Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation

Im rating this on the Greek Fest alone. With it being right cross from the house we have walked over there for years. Go early because it has gotten so popular and obnoxious (like most of Tremont) that the lines literally wrap around the corner. The food is still solid but the huge buckets of beer the used to sell for 7 bux are now way smaller and 12 bux. You can bring the kids but bring em early. not much for them to do and at night it gets to be a teenage crowd with Greek chicks dressing like Tiuana street walkers. Oh, and after all the money this fest has been raking in over the past few years the bathrooms in the church are putrid. Opa!

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church was the first Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood (remember the movie ‘A Christmas Story’, that’s the ‘hood).
When I’m back visiting the homeland (well close enough) and it’s Memorial Day weekend you will find me, and a few thousand other lucky folks, getting their fix of Greek culture, dancing, and of course the food at the Tremont Greek Fest! Most of the food is made by the people who attend the church and it is VERY authentic.
There is the usual line up of Mousakka, Souvlaki and Gyro, but the real treat is getting the Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves with ground beef/​rice)! They even have fried smelts for those of you more adventurous. The spanakopita (spinach/​feta) will vary in its taste based on who made it. however I’ve never met a spanakopita I didn’t like so even a ‘bad’ version is amazing.
There is Baklava for dessert, however you have to get the Loukoumathes, aka Greek Honey Balls! These are poorly described as doughnuts — instead think of them as little round sweet pieces of heavan… they are of course fried dough balls, served warm, and are topped with honey and dusted with cinnamon and nuts. Delicious!
There is a live band that plays Greek music and the kids of the church demonostrate dances from the different regions of Greece. Once the kids are done, the dance floor is turned over for everyone to strut their stuff; the music is infectious and the steps are really easy. Grab someone’s hand and join the dance circle; cya on the dance floor!