Olive Tree Restaurant
7000 E. Tanque Verde Road

READERS' PICK: One need look no further than Athens for authentic Greek delicacies served in an atmosphere as cool and breezy as a sail across the Aegean. Owners Andreas and Helen Delfakis treat the shrimp and pasta specials with the same care and attention to detail as they afford the traditional favorites like spicy gyros, delightfully briny dolmades and airy spanakopita. Strong, sweet coffee and quite possibly the creamiest rice pudding in town cap off a perfect, star-studded evening on Athens' comfy patio.

And when the craving for the food of the gods hits while you're on the eastern rim of our fair burg, try the Olive Tree. They cover all the basics in style, from baklava to tzatziki (though we don't recommend eating them in that order). It's a little pricier than your average pita, but definitely worth every bite.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: A local favorite for 25 years, Marathon Gyros Restaurant & Lounge, 1134 E. Sixth St., prides itself on authentic Athenian cuisine, making it far and away one of the best Greek eateries in town. Living in the shadow of the great downtown blob of the University of Arizona, it's a fine place to grab a quiet meal near campus--as long, that is, as the UA stays its hand from turning the south-of-campus row of shops in which Marathon resides into a parking lot, as has been long threatened. The daily lunch special is a substantial meal, usually involving a meat dish (the oregano chicken is to die for), salad, rice, and soup. Other plates include souvlakis, gyros, and lamb stew. For vegetarians, Marathon offers a range of salads and pilafs, along with a mean spanakopita. The dinner specials, usually priced in the neighborhood of $10, are even more substantial.

1997 Winner: The Olive Tree 1996 Winner: Athens on 4th Avenue 1995 Winner: Athens on 4th Avenue

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