European Market and Deli
Greek Fare

Two things stick out in my mind about European Market and Deli: the fantastic Greek food, and the lady who works behind the counter. First, the food. Every item served at this quaint eatery is delicious! I salivate just thinking about my last meal at European Market. The flavors are pungent, the vegetables are fresh, and the meats are perfectly seasoned. I love the pita bread that comes with the gyros, the chicken pita wrap, the lemon roasted chicken plate. And the desserts!! Oh, the flaky, buttery desserts! John had the day off work yesterday, and we came here for lunch before heading to Balboa Park to take advantage of Free Museum Tuesdays. With some trepidation (more on that later), I lagged behind John into the restaurant and, as quickly as possible, we placed our order at the counter. We, then, made our way onto the patio to enjoy our meal under the wide canopy.

A brief ten minutes passed, and Sophie brought our food on a large tray: Lamb Gyro for me and Chicken Pita for John. Sophie, bless her heart, also served each of us a mea culpa for the delay, in the form of Spanakopita with tzatziki sauce. I dug into the Spanakopita first and was absolutely amazed at the flaky, buttery phyllo crust and the creamy and nutty spinach and feta center. I devoured the puff pastry within minutes, so fast that I forgot about the tzatziki sauce; the sauce was almost like a garnish, sitting lonesome on the plate. The Lamb Gyro was so fresh and crisp! I usually don't like to eat lamb because of its, typically, gamey taste, but the spicy, moist, tender, salami-textured lamb strips won me over. The thick chunks of tomatoes and lettuce were rich with flavor and the warm pita bread melted in my mouth with each and every bite.

John found his Chicken Pita to be mouth-wateringly tasty, and we, wholeheartedly, agreed that John's idea for lunch at European Market and Deli that afternoon was a brilliant one. Now, the "grumpy lady" behind the counter at European Market and Deli has been found to be rough around the edges. This is not to say she is unkind; on the contrary, she is very kind, very nurturing, and I actually like her a lot. With that said, I liken an experience at European Market and Deli to Seinfeld's Soup Nazi, though maybe not to such a harsh extreme. The formula is to be verbally expedient with your order, say little and nod a lot, and quickly take your place in the dining area, be it inside the restaurant or outside on the veranda. My first visit here was coached by following a friend's example, and I was, then, introduced to delicious Greek fare and one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in San Diego. I kid you not, it's like Greek food with soul.

 

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