George Marinakos, co-owner with his father, Sam, and brother Bill of the Greek restaurant Demetri’s, estimates that within a mile-and-a-half stretch of Lake Cook Road, some 17 restaurants have come and gone in the 15 years since Demetri’s opened.
But Demetri’s remains.
The recipe for success, Marinakos says, is simple: “Competitive prices, large portions and every entree comes with soup or salad,” as opposed to a la carte.
Of course, it’s more than that. Sam, a restaurant industry veteran of 35 years — he was a former general manager with Jameson’s Charhouse — attends to every detail.
“I am here seven days a week,” he says. “I make sure everything is the way it’s supposed to be. I do all the ordering and buy all the ingredients. Everything is made fresh in-house.”
Sam was a partner with the original owners of Demetri’s. He bought them out after a couple of years, but kept the original name.
“It’s tough to change a name,” he says.
But under their stewardship, along with Mixali Gatsios, who has been the chef since Demetri’s inception, the restaurant has become the first name in authentic Greek cuisine with its menu made of family recipes representing different regions of their native home.
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“We put the family stamp on (traditional) Greek dishes, such as our Moussaka,” ($14) George says. “We all went to Greece and traveled to different areas. We brought back items we like and incorporate them into our menu.”
Paidakia, or Greecian Lamb Chops ($26), are a best-seller. The Athenian Chicken ($16) is another favorite, they say.
Demetri’s is also defined by its fresh fish, including Lavrak (market price), a whole Mediterranean fish, and Solomos Exochiko ($19), which George describes as “a spinach pie with salmon inside.”
As with all ethnic cuisines, “family” is the watch word; it’s food meant to be shared and savored around a boisterous table. The allure of Greek cuisine, George offers, is olive oil, which is to Greek food what the tomato is for Italian dishes.
“We only use the finest cold-pressed olive oil,” George says. “The Mediterranean diet is a healthy diet. We incorporate a lot of vegetables and everything (here) is fresh, from the seafood to the lamb. Everything is marinated; no butter is used in our entrees.”
Pricing: Cold appetizers include Hummus ($8), Feta Kai Elies ($6) and Oktapodi Xythato (grilled marinated octopus with olive oil and vinegar for $12). Hot appetizers include Saganaki ($8), Gyros ($8), and Garides Scharas (charcoal-grilled jumbo shrimp marinated in olive oil, lemon and herbs for $11). “Greek Specialties” selections include Dolmades Avgolemono (grape leaves filled with lamb and rice for $13), Scallop’s Demetri’s ($23) and Arni Psito (roast leg of lamb carved off the bone for $17).
From 3 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Demetri’s offers an Early Bird Special for $14.95. All entrees are served with soup or salad, a choice of non-alcoholic beverage and a complimentary dessert.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday; 4-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday.
Demetri’s is at 660 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield. Call 847-940-0777 or visit www.demetrisrestaurant.com.
Donald Liebenson is a freelance writer.