My Greek Neighborhood In the Middle of New York City

I write often about my neighborhood. Sure, we always hear about Astoria being “Greektown USA” and the central focal point of New York City’s Greek community.

And again, sure– the cliches are there… The dancing Zorbas, the kitschy Greek key writing that has been now forever immortalized in My Big Fat Greek Wedding— even transforming the Greek sigma into an epsilon… but anyways, who’s talking about “minor” details like that?

I walked to the bank yesterday… Just a few blocks down Crescent Street, to 24th Avenue and onto 31st Street to the Ditmars Boulevard station. A Greek flag on someone’s mailbox led me to pay closer attention to my walk… And everywhere, beyond the kitsch, I realized more and more just how Greek my neighborhood really is. I hope you enjoy my walk to the bank, where I needed to go and order some temporary checks because I had run out.

Incidentally, as my (Greek) banker walked away to the printer, he asked me if I wanted my “addressa” printed on the “tsekia.”

Θέλεις την αντρέσσα απάνω στα τσέκια? He asked me.

I noticed the flag. The man poked his head out the window and I asked, "Why the flag?" He responded... It's been there for 30 years. Because I'm a proud Greek," he said with a heavy New York accent.

Manavi (Greek word for grocer) Market, with a Greek American politician's campaign poster behind it.

Greek music and events are happening all the time and they are advertised, as if it's Madonna or Beyonce in concert.

Spring is in the air at the local Anthopoleio on 31st Street

The Astoria Fishery is... Elliniko

There's even "life music" at this restaurant!

The local "pharmakeion"

Old school social networking at To Laiko coffee shop

From the Docanese islands... to Astoria

All trains in Astoria lead to Ditmars Station