Written by Ashley-Reid Baker. Photography by James Nicholas.
This year, Savannah hosted its 75th annual Greek Festival, Oct. 8-10, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, among real olive trees in the courtyard. This festival began as a traditional celebration for Savannah’s Greek community dating back to the 1800s. The church opened the celebration to the public in 1951 to help raise money for the church and expand its community. It’s now an annual event held every October, feeding thousands over three days.
Every year, people keep coming back for the delicious food and exciting entertainment. If you didn’t go but still want to know how the menu and entertainment were, don’t worry- I have photos from the second day with ratings of various menu items.
As you enter the courtyard, various stands sell handmade rings, bangles, necklaces, and more vaskanias (evil eyes) than you can imagine. One jewelry vendor said it was her 18th festival, marking the commitment put into keeping the festival annual. Other remarkable items to see were imported bags made from pressed cork or leather, Turkish bowls with intricate colors, and traditional Greek attire.
My favorite stand was hosted by Stephan Brennan, an ancient history expert with a niche in Greek combat attire, weapons, pottery, games, and more. He let me wear replicas of a Greek helmet with a horsehair crest on top, a Spartan short sword, and a shield to match.
He also took the time to teach me how to play Rota, or more commonly known as Roman Tic-Tac-Toe. I lost, but it was simple and felt like a checkers-tic-tac-toe fusion, the B.C. version.
Now for the main attraction: The food! Orders could be placed in person at the festival, or online for a quick bite to take home.
1. Souvlaki: This is plain and simple, great for all ages: chicken on a stick. I wasn’t too impressed with the portion for the price, but it tasted good with the refreshing Tzatziki sauce and warm pita. Price: $10. Could have used a bit of seasoning: 5/10.
2. Patitsio: I had never heard of this dish, but it reminded me of American lasagna with macaroni noodles layered between ground meat with a cheesy topping. It probably would have been yummier heated up, so no shame in using their drive-thru. Price: $11. I wish it had more cheese: 6/10.
3. Greek Frappe: Although I’m not a big coffee fan, I found this drink tasty with a foamy, sweet top. A member of the church blended sugar and half-and-half to create the dense, fluffy topping for mixing with strong iced coffee. It was thick enough to leave a mustache and delicious enough to finish in five minutes. Price: $6. The foam was so sweet, I can’t stop thinking about it: 7/10.
4. Greek Meatballs: These were a hit at my table, being one of the first foods gone from plates. You just can’t go wrong with a meatball. Price: $9. I was hoping for a bit of lemon or yogurt to pair with them, but yummy regardless: 7/10
5. Gyro: Everybody has to get a gyro; it’s a requirement at least once in your life. The lettuce and tomato paired with Tzatziki sauce made it refreshing, with the lamb slices complementing the fresh flavor. Price: $12. Compared to the other food items, this had the most volume and flavor: 8/10.
6. Baklava with ice cream: I ate this so quickly that we forgot to get a photo, but I was most looking forward to trying it. Just as I expected, it was deliciously sweet with a flaky top and sweet vanilla ice cream to pair. They give you options to put sprinkles and chocolate syrup on top, and I chose sprinkles. I was not disappointed. Price: $5. This was the cheapest food option and, by far, the most delicious: 10/10.
After three years in Savannah, I can’t believe this was my first encounter with the Greek Festival, but I’m so glad I went. If you didn’t make it this year, don’t worry; the food, games, music, and dancing will return.
