A new Mediterranean restaurant is entering the downtown Jersey City scene. Called Ela Greek Kitchen, this new eatery is currently being brought to life by the same owners as Buddy’s JC. Read on to learn more about Ela Greek Kitchen.
(Photo credit: @ela_greekkitchen)
What We Know
Ela Greek Kitchen is located at 179 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, taking over the gift shop Fairy Tale Place’s former location. Next door is Milk & Cream Cereal Bar, Barcade, and Helen’s Pizza.
The Mediterranean restaurant made its debut on social media at the beginning of November and since then has been sharing a sneak peek and behind the scenes of the renovation going on inside the downtown Jersey City space.
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The owner is George Makrogiannis, who is also the owner of Buddy’s JC — formerly known as Buddy’s Who. Located at 247 Washington Street, Buddy’s, which opened in December 2017, is known for its specialty burgers and cereal-stuffed pancakes.
Menu Items
Ela will be nothing short of the traditional favorites of Greek cuisine. Featured on the social media profile are pictures of what’s to come. This includes chicken, souvlaki, gyro, steak, spanakopita, Greek salad, olives and hummus dip, the classic stuffed grape leaves, tzatziki, and pita bread among other items.
There will also be a small bakery with dessert items like baklava and galaktoboureko (semolina custard baked in filo).
(Photo credit: @ela_greekkitchen)
The new eatery will bring only the freshest ingredients to the table and ingredients straight from the motherland. Not only that, but the owners will make food so authentic, you’ll think you’re in Greece.
Coming Soon
Hoboken Girl has been told that Ela is expected to open at the end of March. “We’re thinking late March as long as there are no hiccups with permits or construction or anything like that,” John, who also is working on Ela, tells us.
So far the reception from neighbors on social media has been positive. One follower commented, “I’m Greek and there’s nothing Greek around here … I cannot wait!” while another stated, “I have been waiting for a Greek restaurant forever!” Someone else quipped, “Thanks for opening close to us! We’ve been dying for a taste of authentic Greek!”
(Photo credit: @ela_greekkitchen)
Ela joins the list of other Mediterranean restaurants in Jersey City including Efes Mediterranean Grill (515 Jersey Avenue), CAVA (30 Montgomery Street), Ibby’s Falafel (303 Grove Street), and Rumi Turkish Grill (67 Greene Street) among others.
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Upon opening, Ela will be available for dine-in, delivery, and takeout. It will also be open late Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The hours of operation are TBD.
For the latest updates, be sure to follow Ela Greek Kitchen on Instagram found here. The website can be found here.
