Crappy Greek food and the people who eat it

I’d heard good things about El Greco Greek Taverna (3016 Guadalupe St), right beside Mangia’s new location, from several people. “Great desserts,” they told me. “Charming service from kindly old Mediterranean women.” Well, what’s not to love about that?

Screenshot from El Greco’s website: At least they’re trying? 

So I tried to go — and literally four or five times they weren’t open. As I understand, there was some sort of vandalism incident that closed them up for a while, and then another time I think they had decided to close 90 minutes early. So, whatever, but I finally made it there and was just thankful that they were open at all.

What was I treated to? A not-bad souvlaki pita — for $3 more than it should have cost and 15 minutes longer than it should have taken to make. All the while a surly-looking waitress/hostess/someone skulked around, probably wishing she could go home and watch Rock of Love, and the cook alternatively flirted with the other waitress on duty and told her how to do her job. They even turned off the TV that was on for their customers to watch, leaving only the ambiance of their conversation. Kindly old Mediterranean women nowhere to be found.

Never had I been so aware of the inner workings of a restaurant, and never again do I want to be.

I’ll probably go back to El Greco in a few months, when they’ve had more time to get their act together. But I want to see some changes around there: First of all, lower the price of everything by about 10%. You can accomplish that by getting rid of all that extraneous staff. Third, make some conscious attempt to give the place some ambiance so I don’t mind waiting 20 minutes for a frickin’ souvlaki.