Check it Out: Greek Deli

Remember the Soup Nazi character from Seinfeld? The brutally efficient, yet immensely talented sous chef of a small New York soup shop. His cheap, delicious food was as renowned as his quick, unbalanced temperament. I am happy to say the the Soup Nazi is alive in well right here in DuPont's Greek Deli. Kostas, the bombastic owner, operator, and mascot of the restaurant seems to channel this character. Standing at the end of the long lunchtime line, you can already hear him berating his staff or a first-timer. Someone mistakenly confused the deli for Nooshi next door and asked Kostas what kinds of sushi he served. He screamed back, "DO I LOOK JAPANESE?" A man asked Kostas for hot soup to which he yelled, "WHAT? DO YOU THINK I SERVE MY SOUP COLD? MCDONALDS IS DOWN THE STREET!" All of this before he informed his staff, made up mostly of family members, "WHY DO I PAY YOU? TOO SLOW, TOO SLOW. ALL FIRED," and went outside to smoke a cigarette.


Aside from the entertainment, people return to Greek Deli time and time again for the superb and authentic food at an unbeatable price.

They serve an extensive menu of Greek delicacies. I typically stick with the Gyro Platter. A delicious pita stuffed with seasoned meat, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, feta, and drizzled with tzatziki sauce. It is served with huge portions of Orzo salad and Greek style string beans. All of this for just $8.99. Also popular is the Spanakopita (delectable spinach and cheese pastry), Pastitsio (a Greek lasagna of sorts), and their Greek meatball special. The portions are huge and typically all around $9. That's the reason the lunch line stretches out the door every weekday. No worries though, the line moves quickly as Kostas and his staff mean business (expect a 5 minute wait from the end of the line). Swing by, between L and M on 19th Street, pick up lunch, save half for dinner. Enjoy delicious and authentic Greek food with an authentic Greek temperament.