Sofia’s Greek Bistro in Garden City is a small, family run Greek restaurant that showcases the wonderful flavors of one of the earliest cultures in the world. Run by partners Litsa and Jessie, Sofia’s Greek Bistro is located at State and Glenwood, convenient for either a nice dine-in experience or just online ordering and picking up carryout.
Walking in, you’re surrounded by family photos, mementos and lots of artwork. The artwork is done by both Litsa’s mother and Litsa herself; and adds a nice touch of family connection to Sofia’s Greek Bistro. The paintings also figure prominently in the dining room, further adding to the feeling of family. The menu features many recipes from Litsa’s family and their Greek heritage. There are also some nice twists on some of the dishes that make them unique to Sofia’s.
Appetizer wise, the menu features many of the standard Greek treats—Tyropita (feta stuffed phyllo pockets), Spanakopita (phyllo pockets stuffed with feta and spinach, Greek Hummus and Dolmades (beef and rice stuffed grape leaves). A great option is the Greek Sampler, which includes a nice choice of the appetizers. Tzatziki, Greece’s famous yogurt and cucumber sauce, is served with the traditional pita bread and fresh lemon. The twist comes with Hippie Dippie, their signature spicy tzatziki, topped with feta cheese and olives. These, plus several other items, give you a good cross section of Greek flavors.
There are several Entree salads including the iconic Greek Salad. These can also be added to by adding gyro meat,chicken, halloumi cheese (a semi-firm cheese from the Greek island of Cyprus, made from either goat or sheep’s milk) or falafel patties. You can also up the flavor with lamb souvlaki, marinated and grilled chunks of lamb, the favored meat in Greece. Greek Salad topped with Lamb Souvlaki is one of the primary dishes for the Greek Easter celebration.
Not common on most Greek restaurant’s menu, Sofia’s Greek Bistro shows their creative side by including burgers on the menu, accompanied by fries. Various choices include the Feta Burger, topped with a slice of the salty, delicious Greek Cheese; a Zeus Burger, which adds sliced gyro meat, bacon and American cheese to the Feta Burger; Van’s Burger, a bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions and pickles; plus a Veggie Burger that includes a vegan patty.
Of course, Greece is famous for their own version of a sandwich, rolled in a pita instead of using a bun. A B.F.G, their Big Fat Gyro, is a popular choice with slices of the famous beef and lamb meat. All the Pitas come with lettuce, tomato and onion inside and a choice of Greek sauces; plus a side of fries. Chicken, Bacon or Beer Battered Codfish are other options on the meat side. Falafel, Fried Halloumi Cheese and a Greek Veggie Pita round out the non-meat side.
There are very few meats that have as great a degree of love/hate as does lamb. Sofia’s slow roasted lamb, is a truly great version of this meat. It will wow anyone who likes lamb, and may even convert a few who are trying lamb for the first time. The slow roasted lamb appears on the menu in several different ways. On Saturday nights it comes as a special the Saturday Night Lamb and Patatas. Served with a side Greek Salad and warm pita bread, this traditional dish will please anyone who comes searching for one of the best lamb dishes in the Treasure Valley.
The slow roasted lamb is also the topper for one of their Lemon Rice Bowls. The popular Lemon Rice Bowls are served with a choice of sauces and a side of feta cheese. Vegan rice is also available, as is pita bread, mushrooms, zucchini or kale for a slight extra charge. Other choices in the Lemon Rice Bowls include Chicken (grilled or crispy fried), Lamb Souvlaki and the Gyro meat. Also showing the vegetarian side, there is a Veggie Bowl, a Falafel Bowl and a Low Carb Bowl (without the Lemon Rice but with gyro or chicken souvlaki).
With lamb being one of my favorite meats, I ordered the Lamb Pita. It was a substantial portion, rolled with the lettuce, onion and tomato into a fresh, warm pita. As the sauce, my choice was the Tzatziki. The lamb was amazing; extremely tender and with hints of the garlic, lemon, oregano and olive oil that it was marinated in. It was easily one of the best versions of lamb in any place. Having enjoyed Greek lamb and many places over the years, including a few days in Athens, that is indeed a high compliment to the cook and owners of Sofia’s Greek Bistro. The French fries were nicely cooked and a nice side, although next time for $1.25 extra a side Greek salad, some hummus and pita or special Greek fries might be a nice choice.
Dinners include Moussaka, a traditional dish with a creamy béchemel sauce covering tender eggplant and potato slices with a spiced beef filling topped with feta cheese; Pastichio, a similar dish that uses macaroni instead of the eggplant and potatoes; and also a Dolmades dinner. There are also platters made with fries and feta, tzatziki, kalamata olives and warm pita bread. Choices include Chicken or Lamb Souvlaki; Sliced Gyro meat or Falafel. There’s also a Combo Plate that includes both chicken and gyro meat. A Skinny Greek plate is also available with a smaller portion of the Greek salad, rice and a choice of Gyro or Chicken Souvlaki.
My friend
, who is a big fan of Sofia’s and had brought me there to try them, took advantage of their Daily Special. For that day, it was a nice looking plate accompanied by a Greek side salad, and some wonderful looking rice pilaf. The special was a Middle Eastern favorite called Kefta, which are small meatballs made of a delicious mix of beef and lamb. Served with pita and tzatziki, the meatballs had awesome flavor.
Last but not least, Sofia’s Greek Bistro has a nice choice of desserts. Baklava, the delicious Middle Eastern treat with many layers of phyllo drenched in Honey and filled with pistachios tops the list. A Fried Dessert Pita, Frappe Ice Cream Float make nice choices. There is also a Dessert Tyropitaka, available in several daily flavors. Beverages include Greek Coffee, a wide selection of sodas including a house made Baklava Soda and a Fresh Squeezed Limeade. On the adult side, they have a beer and wine list, featuring many Greek favorites.
A full choice of tasty items for kids under 12 includes Cheesy Flatbread, a kid’s Rice Bowl or a kid’s Chicken or Gyro Pita with fries. Traditional kid’s choices include a Mac & Cheese, Cheeseburger and fries or Chicken Strips and Fries.
Sofia’s Greek Bistro has weathered the pandemic not only by staying in business, but helping the community when it hit by providing 1200 free lunches for children who were no longer getting fed at school. The staff wear masks and asks that the customers do too unless seated, which is normal for most restaurants and bars these days. Despite some angry reviews over the mask policy, they have chosen to continue with the policy to protect themselves and their customers. The service was prompt and friendly, with ample seating that is socially distanced. A full online take out menu is available plus ample parking.
Exceptional food and a nice casual atmosphere make Sofia’s an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. By updating several of Litsa’s old family recipes, they have added a unique touch to the Greek specialties they serve. Sofia’s Greek Bistro is truly a Boise and Garden City gem and well worth a try, even if you haven’t had Greek food before. Like many of their regular customers, you’ll likely become a fan of Sofia’s Greek Bistro.
Sofia’s Greek Bistro
6748 N. Glenwood
Garden City, ID
(208) 853-0844
