This restaurant left a bad taste in my mouth. I was excited to take my family there for my mother's birthday. Let me just say, the food was very mediocre. The chicken souvlaki I got tasted like the chicken was raw, after stressing to the waitress that I would like it well-done. Our waitress (I cannot remember her name) was pleasant, but some of the waitresses looked like they were having a bad night and were not particularly nice. When I walked in, I was rather disappointed at its small size. In no part of the restaurant can two people walk side by side. One person has to move to one side so another can get by. However, that's not really a big deal if the food, staff, and experience are pleasant...right? But that wasn't the case for me. Cleanliness is huge, especially at a restaurant where I will be EATING. So I immediately noticed how dirty the carpet was, which was extremely very off-putting. They were so dirty that the original carpet patterns were hardly visible. The edges of the carpet had its colors and patterns preserved due to inactivity in those areas, so the contrast is very noticeable. The chairs and everything else in the restaurant is so old. When I went to use the restroom upstairs, it looked like it was falling apart and smelled awful. I can't actually recall being anywhere in my life that was more in need of renovation. Why the owner thinks this is okay and apparently unwilling to invest some money in renovation and carpet cleaning is beyond me. I don't even want to imagine what their kitchen looks like! Now for the entertainment. There were three older gentlemen that played pleasant music, but they did NOT look like they wanted to be there. They all had flat affects and were not lively. The music at Byblos (and everything else for that matter) is a million times better. One of the musicians was casually picking at his tooth while up there. Gross. The belly dancer was absolutely cringe-worthy. And get this - after she finished performing, she sat at one of the tables and started counting the tips she gathered while dancing from table to table! She took out all the single dollars and started counting, then handed the money over to her partner and he counted the money as well. Where everyone can see. How unprofessional and distasteful. Needless to say, I will not be returning here! read more

Went there last week. There must have been something wrong with their air conditioning and it was a bit uncomfortable, but not unbearable. My girlfriend, who is greek, had the greek brucheta and I had their artichoke dip for appetizers. It may not be your typical greek food, I guess, but to die for. I wanted to also try their mussels, but I knew if I did that, I wouldn't finish my dinner. For dinner, I had the santorini shrimp salad and my girlfriend has the stuffed grape leaves. My dinner was simple, refreshing and very tasty. I tried my girlfriend's grape leaves and they were moist, tasty with a very rich lemon sauce - just the way my girlfriend's mother makes them. Then the music started, and it was soft and unintrusive, though the table next to us told us it gets louder and they have belly dancing, but we didn't stay for that. We wanted to try their baklava, but the appetizers and the main dish portions were huge and we could not eat another bite, we'll have to try it next time. Oh, yeah, we also tried one of the recommended greek wines, Anastasia, and it was great. I know everyone wants to be a critic, but I realize that many of us don't know how things are supposed to taste (having greek food or italian food or whatever a couple of times doesn't make us expecrts), so I asked my girlfriend who grew up eating greek food every day, and she told me that this was by far some the best greek food she's had. All-in-all a great experience, definitely going back soon to try the mussels and their baklava. read more

Funny you should say that about this place Angela. I'm an Irishman who married a Greek woman in the Greek church. There are four of them in Lowell. That's how large a Greek population resides in the area. The Greeks have helped support two places in town for about 50 and 35 years respectively, so I'd think they know authentic tasting Greek dishes when they eat them. I know parts of Cali have great Greek communities. How many in your neck of the woods? Anyway, the family and I used to like the other place in town. Not so much any more. However, we luv the Athenian. Unbelievable food at great prices. Usually we grab a lamb dish and a greek specialty like Mousaka and split them. The kids go crazy for the Pasticho because of the noodles and the Souvlaki Sandwich. Soup, starch and vegetables come with every meal. The rice is sometimes overcooked, so go with the potato in tomato sauce. Veggies are fresh and done in a light tomato sauce that's not overbearing. Most meals also come with a salad. All for about $15 a person. Can't beat that. They've also jazzed up the look a bit recently and added new items to the menu that might make us switch up the routine next visit. We tried their greek bruschetta, which was amazing. Wasn't daring enough to try the mussels done in Ouzo, but friends of ours told us we have to. Maybe on the next visit. Overall, have to give it as high a grade as possible because of the food, value and service. A must visit if you're in Lowell. read more

Tried it for the first time last Friday night. My aunt from RI wanted to go there every time she came for a visit, but I had been able to avoid it till last week. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. Having seen My Greek Fat Wedding twice, I didn't know what to expect. The place was packed. The waiter suggested one of their specialty martinis Santa Rini Tini something, which was OK, but not impressive. My aunt and my wife enjoyed their American red wine. We shared the mussels appetizer, which didn't sound too Greek, the flaming cheese and the spinach pie appetizer. They were all excellent (once my aunt told me the trick of waiting for the cheese to cool off), but the portions were really large and we barely had enough room for the main course. My wife and I both had the chicken kebob on a salad (huge), and my aunt ordered the baked lamb in red sauce. My chicken was pretty good, but when I tried her baked lamb I kicked myself for not ordering that. There was no way I could have desert, but my wife had their baklava, and my aunt ordered some kind of yogurt and honey, and we also enjoyed an after dinner Greek kiss drink. That's just about when the music started, and it wasn't too bad. We had to leave and the waiter told me they also have a belly dance show, which we missed. I have to go back soon to catch the show. Definitely worth it. read more

I just wanted to update my review on the Athenian, which I liked a lot last time I was there, late last year. Well, I went back last Wed. No jazz music this time, it was fairly quiet with just a few tables in there. I decided to try some of their non-traditional dishes and had the mussels for an appetizer and their salmon special. BIG MISTAKE. Don't misunderstand me, they were both out of this world, but the mussels order was huge, and by the time I was finished with it, I barely had room for half of my salmon :-( Then I started talking to the waitress and found out I was not being as adventurous as I thought. Apparently, mussels is a very traditional dish on most of the Greek islands (learn something every day). This place is a gem, but I almost didn't give them the 5 stars they deserve because they don't have the one thing I love. The syrupy desert made with the stringy filo dough (don't recall the Greek name for it). I strongly recommend you visit this place. Next time I go, I'll try their lamb and will update my review. read more

My boyfriend and I can't stop raving about this place. It's perfect for double dates or couples night out, with the music and dancing. We generally get Lamb Ka Bob and their shrimp casserole dish and split them. Very inexpensive and a ton of food. I'm not sure what vegetable Shirl is talking about, but my string beans are always fresh in a very light tomato sauce. My boyfriend usually goes for the Lima beans which I won't touch, but they too look fresh and in a light sauce. I see other reviewers don't like the service, but we find it very warm and welcoming. One night we were there with a group of ten celebrating a birthday, and they sent over ten of their specialty drinks. I think its called a Greek Kiss. It sure packs a wallop. There's even a regular customer of theirs that's always in there teaching non-greeks the line dances. We had a ball, and by the time we left, I had them down pat. I can't wait to go back again and see if I remember them. read more

Well, I ended up making another trip to the Athenian, though it took me much longer that I expected. I went there last Fri night. The place was quiet, until about 8:00 when the music started and then it got a bit too loud quickly. But, I went there for the food, so the music was extra. Our waitress had a heavy accent and I was afraid that this was going to be a challenging night, but her friendliness made up for her bad English. I had the spinach pie appetizer and the lamb shish over salad. with a glass of their recommended red wine, anastasa, or something. My friend had saganaki and the chicken shish. Well, it was like dying and going to heaven. The food was out of this world, as I expected and, the excellent service was a pleasant surprise! The only reason that they don't get 5 stars, is because of the loud music. read more

Hadn't been there for years (my father used to take me when I was younger). Went there last Friday and it was the most happening place I've seen in the area, in years! However, I went there for the food. Spinach pie and stuffed grape leaves. Best I've ever had, just like my grandmother used to make them for me! If you are looking for some modern Greek place, that pretends to present you with nuovo Greek cuizine, go somewhere else, but if you are looking for excellent, *real* Greek food, this is the place to go. I'll probably be there again sometime this weekend :-) read more

My family typically orders take-out most every thursday night. Typical order: 4 Greek salads w/ xtra dressing/ qt. egglemon soup/ saginaki/ 3 spinich pie appitizers, veggi platter, mousaka garnished, chicken kaboob dinner and baked lamb dinner along with a bottle of Thea's dressing. Runs us about $80+. We usually get Thursday meal, Midnight snack and Fridays left over meal. Good deal and great food. I'm getting hungry just typing this! And yes once in a while I get this custard dessert whose name I cant pronounce... Skalliabacka? Highly recommend. Nice people too. read more

As a college student and a gluten, I'm always searching for new cuisines and food joints to feed my hunger. I can't stand the typical Chinese food and cup o' noodles anymore. This place is heaven, comfort food beyond . belief. I loved the spanakopita and the mousaka. read more

Today was the first time I've ordered from Athenian corner and will be the last. They forgot my salad, the pasta was so hard so you know it was old, the mousaka was cold and super greasy. I was so disappointed. Will not ever go back. Olympia all the way! read more

Great food and free parking! Love the souvlaki sandwich and the baked lamb. Saganaki and assorted platter are great apps! Go there once a week for 25 years. For complete menu go to: www.atheniancorner.com read more

I love the Athenian Corner. Friendly staff and great food. I recommend the appetizer plate. The grape leaves are out of this world!