Festivals & Events
Greek Foods: From baklava to pastichio, your guide to the Myrtle Beach Greek Festival

The Myrtle Beach Greek festival is full of entertainment and vendors, but food is definitely the main event for most fans. The options can be as overwhelming as they are delicious so we put together this handy guide to the Greek treats you'll want to explore.

Hungry patrons can start at the St. John's fellowship hall, located just past the main entrance to the Greek festival. It is home to many of the main dishes of the event. Limited seating is available as is Greek beer and wine. You'll pass the desserts on the way, and you'll want to make a stop on your way out!

Greek main dishes

Gyro – The traditional gyro includes a mixture of lamb and beef in a warm pita bread with tomato, onions and Tzatziki sauce (a delicious combo of cucumber, yogurt and garlic). You can also order a gyro with chicken instead of the lamb and beef.

Mousaka – This filling casserole features eggplant with ground beef, cheese and potatoes topped with a cream sauce.

Pastichio – This baked pasta dish includes layers of macaroni, ground beef and cheese seasoned with nutmeg and cinnamon. It is topped with a cream sauce.

Greek salad – If you're looking for lighter fare, try a Greek salad. Served either with or without chicken, the salad includes iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions and feta cheese with an oil-based Greek dressing. The salads are served with warm pita bread.

Souvlaki – This freshly grilled pork tenderloin is served on skewers. Follow your nose to the grill outside of the main building at the Greek Festival.

Locanica – Greek sausage flavored with orange and served with onions on a roll.

Greek side dishes

Spanikopita – Triangles of spinach pie baked in phyllo dough with feta cheese, cream cheese, egg and herbs.

Tiropita – Triangle of cheese pie baked in phyllo dough with feta, cream cheese and eggs.

Roasted Greek potatoes – Tender roasted potatoes flavored with lemon juice, olive oil and oregano.

Dolmathes – Rice and meat rolled in grape leaves.

Greek desserts

Baklava – A flaky pastry with layers of crushed walnuts, almonds and butter topped with spiced honey. Variations at the Greek festival include baklava drizzled with chocolate and baklava sundaes.

Loukoumades – Fried donut holes topped with spiced honey syrup, cinnamon and powdered sugar. Find these made to order in a vendor tent at the festival. A serving includes enough to share.

Diples – Crisp pastry dipped in honey and topped with cinnamon.

Kourambiethes – Similar to Italian wedding cookies, these are simple butter cookies covered with confectioners sugar.

Melomakorona – These egg-shaped cookies — a popular Christmas treat — are topped with spiced honey and walnuts.

Kok – A greek cream puff made with sweet butter, custard and whipped cream, topped with chocolate.

The Greek Festival is Sept. 26-29, 2013, at St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 3301 33rd Ave. N. Ext., Myrtle Beach.