Kitchen 601 — Restaurant in Saint Paul

New Food at an Old Place

For many years in the St. Paul Skyway stood The Four Inns, a traditional American-Style restaurant, but in recent years, it changed ownership twice before finally closing a couple of years ago. A year ago, Baja del Sol, a franchised Mexican grill, occupied the premises, although it was the second attempt of that company to establish one downtown. However, now we have yet another restaurant in that location and it's likely to be there for a rather long time. And that's very good news indeed.

Ghassan Safi, of French and Syrian heritage, opened The Greek Kitchen, Modern Mediterranean, in January 2018 and it's been going strong as a daytime eatery 10 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, ever since.

While this is not the first restaurant serving Greco-Mediterranean food in downtown St. Paul, it's one that's likely to stay. Most importantly, it's really good food. Also, it's in a convenient location on the Skyway between the Securian 401 Building and US Bank. If you stop by for lunch at noon, it's bustling with quite a crowd of folks whom this writer has no need to convince. They know it's great food already!

I frequently go there a little after the main lunchtime rush, often meeting a friend at half past noon. He swears by the gyro (pronounced YEE-rohs) sandwich of mixed beef and lamb. These are also available with chicken as an alternative.

As a vegetarian, myself, I have more choices on the menu than at other places for lunch. My favorites include the falafel (ground chickpeas) wrap and the dolmades, stuffed grape leaves. I also enjoy the spanakopita (spinach and feta cheese baked in phylo pastry). These may be purchased as a combo with a soft drink and French fries, bringing the price for a hearty lunch to a little more or less than $10.

If you're worried about carbohydrates from the freshly baked pita (flatbread), you may order a gyro or falafel bowl instead of the sandwich, replacing the bread by your choice of basmati rice or salad.

Now, I must caution the reader that Ghassan blends his own seasoning for French fries. It's very tasty. If you try this seasoning, you may be unable to quit. You have been warned!

The seasoning is not the only item made from his own recipe. He makes his own tahini (sesame seed paste) and hummus (chickpea spread) as well as mixes his own falafel. I find the hummus especially tasty as he uses garlic quite judiciously so that the underlying flavor is not overpowered.

Well, I've written enough now. I can recall the taste and it's time for me to go there for lunch...

Ever since Christos closed its doors at the Union Depot, it has been rather challenging to locate a decent gyro and chicken kebab sandwich throughout the downtown St. Paul skyway until Greek Kitchen opened its doors. Prices are reasonable. A complete lunch runs around $10.00 per person; occasionally reaching the $12.00 mark depending on what is ordered. Honestly, better to go here for a gyro than one of the food trucks outside. It is cheaper and you actually have a very spacious area to sit after you order your food. However, please keep in mind, there is much more to the menu than gyros!

I have tried Greek bistros all over the metro and this is by far one of the best. They keep it simple with fast and friendly service. I get worried when restaurants have massive menus; they try to offer too much across a wide variety which ultimately undermines quality. Although it is not the most authentic experience out there, you will not walk away disappointed. Ideal for a 30 minute lunch break if you work in the downtown area. I guess one thing I miss about Christos is the lunch buffet offered during the week.

It would be nice if they tried the same thing at Greek Kitchen provided if the business is there for such an accommodation. I do realize buffets involve a great deal of overhead and are hit or miss…

I would like to recognize Ghassan! You are the best at what you do! Keep up the great work and I hope Greek Kitchen develops into a new pillar of the downtown...

I rang up French toast with eggs over medium and pancakes with bacon and 4 bottled pops on December 9th, 2024, I went in to get breakfast on December 10th 2024 and the owner tells me he cannot serve my son and I anymore because I didn’t pay for my drinks yesterday, then proceeds to show me the receipt that shows my food and 2 bottles of pop and accuses me of stealing! My son and I have went to 601 Kitchen everyday Monday through Friday and spend 30 to 40 dollars a day, so I tell the owner, I’m sorry Sir just add it to my ticket today because I rang up 4 pops yesterday, maybe it was something with your self service register, the owner tells me again that he will not serve my Son and I anymore! We have been a customer for 4 months or so spending 30 to 40 dollars everyday, all he had to say was I noticed yesterday you had 4 pops but only 2 show up on the receipt and I would have payed for them right then but instead he just tells me I stole 2 pops. I do not lie and I do not like thieves, so paying 30 to 40 everyday, I would not steal any pops or anything else for that matter!!!! 2 pops is under 6 dollars, so if you add even 30 a day times 5 days a week that’s 150.00 and 300.00 every 2 weeks and he thinks I’m going to steal 2 pops!!! My son and I put the pops on the counter every time we order so mistakes happen but accusing someone instead of letting them know that only 2 pops were rang up yesterday and I would have told him to add to my...