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All Greece Athens To Steki Tou Ilia
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

To Steki Tou Ilia

Tear apart fatty, gently charred lamb chops with your bare hands.

Athens, Greece

Added By
Austin Bush
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The interior is constantly packed.   Austin Bush for Gastro Obscura
The interior is constantly packed.   Austin Bush for Gastro Obscura
The lamb chops here are greasy, delicious, and served by the kilo.   Austin Bush for Gastro Obscura
Grilled meats are the specialty at this classic taverna.   Austin Bush for Gastro Obscura
The house wine is cheap and plentiful.   Austin Bush for Gastro Obscura
Eggplant dip and tzatziki belong on every table.   Austin Bush for Gastro Obscura
Barrels of the house wine line the walls.   Austin Bush for Gastro Obscura
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About

Central Athens is home to a handful of “chop shops,” restaurants that specialize in grilled meat, in particular lamb chops. Of these, To Steki Tou Ilia ("Ilia's Haunt"), with its charmingly rustic vibe, barrels of wine and outdoor seating, is seen as the classic example of the genre. 

The restaurant has a brief menu, which includes starters such a creamy tzatziki and salads and other sides, but the emphasis here is on slender, long, fatty chops—sold by the kilogram—and a subtly sweet, fragrant house wine—sold by the liter. 

The chops are seasoned with little more than salt, citrus, and oregano, and come from the grill smoky and served with lemon halves for squeezing. The heaving platters of grilled meat are typically paired with equally large dishes of French fries. The house wine arrives in the tubular aluminum pitchers that are ubiquitous across Greece. It’s casual, raucous and fun.

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Restaurants Grilling Meat

Know Before You Go

Follow the lead of local diners and attack your platter of chops with your hands.

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Added By

Austin Bush

Published

February 8, 2024

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To Steki Tou Ilia
Thessalonikis 7
Athens, 118 51
Greece
37.976964, 23.715897
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Athens

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Places 80
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Proteichisma on Erysichthonos Street

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Athens

Athens

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Places 80
Stories 4

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