The St. Sophia Greek Festival is held on the grounds of the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Elgin, Illinois. We are located just north of I-90 at Route 31. Exit Route 31 North and turn left at your first left. The Church will be on your right as the road wraps around. Parking is available along the street and on the Messiah Lutheran Church grounds next door, where proceeds benefits PADS.

Map to St. Sophia

The Greek food at the St. Sophia Greek Festival is unparalleled in the Chicago area. Everyone has their favorite dishes, whether it's the crisp flavors in gyro, comfort qualities of pastitsio, or flame of the saganaki. 

(Only main dishes will be available during the Friday lunch time from 11-1.  These include Grecian Chicken, Souvlaki, Gyros, Pastitsio, Mousaka and Greek Salad.)

As you enjoy the sights, sounds (and smells) of the festival, we ask that you make your way to the cashier booth near the center of the festival when you are ready to eat.  We will be happy to help you make your selections, and then you will be issued a receipt that you can hand to the food booth attendant (at any time, does not have to be right away!)  who will fill your entire order, with hot, fresh food in a "to go" plate.  Find a seat under a shady tent, or enjoy the sun near the Kafenio!

Menu

Grecian Chicken  - Half chicken roasted, Grecian style, with a mixture of lemon, oil, and oregano.  Served with rice, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and bread.  GET THIS AT THE DRIVE THRU TOO!

Souvlaki  - (shish-ka-bob) - Grilled pork tenderloin marinated in our special recipe. Served with rice, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and bread. GET THIS AT THE DRIVE THRU TOO!

Gyros Plate  -  Lamb, grilled and sliced fresh, and served on pita bread, tzatziki (cucumber and yogurt) sauce, tomatoes and onions. Served with olives.  GET THIS AT THE DRIVE THRU TOO!

Pastichio   -  The Greek version of lasagna — macaroni with braised ground lamb & beef, topped with béchamel sauce and baked. Served with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and bread. 

Moussaka   -  Layers of eggplant, potato, ground lamb and beef, topped with a light béchamel sauce and baked. Served with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and bread. 

Add a slice of Pastichio or Moussaka to any entrée for $4.00 more - Ask for the "Combo." 

Saganaki   - Opa!! Seared vlahotiri cheese flamed with brandy and lemon and served fresh to you. 

Greek Salad   -   Lettuce, feta cheese, tomatoes, Greek olives, oregano, salt, onion, cucumbers all tossed in a light olive oil dressing.  Served with bread. GET THIS AT THE DRIVE THRU TOO!

Appetizer Plate  -   A bit of everything!  Dolomades (grape leaf, rice and meat), tyropita (Greek style cheese pie in a crispy filo crust), spanakopita (Greek style cheese and spinach in a crispy filo crust), Greek sausage,  kasseri cheese, tomato, cucumber, olives and bread.   

Greek Fries   -  "Greek Style" fries, lightly seasoned with Greek herbs and spices, topped with feta cheese, and a wedge of lemon to squeeze over the top.    

Hamburger and chips   

"Greek" Style Hamburgers - A nice juicy burger with a little feta cheese, crisp tomato and seasoned with oregano!

Hot Dog and chips  

Friday Special Lunch Orders - GREEK FOOD 2 GO

Sound delicious?  How about treating your employees to a delicious lunch on Friday afternoon?  Place your order, email or fax it in, and we will have it ready for you anytime to pick up on Friday, July 13th from 11AM-1PM.  Please contact Kristin Smith at greekfood2go@aol.com. 

Please click here for an order form.  (Not linked yet...but will be in time for the fest!) 

For your Friday lunch order, we ask that you please pay cash or have a check ready made out to "St. Sophia" for the total amount.  

Beverages

Visit our beverage bar for all your favorite soft drinks, spirits and Grecian thirst quenchers! 

Alcoholic beverages served only to guests 21 years of age and older. You must provide legal identification to receive wristband to purchase alcohol. Wristbands available at the Main Entrance and are required to purchase alcohol at the St. Sophia Greek Festival.

We ask that you pay cash for all beverages sold at the fest.

The famous "Village Squire" Mai Tai

Metaxa

Greek Beer

Roditis (Greek Table Wine)

Ouzo Shot

Domestic Beer - (Bud, Bud Light, Bud Lime)

Pop (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Lemonade, Iced Tea)

Bottled water will be available as well. 

Pastries

Greek pastries are one of the delicacies that can't be found just anywhere. At our Greek Fest, you'll find an excellent selection of traditional Greek pastries. Each year St. Sophia’s Philoptochos ladies bake for days to produce these sweets using only the finest ingredients. 

At the "sweets tent" we ask that you pay cash for your delectable desserts.

Loukoumades - The ultimate doughnut, light and airy, served warm, dipped in honey with a dash of cinnamon. 

Baklava/Saragli - A classic! Prepared with many layers of thin buttered pastry sheets, walnuts, spices and honey syrup. GET THIS AT THE DRIVE THRU TOO!  

Floyeres - A rich, baked dessert prepared with thin layers of buttered pastry sheets, almonds, spices, and honey syrup.

Kataifi - Shredded dough with chopped nuts and honey syrup.

Galaktoboureko - A delectable custard dessert baked between carefully placed pastry sheets and covered in syrup.

Karidopita - Walnut cake with spices and syrup.

Paximadia -  A popular favorite zwieback-type cookie baked, then sliced and toasted in the oven.

Koulourakia - Delicious butter cookie, not too sweet, twisted into pretty shapes, basted with egg yolk and baked.

KOK -  Chocolate covered cake, filled with custard. The Greek version of Boston cream pie.

Diples -  Sweet, crisp folds of thin rolled pastry dough, deep fried to delicate perfection and topped with syrup, cinnamon and nuts. 

Melomakarona -  Oval cookie dipped in honey and rolled in nuts. 

Kourambiedes - Butter cookie served with confectioner’s sugar; the Greek version of the wedding cookie.

Greek Bread  assorted prices - Take some home today!

Kafenion Hellas

Relax at the Kafenio and enjoy coffee, frappe & ice cream served Greek or American style! Pull up a bistro table, meet with friends and enjoy the day.                                                                       

Baklava Sundae - Baklava served with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream.  Topped with honey, walnuts and a cherry. 

Loukoumades Sundae - Six hot Loukoumades served with vanilla ice cream, and topped with walnuts and honey syrup. 

American Ice Cream Sundae - Two scoops of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, topped with walnuts and a cherry. 

Frappe - Iced coffee shaken with sugar, milk, and served over lots of ice. Special orders are our specialty!!! 

Greek Coffee - Traditional Greek coffee made to order. 

American Coffee

Assorted Sodas and Bottled Water (Soft drinks and bottled water are served only at our beverage bar and at the Kafenio Hellas)

Admission

Admission to the St. Sophia Greek Festival is $2 per adult at the gate. Children are admitted for free with a paying adult.   

Raffle Ticket Pre-Sales are currently on! Raffle tickets are available for $100.00 each. Winning tickets are randomly selected at 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 15 at the St. Sophia Greek Festival. Winners do not need to be present to win. Purchase your tickets today from any parishoners, or contact the Raffle Coordinator to buy yours.

Early Bird Raffles are happening soon!  Buy your ticket now and be elligible to win $500.00 at each early bird and then be entered again at the festival!

Early Bird dates are T.B.A and will occur during coffee hour after church services.  Winner need not be present to win.

CASH PRIZES!

1st Prize           $10,000.00

2nd Prize          $5,000.00

3rd-6th             $1000.00

7th-10th           $250.00 

Fun for the Kids

The St. Sophia Greek Festival brings fun for all ages! 

The "kids area" is located near the rear of the festival, where they can enjoy 

children's games and inflatables! 

Tickets are 5 for $10.00 and 8 for $15.00. 

Unlimited rides (excluding games) for $10.00 on Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m!

Euro-Bungee (4 Tickets) 

Moonwalk (2 Tickets)

Obstacle Course (2 Tickets)

All Children's Games are 1 Ticket each

Hours for Kids Activities 

Friday 5 to 10 p.m. 

Saturday Noon to 10 p.m. 

Sunday Noon to 9 p.m.

Exhibitors and Vendors

Come inside where it is nice and cool and do some shopping!  All partipants will be listed here and updated frequently.  Browse among jewelry, Pampered Chef items, Greek Specialities and so much more!  We have expanded our exhibitor hall to make it an even more beautiful place to shop!