Opa for Komos Cafe

Eat It: Kosmos Greekafe

Relocated restaurant gets you to the Greek fast

2136 N. College Ave.

Fayetteville

421-7482

By Rachel Birdsell

TFW Contributing Writer

Preamble Ramble

Kosmos has recently moved from its Dickson Street location to College Avenue. Its new home is right beside Slim Chicken’s in the building that once housed Arby’s.

Kosmos is what I consider to be Greek “fast food,” so it’s only fitting that it’s in a former fast food building. Thankfully, the food at Kosmos sits much better on the palate and on the stomach than most other fast food.

Food For Thought

There are a few additions to the menu, but your old favorites are still available. I started my lunch with the roasted eggplant dip that’s served with warm pita bread. The dip was awesome, albeit a bit too cold. I like it better at room temperature, but I understand why it’s not possible to serve it that way in a restaurant.

If I was a betting woman, I’d bet that the eggplant was roasted over an open fire (”Eggplants Roasting on an Open Fire” happens to be a very famous Greek Christmas carol). The dip was smoky and had a bit of a bite. In fact, my dining partner ordered the spicy feta dip, but my eggplant dip was much spicier. You want to know a secret? If you spread your pita with the feta dip and then dip it in the eggplant dip, it’s fantastic.

I followed the dip with a Greek souvlaki pita, which was filled with marinated pork, tomatoes and onions and doused with a healthy helping of tzatziki sauce. The pork was tender and tasty, and when I couldn’t finish the entire sandwich, I picked out the pork because it was that good. The tomatoes didn’t taste exactly ripe, but I’m not sure you can even get ripe tomatoes anywhere anymore unless they’re from someone’s garden. I realize that last part makes me sound like an old timer reminiscing about “back in the day,” but — goshdarnit, you young whippersnappers! — I don’t think ripe tomatoes should become extinct.

The Sporkcast

(1-5 sporks)

Atmosphere: 3.5 sporks with azure blue handles. It looks just like an ex-fast food place that’s trying to look Greek with minimal effort. In other words, they put up some new menu boards and painted some of the walls blue.

Food: 4.25 dancing sporks with tiny mustaches on the handle. It’s not the best Greek food I’ve had. That honor is still held by all those wonderful Greek women who bring their food to the Greek Festival in Little Rock. However, it’s still great food for when you want Greek in a hurry.

Staff: 4.50 sporkoloposis that keep shouting “Opa!” Actually, none of the staff yelled anything. They were friendly enough that it was almost like they were yelling good things, though.

Dollars spent: I had to leave behind roughly 9 drachmas at the counter for my lunch.

Chance of returning: Yeppers, I’ll be back. There is some baklava and spanakopita that have my name on them. No seriously, I made them write my name on them.

If you know of a great eating place, drop me a line at rabirdsell@gmail.com. I’ll check it out and let you know what I think.