EL CAJON — The romantic imagery of Greece ignites the mind with sparkling blues, the clattering of shields, and the plumage of Aristotle’s beard (well, for some people, at least).
At Greek Town Buffet and Grill in El Cajon, earthy, robust flavors incite the rich history of Greece in every bite.
Since purchasing the venerable restaurant some four years ago, owners Hana and Kayser Oshana have brought invaluable experience into the hearts and mouths of East County residents.
EL CAJON — The romantic imagery of Greece ignites the mind with sparkling blues, the clattering of shields, and the plumage of Aristotle’s beard (well, for some people, at least).
At Greek Town Buffet and Grill in El Cajon, earthy, robust flavors incite the rich history of Greece in every bite.
Since purchasing the venerable restaurant some four years ago, owners Hana and Kayser Oshana have brought invaluable experience into the hearts and mouths of East County residents.
Hana worked in the Hellenic Republic before moving to the United States, and the ocean flecked shores of Greece are on full display at his restaurant.
Traditional Greek dishes such as the flaky, buttery spanakopita (a shell of filo dough housing luscious tiers of spinach and creamy feta) and the zesty, plump keftedes (moist and juicy Greek meatballs) are just some of the staples of food offered at the restaurant’s buffet ($11.99 Monday through Thursday for dinner; $9.99 for lunch; a dollar more during weekends).
And though the buffet employs a wide variety of tantalizing, authentic Mediterranean offerings (don’t forget the puckered zing of tabouli, a dish made famous by its combination of cracked wheat, floral arrangement of parsley and mint, and a splash of lemon), the real star of Greek Town Buffet and Grill is the eatery’s new menu, one crafted with artisan care by chefs Lazar Moshy and Ishac Slaywa.
The duo are the Parthenon pillars to the restaurant’s flavors.
Between grilling and searing beef kabobs ($7) and flame wrapping skewers of poultry ($7), Moshy and Slaywa marinate, over night, chicken souvlaki that expunges juice as soon as you press upon it with the prongs of a fork.
The two artisan chefs craft everything with painstaking detail, making everything from whole roasted lambs ($250.00 buys you the full experience) to more exotic meals, such as masgouf ($19.99), a whole roasted fish.
And while many will succumb to their desire to pull apart a warm gyros, it’s nice to know that, by the shadow of flickering flames of the restaurant’s monolithic grill, the family at Greek Town Buffet and Grill are making traditional Mediterranean cuisine accessible to East County. The owners and staff will tell you that honesty is synonymous with family; and when you’re at their restaurant you will always get both.
