I randomly came across the Souvlaki Queen Instagram page (thanks, algo) and was pretty chuffed to see another Greek spot poised to open. They will operate out of the space on SW 6th Avenue that was once known as the home of Bunk Sandwiches.
The Owner of Souvlaki Queen, Alexandra Velis Jones
Alexandra hails from Ogden, Utah and her parents ran a Greek restaurant there (27th St Grill/The Grill) where she spent time in while growing up. It operated from 1984 to 1995. She says about that time, “I remember sitting on the cutting board as a toddler and my mom would let me put handfuls of oregano on the meat for the souvlaki.”
She moved to Portland in 2011 and worked at several restaurants in Portland, and the Washington coast. She was catering chef at the Pickled Fish restaurant in Long Beach, and chef de cuisine and executive chef at Shelburne Pub in Seaview. Both of these establishments are part of Adrift Hospitality. In Portland, she worked at Nong’s Khao Man Gai, with some of that time (2016 to 2020) being during COVID.
She also appeared on the TV show, “Chopped” in 2023.
The Space
This is a small space in the Broadway Garage building, which was built in 1927. Inside, there’s a counter with a few seats, and then a few seats along the wall. So, this is a place where takeout is likely going to be pretty common.
It’s also across the street from Big Pink and nearby other office buildings. And although occupancy has decreased in a lot of these buildings during and after COVID, there are still a good number of office workers looking to eat their lunch nearby in downtown Portland. And there’s also the tourists!
Her other neighbors on that strip are Kilo d’Cofi and Grits & Gravy.
What To Expect at Souvlaki Queen
I asked Alexandra about the restaurant and for any details she would like to share. “Souvlaki Queen is a counter service, unpretentious spot that will serve high quality food at reasonable prices,” she explained. Her attention to detail on the cost is notable and welcome in these unstable economic times, too. She says, “I always hated working in kitchens where the cooks could never afford to eat there, so it’s been my goal to have a price point that is attainable for most working people.”
You can see the menu for Souvlaki Queen on their website, which includes, of course souvlaki, which you can get as part of a plate or a la carte. Shrimp saganaki also comes as a plate, and these plate meals allow you to choose different sides: lemon rice, a lemon potato salad, Greek Village Salad (aka horiatiki), fakes (Greek lentil soup), and housemade pita.
She also makes spanakopita and baklava, as well as homemade tzatziki sauce.
“I’m hoping to do fun seasonal specials and to serve our community,” she adds. Other specials on the menu include dolmathes (filled with ground lamb) and “Nick’s Burger,” made with pastrami, smash patty, white cheese, shrettuce, pickles, onion, and tzatziki sauce.
As for who is Nick? “Nick is my dad,” explained Alexandra. “His favorite burger was a pastrami burger from Crown Burger in Utah (Greek-owned)” This is her version of their titular “Crown Burger.”
She hopes to be open in a couple of weeks, but that could take longer, you never know. When open, she has planned hour hours to be noon to 8pm, Wednesdays through Sundays.
Wishing Alexandra all the best as she prepares Souvlaki Queen to open!
Souvlaki Queen [projected opening April 2025]
211 SW 6th Avenue, Portland
Souvlaki Queen website | Instagram
Meg Cotner
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Sounds amazing! Best wishes to Souvlaki Queen
Alexandra’s food has always been amazing! Cheers to a great future with/for The Souvlaki Queen!