Athenian Room Reviews

My family and I ate here after a day at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The prices were good and the food was tasty. However, if you want lots of Greek choices, there are not too many here other than Gyros, baklava, and Greek salad. If you want moussaka, saganaki, dolmades, etc..... this is not the place for you. My son had a good burger, husband has shrimp ( it was breaded and fried and just okay) and the rest of us had Greek salad ( the dressing and feta cheese were good.) The atmosphere is like a lunch diner - not fancy. The staff was nice. I would choose this restaurant for lunch but something nicer with more Greek options for dinner.

This is a nothing fancy place yet I am always happy to go here. My favorites are the Kalamata chicken, the Athenian burger and Taramasalata (plus the bread that accompanies it). Many people like the Greek salad and Gyros. The only thing I don't like is the iced tea (it tastes strange). They don't serve liquor, but you can go to the bar that is attached (Glasscott's) and get a drink to bring over. Don't be fooled by the "shabby" look. This is a great casual place to eat when you want to "come as you are". Note: there can be a wait as a lot of people like it here.

This restaurant was located near my inn so I stopped in, the waitress barely said anything to me just gave me a menu then left. the noise in the place made the atmosphere a non relaxing one so I took my order to go. Yes I admit I gave no tip but to me good service is making the customer feel welcome and I did not receive that. once back to my room the bun of sandwich was all soggy because they did not separate the sauce with the fries it was all just tossed in the carrier, the food was bland too. not the place to go for solo traveling more a group or family restaurant.

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.

the food is good, but the people around me at other tables always manage to annoy me with their crappy attitudes and clearly "superficial" class.

Just two doors off Halsted, this restaurant has the most amazing Grecian chicken! I've always wanted to try the feta burger, which I hear is excellent, but each time I sit down at the table with menu in hand I order the kalamata chicken! Insanely good! Very casual, patio is not covered but very nice. Restaurant is next door to Glascott's, so with no liquor listener they allow you to grab a drink from there and bring to your table. A true gem!

We went to Glascott's Grogery (which is next door to the Athenian Room). The two establishments are connected - so you can order food from Athenian at the bar - which was nice and convenient. The food is delivered to you - and the waitress also came back and checked with us to make sure everything was good. And good it was! I had the gyro - which was extremely generous portion - both for the meat and the sauce. And it was quite tasty and the price was right too.

The restaurant was busy when we arrived so we had drinks at the adjoining bar while waiting for a table. The food took awhile as well but it was worth it, the best Greek food I've had in a while. It was quiet enough to have pleasant conversation with the friends I was with. In a pretty cool part of town if you decide to start the night here.

I was really looking forward to dinner here. I read that the Kalamata Chicken was crazy good so I ordered it. I was completely underwelmed. It was OK, and the fries that everyone raved about were soggy and salty. Others in our group ordered the gyros. The sauce for them was, again, OK. I've had much better. I was disappointed. The feta cheese side was good.

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.

Totally on of my Go TO Places. The food is always good, great service and a lively atmosphere . If you like Chicken , Gyros and Taramosalata , this is your place . Salads are good too

I came here never had having Greek food, but I loved it! Excellent Greek salad, skirt steak, and chicken kamalata (I think that's what it's called.) The desert was amazing beyond belief, it was delicious. Family owned, definetly a hidden gem.

We were staying in the Lincoln Park area and found the Athenian Room just a block away. It looked intriguing so we stopped in and were not disappointed. I'm glad we arrived when we did because the place started to fill up over the supper hour. In spite of the great variety on the menu, we decided to have a light supper and ordered Greek salads with pita bread on the side. However, when we saw the plates of chicken and fries being delivered to other tables, we questioned if we shouldn't have ordered one of them. They looked delicious! We found out later that the Athenian room is known for its Greek chicken dinners that come with a side salad. Oddly enough, the following day we saw an article in the Chicago Tribune about the popularity of the chicken at the Athenian Room. For such a small restaurant, it definitely seems to have a following. I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

We ate dinner here on our second night in Chicago. I ate way too much for a very decent price. We split an order of spanikopita as an appetizer. It was very good, we got a pretty large serving. I also ordered a small salad to go with my meal. The SMALL salad was enough for me and my fiance with some left over (we both have pretty large appetites, it's rare for us to not be able to finish a dinner salad.) It was very good and had a huge chunk of feta on the top. I had the feta pita for my meal. The pita itself was great, it was very fresh and warm. It had large chunks of tomato and more of the awesome feta. I ordered the "Greek fries" with my meal. They were pretty good, too. The were thick cut French fries in a lemony sauce. My only complaint is that the fries on the bottom were pretty soggy by the time I got to them due to the sauce. The menu is very simple, but the food is good and inexpensive. I would recommend this to anyone seeking a low priced, filling meal.

I've been going here for 30 years. while I haven't been in a while since relocating, it was such a pleasure that the food is exactly as I remembered. the chicken is absolutely delicious, and I am not a chicken fan, the fries are an outstanding compliment. service is fast and friendly. prices are still reasonable. highly recommended!

Limited menu but food is very good. Loved the gyros and chicken.

Love the Greek fries and the lemon soup. The food isn't high end but it is good.

I don't get the raves. If you want Greek food, this is not the place. If you're after Gyros, salad or roast chicken a step above fast food, the place moves up to average. I have a couple tests of a Greek restaurant, and this one failed them. Taramosalata ... should be made with potato or bread (or both) mixed with roe providing anywhere from a moderate to a robustly fishy taste. It should be pink to beige, depending on the roe used. This one, nada. It tastes like cream cheese mixed with lemon juice, some olive oil and a little onion; the barest hint of fish flavor. Greek salad ... should have plenty of onion, tomato and olive in addition to the lettuce, and a dressing you want to sop up with lots of bread. Athenian - 0 for 3 on that one too. The roast chicken was dry. The chicken kabobs likewise, and had to be cut with a knife. These are common failings, but not for a 4- or 5-rated place. Service was matter of fact and inattentive. There are a dozen better places to eat Greek food in Chicago and, given that the valet parking at those places will be free, you won't spend more money to get a superior product.

My first and still favorite restaurant for gyros. This is and does feel like a local restaurant. However I think everyone that leaves anywhere in chicago has eaten here. Food is excellent, service good and a fun lively sometimes loud room. It is very relaxed and a great place to go with friends and have a fun time.

Went here after seeing David Letterman interview Buddy Guy in the back room and eating the Kalamata Chicken. It was delicious. Enjoyed the neighborhood and the atmosphere of the restaurant.

Ordered dinner for pickup from the Athenian Room this evening and was very disappointed. The chicken Kalmata was very dry and the fries were not ettable. I would have brought it back but it was rush hour and too far to go. While I would have recommended the AR in the past i no longer csn. Quite disappointing.

We drove into Chicago to try the Athenian Room. We were very dissappointed. The Kalamata chicken did not have real roasted greek potatoes. The small 1/2 chicken was served on french fries with greek dressing. My gyros sandwich was average and overpriced.

Friendly service, large portions of mediocre food. The gyro was dry. The marinated skirt steak is the best thing on the menu.

Restaurant has consistently great food. Had the steak dinner last night. It was amazing! Cooked to absolute perfection. Asked for medium rare and medium rare was delivered. Something special is the potatoes come immersed in the steak juices. Same thing with kalamata chicken. Sooo good. Service was excellent. Place was busy on a Tuesday night. Great neighborhood or destination restaurant.

I am a sucker for a Greek restaurant, so this review is automatically biased. This place should be in a film with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks meeting and failing in love while sharing a dish of Kalamata chicken. The food is what my body craves on a rainy cold Chicago evening. There is one dessert choice and after you try the baklava, you will understand why there needs to be no other options offered. Prices are reasonable by southern US standards and a bargain by Chicago standards.

We stopped in to the Athenian Room for a lunch break while spending the day checking out Chicago neighborhoods. I used to live around the corner from this place over 20 years ago, and though the prices have changed ($7 Gyro), it's not expensive and the food was as good as I remembered. It's a small cozy space with brick walls with curved arches that I suppose reminds of Greece. The restaurant is attached to the back of Glascott Saloon, so if you want to enjoy a beer or cocktail with your meal, they invite you to enter the bar and bring your drink back to your table. I ordered just a gyro sandwich and my husband ordered a salad and he got himself a beer. My gyro was huge, but not stupid huge. It was just about two bites more than I needed, and I did not regret passing on the fries. (Well, I did regret it because I remember they were fantastic, so if you can eat that much or take a doggie bag, go for the fries too!) I did eat the whole thing, and we walked it off around the neighborhood. Parking could be a bit of a problem, it's just street parking, though they may have had a sign out for valet parking. The Athenian Room offered some sidewalk seating, and at 3pm on a Tuesday, we had the place nearly all to ourselves. Our waitress was friendly and our water was refilled without being asked...which was great since we had spent the day walking miles. Chicago has lots of great restaurants, and this is certainly a neighborhood gem. Everyone working there was inviting and friendly, greeted us as we entered and said good-bye as we walked past to leave. It gets busy at night, but don't let that keep you away. This place is worth every effort! I'm so glad it hasn't changed at all. It was perfect 20 years ago, and it still is. Thank you!

Sat outside on lovely sidewalk w my family reminiscing about my favorite place in Lincoln Park. We ate here every week when I lived in Chicago and the veggie salad w pita tsatsiki with Greek fries on top was exactly the same- 4 of us had it w side of feta!!! delish Go to the old standby and get falafel - kebab whatever on the small menu. I will go back and we are only here for 2 days 😍

This is a tired and true establishment that hasn't changed in the 20 years I have lived in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The menu hasn't changed a bit and features most of what you would expect from a Greek place - gyros, kebabs, spanikopida and blakalva (sp?). While I wish they offered lamb chops like Greek town, they stick to what they do - and it works. that said, the Athenian also offers a few dishes for those that are not into traditional Greek food (e.g. charburger). The prices are reasonable and everyone in my family can easily find somthing that they like.

The Athenian Room provided my daughter and I with a nice dining experience. We both had variations of chicken kabob and both were very good. The service was adequate, not much follow up by our young server. No reservations accepted, cash only.

Ok I confess. I've been here before. In fact it's become my first night in Chicago regular and I come to Chicago most years. It's not gourmet but it's very good. Excellent Taramasalata. Great Feta. Excellent fresh salad. The chicken is great. The gyro looks dry but it is good. The pitta is fabulous. The shrimps are good. In fact if you want to be part of Chicago, this is a Chicago joint. I love it. The serving girls are pretty. The place has a buzz. Sometimes you go to a place because it's a great place.

Coming from San Francisco, I totally appreciate a place like this where you can actually get a full dinner plate meal for $ 12-: the Kalamata Chicken is delicious, nice moist chicken with side of vegetables and bread ( but do not expect olives). When Tina Fey lived here this was supposed to be her go to dish. The Gyro salad $ 10.50,is simple but good with the feta cheese, tzaziki. Plenty of food . Go to the bar next door to buy your alcoholic drinks and bring them back to your table. Nice outdoor seating on warm summer nights. They say the menu has not change in 30 years, I wish we had something like this in my neighborhood.

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.

I love Greek food, which is my favorite. We were staying in this part of town to see Blue Man so we decided to have dinner here. I'm not sure how this place got such great reviews. Restaurant was small and very crowded, they don't take reservations so we waited a half hour for a table! Menu was limited for Greek selection and food was just okay, wish we took the extra time and went to Greek Town !

A Chicago institution I've been meaning to try. I was in town overnight and my business associate suggested Greek. Not wanting to mess with the crowds in Greek Town, we decided on the Athenian Room. The comments everyone has made about the magical fries​ are accurate. How they essentially swim in juice but stay crispy is beyond comprehension. They were absolutely delicious. My colleague has the chicken Tina Fey loves. It was good. Very juicy. I expected more spices but I enjoyed it. I had the skirt steak. It was far more flavored, but a tad salty for me. The salad was great with the addition of the fresh feta. Don't miss the pits but eat them when they're still hot. I would absolutely go back but probably get a salad with chicken or gyro meat. We had planned on talking a long stroll but we both felt really bogged down by the heaviness of our food. All-in-all, a worthwhile experience.

A bunch of us had dinner here on a Saturday in October. We waited next door in Glascotts Gloggery where we had beverages and then brought them with us next door (adjoining, actually) It is a no fuss kind of place, however there are signs stating that no cell phone usage is allowed. A rather nice thing in a way - of course mine rang while eating and I did get a "look" by a near-by table - I promptly put it on silent!. When we inquired the waitress said the owner would remind us of the policy if he/she saw us using phones! We started with the hummus with caviar, spinach pie and a couple greek salads before our entrees. I was a bit timid trying the hummus - not the hummus part but the caviar part - it was really good. It was served with loads of warm pita bread. A variety of dinners were ordered and all were yummy! The light sauce/marinade (a greek oil and vinegar with spices) poured over the meats was very good and the meat absorbed that flavor even more as it sat in that sauce before eating it. The fries also were enhanced by that sauce!! Sounds kinda weird (gross) but it wasn't! The portions are very large and could easily be shared - but that means no left-overs!

Went on a Chicago greeters tour. Our tour guide suggested Athenia. The steak fries or Greek fries as they called them were fantastic. The chicken kalamata and kabobs were outstanding too. We were very pleased with lunch that day!

When we told our friends we were visiting their old home town, their first response was “go to the Athenian Room”. It was actually a short Uber ride from our Airbnb and on the way to Kingston Mines so we did. And we’re mighty happy about that. Great Greek food, great service, a small tab – couldn’t ask for a better experience. It’s a very easy spot to become a regular!

I read previous reviews and agree with most: the Kalamata Chicken if delicious ... and the Gyros is dry! Other than that, interesting to go to the bar next door to buy your alcoholic drinks and bring therm back to your table. Greek Caviar is reminiscent of a salty hummus-like - textured whipped fish eggs ( really good, try it! ). Sadly, no regular hummus on the menu. Fresh Feta cheese - order it on everything!

The restaurant is beautiful, but literally that's all. The food was way over priced and horrible! My mother and my son ordered gyros and a bowl of soup. I had chicken kabobs. The chicken kabobs were very dry. They serve it with rice and sauce. The sauce is terrible and turned my stomach. It tasted like ketchup and cinnamon....disgusting. We asked for refills on our soda .....never happen. We asked for extra napkins, we got 3 napkins after asking 4 times, even though there was 10 servers standing around talking. The bill was $123. We will never be returning. The only nice thing about this place was the waterfall in the outside area. I was really excited to bring my family here. We drove over 45 minutes. If you're going to Greentown choose another place.

I make the Athenian room a regular stop when in chicago. The place is small, quaint, has valet parking, and is located in a great spot on Webster right off Halstead. Grab a plat of the greek/Kalamata style chicken, served over greek fries, with a greek salad. Make the walk up the steps, and enjoy your chicken w a pint of your favorite beer at Glasscott's tap! chicago neighborhood dining at its finest!!!

I am surprised this place is only 4 stars because every time I come here the food is great. I get the Greek Salad and Greek Chicken which are both delicious. Food is cheap and service is fast.

We were driving around aimlessly trying to find someplace to have lunch on Labor Day when we came upon the Athenian Room. How lucky for us! The food and service were excellent with huge portions and very reasonable prices. The Chicken Kalamata reminded my mom of the way chicken is made in the "old country," flavorful, crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. The salads were delicious with chunks of feta served on the side. The skirt steak and fries - wow, just perfectly cooked and so, so good. The restaurant was consistently full through the late lunch hours, but no wait for seating. I will definitely come back.

Went after being recommended on foodie walking tour as local hot spot near Lincoln Park that is also a favorites of Tina Fey when she is in Chicago. Gyros were very large causing leftovers. Also enjoyed the pork tenderloin shish kabob with greek fries. Best advice is to arrive early as long lines start at dinner time.

Must have the Greek Fries. Portions are huge, prices reasonable, service wonderful. Must try the gyro....

I moved into the Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1970 about the same time the Athenian room opened; mostly carry out with only two tables. They enlarged first to one more room and then again with an additional room because they are so popular. They don't have all the items you'll find in Greek Town and no flaming Saganaki. (The owner once told me he started out as a waiter in Greek Town and burnt his eyebrows from flaming Saganaki and decided never to serve it in his place). But the food they have is sensational and inexpensive. The Athenian steak (marinated skirt steak) and their Greek chicken are sensational. They also have a salad with French fries in it, sounds weird but it is really good. They also have a hamburger they call a Greek burger that is big and one of the tastiest I've ever had. It's a great place for kids and there's usually a table or two with parents and their kids. I moved out of the neighborhood but whenever I'm in that area I always stop in for lunch.

This place was crowded on a nice Sunday evening - we waited about 45 minutes for a table. The food was very so so, good but nothing special. The price was right - with tip under $60 for four. I sampled the chicken kebob and could have made it at home. Service was good, friendly staff.

The restaurant was fairly full for a Sunday evening, but not struggling for space. The skirt steak and Chicken Kebabs were sampled. Not exceptional, but decent for the money. The skirt steak was with a vinegary sauce as were the Greek Fries. It's all fairly quick, so you can get away without alcohol with your meal. With the price at $30 for two with tip (although with water as a drink), it's hardly expensive if it turns out not your cup of tea. NB. Its menu is on-line at http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/athenian-room/menu

Gyros are piled high but super dry. Massive portions doesnt add up to good food. Wait staff rude and meal is rushed.

The food was good, but my biggest complaint here was the owner or at least she thought she was the owner. Got there late but the place was full, and I barely got her to serve me and my family, she put us at a tiny table in the corner, I'm from out of town so I had no clue what kind of food was here she barely let me look over the menu, and she told me she couldn't put me at a bigger table beware of this hateful women wearing glasses with a bob haircut we ate our food in a rush and the bill wasn't cheap!

The restaurant presents average, mediocre, Greek style food, and is okay to take young children to it.

My starving son and I ate lunch here after visiting DePaul. We sat outside, had simple but good food, and appreciated the fair prices and excellent, friendly service. Definitely recommend it!

A great place for a quick and good meal. The greek chicken is very good at a good price. They move the table quickly and efficiently. They have a nice patio and he bar next door is a fun place to go before or after for a drink.

We aren't into Greek food on a regular basis but our friends are so we have become acquainted with some of the best Greek restaurants in Chicago in recent years...such as Pegasus, Green Islands, Santorini, Taxim, Melanthois, Mythos, Roditys and Artopolis. Recently, we visited the Athenian Room at 807 West Webster, in the heart of our Lincoln Park neighborhood, on the amazing and burgeoning Webster Avenue restaurant/bar/bakery corridor. The Athenian Room is very agreeable to our taste, casual and traditional thanks to a menu of basic dishes done right, including chicken and juice-soaked fries and salad. It also features low prices, large portions, friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere, all to our liking. It will take time for us to become familiar with the Spanikopita and the Souvlaki and the Taramosalata and the Gyros salad and the Kalamata chicken. We're told that TV star Tina Fey turned the Athenian Room into a place-to-go and place-to-be-seen and culinary rock star when the one-time North Side resident responded to a viewer's question about her favorite Chicago restaurants by offering a glowing review of the the Athenian Room's roasted chicken on a bed of steak fries. The kitchen is located in the front, the menu is limited and the decor isn't out of Architectural Digest. But the food makes it work. The more items you sample, the more Greek you become. I started with shrimp and Kalamata olives and a small Greek salad, then chose the shish Kebobbed pork tenderloin. My wife was enamored with the shish Kebobbed chicken breast. Dessert? Are you kidding? Do you order anything but sinful Baklava at a self-respecting Greek restaurant? You don't have to be Greek to love Baklava. And you don't have to be Greek to love the Athenian Room.

good food, nice enviornment. didn't dress up too much, but still treated like royalty. everything was beautiful. 10/10 would reconommend if you'd like to imagine yourself rich but not having to pay rich.

The Athenian Room is great for a meal with friends or family. The menu is a little limited, but has all the necessary basic for a Greek restaurant. I had the spanakopita, which was excellent. The Greek fries, which I borrowed from a friend, were also delicious although a little too soaked in vinegar. The restaurant has both outdoor and indoor seating. The only complaint I have about the Athenian Room is that refills for drinks are not free. As a Diet Coke addict, this always rubs me the wrong way at restaurants. However, that aside, my experience was great.

Make sure the hostess writes down your name on busy nights. Did I say make sure...no reservations taken. That was the only glitch as she didn't write my name down. It is pretty chaotic on busy nights. You have to get your beer, wine, or cocktails at the bar that is next to the restaurant. On busy nights at the bar the bathrooms are not that clean. I had the Steak Alexandros. It was really tasty. Actually it had more flavor than the steak the night before at Gibson's at 1/3 the price. Avgolemono soup is a must if they have it that night. Get the Chicken Kalamata style over the kabobs. It is just a better dish.

Great neighborhood choice - excellent value, very well run. Reasonable prices in a high priced neighborhood. Very very good food.

Having been recommended by Tina Fey, of Saturday Night Live fame, I had been wanting to try this restaurant for years. It lived up to the recommendation! I had the Kamakazi Chicken and Crack Fries, that is what she called them, and could have died and gone to heaven!! Fantastic!! My daughter had a salad with a skewer of chicken and my husband a gyro, both were excellent as well. Service extraordinary. Highly recommended!!

Basic chow with Greek twist. limited menu-chicken, gyros, salad, kebobs, burgers I had Gyro salad--just OK (Had better at the Gyro place in the Reading Terminal Market in Philly) My daughter had the chicken shish kebobs with Greek Fries much better than my meal fair price for city place GOOD PLACE TO TAKE YOUR STARVING DEPAUL STUDENT

The Athenian Room just west of Halsted on Armitage has terrific Greek food, the chicken shish kebab over salad is refreshing on these balmy Summer nights. My husband and I drove through Greektown, tried to find parking there but were unsuccessful. We live in the Lincoln Park/Old Town area and so parking the car and walking was fine with us….especially as the entertainment for that particular night was the Naked Bikers Ride on Halsted. We didn't have to deal with traffic congestion, we got a table outside, the food was great(and inexpensive), the parade of the bikers was unique (and free—for one and all). You won't get that experience ever again, but, the food and the service are definitely worth the trip. The only draw back is the valet parking happens near the sidewalk tables…but, eh…you could get better pollution in Athens.

I recommend the Greek chicken, it is slow-roasted in herbs all day and falls off the bone. Get your fries Greek style as well, with a lemon-vinegar sauce drizzled on them. The gyro dinner is large enough for two meals, be sure to order a second pita to go. The salads are OK but not extraordinary. Feta is fresh and plentiful. Prices are very reasonable, especially for Lincoln Park. They don't have a liquor license, but the adjoining bar does... Visited 2/28/09.

Fun tradtional greek place. The prices were very reasonable for Chicago. The food was super yummy, no alcohol, but you can grab a beer at the adjoining bar and bring it over. Great for casual dining.

You get a salad and 1/2 roasted chicken that is moist on the inside and crisp on the outside on top of a mountain of greek potato fries. They are potato wedges that are crisp and are covered in a lemon oregeno oil that the chicken is basted with. When you look for recipes for greek potatoes you will see they are based on the Athenian Room recipe.

We met a friend in Chicago, and a local gallery owner gave this as his choice in our quest for authentic Greek food. We were very pleased with our meal. We went on a Saturday at lunch and were seated after just a few moments. This place gets busy, so be aware you might wait a little bit, but it will be worth it. We started with the Greek Caviar spread....it has a long Greek name, so I don't know how to spell or say it, but it was tasty and very delicious on the bread they served. My wife got the Grilled Chicken with fries and it was yummy. I had the Gyros platter and our friend got the chicken kabobs. They were all very substantial and well prepared. The service was wonderful, from a yound lady named Krissy. She was very kind to us, and she didn't rush us as we spent time catching up with our friend. Krissy was an excellent waitress and helpful with any questions we had. It is hard to say who is the sweetest, Krissy or the Athenian Room's Baklava!!!! ...so save some room for the baklava, or buy a piece to take home...it is some of the best I've ever had. The restaurant is in a cool Chicago neighborhood, near a university. There is a metro stop near them, but we were driving, and it wasn't too difficult to find free parking in the nieghborhood, which is a rarity in Chicago where you pay about $4/hour on the metered street parking. So between that, and the prices being so reasonable at the restaurant, I'd have to say out of all the meals we had on our trip, the Athenian Room rates at the top on value and quality. It's the next best thing to flying to Athens, Greece!

7 y/o son: It's good and MEAT! 13 y/o daughter: Enjoyed the outdoor seating and surplus of Tzatziki sauce and olives. Overall a good dining experience. 41 y/o wife/mother: Good value. I enjoyed the delicious slabs of Feta. 40 y/o father/son: I've had better Greek food, but the price was definitely right, the people were friendly, and the service was very good. Calling a plate of cucumbers with a side of Tzatziki sauce "cucumber salad" was a little silly, though.

This small, intimate neighborhood Greek eatery serves fresh Greek country fare. The gyros plate is outstanding, as is the barbecued chicken. The hand cut Greek fries are especially good. Located adjacent to an Irish pub (with which the restaurant shares rest rooms), it is an interesting juxtaposition.

We didn't start out with the intention of eating so much Greek/Mediterranean food in Chicago, but are so glad that we did! We were in the neighborhood waiting for our tour of DePaul University to start, and wanted to eat outside. They have a nice little patio and are located in a great neighborhood with easy parking so we stopped. We had great service, ordered hummus, feta cheese, chicken kabobs with salad, tzatziki sauce and some of the best pita bread I have ever had. The iced tea was perfect as well. I would definitely return!

Great Greek food, inexpensive, outside seating in the summer, no liquor license so you hop over to the bar next door and bring drinks back. This place never disappoints.

get the greek chicken, delisiouso

One of my favorite spots in the city. This is a cozy little Greek restaurant where they serve great food at very reasonable prices. While everything I've had there is good, my fiancé and I both LOVE the Kalamata chicken. It's a half chicken with crispy skin served over a bed of crispy fries in a delicious vinegar based sauce. They don't serve alcohol but there's a door connecting the restaurant to Glascotts and you can bring drinks in from there.

The gyro was very bland. We ate it but was not impressed. Also had the spanakopita which was good but very hot (like fire) had to wait even when starving. It was busy but the wait staff was not very attentive. The hostess girl took us to 3 tables before we finally sat. All in all, not coming back.

Spot on. The food was so fresh and tasty. I had a steak that was perfectly seasoned and cooked. We sat outside on a perfect night. Be warned that it’s a cash only restaurant.

If you like mid-range Greek food then Athenian should work for you because it did for us. We were served tremendously large portions of gyro salad and gyro sandwiches. Just a really good, family-run, neighborhood experience.

My husband and I have walked past The Athenian Room many times vowing to try it sometime. I was intrigued by Tina Fey's description of the chicken Kalamata style, which seems to have been a mainstay of her diet during her early improv days in Chicago. So this review is about the Kalamata chicken (or "Tina Fey chicken" as I like to call it), which both my husband and I ordered. It was divine! For something like $12.95, you start out with a respectable salad of lettuce, tomato, and cucumber and an individual basket of bread. Don't eat too much of the latter, as you'll want to have plenty of room for the roasted half-chicken that is served on a bed of steak fries with the most scrumptious jus -- perfectly seasoned with lemon, oregano and other herbs. The jus makes this dish. I'm sorry we waited so long to try it! We'll definitely go back for more. (And a friend recommends the skirt steak with feta, too.)

Greek Salad with Gyro on top you will be so stuffed and so happy and so warm inside. Also the fried shrimp.

Wow, these Greeks really fill a plate. We did not leave hungry. In fact we had left overs to feed us all the next day. My gyro was delicious. The chicken plate, juicy. Friendly staff. Great dinner experience.

We always get the Chicken Kalamata which is outstanding. We pick up from here because its always a long wait for a table. Wish they delivered. Sometimes you have to wait but it is always worth it.

Really great food at this family owned and run restaurant. The wiatresses are always good to look at and the food will make you want to return. Get the greek fries, you will want more!

Disappointed. The chicken was flavorless and dry. The Greek salad consisted of a pile of thickly cut cucumbers and tomatoes and a slab of feta, again no flavor and hardly any olive oil or olives. Just unimaginative arrangements and very little taste. The bread was stale! There was no wine or beer available at the restaurant itself but had to be procured at a pub next door. Will never go back there.

We live between Lincoln Park and Greek Town and usually end up going to Greek Town for Greek food. A friend from Lincoln Park likes The Athenian Room, so we went with her. Wow, what a great neighborhood restaurant! It was a little more casual in feel than Greek Town favorites, but just as comfortable and had a buzzing, convivial atmosphere. The menu is fairly concise, but what they do they do very well. They are known for their roast chicken, and it is indeed excellent and not at all greasy, though it does come with a sauce that famously coast the Greek style potatoes. A lot of people were getting to go orders, but Athenian Room is definitely an "eat in" place where you can relax, get comfortable and people watch while you eat. The wait staff does not serve alcohol, but if you want a drink with your meal there is a bar attached to the restaurant and you can just walk on over and get a drink to bring back to the table. When we were there, many tables had drinks. I'm not sure why the restaurant is like this, but maybe it helps keep down the cost so that the customers can continue to enjoy a very, very inexpensive menu. That is the last point. It's very reasonably priced and a good value for the money.

The Athenian Room is an old-school neighborhood restaurant. It feels like it's been there for decades; the phone even rings instead of chirping. I'd heard about the Kalamata Chicken and figured it was worth a try. Three of us went there on a Friday night, were greeted warmly and seated in the crowded dining room. The restaurant doesn't have a liquor license but you can go to the next door bar to get a drink and bring it back. We ordered spanakopita to split as a starter. It was warm and tasty. A very basic Greek salad came with the dinners and we added a side order of feta. Then the Kalamata Chicken arrived in all its messy glory. It's a crisp roasted half chicken on top of Greek fries, all drenched in a thin lemony vinegary sauce. It was really tasty. The potatoes soaked up the sauce without getting soggy. Magic? Maybe. One of my companions had the skirt steak which was also drenched in a thin sauce and said it was delicious and better quality than more expensive steaks he'd had. We ended the meal with baklava, the only dessert on the menu, but, when you have baklava, you really don't need anything else. Three dinners with a shared starter and three desserts came in at about $50. Good food. Good value.

I love Greek food and have dined at many places in Detroit, Athens, and elsewhere. I do not understand the positive reviews AT ALL. As other reviewers have mentioned, this place is a step (small) above a kebab house. Jam something in if you are hungry, but do not expect any culinary ambition.

My thighs are made of Athenian room! We drive to Chicago to eat here...three hours! Used to live across the street Started eating the burgers when I was 22, moved onto chicken, salads then the heavenly skirt steak! Best tsatsiki ever anywhere. Outstanding dressing, they should franchise. We bring home to IN and freeze! It's almost as good as eating there but not quite. Guests we Bring here want to lick the plate! family owned, great service, atmosphere is.... Who cares, foods here!

I dear you to find a better $14 skirt steak in the city.

We went early on a Friday night so we did not have to wait at all. The hostess was very friendly, the waitress, not so much, but it didn't really matter because the food was so great! The gyro was amazing, as were the fries. We also had a shish-k-bob, which was very tender, and a burger, which was very flavorful (and large!). Prices are great too. We had the baklava for dessert which was also very good. It's a fun, family type place with a bar next door that is connected. We saw other diners going to the bar to get drinks, which the restaurant does not serve. We loved it!

When we lived in Chicago we would go here at least once a month for their skirt steak and Greek Chicken. It's that good. We had them cater a party and everyone also agreed that it's the best. When I go back to Chicago for work I always try to visit!

delicious, but no free refills on 10 oz fountian cokes... come on.

If all you want is gyros or a burger this place is probably fine. Everything was very bland and there were few traditional Greek dishes on the menu. I'm sure there is much better Greek food to be had in Chicago.

I don't know many Greek restaurants that have a good steak more or less a great one. It's a nice size grilled skirt steak perfectly seasoned and served over fries that absorb the juices. Mmmm one of the best parts. Was a little thrown back by the fact that they don't have saganaki (flaming cheese) which I thought was a given at any Greek restaurant. Anyway the chicken was good and the salad was great with a big block of feta on top. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is for not having a Greek staple. The flaming cheese!!!

We walked a bit from the train station but it was worth the hike. I loved the roasted chicken and greek fries with feta cheese.

Well-known by Lincoln Park residents, Athenian Room is an inexpensive and lively neighborhood Greek restaurant, known for its lemon-rice soup in winter, and lovely outdoor patio in summer. The gyro salad and roasted chicken are favorites, and if you're in the mood, get a drink from Glascott's next door.

My family and friends have been going to The Athenian Room at least once a month for the last 10 years. We have tried various items on the menu and all have been good but for the most part we don't even open the menu. "Skirt steaks, medium rare all around with a side of feta for the salads." The marinade for the steak is vinegar based and must have some addictive drug in it because we absolutely crave it. This place is a real gem. The food is consisent and an excellent value (steak, fries, bread and salad for under $20). It is BYOB but they are attached to a bar where you can buy a pint of beer and walk it over.

Really tasty food with non-everyday flavors. Something for everyone on the menu. Massive portions... my wife and I share. Service is fast, friendly, and accommodating. Near DePaul, so there is an off-campus feel. It is a place to enjoy once or a couple of times a month.

I have been going to this restaurant ever since I was a little girl living in the city. I moved to the suburbs, and every other weekend or so we take the train down to eat at the Athenian Room. It has great home made Greek food and amazing service. The atmosphere is cozy, especially in the winter time. The food is a good price considering it's in the heart of Lincoln Park(a very nice area in the city). The Greek fries are necessary... if you are on a diet it is definitely worth cheating lol. I would recommend this to families/friends/ and first dates!

Have to go to this restaurant every time I'm in Chicago. Large portions, thinly sliced Gyro meat and plenty of Greek Fries! Best Gyros in Chicago.

The Athenian Room staff accomodated our party of 14 with relative ease. The food was very good and generous in portions. We would recommend the greek fries. The greek chicken was very good as were the gyros. Excellent value for the price!

I've eaten here for years. I always get the greek chicken. It's incredibly tasty and a great value for $10 for a 1/2 chicken with salad and fries. Never had anything else to eat here' it's so good!. Place is usually crowded. It's a nice neighborhood place for a great meal at a great price.

Outstanding value. The chicken kalamata is a precision roasted marinated half chicken served with a salad and fantastic Greek fries for a paltry $10.00. Perhaps the best bargain in Chicago. No liquor but adjoining bar lets you bring your drinks into the restaurant. The Gyro sandwiches and Greek salads also looked good. I will return

Love this place! We have been going since the mid 90s when my wife and I were just dating. Introduced our boys to this place and it’s been a part of our life for over 26 years! We just wish they were open for lunch again ☹️

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food here. It's a quick walk from my apartment and I figured I would give it a try even though it honestly didn't look like anything special from the outside. I heard from a friend that they had great food and they did not disappoint. I love anything with tzatziki and theirs was great! Get a piece of baklava at the end of your meal - it reminded me of being in Greece!

This place is great! the food is go good and authentic! I enjoy everything on the menu I have been numerous time and every time I get something different and I am never disappointed, you will not leave hungry!!

This unassuming little Greek restaurant is in a fun neighborhood. Parking is a challenge but they have a valet. Food is great - bar adjacent if you would like wine with dinner. We used the valet parking, had a great lunch and when we went to get our car the valet had it waiting! Said he saw us standing up and got our car - is that amazing service in a big city?

Went here with some friends. It is in a great neighborhood (Lincoln Park). I liked their set up. No liquor in the restaurant so you walk next door to the attached Irish Pub Glascotts to grab drinks. This is a simple place, nothing fancy. Seems to be family run. Great Gyro's and Fries. Salad was good as well. I enjoyed the casual atmosphere. Chicken is suppossed to be great as well. Very inexpensive for Lincoln Park especially.

I'm a Chicago local and my family and friends have been eating at the Athenian room for the last 13 years. I've tried other things on the menu and they are respectable. However, 99% of the time the entire family of 5 orders the Skirt Steak Alexander- medium rare please! The seasoning used must be illegal because we crave this like nothing else. Parking is tough and you have to walk to the bar next door to get a beer but the $16 steak makes it all worth it. Ample outdoor seating in the summer is nice too.

Felt like a small taverna in Greece with the unique aromas and crowded tables. Menu has your classic gyros, authentic greek salad(very good) and greek baked chicken (killer) but do not offer other typical fares such as dolomades, mousaka, etc. In fact not sure if they had lamb chops, leg, etc? The gyros serves up enough meat for 2, so order wisely. I had skewered grilled chicken served in a pita and it was to dry. Service friendly and kitchen slightly long on timing. Not bad though. Bar service is self serve from adjacent pub. The big picture... small, very casual, tasty, friendly and inexpensive for the quality! Almost forgot, valet parking!! :) $8. enjoy! Scale of 1-10: 8.5. Opa!

This place does not deserve to be called a Greek restaurant. Besides the name and the pictures on the wall, this has nothing to do with a Grecian cuisine at all! The food reminds more of a fast food kebab house than a Greek restaurant. You can choose between burgers, grilled chicken half's and gyros (the only thing reminding of Grecian food!) are you serious?? Never heard of moussaka, souvlaki, bifteki, suzuki...? There is no single fish dish on the menu neither, nor famous Grecian wine retsina. Be ashamed!

This place is is a great food place but also a great date destination. They provided a rose which I previously purchased, and the server remembered us. Great location and great service. A must try.

This restaurant has always been great. I was with friends today and we decided to eat here. Simple restaurant with fantastic Greek food. Located in a great neighborhood. On a beautiful day, you probably won't get a seat outside. Please, please order their Greek fries seasoned so well. I went with the gyros dinner. Plates are huge and can be shared. I wasn't in a sharing mood!😀. Some dishes come with bread but not all. If you want Bread, please ask your waitress. Great meal!

Or at least close. And the chicken is to die for. And the Shishkabobs (so good on a sandwhich with cheese. And don't even get me started on that skirt steak! (add onions, it makes it even better.) I spent a lot of time eating at The Athenian Room once a upon a time, and now, decades later, it is the one place i must eat every time I am Chicago. I've lived all over the world and nothing else comes close. I dream about this food, and that magical vinegar sauce they put on everything. This isn't fancy Greektown food, this is a Greek-American magical creation which once you discover it, you may find yourself craving every night of the week. Totally and completely addictive. Fast, friendly service and owned by the same family for decades. A true Chicago gem.

Inexpensive, delicious and decidedly Greek. I love the shiskabobs.