Hellas Restaurant and Bakery
| Address: | 785 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, USA |
| Phone: | +1 727-943-2400 |
| Site: | hellasbakery.com |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
AL
allison nielsen
This place was such a good find and Im happy I was able to come here during my first trip to Tarpon Springs! However, the service needs work. My friend and I popped into Hellas when we went to the Hippie Fest, so this place was already poppin when we walked in. Still, we only waited about 10-15 minutes, and were pretty much engulfed in the blast from the past Miami-style 80s decor. The neon lights, painted walls...I felt like I probably could have guest-starred on Miami Vice. We were seated pretty quickly which was also when the service fiasco began. Fiasco is probably a pretty strong way to put it but our server was pretty much terrible. It took him 10 minutes to bring us water and then we ordered our food and hardly ever saw him during this entire meal. We got the flaming cheese appetizer which was so scrumptious. Definitely a must-try at Hellas. Our dirty cheese-crusted plates sat on the table for the entire time while we waited for our gyros, which is a huge service faux pas to me. Cleaning up the plates takes little time and is just an indicator that youre keeping up with the table. More time passed. Probably 20 minutes, and then we finally saw our server again, who stopped at our table and asked if we had been brought our food. Um...what? Shouldnt you know if we had our food? He tried to blame it on the bussers which seemed strange. The chicken souvlaki/gyro came out and it was actually really good. Mine needed more sauce so I asked for a side of sauce. Fifteen minutes later our server Brandon finally came back with sauce and then told us that he would give us the sauce for free even though we had literally been waiting for an eternity for everything to come out. Brandon acted like he was doing me a huge favor by giving me a $.75 side of sauce for free. For the amount of time we waited, and for basically being ignored, I feel like that was a strange thing to do. The souvlaki was great. The food itself is quite good but this service is agonizing. Id give this place a second chance but not if I had the same server.
M.
M. Hartman
OK, here it is, Hellas is the place where mostly tourists and often times many locals gather for the great taste of Greek food featured in this restaurant. Located on "the strip at the sponge docks" in Tarpon Springs Florida, this large restaurant features many Greek specialties ranging from Saganaki (an imported cheese they set on fire at your table) to the ever popular Gyro (a sandwich made on pita bread using meat that is half lamb / half beef and seasoned topped with onions, tomatoes and a creamy Tzatziki sauce) or Dolmades ( a grape leaf that is stuffed with meat, rice and sauce) to a range of seafood options as well. One of my favorite items which is often overlooked is the Village salad (simply all the good stuff without the lettuce (tomatoes, onions, peperoncini, black olives and feta cheese covered in a nice vinaigrette)). No matter what your taste, Hellas offers a large menu with a variety of choices to suit most anyones palate. After you have enjoyed your meal, consider ordering dessert or just walking through the doors into the attached bakery shop that will add two inches to your waistline just looking at the variety of options to tease your sweet tooth. Keep in mind that being a tourism spot, prices will be a little higher than your average corner restaurant, but the food and the atmosphere are worth the stop.
JA
Jay Souza
I had the Keftedes Greek Style Meatballs two nights in a row while on vacation! IT WAS WILD!!!!! Hellas is the Michael Jordan of Greek restaurants. THIS PLACE IS MAZING WITH A CAPITAL "Q"!!!!! If your within a 46 hour drive of here... pull over and call ahead cause this place is worth the drive baby! also ask for by home dog (just say "my homedog")! this guy will straight up serve the pants off this place. he would refill your dink before you know your even going there to eat. he might drive to your house with a coke and smile. also the saganaki does not taste like Mexican cheese thank god! try the greek style grouper! also the chocolate chip cookie are what founded this great country. the head cook should be placed on mount Rushmore baby! if your not down with that.... I got two words for ya..... hellas restaurant. dont forget to locate the nearest toilet because you will be refunding this later!!!! I "painted" my whole bathroom after a gyro one day... Do I regret it? NOT AT ALL!!!! I wish I could go three nights in a row... OH WAIT I DID!!! all three nights were a delight! dancing music fun and the occasional appearance by mr john Travolta! yeah big john himself sat behind me! he ordered a big mac as a joke and had a chuckle. I however had a gyro (this is the day I had the runs).
BR
Brenda Nila
The food was amazing and we probably would have loved this place if it wasnt racist or give the feel of racism. My boyfriend (black) and I (Mexican) decided to dine there on our day off. The host sat us and after 10 minutes we noticed we were not being helped. There were at least 4 servers standing around not doing anything. After 15-20 minutes we noticed that there was a manager/owner and told them we had not been helped. The waitress immediately helped us. Every single table was given spectacular service and my boyfriend and I were barely acknowledged or recognized for waiting so long. My family owns 4 restaurants, number of hotels, and other businesses I know exactly how the industry works and it is such a shame that they were racist! I would have tipped the lady at least 20% gratitude instead I didnt tip at all. This place is such a shame. Beware if you are of color! You might not get served well! They should recognize that some of us actually are filthy rich. I was going to take large amounts of deserts home, but all that went out of the window with the service. Pregnant people can eat a lot too! I was ready to grub, ignorance can costs you money!
NE
Nephrite Phoenix
The ONLY reason Im not giving this magnificent place of delicious food joy 5 stars is because I have switched to a vegan lifestyle since I first visited, and they - sadly - have very little vegan options. Then again, its a traditional Greek restaurant in a Greek town, so I cant possibly ask them to be hipster enough to serve me things without butter and yogurt (tzatziki). Having said that, I explained my aversion to dairy and the kitchen manager himself came out to detail a couple of options for me, which was very helpful. Hellas is a must if youre in the Tarpon Springs area. All of their food is fresh and delicious. The Saganaki is a fun favorite. The Moussaka is so smooth. Even the Greek Salad will make your mouth water. Dont get me started on their desserts... the bakery (holy cow, the BAKERY) is adjoined to the restaurant. You can get an up-close look by taking a stroll along the longest glass display of carb and sugar deliciousness Ive ever seen. And all of this with validated parking in a private lot one block behind the building. Make sure to give your parking ticket to the waiter (or receptionist) to validate before you leave.
SA
Sarah Kent
This is a huge greek restaurant with unique decor and a huge bakery attached. Youll dine under sky-painted ceilings while servers light cheese on fire and yell OPA! The menu is huge and sports traditional and local fare. The real shining star is the fresh fish. You can go big and order an entire snapper (and I mean head and all) or you can opt for a simple gyro. The desserts are phenomenal. Service is fast and servers here are professional servers with professional attitudes and attention to detail. They have a nice selection of Greek beers as well. It gets very busy during the weekends. You wont be disappointed, unless you want cheap eats. Prices arent too bad, but expect about 20 dollars for an entree. Two people ordering an appetizer, fish entrees, dessert, greek coffee, and greek beer came out to $100 bucks. Thats good pricing for the money, especially since it is actually fresh, local seafood, as it should be. Its right across from the sponge docks and dolphin tours. Theres gated, complimentary parking about a block southeast from the restaurant if its busy but you can find parking behind the place or on the street as well.
