484. Estia Greek Street Food – October 6, 2020 – Troy, MI

I didn’t need to eat at Estia Greek Street Food to know I’d love it – but I’m glad I did!

The locally-owned fast-casual chain touts the build-your-own meal, of which I’m a fan (visits to KouZina, 2941 Mediterranean Street Food, and Chickpea Kitchen are proof of that!). A carryout lunch from its Troy location seemed an apt way to celebrate my birthday.

While Estia’s build-your-own gyro and salad options enticed me, its rice bowl was, for me, the no-brainer choice. I crafted mine from rice pilaf, pork, sliced pepperoncini, sweet stewed peas, raw red onion, English cucumber, garlic spread, spicy feta sauce, and Greeko-De-Gallo (the restaurant’s riff on pico de gallo).

Chicken and lamb are the other meat offerings at Estia (besides pork). Vegetarian and gluten-free options (including gluten-free pita bread) are marked on the menu, which also offers sides such as spinach pie, fries, baklava, and chicken-lemon rice soup. So many enchanting choices to be made!

I was certainly enchanted by the choices I made at Estia. The rice bowl was SO good with its crispy-cooked pork, fresh veggies, and vibrant flavors (those garlic and spicy feta spreads – !!!).

I relished that meal to the last bite. It was my birthday, after all – calories didn’t count. And even if they did, I wouldn’t care, because I wouldn’t stop eating that rice bowl, so tasty it was. To have my prediction about Estia Greek Street Food come true was a birthday blessing indeed.

2897 W. Maple Rd.

Troy, MI 48084

(With an additional location in Warren)

www.goestia.com

250. KouZina – June 2, 2017 – Royal Oak, MI

I’m especially excited about today’s post because I especially LOVED this place. OMG, KouZina!

How had I NOT been to KouZina before? I became aware of it on Yelp but realized upon visiting it that I’d passed it on Main St. in downtown Royal Oak jillions of times. It’s set slightly apart from the strip where most of the Main Street businesses are clustered, just north of 11 Mile Road and across from the Emagine movie theater.

KouZina is what some might liken to a Greek Chipotle: a fast-casual establishment that allows you to create your own signature bowl with the meat, rice, and topping options you choose. I had the KouZina Large Signature Bowl, which contained all three meats that are offered (gyro-style lamb, chicken, and pork), rice (I chose brown), and my chosen toppings: fresh spinach, cubed beets, cucumbers, banana peppers, chickpeas, red onion, feta, and a spicy feta sauce. OH YEAH. It was delicious with a capital “D” and in 12-foot letters! That spicy feta sauce . . . MMMM. So, so good – and even better enjoyed outdoors on KouZina’s open-air patio.

Besides giving patrons the option to create their own signature bowls, KouZina offers gyros (of course!) and classic Greek salad, soup, and side-dish options such as Greek salad, lentil soup, Spinach pie, pita chips, from-scratch Greek yogurt (yum!), and this insanely amazing-sounding dessert called a Bougatsa, which is described on the menu as “Warm custard wrapped in phyllo dough, topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon” (!!!). I badly wanted to try one, but I was so full after the meat-rice-and-veggie-bowl that I knew I would have to save that for another visit – because I will DEFINITELY be back to KouZina.

121 N. Main St.

Royal Oak, MI 48067

www.gokouzina.com

123. The Golden Fleece – June 6, 2015 – Detroit, MI

I made it down to the D this weekend! And it felt fantastic to be there. It made me really excited for summer and some upcoming plans I have scheduled down there (Tigers, glad to see you’ve started to win again – keep it up, please! I’ve got tickets for a few weeks from now!).

My mom and I journeyed down to Greektown Saturday for a mother-daughter day. For lunch, we chose one of the classic Greek establishments, The Golden Fleece. I loved its old-school vibe, the walls with their brightly colored painted murals, and their flavorful hummus and awesomely tender, juicy lamb chops. Stop over here and bolster your strength pre-casino run!

525 Monroe St.

Detroit, MI 48226