Did you know…
Not only does the San Jose Greek Festival serve modern favorites like gyros, pastitsio, and moussaka, but we also serve foods rooted in ancient traditions, like koulourakia (Greek butter cookies), melomakarona (honey spiced cookies), and the crowd favorite loukoumades, deep fried honey donuts that were once given as rewards to the best athletes in the earliest Olympic Games.
Grilled Foods
GRILLED LAMB CHOPS
Hand-trimmed lamb chops marinated overnight in fresh rosemary and grilled over an open fire. Served with Cretan butter and lemon rice pilaf
GYRO PITA
Spicy and savory meat served with tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki wrapped in warm Greek pita bread
LOUKANIKO GYRO
Flame-grilled Greek sausage, made from a secret recipe for the festival, drizzled with fresh lemon and served in a pita gyro style
ROTISSERIE LAMB
Leg of lamb, basted with herbs and olive oil, slow roasted over an open flame for hours
SOUVLAKI
Succulent pork, marinated in olive oil, lemon, and oregano and grilled over open flame
GREEK FRIES PITA
Replaces meat with our Greek style French fries, includes tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes
KALAMARI
Breaded in our own blend of seasonings and fried to perfection on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, served with fresh lemon to squeeze on top
GREEK FRENCH FRIES - TYGANITES PATATES
Crispy fried potatoes, seasoned with our special herb blend
TZATZIKI
Creamy Greek yogurt, garlic, and cucumber. Perfect to dip fries, rotisserie lamb, souvlaki, calamari, or to add extra on top of your gyro
GREEK SALAD
A traditional Greek salad made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, olives, tossed in an olive oil, vinegar and oregano dressing, served with feta cheese on top
MEZE BAR
NEW FOR 2025!
SAGANAKI
Imported sheep's milk cheese battered and pan fried. Lemon tops it off with a burst of flavor. You don't want to miss it
TIROKAFTERI
Fiery feta! Imported feta whipped with yogurt and spicy peppers. We love dipping fries in this, or adding it to a gyro
MELITZANOSALATA
Charred eggplant, diced and dressed with lemon and fresh parsley. Refreshing and zesty, perfect for summer (vegan)
SKORDALIA
Greek Garlic potato dip. Lots of garlic. The name really means "garlicky thing" (vegan)
PIKILIA TIRIOU
A variety sample of imported Greek cheeses, includes olives
Sweets
Tasty treats so delicious they have their own booth!
LOUKOUMADES
Honey infused deep fried Greek mini donuts, decadently soaked in a Greek honey sauce, and topped with cinnamon and crushed walnuts. These were reserved for only the most special people in Ancient Greece
BAKLAVA SUNDAE
Made with vanilla ice cream from local favorite Marianne's Ice Cream! Creamy and rich vanilla ice cream topped with our handmade baklava-- walnuts, cinnamon, and honey with phyllo pastry
Desserts and Sweets found at various locations throughout the Festival
BAKLAVA
Made of layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with chopped walnuts and cinnamon, soaked in Greek honey and lemon. Originating in the Middle East and Mediterranean, its fragrant, spicy, and sweet
KOULOURAKIA
Traditional Greek butter cookies twisted into shaped and baked golden brown, perfect for enjoying alongside a hot coffee or ice cold frappe
GIANNIOTIKO
A regional version of baklava from Northeastern Greece. Shaped into logs and made with walnuts and almonds, it offers a different and unique flavor
KATAIFI
Shredded phyllo is wrapped around sugar and cinnamon walnuts, then baked and soaked in Greek Honey
GALAKTOBOUREKO
Warm, milky semolina custard baked in delicate layers of phyllo and drizzled with a lemon and Greek honey syrup. one of the most popular desserts in Greece
KARIDOPITA
A traditional Greek walnut cake, made with cloves, lemon, and cinnamon. Nice and spicy to warm the soul
KOURABIEDES
An almond flavored Greek celebration cookie. These crumbly buttery cookies are covered in powdered sugar and melt in your mouth from the first bite
MELOMAKARONA
Traditionally served during the holidays, these cookies were once offered as a blessing during the Byzantine Era of Greece. Warm and spicy orange flavored biscuits that remind you of your favorite holiday memories
PAXIMADIA
Anise flavored Greek biscotti. Baked twice for the added crunch, pairs best with hot coffee anytime of day
Specialties
At the Booth
TIROPITA
Savory Greek cheeses, egg, and herbs, baked in layers of phyllo dough and served hot and crispy
DOLMADES
Dolma means "stuffed" so we stuff tender grape leaves with beef, rice and herbs and cook them in a frothy and tangy egg lemon sauce
PASTITSIO
Similar to Moussaka but made with Greek macaronia, a fragrant beef sauce, and a cheesy and nutmeg infused bechamel sauce on top
SPANAKOPITA
Spinach, feta cheese and fresh herbs wrapped in phyllo dough and baked golden brown
MOUSSAKA
Layers of seasoned eggplant, a fragrant Greek beef ragu, and a creamy and cheesy bechamel sauce, baked until warm and bubbly on top
In Yiayia's Kitchen
KOKKINISTO LAMB SHANK
Lamb shank cooked in a Greek-style tomato sauce called "Kokkinisto" meaning "to make red", served with orzo
MOUSSAKA
Layers of seasoned eggplant, a fragrant Greek beef ragu, and a creamy and cheesy bechamel sauce, baked until warm and bubbly on top
GREEK SALAD
A traditional Greek salad made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, olives, tossed in an olive oil, vinegar and oregano dressing, served with feta cheese on top
KOTOPOULO LEMONATO
Just like Yiayia used to make, chicken baked with olive oil, lots of lemon and fresh oregano, served with orzo
PASTITSIO
Similar to Moussaka but made with Greek macaronia, a fragrant beef sauce, and a cheesy and nutmeg infused bechamel sauce on top
DOLMADES
Dolma means "stuffed" so we stuff tender grape leaves with beef, rice and herbs and cook them in a frothy and tangy egg lemon sauce
TOURLOU TOURLOU
An oven roasted vegetable medley served in tomato sauce. Eaten alongside our favorite comfort dishes year round. Also found at the Specialties Booth (vegan)
YEMISTA
A summertime specialty of stuffed tomatoes, also found at the Specialties Booth. Fresh herbs, eggplant, sweet peppers, tomatoes and rice, baked within tomatoes or bell peppers. Pairs great with feta cheese (vegan)
Beverages
Beer
HAPA'S BARBIE BLONDE ALE
Honeyed and pleasant malt sweetness; floral balance with Willamette and Liberty hops 4.5% – 18 IBU
FIX HELLAS
The oldest beer made in Greece. Soft and full flavor, balanced bitterness, fresh aroma bouquet; creamy head 5% ABV
HAPA'S BUTTERFLY WINGS IPA
Bold and hoppy; pineapple, mango, and stone fruit with very low bitterness. Crisp West Coast-style finish 7.8% ABV 28 IBU
Cocktails
ZEUS' LIGHTENING
Refreshing Metaxa Brandy, Orange Juice, and Ginger Ale
TSIKOUDIA SOUR
Cretan Tsikoudia with our classic sour mix (lemon/lime, simple syrup, aquafaba as egg white substitute)
MASTIJITO
Mediterranean flavors of Island Mastiha liqueur, basil syrup, lemon juice, and soda
Liquor
PLOMARI OUZO
The national drink of Greece! Distilled grapes skins infused with anise and spices. Served neat or on ice, where it becomes cloudy in color.
MANOUSAKIS TSIKOUDIA
Roussanne grape marc distillate made in copper stills on the island of Crete. Clean aroma with a bright body, a very grape forward aperitif that is said to have healing properties.
SKINOS MASIHA
Made from the resin from Mastiha tress found on the island of Chios. Smooth, sweet, herbal with a touch of pine and fresh mint. Served chilled or neat as an aperitif.
METAXA SEVEN STAR
Aged Muscat wine from Samos aged in Limousin oak casks for seven years. Spicy amber, toffee, stone fruit, and floral vanilla. Served neat or on the rocks.
Wine
2019 Domaine Gavalas Kotsifali
Bright red color, aromas of blackcurrant, cherry and violet that contribute to the airy character of the wine, a feeling enhanced by the combination of high acidity and soft tannins
2021 Anhydrous Santorini
Aromas of lemon & lime in a mineral character. On the palate the wine is dry, with refreshing acidity and a salty aftertaste. A blend of three Sanotirini wines Assyrtiko, Aidani and Aathiri.
2023 Semeli Feast Red
Deep red color with purple hues. Dense and intense aromas of fresh forest fruits, strawberries and cherries. Silky and persistent mouthfeel, balanced acidity and rounded tannins, with long aftertaste
2021 Bosinakis Mantinia Moschofilero
A brilliant, dry, refreshing wine that is pale straw in color with a grayish tint. It has a citrus and floral sent to it fruity and citrus flavors on the palate.
Hermes Retsina
Made for thousands of years in Greece, a vibrant white wine with a perfumed pine aroma with notes of peach, and flowery herbs. Very crisp, fresh and intense on the palate.
NON-ALCOHOLIC
FRAPPÉ
Invented in 1957 in Thessaloniki by Dimitris Vakondios, and then popularized by Christos Lentzos in Athens in the 60s. The Greek frappé is an iced coffee beverage made of a whipped Greek Nescafé, which has a sweeter base than domestic versions, and topped with milk. Add caramel or chocolate. Non-dairy milk alternatives available.
GREEK COFFE
Arabic style coffee made with a Greek roast of coffee beans. Served in a demitasse cup and similar to espresso, it's velvety and packs a powerful punch.
LOUX
Imported from Greece! Naturally flavored carbonated soda made with fruit from Greece, with spring water from various regions of the country.