Totally Texas -- How to eat like a Greek

Greek Food Festival of Dallas

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

13555 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas

***

Of all the food festivals in Dallas, my flavor favorite is the this weekend’s Greek Food Festival. Is it the cachet of the Mediterranean diet? The lovely setting on the grounds of the Holy Trinity Church? The lively music and dancing? All in the homey atmosphere of a church bake sale grown to mega proportions.

The emphasis, note, is on food. I lived in Dallas for years without attending until dragged to the festival by a foodie friend. I was amazed and delighted. Festival goers who equate “Greek” with college fraternity toga parties may be disappointed. Or they may go home stuffed full of souvlaki, keftethes, spanakopita, and carrying enough baked goods to stock their freezers. (Don’t wait until the last minute to stock up on baklava or you’ll be left crying into your Greek coffee.)

Want to learn how to prepare your own Greek favorites? Drop by one of the eight cooking demonstrations during the festival.

In the arts and crafts displays, my favorite are the hand painted eggs. The artist is Ukrainian, but she and her art are within the Orthodox tradition underlying the festival. There’s a bookstore with literature, icons and gifts, and a children’s area with face painting and activities sized for small hands.

The church itself is open for tours from 6-8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. -8 p.m. Saturday, and noon -3 p.m. Sunday. The interior is covered with breathtaking traditional iconography.

Tickets are $6 for adults (age 13 and up), free for under 13’s. Expect to spend in the neighborhood of $12-$15 for food if you opt for the table d’hote festival feast with a selection of traditional entrees and side dishes. Or go the light route with pastries, coffees, Greek wines and beer. Buy food coupons at the front with your admission tickets.

There’s free parking on neighboring streets (wear comfortable walking shoes), valet parking at the door, or free parking at lots across Hillcrest.

The festival is open today (September 26), 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday only, get half-price admission at Opa! Hour from 5-7 p.m.

***

Need something else to do while you’re waiting for the Greek festival to open this afternoon? Well, there is that other little festival across town¾ the State Fair of Texas. The opening day parade starts at Houston and Main downtown at noon. For more information, tickets and event schedules, see
www.bigtex.com/.