On Saturday, September 8th NYU’s Explore New York, Explore the World took to the streets, the streets of Astoria, Queens. Led by Streetwise tour leader Andrew, students were led though the borough’s Greek neighborhood and introduced to community establishments, representatives and culinary traditions. In two hours we managed to travel many miles, walking away with a feel for the hood, an understanding of Greek culture and an fancy for the food.

Follow in our steps through the pictures below.

Welcome to Astoria #EXNY

first stop: souvlaki by Gus (best way to have it with oregano and just a squirt of lemon)

bread served with meat on a stick, what else do you need?

taking in some culture at St. Demetrios Cathedral

impromptu stop: life lessons from a legit Greek butcher

Greek imports at Mediterranean Foods, Greek food supplier extraordinaire: fish, cheese and olives and all for super cheap (insane olive bar for $3.99 a pound, take that Whole Foods)

sampling the cheese and incredibly thick home-made Greek yogurt (Chobani what?)

it wouldn’t be a Greek food tour without the requisite spanakopita @Yaya’s Bakery

something sweet to end the day: baklava from Yaya’s

Next Stop: Corona, Queens!

Streetwise New York, tours@streetwisenewyork.com

St. Demetrios Cathedral, 30-11 30th Drive, Astoria, Queens NY, 718 728 1718

Mediterranean Foods Inc., 30-12 34th Street, Astoria, Queens NY, 718-728-6166, Mon- Sat 8 AM- 9 PM & Sun 8 AM- 7 PM

Yaya’s Bakery, 28-46 31st Street, Astoria, Queens NY, 718 932 3113