Restaurants

There are a lot of upscale, swanky restaurants in Los Angeles, as befits a popular travel destination. But

Papa Cristo's

when families and groups are in the mood for a super-casual atmosphere and a big honkin’ platter of great comfort food (at an independently owned restaurant rather than a chain like Cheesecake Factory), you can’t do much better than Papa Cristo’s. This is an authentic Greek restaurant run by an authentic Greek guy – yes, that’s Papa Cristo there, gruffly ensuring his employees keep up a moderate pace and preparing pan after pan of Mediterranean goodies – and when I say casual, I mean it.

Spanakopita!

The tables are covered with those blue-checked plastic tablecloths that I think of as only somewhat reusable. There is no table service here; customers place their orders at the counter, sit down, and wait for their plates of spanikopita, lamb kabobs, and hummus to arrive. It sounds something like a cafeteria – and it’s also a market, so that half the people there are waiting to buy Greek yogurt and such. But there is almost always a line, and a fairly large crowd. Why? Clearly, Papa Cristo’s is one of the best Greek restaurants in town, and Los Angeles is a pretty big town.

The decor on the walls is also classic Greek American (very

Gyro! Kabob!

different from classic Greek!) with posters of the Acropolis and Delphi, as well as a movie poster of My Big Fat Greek Wedding signed by Nia Vardalos herself. In fact, Thursdays have “Big Fat Greek Thursday Night Dinners,” a huge prix fix meal experience that will leave you stuffed. The moussaka, falafel, hummus and kabobs are really, really great here.  There is often a guy sitting playing guitar, but quietly enough so as to not be distracting. The casual atmosphere fosters a sort of laissez-faire approach to dining, with people reaching past their friends to help themselves to whatever entree they want a taste of. There’s laughter, joviality, and a mix of several languages in the air.

Not every meal out can be at a top-rated, classy restaurant. Los Angelenos in the know, know that there is a great meal, and a great time, at Papa Cristo’s.

Papa Cristo’s
2771 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles CA