Alexis

03/14/2008 Posted by jonasweb16

Seedy joint in a seedy area of town and memorably bad service. $7.95 for tzatziki in a finger bowl! If you want pita bread to go with it..... well then cough up $2.00 more for 2 pieces! The food for their prices might have been acceptable had it not been for the wretched attitude of the server. The food really is not cheap when you have to pay for bad service as well! Next time, I will be driving 16 blocks due west and keeping my eye out on the amazing Greek restaurant at the corner of 18th and Burnside.

Pros: none

Cons: service, value, and location

12/11/2007 Posted by portlandinsider

Not sure why everyone seems to like this place. Here's what I experienced: 1. Poor service: The hosts were more interested in cheering on the belly dancer than seating us. The waitress seemed tired, bored, and took forever between ordering drinks and entrees. 2. Stale bread to begin the meal. 3. A $7 small "Greek" salad that includes lettuce, tomato, onion, olives, and some olive oil. Should be called a side salad. 4. Canned vegetables and cheap rice pilaf from a box made for a pathetic $17 souvlaki. 5. A belly dancer who struts around while men put cash in her outfit--really classy! 6. Noisy, unclean, poor location. If this restaurant were good, it would be located in a better area of town. If you've ever eaten really delectable Greek food (i.e., Ella's in Vancouver, B.C.), you will be sorely disappointed by the poor quality of Alexis.

Pros: None

Cons: Everything

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

11/15/2007 Posted by sunshinegal78

We went to Alexis on a Sat. night with a party of 11 that included 5 children under the age of 4! We had a reservation and we seated immediately upstairs. From the beginning, the service was impeccable. Our waiter was attentive, experienced and polite. Since our party was so large, we decided to order the family-style meal, which was delicious. I was the lone vegetarian and the waiter offered to bring me vegetarian substitutes for the entrees that contained meat. Even after asking for extra napkins and plates, more milk for the kids, etc., our waiter seemed unfazed and continued to provide excellent service. The food was authentic and plentiful and the ambiance was festive and inviting. We were in Portland for the weekend visiting from Seattle, and my husband remarked that we should make the 3-hour drive again just to visit Alexis! A true Greek dining experience!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

02/12/2007 Posted by sc_ross

You have probably passed Alexis a number of times... every time you go to the Portland Saturday Market or drive in to China Town. It's entrance is very unobtrusive and looks to be closed - that is what people WANT you to think. This has to be the best Greek food this side of Mount Olympus. Absolutely fantastic service, cuisine and ambiance. Their dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) are like no other - warmed with a light gravy. The avgolemono (egg and lemon soup) will bring tears of joy to your eyes. The staff and owner go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable, happy and well fed. Prices are so fair that you will double take your bill. Trust us... make your way to Alexis.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/23/2006 Posted by vanloon

I've always heard great things about Alexis so finally gave it a try. The service was wonderful, the environment was great and it felt like I was part of a large family. The belly dancer came out just a little past 8pm and that was fun too. I ordered the lamb souvlaki and my daughter ordered the lamb chops. They were both very delicious as was the salad and feta cheese appetizer. The only thing I could see improved are the rice and vegetables, they were a bit underwhelming and I had hoped for some type of Tzatziki sauce with the dish. For the money, I think the Greek Cuisina has better food, though for warm and welcoming atmosphere Alexis wins out.

Pros: Good place to bring children and relatives, belly dancers, appetizers

Cons: Location, bland rice & soggy veggies

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/12/2006 Posted by sliplog22

Very friendly and accomodating staff. The Melitzano is a must try as well as the chicken/lemon soup. They also have an excellent menu of Greek wines.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

08/09/2006 Posted by buben

This is the spot I crave. It doesn't pretend to be upscale and the food is always fantastic, the wines are reasonable in price, and the staff is friendly.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/17/2006 Posted by lmke

My family and I went here for lunch on a Friday at 12:15 and ordered hummus as an appetizer. After about 5 minutes we were informed that they were out of hummus. We were a little dumbfounded and contemplated leaving but decided we would stick it out. While we waited 30 minutes for our food to arrive we watched everyone who arrived after us get, and eat, their meals. When our meals finally came I asked what had taken so long our server informed us that the pork I ordered took a long time to cook. I had purposely avoided ordering the items on the menu that said "Allow 15 minutes." From that moment on we did not see the server again. We had 3 different dishes...all of which were uninspired and sub-par. -The chicken Gyros was horrible. The chicken could best be described as bad lunch meat. -The pork skewers that took so long to cook was undercooked, greasy, and fatty. -The lamb/noodle dish was adequate but nothing worth ordering again. The manager did try to salvage the experience by comping us desserts...which were quite tasty. He also informed us that our order had been lost by the kitchen and had to be remade. All in all....it was one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/23/2005 Posted by aliskyblue

At Alexis I always have an outstanding expirence. Gerry the manager is so friendly and kind. The food and service has always been excellent. I have been eating there with my family since we moved to portland (1990) and now that I am on my own, I still frequent Alexis with my friends. Try the Gyros.

Pros: Service, Value, Excellent Food

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/12/2005 Posted by lemondrop78

The service was really good as soon as we walked in. They give you a loaf of sesame seeded bread in the beginning, it would be better if it was heated warm though but otherwise it's still good. I ordered the Moussaka. The only thing i didn't like is that the entrees are served with vegetables that remind me of the frozen bagged veggies with peas, green beans, etc. cooked in their own tomatoey sauce. It tasted good but just didn't seem very authentic greek to me. They have an extensive wine list though and other than the veggies i'd say everything else was really good.

Pros: Inexpensive, Friendly service

Cons: Prefrozen veggies?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful