Few things remain the same on the Ave in Seattle’s University District. Sitting next to one of the largest universities on the west coast, the Ave has seen its fair share of change over the last few decades. One thing that has remained constant, though, is the Continental. Since 1974, George and Helen Lagos, along with son Dmitri, have been serving up Continental’s authentic Greek cuisine, and for long-time residents and college students alike, the Lagos’ are neighborhood staples. Even though I’ve been going there forever, I can’t remember my first visit to the Continental, mainly because I was still in my mom’s belly. She worked at a clothing store across the street, and the Continental was her lunch destination of choice. So it seemed fitting that I join her to sample some Mediterranean-style soups.

Their homemade soup offerings on the menu, a Lentil Soup and a rich Avgolemono, give you a good indication of the restaurants down-home (if you’re Greek) authenticity. The Lentil Soup, made with lentil, onion, garlic, bay leaves, red wine vinegar and olive oil, tastes exactly as a Lentil Soup should. I certainly have not had a better one in this city. The soup has a delicious buttery richness to it, and happens to be George’s personal favorite. According to him, on a cold day, they will go through three vats of the stuff, so apparently he is not alone. In the past, beef stock was used for the soup, but after noticing his growing gut, George made a switch to a homemade veggie base. This bodes well for area vegans and vegetarians.

The Avgolemono, or Greek Lemon and Rice Soup, has a very unique and rich flavor. A traditional Mediterranean favorite, the soup is made with rice, chicken base, lemon juice, and egg - separated, beaten and combined in a rather lengthy process. But what makes this soup so rich? It is the butter, and lots of it (much to my Mom’s chagrin). The rice is cooked to a light perfection and the creaminess of the butter and tanginess of the lemon play off each other nicely. This was a big hit for me, and aside from meeting the Lagos’, it was the highlight of the visit.

If you stop by on Wednesdays you can try the Chicken and Garbanzo Soup. George seemed a bit disappointed that more people didn’t know about this one, so make him happy and request some.