Legal Grounds needed something to fill its dormant space at night, and “Lakewood needed a little bit of the Mediterranean,” says Pete Zotos, owner of St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin in Deep Ellum. The solution? New Greek restaurant Papou’s. Nothing has changed about the coffee shop — it still buzzes with caffeinated neighborhood residents from morning until afternoon. But as night falls, the lights dim, the checkered tablecloths appear, and hash browns make way for hummus. “It doesn’t feel like you’re having dinner in the coffee shop,” insists Legal Grounds owner Cory Murphy, who teamed up with Zotos and Jack Rohde to create Papou’s. The menu, ranging from dolmas to moussaka, is comprised of Zotos’ family recipes — including Yia Yia (Grandmother) Kiki’s secret recipe for lentil soup and Yia Yia Venetia’s famous cookies, koulourakia. The owners and cooks underwent a week of two-a-days with Zotos’ mother, who traveled from Houston to hone their Greek cooking skills. Mrs. Zotos makes the baklava herself, however, and ships it to the restaurant via Greyhound.

Papou’s Greek Kitchen and Taverna
2015 Abrams
214-824-5800
HOURS: Mon-Sat, 5:30-10 p.m.
$$, FB

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