Spartan Souvlaki celebrates grand opening in the Ridge

It was a big, fat, Greek party at Spartan Souvlaki on Monday, February 23 as the family-owned business celebrated the grand opening of a second location, right in the Ridge at 8303 Third Avenue.

With their first location, operating for the past 17 years in Dyker Heights on Eighth Avenue, the authentic, all-items-made-to-order eatery owned by the Lykourezos family has garnered an impressive following and rave reviews from community members, local politicians and fellow Greeks alike.

“I grew up with very good Greek food,” said Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis, whose father owned his own Greek restaurant after he immigrated to America from Greece. “I was very privileged to have that experience of knowing what traditional Greek cuisine is. I’ve been to their restaurant in Dyker Heights and their food is excellent. You’re getting great quality, good portions and it’s relatively inexpensive so it hits all three marks when it comes to a dining experience. I think this will be a great hit for Bay Ridge and I’m glad that they opened up a store that’s closer to my office.”

As far as being welcomed by the Bay Ridge community, Georgios Lykourezos, the restaurant’s owner, has no worries.

“I’ve been in Bay Ridge all my life,” said Lykourezos. “I’m well known in the Greek community in Bay Ridge. I’m the guy who does all the Easter Sundays. I close the streets, we do everything for the Guild [for Exceptional Children]. The community loves me, and I love them too, because I’ve been around so long.”

Councilmember Vincent Gentile, a long-time patron of the Eighth Avenue location and friend of the family, couldn’t agree more.

“You’re not only a great family and a great business, but you also give back to the community,” Gentile said to the family at the grand opening, noting that the annual Eastertime fundraisers for the Guild “show true character.

“You do well, you work hard, but you also give back to the community so that’s really to be appreciated,” Gentile stressed.

In just the two short months that it took to get the Bay Ridge location up and running, Lykourezos’ family – his wife, son and two daughters – although surprised by the idea, were there to help him every step of the way.

“It was a shock, but after being here the past week in the soft opening I think it was the best move we could have made,” said Lykourezos’ daughter, Valerie. “The fact that we’re all five together and we all work together, you don’t see that that often anymore.”

Spartan Souvlaki is located at 8303 Third Avenue and is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight. Eat in or take out is available as well as catering and they can be reached at 718-833-3902.