Bites Nearby: Demos Restaurant

Demos has been serving simple lunches and dinners on Lexington Street since 1996 and in Watertown Square since 1971. Both venues have a basic, stable menu of Greek specialties -- most of them now familiar to everyone -- such as gyros, moussaka, Greek salads, hummus, bean soup, and baklava.

The service is fast and the food is simple but good, and at bargain prices. There is plenty of parking at the Lexington Street location and both sites have a roomy interior. 

Favorite dishes: There many meat dishes, like gyros (pita bread stuffed with ingredients) and moussaka (a casserole with potatoes, meat, and eggplant); but there's also spinach pie, a large hummus appetizer, all-day omlettes,and a veggie kebab (zucchini, onions, and peppers). For dessert it's either rice pudding or baklava.

Vibe: It has a relaxed, cafeteria atmosphere, patronized by locals, business people, and families. 

Cool factor no. 1: Rather than waiting for service, you go to the counter to order. Then, at lunch time, you pick it up when your number is called, or a staff member delivers it to your table after 4:45 p.m. Tipping is not required before 4:45 p.m., while 12-percent is added at dinner time, unless you order it as takeout.

Cool factor no. 2: Glasses of wine are $2.60-$3.25, beers $2.90-$3.60, and other beverages $1.20-$1.85.