was very different from typical Lincoln Park restaurants.
(4)
Rob L.

I will say this. Its an okay place. I met Jo W for lunch here a few days ago and I had to think about how I felt about this place. It was good. But, really, nothing I want to run back for. It had nothing to do with the wait, which Jo patiently did for about 20 minutes. They were busy, its not a big place, the crowds were bustling, totally understandable. The host, Greek, very nice, friendly, assured us until we sat down, that we were going to be sat soon, which we were. Our waitress was cool, friendly and quick. Our food out came out with a few blinks of an eye. The food was all right. Nothing I would rave about. Its good. Its solid, but really I didn't love it nor was I impressed with it. I guess I am comparing it to other Greek places I have been to, which is a little unfair. I really look at this place as a Greek diner. Yes, it has Greek food, yes it had milkshakes and burgers, (with feta cheese non the less!), which makes it more of a diner. I had the salad with chicken kabob, a side of feta and a pita with taziki sauce on the side. It was fine, simple, but just okay. I didn't walk out feeling like I needed to come back. I wouldn't say no.... but I ain't running. For all its high points, (including its cheap), it didn't win me over that much. For a diner I give it four... for the Greek food I give it three.
(3)
Rob C.

Since my sister moved out of Lincoln Park I can honestly say i don't find myself there too often. The Athenian Room, as far back as I can remember, has the best BBQ chicken I have ever had. The greek fries are awesome as well. Service is great, they don't serve booze but you can go through to Glascott's to grab whatever you need and take it back to your table (seems like a lot of work, especially if you've had a couple already). The waitresses are sweet and the owners (who Im pretty sure have been there every time i have) are always incredibly genuine. Cell phones are not allowed in dining area. (Some might find this inconvenient, but I could live without hearing some lincoln park trixie talk about how her meathead boyfriend got in a fight at Barleycorn's last night.
(4)
Cate R.

I live very close to here so my roommate and I eat in or do takeout often. This was the first Lincoln Park restuarant I tried and I immediately said, "Well, we won't need to cook!" The food is good, relatively cheap, and fast. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Greek fries, steak fries doused in a lemon oil and vinegar (?) dressing that are just delicious. I can't say enough about the Greek fries.... It is pretty small but also pretty well-known. There is a door to Glascott's bar so I think you can bring drinks back and forth although I've never tried it. It can be crowded, but I've never waited that long for a table. Take out is fast and friendly, a great option for a weeknight.
(5)
Robert E.

Kalamata chicken. That's all you need to know. And I'm a gyro man. Trust me. Only reason they don't get 5 stars is their bathroom situation kind of sucks, you have to walk through a bar. Great food, great prices, great restaurant.
(4)
Megan W.

I visited this restaurant today after school with some friends. The food was okay, we all ordered gyros and greek fries, however their menu is slightly limited. We were disappointed to find that there was no saganaki (flaming cheese), moussaka, lamb or falafel on the menu? Our vegetarian friend could not find many vegetarian options on the menu as well. The service was okay. It would have been great but our waitress seemed skeptical and angry to serve a bunch of teenagers.
(3)
Jenna D.

Athenian room is one of those hidden gems. It's inconspicuous location gathers a small crowd of people young and old and almost always at least one family with a really cute baby. The service here is always friendly and the food is consistently good. While they have a variety of Greek dishes ranging from chicken to Feta burgers, most people agree they have some of the best Gyros in the city. One of their other specialties?...GREEK FRIES. My boyfriend always asks for extra Greek dressing on his.....and they always indulge him. We love Greek/Medi food so we have a long list of favorites. I like this place cause its more casual and inexpensive that some of our other hot spots. NOTE!: I highly recommend hitting this joint up now as one of their seasonal offerings is some of the best Avgolemono soup around.
(4)
Jill S.

Big fan of Athenian Room's charburgers (you can get this with feta) and greek fries-- I love that the fries come with your order of a burger, and not extra as a side dish, makes for a cheap, big meal! I order from here carry-out once a month, and they are quick and good. The burgers are enormous and delicious. The fries are thick steak fries and really good with greek seasonings. The people that work there are really nice, in fact several times I go in to pick up my order I've gotten a free baclava, and who wouldn't love that?!
(4)
Bart D.

If you're looking for Greek food in Lincoln Park, then Athenian Room is the place to go. The menu is not as large as most Greek Restaurants, but they do the standard fare and they do it well. They get extra points for the friendly wait staff and some outdoor seating.
(4)
Christina S.

I had a horrible time here! What am I missing? The sandwich was bland. The fries were soggy. The iced tea was strange. We were wedged into a corner table (such that there was literally no way I could sit with my legs under the tabletop). And the waitress was gruff. My husband LOVED his steak, and I see he's not alone. Eh, I'll have to give it a second try.
(2)
Louis A.

Food was good --- had the chicken kabob dinner. everything was reasonably priced. Service was a little shaky. Our server had an attitude...and wasn't sure if it was because she was trying to play along with us...or if she just had an edge. Either way, things were a little weird when my friend asked for a substitution...and she wasn't flexible whatsoever. For that reason, he even asked for additional tomatoes...and when the food came he didn't get any tomatoes at all. hahahaha. But whatever --- this place was a fun and decent way to spend a Saturday night.
(3)
charlotte s.

was in the area and wondered where to eat. checked yelp and decided to try this place. obviously the people who gave this place excellent ratings don't have the same vision for greek food as i do.. the menu was limited and i wouldn't consider this somewhere to go if i was craving greek food... the old man (probably the owner) was friendly but the server was pretty indifferent
(3)
Kate C.

This place is a Lincoln Park staple that I just love. I don't normally like thick french fries, but I love how they are drenched in vinegar - its delicious, although it might sound weird. I get the burger a lot and the chicken is great too. My brothers and boyfriend swear by the gyros. Everything tastes very natural and simple. I like the cozy, small ambience too.
(5)
Dave L.

First of all, very reasonably priced food in a homey little resteraunt. The food ranges from meh to very good, depending on who's cooking in the kitchen. I went there twice; the first time I had the Chicken Kalamata. The Greek Salad that comes with it was quite good and OF COURSE the feta cheese was absolutely delicious. The chicken itself was just meh, but the fries were terrible. Not only are the base fries (no seasoned, no anything, as one of my party members requested them) just meh, they were drowned in the sause of the Kalamata. They were literally inedible. :( The next time I came in (my other party members, who ordered kebobs had a terrific experience) I ordered kebobs. While they claimed the first time was better, I was quite pleased with the kebobs themselves. You get two sticks which is a deal. And the pita breat with Tzatsiki sauce is mmmmmm =) Good for the cheap price.
(4)
J M.

Hands down, the best and most afforable Greek food in Lincoln Park, I would also venture to say the best in the City, above Greek town! The gyros is the best and the Greek fries are incredible. The chicken shish-kabobs tend to be good, but a bit dry. The lady that is the manager is often very rude (apparently others have noted this in their posts!), so be prepared to get some attitude. I guess that's the price you pay for good food at a reasonable price.
(5)
Kathleen C.

Yum! I have been coming to this place for over a decade and the recipes haven't changed. I wouldn't say it is specatular but it is good, Greek food that is available quickly. My friends say they have fantastic burgers, too. My problem is that I always want to orde about 5 different things because I have never eaten anything here that I didn't like! Kinda wanna ditch work and go right now...
(3)
John B.

Because of the difference between where I live and where it lives, I don't visit the Athenian Room nearly often enough. And that's a tragedy. The menu is simple, but everything they do, they do well. The gyros are some of the best in the city. The souvlaki -- shish kabob sandwich -- is moist, tender and delicious. My friend Mary loves this place because they serve a salad topped with Greek fries -- what's not to love? Their take out is swift. It can get noisy here -- it's not very big, and it gets busy -- but no matter how busy it is, you never feel like your server has forgotten you. EDIT, 10.3.07: So an interview I had scheduled at DePaul (informative, not job) got blown off today, and the only benefit was that I was a couple of blocks away from the Athenian Room. Score! This may not be the best gyros and fries in the city, but you'll have a hard time convincing me of that. The Greek fries are tossed with herbs and come sitting in a lemon chicken broth (sorry vegetarians). The fries are big and fat and not super-crisp, but that's fine because you need them to soak up as much of the lemony broth as possible. The gyros meat is pretty salty, but that's fine because the tzatziki is fairly mild, and together they're perfect. Sat outside in the sun, had a diet coke on the side, and life could not have been better.
(5)
Maria R.

Everyone I know loves this place, and although I am not the greatest Greek food fan, I must say that what they do, they do it well based on the steady stream of customers and take-out orders. My husband loves the hamburger and roasted chicken, and my daughter loves the kabob. I love the fries but then feel real guilty as they are especially greasy and yummy. Salads are a bunch of iceberg lettuce with oil and vinegar, so not much to write home here. I will try something different next time. BYOB - however, you can order alcoholic beverages from the bar next door and bring it back to your table, which is highly convenient.in case you forget your bottle of wine or beer. All in all, it is a good spot. Good vibe and good people watching in the hood.
(3)
Irena A.

I love this place. Good prices. Tasty food. The best part are the greek fries and the gyro! The avgolemono soup is great also.. If you don't feel like going to greektown.. this place is a safe bet. The service is friendly also!
(5)
Jen R.

I've been meaning to try this place for awhile now since it's not too far from me. Now my waistline wishes I wouldn't have. I was craving a gyro for over a week, so naturally I just got the gyros dinner. I got it to go and my arm fell down a bit when I grabbed the bag. I think it was about 5 lbs of food! I practically ran home since it smelled so good and I couldn't wait to try it. In summary, it was a giant take out container full of meat, onions, tomatoes and FRIES. All of the flavor from the meat soaked into the fries on the bottom and I really can't imagine a more delicious combination. The tzaziki sauce was on the side which is a nice touch so there is no worries of it overwhelming the rest of the food. My only complaint? They only give one slice of pita. There is seriously enough food for two in this "dinner" (or enough for dinner and a 3 am "snack" as I realized) so it would have been nice to be able to make more than one sandwich. But I'll just buy more pita next time. You must try this dinner. It makes me hungry just writing about it.
(4)
David C.

What a great atmosphere. It's kind of a hole in the wall but the hole is really cool inside. Right when you walk in you catch sight of the gyro meat and the hairy Greek men working the grill. I love that. I had the cucumber salad and the chicken kabob pita. The cucumber salad was nothing but cucumber...I should have seen that coming...but it was great because they brought me their garlic filled tzatziki sauce to slather on top. The sandwich was great, but next time I'm getting the Kalamata Chicken. Those Greek fries they serve it on made me cry tiers of vinegar soaked joy.
(4)
Kelsey D.

Admittedly, I'm no connoisseur of Greek food, but I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Great shish-ke-bobs and pita. I need to go back and try the spanikopita and kalamata chicken. Loved the baklava!
(4)
Ted W.

Top Notch Gyros. Whole chicken with tziki sauce, deal.
(5)
Nancy C.

Finally, I found a good Gyro place in Chicago! Prices are pretty good, and portions are huge. I order the sandwich (not dinner) gyro b/c it's so big. Admittedly, the meat was too salty for my taste and I came out feeling really thirsty. But overall, the taste is good and I especially like sitting outdoors in the summer. Also, there's valet parking, which is nice.
(4)
Lauren L.

I will start off by saying: I don't like Greek food, so this may be a biased review, because all I ordered was a Greek cheeseburger, which was just a normal burger with feta cheese. However it was good, the service was friendly and quick, and it was unique. I also really enjoyed their french fries, they had a unique sauce on them, and were soaked in something, they were good. If I liked Greek food I probably would have loved this place, as my boyfriend loved it!
(4)
Laura Z.

This is one of my happy places. Introduced to this place by my (ex) boyfriend, who took me to Glascott's because I love draft cider. Can order food from Athenian Room and eat it while downing (too many) delicious alcoholic apple juices. Primo. Almost forgot about the place until several years later, after starting a regular rendezvous with a nice gentleman who lives down the street. Lemme tell you, there are few things that appeal more to a groggy-eyed girl late on a crisp weekend morning (especially after a serious night of drinking). And according to some of the other reviewers on here, this may be the best time to go. Every time I walk in, I'm warmly greeted with open arms (seriously) by the most friendly older man with a thick Greek accent. He must be the owner. After ordering my gyro to go, he almost always offers me some tide-me-over appetizer on the house; a cup of lemon chicken soup, some hot tea or coffee. And then for good measure, he throws in a complimentary baklava into my to-go bag as I happily scamper away... well, maybe scamper is too strong a word. More like sloth away and slide into my own bed, eager to gorge and thoroughly enjoy my delicious feast -- prepared with love by the nicest Greek man in Chicago.
(5)
Zach F.

LOVE this place! Great neighborhood spot in Lincoln Park and the food is delicious. My favorite is the Gyro Salad and my only knock on the place is the tzatziki sauce, which is not very good and no hot sauce except tabasco!? Come on guys...let's get some siracha or something! Regardless, if I feel like Greek, I'm headed to the Athenian Room.
(4)
Sarah M.

My husband and I went on a Saturday at 2:30pm and had to wait 5 minutes for a table it was that busy. Which is a great sign of a bustling business. We didn't mind. The place needs updating like crazy and the tables were a bit cramped, but we were seated by a friendly hostess. We saw 2 people with small dogs in the place which, while unappetizing and unsanitary, speaks that this is a very neighborhood-y joint. We ordered the gyros with cheese and regular fries (which are huge cut) and it also came with tzatiki sauce. Everything came out within minutes and it was delicious. The best Greek food I've had outside of Greektown. I was disappointed that they didn't have saganaki because I was really craving it, but we ordered a piece of baklava to go and the waitress gave us one for free. The price is right for a lunch place. I wouldn't go expecting a fancy dinner by any stretch, but it did the trick.
(4)
Eli Z.

Solid restaurant, nothing too fancy, but good tasting food with a very simple menu. The menu is not very complicated and there are not a huge number of different options, but the prices are amazing (Most meals are less than $10) and have PLENTY of food. The non refill drinks are a little lame as are the pita bread a la carte, but even with several pieces of pita, drinks and meal, it was only about $30 for two people, which is hard to find these days. Service was good, the waitress was helpful in explaining some of the dishes (greek caviar- pretty good) and the food came out pretty fast. The place was pretty crowded which I guess is a good sign but we were sat right away.
(4)
Alex R.

The Athenian Room is really close to where I live, so I've given them several chances to impress me. The inside of the restaurant is very pleasant, and the service is fine. However, the food is just mediocre. I highly recommend staying away from the gyros, since they are always dry and on the crunchy side. The chicken is better. The fries are definitely good -- so always get the fries.
(2)
Ashley G.

Two words: Kalamata Chicken. This dish is fantastic. The chicken is super moist and served over seasoned fries that are to die for. The best part? It's under 9 dollars. And that's the most expensive thing on the menu. The place is small and cozy... which could be a plus and a minus. Personally, I like the atmosphere of a hometown restaurant sometimes. It's always bustling and the bus boys are as helpful as your server.
(5)
Rhonda M.

I've been coming here since I was a kid (I'm now in my mid-40's). The gyros is fantastic, the greek fries are phenomenal, the greek salad and taramasalata are great. This place has stood the test of time. You run to Glascott's next door for your cocktails/alcoholic beverages and trips to the restroom, but that only adds to the experience. A Chicago institution and soooo yummy! Oh, don't forget to get a cup of lemon chicken soup!!
(5)
Caroline M.

Greek-chic interior-not your typical gyros dive place. Gyros are very good, but also comparable to others I have had at various places. Go here for the great location (quaint outdoor seating in the warmer months, good people watching near Halsted in Lincoln Park) and cozy, clean ambiance.
(4)
Patrick n.

The Skirt steak and Kalamata chicken are great. We also ordered the taramosalata which is pretty tasty. Cheap, quick, and a good location, what more can you ask for?
(4)
Yvette B.

Good unpretentious Greek food!
(4)
Kevin S.

Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, but my experience with the food here was not that great. My girlfriend ordered the gyros plate and I had the chicken shish kabob. The gyros were so dry. I can honestly say that this was the driest gyros I have ever had in my life. My plate was alright, if not a little bland. We might give this place another shot because it seemed that everyone else there was having a great experience, but our food wasn't all that great.
(2)
Rah Rah C.

Beware. The food might be good but I will never know due to the terrifying customer service experience I had! I walked there with my dog who happens to be a well behaved 83 pound American Pit Bull Terrier. I asked one of the servers if it would be OK if I sat outside on their dinky patio with my dog and she said no problem. I sat down at the only table available which happens to be next to a family with two small kids in high chairs. Not really who I want to be sitting next to but hey, had no choice. My dog is being obedient and laying on the ground next to me. The mother of the two small kids at the table starts looking at me all paranoid and whispering to her husband, She then gets up to find a server. I see her return with a server and they start to move all of their things. I am thinking bye, didn't want to sit next to you and your loud kids anyway. They disappear inside the restaurant. Then a few minutes later the owner comes out and says in a condescending tone "Make sure your dog is not scaring people". I give her a look and say "Well he has been laying here by my side the whole time while I have been waiting for somebody to take my order. I am sorry but I can't control other people's fears or insecurities about the breed". She then replies hastily "You don't have to get so defensive". I said "You know I really wanted Greek food and to try this restaurant since it is in my neighborhood but since you wish to get an attitude with me, I will be leaving. My dog nor I have done anything to anybody while we have been waiting FOREVER for somebody to serve me. So what's really the problem? That I am brown or that he is a pit bull or both? I don't need to eat here and refuse to be treated this way." Got up and left. Other people as I was leaving were like "Oh my goodness, I am sorry that happened. If your dog was a Golden Retriever nobody would have said anything". Whatever. The beauty of living in a big city is I have choices, you old miserable bitch. I don't have to eat at your stank ass establishment with your slow as molasses staff and cheap nasty plastic patio furniture that even Walmart wouldn't carry.
(1)
marisa s.

not to be the 5-star rating maniac...but i have to give props to my fav spots in chicago. this is by far my favorite lunch place and greek place to get something quick and fairly cheap. i hail from detroit...a huge greek/coney island city with some great greek food. we have places called "coney islands" that don't exist in chicago, where you can grab a chicken finger pita, gyro, greek salad with chicken, chicken lemon rice soup, spinach pie and opa!/saginaki/flaming cheese for cheap and real quick. there aren't even any REAL delis around here either...like in the D...good jewish food is hard to find around here (Manny's is pretty good...and i heard the burbs had good deli food, but then i tried it and it still doesn't compare to metro detroit)...i digress... so quick greek food. the greek salad with a chicken kabob on it ROCKS. it comes with pita and tzadziki sauce, for around $7-8ish. i have also gotten the greek salad with gyro meat on it, which is heartier, unhealthier and delicioso. also, the feta pita is good - nothing to it, but good for veggie-tariaaaans - just grilled pita with fresh feta sorta melted with tomatoes. the feta you have to order on the side, but is fresh feta and is worth it (unlike most feta that is put on "greek salads" in the city). the outdoor seating there is key for the summa summa time, and in the winter, when you eat, be ready for smelling like greek food and wanting a gyro even though you came in for a healthy greek salad. i have probably been here around 50 times and i can't stop, won't stop. don't hate - eat a gyro, greek salad and APPRECIATE. word.
(5)
Francesca L.

Where should I begin...the owner or whoever works at the front desk is absolutely the rudest women I have ever come across. Not only did she tell me they didn't have Greek salads, when I wanted to place my order and saw on the menu Greek salads she simply told me she's not going to explain to me what comes on it and gave me a side salad with a kabob? At this point not only was I super confused and annoyed by her, and the fact that I couldn't order a Greek salad? something so plain and little that was on the menu??? I don't get this place or why people rave about it. Its not a hidden gem at all. Its a P O S restaurant that doesn't know what the hell they are doing. Maybe the owner should learn how to speak English and treat her customers with respect. Who tells you you cant order whats on the menu? that's like going to a clothing store and saying sorry you cant buy the clothes because we don't have any...when you are looking right at them. Won't ever be coming back here again.
(1)
Ellen M.

My favorite gyros in Chicago - been having them here since I was about three, back when Frank's books was across the street (ok, Frank's is no longer there, but he's my dad). Standard greek entrees, and the best yogurt sauce! The greek fries are delectable. Anything on the menu's a good bet.
(5)
Yvonne O.

I think the best way to describe this place is "a greek take-out joint with seating and table service". There are no frills, the food comes out super fast (literally I was in and out in 20 minutes and ordered a regular dinner) and the choices are all derivations of about 5 things. You can get shrimp (frozen, fried out of a bag), burger, gyro, chicken or pork in different sandwich, plate or skewered forms, but the flavors are the same. The fries are different, but good - they will be soggy unless you eat them quickly due to the salad dressing poured on top. The bread is standard and the salad plain (but I am good with no onions). My server was super nice and attentive without being pushy. I ate my plate with salad and bread for $10 and was full. Really, I am not here for any sock-smelling flaming cheese - that's for the tourists on Halstead. I'm here for filling food fast and that is what I got. (But, I do admit I would love more lamb options!)
(3)
Ryan K.

This place is nice and clean and ideally situated. The staff is also attentive and congenial. But I have never had anything to eat there that overwhelmed me. At least not the few times I've been there.
(2)
Lauren C.

This place is great for inexpensive and delicious Greek food in Lincoln Park. The Greek fries are the best fries I've ever had, and the gyro dinner is huge! They have delicious bread and salads as well. The only downside is that the wait staff is occasionally overwhelmed, so you may have to wait awhile to order.
(4)
Josey B.

This place rocks. It's a total joint in many ways but the food is spectacular. Explains why it's been there forever. My personal favorite is the Greek Vegetarian salad (with feta). Hello, who doesn't like Greek fries on top of a salad? Service is lightening fast and you can get drinks at the bar next store and bring them in. I used to live in the neighborhood 15 years ago and they still remember me when I go in!
(5)
Tom G.

Gets the job done in a pinch. Decent food at a great price for Lincoln Park. Kid Friendly.
(3)
Kelsey M.

This place is great for casual, cheap greek food. The menu is very basic, but you can easily please picky non-greek food eaters too. They offer staples such as gyros, greek salads, kabobs, etc, but also have hamburgers too. The greek fries are awesome, salads are always fresh and the gyros are really good as well. The food here is "clean", not overly greasy. An added bonus: I happen to live next door to this place and have noticed that they are obsessively clean. They spray down and scrub the sidewalk by their dumpsters every night. Not too mention I one time saw someone their hands and knees scrubbing the sidewalk where there outdoor seating is one morning. They have people in cleaning by 7 a.m. every morning! This makes me like this place even more!
(5)
Alison S.

I had wonderful experience at the Athenian Room. I ordered the char burger. It was delicious, as are the greek fries. Our waitress was really attentive and very kind. I really appreciated her demeanor. I will definitely go back to the Athenian Room, because both the service and the food is exceptional. The only downfall would be the atmosphere.
(5)
Cupcake C.

Yum! My boyfriend and I visit every week for the Chicken and Greek fries. He likes the skirt steak. It is very good. For drinks, you have to go next door to Glascotts.. it is easy and just part of the deal. Also, no cell phones..warning. Try the chicken KALAMATA. Yum.
(5)
Kristina B.

Forget about pizza and cheeseburgers for hangovers, this is my go-to place! I love their Greek Caviar (not as fancy, nor nearly the price of the caviar we know). The gyros are good, as well as the chicken kabobs. Don't forget about the greek fries, no ketchup needed!
(4)
Zedar B.

I ate here once (1 x) for lunch this summer. Maybe I didn't order well, because it just seemed average to me. For about $12 I had the spanakopita and a "small" Greek salad (a lot of iceberg lettuce and big slice of feta made this pretty large). The complimentary white seasame bread was good, as was the service, but nothing was great. I recommend trying other things on the menu.
(2)
Heather M.

I am not a steak eater and at this place I love the Greek steak - it is so good in the yummy juices. I normally order the chix kabob and the fries on the side are so good. The portions are soooo big and priced just right. We never have to wait long to be seated but parking of course is not so good. They don't serve booze but it is connected to the bar next door and you can go right on over to get yourself a drink. Which is good but I have been there for dinner when there was a football game during the day and the drunk stragglers would be loud and obnoxiously eating at a table near us but not the restaurants fault. The staff is always friendly and great service - I love it!
(5)
Miss L.

There's consistently delicious food, large portions, and good prices. There isn't anything bad enough to warrant deducting a star, but I wasn't so impressed as to give it a 5. I gotta agree with Andrew M. though, it's always a solid pick.
(4)
Andrew M.

A neighborhood Greek Restaurant that has been in Old Town since before I was born, the Athenian Room delivers what it promises. You can get great gyros and chicken souvlaki, as well as Greek fries, which come drenched in lemon juice and spices (sooooo goooooood). The Athenian Room offers valet parking and is located right around the corner from Glascott's, a popular neighborhood bar. It's reasonably priced and the food is good. Always a solid pick.
(4)
Jennifer L.

I dream about the gyros salad and greek fries (extra crispy, extra vinegar)! The kalamata chicken is tops and I get really excited when my husband orders the feta burger b/c I get to have a bite!
(5)
Rose K.

The Athenian Room is one of Chicago's best kept secrets. I wish I could say I've been going here for years, but I too discovered it through miss Tina Fey! And thank God - this place has the greatest Greek food in Chicago. I always tell myself I am going to try something different when I go to the Athenian Room, but I end up ordering the gyro dinner time and time again. It's AMAZING. They give you a heaping pile of gyro meat on a pita (with the option to have tomatoes and I think onions as well) with tzatziki sauce on the side. Holy moly is it good. Add to that the fact that it's all served on a pile of fries and you'll never want to leave. Oh, and one of the best parts is that they are shaving the gyro meat out in front as soon as you walk in the door! Yeah, they get me with that every time. Besides the food, the service is great! The food comes out so quickly, it surprises me every time. The only downside is that there is no bar in the restaurant. If you need a drink, you'll have to go next door and grab one. But the nice thing is that you can bring it back into the Athenian Room and have it with your meal! You'll just have to make another trip if you want another drink. Finish off the night with a cup of coffee and their baklava. Phenomenal. The prices are really great too! I'm always poor as hell but I can afford to hit up the Athenian Room every now and then. Try it, you won't be sorry!
(5)
melanie a.

This is our favorite place to go in summer after a long day at The beach. Kids love the food, prices are great, and we get to sit outside and see what's going on. Portions are really generous, too.
(5)
Alison O.

Tina Fey was not lying when she said the Kalamata Chicken is amazing! The seasonings are perfect and it is served over a bed of greek fries. Everytime I go to this place, it is packed, but the food always comes out on time and piping hot. It's BYOB, but you can walk through the hallway to Glascott's and get a drink there to bring back to the restaurant. If you are craving a little upscale Greek this is the place to go!
(4)
Jenny O.

This place is wonderful. Great, funny, friendly staff and excellent food. The skirt steak is for sure my favorite by far. The gyros are excellent too!!! Highly recommend this restaurant !
(5)
Michael B.

This was a recommendation from my aunt who still talks about the chicken with drool dripping down her face. After about two years of living in the neighborhood, I decided it was time to give it a shot. My girlfriend and I carried out two orders of the chicken kalamata dinners which come with a side salad, fries (covered in their lemon oil mix), and bread. The bird was absolutely delicious! Succulent and melt off the bone juicy. Literally one week later we went back to get the full dining experience by dining in. My woman stuck with the regular and ordered the same chicken meal, but this time was unable to finish. I guess the allure had worn from our first experience. I on the other hand went out on a limb and ordered the gyro. I withheld my temptation to go with the dinner portion, but when I got the thing I was happy I did! It was HUGE! Biggest gyro I had ever eaten by far, but thanks to the delicious flavor, was not as difficult as I had expected to join the clean plate club. One of the best value meals in the city (under $7 for about a pound of gyro meat!) After two visits I see why my aunt speaks so highly of the place. It is very authentic food and you can't beat the prices.
(4)
Jack P.

I couldn't help noticing this place getting some attention of late, and I've never put in my two cents. It's on my "top five cheap eats" list as well as my top five gyros. In the past 25 years or so, I've been here many, many times. It is still my go to spot for a gyros sandwich. Not only for the gyros, but the greek-style fries with lemon and oregano. I also love the Greek chicken and the skirt steak. And you cannot beat the prices. Never had an unfriendly server or service that was sub-par or slow. Great neighborhood and family vibe, too. I've had many a gyros sandwich here. The regular is priced at $5.99, and I think the large is around $1.00 more. The regular is quite large enough, in my opinion. And with the Greek fries, around $2.25, it makes for a good value for fresh, delicious gyros. I usually request additional tzatziki. And I like the fact that I have to sneak through a side door and pick up my beer at the bar next door (where my claim to fame in the 80's was ripping my suit pants wide open while break-dancing.) It feels very speakeasy/naughty having to sneak a beer that way. If I recall, you have to use their bathrooms, too. Talk about things going full circle! The Athenian Room is exactly the type place I would like to visit if I were a tourist in the big city and wanted a fun and reasonably-priced, authentic neighborhood ethnic spot.
(4)
Sharif H.

I really don't understand the rave reviews for this restaurant. The food is average at best. The portions are large, I'll admit, but I have had more flavorful Greek food at lower prices at many Greek restaurants in the city. What distinguishes Athenian Room from every restaurant I have visited in my 15 years living in the city is the abominable service. I decided to visit this restaurant one more time before reviewing it on Yelp to give it another chance. It was very busy the first experience and our waitress never came to check up on us during our meal and we literally did not see her for fifteen minutes when we were trying to pay our bill. The second visit it was not nearly as busy and had the same unfriendly and unattentive service. I truly feel that the attitude of the owners pervades the entire culture and the owners and staff take their customers for granted. I am fairly easygoing and low maintenance when dining out and Athenian Room is a glaring example of an overrated restaurant that is in desperate need of a wake-up call. They should realize that there are many options in the city and discerning foodies will make a statement by not supporting restaurants that don't appreciate their business. Athenian Room will not get another chance.
(1)
Todd K.

Wow!! Went to Athenian Room with a group of co-workers on a random Thursday. I wasn't sure what to make of the place from the outside, but looks can be quite deceiving. We had a group of about ten and ordered several appetizers. We tried the spanikopita and Greek olives. I'm not a huge fan of either, but the samples I had were awesome. I ordered the Kalamata Chicken, raved upon by Tina Fey. Let me just say - I've had lots of Greek food over the years - this place wins hands down. The chicken was tender and crispy, tender fries served as a nice nest for the bird. I ate every last bit of the fries. And, yes, they charge for Feta cheese on top of the salad, but it's worth every cent. Bring everyone you know - just not at the same time I'm there.
(5)
Zack S.

I had always wanted to check this place out after I heard that it's Tina Fey's favorite restaurant in Chicago. Oh man was she right! The Kalamata Chicken is outrageous. The fries are an unbelievable compliment to the salty delicious chicken juice. Can't believe I'm saying this but it might be the best chicken dinner I have ever had! I was so moved by the first dinner that I went back again the next night for the Skirt Steak dinner. Wowza. Amazeballs.
(5)
Laura G.

The chicken at Athenian room is just SO delicious. For $9.50, you get half a chicken and delicious fries. The fries sit under the chicken and soak up all the juice. People love the skirt steak as well. Service is usually good and quick; we only waited 5 minutes on a busy Friday night. However, The waitress we had the other night was very unfriendly, and I was surprised because service has been much better in the past. Maybe she is new? Besides that, a Chicago staple for yummy Greek food. A definite must try!
(4)
Samantha L.

I have been eating here since I was in grammar school, and I like the fact that the food is still the same! I have to admit that it has been many years since I have dined in, my work usually just orders take out, but I remember that the atmosphere is no frills and quaint. Perfectly adequate. My absolute favorite thing here are the Greek fries! They are swimming in all sort of oil & vinegar & spices. They are so good. I usually get the gyro plate. The portion sizes are really big. So glad that the Athenian room is still around and I plan to keep coming back for years to come!
(5)
PingPing N.

Chicken Kalmata $9.50-- Roasted chicken on gumby-shaped french fries on a lemony liquid sauce bath, Chicken skin baked to the crisp and was perfect. Chicken was kinda dry and tasteless. Kind of like the rotisserie chicken you buy in the pre-packed boxes at the grocery store. But hey, thats the meaning of rotisserie, right. Only the skin has flavor??? I picked a dish thats not my style but wanted to see what everyone was raving about. Gyro King Sized $6.50-- Worth it. LOADED with thin slices of meat and onions. The tzaitki sauce wasnt all that though. Needed a pinch more salt, garlic, something. We prefer thicker cuts of meat, not so thin that you can Almost see through it, though. Caviar Hummus-- I didnt even have a taste but the Mr says he couldnt even detect the caviar at all. It was light in flavor and just your typical hummus.
(3)
Tracy T.

I used to be a big fan. Now ... dunno. I've gotta say the gyros was incredibly dry. Also, it was incredible slippery on the floor and when I mentioned it to the hostess, she said "it's wet because it's raining" -- no "i'm sorry" , no "be careful" no "thanks for letting me know" Finally, we had to work hard to get the wait staff to help. I may not go back again.
(2)
Kymberly J.

This place has a lot going for it: 1. they put cinnamon in the iced tea!!!!!! 2. The chicken in the kabobs is the juciest kabob chicken I have ever teasted. 3. The gyro meat has a unique flavor...not all processed-like as at some places 4. The prices are low. 5. The service is fast and friendly 6. The greek fries are friggin' awesome. They have some lemony goodness on them that cant be beat!
(4)
Kyle P.

Love it..... Went with some Greek people and all kinds of cool stuff start coming out. Try it out. Grecian chicken is great
(5)
Liz K.

Yumm-o! The Athenian Room is awesome! If you're looking for a cozy and inexpensive place for dinner, this is the spot! All of their menu items are Greek foods and their proportions are HUGE! Literally, one platter is definitely enough for dinner and then leftovers. I had the Gyros Dinner Platter and I have never seen so much gyros in my life. The bottom of the plate is blanketed in Greek fries. Deeeelush! Also, that whole plate of lovin' was about $9.50.
(5)
Andrea H.

Well, it's cheap, I'll give it that. I live right by this place and decided to stop in one night for (I guess it was late?) dinner. Apparently we walked in about 30 minutes before closing. Our server made us very aware that we were inconveniencing her, not only by her attitude, but by the fact that she told us we better hurry up and order before the kitchen closed. Awesome. Good thing the menu is so limited, it expedited the decision process. I swear I thought they offered more than sandwiches, but it turns out not much more. The food was ok, but I won't be back. The server started clearing our table before we were finished and made us pay mid-bite so she could get the hell outta there. I'm sorry I went.
(2)
Danny M.

So let me tell you about my Athenian Room experience ... I go in completely set on ordered a gyro with feta. I see on the menu they have a gyro and a gyro with cheese. Naturally, I go for the cheese and I go out of my way to tell her feta (even though I assumed that was the cheese). She proceeds to tell me that the cheese is American? What? American cheese on a gyro? I am at a GREEK restaurant? Why would I get AMERICAN cheese? Does this make sense? No. I ask her if they could do feta and she says no, but I can order the feta appetizer for $2.50 and get it. $2.50? I can go to Trader Joe's and get a whole container and do it myself. Silly waitress. So on to my next question ... I ask the waitress was the gyro dinner was because I was also intrigued by the fries. At this point, this lady has 0 interest in serving me but that's not my problem. She tells me the gyro dinner is just more gyro meat, and it includes bread, sauce, etc etc. I asked if it comes like the sandwich and she says no. I then ask "Can you make it like a sandwich" and she says no. Am I in another universe? What is going on here?! I finally settle on the Feta Charburger (Thanks to some Yelp-ers) on a pita bread. The meal (for 8.75) comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, tzatziki sauce, giant hamburger, a huge slice of feta, and these wonderful greek fries. The greek fries were coated in oil and special seasonings that were divine, and I used the extra tzatziki for dipping. Yes! I would go back for the fries. The burger in a pita was HUGE. Like I didnt want to eat the rest of the day, and I eat a lot. It was very tasty albeit a little messy. The feta lacked some flavor, but it was nice to just see it on there. The sauce was delicious and full of garlick-y goodness. They asked me how I wanted my burger cooked and I said "medium." Of course, it came out med well, which was to be expected. So in short, customer service leaves something to be desired. They have beautiful outside seating. The food is quite tasty and very authentic. Go in to get the fries (you can get a side order for $2.25). I would try it again now that I know the "rules" and perhaps up my star rating. I just really wish you could get a gyro with feta, a la Nikos on Elston, for less than $9. Is that to much to ask?
(3)
Stephen R.

Is there ever a bad greek place? I mean all their dishes are solid although ironically I think their worst dish is the gyros because the meat was dry on this day. The chicken, lamb, and all the other pitas were outstanding. The gyros are good but this batch wasnt great, and I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was just an overcooked day.
(4)
Heidi O.

I came here after a recommendation from Tina Fey involving phrases like "chicken juices on fries" and I wasn't disappointed. I got chicken juices all over a blouse I had bought for the occassion (not a chicken eating blouse per-se, but I was going on a date with a very special man and wanted to look like I didn't belong on public transportation) It was a magical evening and I think of it fondly as a night where there was lots of making out. Eat here and you too will have the opportunity to gorge yourself on the aphrodisiac that is greek chicken.
(4)
Jesse F.

Today was my first time at Athenian Room, and, because of the experience, tonight is my first time writing a yelp review. I will let the experience speak for itself. Three friends and I went to Athenian Room for lunch. We all ordered meals, and while we were waiting a friend joined us. He pulled up a chair to our table from an empty table (amongst many, many empty tables), and a minute after he joined the waitress came to our table and said because he wasn't ordering anything, he had to leave. He then said he would have a bowl of soup so he could stay, and she very rudely told him he would still have to leave. We were shocked at this, and decided to cancel our order and leave. As we were paying at the counter, we explained to the manager/owner that we were leaving because the waitress had been rather rude to us (thinking he'd want to know). Shockingly, he said, "you can't just add someone to your table, so you can leave." At that point, we were all very frustrated and one of our friends cursed. This was of course very very inappropriate of my friend, but, in another shocking move, the owner very loudly cursed back at him, with a room full of customers. I am so disgusted by the way this restaurant treated us, and wish there was something more I could do then write this review. I just would not want to support a business that treats customers this way.
(1)
Liz G.

Very average right down the middle with the exception of the gyro I ordered. The menu is very limited, not even offering hummus. What Greek place doesn't have hummus? The gyro I ordered was very large, tasty and came with a thick tzatziki sauce. They don't have any alcohol but you can bring it in from Gascott's next door which is connected through a walkway by the restrooms. You can also bring your food into the bar. Overall I wasn't that impressed, The gyro was good but could have just as easily come from a street vendor or a take out place, but it was still good. Also I need to stop going to places with great patios in the winter, I'll give Athenian Room another shot this summer.
(3)
Halley W.

one of my most frequently asked, vegan related questions is ... "what do you eat when you've got a hangover?" my answer : athenian room. the vegetarian salad (which is actually vegan) is amazing ... hangover or no hangover. so good, in fact ... that i got it on my most recent visit (and every previous visit). i actually can't figure out why this salad is so good because it is super low budg. but it is so.eff-ing.good. but really, the piÃ¨ce de rÃ©sistance ... vegan (!!!) baklava (!!!). all i can say is yum. (side note : there was confusion with the waitress as to whether or not this had butter ... when the owner clarified the recipe, she also gave me some baklava gratis for my troubles. woohoo! +++) they've also got a few other vegan items (per the restaurant): - navy bean soup (only on wednesdays for a limited time). - cucumber salad w/out the tzatziki sauce. - tossed salad. - greek fries & french fries (cooked in soybean oil & with no non-vegan items... just fries). - olives. athenian room -- fast. cheap. lots o' vegan goods.
(5)
Jorge H.

Prices are decent and the feel to the place is not bad. Definitely got my bang for my buck. One thing though, the cup of water my friend had still had lipstick markings on it... gross.
(2)
Jeremy S.

I've eaten at Athenian room a bunch of times and it's pretty good... You can place orders for pick up right as you enter the restaurant. There is also a general seating area for those who want to eat in. Portion sizes are fair, however recently I've noticed that I've been getting very small amounts of fries in my to-go orders. Hook it up guys they're just fries and everyone loves them! They have a valet in the front and if you are there to pick up just let the attendant know that you are looking to pickup and will be out soon. It will save you the hassle of parking in the heart of lincoln park boutiques. The chicken is juicy and pitas are always warm. It's the best on the go Greek place I have come across outside of Greektown. Prices aren't quite cheap but also aren't too extravagant. All and all solid place, so go check it out!
(4)
Amy M.

3.5-4 stars fits this spot perfectly! My bf and I are regulars here; good family run business. The food is above average, the servers are efficient, and the overall experience is decent. Their menu is limited though I usually get the same thing each time so this does not bother me. Definitely worth a visit. If we didn't live so close, we would still probably come here every few months. Also, the staff turnover seems to be quite low here so they must be doing something right... My only complaint is that the people who run the cashier (probably owners) can be a bit more friendly and genuine. I understand the stress of running a business but those emotions do not need to be shown to customers. Oh yea, no music in the background; would be nice for some Greek music to be playing softly in the background to make the experience more authentic. Overall, keep up the good work.
(4)
Melissa D.

I absolutely loved this place. I even debated giving it a five. My husband and one of my friends weren't quite as impressed as I was though. I had the skirt steak and I LOVED it! I can't wait to have it again. It was seasoned perfectly. If you like flavorful rather than bland food this is a great dish for you. The fries were amazing as well. They were on the plate with the steak and had absorbed a lot of the sauce/flavor. The place definitely has that old school kind of a feel. They serve you the kind of salads people ate in the early eighties......not much more than iceberg lettuce but I don't mind that once in a while, especially when it is topped with their amazing feta. My husband had the gyro platter which I also liked but not quite as much as the skirt steak. The restaurant does not have a liquor license but you can walk into the bar that is linked to the restaurant to get a drink. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago.
(4)
Stacey D.

Chicken Kabob's were great! Just wish I was able to get more tazaki sauce. Great partnership between the Athenian Room and the Irish pub next door.
(4)
Matt M.

A haiku: I'd eat a grown man as long as you covered him in extra wine sauce
(5)
Michael N.

Chicken Kalamata is awesome. If you want alcohol go next door to the bar to get it. Servers will not.
(3)
Jess H.

Tina Fey told me that this delicious chicken came served over a bed of steak fries and the chicken juice got all soaked up in those fried potato bites. She said it was delicious. So I ordered it. I only have three things to say: 1. Eternally crushing on Tina Fey. 2. She won't steer you wrong, the chicken with chicken spices and juice on steak fries - why aren't you there now? 3. Why don't more places serve steak fries? F a crinkle cut. God. ps. Some of the other reviewers are correct, that woman up at the front who seats people? She isn't friendly.
(4)
Jen H.

Great go-to for a casual meal. I love the chicken pita and greek fries. My husband gets the gyro. His plate is always overflowing with shaved meat. This is the only restaurant that he leaves with a to-go box. If you want a drink with your meal, go next door to Glasscots and order it, and then bring it over to your table. Nothing fancy, but good, dependable food!
(4)
Timo R.

A friend and I just ate here... because he knew of Tina Fey's affinity for it. I had the kalamata chicken platter... delicious... and the fries underneath the meat soaked up the juice mentioned in a previous post... sooo good. I was so full that I couldn't fit in any baklava afterward. Maybe next time?
(4)
Elissa M.

If you're the type of vegetarian that occasionally caves to the siren song of meat, then the Athenian Room is your destination. You will not experience "average-tasting-meat" remorse. I was originally turned on to the Athenian by an interview I saw with Tina Fey, wherein she mentioned their Kalamata chicken. The phrase "chicken juice soaks into the fries" was enough for me. I was sold. The patio seating is a nice option... my only complaint is that in order to get a glass of wine, you have to go to the bar next door and bring it back. If I wanted to get up to get my own wine, I would have eaten at my mom's house. I went wineless. The chicken was triumphantly crispy with spices on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. And, as Tina mentioned, the juice from the chicken does indeed soak into the bed of fries it is served on. Pure heaven.
(4)
John P.

I ordered a gyro and it was the worst gyro I've ever had. My parents were with me and also did not enjoy there meals. Skip it and just take the trip to greektown
(1)
Mike V.

If you grew up in the Lincoln Park neighborhood than you've most likely been to Athenian Room. I've been going here along with my friends ever since I was born and even after not going for a year or so the waitresses and owner still recognizes us. Anyway, I can say that every time I have eaten here I haven't been disappointed. It's a sure thing. Make sure you get the greek fries which are amazing. The kalamata chicken is also pretty good. So, in conclusion, big portions, good food, and a very comfortable atmosphere that makes you feel like you're at home. A Lincoln Park staple.
(4)
Jaclyn S.

Tina Fey was right, this place is boom :) You really can't go wrong with greek fries, if you don't know what I am talking about...you need to come to Athenian Room. This is where to go for Greek food if you don't want to go to Greek town. I could not believe how little they charged too. We had a meal for 6 people and paid $70! Stand out items were the spanakopita (best I have ever had!), greek salad (topped with a huge piece of feta), chicken dinners (enough for 2 meals), and obviously the greek fries. I love this place and will be going back every and anytime I am in the mood for Greek.
(4)
Kori E.

YUM! I have eaten here several times, but this was the first time I believe I was sober ;) My boyfriend and I were walking along Armitage on Sunday and decided to stop in for a bite to eat. We sat outside and shared both the Large Greek salad and a Gyro dinner. There was MORE than enough food for the both of us. The Greek salad comes with a block of feta cheese, olives and tomatoes and this wonderful blend of vinegar and olive oil with some spices! The salad was very fresh, light and delicious! The Gyro dinner was just as good. We split it in half and we were both stuffed, it comes with an ample amount of lamb, tziki, onions and tomato and the fries are soaked in vinegar! The meal was DELICIOUS! Ive also had the cheeseburger there and it is soo tasty! They give you plentiful food for a very reasonable price! Our meal was $17!
(4)
Jessica L.

This place is fantastic! Great date spot that doesn't break the bank. Such a cute little place, you actually have to go to the connected next door bar to get drinks! The food came out so quickly! Everything was amazing! The chicken was so juicy and succulent with a crispy barbecued skin. The skirt steak dinner was also very delicious and flavorful but I prefer the chicken. We also tried the gyros plate which was soo much yummy gyros meet, only comes with one pita though so you need to order extra! No saganaki on the menu but awesome spanikopita app! YUM!
(5)
Andrew K.

Athenian Room is one of the greatest, reasonably priced Greek restaurants in Chicago. The service is fast and polite and they have a patio for the spring/summertime. As for the food...awesome. I get the gyros or chicken kalmata every time, both come on top of a plate of fries which are equally tasty. The only downside is that they do not have an alcohol license, but that is easily solved by walking next door and grabbing a drink which they actually let you bring back in! Overall great weekday spot to grab a cheap dinner.
(4)
Lisa C.

I was looking forward to eating Greek food and The Athenian had good reviews. How disappointing, have they changed chefs since people wrote these rave reviews, or are they friends and relatives of the owners? It seemed the basic ingredients were salt, vinegar, a bit of lemon juice and more salt. Everything had a cringe factor to it. To start with the Taramasalata definitely had a freezer burn flavor to it. Then the salad which came with my dinner was so drenched in vinegar it made one wince, though as a saving grace I did manage to find a small piece of tomato in it. I wanted to order a Moussaka that wasn't on a Greek menu so I settled for shrimps while my son had the well reviewed chicken Kalamata. Both came on a bed of soggy so called Greek fries which just tasted like they were also in a bed of vinegar. The shrimp were so breaded that they had no other flavor than the coating and obviously came out of the freezer. My son who has a good appetite couldn't eat his chicken as it was so salty. What saved this from a one star was the fact we were greeted nicely and our waitress was competent. $40 for what we ate with 2 cokes felt like robbery, as we spent the next two hours feeling nauseous. Give it a miss.
(2)
Anita D.

I MISS THIS PLACE SO MUCH! Recently moved to Orange County, CA and cannot find anything even remotely similar to Kalamata Chicken Dinner! I lived in the area for 15+ years and went to Athenian Room regularly, took visitors there, brought take out to friends in the burbs. Their decor is out of date but who cares when the food is so fantastic and inexpensive.
(5)
Charlotte T.

The husband and I were walking around the neighborhood, and I remembered the Tina Fey article where she raved about the chicken. So we just had to stop in. Prices were extremely reasonable! Less than $10 for the Kalamata Chicken which was a half chicken with crispy skin doused liberally with this tangy vinaigrette on a bed of thick cut crispy fries. This is now in our rotation of neighborhood restaurants!
(4)
Tessa G.

WOW WOW WOW. I first heard about this place through Tina Fey. No, we're not pals--well, not yet, but she was talking about her favourirte places to eat in the city. She sold the hell out of this place. She talked about their key dish Kalamata Chicken over steak fries. I talked to a woman at work who had also been there a handful of times. She said the dish was phenomenal but that the key is "to eat the steak fries first, because the chicken will reheat, but the fries won't." So remember that when you're just eating fries for your meal. So I went there one Saturday with my counterpart (it's located near DePaul) and could not wait to experience it. The kalamata chicken is plopped beautifully over the fries where all those savory juices soak in real good. The chicken has an awesome tang to it, kind of acidic, but I love acidic foods. It also has that real melt-in-your-mouth quality as well. Love it. Enjoy! Don't forget the bakalava!
(4)
Courtney A.

Delicious. I dream about the Greek fries. Nice waitstaff and kind owners
(5)
Meghan D.

Okay, so I only went there because Tina Fey said to. However, if you're gonna trust someone about food, I think Tina Fey is a great place to start. I was not disappointed. The chicken kalamata style is one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. Half of a roasted chicken on a bed of fries with a lemon wine sauce. Oh man. The juices soak the fries and those chicken juice soaked steak fries are reason alone to eat here. A friend and I split 1 order of it and were both full for most of the day. Also, we went on a Monday around noon and the place was not really packed. At all. Got a table instantly and the service was quick.
(4)
Kevin K.

This is one place that I never get sick of eating at. I either dine in or carryout at least once a week. The skirt steak is one of the most underrated dishes in the city, the gyros are delicous and the chicken is always perfect...I dare you to find something on the menu that's not great. The prices are right and their service is fast. They don't serve alcohol but you can order your drink next door at Glascott's or bring your food into the bar.
(5)
John M.

Food was very good. Really enjoyed the Skirt Steak. Will go back for dinner when in the area
(5)
Foodie S.

BEST CHICKEN IN CHICAGO! HANDS DOWN. Tina Fey wasn't kidding when she said "You need to order the roasted chicken. It's cooked on a spit, it comes on a bed of steak fries and the chicken juice gets into the fries. Unbelievable." Not only do the chicken juices get into the fries, the fries STAY CRISPY!!! I believe this is because they are fried in DUCK FAT. Duck fat ='s DELICIOUS! The service is also just as great as their food! They do not serve liquor but you can buy drinks at the bar next door and bring them to your table. THEY ARE NOT BYOB. If you prefer to drink alcohol during your entire meal, you can dine in at Glascott's (the bar next door) and they do serve the full menu.
(5)
Mne M.

The best skirt steak i've had in my life!!!!!! so juicy, and.the greek fries are soooo good too it was my first time there and that dish was amazing. I went there specifically for the skirt steak since i've heard great things I left satisfied I will be back!!! :)
(5)
Marisa A.

The food here is still very tasty, but the service is so meh. Tonight I was never asked if I wanted anything to drink, the salad that was supposed to come with my gyros evaporated, and I had to look animatedly bored in order to get the check. This isn't the first time at the Athenian room when I felt like I was better versed in my please and thank yous than the staff, and I don't like that when I'm the diner. The hostess has just rubbed me wrong too many times. See ya, Athenian room.
(2)
Jess F.

If you're in Lincoln Park and craving greek food this is a nice little place. I've been here twice and both were pleasant experiences. The first time I went with my family and we got the appetizer called Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) which was kickass. Then for my meal I got the Gyros Dinner. The meat was delicious, and so was the pita, but they put some kind of oil on the food that absolutely soaked the pita when I put it back on the plate which made it really soggy. The oil also got all over the fries and made them soggy after a while as well. The next time I went I got the Greek Feta Charburger and again, delicious, but that oil got all over my fries and bottom of burger. Not sure what the oil was, or if thats typical for greek food (I don't really eat at many greek places). We also got dessert (Baklava= good but not great. not warm fresh out of the oven taste. Kinda tasted almost store bought) The staff is nice enough. Both times they seem kind of snooty though, I think it's just because most of them don't speak English very well but I dont know. They didn't do anything bad but I just got a weird vibe. The place itsself is kinda cramped, but really cute. It's also attached to a bar (which is where the bathroom is) I'm not running to go back, but its pretty good food.
(3)
Monica M.

This is just based off of their gyros. I love gyros, but I hate them if they are greasy. They are not like that here. It comes with a ton of meat, enough for two gyros. Greek fries are great, but I prefer mine regular. Highly recommend them. My friends say the salads and chicken kabobs are great too.
(5)
Elizabeth A.

Big portions, great prices, and great food. The gyros are very yummy with the tzaziki sauce. Good place for a casual dinner!
(4)
Leslie S.

Our friends highly recommended the Athenian, and so we went with them one snowy evening in January to try the much-praised Kalamata chicken. For both me and my husband, it was a disappointment: chicken absolutely soaked in vinegar is not something that appeals to either one of us. We were expecting chicken with strong lemon flavor, and what we got was a big drink of vinegar. The Greek fries, underneath the chicken, were so soggy by the time they reached the table that they were really inedible. The chicken was also served with a salad, which was rather bland. If I ever found myself at this restaurant again (and for me, it wouldn't warrant a second trip), I would request the "juice" on the side of the chicken, and I would skip the salad altogether. I like a glass of wine with dinner, and so the whole idea of walking next door to order a beer or cocktail mid-dinner doesn't sit well with me. I am really puzzled as to what kind of license the Athenian has, and why its customers can't BYOB if they can go to the bar next door and bring back a drink. I would infinitely prefer to bring my own bottle of wine, rather than leave the table twice to refill my drink. (Above all, I would prefer the waitstaff to bring me another glass or bottle, but...) In terms of bright spots, we ordered two portions of taramasalata, which was actually very tasty. Service was also extremely attentive; our waitress was friendly and very prompt to respond to our needs and requests. The restaurant itself has an intimate feel to it, and was very warm, which I appreciated! The prices were also very, very reasonable. Our bill, for four people, was $68 (not including drinks, of course). Still, I have had amazing Mediterranean food, and this was not.
(2)
Thomas G.

At the risk of showing my age, I have to say I remember there being a barber shop at that location before it was The Athenian Room. I used to live right across the street at 818 W. Webster. As a young lad in the early 1970's, my friends and I went there and talked with Alex, the owner, while he made our gyros sandwiches. Not very long ago, I went back there with my wife to see if it had changed. Thankfully, it had not. The fries were just as delicious, the sauce just as creamy, the gyros just as yummy as I remembered it. I hadn't remembered it being so popular before, but the popularity is well deserved. It just so happened Alex was there the day we went. He was sitting in the dining room, looking out the window. I went up and reintroduced myself to him and he to my wife. He smiled and said he remembered me and my friends. This is where I tried my very first gyros. It remains among my favorites. It's nice to know some things don't change :) I drop in whenever I'm in my old neighborhood.
(4)
Bryan W.

Easily some of the best Greek food in Chicago land. I love the hole in the wall feel and the food comes out hot and fresh.
(4)
Vernon P.

Best Skirt Steak in Chicago for an incredible under $20 price. Service is excellent. A family run business for over 30 years. The ownership is personable and they remember my name and greet me with kindness every time I stop by. I have been going there since 1989. Comfy cool place on a hot summer evening.
(5)
Alissa W.

Amazing greek food I found this place on yelp suddeny when I needed a quick place to stop and get lunch. I was surprised the reviews are accurate and great. Definitely a good place is you are craving greek food for a reasonable price !
(4)
Paul S.

The greek potato wedges are addictive. Ive tried to make them at home and can not match the Athenian Room.
(5)
Angie K.

Feed me feta! I randomly had a craving for creamy, soft feta and realized I hadn't been to Athenian Room in a long time. In rush hour traffic, hubby and I ventured here on a rainy Thurs. He was parking the car while I walked in. One waitress told me I had to wait for him to be seated, even though I knew what to order the both of us and I saw tons of empty seats. I sat down in the waiting area and 10 seconds later, another waitress seats me with no problem. Alrighty then. Bread basket is served upon seating but I would suggest to not even bother with it because you will eat your heart out with all the other items. Feta was first (MUST HAVE), then I got my usual veg salad and he got his usual gyro but made it a dinner portion this time. Eek, big mistake for our bellies. Food overload ensued. Food came very quickly as usual (as these are really popular, easy to prep items) but we had serious belly aches after from over-eating :\. It's not BYOB, but you can pop into Glasscott's next door and bring a beer over, which we did. I love the food here but I feel that the waitresses have a bit of an attitude which is why I'm sticking with 4 stars. Every time I've visited, something is just up with them. Do you need a hug, girl? I will continue to go to Athenian Room because the prices and food are always on point. Can't wait til it gets warmer to do outdoor seating.
(4)
Dana C.

Am I missing something? Why do people love this place so nuch? Went here with my boyfriend we both got the gyros. They were mediocre, though next to the accompanying soggy fries and tasteless salad they were the best thing on the plate. I don't think I've ever had a more boring meal. I'm giving it three stars because the food came quickly, the server was helpful, and the bill was cheap. If I hadn't had such high expectations from all the hype I may not have been so disappointed. Probably won't be back.
(3)
Emily J.

My coworkers are always talking about how good the Athenian room is and now I understand why-it's amazing! My friend and I caught a quick dinner here prior to a holiday play and it was just what I was in the mood for-filling, tasty, and inexpensive. I got the large Greek salad with gyro and pita and it was excellent. The salad is a good size and is full of very fresh lettuce, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes with a delicious and light olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. I asked for feta as well and was presented with a legit hunk of cheese doused in olive oil, it was delightful. The gyro here deserves a whole five stars on its own. Perfectly balanced between salty and sweet, crispy and chewy, it is the quintessential gyro and probably the best I have had. The pita here is great too-soft, warm, and served with fantastic tzatziki. I stuffed my pita with salad, gyro, tzatziki, and feta for a flavorful combination. If you have the appetite for them (and who doesn't), don't miss the vinegar soaked fries. Served with pita, lettuce, tomatoes, and gyro, these fries are top notch, but be warned-they are extremely filling. Aside from the fabulous food, the prices at the Athenian Room are unbelievable! Entrees are $10, some even less and the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol so you don't have to worry about that added cost. It's nice to know that you can still get great food in Chicago without paying out the nose for it. Next time I go to the Athenian Room I am totally coloring on one of the Greek god inspired paper menus; it'll make a perfect souvenir.
(5)
Cinthya Q.

The food is always amazing and the price is great. Can't beat the Lincoln park location with the outdoor seating in the summer. The one star comes from the tyrant working at the front. I'm assuming she's the owner or manager. Lady. Please relax. Don't treat your employees like crap and please don't treat your loyal costumers like you're the one doing us the favor. We like the food, we like the ambience, but we don't like your attitude, your rudeness, or the shortness you direct towards us and your employees. Today she screamed at the young hostess at least four times in front of us. I just can't stand watching people belittle others. Love the food and love the costumer service from the valet, the servers, cooks, and the bus boys. However, we have decided that after years of loyal patronage we can't continue to support such a tyrant at the front. Learn some common decency and how to speak to your employees lady! Without them, you and your restaurant would be nothing!
(1)
Emily Z.

I think I made a huge mistake by not getting the chicken everyone talks about... but I was craving a salad. Vegetarian Salad with pita, tzatziki & Greek fries, is a Greek salad with the Feta Cheese replaced with crisp delicious steak fries. Everything was fresh but it just lacked some flavor for me, kinda boring. Even though Tina Fey says the chicken is delicious I don't think I'll be back.
(3)
Michael B.

Literally everything tastes good. Gyros, chicken kalmada, soup...everything! The restaurant is small, but you can eat at Glascotts, have a drink & watch T.V.
(5)
Chobytrys O.

Long over due. I've been coming here for the past 10 years and its just as great now. The Skirt steak is arguably one of the best cuts in the city. If I'm solo I like to sit at the bar next door and enjoy the food while watching ESPN.
(5)
Dustin H.

Wow this place has great food. The gyros offer a large portion of good with great flavor. The Kalamata chicken is just as tasty, especially dipped in the lemon butter wine sauce. The only reason this place didn't get a 5 star rating is due to our waitress's preference to present an annoyed attitude throughout our entire dinner. I hope my next visit will be much more pleasurable and change my outlook on the service. Unfortunately, It's tough to change a first impression.
(4)
Chelsea B.

Aaaammmaaazzing!!! Oh man is this place good!!! I've been twice in one day, lunch and dinner. My favorite is probably the half a chicken withy the Greek fries but everything I've had has been great. Small place but I've never had to wait too long. And to top it off, the prices are great!
(5)
Jana K.

This is such a great casual restaurant. It's very reasonably priced. The chicken kalamata and the gyros are awesome. Get there early it gets crowded.
(5)
Dee F.

Disappointed :( My mom was so excited to bring us here and once our dinner arrived everything kind of crumbled. We had an issue with our food (something was in one of the plates (long hair) so I quietly went up to the front just to see if I could find our waitress and just order another dinner. I was trying to be discrete about the whole thing in order to respect the business and the customers that were eating there as all. Almost 10 minutes went by and so one of us had to get up again. Well, the owner managed to parade over with a big know it all attitude talking very loudly and making us uncomfortable. I don't need all that, I was trying to just be quiet and get a new dinner. We got a new dinner but the whole experience left a bad taste in our mouth and we won't be back nor recommend to anyone either.
(1)
Patrick F.

This is one of the best kept secrets in Chicago, I highly recommend trying the Gyros or Chicken
(5)
Theresa N.

Excellent gyros and Greek salad. Nice to sit outside on a sunny day! You have to BYOB - which is fine because you can purchases drinks near foot at Scotty's and bring to your table.
(5)
Bobby M.

The experience I had was not worth what I was charged. Food decent but nothing special, definitely overpriced for the portions. Waitress was lifeless (but the busboy was super friendly) and 2 of them just sat at a table in same room right near us talking. First time here, probably wouldn't come back. Really don't understand what any type of hype was about it.
(2)
Jennifer S.

We've been going to the Athenian Room for 25 years. It is our go-to place when we want a great dinner and don't feel like cooking. We feed a family two adults and two kids for around $30 because the chicken is big enough to share. The kalamata chicken and gyros are better than Greek Town. Surprisingly, their burgers are delicious, too. It is family owned, homey and personable. Anna has called us by name and remembered our children's names from the time they were babies in their car seats -- a welcome and unexpected personal touch in a big city. We're never disappointed.
(5)
Peggy T.

I love Athenian Room and used to come more often. Last night was my first time there in months, and I was so happy to be back! We were seated right away and the Chicken Kalamata was just as good as I remembered. The fries soaked in the oil/chicken juices are amazing! My cousin had the Skirt Steak and it was almost as good as my chicken dish. Others in our Group tried the Gyro Dinner and the Pork Souvlaki dinners and everyone was pleased. They serve bread with your meal, which is always a plus,but it could definitely be served warmer. The prices are pretty good and the food comes out quickly. I only wish they had a better selection of appetizers, perhaps SAGANAKI? I will be back soon, I can't believe I forgot about this place for so long!
(4)
David S.

Very disappointing. I was expecting more based on the reviews but the food was less than average. The salad was soaked in so much oil and vinegar that it chocked you on the first bite. I had the steak which the waitress said was her favorite, and it was tough and hard to cut. It also came submerged in some sort of juice that added nothing to the taste. My son had the chicken kabob and the chicken was dry and relatively tasteless. Our server was pleasant enough but had no clue about the food she was serving. They left the check from the previous customer sitting on the table which was odd. No attention to detail and absolutely no creativity with the food. In an area that has 100's of choices to eat put this way down on the list.
(1)
Frank P.

I've been going here for over 22 years since I moved to Lincoln Park in 1993. The food has always been good and consistent. The owners are always friendly and appreciative of our business. I grew up in a smaller town and this has the neighborhood, small town feel. Kid friendly. I personally love the gyro and greek fries. You can buy drinks from the adjoined bar next door if you want too! Great place to take a couple families and plop down for a good meal and conversation.
(5)
Tom W.

I was introduced to the Athenian Room by a friend a few years back. I'm not much on restaurant steak but she insisted I have the skirt steak Alexandros. I will always be grateful to her for this. It was delicious. We've been back many times and while the chicken Kalamata looks tasty, I cannot bring myself not to order the skirt steak. How do I pass up that steak? I don't. I get the steak and I eat every bit of it and am happy. The last time we went she suggested we get the Taramosalata. I recalled her excellent steak suggestion and agreed immediately. From now on it will be part of my order. It came with plenty of warm pita and was a great start to the meal. I have used the word steak many times in this review. Get the steak. Or get the chicken them tell me what you thought about it. I'll never betray my skirt steak, but I'd like to hear about the chicken.
(4)
Nicolas D.

#1 place in Chicago for Greek. Best food, highest quality, most authentic. Cannot go wrong - everything on the menu is bomb! The burgers are also awesome if your looking for a American style food item. Be sure to get the Feta burger is an awesome twist on the traditional cheese burger (and pretty massive). The waitress my first time their was wonderful. One of the best experiences I've ever had at a place of this caliber. My girlfriend and I tried a wide variety of authentic and original Greek dishes (Greek Villagers Salad is unique and a must). Even provided a piece of baklava on the house! Keep up the awesome service!! Now one of my regular places to dine.
(5)
p d.

I eat in occasionally and when I do the service is poor and the owners nickel and dime you. I know only get take out and again, nickel and dime you. The most aggravating is that they need a new phone system. Everytime I call, no matter if Im on a landline or cell, the woman owner says " I can't hear you. You have a bad connection." If you saw their phones........hello, 1990 called they want their phones back. I have to repeat and yell..........so aggravating.!
(3)
Ashley B.

The best Greek food! Definitely a favorite of my husband and I. You have to try the kalamata chicken and the gyros! The Greek salad with feta is also amazing. The prices are very fair and the service has always been good for us. No alcohol is served but you can get something at the bar next door (Glascots?) and bring it on over. This place is a must try!
(4)
Justin B.

Glad I came by to try this, but not sure I'll be back. The gyros at Niko's and Falafel & Grill are so good and so close to my house AND so cheap that even at $7, Athenian Room loses out on the gyro price front. The fries weren't as tasty as my other faves, but the space in the restaurant and the staff were solid. And the feta cheese was fine but didn't take me back to my time in Athens or in Santorini. A-OK, indeed.
(3)
Richard K.

Simply awful. How is this place still open? The Greek salad was sparse and pretty bland. They only have egg lemon soup in the winter. You have to get drinks from the bar next door. The bbq chicken was criminal. Even the gyros were bad.
(1)
Danielle S.

We came here on a Ssaturday during lunch time, and surprisingly they weren't busy! We were seated and helped right away. We grabbed some drinks from the bar and brought them over to our table and ordered away! It is a small place - I can see where seats would fill up fast if they were busy! We ordered the Taramosalata, Chicken Kalamata Style, and the Greek salad. the Taramosalata was amazing - the pitas were soft and everything was very tasty! The Chicken Kalamata Style was juicy and tender. You didn't even need a knife to cut it. The only dish I wasn't crazy about was the Greek salad - I felt like I could have made that at home. The dishes are big enough to share (and we did), and I feel like it's really a great deal for your money. I'm sure we will be back again!
(4)
Alexandra K.

Athenian Room has some of the best Greek food I've ever had. I love to go when I am in Chicago since its so good, reasonably priced and a friendly wait staff. If gyros aren't your thing (not sure why they wouldn't be) the char burger with feta is also a great choice. The Greek fries are perfectly seasoned and one of my favorites. I would recommend to anyone looking for delicious greek food in Lincoln Park.
(5)
Brittany H.

I used to work near Greek town, and I've tried a bunch of the restaurants there. I have my favorites, and I would've never expected a Greek restaurant in Lincoln Park to take the cake. The food was amazing and very affordable, and it has the typical family owned Greek restaurant feel, so you know it's authentic. The gyro platter was delish- the meat was seasoned perfectly & it was a very good portion for the price. The Greek fries are also a must try. A bunch of people had the chicken dinner, which was literally half of a chicken. There's definitely no skimping on the portions at this place. Next time you're craving Greek food, skip Greek town & try Athenian room.
(5)
Amr A.

I peeped this joint on Check Please Chicago and decided to check it out, and I could not be more pleased with this spot. This place has been open since 1972 with the same decor and a couple of the same cooks, I mean they must be doing something right. Ive heard the kalamata chicken was Tina Fey's favorite dish in chicago, and she was absolutely right. The half chicken was cooked to a lemony olivey perfection and its served over a bed of crispy steak fries soaked in the juices from the chicken, whats not to love. I do wish they served some rice with the chicken and it would put it over the top for me. I also tried their Gyros, and they were amazing as well. I am Mos Def hitting this place up again when in the area.
(5)
Rose F.

We had a bad experience with the owner. We had a problem with the food and asked to see our waitress. The owner came over and we explained the food had a long hair in it. She was defensive and rude. We just wanted a new plate so we could all eat together. Very disappointing. Especially since we were so excited to eat there. After we received our food nobody even came back to see how things were. We were just handed the bill. Wow! I guess they're so busy that customer service and respect doesn't matter.
(1)
Amanda L.

One of my favorite no fuss places in the city. High on flavor, consistency and deliciousness! Price makes this one of the best values for the quality in the city. Always a friendly place to stop in for pick up or eat-in. I'm a customer for life and I can honestly say their Large Chicken Kabob Salad compares to nothing else in this country. BEST Greek Salad ever in the USA. I'm hungry thinking about it!
(5)
Sarah T.

Outstanding! We are out of town-ers who c's at the suggestion of local friends, and we were not disappointed. Check out the Greek chicken and just say yes to the house made feta.
(5)
Laila C.

Their chicken is delicious but their owner is a bitch. She yelled at me and I saw her yelling at a couple of other people too. I'm sure running a very busy and successful business is stressful, but lady, chill out. They don't take reservations and they fill up fast. Get there with your ENTIRE party, put your name in, get a drink or drinks at the pub next door and then order the chicken kalamata once you get seated. Also get the Greek Caviar. It's like caviar hummus. Delicious. Get 2 if you have more than 4 people, you'll need it.
(4)
Alexandra F.

All the food is just perfect so much taste and generations of fantastic foods:). They have a lot a lot of variety and tastes in their food which you can tell all the chefs are professional!
(5)
Brian S.

Really good and reasonably priced Greek food. I definitely recommend it for a nice casual dinner. It's not the best of the best, but definitely worth the bang for the buck.
(4)
kathleen l.

Had the pleasure of being talked down and scolded by the owner before lunch arrived. We ordered a plate of tomatoes for our 4 year old and the server said they couldn't do that. We said we would of course pay for it and she went to inquire. The owner marches over and to tell us, with tude, they would not accomodate and they do things "the way they like it." She proceeds to tell us we can order the villager salad which has tomatoes in it and we said our 4 yr old doesn't like salad. The owner proceeds to tell us we can order the villager salad with only tomatoes???? So let me get this straight, I can have tomatoes as long as I order the villager salad with only tomatoes. Great, we will take that. Oh, but it didn't stop there. She kept on, without realizing how redic her argument was. We couldn't help but laugh. It was twilight zone worthy. Way to stick to a rule to prove a non point. I can only imagine how she treats her staff.
(1)
Laurina J.

Would give five stars if the manager was not so irritating and treats you as if one is lucky to eat in the restaurant. I lived across the street for 10 years and ate here at least once or twice a week. Skirt steak hands down the best I ever had. I can taste it now. Gyros are excellent as well. Owner is AMAZING, he would always put in free treats when we ordered. My daughter has amazing memories of picking up our food and he would put treats inside. Well, we did order sometimes three times in a week! Maybe manager is family, not sure but food is fabulous!! Noticed a reviewer Thomas G. said he lived at 818 W. Webster so did I for 10 years!! In fact still own the place just renting it out. How funny.
(4)
AV G.

The place has over 300 reviews--I scrolled through a handful to see what other yelpers said before i set the record straight. I have been eating here for 25 of the 40 years the place has been open You will not find a better greek chicken dinner ($9.50)--fries, bread, salad 1/2 bird. Period. The place has a very small menu, and has refined the bread,sauce,napkins etc down to a science It is an excellent local diner that does a remakable job. Any opinions to the contrary is an indication that you don't know what you are talking about
(5)
Cindy M.

I was recently in the restaurant during one of their slow times. Food was decent as always. However, the female owner was on a rampage. She was yelling at the kitchen staff and calling them pigs. She then sat down at a table and was complaining loudly to the waitstaff about other employees. I was there with my 2 kids and they were shocked at her behavior. My message to the owner...maybe it's time to retire! If your job makes you so miserable that you must treat other people like that, it's time to leave the restaurant business or hire someone to manage your place while you stay away!
(1)
FoodieChic L.

Love, love, love Athenian Room! I frown everytime I come in here, only because I checked it out after I graduated from DePaul. How did I miss this place? Needless to say, I'm making up for it by coming here on a weekly basis with the hubby. Fast service, fresh-quality food and inexpensive! If you are expecting a fancy shmancy place, this isn't it. The dÃ©cor is very outdated, the owners are typical Greek guys that count the register cash in front of you - but their food makes up for it. Best gyro and Kalamata chicken (with fries drenched in the juice, delish!) Only discretion is that this is NOT a typical Greek restaurant in the sense that there is saganaki, calamari, mousaka, etc... instead, they have steak and hamburger on their menu. My hubby (a meat guru) claims that AR has one of the best steaks! Need I say more?
(5)
Dwight K.

Not fancy but consistently good. Excellent cheese burger cooked to perfection. Cannot go wrong with Kalamata chicken or skirt steak. Every time I visit this is my must go to restaurant.
(5)
David J.

My experience at Athenian Room was pleasant. My girlfriend and I went there on a Saturday night at 8 pm and were both happy and displeased to see a full dining room with a line waiting to be seated. We were seated after about 20 minutes of waiting, during which time we were able to go into Glascotts for a drink. The hostess will find you either in the restaurant or in the adjacent bar. When we were seated, we promptly received our drinks and were soon adressed by a waitress. And here is where my review turns from 5 to 4 stars. She hovered over our table just staring at us; expecting us to say "Oh yeah, we would like ____". After about 10 seconds of staring, she says "Would you like anything?" in an almost snotty rude way. She didn't ask us if we would like an appetizer, or a soft drink or anything along those lines. Granted, it was a busy saturday night, and I am sure she had a lot of customers to deal with. We ordered our meals (we both tried the Gyro dinner) and were happy to see it arrive in just under 5 minutes. The gyro meat is already made and constantly on a rotisserie, so it is a fast meal for the restaurant to serve up. I imagine if I had come at a different time when it was less busy, I would have had much better service. But the bus boy (or whatever the man's title was) always made sure our water was refilled. So the service was average, on a busy night. I recommend Athenian Room to anyone in the Lincoln Park area looking for a meal under $15 dollars per person.
(4)
CC R.

athenian room is absolutely horrible, i hate i spent my money at this place, let me tell you why: horrific service, the waitress never greeted us, she didn't even say happy mother's day, she was very rude! never came by to ask us if we were ready to order, did not check on us! place is dirty, the floors need to be swept & the windows and front door need to be cleaned!!!!! had the gyro dinner it was cold, do not waste your money here, you see this place keep driving, try a greek restaraunt in greektown on halsted where they have better service and food. this place is atrocious!!!!!!!!
(1)
Sam T.

Okay so I come from a very Greek family, I am 100% Greek as well and I must say this place was awesome. Great food, really reasonable prices. The steak was to die for, I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Amy H.

Used to go here for fun school field trips in high school. Kept going back with friend because food is so good. I order half a chicken with BBQ sauce but I've also had the burgers and it's all yummy. The Greek fries are to die for!
(5)
Meg R.

Hidden gem in Lincoln Park that serves phenomenal Greek food. The kalamata chicken is a must have meal, the chicken is incredibly juicy. They do not serve alcohol but you can buy a bottle of wine next door at Glasscotts and bring it over. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is cozy. They do not take reservations but the wait is usually reasonable.?Athenian Room has definitely become one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago.
(5)
Julia V.

The chicken is amazing crispy and moist. I love the olive oil and feta. I love the outdoor area. I will definitely come back to try more items.
(4)
Manny B.

This has the best Kalamata Roasted Half Chicken, over fries, in the city. I love to eat my chicken first, letting the fries soak into the au jus from the chicken. No need for catsup on the fries. The skirt steak is also a winner and since they do such a high volume of Gyros, it's the best, too. Service is good, no booze, but you can go next door and carry a drink through an attached side door. The quality, quantity, and taste per dollar spent is off the charts. Been there many times and will keep going back.
(4)
Nicholas P.

Kalamata Style Chicken Dinner!!! I mean, do I really have to say it after everyone else has? Comes with a very simple salad and bread, which is a good contrast to the intense flavor of the lemony wine sauced burrrrd!
(5)
Kelly S.

Whoa! The roasted chicken kalamata style dinner blew me away. I'm a 'crispy chicken skin lover' and this chicken tickled all my buttons on that level. It was moist and had great flavor. The half chicken sits on top of very crunchy steak fries. It also comes with a dinner salad. The juices from the chicken plus some sort of very light dressing w/oregano soaks into the fries making ordinary spuds into spectacular spuds. The iced tea was also so good. It is ordinary brewed tea but when they brew it, they toss in a cinnamon stick which adds an unusual but delicious flavor to the tea. Baklava for dessert rounded it all out. I've had better baklava. Service was very friendly and efficient. Prices were most reasonable for the quality you get here. I believe the chicken dish at lunch was like $9. Tina Fey was right on the money with this!
(5)
Paul G.

I had a gyros dinner, a mixture of lamb and beef. Omg so much meat!! If you are looking for a cheap food with a huge portion, this is the place. But if you are looking for a authentic greek food, try elsewhere in the greek town. Although the gyros dinner was a huge portion, the meat wasn't the best. And it comes with fries....Gyros was too much for me, and extra french fries on the side wasn't the most pleasant experience. After I finished, I felt like I just visited a regular diner or pub. You know, personally, any plates that comes with fries, I would say lost its authenticity. But definitely I agree on cheap price and huge portions!
(3)
Edward R.

Had lunch here with my lady and I must say the service was horrible. The waitress didn't speak. She didn't come to check on us (to see how was our food, did we need anything, etc.) We even had to ask for the check. As far as the food goes we both ordered the gyros dinner. The worst gyro I've ever had! The fries however was very good. They was in some type of lemony, oreganoy broth! I won't ever go back though. The food wasn't worth it and the service alone is the real reason I'll never return.
(1)
Antonietta B.

Was parking my car intent on a quick shopping trip down halsted when the aroma from Athenian Room beckoned me. I was greeted and sat (table for 1) quickly on a saturday afternoon lunch rush. My server was very pleasant and brought me my diet coke with lemon in a flash. I ordered the large greek salad with chicken and the server recommended I add feta (ok, twist my arm). As I waited I saw people around me enjoying big piles of thick steak fries and half chickens perfectly roasted. My salad came out with big ripe tomatoes, cucumbers and a rather small skewer of the most delicious chicken. Lemony, seasoned well and juicy I wanted more! The salad was probably over dressed but the vinegary dressing hit against the chicken and feta and pita perfectly. And the feta! Oh man, obviously homemade served with a bit of olive oil and salty delicious kalamata olives. The whole thing was divine! I felt so good after eating it, not too full, and fueled ready for some serious shopping. Great, great place. Can't wait to come back and try more offerings!
(4)
L F.

been coming here since 1985. juicy fries are the draw for sure. ordering for take out for 20 years and they just can't seem to get it right. Vos , the male who answers, is nice and pleasant enough... and offers credit or help when they forget a meal, don't close the containers so all the juice leaks out all over. the woman , however, has the worst customer service and worst attitude i've ever experienced. yelling, rude, and does not apologize when she screws up. from the notes below, others have had issues as well. double check your order before you leave, and frankly don't order at all if you want to be satisfied. such a shame --
(2)
Elaine M.

The Athenian Room is absolutely wonderful! Tina Fey knows what she's talking about when recommending Chicago places to eat. (Side note: I ate here before I knew the goddess Tina Fey gave the Athenian Room her personal recommendation.) All in all, it's a great place to go and stuff your face feta, meat, and yummy fries. You also really get a bang for your buck. For dinner you get a plate overflowing with delicious food that leaves a healthy food coma in its wake. Food rec time: order the Feta burger. Just do it. Your taste buds will be happy you listened. Seriously, its mouth watering and they top with a HUGE piece of feta. Go to the Athenian Room and enjoy every bite.
(4)
Jason D.

Had one of the best meals here during my trip to Chicago. The lamb is out of this world.
(5)
Robert L.

I Don't Know What People Are Giving This Place 4 Stars But They Obviously Never Had Authentic Greek Food. I Give It -5 Stars, Ordered The Gyros Dinner And Left More Than 3/4 Of The Plate On The Table, Fries And Pita Were Sitting In A Puddle Of Grease, Bottom Line I Was Happy To Pay To Get Out Of There, Only Getting One Star Cause I HAVE To Give It Something
(1)
Yale K.

Ordered the skirt steak same as usual through 17 years . medium rare. I received 3 seperate pieces of steak not the usual full skirt. Proceeded to cut each of the 3 pieces open to find each one cooked through, no pink just grey. I said I dont mean to complain but...plate was whisked away with no word. 2 minutes later the owner(lady) comes back and says sir that is medium.(medium rare was my order). I say there is no pink and I was served 3 separate small pieces so how was it going to be possible for it to be medium. I was just there a month ago and it was pink. She made the waitress put the plate back down in front of me and walked away without a word. Did my plate seriously leave the table and come back? Very disappointed after being a long time patron
(1)
Benjamin D.

I love the Athenian Room and you will too as long as you go into it expecting Greek American food, not traditional greek. It's very inexpensive, the food is great and the outdoor seating in the middle of Lincoln Park is perfect. It's also a place where you can navigate your meal towards being a bit healthier if you choose! With that being said though, highlights are the Greek Fries (simple but crack level addictive), the villagers salad (no lettuce, great feta) the skirt steak (one of the most famous in the city) and the Kalamata Chicken. You won't spend much and there's something for everyone! Go! Cheers.
(4)
Cris V.

Awesome food for the price. I highly recommend the Kalamata Chicken. The half chicken sits on top of French Fries and Greek Style olive oil mix. I always order a couple extra pita breads because the one that comes with it is never enough. They scoff at you a bit when you don't pay with cash. But it is worth their anger to get to their chicken.
(5)
Zack P.

Very small dining room, but has outdoor seating in the warmer months. If you want a great gyro, give them a shot. I would suggest carry out due to the lack of seating, but you will enjoy the gyro for sure!
(4)
Rebecca C.

I came in here with my family, excited to try the food since a friend had recommended it to me. We sat outside on their sidewalk patio, and sitting on a tree-lined street just off of the bustle of halsted was more than pleasurable. Our server was attentive and sweet and had a lot to say about the food which got me more excited. I ordered the feta burger upon her recommendation and my siblings and mother ordered more traditional Greek fare including gyros and a salad. I honestly wish I was more impressed by the food but I can't say it was anything special. My burger was a bit on the dry side and the gyros were pretty standard. While nothing in particular was utterly horrible, I would regretfully say you can go ahead and give this one a pass. Service 4 stars Environment 5 stars Food 2 stars Price 3 stars
(3)
Agnes L.

Some dishes were a hit and some were a miss, so beware and follow the suggestions of the server. I went with my husband and a group of friends so I was able to sample. What I (and our server) loved - *The Kalamata Chicken: Incredibly juicy, roasted half-chicken served over seasoned wedge fries. We were not ashamed to eat off the bone. This is definitely the best dish on the menu because almost everyone around us ordered it and looked happy! *The "Greek Caviar": Made from the roe of cod or carp that has the texture of hummus What I settled with - *Large Greek Salad with Gyro meat, pita and tzatziki: All traditional veggies were fresh but wished I had more tomato and cucumber slices. The meat was not as flavorful or tender as I would have preferred. Pita bread was decent portion size and slightly toasted but not very fluffy. Lastly, the tzatziki sauce was a bit thick and creamy for my taste, but my husband loved that recipe in contrast to my affinity toward a lighter, zippier tzatziki. P.S. It gets crazy busy on the weekend, and they don't take reservations so you may have a bit of wait. Utilize the connected bar if that happens. Also, with the blessing of being busy comes the curse of being stressed. The person who had greeted us was not in the best of moods, but thank goodness our server was friendly and helpful.
(3)
Lauren F.

If you're looking for an authentic Greek meal with any variety in the menu at all-definitely pass on Athenian room and make the trip to Greektown. I brought my Greek grandparents here when they came into the city to visit. We always go to Greektown but I've heard such great things about Athenian Room and its a lot closer so I decided to try it out. Big mistake. The menu has absolutely no variety whatsoever. Cheeseburgers? On the menu at a "Greek" restaurant? They don't even have saganaki. Our party of 7 only ordered 2 different dishes between all of us-2 got the Chicken Kalamata and 5 got the Gyros Dinner. Both were good, they do make a good gyro, but by no means anything I would come back for. Big letdown, I'll be making the extra trip to south Halsted street whenever I want some authentic Greek cuisine.
(2)
Jaime G.

God i love greek food. I loved this little lincoln park greek place despite the deep fried shrimp i ordered. Had the greek salad with delicious fetal, side of kalamata olives, greek fries and the shrimp. Wouldnt recommend the shrimp or the dipping sause at all but the outdoor seating and everything else was excellent. I must of ordered the one thing that bad on the menu. however I did try my wife's Greek chicken entree with garlic sauce and fries and it was absolutely Delish. So come here and stick to the traditional dishes. They are yummy. And try the outdoor deck. It's heaven on a beautiful night but you'll have to be patient with the svc outside (really slow).
(4)
Mark P.

Writing this review after 4 or 5 visits, I am sure the Athenian Room is consistently good. I really enjoy the gyro. They also have great Greek fries. Parking in Lincoln Park is always tough and Athenian Room offers valet parking for about the same price as feeding the meter. Good Greek food at fair prices. Always a winner here !
(4)
Emily W.

It's a nice restaurant, but menu is very limited comparing to the ones in Greek town. Food portion is giant, but nothing too special.
(4)
Kip T.

Best. Greek. Food. Ever. I could eat the Kalamata Chicken every single night and the Gyros are - bar none- the best in the city.
(5)
Char Y.

we came on a saturday night and the wait was 1 hour! we waited and watched delicious looking and smelling food being served. it was torture! we were finally seated and ordered Taramosalata - SUPER smooth and delicious! Chicken Kalamata Style Skirt Steak Alexandros Style the entrees came with salad and the portions were HUGE! really recommend the juicy well seasoned chicken!
(4)
Keith H.

I really enjoyed my meal at the Athenian room. The menu is really quite small, but straight to the point. You know exactly what you're here to eat and they'll have it ready in 5 minutes. I order the Gyro Dinner and I fell in love. The greek fries are soaked in a lemon/wine sauce and the meat is just delicious. I would recommend asking for the Pita on the side as it gets soaked with the sauce and is not very easy to make a sandwich with if that is your preference. I'm a big fan of the baklava. You could actually taste all of the ingredients without it being overly sweet. And dessert for less than $3? That's unheard of in Chicago. I think if you're hoping to come here on a date, the food will come much to quickly for you - you could easily ask them to delay the order I would imagine. There is valet parking if you can't find your own. I came when DePaul was not in session, and there was lots of spots on the streets around the restaurant.
(4)
Genie B.

Gyros and Chicken... The chicken is amazing! I've never turned down an opportunity to eat here. Always a solid lunch option. Incredibly cheap, considering the portions they give you. Great service too!
(4)
Chicago T.

Great food. Great prices. As a recent reviewer expressed, just don't walk in there expecting traditional Greek food and you'll be fine. Their skirt steak is delicious, tender and plentiful. You will not find a skirt steak this tasty for the price charged anywhere else in town. If you do, please drop me a line. The fries are outstanding. The Gyros stands out among other gyro joints in town. The Greek salad with feta is so good and the salty kalamata olives are a great touch. I love these items so much, its all that I've eaten in the years we have been going there. Oh, they do serve an awesome lemon-rice soup, only during the winter months. The soup has a rich lemon flavor without being tart. They do have the traditional Greek baklava and serve a good cup of coffee. Weekdays is the best time to go. It can get pretty busy on the weekends. They have a reasonably priced valet service.
(4)
Rebecca N.

I LOVE this spot! I have been coming here my entire life with my parents and thought it was a little hole in the wall that only my parents knew of--boyyyy was I wrong! FAVORITES: The Greek chicken with fries is unreal! It is less than 10 dollars for enough food for two. The fries soak up all the flavor from the chicken and it is spectacular. The Greek salad with feta cheese and gyro meet is also one of my favorite dishes. For an appetizer I can NEVER skip the taramasalata. I get it with pita bread instead of the french bread that comes with it. This is an awesome spot if you are looking for a good lunch or easy low-key dinner. I have been here with friends and family and everyone is always impressed.
(4)
Elibe E.

Athenian Room is one of those neighborhood places that has the kind of charm that cannot be duplicated. Several staff members have worked here for 10+ years. The service is always kind and attentive. My recommendations: - Chicken kalamata - Greek fries (steak fries covered with a lemon-herb vinegar + oil sauce) - Chicken kebob The baklava is always great too.
(4)
Josh B.

This is one of those Chicago institutions were time has stood still. Everything is same as I remember from back in the day- great and generous portions of food. Re contend the gyro dinner, chicken kalamata, taramasalata, char burger...,all great. Partybif 7 sans alcoholic bevs just Ã¼ber $100. Kids lived it but they did get a bit tired hearing old Glasscott stories! Bathroom is inside of the bar though restaurant is independent of it- after slogging through a March Madness bathroom at a bar said he didn't think he would be going to any bars when he got older!
(4)
Meredith A.

Tasty and fresh Greek food. Everything was delicious. Enjoyed sitting outside. Will for sure be coming back.
(5)
Sara P.

This review is for the Kalamata chicken dinner. We ordered it for takeout on a cold winter night. Wow, what an amazing dish and a steal for the area. Very tasty, generous portions of roasted chicken. It comes with steak fries which are heavenly to dip into the sauce. The salad that comes with it is very plain and could use some oomph. They asked us if we wanted feta on the salad over the phone but did not tell us there would be a substantial extra charge for it. We would appreciate a warning next time. It also came with bread, which was pretty flavorless. I have had gyros here in the past, and that was pretty run of the mill, nothing to write here about. If this restaurant did not have the Kalamata chicken, this review would be three stars. So, order wisely when you come here!
(4)
Mary H.

Several friends had recommended Athenian Room, so when I moved to this neighborhood it was at the top of "Must Try" list. I had also been told it was BYOB -- BUT THIS WAS A LIE! Do not bring a bottle of wine, unless you want to be judged by everyone in the restaurant. They do not have a liquor license, so you can go next door to Glascott's and bring in your drinks. Kind of quirky, but whatever, cheap beer is cheap beer. The food is good and comes out quickly. These gyros taste like every other gyro I have ever had -- huge, greasy and satisfying -- and the menu is quite small. I was glad to see they didn't attempt to double the prices here just because they are located in Lincoln Park, our meal was $25 (with tip) for an appetizer and two entrees. I'll probably be back when I'm in the mood for another gyro.
(3)
Aaron Jae M.

Great place, I have been coming here for years. It is a little sad that I still ask for the crayons and coloring mats but it's just tradition. I live right next to greektown and yet I still make the journey north to come here for greek food. It's just that good. Their chicken is huge and delicious. Their greek fries are the best. And you can always count on their gyros to make your taste buds smile. P.S. Tina Fey has publicly endorsed (there's a youtube video of it somewhere) this restaurant for their amazing food. She recommends putting the chicken on a bed of greek fries so the fries absorb the juices from the chicken and get even more delicious which most thought was impossible.
(4)
Jeffrey Z.

Great gyros. The atmosphere is very old school, and the service isn't great (not all that attentive or friendly), but the food comes out quickly. The food and speed are the reasons I remain a regular.
(4)
Allison E.

I hear this place is one of Tina Fey's local favorites. I knew I liked her for some reason. She's apparently a woman with excellent taste in food. I dined here with a friend who absolutely raves about the skirt steak. He's right, its pretty spectacular. I had the Kalamata chicken which came soaked in this divine vinegary juicy meat juice. I don't know how else to describe it, but it was just perfect, truly special. FYI, the feta is extra, but big enough to split between two people. I do believe Athenian room is BYOB. They do not serve alcohol themselves. However, the bar next door is basically attached and you are welcome to wander over, grab a drink and bring it back to the table by your own hand. Extra 10 points for skirting Chicago liqueur laws.
(5)
Diva G.

Ordered the much talked about Kalamata Chicken & Gyros Dinner. The Kalamata Chicken definitely lives up to all of its hype. 5 STARS! Juicy, tasty and enough for 2 people - if you prefer white meat bring someone that prefers dark meat. The fries are crispy even though they are beneath the chicken and submerged in vinegar, oil & seasonings. Sooooo yummy!!! I also enjoyed the small salad with tomatoes and cukes that comes with the meal. The dressing was tart and DEE-LISH!! The Gyros Dinner wasn't bad, but I can't say that it was good either. 2 STARS. I did not care for the meat, sauce or pita bread. I am definitely a gyros connoisseur and it's all about the meat AND the sauce. I really don't understand all of the hype about their gyros. The fries are GREAT, but their gyros AND sauce are both lacking in flavor. PLUS, who wants a soggy pita bread??!! If you really want to experience an EXCELLENT gyros AND sauce, head north a few miles on Broadway (south of Irving) and stop in at Windy City. The service here was great- attentive and reasonable wait time for the food. 4 STARS. I will definitely return for the Kalamata Chicken and maybe even try something else on the menu, but they can keep the gyros!
(4)
Joe O.

Their meat was subpar; and that's a deal breaker for any restaurant I choose to frequent.
(2)
Patty C.

Good food + Big portions + Cheap price = Long wait. However, the wait is bearable and worth it. The service is friendly too.
(4)
Amanda M.

This is my usual spot. Tried the chicken kalamata, gyros, kebobs, charburger...all delicious. Love their tangy juices that are embedded into its food, especially the fries that are soaked into all of its deliciousness! Pretty generous servings and very affordable prices. And always great service. Just wished their side salads weren't so generic with just iceberg lettuce and tomatoes, but everything else definitely worth it.
(4)
Jorge C.

The Athenian room has the best gyros in town. We've tried gryos everywhere (including Greektown) and these are still the best. Order the gyro sandwich or dinner and be ready to be full. My wife and I typically order one dinner and one sandwich with an extra pita. This easily makes 3 big gyros and cost about $20. Only inconvenience, is that if you want a beer, you have to get it from the bar next door
(5)
Zo O.

Came here cause of Tina Fey. Chicken is soft and cuts like butta (chicken kalamata style). Cheap & huge portions. If you're in the burbs though, Omega restaurant in Niles does it better.
(4)
Max P.

Skirt steak was awesome, as were the gyros. Definitely going back to try the other food in the menu.
(4)
Paul B.

Excellent inexpensive Greek in Lincoln Park? Sign me up! I wanted to write a review to let everyone know this place is NOT BYOB as stated by our server. If you want to have a drink, you must go to connecting Glascott's for an adult beverage. Aside from slightly feeling like an alcoholic, everything was wonderful and I will definitely be back! Highly recommend the Kalamata Chicken, holy huge portions!
(4)
Seth F.

Best Non-Greek-Food-Factory Greek food in the city (that's a term, I swear). The Athenian Room is like an actual restaurant, more personable than such places as the Parthenon or Greek Islands. There's no family style option like the Parthenon and it's not really good for groups as either of those (or really any of the Greektown joints), but if you are looking for some solid and not fancy food, the Athenian Room fits the bill. If I could tag my restaurants, the Athenian Room would receive a "Weekday" tag, meaning it's a great option when you are looking for sustenance and don't want to cook. I find that Lincoln Park is never short of mediocre restaurants serving relatively simple food but among them, the Athenian Room is the best. Shouldn't be terribly difficult for you to find what you like on the menu, but I would recommend the chicken, and I almost NEVER recommend the chicken.
(4)
Grace I.

I've been coming here for a while, and I'm sure to come back. My most recent visit on the 28th, where I ate lunch with my mother, and our friends from out of town. I always come with my mother, but our friends have never been. My friend Alex and her sister Felicity both orded gyro dinners, while me and their father stuck with the gyro sandwich. My mother and Alex and Felicity's mother got the Kalamata chickens. It was a lot of food, so we all shared. The gyro meat was juicy, and pretty flavorful. I'd have to say there were too many onions, but that's just my preference. The chicken itself was also wuite juicy, and the juices served well as a sauce. The greek fries were amazing as usual, with that tangy sauce that makes you want more. Alex said her's were too saucy, but other that, we all had a grand old time.
(4)
Ashley A.

I tried some of my friend's gyro & it tasted the same as any other gyro I've had. This place only gets two stars because the lady at the front desk was so rude and because this place doesn't have a washroom. The lady told me the place was closed when I walked in, even though there were still a few minutes left and I wasn't planning on ordering food, just went there to meet up with a couple friends before heading down the street somewhere else. I told this to the lady, but she was still very rude & made us feel rushed. I pulled up a chair at the table where my friends were seated and the same lady stated I couldn't sit there because the chair was blocking (partially) the isle and that it was a fire hazard. This is understandable, but she was continuously rude & I only planned on sitting there for about five minutes while my friends finished their food. Our server was nice & timid, probably because she felt awkward about the drama with the lady.
(2)
Dana F.

Great Greek food. Large portions for decent prices. Family oriented place. Will be going back.
(4)
Erica C.

This place is never disappointing! Food always comes out fast no matter how packed the restaurant is. The skirt steak is the best meat in this city! Have been coming for years and will continue to come! Everyone i introduce to this restaurant is always pleased!
(5)
Stephanie C.

I've missed the AR since I've moved to the suburbs. Their gyros are phenomenal their skirt steak is juicy and tender as well as the chicken Kalamata. Their burgers are big and juicy and gotta love those Greek fries! If you go in the winter time be sure to get a cup of lemon rice soup it's creamy and delicious! Still haven't found anything that compares in the NW suburbs
(5)
Keyla R.

Isn't it funny how well you get to know some places in your neighborhood so that they no longer seem that special to you? Now try going with for a while and you will realize how much you miss them! Such is the Athenian Room. Nothing fancy about the place. Been there forever, it seems. And the decor is completely nondescript. So you start to take them for granted. Try not to do that with this place. Go have a leisurely meal one nice summer evening, sitting at their outside patio area. Enjoy their utterly fantastic Chicken Kalamata, which is a grilled chicken with a lemon sauce. Or enjoy their BBQ chicken, or just have a gyro. The taziki sauce is great. Oh, and if you are ordering the gyro, they are huge! We sometimes order just one with two piece of pita so we can split it between us. ' Couple all this with friendly service and reasonable prices and you can see why you might miss the place if you could no longer get to it.
(4)
Neda M.

The food was mediocre Americanized Greek cooking that lacked any authenticity and the service was absolutely terrible. All of the employees were mean and unresponsive to any questions about menu items. Our initial server was instantly rude when I asked her to explain what came with certain items and when the other server delivered the food she rudely threw the plate on the table and stormed off. When my dinner guest addressed the issue to another employee she overlooked his complaint and blatantly didn't care. To top it off, on our way out the door, the server who threw the food yelled, "bye, thanks so much for coming in," in the most sarcastic and mean tone I have ever heard. I wish I had the words to explain just how out of line her comment sounded. My dinner guest addressed it to the manager explaining the server's rudeness, and she responded with, "oh, I don't think she'd do that." I have no idea what why all of the employees were so mean but I will never go back to a restaurant that is so disrespectful towards its customers. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone who appreciates decent manners.
(1)
Jill K.

6 weeks ago I was actually in Greece, so "authentic Greek" tastes were still fresh on my mind. Aside from the chilly Chicago weather, my trip to Athenian room was like I stepped back into Greece. You can tell that this place is legit from the moment you are greeted until the moment you leave. My friend and I were welcomed by a beautiful woman with a Greek accent who led us to a cozy little table against the wall. A table close by ours was occupied by a Greek family, their beautiful foreign language faintly echoing off the restaurant walls and falling upon my interested ears. It was a beautiful background that definitely enhanced the atmosphere. Our server was amazingly friendly and so helpful when it came to recommendations.I had the chicken kalamata style dinner, per our server's recommendation. Apparently, this dish is one of Tina Fey's favorite and she is known to frequent this restaurant when she is in town. Come on - if Tina Fey likes it.... My salad came quickly (definitely ask for a side of their feta...mmmm) and our meal was out very shortly thereafter. Oh, man...Tina Fey, you do me so right. That woman knows her food as well as she knows her comedy. The chicken was so succulent, having obviously been marinated for several hours and slow-cooked so that the meat fell off the bone. I was one happy camper. It was a big portion, so I took some home to nosh on it later. Before we got the check, our server brought us a piece of their homemade baklava - on the house. Now, I was hesitant to try Athenian Room's considering I just had the world's best baklava on the beach of Santorini, so I didn't think anything would even come close to what I had. I wouldn't say that Athenian Room overturned my #1 spot for the best baklava, but it is definitely the best baklava I have ever had in the U.S....and that's saying something! The simple, friendly ambiance of Athenian room coupled with their authentic Greek food assured me that, like Tina Fey, I would be back for more.
(5)
Ariel L.

This is a totally biased review because I have been eating here since i was in the womb. My parents moved to Fremont and Webster in 1971. I was born in 1973. My mother says she ate there the weekend i was born, which I believe, because i have had a love affair with the place ever since. Over the years i have taken friends, dates, colleagues there, and all have been satisfied. The skirt steak is one of the best on the north side, an the Chicken Kalamata is outstanding. Gyros are also very good. Don't waste your time with the salad though, as it probably has zero nutritional value. Prices, which only went up in the last 10 years, are still very reasonable for the amount off food you get. I think the biggest complaint i hear is that this doesn't compare to the Greek restaurants in Greek town. That is a fair complaint. There is no Saganaki, and a lot of other traditional items are not on the menu. My response is that the Athenian Room has a small kitchen, so they can't make everything, but what they do make is gold. Glascotts bar next door serves liquor, so you can go over and get a drink and bring it back, and on a nice day they have outdoor seating on a beautiful street. I don't think there is much to complain about truthfully. Good food at cheap prices. If you need something more elaborate, go elsewhere (that's fine by me because then you won't take my table).
(4)
Samar N.

So I am not going to lie, Part of my initial attraction to this place is that Tina Fey says in her book that it is one of her favorite places to eat in Chicago. My boyfriend ventured here, shortly after we listened to the book on tape,during a guys trip to Chicago and could not stop raving about it. So after all that I KNEW I had to try it. Decided to go check it out with my boyfriend and 2 friends who are Chicago Locals but had never been to the place. It is a cute little no frills kind of restaurant, when we walked in they had about a 20 minute wait so we decided to go to the connected bar and get a few drinks and play some ski ball ( BONUS!!!). They do not serve alcohol but you can go grab a drink next door and bring it back in with you. I got the Chicken Kalmata and OMG it was to DIE for. I still get random cravings for it and look up flights to Chicago at these times thinking that maybe I could fly over a get my fill?? The Chicken comes over a bed of french fries and all the juice get all of the french fries making them soggy and amazing!! My boyfriend got the Gyros and one of my friends got the greek burger, I can't seem to remember what her boyfriend got but both of these items were delicious but if you are coming here for the first time i would say ORDER THE CHICKEN!!!!
(5)
Melanie S.

I'm fairly certain that I ate my first gyro sandwich at Athenian Room back in high school (which was just a block away). My bff in high school was so continental, introducing me to the likes of a good gyro sandwich or shrimp tempura from the little Japanese restaurant across the street (curiously, it's also still open). This was of course back when the most exotic thing to ever touch my lips was a crepe. Many years later, my tastes have changed and improved but I still enjoy a gyro sandwich every now and then. Last night brought on a craving for one like no other but I didn't feel like going all the way to Greektown and really, I just wanted a more quick, casual option, but I also didn't want to do takeout. It was a lovely warm later summer evening so we decided to drive down to Lincoln Park and sit outside on Athenian Room's patio to enjoy our food. It was filled with families and even a few well-behaved doggies. Everyone was in good spirits, eating their food. It was a nice sight to see. On to the food. It's still as good as it ever was. Their gyro plate comes with pita, tzatziki, tomatoes, onions, and it's served over their Greek fries, which are fries tossed with a lemon // oil // vinegar dressing with oregano. It's a lot of food (easily enough for two servings or leftovers) for a decent price. I'm sure it's the same Kronos gyros that's served in every one of the 19654 restaurants in Chicago that offer a gyro.Their kalamata chicken is also delicious. Really, everything here is quite good. It may not be the best Greek food you've ever experienced, but you won't be disappointed, you won't leave hungry, and it won't break the bank. Service is amiable (it's usually college-age girls) and efficient. AR doesn't have a liquor license, but you're free to grab a pint from Glascott's next door. In fact, a quite-enterprising bartender from Glascott's came around and offered up beer and wine to AR's patrons. Athenian Room also does a brisk takeout business if you'd rather enjoy their gyros in your own friendly confines.
(4)
Bart S.

To me, 5 Stars- I have been coming here for over 20 years! Hadn't been in a while only because I have moved further west, and the parking around here is a bit of nightmare....but the food is the same great quality .... For me, it's the Greek Style Chicken Kalamata , in the lemon juice and olive oil, with the thick cut Fries in the juice..KILLER! I also like the Gryo's here. Place was packed, but the awesome Dutch Lady owner said 10-15 min wait, and it was about 10 to get a table. The service was quick and good. I will be back sooner rather than later this time.
(5)
Gab G.

Well, Tina Fey was right. Go to the Athenian Room. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Order the Athenian chicken dinner Kalamata style. (Gyro dinner is good, too. Pass on the shrimp Kalamata style unless you're looking for six fried shrimps with fries.)
(4)
Kim N.

Im torn by this place. I liked the old school 70's decor. A sign it's been around for a while. It reminds me of the old Greek place in college I ate at. The lunch menu however is not as vast as I expected. Was thinking I was going to get some old home cooking but it was more of the Greek American style. Now not to say the food wasn't good, it was. The gyros and fried shrimp with the vinegar/oregano fries were tasty. The iced tea had this interesting cinnamon tinge to it. No refills though. That's way old school. The service seemed a bit lukewarm at first and we didnt stay long enough to get friendlier treatment. It seemed that some of the locals got some warm greetings. Maybe if we were neighborhood folks we could have gotten better treatment? Unsure. 3.5 stars
(3)
Ryan C.

We went there for dinner last night because its close by and we had enjoyed it previously. However, this time we were left unimpressed. We had the greek salad and the shrimp dinner. The salad was very bland and not what I would consider a really Greek salad. The shrimp dinner was very basic and not Greek one bit. The shrimp was oily and fried and the fries were dripping with oil. Next time if we want good Greek food we will be heading someplace else.
(2)
Disa C.

This place by far is the best place too get a steak. The Greek steak is marinated in wine and vinegar. Ahh sooo good! The thick cut Greek fries that come with the steak are a bonus! Fyi they dont sell liquor but you can bring the drinks back from the bar thats connected too Athenian Room.
(4)
Paul D.

Easiest 5 stars ever given! Whether you dine in or carry out, the Gyro Dinner is the best meal in the neighborhood.
(5)
Claire C.

Best Greek food in the city, anything you order will be yummy, you can't go wrong. My personal faves are the spinach pie, skirt steak and wet fries.
(5)
Cesar M.

I have been to few Greek restaurants in the past and this is on of the best. In previous restaurants portions were small and prices were big (Greek town specially) but on this one prices are reasonable for the portions. I went there with a friend on the way to the movies, so we did not have time to wait around for a table or slow service. And we did not, we got seated practically as soon as we walked in and the service was fast and friendly. We had the Kalamata chicken, skirt steak, salad and feta pita. Everything was good, but I enjoyed the feta pita the most. The feta cheese was flavorful but not too strong and combined with the tomato well it was perfect. The potatoes were a little too crunchy but again everything else was good so. I asked the waitress what kind of iced tea they had. "cinnamon iced tea" she replied. I thought did she say cinnamon??? I never had cinnamon iced tea before so, I will take that please. it was different and good. And just as fast as we walked in, got seated, ordered, ate, we left to the movies. Good food and service.
(4)
Jeff J.

Came for lunch with a friend on Saturday. He mentioned how packed it always is when he walks by, and Saturday was no different. We scored a table outside to take advantage of the nice weather. We were surprised to see a woman taking alcohol orders for the place next door-- I'm guessing Athenian Room doesn't have a liquor license and has a deal with this other place. Pretty sweet arrangement if you ask me. We each ordered the chicken kebab off the kalamata section, per many people's reviews. I'm not really sure what the fuss is all about. The chicken is not moist, as discussed in other reviews, but actually rather tough. The moistness could come from the puddle of oil it's sitting in (but who wants to eat their food in a lemon-y, oily mess?). And the yogurt sauce, which should have been the highlight, seemed like it was your run of the mill sauce, unceremoniously dumped into a small plastic saucer. It's fairly priced, so if you're looking to stay within a budget, it might be a good choice, but otherwise, I didn't find anything good to write about.
(2)
Taylor M.

I am giving Athenian Room two stars not because of the quality of the food, but because of the quality of the service. The service was so terrible and rude, my friends just wanted to walk out. I was out with two girlfriends and we decided we were hungry and Athenian Room was walking distance from where we were. When we got there the valet guy said they were still open and to go in. The first time we were treated rudely was when we walked in at 9:40 (they close at 10) and the lady at the front doesn't even greet us. She rudely states "We close soon at 10". I asked if that meant she wanted us to dine elsewhere. She said no, but they would be closing at 10 sharp. I figured that gave us 20 minutes... no problem. Our server was pleasant, but the lady keep making sure we knew that they would be closing and made us order the second we sat down. I thought this was strange because up until about 10 she continued to seat people. The staff continued to make us feel extremely rushed and unwelcome for the remainder of our meal. I ordered the lemon chicken soup which was okay. I have had better. It was a bit watery here and I prefer mine to be be a little thicker. The gyros were good, but they only give you a tiny portion of the yogurt sauce. We ended up leaving before I even finished my food because we felt so uncomfortable. This really bothered me. If you work in the service industry, you should be pleasant to your customers. Other negatives were the lack of a bathroom. Athenian Room connects to Glascott's a dive bar. So if you have to go to the bathroom be prepared to leave the restaurant, go to the bar, and wait in line with a bunch of drunk people to use a bathroom that is beyond filthy. Also, Athenian room does not accept Discover Card.
(2)
Eliana A.

Been going here for 10+ years with family and the steak and greek fries are the best in the city! The only downsides is the place has become popular now and its extremely busy all the time. Lastly the "hostess" (older lady with glasses), is by FARRRRR the rudest "hostess" ever and she seems to be working everyday lol smh. Where's the etiquette? Without her, I'd give this place 5+ stars, a shame.
(3)
Jackie S.

Loved the food, but was terribly disappointed with the service. It was my first night out to dinner with my 3 week old to meet up with my friends. I walked in and was immediately told I cannot bring the stroller in. Taking him out of the stroller would equal a crying baby which I think would be more disturbing. I asked to speak with the manager and she begrudgingly seated us in the back corner, but explained she will not make this exception again. Needless to say, I will not be coming back here.
(1)
TechGoddess A.

Had the chicken breast on Pita. The chicken was dry and tough. The fries warm and greasy. I think all of the 4 and 5 stars are from the owners or their friends. There is no way on earh this is a 5 star restaurant.
(2)
Jasmine S.

I placed an order for pickup and they didn't give me one of the items. I didn't realize until I got to my office. I called and the lady was very rude. I had to come back to get the item and of course, the woman doesn't the have courage to be there and instead left my food on the counter. The gyros weren't even very good, bland and dry. I would not recommend ordering carry out from this place. Talk about bad customer service and the food wasn't all that good.
(2)
Casandra A.

The skirt steak is amazing! Everything I've tried is great! Def. my favorite restaurant in Chicago! A must try!
(5)
Tracy F.

Chicago has a great Greektown. Tons of authentic restaurants and large menus. Athenian room isn't authentic. I've had the Greek chicken and the gyros. Both are great. However, the menu is extremely small - not nearly as many options found in Greektown. Service is friendly but nothing special. The place is also chock full of teenagers and parents with young children, so it's not too much of a date place. Better for a couple of friends or family. I will always go here when I'm craving gyros, but if I want anything else, I'll head south.
(3)
Andrea R.

I rarely eat at the same restaurant twice in a month since there are so many amazing dining destinations in Chicago. So you know I really like a place when I visit twice in a WEEK. It had been a long time since I had visited Athenian Room before last Monday night. And it totally hit the spot! I ordered the large salad with gyros, which isn't something I'd usually get, but weird things happen to your taste buds when you're pregno. It totally hit the spot, especially the pita bread that came with it. It was so yummy that I not only ate my pita bread, but my friend's too. Fortunately, she's on a bridal diet and was happy to share with the pregnant woman. My party of 5 left completely stuffed and we only paid $13/person. Why did I ever stop coming here? On Thursday when another friend asked where I wanted to go for dinner I opted for Athenian Room again...I can't get enough! Same amazing gyro salad, perfectly soft pita bread, and affordable prices. The only downfall is that finding parking can be a bit difficult in this area (so many permit spots), but they do have valet parking outside for $7. Don't be surprised if there's a 3rd visit for Athenian Room in the very near future.
(5)
Bernadette R.

I just moved to the neighborhood. I wanted to try this place since the reviews were decent. I ordered the gyro dinner and was completely disappointed. The bed of french fries in itself should have been a red flag. The meat was a strange consistency, extra salty, and they gave you one pita. The tzatziki sauce was very tart as well. If this is your only option, then it's alright. Personally, I'd rather spend my money on something better.
(3)
Bomby K.

I went their with a group of friends and ordered the gyro dinner and it was delicious.. Very Fresh.. The meat wasnt dry and was very flavorful..melt in your mouth. The portions were so big that I shared my plate with 2 other people! I definitely recommend ordering family style and sharing. Also for the first time I tried greek caviar and WOW! I must say that I am a huge fan! it didnt look or taste like regular caviar at all! It was white and creamy.. looks like greek yogurt.. My sister in law whom is a vegetarian tried it and loved it! Althought the food was great,,, their waitress was less than mediocre.. She just seemed to be having a bad day..
(4)
Mark B.

This place is a classic. I've been going since I was little and still has the same people running the show. Great gyro and chicken dinners and good pub next door to play a game and grab a pint to bring back to the restaurant with you.
(5)
Pete V.

So my wife is now addicted to the Athenian Room...and we're back after just a week! We stopped in on Sunday for lunch. Got a table right away and of course, now, being completely versed in the menu and timing, etc. We immediately order the villagers Salad, the gyro sandwich and the chicken shish kebob sandwich. The villager salad was enormous. A mound of fresh tomato slices atop cucumber and topped with one large slice of feta, and a few olives here and there. This was plenty for two people and I was tankful I hadn't given in to the urge to order a second appetizer. The chicken shish kebob sandwich was good, but I'm still a fan of the gyro. Nice tender chunks of chicken and tons of onions and tomato on a light pita and a heaping cup full of tzatziki sauce...you really can't go wrong for $6. I did make the mistake of having some of the gyro sandwich, which left me stuffed to the hilts on my way out! Regardless, it was another successful venture to the greek oasis in LP and I'm looking forward to more next week!
(4)
Chelsey O.

I really want to like the Athenian Room (I can walk there, it is Greek food, reasonable prices), but after eating here 4 or 5 times, I am not a fan. Since I am veggie I get a Greek Salad and indulge in the Greek fries. While the salad is a nice portion for $7, a couple times I've had it has been poorly dressed with giant pieces of lettuce and tough tomatoes. This last visit my bf got a gyro entree which came with a lot of me, but only one piece of pita - on the menu they call out pita and tzatziki as if they were additional or extra, but in reality they just make the meal. Service is fine, but never outstanding. Food is quick (since they pretty much just have popular dishes ready to go at the counter), but sometimes are already cold. If anyone else knows of a killer Greek Salad in the area - let me know.
(2)
Lucy N.

Athenian Room is a great place to order out lunch. I have never been really impressed with this place. Probably because I am not a fan of iceberg lettuce with chicken, feta and olive oil on it. It's a healthy quick option for those on the go.
(3)
Emmett F.

If you have a craving for Greek food, you gotta try Athenian Room. I live down the street and it's a nice place to sit outside in the summer or to order carryout. The prices are very reasonable, though they do charge for some extra's (like olives or cheese) so watch out for that. Also, the wait can be a bit long and I'm not sure if the owner really follows the first-come, first-serve rule. Like most people, I go for the gyros or kalamata chicken, but I really crave the Greek fries. Stop by Glasscott's before, during, or after your meal, and make it a fun and delicious night!
(4)
Ashley C.

Greek fries are heavenly!!! I had the skirt steak on recommendation from our bartender at Glascott's and it was Divine!! Was in Chicago for the marathon and wanted a treat, that meant beer. Had beers at Glascott's and wanted food and was told to order from the Athenian Room. Pleasantly surprised at how easy it was and the food was amazing. I do not eat fries, usually, but the Greek fries were unexpected and delicious. I recommend Athenian Room for girls' night out, date night, any night where you share with friends because portions are huge.
(4)
Brian O.

My wife ordered the roast chicken and I had the gyros. They give you big portions, and both of us could not finish all of it, even though we had been bike riding all morning. Would come back again if I was in the area but not good enough to drive across town for.
(3)
Mindy S.

I'm glad that other Greek restaurants are in my neighborhood, because I really didn't care much for Athenian Room. The overall experience was lackluster for the following reasons: -- It appears that regulars get above average attention, and non-regulars get below average attention (from the hostess). We waited a long time to get seated at our table because the hostess continued to chat with some regulars, and she wasn't paying attention. Mind you, it was a busy Friday night around 8:30pm. -- The food is like what you would get from a quick take-out greek place. By the looks of the inside, I figured it would be more along the lines of your typical Greektown restaurants, but it was merely a glorified (larger) fast food joint. -- The food was so so. -- There were a bunch of random people hanging out between the outdoor tables and the restaurant building itself. They appeared to know the hostess, and literally were there, milling around the tables, then they would leave, then they would come back again. It was odd, and incredibly distracting to the hostess. The salad that comes with dinner was cheap (iceberg lettuce, some tomatoes, 2 cucumber slices). The dressing on it was good. The steak was pretty good. The greek fries were the best part of our meal. When you're in a Greek food mood, skip Athenian Room and head up to Melanthios Greek Char House or somewhere similar.
(2)
Jennifer N.

I love this place! The kalamata chicken is amazing. Add the feta when you get a salad...it is some of the best I've had. That being said, when I first visited, I was a little confused. At other Greek restaurants, I have always gotten chicken that comes with a side of rice. Greek rice is my favorite. If that is what you are looking for, you won't find it at the Athenian Room. The chicken comes with Greek fries (which are basically steak fries, but magical. They sit under the chicken in oil but somehow they don't get soggy). The price is great. I've never had bad service.
(5)
Blair R.

Anyone who knows me knows I think there is nothing better than a piece of feta, so the fact that I can get a feta cheese appetizer at Athenian Room already makes me a big fan. But I also enjoy the Athenian room because is is inexpensive, good food, easy and reliable. I returned last night with my Vegan friend. I typically order the Chicken Shish Kebab dinner and that's what I stuck with, but I also like the chicken pita sandwiches and salads. My vegan friend went with the vegetarian salad option that is topped with french fries. It's not that any of these dishes are amazing. But they are good and simple and you won't leave feeling like a hefer. We love to finish our meals off with a piece of baklava or by walking around the corner to Annette's! For a no brainer, safe bet on a weeknight, Athenian Room is the way to go.
(4)
Allen B.

I'm just going to get down right to the thick of it...Athenian Room...is the *ish like Patrick Swayze. I'm talking Patrick Swayze from Roadhouse and not from Ghost. I had the Alexandros Skirt Steak and for an appetizer I had the Tara-mooooos-alata (spelling not precise). Both exquisitely GREAT GREAT eats. Its nestled right behind Glasscott's Saloon and customers can go in there purchase some brews and bring it into the restaurant. How *effin great is that???!! The owners are tremendously nice and quick on their feet to make sure their customers are welcomed. And I seem to use a lot of adjectives my all my reviews.
(4)
Taylor D.

My boyfriend (he is Greek) and I wanted to grab some Greek food without having to drive to Greektown. We live in Lincoln Park so Athenian Room was close for us! It was a nice summer night so we ate outside. We walked into the restaurant, a server handed us menus, and we sat ourselves. Very odd. We each had a greek salad. It was a bit dry and tasteless, and the cucumbers were a bit dry. Both of us ordered the kalamata chicken. The chicken was very tender, but since when do the Greeks use french fries? They were good, but I was hoping for greek potatoes or rice. There was a lot of wine in the dish, which I could tell was not completely cooked out. Also, they do not have saganaki. We were very dissappointed. What Greek restaurant does not have saganaki?!? Service was just okay. Nothing spectacular. We probably will not be back anytime soon. The Parthenon and Greek Islands are much better choices for AUTHENTIC greek food.
(2)
Jordan P.

This place is a total hole in the wall / divey restaurant, but the food is delish! I've been frequenting this place since I was a teenager and I have yet to be disappointed. Everything I've had here has been delicious. The best thing there are the Greek fries. I could eat those things for a week straight. I think they're seasoned with some sort of white wine sauce that's addictive. In terms of entrees, you really can't go wrong with the skirt steak, the kalamata chicken, the gyros, or the chicken kabobs. They also have great pita bread and the feta cheese is sooo yummy. They don't serve alcohol, but if you want a drink you can go to connecting Glascott's, the bar next door, for a drink. The down side about this place is that the decor is sort of lacking. It's looked exactly the same for the last 15 years and could definitely use a facelift. Also, the servers are consistently terrible. They're not attentive and act like they're doing you a favor by taking your order. But I just ignore all of that because the food is so yummy!
(4)
Christina M.

I am furious! I usually come here at a minimum of once a month. The service isn't always amazing but the food is usually good. We walked in and were seated promptly....we waited about...10-12 minutes before being greeted....where I basically had to waive the waitress (who sat us) down....(she ended up being out server). I order...... I walk over to glascotts to get two beers and I end up standing and staring at the bartender try to fix the register.....this about about 10 minutes....I just walked out. and we wait the same amount as usual for our food....no big..... I asked for my steak well done and it was medium......because my gf knew i was aggravated she walks my food back and asks for it well done....I get my steak back in under 10 minutes....it still was not well done.....at that point I lost my appetite. I told her I didn't want it anymore seeing that my Gf was almost done with her food and if I send it back and try it again I'm sure it will not be the same seeing that it would be REfired for a 3rd time. She says "are you sure you don't want it" I say " No thank you. I'm ok, I do not want it." She then takes the steak. Another ten minutes pass and we get the bill. To my surprise....MY steak is still on the tab...I was appalled. I walked up the female manager/ owner and tell her...."I come here so often I've never had such horrible service and adding salt to the wound you are going to charge me for a steak I never ate and was cooked incorrectly twice?" She responds " the server asked if you wanted it to be refired she said you said it was ok....and that you did not want it anymore....But you ordered it you have to pay for it." Fast-forward a few minutes of banter where I finally am worn out and I say... "Fine if I have to pay for the steak than I will take one to go...." She agrees....someone comes from the back in minutes with a package.... "What's that?" I ask "Your steak" She responded I'm now shocked. "Where was this? I've been standing with you for almost fifteen minutes." I ask "We have it on a counter to be thrown out so we just packaged it." she responded At this point I was so irate I couldn't hold back. I told her. "This is unsanitary how can I assume that food that was sitting unaccompanied...waiting to be thrown out? God knows where....I refuse to take, eat or pay for." She kept fighting me and I walked out. My friend stood behind and and spoke to the lady who still made us pay....And then said we were no longer welcomed back. Believe me I won't be back!
(1)
Derek B.

This is my new favorite Greek restaurant in the city! My wife and I got the kalamata style chicken. It was served in a lemon oil/vinegar sauce that was delicious. The prices were great too! We will definitely be back.
(5)
geri s.

I really don't like giving bad reviews, especially to small business owners but this has been a long time coming. DON'T FALL FOR THE FETA CHEESE SCAM! When you order a meal that comes with salad,they ask you if you would like Feta cheese on top of the salad.... The same way servers ask if you want pepper on top (implying that it doesn't cost anything extra) When in reality they charge $2.50. The same exact price as the Feta Cheese appetizer. If someone wanted an appetizer, I'm sure they would have ordered it with their dinner. A simple solution could be to inform the customer that it does cost $2.50 extra and ask if it's okay. I guarantee if people knew in advance they would say it was not okay. The service is so bad it's unbelievable. The place is owned by an older couple. I honestly don't know how the sweet man puts up with the lady I believe to be his wife. I've never seen her smile, not even once and I've been frequenting this place for over 10 years. I once ordered a burger to go, and when I opened it, the bun was literally a ball of wet dough as they didn't package the burger bun separate from the juice they drench the fries in. When I called to complain the lady acted as if it was no big deal that my burger was completely ruined. She didn't even offer to have me come back for a new one. All she said was that she will let the cooks know. I gave her a piece of my mind and then decided to boycott the place for a good six months. I couldn't fight my craving any longer... I caved and went back today with three friends for my old time favorite, the Chicken Kalamata Dinner. I warned them about the "scam" and they witnessed it, along with the terrible customer service. One friend had to leave about 20 minutes before the rest of us but her finished dishes remained on the table till well after we all finished lunch and paid for it. We all walked by the owner on our way out and she didn't even say goodbye to us. This time I reserved my right to complain on Yelp since going directly to the source did absolutely zero.
(1)
andrea b.

The outdoor seating is lovely though really close to the street so you'll have to block out the honking and car noises about a half foot from your table. Also there was a wait for seating so we had random people gathering on the sidewalk next to us chatting which was kind of annoying but besides that, still enjoyable. I love a good greek salad with chicken, definitely one of my favorite meals. This place does it well. The chicken came on a kebab and was scrumptious though the portion could have been larger. Pita bread comes on the side and is really yummy. Tomato chunks, kalamata olives and some seasoning rounded out the iceberg salad. I had to order the feta separately for an additional cost which I thought was kinda strange... My date ordered their specialty chicken which comes with large delicious fries saturated with the chicken seasoning and juices. Really tasty. Our waitress was brisk and all business, but friendly and checked on us during the meal. The bussing staff was super attentive and had my water glass filled as soon as it hit half full which was very appreciated.
(4)
Alexandra B.

This place... Is now one of my favorites in Chicago. Apparently Tina Fey has mentioned she likes this place, which is a plus, but the food itself is really good. I had the chicken kalamata, with feta on the side... Basically half a chicken over fries drenched in this lemon vinagarette, Nom Nom, I had to keep myself from eating the entire thing, for fear of my stomach exploding. So tasty. Sooooo tasty. Next time I'm in the city it's a must.
(5)
John G.

This place has decent food, but the last few times that I've ordered takeout, there has been mistakes on the order. If important pieces of your meal are not there (or the way that you prefer) it will ruin your meal completely. I would like to give them another chance at some point, but I guess I will have to completely inspect the order before walking out the door. Some of the staff could use to loose the attitude that they portray and instead learn some serious customer service training. Judging by the other reviews, I'm seeing that it is a common problem with this place.
(2)
Joe M.

Greek civilization seems to have peaked a while back, at least in terms of philosophy, science and epic poetry. But that doesn't mean they don't honor the tradition of serving a killer gyro across the breadth of Lincoln Park. It is a heritage: In Plato's Symposium, there's a dialogue between Socrates and some chap named Agathon clarifying the true nature of the gyro. Agathon finally yields to the logic behind the fries sitting in a pool of lamb grease. "I can't find any way of withstanding you, Socrates," he says. "Let it be as you say." "Not at all," says Socrates. "It is truth that you find impossible to withstand. Truth, and the way the fries absorb the delectable lamb meat juices and plethora of Grecian spices." As an added bonus as true as the Socratic dialogues, this ancient culinary expertise is available for fewer drachma than most nearby eateries will charge. I can hardly imagine what it must have been like to endure, thousands of years ago, the pains of being pure at heart. A life before the Hellenistic period, the death of Alexander the Great, and before great minds pondered the philosophical significance of the first-class, tzatziki-kissed gyros from the Athenian Room. This is a good place to go if... you respect finely made gyros as much as you do millennia-old aphorisms.
(4)
Gin Y.

So, I'm just putting in 3 stars because I have yet to try the other food on the menu. A friend of mine and I went here for lunch on a weekday. We ordered the gyros and shared the greek fries. The gyros were big (they didn't skimp on portion size), and the greek fries were really good (like the vinegar they added in there). But, they weren't fantastic. However, I did see another table order a chicken dish and kabobs. If I come here again, I may try those options, as well as the skirt steak. My friend and I did try the baklava, which was ok. It was a little sweet for my taste, but good. Pretty affordable food in a nice area.
(3)
Jessica S.

The food is decent - however... the manager/owner woman is the most HORRENDOUS woman to deal with. She has messed up my order THREE times now, and yells at you when you call her and ask her to correct the order! She is rude, displays revolting customer service, and displays the most atrocious social skills I have ever encountered. I cannot go back due to her despicable and nasty behavior. Adios, Athenian Room!
(1)
Dana R.

I was very surprised with the Athenian Room, to be honest, I wasn't 100% sure what to expect. The food was amazing, and the service okay (hence the 4 stars). I have been here a few times, and every time I try something different. With some nice Vegetarian options, and a cozy atmosphere, I recommend the Athenian Room.
(4)
Kimberly D.

I was in the mood for some greek chicken so decided to give Athenian Room a try for lunch after a friend had recommended the restaurant for gyros. There is valet service, which price is not too bad, and worth it for those peak times when parking on Webster is difficult. We ordered the Chicken Kalamata Style, which came with a salad and greek-style fries, and the Gyros. Chicken was a good flavor and was pretty mosit. Salad could have used more dressing but adding more feta cheese to it, made it taste better. Loved the greek style fries, but probably because it is the first time I have had it and have nothing to compare it too. My friend thought the gyros were good but was not the best that he has had. Overall, was a decent dining experience and service was good and friendly.
(3)
Anthony S.

Not bad, the menu selection is quite limited, but there's enough of a selection that surely you will find something that is suitable. As this was my first visit here I kept things simple and went with the Gyros Dinner with Greek-style fries (didn't know such a thing existed). Anyway over all the gyros were okay, not the best, not the worst. I did think they over did it on the lemon juice for the fries, as they were kind of soggy along with my pita. If you're looking to have a glass of wine or beer with your dinner, you're out of luck, fortunately Glascott's Groggery is next door and if you happen to be sitting outside you can order a drink from there and enjoy it with your meal. Next time I plan on trying some of their appetizers and some of their chicken dishes, they looked more appetizing than the gyros.
(3)
Jon L.

How can you not love a classed up gyros stand? The menu is small, the portions are generous and the atmosphere just works. Nice little weekday spot. Wish I lived closer to it, as it'd be there a few times a week. Had the Kalamata Chicken, their crown jewel. It's half a chicken served on a bed of awesome fries. Then dump this amazing lemon and oregano sauce on top. This simple combination really brings out complex flavors. Greek salad, about what you would expect. Ice berg, cukes and tomato. Gyros, rock solid. But Gyros are always good. I suggest the chicken or a salad with a kabob. I saw a few of those walk by and they looked delicious.
(4)
Jason P.

Athenian Room is my personal neighborhood favorite and in my opinion one of the best restaurants for the price in Lincoln Park. Good service but most of all the food always tastes great. If you go, I suggest the cheese gyro with onions and a side of the Greek fries. You won't be disappointed. If you are a vegetarian, their vegetarian salad is a great option.
(5)
Alison L.

I ordered a gyro, and I have to say, it didn't compare to NYC street vendor gyros. The meat was much too dry and thin, and there weren't enough toppings (it was just like three pieces of tomato and some raw onions on top of a pita, with huge, dry flakes of meat). My friend ordered the chicken shish kabobs, and those looked much tastier. Unfortunate, though, since if I want greek food, it's the gyro meat that I'd usually go for! Prices are good. It was about $5 for the gyro. One MAJOR turn-off: The owner is unbelievably rude. My group tipped 20%, and they miscounted. The owner ended up chasing us down the street in order to yell at us for being bad people. Even if we hadn't tipped, that is just not professional or respectable at all. I won't be coming back.
(2)
Leon G.

From the moment you walk in, you see the grills afire and the delicious smells hit you like emeril yelling "Bam!" NO FRILLS here. Just great homey food that will make you leave smiling. Wanna beer or some wine? You have to walk into the adjoining bar and get one there. But you are there for their amazing greek chicken a greek fries, sitting in a shallow pool of chicken juice, tangy red wine vinegar and spices. Nirvana!! Chicken is always juicy, crisp skin on the outside and generously seasoned. Sometimes I'll order their skirt steak....cannot go wrong with that either. Burgers are good too. Salads are typical iceberg with cuke, tom, a few kalamatas and a wedge of feta. Dressing is good...typical sharp vinegary stuff.
(5)
Chatzy F.

This place is the best greek food! The Kalamata Chicken is the most mouth watering chicken ever! They have good Gyros and the greek fries are very good ! You can eat there or carry it out! They have the best salads and everything is always fresh!
(5)
Johanna P.

Delicious chicken and I LOVE the steak fries! Can't wait to go back and try the steak. Oh and great prices!
(4)
Eric W.

I wish I could put half stars here. This is a perfectly fine Greek restaurant. There is nothing actually wrong with it per se; however, I think its somewhere between 3 and 4 stars worthy. I'll try to balance the positives and negatives so you see what I mean. First off, we walked in and said we wanted a table outside. They said 5 minutes, and I thought "sweet, no big deal". Then, about 5 other people came in and the hostess said the same thing. Normally I wouldn't care, but she didn't write anyone's names down or tell us to stand anywhere specific. So you had about 10 people milling around randomly hoping they were called first. We were, but it still made me nervous. When we were seated the table hadn't been wiped off when the hostess walked us up. Negative. We ordered drinks and asked for a basket of bread. Nothing wrong here. The bread was real fresh and came with butter. I ordered the fatty mcgee Gyro dinner and the lady ordered a salad with chicken. Holy hell they give you a lot of meat with the gyro. It was like they portioned out how much would fit on the sandwich, then tripled that amount. The lady loved her salad. Positive. With it came "greek fries". I'm not sure who came up with these things, but they're basically steak fries sitting in a puddle of greek dressing. Find if you like oil. Gross and overwhelming otherwise. Ask for the fries regular style. Negative. Takeaways: ~$23 with tip Awkward outside service. Little disorganized. The food itself is great. Exactly what you would expect. Skip the "greek fries".
(3)
Jessica M.

Athenian Room has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine. I hadn't been in a while, so I revisited last night, and was reminded how much I LOVE it!! The food is so good!!! My favorite is the Chicken Kabob Salad!! You get a little bit of everyhting: their amazing dressing, feta, perfectly grilled chicken, taziki, and pita. The service is just whatever, but nothing too bad, and the owner is always there supervising things in the kitchen which makes you appreciate the quality of the food you are about to eat. If you are looking for a ton of options, definitely not the best choice, but if you are looking for amazing greek food then this is it!
(5)
Meagan L.

I was pleasantly surprised with the Athenian Room. My friends and I went to lunch here on a Friday afternoon and didn't have any problem getting a table. I order the Kalamata Chicken, per a friend's recommendation, and I was not disappointed! It was delicious and there was so much food at a reasonable price! The chicken is so tender, it's amazing!
(4)
Michelle D.

So average. :| I got the shrimp dinner...wish the menu would have let on that it was fried. I'm not big on fried food. Also, the feta cheese I got with my salad was extra...awesome...glad to find out when I get the bill. I should have known better. If the waitress asks if you want something, it's extra. And if you order $10 shrimp, it's probably fried. I made a mistake and ordered the wrong thing, I should have ordered the Kalamala chicken, I have a feeling that would have been a lot better. It was a cheap dinner, but I only ate half of it. Pretty disappointing. I will say, my boyfriend enjoyed his dinner. He got the shish kabob chicken dinner.
(2)
Ben K.

The Athenian room really brings me back to the 3rd century BC when we'd roast massive cones of lamb on a vertical spit and shave off strips of meat to all the other feast attendees carring around their empty pita. In fact, they say Aristotle himself worked the grill as an adolescent here before moving on to metaphysical concerns. But seriously, the Athenian Room puts forth a pretty delicious basic greek dining experience. I had the gyros over greek salad, which is an excellent combination that allows you full control over building your gyro in the pita provided. The meat is tasty, the salad is fresh, and the gyro is simple and delicious without being too oily. The greek fries are killer (but I wish I could get a little more of the herbed dressing they are floating in, and possibly use it as my salad dressing). And the whole thing is extremely affordable (at the dual cost-bonus and sobriety-hindrance of having no booze on the menu). My only regret is that having found my staple dish here, I may never get to try the Kalamata Chicken.
(4)
Pete P.

This place is deliciousness They have some of the best gyros in the city. The kabobs are great as well and so are the fries. The service is reasonably fast and the waitresses are all friendly. All in all a great greek spot
(5)
Aaron A.

Here's the deal. I came here after hearing all the rave. Not impressed. Matter of fact I left here pissed off and I won't be coming back unless it is to yell at the worst waitress I have ever encountered. The food was mediocre. Nothing I would go ape about. It was cheap and filling. The worst part was the service. The restaurant was not packed at all. The waitress was attentive for the first 10 minutes. However, once the food was brought out she was no where to be found. We had to get up and track someone down for a slice pita bread, another time for our plates to be cleared and two more times for the check. All the while we could see her outside chit chatting. Needless to say, she didn't deserve a tip. She wasn't even there to collect the bill- another waitress had to step in. Here is the kicker. Randomly she ran into us later in the night and says "Remember me? Thanks for the tip." Yeah, here is a tip, a waitress is supposed to wait on their customer not the other way around. Another horrible thing about this place: If you want a beer or need to use the bathroom you have to come next door to this shit hole they call a bar. Enter at your own risk. It's disgusting. You've just been yelped in.
(1)
Xtina B.

Best gyros dinner ever :) Soooo delicious!!
(4)
Tera D.

I would actually lean towards 4.5. I think I probably could have ordered something better than I did, and will do just that next time I go. I had heard that it was a fantastic cheap deal, and in an effort not to bankrupt my boyfriend, I suggested we do a date night here. Needless to say, he was thrilled at the $26 bill, although that did not include drinks, since it's not really on the menu. I got the Kalamata Chicken, since it's sort of their specialty. Frankly, I hate chicken, so I'm not sure why I did this. It was surprisingly good for chicken, but it did not compare to the bf's gyros, which I loved. The salad was also tasty, especially if you're a feta cheese lover, which I certainly am!
(4)
Emmanuel B.

Excellent greek-style roasted chicken. The rest of the stuff is okay to good, but the chicken rocks!
(4)
Nathan C.

While the Chicken Kalamata was tasty; this place was nothing special. They have a cheese gyro here (strange if you know Greek food) and it is a prepacked cheese square thrown on the pita...
(2)
Jen N.

The only way one could possibly enjoy the food here is to have no idea whatsoever of what real Greek food tastes like. I order the vegetarian salad, it comes with fries ON TOP of it (very odd, not good), and with barely any dressing, just mostly lettuce. They are normal fries, that likely come frozen in a huge bag, but they add some lemon and oregano and it's "Greek Fries" ok that is not hard to do, and the fries were average. The salad was unappetizing, as was the nasty hunk of feta cheese served on the side on a small plate. The selection on the menu is limited, (I think most people go for the gyros) and they serve no alcohol. The service was equally bad, and even though the place was not busy, I waited forever to see a waitress or to get a check, I honestly thought they forgot. Overall, it is a "fast food quality" meal, and I'm surprised this place stays in business so long.
(3)
Kelly S.

Quite possibly my new go-to lunch spot while at work. Yesterday I ordered the large Greek salad with gyro meat. For $12 I had enough food for 2 meals. It came with pita bread and two little blocks of feta. Reasonably priced and healthy. I will definitely be frequenting Athenian Room! Carry-out was fast. My order was ready in about 10 minutes. I would have liked to sit and enjoy the outdoor seating... if we hadn't been having a June monsoon!
(4)
MELEK L.

My favorite dish in all of Chicagoland is right here at the Athenian Room. It's called Athenian Chicken. I know I already touted its loveliness, but it really is ridiculous how much I order this meal. They always make it to my specifications (extra sauce in the bottom of the chicken, no dressing on the salad, add feta cheese) without issue or attitude. The last time I visited, I found that they had a new sturdier container for my trip home and they even threw in a comp baklava!! Brilliant of them...because it was amazing. :)
(5)
G A.

My mouth starts to water at the mere thought of the Kalamata Style Chicken and the sumptuous steak fries that absorb all the ambrosia like sauce. The location can kind of be a pain to park around and the service slightly indifferent but your patience will be handsomely rewarded.
(4)
John W.

Does every college campus have a bright little Greek place whithin walking distance? It sure seems like it, and The Athenian Room could be the archetype. The gyros platter was exactly what I expected and had a generous amount of meat. The only reason I didn't rate this higher was the lackluster gyros salad my wife ordered. Although the waitress warned us that feta was extra, it still seemed like it was a few ingredients short of a proper greek salad.
(3)
Nanci F.

This a good neighborhood restaurant. Sitting outside on a nice day is so pleasant. You can bring your dog. The waitresses are fun and friendly. The food is ok but not very authentic Greek.
(3)
Melanie B.

So, I bring everyone here, and I'm always singing this place's praises and sending people this Yelp page, so I thought it was time to add my own review. This place is wonderful. I have not ever gone wrong here. My faves are the gyros plate, the Greek salad (with a side of yummy, shareable feta), and, of course, the kalamata chicken, which is served over a huge plate of steak fries and topped with a vinegar-and-oil sauce. The skin is crispy and the meat is juicy -- it's perfect. We live around the corner, and I pass it every night on my way home...it's SO hard not to order takeout all the time! In the summer, they have outdoor seating, and the sparkly lights add such a charming atmosphere. You can also get drinks from the bar that's attached, and sometimes the bartender comes over to you for your order. It's casual and comfortable, but the food always delivers.
(4)
Sonia C.

Really good food for awesome prices! I came here with a group of friends and had a great time! I asked the waitress for a recommendation and she told me that the most popular dish was the Chicken Kalamata - 1/2 roast chicken served with Greek fries and salad - so I ordered that. The chicken came and it was, well, AWESOME - seriously one of the top five roast poultry dishes I've ever had. The skin was crackling crispy and well-seasoned, and the steaming meat was not only juicy, it practically fell off the bone. The meat was nestled atop a pile of Greek fries which were truly wonderful steak fries covered in olive oil and lemon juice. The fries did get soggy since they were marinating in chicken juices but I loved the taste of them anyway. I was a little tipsy when I got here and food always tastes better when you're intoxicated, but I really think this was a great combination of taste and value. My friends tried the chicken shish kebabs served with pita and the fried shrimp dinners (among other things), but the Chicken Kalamata was truly the standout dish. I found it a little odd that the restaurant was basically the back room/afterthought of a bar but the service was good. The bill came to about $8pp (including tax & tip, no one ordered drinks) which was truly a steal.
(5)
Art S.

My boss told me stories about how he would always come to this place and have a chicken dish that he really liked. He mentioned that his friends always got the skirt steak, and didn't really try to convince him to order it. One day he tried one, and afterwards he wouldn't talk to them for two weeks (he was so mad that they hadn't tried to convince him sooner). I thought he had to be exaggerating, but when he took me there I had the lemon drop soup, AMAZING!!! I had a good side salad. And then there was the skirt steak...BEST EVER!!! You can not find a better deal in this city. Throw in the greek fries that go with it, and my mouth is watering right now as I write this. Great decor at the A-Room also makes it a great place to bring friends, family or even a date. Every time I have a buddy come in from out of town we A-Room it up.
(5)
Lauren P.

this place is right by my house so i can smell the delish greek food. in the summer, there are tables outside, and while they don't serve booze there, they let you buy a drink from the bar next door and bring it over to enjoy. i'm not a huge greek food fan, but what i did have here was good, especially the fries and gyro! it's always packed, so they must be doing something right.
(3)
Olivia R.

I have to agree with all of the great reviews- Athenian Room is amazing! I've been to Green Town on many occasions and think that Athenian Room is just as good. The greek fries are incredible, but they also have some really good salads as well!
(5)
Frank A.

Yesterday was my recovering day after a weekend long Pride partying binge. I wanted to keep it low key so I decided to go see a movie at Webster Place. After the movie we decided to explore the area and grab some dinner. So, we ventured down Webster Street to Halsted and came upon this gem at the corner of Webster and Halsted. Usually, when I want Greek food I go to Greek Town, but decided to give this little mom and pop restaurant a shot. Wow, the menu is extremely basic but the food is extremely delicious. Your taste buds will love you. I ordered the chicken shish kabobs and it came with a healthy serving of Greek fries and pita bread. Zac ordered the traditional gyro and that too was a large serving. We had so much food that we'll be eating the left over's tonight. I also ordered a small Greek salad and wasn't so impressed, however the rest of the food and service made up for the not so great Greek salad. The pricing was extremely reasonable.
(4)
Maura S.

I often forget about the Athenian Room but it is amazing. I am NEVER let down by their kabobs with a lot of tzatiki (spelling??) sauce. Great great Greek food
(5)
Andrea F.

Delicious food, enough said. The Charburger with Feta Cheese was exceptional, get it!
(5)
Peter H.

Gyro plate dinner or whatever is good here, good greek fries.
(4)
Maggie H.

I like when the guy who seats me is also the guy that owns the place. I even think he took the pictures from Greece on the wall. Go for the Chicken Pita Plate and the Greek fries, but skip the Chicken Shish Kebob Salad. It's inexpensive and the perfect lunch spot between Oz Park and Sprinkles. Kudos to our server who seemed to be managing a packed dining room and patio on her own!!!
(3)
M M.

This was my first experience with Greek food and I really enjoyed it. The lines were long, I don't believe they accept reservations though. I went here on a casual date and I thought it was perfect because we went next door to Glascott's, got a drink, and then by the time we were done with that the table was ready! My date made me try the gyro and a feta appetizer- I am a picky eater but am trying to expand my horizons, and must say I enjoyed both despite some hesitation! We finished our meal and then headed back over to Glascott's to play pool. Great idea for a fun, casual date or if you are a family with kids.
(4)
Susan J.

We frequent The Athenian Room at least once a week and it's always super tasty and so easy on the wallet. Try the Kalamata chicken with a red wine vinegar kick or super huge gyros. This is the type of Greek food you would find at a local place in Greece with simple and authentic flavors. Note that many think this is a BYOB and it is not. They have an agreement with the bar next door and that is where you can purchase alcoholic beverages. Just because they do not serve alcohol does not mean you can bring your own.
(5)
ali a.

If you like greek food, you should definitely go here. Its a Lincoln park restaurant that is one of my favorites. Its casual, good, and cheap. I always go for a salad, but also love the chicken dishes. The service is fast even though this place is always crowded. Its a great alternative to greek town if you are in the Lincoln park neighborhood.
(5)
Mindy S.

Who needs to go to Greek Town when there is great greek food right in Lincoln Park. The kalamata chicken is amazing, and they have great salads! The portions are big and the food is so cheap! I'm ready to go back and I was just there last night! Yummy!
(5)
Juliana P.

the service isn't that great. you could die waiting for bread. but other than that the food is amazing! only downside is the aforementioned service and the fact that they charge you per refill. the chicken kalamata though is heaven. as are the gyros.
(4)
Rachel G.

This is our favorite restaurant. The Greek salad is simple, yet delicious. There is indoor and outdoor seating. It's a great place for a cheap food with great service! I love it!
(5)
Clayton J.

The lamb is excellent here. For Lincoln park, this is definitely an excellent Greek restaurant. I think I had some sort of pita here, but the price was a tad bit too high. It's a great place to take your date, and I have several times. I remember once eating outside here on their sidewalk patio. It was really nice, and I liked the food. Very good, solid restaurant, and I suggest you try it if you're in the hood.
(4)
eden s.

Listen up because as regulars know, you go here for just a few things and things have to be ordered their way...Sorry to say it... you need them more than they need you. This place kind of reminds me of the "Soup Nazi" --- you know that episode from Seinfeld. The woman who runs the place has a heavy German (?) accent I think. She doesn't sound Greek to me, that's for sure. If you want a refill of soda, you pay, they don't allow you to make ANY substitutions...IE: If I want a steak salad I have to order both a large salad and the skirt steak (7.95 + 12.95). They don't allow cell phones, they get a bit annoyed when you ask for extra BBQ sauce and for being a regular you get no special treatment...I'm not sure the woman who is always at the front even recognizes me and I have been going there weekly for 10 years! Don't expect the warm and fuzzies from her...again you need them more than they need you. That said, this place is what it is. And the food is FAB. But you have to know what to order. Don't go in there ordering the chicken breast kabobs or the spanikopita like you would at more traditional greek restaurants ...save that for somewhere else. The main things to order are 1.) Chicken Kalamata 2.) Skirt Steak 3.) BBQ Chicken 4.) Cheeseburger (yes, I said it, one of the best cheeseburgers in Chicago). And with each order the Greek fries are a necessity. The gyros are decent...not great but everything else I mentioned is absolutely amazing. I have been going there weekly for years and don't need to look at the menu (because it never changes), and there dingy decor could use an update, but I guess that is part of the charm. Anyway, if you stick to my advice, you won't go wrong.
(5)
Lily T.

Yum! Love the Greek salad and grilled chicken pita. Who knew vinegar on fries could taste so delish?
(5)
Allison W.

This place is tucked away off of Halsted, but has amazing food. I got the Gyro Dinner and it was reasonably priced. It was easily two meals. It came with vinegar french fries, two servings of gyro meat, and a pita. Word of caution, make sure to order two pitas.
(4)
Anonymous P.

Cheap, salty, simple.
(2)
Megan G.

I must preface this review by saying that I was here on St Patty's Day. We were going to the bar next door, saw the line and decided that a tasty gyro is just what we needed midway through a marathon drink-fest. We walked in and were seated immediately when a few more of our friends decided to ditch the line and join us. We pulled the table next to us over to make it one big table. The hostess/manager lady did not like this very much and came over screaming at us and shaking her finger in all of our faces. Ok, once we got past weird hostess/manager lady, we all ordered the gyro platter and there was not another word spoken for about 10 to 15 minutes. The best gyro this side of Greektown! Not one person had and any scraps left on our plates. Oh, and they don't have any bathrooms here so they sneak you in the back door of the bar next door for restroom usage. My major maulfunction with this is that if there is a line outside, imagine what the line inside looks like! Boooo!
(3)
Colleen W.

I live in L.A. now and I still make it a point to travel back to Chicago for the insanely delicious Kalamata chicken at Athenian Room. It's not in Old Town; it's a stone's throw from DePaul University, but everything else Andrew & Ellen say is true: unbelievable fries, gyros and oooo, babythat taramosalata is mighty fine, too. Cheap, fast, clean, good. But beware: it's totally addictive.
(5)
A. B.

One of the BEST cheap eats in the city! Good Greek food served by friendly staff. Outside seating during the summer is a plus. Although A.R. doesn't have its liquor license (I think), Glascott's bar next door supplies full bar service. One of my favorite spots in the city!
(5)
Miss O.

i wasn't impressed with this place. i got the chicken and it was okay. the gyro was extremely dry. the menu selection was very limited. i'd rather make the trek to greektown than go here again...
(1)
Darian J.

This place is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! I was doing some online research to find a reasonably priced Greek restaurant. I had an odd craving for Spanakopita. I found Athenian Room and immediately started my voyage to Lincoln Park. I was already heading to the zoo so it was rather perfect because Athenian Room was literally a straight walk to the zoo. And a very nice walk. It was also nice to sit out on the patio. I came around 2 so there was no wait for a table. My waitress was pretty solid, she didnt hover. Which I particularly enjoy. I could truly enjoy my food in peace. And boy did I. I ordered Spanakopita to start, and the Chicken Kalamata style for my meal. The meal included Greek fries, the chicken, a salad, and French bread with butter. The Spanakopita came right out super fresh and hot. The pastry was flaky and buttery, the spinach and feta filling was warm, gooey, and creamy and tangy. The salad was your basic lettuce tomato with dressing combination. Nothing special there. But what WOWed me was the chicken. Okay, first of all I had no idea when I ordered chicken that I would receive half of a chicken. Literally. The leg, breast, and wing. The outer skin was blackened, the inner meat was succulent, juicy, flavored to the bone, and served on top of the Greek fries. Those fries were something from another world too. Perfectly fried, but drenched in vinegar and Greek herbs. My tastes buds were going insane. As always I ordered too much, but I forced myself to down every bite because it was THAT good. Seriously this restaurant is a must try.
(5)
Tiffany L.

Not bad, but also not worth the hype. There were definitely some hits, but I wasn't a fan of the large differences in quality. The portions are very generous--we got the kalamata chicken and the spanakopita, and that was enough for two people. I really enjoyed the spanakopita; the pastry was buttery and flaky while the spinach and feta filling had a very good ratio and nice texture. The chicken (which was actually a half chicken) came with a side salad and a loaf of bread, the latter of which I found rather stale. I loved the vinegar sauce that came with the chicken; I just wished there was more of it given that the chicken was rather dry and somewhat tasteless once you got past the drumstick. I also loved the steak fries, which went extremely well with the vinegar-based sauce (despite not being a fries person!) The standouts of the night were easily the steak fries that came with the chicken as well the spanakopita. However, I was rather disappointed with the experience overall and felt like the quality of food just wasn't really there.
(3)
Ash R.

It bums me out to have to leave negative feedback because we have been eating here for more than ten years. But the way they treat their customers when they double charge them is awful. After having another great meal, we attempted to pay and were told they don't take American Express. We were told to go to the ATM around the corner. When I said we were going to pop over to our bank, the older lady (the owner) at the register made a face and demanded to know why we wouldn't use the ATM that was right next door. She loudly asked again and made a comment about us not being able to pay for our meal, eventually an older gentleman stepped in and told us to go and come back. Which we did. Today I realized that they had in fact charged our American Express card for our dinner despite the fact that we paid in cash. When the same woman called me about the error, she was again rude. Instead of apologizing for the mistake she yelled at me and even blamed the waitress saying she was new even though the older lady admitted that she was the one who charged our card and had meant to void the transaction. In the end, I told them to just keep the money. Like I said, fabulous food, really nice servers but rude management even when the mistake is theirs. UPDATE Omigod! I have to add after the above encounter the owner began texting me late at night on a Sunday. Arguing about how there was no evidence that they had charged our card. I sent them a screen shot that showed the charge and she continued to say that it wasn't charged. Hello?! You are looking at a screen shot complete with transaction id for the charge you made to my card that you're saying you didn't make! I have never had a business owner ever send me texts with snarky comments and combative arguments. I'm still shocked that this is how they do business. All she had to do was apologize for the mistake and all could just move on. Harassing your customers via text is not the way to do business. Unbelievable...
(1)
Katy B.

A friend recommended I stop here for a bite since I was in the neighborhood. It was hard to pick just one thing, but I went with the Chicken Breast Shish Kebob dinner which came with Greek Fries, Tomatoes, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce on Pita. I also split a greek salad and the feta actually came in a slab on top instead of crumbled. I only ate half of my entree and was full.... I was happy later that night when I remembered I had leftovers! The service was good, food came out hot and the quality was great. It wasn't too crowded, but I'm sure it gets packed. I will definitely be going back to try more off the menu!
(4)
Mary W.

I love this place!!! I always get the chicken kabob salad with feta. Be sure to get FETA!!!!! The Kalamata chicken is insanely good! Greek fries get A++++++ Price point is right on for how delicious everything is.
(5)
Cindy M.

This place is Amazing;) Came here twice with my Cousin and both times we were very pleased with our meals. This time I ordered the Kalamata Chicken & my Cousin ordered the Signature Steak dinner. Both come with a SUPER Delicious lemon herb sauce and Greek Fries Oh My We totally recommend trying either Signature plates and you won't be disappointed ;)
(5)
Angela P.

I was under the impression that the best food could be found in Greektown, but Athenian Room in Lincoln Park is absolutely on par with Greektown's best. I had the Kalamata Chicken with Greek fries. The chicken was seasoned and marinated well; the lemony juices and basil flavored my fries too. The chicken was tender. I shared with my tablemates and none of us could believe that chicken could be so good! The feta is a nice appetizer, but probably best for cheese fiends like myself. It's a small-ish appetizer, smaller than a brick of cream cheese, so for larger groups you might want to double up on this one. Lucky for me, my family each took small nibbles but didn't express too much interest in it. I swiped some pieces of gyro meat and tasted the tatziki sauce (I'm not even going to try and spell that). The meat was, like the chicken, very tender and seasoned perfectly. The sauce was better than other restaurants - lemony and tangy, not too salty at all. The food is four stars, but the service could be better. It was busy when we got here, but we kind of had to push and shove our way to the hostess stand, because busboys and waitresses were pushing and shoving their way past us. We sat outside, and our waitress came to take our order but didn't offer any drinks. We ordered all at one time then, but I think it's strange that if you want beer, you can get it at the bar next door. They were quick to deliver the check and turn over the tables. We were given the check with no inquiry about dessert. My dad wanted to try the baklava, but I said forget it since we already had the check we could spend our hard-earned money elsewhere. Take-out might be the way to go here.
(4)
Kyle D.

Overall: Great food and atmosphere, just not up to par service and presentation. The good: Tasty food with large portions. The gyro meat was great and the half chickens were moist and tender. The dessert was good too. Cheap too! The bad: The service wasn't too friendly and was slow. Un-attentive at times. The presentation was poor too (menus and such). One downside that some people (not me) might not like is everything is served with fries. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 7/10 Food: 8/10
(4)
Kaitlin S.

This place is just fantastic! Very cheap, with the option to buy liquor from the bar next door. Gyros are great and the wine sauce they put on their fries is great! Quick pick up if you don't want to dine in. Highly recommend.
(5)
Angie K.

Such a home-y mom and pop shop. I can't exactly speak to the authenticity of Greek food but I sure thought this place was authentic! Small and crowded but surprisingly this works for the place- it makes it feel like a big family gathering with some loud uncles that have brought their own bottles of wine to the party. After reading Bossy Pants, I had to try what I've heard was Tina Fey's favorite dish- the Kalamata half chicken. This fact could of course be simply a marketing ploy, but I'm okay with that because it sure was delicious! Juicy and tender chicken with vinegar-sopped fries underneath. I couldn't finish the whole meal so took the rest home - but as you would assume, the fries were no longer crispy when reheated. So eat your full when they're fresh!!! The boyfriend got the gyro and he hungrily scarfed it down. He loved it! I will say it didn't make for great smelling burps when he was drinking beer later but he sure enjoyed that gyro! The waitress suggested the feta and it was great feta but .. I didn't just want to eat feta alone. They should make it a feta and ___ dish to that highlights the feta but doesn't leave it just by itself. Adorable and intimate place in Lincoln park. The food is filling and tasty so get ready to leave a little fluffy (and maybe take a nap after).
(4)
Hannah C.

We ordered the gyro dinners. Gyro was good, if a little dry - although that was easily remedied with the plentiful tzatiki sauce. The fries were absolutely amazing - fresh, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and flavorful. Some people got significantly more of the fry sauce on their plates - and I would have liked a little more since it was so tasty! The baklava was great - it was less sweet and more cinnamon-y than most and very moist. A great treat! Pretty good food and fast service at a reasonable price. A good spot to have near your apartment.
(4)
Lucy W.

The thick cut fries are delicious. I just wish there was a vegetarian option other than a salad! As yummy as feta and olives are, I need a bit more than that. There should be some sort of wrap, like gyros, but with veggies instead of meat. That would turn me into a frequent customer.
(3)
Christa F.

We hit up Glascott's one evening recently and ordered from the Athenian which is attached. It's kinda nice that a non-food bar has a restaurant attached to the rear! I ordered the Chicken Kabob Dinner. It came with Greek French Fries (uh?), Pita Bread, Tomatoes, Onions, and Tzatziki Sauce for $10.50. They failed to add Green Peppers to the list (bleh), but I removed them. The chicken on the kabob was nicely grilled and had a great flavor! The french fries were good too (with all the Greek seasonings), but the olive oil and butter that they had been tossed in got poured onto my plate. I couldn't make a pita with the meat and bread due to how soaked the pita was with all of the grease. That was a huge negative to an otherwise great dish! The boy ordered the Gyro Dinner. It came with basically the same thing that my dinner had. His fries were not all greasy like mine. It was almost as though they tossed both of our fries together, took his out, then dumped the rest of the stuff on my plate. The gyro meat was piled very high! All gyro meat comes from the same place no matter where you are in the country. I don't think people know this. So, unless the restaurant is making it themselves, it will taste the same as the next place you go to. The important thing is that they keep it moist. This was dry, unfortunately. Still tasty, but dry. The waitress that came over from the restaurant was friendly. It didn't take a long time to receive our meal. It did seem to take a while to get our credit card back. That could just be due to the 2 places being separated. This seems like an ok neighborhood joint. There were a couple of things that they could improve on though just to keep their dishes consistent from customer to customer.
(3)
K K.

True Chicago Staple - have been Craving their food for almost 25 years. Anna and Alex are gracious hosts who provide great classic Greek food in a warm friendly restaurant.
(5)
Irem M.

Delicious, simple food in a laid back setting. This is a great week night place to get a quick meal. Portions are very generous. You can't go wrong with the Greek Salad. One of my friends gets the hamburger every time and claims it's the best thing on the menu...
(4)
Erin R.

The food has been so-so every time I've gone. However, the location, the patio and the partnership with Glascott's has kept me coming back.
(3)
Eric F.

If you only have one Gyros in your entire life, this is the one to have. It is huge. It is fresh. And it is offered with one of two sauces: traditional yogurt and garlic sauce, or a red sauce similar to BBQ. Get the yogurt sauce. This is not the Gyros you will get outside of Chicago; which is mostly lettuce. Th Gyros here are all meat, overflowing so that you need ten napkins, The secret is that they use the Chicago based Gyros meat spools that rotated perfectly on the vertical cookers. The best places for Gyros in other parts of the country are the ones that use these same Chicago spools (never get a gyros that comes pre sliced and is warmed on a grill). The Athenian Room also offers Souflaki, Greek Salads, and thick steak fries. Get the fries. They're good. You can eat in or take out. Both are great. But the place is not quite a regular Greek restaurant. It is more like a fast food Greek Place with table. They do not offer alcohol as I remember, but it is adjacent to a bar with a door going directly to it. Eat a Gyros here. You will not be disappointed. I love this place.
(4)
Kara H.

Really good Greek food. Light but really filling. I've ordered takeout a few times before and have sometimes discovered free baklava in my bag. It's sooooo good I now have to order it every time. Restaurant doesn't have alcohol but most people get drinks next door and bring them over.
(5)
Kim G.

Delicious! Love this place. Very tasty meats! I like their salads. Feta cheese is a good add on.
(5)
Phil T.

Totes great comfort food if you grew up eating gyros as a kid. This is basically no thrills just concurrently great food with great service. Food comes out fast and full of flavor every single time. The taramosalata is waaaay beyond addicting and is a must order for an app. The soup that's only served during winter is the standard lemon rice soup but still very good and again comforting flavors. For entree the gyros or the chicken you can't go wrong with either. I basically choose if I want white or dark meat and that decides the dish both of them are pretty equally Delish. For Athenian I tend to lean towards gyros bc im always eating chicken. Every time I'm glad I do bc they are Delish and full of flavor. Best thing about this place is you don't walk away with gyro burps like you do with other places. :-). Those be nasty!! The Greek fries are great but I like to change it up and do the feta fries. Both are good!
(4)
Isabel C.

Solid place in the DePaul/ Lincoln Park neighborhood. Great prices and good service. Wish their menu was a little more extensive and explained some of the items but my go to is a Greek salad with chicken or just a regular gyro. I really love their patio in the summer time but on a cold winter day this place is great spot too! It's a regular in my book & I'll keep coming back!
(4)
Cindy N.

I had the gyro dinner it was delicious. Huge portion. The only thing I would have done different is have the sauce they pour over the fries (although what probably the tastiest part of it) put on the side, it makes the french fries all soggy...
(4)
Lisa D.

This place was very disappointing. I took my parents here for dinner and as I ordered my food I asked for additional tomatoes. The response of the waitress was "sorry, we don't do that here." What? What do you mean 'we don't do that here?' I just thought it was very strange. The service remained very poor and I was very disappointed.
(2)
Mario D.

Been here one time I must say I was impressed. Place is old and not updated but the food was good. I was expecting Greek Island type of place but I was wrong. Small cramped seating. No cell phones aloud which I thought was weird. I mean it's 2015 Other than that the steak I had was so good I will go back again.
(4)
Rahul G.

I went to this place for the first time in several years the other night. Still so good. I used to live right around the corner and it was my go to. It can get crazy busy so make sure you go at a good time, no reservations. I love their gyros, so yummy. The fries soaked in the oil/lemon juice is amazing, so flavorful. Service can be hit or miss, with the ladies running around everywhere. The food comes out quick though.
(5)
David M.

I've been eating at this place for years the steak never changes it's amazing but whatever you do do not use you're so phone you will be kicked out by the hostess me and my wife called her the steak Notsi lol....
(5)
Kristine N.

Delicious food! You can bring it over to Glascott's to eat while watching a sports game, or you can bring drinks from Glascott's over here nice set up. We ordered the kalamata chicken which came with salad, bread, and fries. The chicken was perfectly broiled and very well seasoned. It was sitting on top of thick steak fries which were marinating in all of the lemon citrus. Yummmmm. I've heard the gyros are pretty good also. Maybe I'll try them next time!
(4)
Jonathan S.

My parents were so great to do take out to my place. Avgolemono soup was our starter. Followed by a gigantic Greek salad with enough feta cheese to feed a small village. Finally I had an amazing King size gyros, pita on top of meat, resting on a batch of incredible Greek fries. I showed such restraint by only eating 2 fries and really only ate a little more than a third of everything but it was fabulous. Thank you for a great meal. ~Jonathan
(5)
Elizabeth T.

This is my favorite Greek restaurant in the city. The gyros salad is my go to order! Cheap, delicious, you can't go wrong!
(5)
Sabrina A.

I like this restaurant very much. It is very inexpensive for very nice quality food. It's a little cramped yes but if you come on an off hour it won't be bad. Everything is always good Bad part is that waitresses feel/look like they don't want to be there. Also a few times they get the order wrong which is upsetting. Drink refills are not free which is odd. Overall try it. My favorite is the teramisolata
(4)
John W.

Honestly this place would be an amazing place to eat but there are a number of flaws holding it back. The service is poor. The waitresses are lifeless and often make you wait a long time before picking up your check. The owners nickel and dime you for stuff that should be complementary. For instance, sodas don't come with refills and you have to pay an extra 50 cents for a second pita when the gyro dinner clearly comes with enough meat for two gyros. They also take a maximum of two credit cards for a table. Quality control is poor. I've had some of the best gyros I've ever had here and also some of the worst. At times the gyro meat is very succulent but frequently it's very dry. Almost dry to the point where you would want to send it back. The skirt steak is very good but it will never be cooked the way you want it so I don't think they should even bother asking you how you want it. By the way, they've raised the price on that from 14.50 to $17. Other than that, the place is cramped. If you can get past all these flaws it's a good place to eat, especially if you're lucky and come at a time when the gyro is fresh. Try to avoid off hours because they'll serve gyro meat that's been on the spit for too long. Oh, by the way, when they ask you if you want feta cheese - that costs extra, not that they'll tell you that unless you ask.
(2)
Maggie M.

Good place! But the prices on here are all wrong!! Please check with their internal menu before you order!! Gyros salad said 5.50 on The yelp menu-- then showed up and it was double. $10.00 still a great deal!
(3)
J R.

best restaurant! the service is great, and the food is unique and fabulous!
(5)
John R.

One of the best tasting steaks I've eaten with wines sauce and feta burger is amazing all there food is great
(5)
Nick S.

A hidden treasure in the City! I have been going here for over 20 years now. This place is one of Chicago's hidden treasures. The Athenian chicken is by far the BEST that Chicago has to offer. You get a half chicken that is baked in the oven with their secret recipe of wine and Greek herbs. Included in your order are their steak fries, Greek salad and bread. If you want some extra secret sauce they will take your dish and add more secret sauce to your dish. If you want some extra secret sauce on the side, this is not allowed so don't ask. Try it yourself and see. Their homemade Taramosalata (Greek Caviar) is a must have! Another dish that is well known is their Athenian steak. The portion is so big that they have to fold both of the sides of the steak in order to fit it onto the plate. For dessert you have to try their baklava simply delicious.
(5)
Lee A.

The Kalamata Chicken cook to perfection. The skin was crispy and the meat was moist. I love the flavor of the lemon on the bed of fries and it was season just right. The food was fresh and the Baklava was flakey. So good. Roberto was extremely friendly. I did have an overall great experience. The only tip I would advise the owner to change the bread they use in the bread basket because it's too hard. It doesn't seem as fresh as all the other food.
(5)
Kim B.

It's all about the chicken Kalamata style (aka "Tina Fey" chicken). The chicken is cooked perfectly with crisp skin and juicy meat. It's served on a bed of Greek fries that actually manage to stay crispy even though they're covered in the delicious lemon chicken marinade. Don't bother trying the gyros here. The portion is huge but the meat isn't very flavorful, in my opinion.
(4)
Yoga M.

So disappointed! Wanted a tasty Greek meal and this place had high hopes. I went with the highly recommended Kalmata chicken. I cannot explain how dry and tasteless this was. If I ever served this dish at my home, I would be so embarrassed. It reminded me of the movie Christmas vacation where the turkey is so dry and they are all endlessly chewing it. My husband got the skirt steak and wasn't thrilled with it. This is one time yelp steered me wrong :(
(1)
Nick C.

Chicken kalamata dinner or gyro dinner, both unreal. Avalemono soup is also really good. Amazing food at a reasonable price!
(5)
Ciara E.

The Kalamata chicken is out of this world and reasonably priced (includes salad and fresh bread). I've had Greek chicken in at least a dozen different places in Chicago, and this place is number one, hands down. The owner gave me baklava for free during my last pick-up and it's excellent. I think they add cloves to it. The restaurant doesn't serve alcohol, but they have an interior door to Glasscott's, and you can order drinks from them. The only complaint I have for the Athenian Room is that they don't have moussaka on the menu.
(4)
Katelyn J.

This place is definitely a must-try. I had the Chicken Kalamata and loved it. I have no idea how the fries sit in the juice and soak up all the deliciousness yet somehow stay crispy but it's mind blowing. I have to say my chicken was a little dry but not terrible. I would definitely order it again. My friend ordered the skirt steak which I sampled and we both loved. The prices were great, and you get more than enough food. The service was slow but that could have just been our waitress.
(4)
Edward W.

Love the skirt steak. Nothing too fancy here just good food. You can even sit outside in the summer.
(5)
Steve M.

I've been eating Athenian Room for the last 16 years of my life (give or take), and I'm astonished I haven't written it up yet! D'oh! Two words: gyro dinner. Succulent gyro meat, onions, yogurt sauce that is both tangy and creamy, and perfectly heated pita. Add fries and squeeze lemon on them, and anyone can become a believer! Also, their salads are fresh and crunchy. Bonus points for being connected to the bar next door, where you can take your food and order drinks! Athenian Room: an LP/Chicago staple for as long as I can remember. Here's to sticking around for generations to come. Oopa!
(4)
Rachel W.

Mmmmmm. I am such a fan of greek food, and I adore Athenian Room. I cater them for work so we do gyro bar, chicken kebabs, spanikopita, taramousalta (sounds scary as it's blended potatoes/fish eggs), but it essentially is like salty salmon spread...delish. The salad has fresh olives and tons of feta. People are split between vinegar & regular fries, so I always order both. Last time they threw in baklava and it had a hint of cinnamon. YUM. At any rate...if you're into Greek food, definitely check them out.
(5)
Lindsay H.

I am obsessed with the Chicken Kalamata! I also love that its obvious that the management is super old-school with all the quirky little rules about how the food has to be served, how the check is paid, etc. Love this place!
(4)
Zach E.

Didn't start off so great, but the food made up for it. We were 5 and told there would be a 15 min wait. We waited close to 45 minutes for a table. Granted it was Saturday night , but it was clear this was a place that if you knew management or had been eating there for years you would get bumped up on the list. Nevertheless, once we sat down the service was great. Food came quick. I don't eat meat outside of my house, so I can only speak to the vegetarian /"pescatarian" options. Spinach pie was maybe best I ever had. Olives were tasty. Ordered two salads, both huge and tasty. Pita was great and the fries are terrific. Friends had the half chicken and devoured it and said it was amazing. Overall, very impressed .
(4)
Kate H.

The best part about the athenian room is the quality of the food. Everything here is consistently delicious and I live close by so it is a staple in my neighborhood go-to. I love all of the salads and the gyros are out of this world. However, pretty much every time I go the service is terrible. Maybe one out of every five times I go I will have a nice server. The servers just tend to be very rude and short even when they are slow. I also wish they would start serving alcohol instead of making customers walk to the bar next door every time they need a new drink. The one time I did get great service the waitress went and got the drinks for us next door, which was FANTASTIC. Overall I would recommend to any greek food lover! Just don't take it personally when your server ignores you!
(4)
Whitney K.

I thought we had found a hidden neighborhood gem...well, apparently 300 other people found it also! I think Athenian Room is probably more like a 3/3.5 in my book, but I gave them a 4 for one reason: PRICE. For under $20, BK and I were able to stop in on a Saturday night and have a fairly good meal in a cozy, cute atmosphere just down the street. Which is nearly impossible in this city, even if you get (gasp!) fast food . We got the Chicken Kalamata plate and the Chicken on Pita. BK loved his greek chicken, as most others have noted, but neither of us was very impressed with the fries. I think maybe ours were just overcooked a little for our taste, but they also were a little bland to me. The pita that I got was fresh and warm, but the grilled chicken was just so-so. The tzatziki sauce helped though, and the man used the rest of it to give his fries a little flavor. This was our first time, but we'll probably be back to try it again once the patio opens since its so close. We saw several other orders go by our table that looked good-gyros! The service was quick, even for a Saturday night we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes. I do wish that they had their own restroom separate from the bar next door, though. It was dirty and gross even at 7pm, but oh well!
(4)
Emily D.

My only complaint about The Athenian Room is deciding what to get is such a hard decision. The gyros, skirt steak, and of course, the famous chicken are all amazing. If it's your first time, definitely go with the chicken. I rarely order chicken in restaurants as it's usually underwhelming, but I crave the Athenian Room chicken constantly. The juice soaked fries underneath are incredible as well. A great value and cozy atmosphere make it one of my favorite restaurants in the city.
(5)
Colleen R.

Chicago Classic! Get the Kalamata Style Chicken Dinner (with the Greek fries) for a treat! Wish they were BYOB!
(4)
Alice L.

It's worth noting that this isn't *really* a Greek restaurant. Their menu spans two pages, one of which consists mostly of burgers and such. My boyfriend was on his way and I asked if he had a standard order at Greek restaurants that I could put in for him in advance. He told me to get him an order of Mousakka, and when I asked the waitress if they had that she didn't know what it was. However, if you approach this as mostly a diner-ish kind of place with some Greek influences, you'll be very happy. I got the Chicken Kalamata (thanks Tina Fey!) and it was as delicious as all of the three hundred other reviews described it to be. Do note, however, that we came at 8PM on a Tuesday night and still had to wait a bit. Totally worth it though.
(4)
Temi C.

4 stars for food, but 1 point deduction for service. The gyros and kalamata chicken are really good. I was hesitant to order the kalamata chicken (a Tina Fey favorite) because I thought it might be prepared with olives, but to my joy it's only named after the Greek city. It's succulent, lemon-y, and very well seasoned. The taramosolata is also worth ordering. We've dined here and ordered carry out from time to time. Service is always lacking. Last time I ordered extra tzatziki and pita, paid for it, then found out when I was all the way home that it wasn't in my order. I called and the lady asked if I paid by credit card. I said yes and asked her to refund me those items. She said she would. I check a week later and no refund. I called the restaurant and was now told that they never refund anyone. Next time I order I will be given those items free of charge. STFU. I paid for something I didn't receive and now I have to go back, and spend more $ to get it? Who says there's going to be a next time? Who am I kidding? Their gyros and taramosalata are too good for there not to be a next time, but it's still the principle. Work on the customer service Athenian Room because I would love to give you the 4th star.
(3)
Christina F.

gyros are so good. fries are amazing. prices are good, food is great and it makes a good date spot or casual lunch. looooove this place!
(5)
Kit G.

Best inexpensive meal in Chicago. I am addicted to the Kalamata Chicken, which is also Tina Fey's favorite meal in Chicago - there is a video online about this. Anyway, that video did inspire me to try the Kalamata Chicken and I am now obsessed. It is crispy and tender. The vinegar and wine sauce that covers the Greek Fries is incredible. The fries are still crispy even though they are soaked in the delicious sauce, it is magic. The meals come with bread and a salad - why don't more restaurants do that these days? Let's recap, bread, salad, delicious chicken and fries - and it is only $9.50! Things to know: The do not take reservations. I got really lucky and got a table at 8pm for 2 on a Saturday. They do not serve alcohol, but you can go next door to Glascotts and get a drink and bring it over. You have to carry the drink over yourself (because Athenian Room doesn't have a liquor license).
(5)
Tamera B.

My favorite greek for the perfect lunch. This is has good as it gets!!
(5)

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Address : 807 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL, 60614
Phone (773) 348-5155
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Greek Cuisine

Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.

Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.

For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.

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Athenian Room

807 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614

Athenian Room Menu

Appetizers

Salads

Spartan Sandwiches

Athenian Dinners

Kalamata Dinners

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Athenian Room

Appetizers

Salads

Spartan Sandwiches

Athenian Dinners

Kalamata Dinners

Desserts

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