Zaleks (CLOSED)
21 Princess Street, Wakefield, MA, 01880
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Looking for a good hidden restaurant to go to? How about a restaurant that is literally hidden? Well, Wakefield has just the place for you. Zaleks, which is tucked away behind the center of town, is a restaurant that, well, doesn't look like much. In fact, if you didn't know any better, you might think that it is just another sub shop, albeit one that is in a rather odd location. But this friendly little sandwich shop and seafood restaurant is much more than that, serving an array of different dishes that certainly keep the locals (and those in the know) satisfied.
Zaleks (by the way, it is Zaleks, NOT Zalek's) is a small dining spot with counter service only. They have a handful of tables inside, as well as a few more in a small outdoor area during the warmer months. Whether folks decide to eat at Zaleks or take their food home (Zaleks does much of their business through takeout orders), they have a wide variety of items from which to choose. For those who love seafood, Zaleks has outstanding fried clams and a hearty seafood casserole (with a delectable bread crumb topping) as well as char-grilled fish and fried, baked, and broiled seafood dinners. There are also several Greek specialties on the menu, including delicious stuffed grape leaves and a decent Greek salad. And there are all kinds of sandwiches to satisfy every taste. Burgers, clubs, gyros, rollups, monte christos (a nearly perfect version, by the way), and seafood rolls take up much of the menu at Zaleks, as well as some really excellent roast beef sandwiches. The super beef dinner in particular is one worth trying, as the tender roast beef comes piled high on an onion roll and includes a choice of three side orders (order it "three-way," with sauce, cheese, and mayo). If you are looking for something a bit on the spicy side, the crunchy battered buffalo fingers are smothered in a moderately hot (and very tasty) sauce. Finally, you can even order grilled thin-crust pizza at Zaleks, including a shrimp scampi pie that can be made with or without sauce.
Wakefield has a true winner in Zaleks, a place whose extensive menu, low prices, and friendly service help make it stand out among the many other sandwich shops in the the area. And sure, it may be off the beaten path, but honestly, it isn't all that hard to find (it is only one block off the main drag). So get yourself a decent street map of the area and head on over to Wakefield Center for some good eating at this "hidden" hidden gem.
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