Papa Cristo's Greek Grill

"If you go to one Greek restaurant in LA, make it Papa Cristo’s. In operation since 1948, a meal at this restaurant/market in Pico-Union feels less like eating at a traditional restaurant and more like stumbling into a neighborhood potluck at a community center. Everyone orders what they want from the deli counter in front—we love the saganaki, veggie moussaka, and any plate involving lamb—then heads to the adjoining dining room where tables are pushed together as needed. Be sure to grab some housemade Greek yogurt and honey for dessert." - sylvio martins, brant cox, nikko duren, garrett snyder

"Part-deli, part-bakery, part-Greek grocer, this 70-year-old landmark in Pico-Union works for pretty much any occasion, like a quick lunch or a celebratory group dinner. If you’re with a bunch of people, you’ll order some moussaka, saganaki, and a feta pizza at the deli counter in the back and then push as many tables as you need together in the adjoining dining hall. A night here is always fun, a little drunk, and downright delicious." - brant cox, garrett snyder

"LA isn't known for a surplus of Greek restaurants within its city limits, but we do have Papa Cristo’s. A meal at this restaurant/market in Pico-Union feels less like you’re eating at a restaurant and more like you stumbled into a neighborhood potluck at a Greek community center. Everyone orders what they want from the front counter—we love the saganaki and veggie moussaka—and then feasts in the adjoining dining room where enough tables have been pushed together to fit your needs. Be sure to grab some housemade Greek yogurt and honey for dessert. Saganaki, lamb gryo wrap, greek yogurt and honey" - brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

"Papa Cristo’s has been operating out of Pico-Union since 1948. This family-owned restaurant is all about Greek flavors and recipes with gyros, freshly made feta, baklava, and some outstanding spanakopitas. The spinach and cheese-filled filo dough specialties are best enjoyed hot." - Matthew Kang, Eater Staff, Mona Holmes

"Papa Cristo’s is a 75-year-old Greek market/deli in Pico-Union that’s a flat-out LA institution. It’s part deli, part bakery, and part Greek grocer, which explains why you’ll find a bunch of people loitering in their spacious dining hall. A meal here feels less like you’re eating at a traditional restaurant and more like you stumbled into a neighborhood potluck at a community center. Everyone orders what they want individually from the front counter—we love the saganaki and veggie moussaka—and then dines in the adjoining dining room, where tables are pushed together as needed. Be sure to grab some homemade Greek yogurt and honey for dessert." - sylvio martins, brant cox, nikko duren