Souvlaki, baklava and dancing in the street — Greek festival returns to Tacoma
It’s time to prepare for a weekend of revelry and loads of spanakopita, souvlaki and baklava: Tacoma Greek Festival returns to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church the first weekend in October.
This year’s event marks the 60th edition of the annual celebration, which is hosted by the parish and executed by hundreds of volunteers — some on the “spanakopita night shift,” during which thousands of the puffed pastries are filled with spinach and cheese.
Hot dishes include a classic gyro with tzatziki ($11); crispy calamari with skordalia, a smooth potato-based dip ($12); souvlaki and loukaniko sausage ($8); loaded Greek fries and loukamathes, freshly fried sweet dough finished with honey ($7).
In the dining room, start with dolmathes before diving into a full plate of baked chicken with green beans and salad, or the try the pastitsio, akin to lasagna but harnessing the texture of smaller pasta shapes as opposed to long sheets.
If enjoying with a table of friends, add a loaf of tsoureki ($10) and finish with a dozen paximathia, the anise-flavored cousin of Italian biscotti.
On the sweet side, from the coffee shop, nibble on kourambiethes, a spiced shortbread, and melomakarona, an orange-walnut cookie, both common at Christmas ($4/pair). There’s also ouzo cake, karithopita with walnuts and chocolate, risogalo (rice pudding) and several classic puffed pastries including katafi, which resembles a bird’s nest, and galaktobouriko piped with custard ($5-$6).
Pastries, coffee and food booths set up in the outdoor tent, where you can also purchase glasses (or bottles!) of wine, beer and soda imported, naturally, from Greece ($8-$30).
The popular festival runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with free admission. Dancers will perform “periodically” in the tent. You can also pick up varied Greek-themed gifts as well as tour the church, established in 1924.
If you’re worried about the rain, fret not — the tent is fully covered.
TACOMA GREEK FESTIVAL
▪ 1523 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma, stnicholastacoma.org
▪ October 6-7, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
▪ Details: Greek food, wine and beer, coffee and pastries made and served by church volunteers, plus dancing and gifts; free admission, booths accept cash but cards encouraged.