Great Greek: St. Haralambos Festival, Niles (July)

I don't know what the precise dates will be for 2009, but make a note in your calendar to check out the St. Haralambos Greek Festival in Niles next July. Just before this year's fest, I was reminded of it by an enthusiastic Greek grocer and managed to get there on the closing day.

People were lined up at the main food tent which had a 15-minute wait at opening time (3 p.m.), and the food, all prepared by church members, was well worth waiting for, among the best church fest food I've had.




Grilled octopus



Spanakopita



Stuffed grape leaves



Combination plate with loukaniko and fried squid and smelt



Loukoumades



Coffee frappe


St. Haralambos Greek Festival
7373 N. Caldwell Ave., Niles
Niles, IL 60714
(847) 647-8880

Annually, the second or third weekend in July

It's this weekend.