The 33^rd annual Taste of Greektown festival is presented by the Greektown Chamber of Commerce with additional support from Greektown SSA #16. The festival will be open Friday, Aug. 25 from 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 26 from Noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 27 from Noon-10 p.m. An optional $10 donation is suggested for attendees.

For more information, visit GreektownChicago.org.

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The first is Urban Butterflies by Juan Cano. Cano shares, “The piece was inspired by a variety of butterflies. Many that I have seen in the past throughout the city in different garden settings.” Juan A. Cano is a contemporary graffiti artist from Logan Square. He is well-known for his “shattered glass” style which parallels to the design of butterfly wings.

The next is Sweet Anna by Bonnie Loboda with Christopher Nosal. Bonnie was inspired by her grandson, Christopher, who saw the blank sculpture and asked if he could sketch a design for the wings. Following his design, she decided to place the butterfly on a soft bed of flowers to give it a colorful, nourishing environment.

And finally, Hazel Happiness by Arlene Turner-Crawford with Latoya Bellazer. Her sculpture was also inspired by one of her grandchildren, Latoya. She asked her granddaughter to help her with the design and Latoya suggested to utilize “some fun designs!” Latoya chose the name Hazel due to it being one of her favorite names and Arlene added the Happiness encapsulating the sculpture’s essence.

Make sure to stop by and see the sculptures!

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Welcome to our Virtual Celebration of Greek Independence Day Celebrating 200 years of Greek Independence: 1821-2021

Hosted by The Pappas Post and Greektown Chicago

This virtual event includes a dynamic history of Chicago’s Greek American community with stories from prominent Chicagoans and archival photos highlighting the city’s Greek Independence Day celebrations and parades over the past 126 years — plus a special crowd-sourced video montage of images and memories from families across Chicagoland, joining us virtually to celebrate Greece’s bicentennial.

We offer special thanks to the hundreds of Chicagoans who submitted their parade photos and videos to be featured in this project. We also thank each of the following interviewees who shared their stories on camera:

• Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer
• Dean Richards, Entertainment Reporter and Critic for WGN TV & Host at WGN Radio
• Anna Davlantes, Host at WGN Radio
• Susanna Homan, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of Chicago Magazine
• Dan Mihalopoulos, Investigative Reporter at WBEZ Radio
• Dr. Angeline Beltsos, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Vios Fertility Institute
• Judge Peggy Chiampas, Circuit Court of Cook County
• Dr. George Chiampas, Chief Medical Officer, U.S. Soccer/Men’s National Team
• Judge Anna Demacopoulos, Circuit Court of Cook County
• Bishop Demetrios, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
• Dr. Young Richard Kim, Associate Professor and Head of Classics & Mediterranean Studies at UIC
• Marianthi Koritsaris, Principal/Director of Curriculum & Instruction at Plato Academy
• Dimitra Korri, Four-time Greek National Figure Skating Champion
• George Reveliotis, Greektown SSA Commissioner and Owner of Artopolis Bakery, Cafe & Agora

Another special thanks goes to multi-instrumentalist Dimitrios Dallas for his performance of the song “Deka Palikaria.”

Our original rendition of “Na’tane to 21” (Let It Be 1821) by Glykeria was produced for Greektown Chicago and The Pappas Post’s 2021 Virtual Celebration of Greek Independence Day on March 25, 2021.

Music: Stavros Kougioumtzis

Lyrics: Sotia Tsotou

“Na’tane to 21” Special Version Credits

Piano, Arrangement & Remix: Costas Segis

Drums & Percussions: Petros Pelelis

Bass: Polis Pelelis

Guitars: Costas Fotiadis

Bouzouki & Baglama: Giorgos Rokas

Mix & Mastering: Bobby Biris | BK Studios

Executive Producer: Stelios Fotiadis

Video: Stefanos Sitaras

Project Producer: Gregory Pappas

Associate Producer: Darden Livesay

F.Productions © 2021

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Greektown Chicago is hosting a free virtual celebration of the 200^th anniversary of Greek Independence Day on Thursday, March 25 at 7 p.m. CST, including a special performance from popular Greek singer Glykeria of the song “Να ‘τανε το ’21” (Let it be ‘21), which commemorates the start of the Greeks’ fight for independence in March 1821. The event will be streamed on the Greektown Facebook page.

Greektown’s virtual celebration includes a dynamic history of Chicago’s Greek American community with stories from prominent Chicagoans and archival photos highlighting the city’s Greek Independence Day celebrations and parades over the past 126 years—plus a special crowd-sourced video montage of images and memories from families across Chicagoland, joining us virtually to celebrate Greece’s bicentennial.

Prominent members of the Greek American community featured in the March 25 event include:

• Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
• Dean Richards, Entertainment reporter and critic for WGN TV & host at WGN Radio
• Anna Davlantes, Host at WGN Radio
• Susanna Homan, Publisher and Editor of Chicago Magazine
• Dan Mihalopoulos, Investigative reporter at WBEZ Radio
• Dr. Angeline Beltsos, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Vios Fertility Institute
• Judge Peggy Chiampas, Circuit Court of Cook County
• Dr. George Chiampas, Chief Medical Officer, U.S. Soccer/Men’s National Team
• Judge Anna Demacopoulos, Circuit Court of Cook County
• Bishop Demetrios, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
• Dr. Young Richard Kim, Associate Professor and Head of Classics & Mediterranean Studies at UIC
• Marianthi Koritsaris, Principal/Director of Curriculum & Instruction at Plato Academy
• Dimitra Korri, Four-time Greek National Figure Skating Champion
• George Reveliotis, Greektown SSA Commissioner and Owner of Artopolis Bakery, Cafe & Agora
• Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of Hellenic American Leadership Council

In commemoration of the 200^th anniversary of Greek independence, Greektown Chicago also presents a monthlong Greektown Shopper’s Reward program now through Wednesday, March 31, 2021, offering a $50 gift card rebate for customers who spend $200 or more at the neighborhood’s restaurants and submit qualifying receipts via email. Offer available while supplies last. Full rebate details and rules are available at www.greektownchicago.org/2021-greektown-shoppers-reward-program.

For the Greektown Shopper’s Reward, receipts will be accepted from the following restaurants:

• Ambassador Public House
• Aodake Ramen
• Artopolis Bakery, Cafe and Agora
• Athena Restaurant
• Dugans on Halsted
• Giordano’s Pizza
• Greek Islands Restaurant
• Ground Up – Specialty Coffee & Bites
• Jimmy John’s
• Meli Cafe & Juice Bar
• Mr. Greek Gyros
• Nine Muses Bar & Grill
• Philly’s Best
• Primo’s Chicago Pizza
• Rye Drink + Dine
• Spectrum Bar & Grill
• Square Roots Kitchen
• Starbucks
• Subway
• Taco Burrito King
• Zeus Restaurant

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Greektown Chicago is encouraging community members to engage with and support local restaurants in safe and healthy ways, including purchasing gift cards and ordering takeout or delivery from restaurants.

Rules and restrictions:

Spend a minimum of $25 from at least three (3) Greektown Chicago restaurants totaling $200 or more (before tax and gratuity) to receive a $50 Visa gift card rebate. You can receive one gift card per household, while supplies last. Must include valid receipts dated from March 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021. Please check www.greektownchicago.org for official rules.  Greektown SSA reserves the right to modify the program at its discretion.

Mail-in your receipts:

• Copies of original receipts (images or PDF scans) must be emailed to the Greektown SSA #16 at contact@greektownchicago.org with the subject line, “Shop Local Greektown”
• Must be submitted with your contact information, including name, phone number and mailing address
• Emailed copies of receipts must include an authorization code or order number; credit card statements will not be accepted
• All receipts are due by April 30, 2021 

Receive your gift card:

• Offer only good while supplies last.
• $50 gift cards will be sent in the form of a Visa Gift Card that may be used anywhere Visa is accepted. By submitting your receipt you agree to receive the gift card by U.S mail and Greektown SSA is not responsible for the U.S post office mail delivery. No replacements will be issued.

We Accept Receipts From the Following Greektown Chicago Restaurants

• Ambassador Public House
• Aodake Ramen
• Artopolis Bakery, Cafe and Agora
• Athena Restaurant
• Dugans on Halsted
• Giordano’s Pizza
• Greek Islands Restaurant
• Ground Up – Specialty Coffee & Bites
• Jimmy John’s
• Meli Cafe & Juice Bar
• Mr. Greek Gyros
• Nine Muses Bar & Grill
• Philly’s Best
• Primo’s Chicago Pizza
• Rye Drink + Dine
• Spectrum Bar & Grill
• Square Roots Kitchen
• Starbucks
• Subway
• Taco Burrito King
• Zeus Restaurant

WHERE TO SEND YOUR RECEIPTS? contact@greektownchicago.org

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT RECEIPTS:  April 30, 2021

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Caputo plays an important role in Greektown SSA #16, and has helped the neighborhood grow and thrive since 1966. Moran has brought beautiful street art to Greektown since 2006. She was instrumental in the hand-painted Christmas Karavakia boats that are currently on display in the restaurant windows around the neighborhood.

While the Christmas tree lighting didn’t have the large crowd it usually attracts due to COVID-19, we’re still thrilled to have the Christmas tree and holiday lights in the neighborhood for the fifth year in a row–spreading holiday cheer to all those who stop by Greektown.

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Greek Islands is also providing a gift card deal through the end of the month in honor of the holidays. If you buy a $50 gift card, you will receive a free $10 gift card, and if you buy a $100 gift card, you will receive a free $25 gift card. Throughout the month of December, Greek Islands is also offering a four-course special on Mondays for $20.95 a person. The special includes the soup of the day and a Greek salad to start, accompanied by Spartan Chicken, which is five pieces of dark meat chicken baked Spartan style, olive oil, oregano, lemon and herbs. For dessert, the special includes Galaktobourico, an orange and lemon zest custard, baked in flaky filo dough. To receive the special, customers must place their order the Sunday before. 

Artopolis Bakery, Cafe & Agora has created holiday gift baskets that range in price from $25 to $85 and incorporate various items, such as Greek olive oil, Greek wine, tea and coffee, holiday pastries and more. Artopolis is also offering Christmas cookie packages that are $15 per box and perfect to bring to any small holiday gathering, gift to your neighbor or buy for your family as a holiday treat! 

Ground Up Chicago has added a number of seasonal drink specials to their menu, such as its Peppy-Mint Mocha, which is made with signature Ground Zero espresso, peppermint-mocha sauce, your choice of milk and topped with pure cocoa powder. Other specialty drinks for the season include the New Year’s Resolution for those looking for a healthy coffee kick or the Turtle Turtle Mocha if you’re craving a sweet treat. Stop by to warm up with one of the seasonal drinks after checking out Greektown’s brightly-lit Christmas tree at Elysian Field to get in the holiday spirit.

Additionally, if you want to give back to your community this holiday season, Starbucks has set up a Toy & Food Drive at their Greektown location (116 S Halsted St) – next time you’re grabbing a coffee, don’t forget to bring something to donate to the drive!

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Greektown Chicago is teaming up with neighborhood-favorite, Artopolis Bakery, Cafe & Agora, along with wine expert Steve Kriaris, to host a virtual wine tasting class on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. 

Kriaris has more than two decades of experience and is committed to increasing the availability of Greek food and wine products by importing and distributing globally through his company, KOLONAKI Group of Companies. Kriaris also has his own wine label, Thalia, which he created using grapes from Crete.

During the tasting, Kriaris will share his expertise, and participants will have the chance to learn about a variety of Greek wines and pairings while sampling them from the comfort of their own homes.

The ticket, priced at $99, includes the following four bottles of specialty Greek wine: Amethystos White, Boutari Moschofilero, Douloufakis Dafnios Red, and Skouras Megas Oenos. The package of wines will be available for attendees to pick up from Artopolis (306 S Halsted St) on Wednesday, December 16 once their ticket has been purchased. Artopolis will be providing Kefalograviera Greek cheese, marinated Greek olives and a freshly baked loaf of their famous house bread to be paired with the wine selections. The package will also include instructions for the event, tasting notes and additional information about each of the hand-selected wines.

The class will be hosted on Zoom and tickets are available for purchase through Sunday, December 13 on the Eventbrite page, linked here.

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• Athena Greek Restaurant is offering carry-out and delivery through Grubhub, Doordash and Postmates. If you’re craving authentic Greek cuisine, order an appetizer of saganaki, which is pan fried kaseri cheese or a classic Greek kebob with chicken, pork or seafood. For those willing to brave the cold, Athena’s patio is also still open for dining, and the restaurant is operating at the highest safety standards to ensure the health of their guests and team members. View Athena’s COVID-19 safety measure here and their full menu online here. 
• Greek Islands has both curbside pickup and local delivery options on Postmates and Grubhub. Bring the Greek Islands to your table at home with specialty dishes such as the Mediterranean chicken breast, avgolemono soup and a traditional Athenian Greek salad. With its gluten-free and vegetarian options, there is a dish for everyone in the family to enjoy. As an added bonus, the restaurant is offering customers 50 percent off all wine and beer orders when they carry-out or dine in. You can find the menu online here.
• Spectrum Bar & Grill is open for takeout orders and available to deliver through Grubhub, Uber Eats and Doordash from 3 p.m.-11 p.m. daily. The restaurant will satisfy any craving with its extensive menu of paninis, burgers, pizzas, salads, Mediterranean platters and more. Take a look at the variety of options on Spectrum’s menu here.
• Mr. Greek Gyros is a great option for anyone who wants to choose from a variety of gyros, sandwiches, tacos, burgers and more. The most popular menu items include the gyro plate, which comes with fries or a salad, and the beef philly. The restaurant is open for carry-out if you stop by the window on Halsted St. to place an order, and it also offers delivery on Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats. The full menu can be found here.
• Artopolis offers all the necessary winter comfort foods from its warm vegan soups to its savory pies (artopitas) and sweet pastries. Customers can order for delivery via Grubhub, where they will receive $5 off their first order from Artopolis, or Uber Eats. You can find the full menu of options here.
• 9 Muses Bar & Grill is open for curbside pickup, and they are also available on Grubhub. Some fan-favorites include their tzatziki, gyro pita, homemade hummus and traditional Greek fries – view their full menu here to get your Greek food fix.
• The Ambassador Public House is perfect for all your NFL football Sunday eats! When you don’t want to miss a second of the game, Uber Eats will deliver your meal from The Ambassador right to your doorstep. The Ambassador’s menu features soups, wings, wraps, burgers and salads – check out all the options that are sure to fill you up on game day here.
• Meli Café & Juice Bar is still open for take-out and delivery through Grubhub and Doordash to fulfill all your breakfast and brunch desires from 7 am-3 pm every day. Meli Café’s various breakfast options, smoothies and juices will help you start your date on a healthy and positive note – view the menu here.
• Ground Up Coffee & Bites is offering delivery and takeout, and they have implemented contactless payment as a health and safety measure. Stop by for a morning Greek coffee, and you will be ready to conquer the day! Ground Up is also offering other fall specialty drinks, such as its Fall in Love Latte, a smooth half-light espresso with floral lavender, tempting hazel and your choice of milk or its Taffy Apple “Chai”-der, a pure masala chai with rich caramel and delicious apple butter. If it’s one of those days where it’s too cold to leave your bed, Ground Up will deliver your coffee and specialty baked goods through Ritual Chicago and Postmates.

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