It’s All About The Loukoumades At Cafe Boulis

Let’s talk Loukoumades. Let’s talk soft, round doughy goodness that melts in your mouth, as sprinkled sugar fills your palate with sweet honey filling that only one place can give you. We’re talking Cafe Boulis. And we’re talking the Greek equivalent of the New York City donut. With a few minor differences.

For starters, the Loukoumades is a honey-filled fried dough, different to the traditional Greek recipe. This is the way that Cafe Boulis, located on 30-15 31st Avenue, makes their Louks.

Image: George M/Yelp

Image: George M/Yelp

Made on the spot, the Loukoumades at Cafe Boulis come with a variety of toppings, to satisfy any sweet tooth; including the traditional honey, along with cinnamon, powdered sugar, Nutella, sour cherry, and walnuts.

The look and feel of this place isn’t overly done either. Only a few seatings are available inside, and the majority of the tables are placed outside, weather permitting. If you’re going here for the atmosphere or ambiance, then you’ll be disappointed.

If you’re going for the food, then you won’t. What you will get, however, is an overwhelming feeling that this place has been part of the neighborhood for far longer than it has. Greeks venture in and out of Cafe Boulis like they were old friends, passing hellos and smiles, as well as friendly (sometimes animated) conversations.

Owner Panagiotis “Pek” Peikidis, quit his high risk video game industry job after 5 years to buy into the restaurant business. Lemona Peikidou, his mother, soon joined, having been

Image: Chris B/Yelp

Image: Chris B/Yelp

cooking professionally in Greece for years. Sister Eugenia Peikidou also jumped on, serving coffee and traditional Greek breakfast and desserts. And so Cafe Boulis became a family owned and operated establishment, focusing on traditional Greek foods.

Apart from the Louks, which should be on anyones list, the cafe offers up some quite nice pastries and lunch fare. Including traditional spinach pie, Loukanopita (a sausage wrapped in sfoliata phyllo), and more.

The spinach pie recipe has been passed down through generations, and is baked fresh every day with ingredients produced locally.

When it comes to coffee they offer the usual, Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte and a few more, however if I were you, I’d come for the sweets, and a few pastries.

Image: Lany Y/Yelp

Image: Lany Y/Yelp

Either way, this is a tiny shop with a small menu and one item in particular that is done, fantastically. And when you got one, you stick to it.

Bon Appetite Astoria!

Where: 30-15 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11106

Phone: (718) 806-1014

*Featured Image: Lani Y/Yelp