Souvlaqopedia

SOUVLAQOPEDIA

A Souvlaki (Greek: σου βλάκι [su ˈ vlaci]), plural souvlakia, is a popular Greek fast food consisting of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer. It is usually eaten straight off the skewer while still hot. It can be served with pita bread, fried potatoes, lemon, and sauces, but the souvlaki itself is eaten on its own, with the side dishes eaten subsequently. The meat most used in Greece and Cyprus is pork, although chicken, beef, and lamb may also be used. In other countries (and for tourists), souvlaki may be made with meats such as lamb, beef, chicken, and sometimes fish. 

The word souvlaki is a diminutive of the Medieval Greek σού βλα souvla ‘skewer’, itself borrowed from Latin subula. ‘Souvlaki’ is the common term in Hellenic Macedonia and other regions of northern Greece, while in southern Greece around Athens, it is commonly known as ‘Kalamaki’. You speak Greek and perhaps you don’t even know it. 

We have taken up the task of creating an anthology of Greek words and anecdotes straight out of the streets of Greece to the Streets of America that relate to the glory of Greek street food.

souvlaki

σουβλάκι 

( n.) hand-cut pieces of grilled meat on a stick An ancient Greek street ritual

meraki

μεράκι 

( n.) to put something of yourself into your work Soul, Creativity, and Love.

tzatziki

τζατζίκι 

( n.) yogurt, herbs, garlic and cucumber mixed with passion and olive oil

yeeros

γύρος 

( n.) marinated layers of hand-stacked meat grilled on a vertical spit

m'ap'ola

μ’απ’όλα 

( c.) to include every topping available in a pita A Greek street ritual

mastoras

μάστορας 

( n.) craftsman, souvlaki master, tzatziki expert Your best friend

philoxenia

φιλοξενία 

( n.) hospitality, being a friend to a stranger or to your strange friend that doesn’t eat yeero

lahtara

λαχτάρα 

( n.) a feeling of longing, yearning, or hunger Associated with waiting for the food to arrive

fetoula

φετούλα 

( n.) a little bit of feta cheese Traditionally asked from mom, usually ¼ of a lb.

filotimo

φιλότιμο 

( n.) a complex set of virtues impossible to translate or describe. Read tzatziki again

panikos

πανικός 

( n.) feeling panic Just like when you forgot to order extra pita

kalamaki

καλαμάκι 

( n.) pieces of pork or chicken on a skewer For more info, order at the counter, as words sometimes fail to describe it

plethora

πληθώρα 

( n.) going beyond what is needed, in abundance Just like we do with olive oil

agora

αγορά 

( n.) a public open market or assembly Birthplace of souvlaki

pita

πίτα 

( n.) flat unleavened bread Perfect and quite delicious when stuffed with everything that’s on the menu

eleutheromania

ελευθερομανία 

( n.) an intense irresistible desire for freedom Like eating lamb chops with your hands

ethos

ήθος 

( n.) the moral nature of a person Like a souvlaki wrap without red onion…

loukoumi

λουκούμι 

( n.) a sweet confection Favorite way to describe our Greek country-style sausage

frapedouba

φραπεδούμπα 

( n.) a splendidly made Greek iced coffee Shaken, not stirred

mpougatsa

μπουγάτσα 

( n.) vanilla custard-filled puffed pastry Unless you speak to someone from Salonica, then everything is a mpougatsa

paidiko

παιδικό 

( n.) made for a child plain Without spices, sauces or green chopped stuff

spanakopita

σπανακόπιτα 

( n.) spinach pie We make ours with hand-rolled dough, Which is what we aim to gain if you buy it

s'oraios

σ’ωραίος 

( c.) you pretty, you cool, you lovely, you beautiful Way to describe the person that grills your food

yasou

γεία σου 

The best way to say hello or goodbye in Greek Also wishing you good health

Greek Style

Eating Yeero like the Greeks do 

Your choice of Yeero on a pita with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and a few French fries