GREENSBORO — It’s not often that sequels match or outdo their predecessors. But the new location of Mythos Grill on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro (it’s original location is on West Market Street) does just that.
The eatery, in a new strip shopping center, has the feel of a busy diner. Blue-and-white leather booths line the perimeter of the dining room, while tables and chairs fill the center of the room — most of them full with a revolving stream of patrons. The friendly wait staff hustles about, taking orders, filling glasses and checking on customers. Food is served casual-style in Styrofoam plates and bowls.
Mythos serves the usual Mediterranean dishes, plus a few pastas and more American choices such as hamburgers, BLTs and club sandwiches. But the restaurant’s best choices are the Greek and Mediterranean items.
Appetizers such as the thick, slightly tangy hummus with soft, warm pita triangles (choice of white or whole wheat pita) and flaky spanakopita make great starters.
Greek salads (with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, green peppers, pitted kalamata olives, feta and pepperoncini peppers) come as-is or topped with a choice of Mediterranean specialties, such as falafel, slow-cooked gyro meat or hummus.
Elsewhere on the menu, “Mythos Specialties” include a selection of sandwiches (served on white or wheat pita) and entrees. Sandwiches range from gyros and falafel wraps to the chicken or pork souvlaki wrap — tender, marinated grilled chicken breast or pork tenderloin, along with lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, green peppers and tzatziki, all inside a warm pita. The saltiness of the meat mingles perfectly with the creamy, tangy tzatziki and the crunch of the fresh veggies to create a sandwich long on flavor with a pleasant variety of textures. The hummus and veggie pita wraps offer good options for vegetarians.
Entrees such as chicken or pork souvlaki (two skewers of tender, juicy meat), moussaka (baked eggplant, potato, tomato and spiced ground beef topped with béchamel cream) and pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna topped with béchamel cream) are noticeably fresh and flavorful — none of these plates have languished under a heat lamp. A veggie platter and spanakopita are good meat-free options.
Both sandwiches and entrees are served either over rice with Greek salad or with salad and crispy French fries on the side. The salad — though just shredded iceberg lettuce topped with diced tomatoes, cucumber chunks, a bit of green pepper and onion, plus a sprinkling of feta and a tangy vinaigrette dressing — has a good flavor from the fresh, crisp veggies and the tang of the dressing.
Mythos serves a small assortment of desserts — baklava, baklava flavored cheesecake and triple chocolate cake.
Diners also will find a modest selection of beer and wine, including white and red Greek wines and Greek beers — Aris and Famous Mythos.
Though Mythos serves many of the usual dishes found at Greek/Mediterranean restaurants, their versions have a freshness and depth of flavor that makes them stand out. Couple that with the eatery’s friendly and attentive service, and it’s no surprise that Mythos’ second location is just as popular as the first.
Casual Dining features local restaurants for diners on a budget. It runs every other week in Go Triad. Contact Jennifer Bringle at jenniferbringle@gmail.com.
