In fact, spaghetti, tacos, and egg rolls are so familiar that many people no longer think of them as any less American than a burger and fries. But we also have a growing interest in other ethnic foods. And comfortably ensconced in the second tier of popularity is Greek restaurant fare. In a 1999 survey by the National Restaurant Association, more than half of the respondents said that they eat Greek food occasionally or frequently.
Most people know that burgers, fries, nachos, and doughnuts are unhealthy.
Those and other Greek specialties are popping up not only in sit-down restaurants, but in mall eateries, airports, and other locations. Yet as ethnic foods grow in popularity, it's not always easy to spot the menu items that may make a beeline to your waistline or heart. But recipes can't tell you what a typical restaurant ladles out to its customers. And while our results can't tell you exactly what's served in the Greek restaurant in your neighborhood, they do offer a ballpark estimate of what a typical dish might contain. And those estimates are a mixed bag.