The outdoor seating is nice. The owner is very attentive and friendly. He came To our table several times to small talk and check on us. The Greek salad was amazing with lots of fresh tomatoes and herbed feta. The gyro is huge!!!! My husband liked it, and plenty of leftover. The pastachio pasta was very flavorful and sweet with lots of peas. The spaghetti pasta was just okay- very plain- maybe good for a picky child. No kids menus here. They gave me a whole cut up lemon when I asked for my water. Overall, great food and atmosphere! read more

Didn't know what to expect on a Thursday evening however we were pleasantly surprised by the service it was pleasant and accommodating ... we ordered the Combination Plate and Pork Chop entrees ... they were delicious ... we also ordered drinks Greek Margarita and Lemon Drop Martini ... overall we had a pleasant dining experience. Baklava was also delicious. I would definitely go back to try other menu items. read more

Papaspiros - Combination Plate - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Their online reservation featured live music on Wednesdays, so we made a reservation for Wednesday evening. The live music consisted of a singer singing along to songs played over speakers. Unfortunately, the audio system was not cooperative, which was pretty disruptive to our experience. We all ordered a Greek Sangria to start. They were pretty strong. It's a red wine sangria. The mint leaves added a nice refreshing element. It was $14, so definitely on par with the price of a cocktail at most places. I think the best part of the menu is the small plates. The Kolokythakia (fried zucchini slices) were great. I love how seasoned they were. The Scordalia that came on the side was the perfect amount of garlic flavor. The Kalamari and Hummus were really great as well. I wish they had provided pita for the hummus, but we used the complimentary sesame bread. The entrees came out eerily quick. And I get it - most of the traditional items are likely made ahead of time and reheated. I don't mind that, but I was so disappointed by the frozen peas & carrots that came on the side of my Mousaka. I thought the price point on the entrees were too high for what they were. Our server was super nice. It's clearly a beloved restaurant. I hope to come back for some more small plates rather than entrees. read more

I've dined in here twice now and ordered takeout once. Every time it has been a 10/10 experience. All of the food is SO good. I highly recommend ordering the saganaki if you like cheese. When we come we order a bunch of the small plates and drinks and our bill is always lower than we expect it to be because of their reasonable prices. The service has always been great, everyone that works here has been friendly and personable to us. The last time we came they even gave us limoncello. I'm looking forward to coming here regularly in the future! read more

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What a great experience we had here. Starting with the service, our waiter did a great job taking care of us. Very knowledgeable about the food and the combinations. I had the lamb shank with Greek potatoes. The flavors are there and the meat was melting. It's a small place and I, not only recommend this place but I'll be back here for sure. read more

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Great food, amazing service and love the ambiance!! We ordered the mousaka and talapia, pictures attached below. Both were great! read more

Papaspiros - Mousaka - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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I love everything about Papaspiros. They've expanded their drink menu over the past couple years, which is nice, and the food has stayed true to its past and most importantly, consistent. This is some of the best pastitsio I have had and their avgolemono is great - my girls love the food here and even the picky husband enjoys a few things. I went with the lettered to start today (I think they call them something else here, but that is what I know). We had the girls share some macaronada and husband got chicken souvlaki. Pastitsio was on my mind so I had that as a main and it comes with peas on the side - yum! read more

I hadn't dined at PapaSpiros for many years (since its original location across Lake St), and was eager to sample it again for a recent weekday dinner. All in all, I was pleased. I give it 3.5*... VIBE: The dining room is a compact and cozy taverna, decorated with an eclectic mix of art objects, bottles and wall décor gathered over the years. Lighting was good, and appropriate Greekish music was playing at a non-intrusive level; conversational noise from other diners was obtrusive at times. SERVICE: The place was not at all crowded, so service was courteous and attentive. Our food was coursed just right, leisurely, yet prompt. FOOD: Avgolemono soup had delicious chicken and lemon flavors, though it was too salty. Agora salad had nice notes of dill and chives; it was a bit over-dressed for my tastes (I'd ask for dressing on the side next time). I've had a hankering for dolmantes for some time: these were tasty and satifying, thogh the accompanying potatoes were not as roasted as I prefer. My companion reported that the riganati chicken was very good, but could have used a little more oregano; the accompanying rice was bland. For dessert, baklava was delicious but unfortunately served ice-cold (a few minutes in an oven would have made it even better). There's a compact selection of cocktails and wines (Greek and domestic). PapaSpiros is definitely a good local choice to feed my yen for Greek food. And it was a pleasant, mostly conversation-friendly setting. I'll look forward to returning. read more

I want to commend the manager Bill at this restaurant, he was able to make up an order that was not done incorrectly, and I really appreciate that he overdone it in a good way, in making up what was incorrectly with my previous order. Thanks! again Bill. and JESUS LOVE'S YOU! and all that reads this review, or not, as well as your family! IN JESUS NAME! read more

Papaspiros - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Food was very good never had authentic Greek food glad I stopped by will come back soon read more

Papaspiros - Combo plate - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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This is one of those times I wish yelp allowed for half stars. If it did papaspiros would get a solid three and a half stars from me. The entrance was a tad hard to find due to it looking more like a store front than a restaurant. The restaurant itself had a very comfortable neighborhood diner sort of feel to it. The employees were very friendly and welcoming. The service was rather all over the map. At times you couldn't find someone at other times you had three people around you. But they did try and we did get everything we ordered. One of the employees mentioned that they were very short staffed that night so it could be better on a different night. They have a small but reasonable drink menu. And a nice sized food menu with lots of options. For my drink I went with the cosmopolitan. Can't go wrong with an old standard. It was enjoyable. My friend had a lemon drop martini and said it was good. For starters we had the Greek fries which were sliced potatoes fried and sprinkled with greek herbs and you can add feta cheese which we did. They were very flavorful and delicious. We also had the dolmathes yialantzis which are grape leaves stuffed with rice and served with greek yogurt and veggies. They were really good. Plump and flavorful. The veggies were cool and crisp, very nice. For my meal I had the Mousaka which is layers of roasted eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, and ground meet topped with a béchamel sauce and served with sweet peas in a tomato sauce. Honestly I wish I liked this dish more. On top of it surprisingly lacking flavor the dish gave the impression that it might have been microwaved. I don't know this for sure but parts were lukewarm while other parts were steaming hot. Very odd. I probably would not order this dish again. My friend got chicken kebab's. She asked if they could add any extra veggies and was told they could not. This seems odd to me but okay. She did end up liking her meal. For dessert we got the baklava which was good. It tasted a bit like warm apple pie which I have no problem with. We also tried the galaktoboureko which is a custard baked in filo dough. It was good nothing special but certainly didn't taste bad. The prices were not bad either. I think in the end I wouldn't drive the 40 minutes to go back but if I happened to be in the area I might give it another try. The appetizers are delicious. read more

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Was at Papaspiros few weeks back and just now getting around to the review. I like to keep notes so I don't forget great experiences. Papa's is well appointed with the decor of traditional Greek colors and style. It's pretty large and airy with a nice full service bar with four or five stools. I can see how it can get jammed in the evening. It's on a great stretch of Lake St in Oak Park that has gentrified nicely over the years with great place to hang and dine. My server was friendly. A middle aged man Greek I believe, maybe family, definitely a pro and in the business for many years by his demeanor, confidence and knowledge of the menu. I started with the bowl of avgolemonos (egg drop soup). Incredible! I'm a soup guy and have been around a few bowls for of this Greek specialty and I have to say Papa's is some of the best I've ever had. Slightly thicker broth than most which is good. A nice consistency and very lemony. Went well with the fresh soft sliced sesame bread. I was going to go for salad a good Greek salad but I saw the lunch special of the lamb sandwich and fries. I like my gyros probably a bit too much. But this was lamb and great lamb at that. Thinly sliced, not chunks hacked at with a butcher knife like it too often is, but nice thin slices delicately layered on the pita bread with melted feta cheese on it and a drizzle of lamb juice. Mouth watering choice and excellently prepared with great presentation of a small side of romaine, onions and Roma tomatoes. The fries were thicker steak fries and not greasy at all seasoned with some salt and oregano. Sadly I poured ketchup on them, a bad habit I have, a throw back to the burger joints I hung at as a kid. These fries deserved better treatment. But, I did eat them with a knife and fork which I do, it makes me feel a bit like an aristocrat. All in all a definite foodie stop. Make it there. read more

Papaspiros - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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The service was excellent. Our server was very pleasant and kind. Lots of character in the restaurant. The saganaki is quite a sight to behold. The prices felt a little steep. The food was good but not necessarily something I would return for any time soon. We went on a day where they had live music. The sound system made jarring noises sporadically for an extended period of time, which was pretty unpleasant. The music was good once the noises subsided. read more

The fried smelt is one of my favorite dishes here. My mom used to make this when I was a kid and I've never seen it on a menu anywhere else. Smelt are small and have a mild taste. They're fried with light flour dusting and I get the dandelion greens with them. Just delicious. read more

first off owner is friendly greeted us to the table welcoming etc. the place was not crowded few tables outside and inside. the food was good but our waiter was really awful. messed up a two plate order dropped the food off never came back to check on us. got us drinks never asked for refills my gyro plate they gave me 5 thick cut tomatoe pieces its very hard to make a pita sandwich w fat tomatoes hello finished dinner waited around for waiter again asking us for desert im like no thanks give me our check we out of here read more

This is quickly becoming my favorite restaurant in Oak Park. We've lived in OP for 20 years and every time we eat here we have a great time. The food is great, not overpriced. What makes it for me is that it is a family business and when you are there you feel a part of that family. I had the salmon which was perfect, my wife couldn't decide so she had the combination platter which is enough food for 3 people, and my daughter had shrimp with pasta which was perfect. Of course we started with saganaki (sp?) and ended with homemade baklava. read more

Papaspiros - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Family got takeout the other day, and I had the rice from the Mousaka that was still in the fridge. Nobody wanted it because it had peas? Didn't make sense to me. Alas, it had a ton of little bones in it! Didn't stop me from eating it but I would have been upset if I had paid for it. Things I like here include the gyros (big enough to share) and the smelts read more

Papaspiros - Lunch specials - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Went to the restaurant with my 99 year old mom. From the moment we arrived, Yanni and Spiros made us feel like family. If you're not sure what to order, get the combination plate. Pastichio, moussaka, gyro slices and dolmades were delicious. Mom got the whitefish and ate it all. Can't wait to go back. read more

Having honeymooned in the Greek Islands, my wife and I decided to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary at Papaspiros. We made a very wise decision. Spiro and his son, Sam, took fabulous care of us all evening. We talked and shared stories about our families, and it almost felt like we were having a home made dinner at a friend's house more than eating at a restaurant. The food was marvelous. We shared Saganaki to start, along with a Greek salad. My wife loved the Spanakopita, and the Chicken Sharas that I ordered was delicious. I had to soak up all of the juices with bread before I would let them take the plate away. Probably the biggest reason that I was looking forward to eating at a Greek restaurant was finishing the meal with Galaktoboureko, and I was not disappointed. At the end of the meal, my wife and I agreed that it was the most enjoyable anniversary dinner we had shared in years. The food, the environment, the service was all top notch. We look forward to bringing our whole family back sometime soon. read more

Grand service offered at this location. The food, drinks and service were fabulous! A must dine @ restaurant .

Went with the family Friday night. Exquisite food! Everything was delicious and reasonably priced. We started w flaming cheese (oompa!!) and spanakopita. Yum! Also had gyros. Everything was delicious. Staff was lovely. Great ambiance w pictures of Greece. Authentic Greek food and delicious! I hope you like it too! read more

The moment you walk inside you believe you are in a movie aet with Greek being the Star of your night. Great food and drinks and try the Chicken! read more

The food was OK but not exceptional, certainly not the "best greek food outside Athens" that one newspaper review wrote. The moussaka, spanakopita, baklava, and galaktoboureko I sampled were OK but I've had better at a number of places (in other cities). This is the first Greek restaurant I've been to in Chicago. The host was very friendly, and service was good. read more

1st review It was my first time at big papas and it was a delight. Not so much for the food but the atmosphere and old school feel of service. It took no longer than 45 seconds to be seated and in fact we were escorted right off the side walk before we could even ask for a table. So really it was a kidnapping. Literally, just snatched off the street with no indication that we even wanted to go in this place and 45 sec later we were seated at a table looking at a drinks menu. WTF just happened!?!? So after I realized that I was safe and wasn't gonna be blindfolded, I ordered a sangria to start. It got to the table like in 2 min and it was drunkards dream and yet with a touch of class (see pic). I ordered the grecian chicken with rice pilaf and it did not disappoint. There's not much that you can say about grecian chicken. Grecian chicken is either good or its not and this one did its thing. The rice pilaf was flavorful and moist. The entire dish gave you the familiar sense of home. But what was most interesting was the staff. Not only did they provide just awesome service but they all looked and acted like old Greek mobsters! Yes they were super nice but I wouldn't be surprised if each of them were involved in at least one whacking. I would most def recommend and will def go back and try something not so basic. So i give it 4/4 open mouths on atmosphere alone. It starts when the foodmoutheats read more

Papaspiros - Sangria - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Stopped in here for lunch today. Got a Greek chicken salad. The salad was great and the chicken was cooked perfectly. This place seems family owned & operated and you can tell they care about the food they are making. They have a nice outdoor patio as well as some indoor seating. Great spot. read more

Papaspiros - Greek chicken salad - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Really enjoyed my visit! The neighborhood seems super homey and communal. The restaurant had the feel of being a neighborhood spot. Staff was very attentive and engaged plus collaborative. Nice mix of TVs and cultural-oriented music and shows (plus soccer). Tried the combination plate, and it was definitely good / enjoyable to eat. Parking is available nearby in a public garage, first 1.5 hours free. read more

Papaspiros - Combination Plate - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

My family have been loyal customers for many years. Food is delicious. Great for vegetarians. Friendly service.

THE SAGANAKI SAGA Either I reviewed this place a long time ago....or I drank way too much ouzo and just *imagined* that I did. {okay, so I checked and back on 5/1/14 I wrote a review for Papaspiros Greek Taverna. Apparently a "kitchen fire" or two brought about some considerable remodeling and a new Yelp business page, so here we go again!} With a Restaurant.com voucher in hand, I felt like treating myself on the warmest day so far this year (78° on March 24th, hell yeah). Greek food is probably my #1 favorite world cuisine and I recalled Papaspiros having some authentic dishes to choose from. At 2pm on a Friday there was no crowd to speak of and I was attended to right away. I got an order of saganaki ($8) and cup of avgolemono soup ($4) to start. My server brought out the sizzling kasseri cheese and flambéed it tableside with the requisite "opa!" Unfortunately I was a little congested at the time but I could tell that the soup was on point, as was the saganaki. Eventually I placed an order for loukaniko ($8, Greek sausage with roasted red peppers) and the cold dolmades ($8, grape leaves stuffed with rice and served with yogurt). I wrapped things up with a galaktoboureko ($4, custard dessert with filo dough drizzled with honey) which rounded out the meal nicely. Everything came out at appropriate times and although my waiter was a little crusty around the edges, there was never any interruption of service or unpleasantness. Bread = 4 Circuses = 3.5 We who live in Oak Park are lucky to have a place like Papaspiros. The food's solid, the interior is tastefully decorated (with the exception of lava lamps in the window.....really guys?) and you can always expect a consistently good time here. Been here before, will happily return and recommend. Efcharistó!! read more

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Great food. Friendly, knowledgeable service. Gyros, fish and desserts are all excellent.

Papaspiros is the best Greek food in US. Been to other states and Greek town in Chicago. No one does Greek food like Papaspiros. They are the only restaurant with terrific fried smelts. Even tried and got smelts in Hawaii, California, NY, none matched the great taste and tastyness. Their dandelion greens are delicious. Tried to cook dandelion greens myself and it was so bitter that I tossed the whole batch. Don't know what magic they do there, but it is so good. The staff is great and if you happen to be there when Spiros is there, you are in for a treat. read more

For the third time, Papaspiros delivered brilliance beyond compare. So my 91 year old mother told me she was going to PapaSpiros - a Greek restaurant in Oak Park for lunch. I asked her if she was going to order Taramasalata and Saganaki (Greek Caviar and flaming cheese) to which she said, "I think I'll just get a Greek salad. Unbeknownst to her, I informed the maître d, that I wanted her appetizers to include taramasalata and saganaki. I gave my credit card and made him swear he would not reveal the source. When she got home, she called. She said "who else?" All I could say was Oooopa. read more

Amazing staff, and great food! I've been many times and it's always great. The charbroiled options are my fav.

Only had a Gyros and it was ok, nothing special. I would have thought a Greek restaurant would have better

Great selection and incredibly friendly staff and management. Gyros were perfect, and got a free sample of rotational beer on tap. read more

Papaspiros - Bar - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Came here with a friend who recommended the place. The waiter we had was very friendly and upbeat. Our dishes were good but not amazing. I definitely would say above average! read more

Papaspiros - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Amazing service, like having a whole cadre of Greek grandpas who want you to be happy and eat copiously

Update went today and ordered the vegetarian mousaka, still delicious! Also tried the Saganaki, really delicious read more

Papaspiros - Vegetarian Moussaka - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Bought a groupon and took my mom and son to lunch on Sunday. They have a brunch buffet, but it had a lot of breakfast foods. I'm not a breakfast kind of girl. :) Son and Mom had gyros plate. My Mom said that this was the best gyros she's had in a really long time. They both were raving about the meat and the pita. Mom's only complaint was the onions. I had a combo plate and shared with the kiddo and mom. We all loved the selection and tastes we found. My son even ordered rice pudding and we all had a taste. Again, delicious. As we were eating Spiros came and chatted for a bit, too. It's a fun place, and I know we'll be back. read more

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An amazing eating experience. Our group came to the restaurant at noon and we were the only customers. The manager was very friendly and gave us several suggestions from the menu. We eventually went with the Saganaki, Octapodi, Combination Plate, and Mediterranean Sea Bass. It was plenty of food and everything tasted great. I've been to a few Greek restaurants in Greek town and Papaspiros rivals to some of the best of Greek foods I've had in the city. A true gem in the Oak Park neighborhood. read more

Papaspiros - Combination Plate and Mediterranean Sea Bass - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Lamb chops were very good, although it is really 5 pieces off the rack of lamb. Chicken kabob was done well. And even the lima beans were really tasty. On the pricier side though. read more

Papaspiros - Lamb chops, chicken kabob, veggies - Greek Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois