In the spirit of West Loop week, we stopped by some local businesses to talk to them about how the area has changed and why they’re located in the West Loop.
Greek Islands is a West Loop institution. The restaurant first opened in a much smaller basement location at Jackson Boulevard and Halsted Street in 1971 and moved to 200 S Halsted St 10 years later.
Angelo Petratos, daytime manager, says co-owner Gus Couchell spends half his year in Greece, searching for his favorite olive oil, honey and wine. One of the most popular dishes is the baked lamb (arni fournou).
The interior of the restaurant is modeled after a Greek fish market, and you’ll hear Greek music throughout. When I walked in on Friday afternoon, families and locals were scattered throughout the restaurant.
Petratos, who started as a waiter for Greek Islands in the mid-1990s, says while he hasn’t seen a big change in clientele, he has seen the area become more friendly.
“I remember it was dark and gloomy. You were afraid to go outside during the wintertime,” he says. “Now there’s a different feeling. You’ll definitely see new faces, and more customers are residential people who are our new neighbors.”
