# What is a "Greek Salad" to you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 25, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232 "2010-10-25T01:11:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/21 "2010-10-25T03:56:38Z")
bare minimum: feta cheese and olives. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/22 "2010-10-25T04:01:45Z")
Down in the Palmetto Flat, river, and jungle of Florida they serve a Greek Salad like I have never seen. They place a big old scoop of sweet mustard tater salad in a salad plate and build a classic American “Greek Salad” around it. It’s pretty damn good. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/23 "2010-10-25T08:50:36Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, feta cheese, cucumbers, olives, oregano, lemon juice, and olive oil. NO lettuce. This is what I had in Greece. > [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > Lettuce, tomato, red onion, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a vinaigrette that’s heavy on lemon and oregano are necessary. > > Extras include cucumbers, banana peppers, and green or red bell peppers. This is what I typically get in the States, but quite often, cucumbers are included. I have a vinaigrette recipe from a Greek-American friend, and it is just as **Drain Bead** says: heavy on oregano and lemon. ---
**Author:** ![footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/footballisplayedwithyourfeet)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/24 "2010-10-25T09:02:06Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > bare minimum: feta cheese and olives. This is what i usually get (in Europe, but not Greece perse). i have never ever seen tomatoes or cucumbers in greek salads. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/25 "2010-10-25T09:10:45Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > …just like the Greeks don’t call it “Greek Salad” in Greece.) To be fair, every Greek salad I’ve ever had in Greece has been called ‘Greek salad’ on the menu, but I imagine this is down to being in tourist areas (Greek islands, specifically). > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Maserschmidt View Post > Tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, feta cheese, cucumbers, olives, oregano, lemon juice, and olive oil. NO lettuce. This, too, is what I’ve already had in Greece. Onions are either red or white. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/26 "2010-10-25T10:28:17Z")
In the Detroit area, beets are a necessary component. Why we’re the only ones who do this, I’ve no idea, but I love them that way. So, greens with kalamata olives, beets, feta, pepperocini, cucumbers and tomatoes is a standard greek salad to me. Often, bell peppers and chick peas are included. Dressings range from the typical vinaigrettes with lemon and herbs to some sort of thickish creamy pink stuff of unknown origin. ETA: red onions are also standard, but I prefer to order without. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/27 "2010-10-25T12:14:37Z")
Romaine lettuce with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, an oil-and-vinegar dressing, and oregano. Bonus points for having roasted red peppers too. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/28 "2010-10-25T12:32:00Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > A traditional garden salad with feta and black olives, with italian dressing. (this is how I like it, minus the olives) with pita on the side. I’ve had this, with olives, beets and anchovies and enjoyed it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/29 "2010-10-25T15:42:56Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t know anything about LA Greek restaurants, but just googling LA Greek restaurants, I see the following: > > George’s Greek Cafe: Serves Greek Salad with greens; lettuce-less version is called Horiatiki/Greek Village salad, as in Chicago. > > Papa Cristo’s: Greek Salad with “crispy lettuce.” No mention of horiatiki > > Le Petite Greek: No sign of any “Greek salad,” but entrees are served with horiatiki > > Daphne’s Greek Cafe: Greek salad has lettuce (although this looks almost like a fast food-type joint.) > > Joseph’s Cafe: Nothing called a Greek salad, but house salad is lettuce version of Greek salad. > > Delphi Greek Cuisine: Greek salad contains romaine; lettuce-less version is called “village salad.” > > El Greco Cafe: Greek salad contains lettuce. Horiatiki salad described as “Greek salad, no lettuce.” > > The Great Greek: “Greek village salad” contains greens (!?) Greenless version is called “Greek taverna salad.” > > Casual Greek Cafe: Finally! Here’s one where the “Greek salad” does not have greens. > > Knight Restaurant: “Greek salad” contains greens. No greenless version. > > I’m not cherry-picking here, either. I’m going through all the menus I could find from Google and Yelp for Greek restaurants in LA, and it seems that the distinction that’s made here is also made there. Yet nobody expects greens in a _caprese_ salad. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/30 "2010-10-25T19:59:34Z")
**devilsknew** comes closest I reckon. Here’s my take: [The perfect Greek Salad](http://scepticaltraveller.blogspot.com/2010/09/perfect-greek-salad.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/31 "2010-10-25T20:33:54Z")
Was in Greece less than a month ago and I have pictures of two salads that were divine! [http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs366.ash2/64492\_1651238121055\_1240052951\_1793709\_6939659\_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs366.ash2/64492_1651238121055_1240052951_1793709_6939659_n.jpg) [http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs386.snc4/44882\_1651182479664\_1240052951\_1793564\_4523389\_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs386.snc4/44882_1651182479664_1240052951_1793564_4523389_n.jpg) I’ll take either, please. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/32 "2010-10-25T21:31:26Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Yet nobody expects greens in a _caprese_ salad. I’ve seen it with arugula, but I know that’s not really Insalata Caprese (though I enjoy it quite a bit.) I suppose the basil leaves, in their aromatic way, serve as the greens. I never heard of beets in a Greek salad, but then I remember the first time, many years ago, when I tried chicken/spinach enchiladas–and liked 'em. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/33 "2010-10-25T22:43:09Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Just call it horiatiki if you want it without lettuce and there should be no confusion I’m in the Midwest. Asking for “horiatiki” will cause confusion 😉 > [@Queen\_Tonya](#): > > In the Detroit area, beets are a necessary component. Why we’re the only ones who do this, I’ve no idea, but I love them that way. It was a Greek salad from Detroit that had beets, prompting the OP. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/34 "2010-10-25T22:46:05Z")
I expect a Greek salad to be a salad that I don’t need to specify anything, including the dressing. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/35 "2010-10-25T22:53:55Z")
Romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, salt and pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/36 "2010-10-25T23:29:27Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > It was a Greek salad from Detroit that had beets, prompting the OP. And the verdict? C’mon, admit it, it was good wasn’t it? Pickled beets making your feta all pinkish and extra yummy. Give in to the weirdness! ---
**Author:** ![Jennmonkye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/278dde/32.png) [@Jennmonkye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennmonkye)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/37 "2010-10-26T02:14:12Z")
My personal experience with Greek salad (from having a best friend who is Greek) is there is no lettuce…and the onions were always pulled from the wild onions growing in the yard (in South Carolina)…Here in Omaha…order Greek salad and you get the traditional salad with no greens. If you want greens, you order the “Athenian” salad…both are spectacularly good and look like the photos taken by “Sleeps with Butterflies”. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/38 "2010-10-26T04:44:25Z")
I’ve had greek salads with beets. Very specifically the crinkles cut, cubed, canned and pickled, sweet and sour beets. That was local and it wasn’t detroit. It was at a lebanese place with their version of “mediterraneaen salad.” ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/39 "2010-10-26T10:30:01Z")
When I make it: Feta, cucumber,onion, kalamata olives, tomatoes, oregano, grilled slices of lemon, olive oil, with pieces of toasted pitta, taramasalata and tzatziki on the side and served with nice grilled lamb chops in the summer. I don’t like green capsicum/peppers so I don’t add them. I also do a “Cypriot” version with grilled Halloumi instead of feta if I’m not serving lamb. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232/40 "2010-10-26T19:36:20Z")
I have spent a fair amount of time on Crete. There, the village salad is tomatoes, cucumber, onion, oregano, olive oil and lemon juice. Feta and olives were present but always on the side. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-greek-salad-to-you/558232.md?page=3)