This was, by far, the largest Greek Festival that I've ever seen. Massive tents housed everything from dancing and pastries, to wine and gyros -- it was great!
I got to the area, and was promptly greeted by a traffic jam. So I took a side street and found a parking spot. The parking spot was about a 10 minute walk away, but since it was so nice outside you won't hear me complaining about it.
I waited in line to enter. Paid the $2, and I began my search for gyros and pastries. I passed tents with dancers, and tents for shopping. Then I made my way past the pastries -- I'd get that on my way out. Eventually I found the drinks and gyros. So, after I grabbed my Coke, I waited in line for my gyro.
My standard luck held out, and I picked the slowest line possible. (My "line luck" also applies to traffic lanes and grocery check-out lines.) But again, the weather was great so I didn't care about the 7-10 minute wait. I grabbed my gyro and found an open seat. (Many thanks to the nice couple who let me sit at their table!)This gyro was packed! At least 1/3 lb of lamb was packed into the pita. There was also feta, tomatoes, white onions, and tzatziki (cucumber and yogurt sauce). It was amazing, and easily the best gyro I've had in a LOOONG time.
Next, I went to the pastry tent, and loaded up on pastries for me and my wife. There were aisles and aisles of pastries. Each aisle had the same pastries (approx 8-10) to choose from, all were recently made, and smelled amazing. I wish I could remember the names of these delicious morsels. As you can see by the photo, I chose baklava, a fantastic almond cookie, and the light and crunch dough rolled onto itself and coated with honey and some nuts.All in all, a great festival with amazing food. I can't wait until next year, I'll be sure to bring some friends -- so I can sneak a bite of their food!
Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 10/15
Price: $$ (gyro and soda were $8, admission was $2, and pastries for two were $14)
Kid friendly: Yes. Activities abound for the young. By all means, bring them.
Conclusion: Good time, great food. Loved every second of it. I wish it happened more than once a year.
Festival Info:
Yiasou Greek Festival
600 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203-5112
http://www.yiasoufestival.org/
I totally agree, the food was awesome! I'm not so much a fan of the Mythos Greek beer, but we happily stuffed our faces with souvlaki. I was a little frustrated at the seating situation (as usual), I had a 1 and 3 yr old without a lick of shade to sit, so we didn't stay as long as we intended. The bounce houses for kiddos were right in the sun too so they weren't having it. Instead we grabbed snow cones and headed home.
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right about the seating and you had your hands full. That would definitely be challenging!
ReplyDeleteBut snow cones?? I didn't see those! I feel a little disappointed I didn't grab one.
Donato's is garbage... really overpriced and pizza really isn't that good.
ReplyDeletehmm i clicked on donatos and it brougt me here
ReplyDelete