This article explores the amazing food from Elena’s Enchanted Kitchen and “Two Birds” Greek street food, the love behind everything she does, and how she gained a local following in Savannah.
Read till the end to find out when and where you can get some amazing Greek food!
Finding authentic Greek offerings in Savannah is very special. There are not a lot of options; I can count the Greek restaurants in this city on one hand. And are they all great? I’ll let you decide.
It is a rare treat to have the opportunity to write about a local business that I’ve experienced from the inside out. Watching it grow and become what it is today is amazing.
I met Elena many years ago. We were both servers at the Olde Pink House, one of the busiest fine dining restaurants in Savannah. For those who don’t know, this place has 11 dining rooms, 350 employees, and can sit and serve about 500 guests at once in the whole mansion.
Working at the Olde Pink House is almost like a rite of passage to become one of the elite employees in fine dining in Savannah. It means you can perform with composure and elegance under high pressure and high stress—great life skills for sure.
We worked there together for years, and it was common practice not to learn the names of new employees until they had lasted at least a month and a half on the job. It was the kind of place where you had to hold your own and prove yourself or get weeded out.
Crying was commonplace.
You needed discipline and a very thick skin.
Before we became good friends, I was intimidated by her.
I would describe her as a full-on Greek gangster: bold, unapologetic, strong, opinionated, a force of nature. Yet… dazzling, beautiful, and a darling all around.
An Alpha, for sure.
The kind of woman that guides political movements. As I said, intimidating… and then, I was drawn by her intoxicating energy.
There has been a local following for Elena Mousakitis (now Hugley) in Savannah for a while. She easily makes friends everywhere with her personality, her smile, her storytelling charm, and her delicious offerings. It is clear: whoever seeks Elena’s Enchanted Kitchen is not only hooked on the food, but on Elena’s energy.
I’m going to stop sounding like a shameless fangirl for a quick minute because this is someone I genuinely respect and admire: she works relentlessly hard and makes things happen. She always puts family first, and most importantly, she puts her heart into everything she does.
What does this mean? Talent and high-quality ingredients. Dedicated service and delicious, locally made Greek food.
In 2020, I became a bartender at La Scala, the restaurant where she was a manager until recently. That same year, during the holidays, she made these ridiculously good caramels. Honestly, I didn’t even know she had the talent to cook like that.
Then shortly after, it was someone’s birthday, and she brought a cake. This cake was insanely decorated with luxurious chocolate and golden edible jewels. I asked her anxiously, “Where did you get this cake?!” And she humbly and casually said, “Oh, I made it.”
I couldn’t believe it.
For those of you who have lived here for many years, do you remember Tier? It was a luxury cake and cupcake shop owned by my friend Ashlee Perkins, located where the “Marché de Macaron” is currently on Abercorn Street next to the Lucas Theatre. I remember Ashlee would make cakes with gold and silver fondant and edible pearls. It was the first time I experienced edible gold and pearls. So elegant and delicious.
It is no secret I have a fetish for beautiful and luxurious desserts. Honestly, every time I travel anywhere, I search for the best bakeries and desserts in that city. I repeat, a full-blown fetish.
But to be truthful, Elena impressed me to the core. She cooks not only with skill and finesse but with that little something extra. Her offerings are not just visually alluring, but they hit a spot you didn’t even know you had.
“It all started with the toffee”.
In 2018, she wanted to prepare some specialty toffee for the holidays as gifts for her friends. After the holidays and the gifting, the anxious questions started: Could she make more? Could they buy some from her? Would she possibly cater a small gathering?
When she started cooking, she was dating Sonny Hugley. He was such a fan that he predicted she would be big someday.
She didn’t take it so seriously at first, just a pastime! But he believed in her so much that he built her a website and started working with her. Sonny even thought of the name: “Elena’s Enchanted Kitchen.”
He always encouraged her, even when she didn’t believe “this cooking thing” would become anything big. Her words, not mine.
He believed it the whole time.
Soon, they started getting catering orders by word of mouth. Every event allowed them to slowly grow more. They got a contract to prepare weekly shipyard lunches for workers who craved a taste from home. Additionally, the more events they catered, the more popular they became.
Sonny is now her husband and business partner.
Two Birds Greek Street Food.
Elena and Sonny became very popular with the amazing quality of their food and their charming personalities. They were soon personally invited to do weekly pop-ups at a few farmers’ markets surrounding Savannah. They were also invited to set up outside Lone Wolf Lounge on Fridays!
With all the weekly farmers’ market pop-ups and restaurant and bar appearances, they started Δύο Πουλιά, which translates to “Two Birds.” This is a division of Elena’s Enchanted Kitchen that specializes in Greek street food specialties. Available offerings include their delicious spanakopita (click this post to see how she makes it!).
Greek salad, gyros, chicken and pork souvlakis.
She makes her own tzatziki sauce, dolmas, hummus and her very popular Greek dressing.
She works alongside Sonny in everything they do. They make an amazing team, currently functioning as a dynamic duo powerhouse, making and selling everything themselves weekly.
Right now is a great opportunity to try their food and meet them in person! They are always very warm and friendly.
When and where can I get some Greek Food?
The best way to find Elena and Sonny is following their Facebook account Two Birds Greek Street Food.
Here is the current schedule for the month of JULY 2024 : |
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July 5th: Lone Wolf Lounge 5:30-11:30pm July 8th: Tybee Farmers and Artisans Market 3:30-7pm July 12th: Lone Wolf Lounge 5:30-11:30pm July 15th: Tybee Farmers and Artisans Market 3:30-7pm July 20th: Liberty Dodge Car Show in Hinesville 10am-3pm July 22nd: Tybee Farmers and Artisans Market 3:30-7pm July 26th: Lone Wolf Lounge 5:30-11:30pm July 29th: Two Birds Greek Street Food takeover at Sobremesa 5-9pm |
In addition, you can contact Elena at 912 247 5551 for private catering inquiries.
FaceBook: Elena’s Enchanted Kitchen
Instagram: @elenasenchantedkitchen and @twobirds_greekstreetfood
Enjoy!
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