Saloniki Greek — Restaurant in Cambridge

This review is about one employee and the managers response to that an employee did. Never have I been so disgusted by how a business treated an 11 year old child, my child.

I went into the Saloniki Greek in Harvard Square with my 11-year-old son right after picking him up. He was hungry, so before we arrived I bought him something small to eat. When we walked in, I told him to grab a table while I stood in line to order my own food, and that he could take a few bites while he waited.

The restaurant was busy, so I stayed in line and could see him from where I was standing. While I was ordering and paying, a female employee walked up to my son, asked if he had ordered food, and when he said no, told him he needed to leave the restaurant. This is a child we are talking about. She didn’t ask if he was okay, didn’t look around to see if a parent was nearby or ask him, she spoke to a minor that she believed was alone and told him to leave the restaurant.

He gathers his belonging and I just happen to walk back to the table. I joined him at the table, I could tell he was upset. He told me what happened, so I confronted the employee. She confirmed it, saying she “thought he was here alone” and that “people come in here and sit without ordering.” People? He isa small child.

Even if she truly believed my son was there alone, I have to ask: why would her first reaction to an unaccompanied 11-year-old be to tell him to leave potentially out into the street, rather than to check on his safety or ask where his parent was? Her approach shouldn’t have been did you order something the first reasonable question would’ve been are here alone? And he could’ve said no my mom is over there buying the food. That is not customer service. That is a failure of basic human decency. This isn’t about whether or not she knew I was a paying customer. It’s about how an employee chose to treat a child.

The manager’s response—“I don’t know, sorry about that”—was just as unacceptable.

We will never return. This location badly needs training on interacting with minors, customer care, and addressing implicit bias. No parent should have to experience their child being treated like this especially while standing just a few feet away spending money in the same establishment. And most importantly my son shouldn’t have encountered this type of experience while waiting...

Rating Reflection: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Initially skeptical due to its location in a university student center, Saloniki Greek in Cambridge proved to be a delightful surprise, offering exceptional value for every dollar spent.

Decor Ambiance: 🎨💙Nestled inside a student center, Saloniki Greek stands out with a distinct identity. The restaurant’s decor, adorned with beautiful blue tiles that echo the brand’s logo, creates a visually appealing atmosphere. The cozy tables, enhanced with a mix of faux foliage and lamps with straw accents, provide a warm and inviting dining space.

Service Experience: 🙋‍♂️😊As a fast food/takeout spot, traditional table service is not the focus, but the staff, especially the friendly individual who took our order, added a touch of warmth to the quick-service experience.

Culinary Delight: 🥗🥙The food was a revelation – from my fresh and flavorful salad to my girlfriend’s satisfying pita. Each dish, priced around $17, exceeded expectations commonly held for university center eateries. The quality and taste of the food were impressive, making the meal feel like a fortunate discovery.

In Retrospect: 🤔Saloniki Greek is a testament to the fact that great culinary experiences can be found in the most unexpected places. Its combination of cozy decor, pleasant service, and high-quality Greek cuisine makes it a standout in the Cambridge dining scene.

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - “Great”“Saloniki Greek: A Hidden Gem of Culinary Excellence in Cambridge’s Heart.”

For those seeking a taste of Greece with a dash of cozy ambiance in Cambridge, Saloniki Greek is a must-visit. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that leaves you both satisfied and pleasantly...

Popular, fast-casual Greek restaurant with some marketplace items, alcohol, and dessert. Came here on a Monday around 1pm but given that it was Presidents’ Day, the place was packed. The line itself wasn’t too bad as we waited for about 10 min but it did take a while to get our orders (had it to-go). I would suggest just ordering from the tablet that’s at the far right side of the restaurant which is for to-go orders only, since it seems underutilized. Harvard students do get free fries at this location, but the serving sizes are quite generous. I got the Despina pita which came with zucchini fritters inside a pillowy pita with thinly sliced red onions, fries, lettuce, and tomatoes. The fries did get a bit soggy because of the sauce, but I liked how fresh it tasted and I also liked that there were a good amount of vegetarian options. They even have beyond meat meatballs. It’s 10 cents extra if you get a bag. There’s two water stations with cups and a water dispenser, and the utensils are to the left of the entrance along with the trash receptacles. Overall it’s reasonably priced, fresh, and has...