Urban Greek Kitchen: Delicious Fast Casual Greek With A Twist

In a bleak midwinter, in the midst of a great Pandemic, Sophia Diakoloukas left a successful marketing career to open her restaurant, Urban Greek Kitchen. This fast-casual eatery serves up modern Greek food with a flair. “It’s Greek with a twist” she describes. “I use traditional family recipes and adapt them to satisfy the way we eat today.” Inspired by the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean, Urban Greek focuses on healthy, fresh vibrant ingredients that are satisfying and delicious. Having grown up in the restaurant business, here in Connecticut, Sophia is no stranger to the inner workings of this complicated, fast-paced industry. It’s immediately apparent that she runs a pristinely organized and tight ship. Most of her staff has been with her since the doors opened…and so have her loyal customers.

Focusing on quick-serve and homemade, diners can choose from a selection of Bowls or Pita Sandwiches or build their own using any of the available house-made ingredients. This modern concept uses the Mediterranean diet as the platform with the knowledge that it’s one of the healthiest and most flavorful. Urban Greek focuses on clean eating without the addition of sugars or preservatives. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Those with food constraints, celiac disease and gluten-sensitivities can rest assured that they can dine here safely without worry of any cross contamination. (Everything here is immaculate. In fact, the kitchen here is so clean a baby could eat off the floor.)

The portions here are generous, well-priced and will satisfy the heartiest of appetites. Some of the Signature Bowls include: The Country Greek Bowl made with shaved lamb, toasted orzo, tomato onion salsa, cucumber, beets, olive medley, feta, red peppers, chickpeas, tzatziki. The Santorini Bowl is loaded with Grilled Chicken breast, super field greens, lentils, tomato onion salsa, olive medley, pickled onions and roasted peppers. There’s also Sophia's Favorite Bowl brimming with Chicken skewers, chicken feta spinach meatballs, arugula, toasted orzo, pickled onions, tomato onion salad, beets and cucumber.  The Classic Bowl features Romaine, chicken skewers, feta, red onion, grape tomatoes, grape leaves, topped with tzatziki & lemon herb vinaigrette! See something you like and want more of it? Simply ask. Something you don’t want? Leave it off. 

Maybe a sandwich is more your speed. Then you must try one of their signature pitas. The Chicken Pita Sandwich is filled with Chicken breast, tomato onion, romaine, feta, tzatziki, herbs and olive oil. The Shrimp Pita Sandwich made with shrimp, tzatziki, tomatoes, romaine, pickled onions, herbs and olive oil and there’s the Classic Pita featuring shaved lamb gyro meat, red onion, grape tomato, tzatziki, romaine, herbs, olive oil. Vegetarians will enjoy the Veggie Pita Sandwich with seasonal veggies, arugula, avocado hummus, tomatoes, parsley, hummus, tzatziki. (Vegans can enjoy this without the tzatziki.)

Customers will notice immediately how crisp and fresh all the vegetables are. I was blown away by how tender and well-seasoned all the proteins were. The chicken feta spinach meatballs were among some of the best meatballs I have ever had. The chicken on the skewers were incredibly tender as was the shaved lamb, and the shrimp was so incredibly succulent. 

I brought a classic pita home for my son for dinner who’s quite the foodie in his own right. With quite a few Gyros tucked under his belt, he declared this to be the best he has ever had.

The Avgolemono, a traditional Greek chicken and lemon soup with orzo was a welcome treat on the windy day we paid visit. One does not need to be vegan to truly appreciate the Vegetable Lentil soup. I brought a container home and immediately wished I had brought more back with me! There are numerous other assorted sides but I feel as though I must give a shout out to the Greek Fries, made with melt-in-your-mouth imported feta, oregano, salt & pepper… these just hit right.

A small marketplace was recently added and here one can pick up wonderful authentic feta, wine, honey, herbs and teas, candy, cookies, jams, assorted beverages and olive oil harvested by her family in Crete. You’ll also be able to pick up house-made tzatziki, assorted hummus, desserts including the lightest, most decadent cheesecake and walnut cake (eat the cake!)

Located at 702 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton, you must stop by Urban Greek Kitchen if you’re in the area. In fact, you should stop by even if you’re not in the area! Located 15 minutes from central Fairfield, and 10 min from Trumbull, we do it all the time. It’s worth the drive.

Urban Greek Kitchen 702 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton (203) 513-2340

@urbangreekct

Mon - Fri: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sat: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sun: Closed