When a friend recommended I check out a restaurant he had recently enjoyed, I was a bit skeptical. The location had me questioning the validity of the experience, but, as some of the best food I have had has come from some of the most unexpected places, I was game to give it a try.
I arrived at the restaurant and was quickly greeted and assisted with my dinner order. When I was told that the initial item I ordered was no longer available that day, the owner quickly assured me that the replacement was even better, and was immediately ready to prepare it for me. The amount of food that I received was impressive. Scoops of seasoned rice topped with thinly sliced pieces of marinated chicken, pepper, onions, and mushrooms– a perfect medley of seared flavors; toasty pita bread quarters; lettuce with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese, all topped generously with a creamy cucumber garlic tzatziki sauce. He even added a falafel at my request to give it a try. Was I at a fancy Greek restaurant with an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere? Nope, I was at Governors Square Mall.
If you haven’t yet had the chance, or haven’t actually given much thought at all to stopping by Sam’s Greek Café in the Mall food court, I would encourage you to give this place a try. While the Mall atmosphere doesn’t do much to take you to a Mediterranean state of mind, the food prepared and served at Sam’s Greek Café definitely will.
At first glance just a typical mall front restaurant, Sam’s Greek Café offers gyros—lamb or chicken—as well as a variety of other fun Greek foods. You can get the gyros as a sandwich wrapped in a pita with vegetables of your choice and fries, or as a platter, loaded with a whole lot of food. For the vegan/vegetarian bunch, Sam’s offers falafel- a deep fried ball made with chick peas and seasonings– and hummus, a creamy chick pea dip seasoned with tahini (sesame paste), garlic, and lemon juice. For those looking for something sweet to end the meal (or perhaps just a snack between meals), Sam’s offers baklava, that sweet, flaky, buttery Greek dessert filled with honey and nuts.
Finding fun food to eat—and pronounce!—is a continual quest. I was not disappointed by this recommendation, though I am still struggling with how to say “tzatziki…”
Sam’s Greek Cafe
Governors Square Mall
2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd #115
Clarksville, TN 37040
931-906-2188
Mall Hours