Next time you visit Chicago’s Greektown, I’d recommend taking the time to really soak it in, reflect on the history of the community, listen to the Greek Americans conversing in their native language, enjoy an extra coffee – an art form that has been perfected by the Greeks and take the time to really experience Greek hospitality. It extends from the thresholds of Greek-American homes to the businesses they own – something I discovered firsthand throughout my visit. Greek hospitality is a sacred tradition that Greek immigrants brought to America and have passed down through the generations. Zeus or Zeus Xenios was the god of travelers and hospitality. Greek tradition requires that you be a friend to a stranger and is deeply rooted in historic ritual, even tracing back to the Greek gods. The root of the word is formed from “filo” for friend and “xeno” for stranger. It’s taken very seriously and of almost religious importance. “Filoxenia” which means hospitality in Greek is alive and well in Chicago’s Greektown.

Fish houses near the greektown casino