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Named for the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and civilization, Café Athena brings these virtues to Pacific Beach in the form of fresh, good Greek food.

Located in a small strip mall, Café Athena is sparsely decorated with Mediterranean paintings, simple oak tables, and an impressive collection of plaques awarded to the best Greek restaurant in San Diego. 

Café Athena will please both your pocket and your palette. For five dollars, you’ll receive the traditional hummus dip, garnished with pickles, cumin, and sumac, or the more adventurous baba ghannuj, a spread of charbroiled eggplant blended and seasoned with garlic and parsley, and a side of warm pita bread.

All your favorite Mediterranean dishes are here. Café Athena offers the traditional gyros, kebab, falafel, and couscous, in addition to the more exotic papoutsakia (eggplant filled with lamb, onion, and pine nuts and topped with tomato sauce and Feta cheese) and souvlaki plate (marinated chicken breasts, skewered and charbroiled, served with rice pilaf and Tzatziki sauce).

For dessert, check out the savory baklava, a heavenly blend of walnuts, cinnamon, and rosewater between layers of Filo pastry and topped with honey, or the comforting galakto-boureko, Filo patry filled with custard and orange zest, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served warm.

And because a three course meal can total less than $20, you’ll still be able to save for that trip to Athens—though you probably won’t find food as good as Café Athena’s.