Plaka Greek Cafe

115 N. I-35, Georgetown, 512/863-5008
Mon.-Sat., 11am-8:30pm
www.plakagreekcafe.com

It’s refreshing to have some good Mediterranean food in this neck of the woods, and Plaka fits the bill perfectly. George and crew serve up a big menu of huge plates in a converted Del Taco on the northwest corner of Williams and I-35. When you enter, there’s a cafeteria-style line with the menu on the wall in brilliant pictures. Slide your tray and select from among the treats, and grab a beer or wine to complement the feast. Portions are huge and prices reasonable. Our favorites? Saturday’s evening special of unctuous lamb shank with orzo for $11.99 (get there early or get left out). Salads here are crisp and fresh, the Avgolemono soup is tart, creamy, and chicken-laden, and the rich lentil soup is spot-on. It’s hard to beat the meze plate ($4.99), with crisp, airy spanakopita and tiropita, meaty dolmades, and a yummy Greek meatball. Wednesday night is Kota Riganati ($9.95), moist baked oregano chicken loaded with garlic and lemon. We love the baked lima beans. The gyros are massive ($6.99) with soup or side feta salad, and the mousaka and pastichio ($8.99) are both oozing layers of goodness. They even have a drive-through if you’re in your PJs!

This article appears in July 18 • 2014.

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Mick Vann is a retired Austin chef who is a food writer and restaurant critic, cookbook author, restaurant consultant, and recipe developer. He moonlights as a University of Texas horticulturist with a propensity for ethnic eats and international food, particularly of the Asian persuasion, but he also knows his way around a plate of soul food or barbecue.