Greek Shack

CLOSED

Thanks to the women at Sports Ltd for telling me about their favorite lunch place, the Greek Shack. It is located at 1100 Hartnell Avenue in the erstwhile Snow Cone Shack building. Who knew? Redding has a Greek restaurant. 

Redding's Best Walk-Up Greek Restaurant

It is obvious that effort has gone into making the Greek Shack a charming little parking lot bistro. In the tradition of food shacks, it is a walk up and pick up ordering style. If you want to stay and eat at the Greek Shack, they have created a patio with cane fencing and furnished it with market umbrellas, cafe tables and planted brightly colored flowers in a brick flowerbed. Think Athens, where the real people eat.

The Lunch Counter at the Greek Shack

I ordered the Vegetarian Combo Plate, Dolmus and a Turkish Coffee.I do not like garlicky tasting food. Garlic is too often used as a main flavor in an attempt to disguise sloppily prepared food. No need for concern here. The Deli Greek Shack uses subtle spice combinations with detectable oregano and lemon and, yes, some garlic. The hummus was creamy and the garbanzo bean flavor was light and nutty. The falafels in the sandwich were delicious and complemented by the tzatziki sauce and wedges of fuchsia colored vegetable pickle. I also enjoyed the dolmus, which were stuffed with creamy, herbed rice with the expected tangy after taste. 

The  Vegetarian Combo Plate

The selection on the menu is limited; however,the food I ordered had the type of attention to detail that made the small size seem select and personalized. My food both looked and tasted freshly made and was presented with the expectation that it would be enjoyed. It is the kind of cooking that does not try too hard, but relies on the combination of flavors from good, fresh ingredients. The prices are reasonable and the portions generous, without being excessive. A lunch with a sandwich, drink, and dessert totaled about $10.00.

Fresh Parsley in the Kitchen

The cook made a fresh pot of Turkish coffee and came outside to enjoy a cup with me in the sunshine. As an espresso drinker, I was surprised by how mild it tasted. The beans are imported from the Middle East and infused with what tasted like cardamom. As an added bonus, he read my future in my empty coffee cup, a skill he   learned as a boy drinking coffee with his grandmother in her backyard. Although my reading was interrupted by more customers, I am sure he would have predicted that I will become a regular diner at the Greek Shack. Next time I plan to try the Lamb Gyro and Baklava with my Turkish coffee. 

My Future in a Cup

The Greek Shack is open for lunch from 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. There is plenty of parking and easy access in and out. The signage is misleading and unfortunate as "Liquor" refers a neighboring business. They have do have several other banners and signs advertising the Greek Shack, so it can be easily spotted from the road.