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Photo courtesy of Pan Hellenic Pastry Shop Facebook page

Pan Hellenic Pastry Shop

Item: Pan Hellenic Pastry Shop
Author: Jamie Bartosch

Cuisine: Bakery, European, Greek

Price: $

10Best Says

A family-owned bakery that's been around since 1974, this is THE place to get authentic Greek desserts in Chicago. While many of the items have long, hard-to-pronounce names (Galaktoboureko, anyone?), everything is fresh, delicious and handmade. They have breads, pastries, cookies and cakes, and a few items that could make a delicious lunch, like the Spanakopita (spinach and cheese pies). The baklava is outstanding, and customers usually buy amigdalota (almond cookies), Louis' Cookies (a chocolate sandwich), baklava and other Greek cookies and pastries by the box-full. There are a few tables inside, but most people take their sweet treats to go.

Address:

322 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60661

Phone:

(312) 454-1886

Website:

panhellenicpastryshop.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Jamie Bartosch
Chicago Local Expert

Greek: "Try the house specialty - Louie's Cookies. Named after the owner, they're made with two chocolate and walnut meringue cookies with a fudge middle."

Best for Greek Because: It's a longtime, family-run bakery that sells authentic, homemade Greek desserts.

EXPERT TIPS BY: Megy Karydes
Chicago Local Expert

Dessert: "Try the house specialty - Louie's Cookies. Named after the owner, they're made with two chocolate and walnut meringue cookies with a fudge middle."

Best for Dessert Because: It's a great, longtime, family-run bakery that sells homemade and authentic Greek desserts.

Main Menu
- Pan Pastries
  Baklava
  
  the most well known greek pastry. it's made of alternating layers of lightly buttered phyllo dough (40 leaves in all) and ground walnuts. after it's baked we drench it in our signature honey syrup. we are certain you won't find a better baklava anywhere in the western hemisphere. ($2.45)
  
  Galaktoboureko
  
  a greek dessert staple. our milk custard with the slightest hint of lemon, encased in butter phyllo dough. it's baked to golden brown and covered in honey syrup. a must try. ($2.45)
  
  Kataifi
  
  rolls of shredded wheat glazed over with our clarified butter that are filled with ground walnuts. they are then baked to golden brown and soaked in honey syrup. ($2.45)
  
  Saragli
  
  a pastry with similar ingredients to our classic baklava that is cut into a pinwheel shape. we fill our saragli with your choice of pecans or pistachios. ($2.45)
  
  Floyera
  a baklava alternative, filled with a mix of ground walnuts and almonds. floyera means flute in greek and these pastries are shaped like flutes. they are easier to handle than baklava and so are a very popular for party platters. we also offer floyeres that are dipped in dark chocolate instead of honey. ever since this option has become available, it has become one of our best selling items!
  
  $1.85
  
  $1.95
  Karidopita
  
  a walnut honey cake with hints of cinnamon, clove and lemon. ($2.45)
  
  Diples
  a specialty that you can only find here! an airy egg based pastry dough that is hand rolled while being fried. it's then soaked in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and ground walnuts. perfect with coffee or tea.
  
  Large: $2.45
  
  Small: $1.60
  Samous
  
  this version of baklava is popular in our native region of lakonia. it's a roll of thicker than usual phyllo dough filled with toasted almonds and sesame. it's baked, sometimes with olive oil and sometimes with clarified butter. ($2.75)
- Cookies/Biscuits
  
  Koulouria
  
  our vanilla and orange infused butter cookies. perfect for your morning coffee or tea. ($5.95)
  
  Kourabiethes
  
  a greek staple on the dessert table. they are almond butter cookies with bits of almond in the dough. we also add a hint of clove. we then cover them in mounds of powdered sugar. ($10.75)
  
  Melomakarona
  
  another greek classic. honey and spice walnut cookies. we use clove, cinnamon and just a little lemon zest to give them their singular taste. ($10.75)
  
  Amigdalota
  
  almond paste cookies that we offer in various shapes. we also offer them with an apricot jam filling. they have been customer favorites for years. ($14.25)
  
  Louie’s Cookies
  
  our house specialty named after louie (the owner) for a recipe that you won’t find anywhere else. they consist of two chocolate and walnut meringue cookies with a fudge middle. our best seller after baklava, they are a must try. ($14.25)
  
  Paximadia
  
  our twice baked biscotti with anise and sesame. ($9.95)
  
  Macaroons
  
  try our soft and airy coconut macaroons. they are not a greek specialty but ours are some of the best you’ll find anywhere. available plain or half dipped in dark chocolate. ($1.15)
  
  Shortbread Petit Fours
  
  our homemade shortbread cookies feature orange zest and a chocolate or apricot jam filling. they are available with a variety of toppings which change frequently. our customers love assortments of these for parties or to give as gifts. ($9.95)
  
  Moustokouloura
  
  these were seasonal until they became so popular that we now have them year round! these non-dairy biscuits are made from flour, olive oil and grape must. that’s it. absolutely amazing flavor and must be tried. we also make them with fresh orange juice instead of grape. ($6.50)
- Tortes/Cakes
  
  Nougatina
  
  almond custard in layers of almond cake. topped with fresh whipped cream. ($2.95)
  
  Sokolatina
  
  rich chocolate cake and chocolate whipped cream in alternating layers. ($2.95)
  
  Serrano
  
  layers of vanilla cake surrounding our chocolate whipped cream. ($2.95)
  
  Napoleon (Mille - Feuille)
  
  our version of a classic pastry. numerous layers of our light pastry dough that envelopes our light vanilla custard. we top it with whipped cream and powdered sugar. ($2.95)
  
  Tiramisu
  
  coffee dipped layers of sponge cake alternating with layers of whipped sweetened mascarpone cream. we then sprinkle cocoa on top. ($2.95)
  
  Black Forest
  
  our take on this classic cake features a layer of chocolate cake, a layer of vanilla custard and a layer of cherry. we top it of with a layer of whipped cream. ($2.95)
  
  Eclaire
  
  we make ours with a wonderful homemade, light and airy pastry dough filled with vanilla custard and topped with chocolate. ($2.95)
  
  Koko
  
  a greek favorite. it is two layers of round vanilla sponge cake with vanilla custard in between. we then dip one end in dark chocolate. ($2.95)
- Breads/Savories
  Bread
  we keep our bread choices simple. in fact we only have one kind! it’s made in the traditional greek style. it’s a mix of white and wheat with a crispy shell and soft middle. we sell it in different shapes and sizes to fit any occasion.
  
  $1.15
  
  $3.75
  
  $5.25
  Spanakopita
  we are famous for our spinach and feta cheese pies, which have become a staple for countless greek town patrons. again we keep things simple. phyllo dough, clarified butter, imported feta, spinach, onion and dill are baked to golden brown perfection.
  
  $3.95
  
  Appetizer Tray: $19.75
  Tiropita
  our tiropita is made in the same way as our spanakopita and just as wonderful. it’s a phyllo dough triangle pocket filled with a feta and ricotta mix, with a little black pepper and sea salt as seasoning.
  
  $3.50
  
  Appetizer Tray: $19.75
  Pizza
  
  we decided to get creative with our bread so we've added pizza to the menu! toppings will rotate but we'll always offer at least one vegeterian choice. ($2.85)
  
  Homemade Rice Pudding
  
  ($2.75)
- Speciality
  
  Milopita
  
  our milk custard wrapped in phyllo dough. we bake it and then liberally sprinkle i got powdered sugar and cinnamon on it. a customer favorite since 1974. ($2.75)
  
  Milopita
  
  our version of apple strudel made with phyllo dough (of course) instead of a puff pastry dough. inside you will find slices of fresh apples along with some golden raisins and a mixture of nuts. it’s also covered in powdered sugar and cinnamon. ($3.25)
  
  Pasteli
  
  pasteli is a simple sweet snack made from sesame seeds and honey. that’s it. ($1.75)
  
  Karioka
  
  a chocolate concoction that can best be described as “brownie-like” in texture but we add walnuts, almonds and strawberry jam to the chocolate dough. we then add a dark chocolate coat to each. ($2.25)
  
  Loukoumades
  
  loukoumades are light and airy fried dough dumplings. after frying them we immerse them in warm honey and sprinkle with cinnamon and crushed walnuts. we make them only on saturdays and during the halsted street “taste of greece”. ($5.75)
  
  Tsoureki
  
  tsoureki is more cake than bread. it’s a specialty bread that we make during holidays the year round. it’s egg based and is spiced with mastic resin from chios, mahlab from syria, and cinnamon. we sweeten it with fresh orange juice for a truly original taste. ($7.45)

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