Athenian Room

“We tried the highly recommended Greek caviar and it was an unexpectedly pleasant experience.”

We tried the highly recommended Greek caviar and it was an unexpectedly pleasant experience. Great feta and olives as well. The real banger was the skirt steak and fries. Tender and juicy, the meat along with the fries are perfectly smothered in a zesty, herbaceous, lemony sauce. Just perfection all around. An absolute lovely time here. Quality food. Lively atmosphere. Fast service. Generous fixes for fantastic prices. Cash only.

RP

Jan 2026

“We tried skirt steak Alexander and it was delicious, tasty, and juicy meat.”

We tried skirt steak Alexander and it was delicious, tasty, and juicy meat. Is a bar next to it if you want to drink other wise they have soft drinks as well

Yeimi Medrano

Dec 2025

“Amazing food. This is personally one of my favorite places. I travel all over and this place stays...”

Amazing food. This is personally one of my favorite places. I travel all over and this place stays consistent. It’s my first stop always when arriving in Chicago. It is the best food I ever had in my life. There is no better and there is no changing my mind. I highly recommend coming here. You have to get the wine steak the half chicken the Gyro and feta burger

Mikey Marino

Nov 2025

“I love rotisserie/roasted chicken so much because it is the world's food.”

I love rotisserie/roasted chicken so much because it is the world's food. It is the same basic chicken, with all different cultures and regions of the world bringing their own unique twist to it. The Peruvians prepare it drastically different than the Chinese who prepare it drastically different than the French, and so on. It's beautiful if you really think about it. All this to say I was beyond excited when Athenian Room, a no frills cash only Greek restaurant, was the most recommended rotisserie chicken spot in Chicago. I couldn't even remember the last time I had a bird from a Greek spot, so I was ready to see what the Greeks had to bring to Chicken Wars. I walked into the dimly lit tavern-like ambiance and sheepishly asked "Table for 1..?" I got seated at a 4 top which I felt terrible about, but told the server I'd be quick. I ordered their iconic Chicken Kalamata ($16) - which is a boiled and grilled crisp-skinned half chicken over an ample amount of thick cut Greek fries drenched in olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and lemon. I was slightly perturbed as I awaited my chicken, as this place was so mellow and calm that I knew filming myself dogging this chicken with my ring light would bring way too much attention. This is by FAR my least favorite part of the job. I'm a people pleaser by nature and I just know everyone in the restaurant hates me, which is totally fair and valid. I opted to not touch the bright ring light, and just use the flash on my phone. I didn't even want to do that, but the quality of the video is just 10x better with some sort of light. I wish I could just write and never have to film myself, but you gotta play the game to change the game. The Chicken Kalamata came, it looked like what I imagine a chicken would look like if that's what they gave you upon arrival into heaven. A tight, crispy, golden brown skin with visible seasoning over a bed of thick cut fries. Does it get any better? When you rip it apart, you can literally hear the crunch of the skin as it breaks and steam escapes into the atmosphere. I've never seen anything like it. It genuinely makes me wonder if it is flash fried or something. This turned out to be some of the best chicken skin, flavor, and dark meat I've had, but in a tale as old as time, the breast was pretty dry. Dipping it in the olive oil at the bottom of the plate solved that, but I always judge a bird without sauce or additions. It's still easily worth the $16 I paid and I'd recommend this to anyone when in Chicago, but a truly elite bird needs to have a tender breast. Fries were touched by Zeus though. Thick cut with a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior... some of the best fries I've had this year. As I was wrapping up, the sweet server came over and said “Are you like a food influencer or something!?” I looked down and shook my head in embarrassment, and gave her the spiel. The word “influencer” or “content creator” gives me the ick, even though it is exactly what I’m doing. It just sounds so self serving and yucky. I do truly enjoy writing, telling stories, editing videos, and highlighting good businesses. Anyways, shoutout to the Athenian Room. SOLID bird here, but even better vibes. I’ll 100% be back when I’m in Chicago again. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo

Johnny Novo

Nov 2025

“Came here with a friend and we were very pleased.”

Came here with a friend and we were very pleased! Large portions, i got the Kalamata Chicken (see video) which was huge - plenty for lunch and lunch the next day. So juicy, very tender, great decision. My friend got the gyro dinner which was also tasty. Great service and was happy to visit a small business - small touches like the owner visiting a table make it feel very homey. Cash only, they have an ATM on site but easier just to bring your own $$.

Kais Hussain

Apr 2025

“What an amazing and genuine restaurant.”

What an amazing and genuine restaurant. My server was super friendly and recommended the salad with gyro and pita w/tzatziti for lunch or a lighter meal and the charburger for a dinner (I STILL NEED TO COME BACK FOR THE BURGER NEXT TIME LIKE I PROMISED). I had the salad and it was incredible. I’d say it was a perfect meal and it all tasted awesome. The feta was the best feta cheese I think I’ve ever had. 10/10 would recommend to anyone in the neighborhood or visiting the city, you should try and come it would be worth your time. And the baklava was so good too! Thank you!

Sam Rinaldo

Dec 2024

“Can’t wait to come back.”

Can’t wait to come back! The food is unbelievable. We got the shrimp appetizer, kabobs, gyro, fries. Even on a weeknight, this place was busy but tables flipped quickly. Nice big outdoor seating area too. The service was good. Highly recommend!

Ashley Bushala

Sep 2024

“The Athenian Room was recommended by a friend of mine who grew up in Lincoln Park.”

The Athenian Room was recommended by a friend of mine who grew up in Lincoln Park. They set very high expectations, but the AT still exceeded them all. Got the spanakopita to start and then the feta charburger dinner. Straight. Fire. The crispy Greek fries swimming in the salad dressing is genius. Five easy stars.

Christopher Matrumalo

Dec 2023

“What is there to say about this place that hasn’t been said? Doesn’t take reservations, but it’s...”

What is there to say about this place that hasn’t been said? Doesn’t take reservations, but it’s connected to Glascott’s and you can drink there while waiting for a table. Also doesn’t serve alcohol, but you can bring alcohol over from Glascott’s as well. The vibe is old school and the service is top notch. Athenian room is run like a well oiled machine, with servers always there when needed and food prepared quickly. As for the food, everything was delicious. The classic gyro and roasted chicken were some favorites of our group. Personally, I’m not a fan of French fries, but even the fries here get an A+ in my book. Best of all, a meal here is super inexpensive and an absolute steal for Chicago. Must try!

Kyle

May 2023

“The Kalamata Chicken and Greek fries were outstanding.”

The Kalamata Chicken and Greek fries were outstanding. Plenty of feta cheese on side salad. Gyros dinner was enough for two. Baklava was heavenly. No free refills on soft drinks was the only downside. Bonus was it was close to Oz Park and the 4 statues. Great photo op.

Janice Roush

Jan 2023

“I had never been and can see why the chicken meal is a classic.”

I had never been and can see why the chicken meal is a classic. Hard to beat a half chicken with salad and fries for $15. The skin of the chicken was amazing and crisp, and those fries dunked in the chicken sauce were stunning. A little disappointed by the kalamasalata but everything else was excellent, really friendly service and great atmosphere!

Sarah Kircher

Dec 2022

“Came here Friday night , I’ve heard so much good things about this place , walked in there was a...”

Came here Friday night , I’ve heard so much good things about this place , walked in there was a big wait list , the lady at the front the hostess told me There was about close to 2 hour wait , well I slipped her 50 bucks and I end up Getting the next available table so that was good , first off the steak was to die for , very moist tender and juicy got the half chicken , it was the best chicken that I even tried , also got the feta burger and dip it in the steak juices , also do not think about smoking right in front of the restaurant , the owner and the valet drivers are always keeping an eye to see if someone does and they won’t be happy about it ,

Nick M

Oct 2022