In late 2003, native Grecian Angelo Ladas suggested to his father that he remodel his deteriorating hot dog stand on the corner of Damen and Augusta and turn it into a classier Greek eatery. His father resisted, claiming that the neighborhood wasn't ready for anything even marginally refined. Then, in early 2004, when Ladas' parents went on a trip to Greece, he took it upon himself to gut the place and turn it into the Greek restaurant he'd been urging for.

Ladas' creation, Greek Corner, is the antithesis of a restaurant in Greektown, where your food is served on nice china, the dress code is slightly upscale and you wouldn't think about going alone. It's a neighborhood place where the sociable Ladas greets you as soon as you walk in, and you'd feel just as comfortable sitting down unaccompanied for a quick bite as you would carting in a six-pack with a bunch of friends (it's BYOB) and lounging on the patio.

After their initial shock, Ladas' parents agreed to help their son with the behind-the-scenes operations of Greek Corner. His mother cooks heaping portions of Grecian chicken, spanakopita (spinach and feta cheese filo pie) and baklava daily, while his father spears chunks of chicken and pork onto skewers for the souvlaki plate. Ladas shows off his creativity with the pita wraps and Greek pizza, which substitute freshly made pita bread for the traditional tortilla or pizza dough. Nothing on the menu exceeds $12.75, and with gyros for $4.95 and avgolemono soup (egg lemon soup made with rice and chicken broth) for $1.75, it's easy to leave full and happy for less than $10.

Centerstage Reviewer: Laura Brown