A Big, Fat, Greek Thanksgiving

History shows that 'giving thanks' is something that has been done in most cultures all around the world for thousands of years. The Earth provides mankind with shelter, sustenance, life - and in return, it's people have given thanks in celebration. Fall and 'harvest' festivals and ceremonies of thanksgiving took place during ancient Greek times, and many other periods throughout history.

In the ancient Greek traditions, of course - it was Demeter, the goddess of corn & grains and all things harvest - that was celebrated and honored at the festival of Thesmosphoria every Fall. The Greeks believed that it was because of her - that the Earth provided the bounty it did - and that honoring her with offerings and ceremonies would promise a new, fresh harvest each year.

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated in several countries annually - and some for different reasons. Here in America, we give thanks not only for our wonderful provider, Mother Earth - but also for our ancestors having found the "New World". We all have many things to be thankful for... BUT we should point out that we're REALLY thankful for yummy GREEK FOOD here at Ziziki's. 

Want to add a 'Greek twist' to your Thanksgiving celebration? Try these traditions that are known to grace the tables of Greek-Americans at Thanksgiving:


Tzatziki sauce: (or as we call it - Ziziki Sauce!) is the perfect creamy accent to any table. This traditional Greek sauce is where we got our name - and is a combination of yogurt, cucumber, and garlic. It can be eaten with bread, veggies - or alone and is part of many dishes at Ziziki's Greek restaurant in Dallas.

Be thankful for FETA: Of course, Greeks know feta is the perfect salty sidekick to wine, as well as just about anything on the table.

Don't forget: Add a Greek twist with Ziziki's! We can provide delectable Dallas catering options for your holiday event - call us or  visit us at www.zizikis.com for catering menu and more information!

We're thankful! OPA!

The Greek Olive—Little Fruit With A Big Taste

Greek and olive go together like Feta and cheese.  Although the delicious Feta is a relative newcomer to the dining table (a mere couple of centuries old), use of the olive in Greek cuisine dates back to Minoan times.  When?  Oh, about 3,500 B.C.  Given our human propensity to want to improve on everything, you’d think there would have been changes to the little fruit over the past 5,500 years. 

Not so.  The only difference between the olives used at Ziziki’s and those of yesteryears is the number of them growing on a tree.  The trees have gotten broader and more expansive, which means more olives for us.  These delicious fruits from the drupe family are similar apricots and peaches.  You sure wouldn’t know that at a glance, but if you open each of these fruits up you’ll find a pit with a seed or two inside of it. 

The best food olive—almond-sized Greek Kalamata Olives—range in length from a half to one inch.  Their excellent flavor has a rich and fruity taste.  Unfortunately you can’t grow this eggplant colored olive in your back yard.  It’s found exclusively in Greece.  If you live in 30° to 45° latitude, you might have success with one of the other types of olives your local nursery can recommend.  Or, you can just go to Ziziki’s and enjoy a delicious Greek meal with a friend.  While dining, impress your friend by asking if he/she knows the difference between a Black Olive and a Green Olive.

Oh, the answer . . . None beyond when they’re picked.  Green olives are, well, picked green.  Black olives are picked when they’re ripe.

Congratulations to ZIZIKIS and Thank You DALLAS

Ziziki's wins Dallas Observer Best Greek Restaurant – 2010!

Thanks to all our customers who voted for us this year in the Dallas Observer Reader’s Pick “Best of Dallas” contest. We know Observer readers have plenty of choices in Dallas which is why we are truly humbled to win this award for the 7th time in 10 years.

Sas efcharistó̱ (Thank you) Dallas!

Click Here and go to Page 62 for the Reader's Pick

Greeks Ready For Football?

Greeks are fanatical about football – soccer that is. When the Greek national football/soccer league won the Euro 2004 championship, there was delirious celebrations all over the county of Greece.

Formed in 2006, The Super League Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each.

Most Greeks support one of the big three teams of greater Athens: Panathinaikos, AEK or Olympiakos. And thanks to the 2004 Olympics, the teams have two magnificent new stadiums to play in. The first two teams share the Olympic Stadium at Marousi and the Olympiakos team plays at the Karaiskaki stadium.

The Greek Football Cup, commonly known as the Greek Cup, a the Greek football competition run by the Hellenic Football Federation. Because it involves clubs of all rankings playing against each other, there is the possibility for the “underdogs” from the lower divisions to become "giant-killers" by eliminating top clubs from the tournament and even possibly winning the Cup. The current holders of the Greek Cup are Panthinaikos, who beat fellow Super League Greece team Aris in the 2010 on April 24, 2010.

To find games televised on ESPN in the states or to learn more, go to www.greeksoccer.com or www.theoffside.com.

Whether you’re tailgating an American football game or having friends over to watch Greek soccer, don’t forget to call in your football party catering onsite or carry-out catering orders to Ziziki's - we've got an all-new catering menu!

Fun Facts About Greece

Of course, Greeks know how unique, timeless and rich they are as a 'culture', but what of those non-Greeks? How are they to know how cool it is to be GREEK?

We've compiled some fun and well-known facts about Greece to share a bit of the Greek culture with you, in case you are not privy to the WONDERS of all things Greek!

• The yo-yo is the second oldest known toy in the world - and comes from the GREEKS (only the doll is older) It was born over 3,000 years ago in the days of ancient Greece.
• Greeks are 'dancin' fools' - there are 63 different folk dances in Greece.
• Cleopatra was Greek, not Egyptian - and a seriously tough cookie of a lady in her day, and responsible for a heap of accomplishments as ruler, or - female-Pharoh of Egypt..
• Traditionally, Greeks have been known to celebrate their "name days", rather than their birthdays.
• Americans should be familiar with this political piece of trivia: Greece is the birthplace of democracy.
• Greek plays called “comedy” were written about ordinary people and often mocked leading politicians and personalities of the day - the forerunners of modern comedy shows like “Saturday Night Live”.
• The early Olympic Games were celebrated as a religious festival from 776 B.C. until 393 A.D., when the games were banned for being a pagan festival because they celebrated the Greek god Zeus. The first modern-day Olympic Summer Games took place in 1896 and the host country, Greece, won the most medals with 47.
• It's hilly, it's mountainous - it's GREECE! Did you know? 80% of the landscape of Greece is comprised of mountains. This means that Greeks must have great legs - (all the climbing, just saying...) and one half of the country is covered by forests and the other half is barren.
• There are about 3000 islands in Greece. However, only a few hundred of them are inhabited.
• Greece has an area of 131,940 sq. km., which makes it just slightly smaller than the size of Alabama. Sweet Home Greece!

Greek Speak

Have you ever wanted to impress your friends by speaking Greek? Imagine greeting your friends with “yia'sou” (hello) as they walk in to meet you at a Greek restaurant or a hip Greek bar and grill. At this point they may be somewhat amused but then you proceed to ask the waiter to “parakalo' (please) bring plates of ze'sti (hot) and cri'o (cold) mezzes”. Wow! All the sudden, you’re the life of the party!


The Greek language is fascinating as it has evolved over thirty-four centuries beginning with Proto-Greek (early second millennium BC), then evolving into Mycenaean (c 1600-1100 BC), Ancient Greek (c. 800-330 BC), Koine Greek (c. 330 BC), Medieval Greek (c330-1453) and culminating with today’s Modern Greek (from 1453), which is spoken by 13 million people. Modern Greek is the official language of Greece and Cyprus and one of the 23 official languages of the European Union.


For simplicity’s sake, we used Greek words here written with the Latin alphabet rather than the Greek alphabet (as we’re assuming you haven’t had a chance to learn that yet). Using the Latin alphabet is referred to as Greeklish (Greek and English) and was developed for online communication back in the day before operating systems could handle the Greek alphabet.


If learning Greek seems, well, a little “greek” to you, parakalo' (please) don’t despair. There are many great resources on the web – some of which are even free! So start practicing your conversational Greek and bring all your friends to Ziziki’s for a fantastiko' time.


**Note: the ' indicates the accent**

Greek Festivals – Fun for the Whole Family

If you’ve never been to a Greek Festival, you must put that on your “things to do before I die” list.

Your life will be vastly enriched as you stroll along tasting distinctive and super-rich Greek food, listening to upbeat Greek music and taking in the culture that is known worldwide for being rich in tradition.

A Greek festival is a tradition of culture and entertainment and is the perfect destination for great, family-friendly fun.

At Greek festivals you will typically find:

• Greek gourmet food
• Greek folk music - usually performed by Greek bands
• Cultural exhibitions including artifacts from Greece and dances performed in costumes of old tradition
• Dancing for the public under Greek tunes.

Additionally, and depending on local arrangements there are raffles and shopping for Greek jewelry, books, music, spices, etc. Many places also organize running races and other outdoor activities.

A Greek festival is an event that you should not miss! And do not worry, even if you can't dance syrtaki or hasapiko - you will still feel at home.