Koukouzeli adds Greek street food to Italian Market mix

The Italian Market's melting pot is stirring again. Greek street food is on the way to Ninth Street.

Spyro Tsibogos, who's managed a few places in town (notably the late Il Cantuccio in Northern Liberties), is planning a Friday, Oct. 12 opening of Koukouzeli — a casual spot named after a branch of his family — at 1134 S. Ninth St.

It's next door to Connie's Ric Rac, just south of Washington Avenue. Click here for a preopening video look-see.

Fast-casual Greek food has become a thing in the area — among the recent-comers are Yeeroh, two locations of Yiro-Yiro, and in the burbs Yia It's All Greek to Me, Simple Greek, and the new Freddy's Street Food.

Koukouzeli is a step above fast-casual, in that the menu is not designed around build-you-own pita sandwiches made assembly-line-style.

Tsibogos' opening menu includes souvlaki (pork, steak, chicken, and a vegan version made with seitan), a gyro pita made with shaved pork, and a lamb chop platter served with roasted potatoes and slaw.

He's also offering various fries, dolmades done up as spring rolls, spanikopita, and a vegan version of tzatziki.

Beverage lineup includes coffee frappes and three kinds of drinks — sour cherry juice, wildflower iced tea, and mint cucumber tonic.

Desserts include cherry or honey yogurt with candied walnuts, loukoumades, baklava, and that Greek specialty, vanilla cream.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.