Meet Elpida Vasiliadis, the Souvlaki Lady of Astoria

Elpida Vasiliadis, known as “The Souvlaki Lady,” has operated her food truck, a staple in Astoria, for decades.

Speaking to Greek Reporter recently, she stated that, although New York summers are brutally hot and the winters unbearably cold, the relationship she has built with the community makes the job worthwhile.

“We work in a neighborhood where we know each other. It is nice to work with people you know.”

The recipes for the Greek dishes are from a restaurant her parents owned in Thessaloniki, Greece. She serves other dishes as well, including burgers, hot dogs, and salads. “It runs in the family,” she says.

Vasiliadis has operated a small food trailer on Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria for 32 years. When she took over the food cart from a previous vendor, there were no others in the neighborhood. She lived down the block, which made it convenient for checking in on her two children.

“I never named my business,” she said. “Everybody has always called me the Souvlaki Lady, and it stuck.”

Elpida and her daughter, who also works at the trailer, are one of many Greek families that live in Astoria, which has served as the hub of Greek-centric life in New York for decades.

Greeks emigrated in large waves during the 20th century, and Astoria in particular is known for having deep roots in its Greek population.

Souvlaki Lady is among many food trucks operated by Greeks

Any visitor to New York City has probably noticed the many food trucks offering inexpensive, tasty fare to New Yorkers looking for a quick bite on their lunch breaks or while exploring the city.

While these food trucks offer tasty cuisine from all over the world, Greeks have been dominating the field with their delicious, authentic plates for years.

New York’s rich immigrant history, from the millions who entered the country through Ellis Island in the nineteenth century to the more recent waves of arrivals from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, has contributed to a vibrant food culture in the city.

New York City’s culinary diversity reflects its own international population, which represents nearly every country in the world.

Visitors to the city, an international culinary capital, can easily find traditional dishes from around the world on every corner, either at high-end restaurants or diners — or even food trucks.

Serving up classic Greek dishes ranging from gyros to authentic pitas, Greek food trucks have long been a staple at the corners of the busiest streets in the city.

Residents of New York City, known for their discerning palates, understandably love Greek food trucks. They gush over the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and the delicious, reasonably priced food served at the trucks, seemingly dotted along every major street in the city.

That’s why they are so successful in a city where it is notoriously difficult to “make it” — they serve some of the best food in New York, at a price that is hard to beat in one of the world’s most expensive cities.