If you are sick of the same old burger and fries routine it’s time to go Greek.

No, don’t go out joining a sorority or fraternity ?” think like Greek cuisine. The Greek Village Inn located on 65 University Dr. off of Howe Ave. is perfect for your next ethnic dining experience.

The restaurant features traditional Greek cuisine serves lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. On weekends breakfast is served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday it closes at 10 p.m. and Sunday it closes at 9 p.m.

As an added bonus you can also take your pick – the seating is both indoor and outdoor. Inside booths are cozy and the tables in the back are very accommodating to large parties. In the background traditional Greek music quietly escapes from the speakers and Grecian inspired art adorns the walls. Outside large umbrellas cover all of the tables on the small but quaint patio.

If you are going for lunch sample a few appetizers such as Tzatziki dip, Dolmathes, calamari, Gyros and Spanakopita ranging from $5.95 to $13.95. For those unfamiliar with Spanakopita, It’s thin crispy filo dough filled with spinach and feta cheese makes a perfect appetizer or a great addition to soup or salad.

Our server, Sacramento State senior Rene Bugdanos, recommened Tyropita ?” found in the appetizer/lunch section which is similar to Spanakopita except with cream cheese instead of spinach.

A soup or salad from the menu will definitely satisfy the veggie lover by offering four entree salads as well as a house salad and two selections of soup. Most of the salads contain the traditional cucumbers, feta cheese and kalamta olives. The house Avgolemono soup and the soup of the day, white bean, were both filled with plenty of vegetables and a chicken broth base. The prices for either soup or salad range anywhere from $3.50 to $14.95.

If you really can’t bear to stray from your regular burger and fries routine, The Greek Village Inn has you covered too. Sandwiches from the menu range in price from $7.95 to $11.25 and include a hearty steak, a grilled eggplant and a Grecian twist on some American favorites like a ham sandwich or a juicy hamburger.

We had the Melitzana which is grilled eggplant, fresh mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and pesto aioli served on a baguette.

It was superb. The eggplant was cooked perfectly, the portions were large ?” too much too finish ?” and the French fries were hot and crispy.

We also ordered the Toast sandwich which is black forest ham and mozzarella cheese served on sweet French bread and a Gyro sandwich filled with seasoned beef and lamb wrapped in pita bread.

If you are there for dinner, our server recommended the Pastichio for $14.25 which is baked macaroni mixed with seasoned ground beef topped with bechamel and served with mixed greens. Sounds like a mouthful, right?

In addition to the Pastichio the dinner menu includes Garides (grilled prawns), Grecian chicken breast, Athenian Ribeye, Lamb chops, and Makaronada (a Greek version of macaroni) ranging in price from $10.75 to $18.95.

For desert have a taste of tradition with crisp and sweet Baklava or Kok, a Greek sponge biscuit filled with custard and topped with chocolate icing.

To accompany your very Greek dinning experience add some Grecian wine. The prices range from $6 to $12 per glass and $22 to $68 per bottle. We ordered a delightfully refreshing bottle of McMannis Pinot Grigio (not Greek) a somewhat local wine for $24.

The Greek Village Inn also pours from a full bar. Prices range from $5.50 for a well drink and $6.75 and up from premium liquor.

If wine and alcohol sound a little too heavy for the evening, a few beers are available ranging from $4 to $5. Soda, juice and coffee are also available for $1.95 to $3.50.

Our overall dining experience was great. The food was fresh, hot, delicious and very Greek. Our server was very friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, helpful, and also Greek. The Greek Village Inn is a great destination on one condition ?” you have money to spend.

Lunch for three people which included a bottle of Pinot Grigio (the cheapest white wine they had) an order of Spanakopita, Toast, a Gyro sandwich and Melitzana came to $73 including tip. This is about $25 per person for lunch, pretty pricey especially on a student budget.

The ambience makes it a wonderful restaurant for a special occasion. Reservations are highly recommended on weekends, the smaller dining room gets full quickly.

The Greek Village Inn earns four out of five stars losing one star for the pricey tab and lack of belly dancers. This is definitely a restaurant worth visiting at some point; you just might want to wait until you forget your girlfriend’s birthday and need a ticket out of the dog house.

Now it’s your turn. The Greek Village in has won Best Greek food from Sacramento Magazine six years in a row ?” do you agree?

In the next couple of weeks we will offer you the chance to decide. Stay tuned to learn how to nominate your favorites in the Best of 2005 ?” Sacramento State edition!

Contact Liz at [email protected]