Greek Salad

* This Mediterranean classic is crunchy and full of flavor.

Cafe Plaka: Here, the usual Romaine lettuce, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, red onions and cucumbers are dressed with a vinaigrette flavored with oregano, garlic and secret ingredients. You can also get it topped with chicken or beef. (Greek salad, $6.25; with chicken or beef, $9.25.) Cafe Plaka, 18633 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, (714) 963-4999.

Delphi Greek Cuisine: There are two Greek salads here, the village salad and the Delphi. Both include tomatoes, sweet peppers, chopped romaine, cucumbers, feta and Kalamatas in an oregano vinaigrette; the Delphi adds lettuce. (Delphi salad, $5.85, lunch; $8.50, dinner. Village salad, $5.95 lunch; $8.85, dinner.) Delphi Greek Cuisine, 1383 Westwood Blvd., Westwood, (310) 478-2900.

Le Petit Greek: The horiatiki salad combines Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, chopped red onions, feta and Kalamatas, sprinkled with oregano and extra-virgin olive oil. A variation called the Mediterranean adds greens, basil and a balsamic vinaigrette. For a bit extra you can add beef, large grilled shrimp or grilled calamari to your Mediterranean. (Horiatiki, $7.95; Mediterranean salad, $12.95; $14.95 with Black Angus beef, $15.95 with shrimp, $13.95 with calamari.) Le Petit Greek, 127 N. Larchmont Blvd., Hancock Park, (323) 464-5160.

Papa Cristos: The salads are rich, extra-crunchy and bargain-priced at this rustic restaurant-market. The usual sweet Roma tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce are enriched with red cabbage and a lot of Greek feta. The dressing (available in the market) is lemon juice, olive oil, Greek oregano and paprika. (Greek salad, $3.99, large; $2.89 small.) Papa Cristos, 2771 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 737-2970.

Taverna Tony: The Taverna salad is Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, Greek sheep’s milk feta, onions, bell peppers and Kalamata olives; the peasant salad is the same plus shredded cabbage and lettuce. Tony’s dressing reportedly includes 17 ingredients. (Salads, $8.95.) Taverna Tony, Malibu Country Mart, 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu, (310) 317-9667.

Sofi: This place, tucked away from the street in a lovely garden shaded by trees, makes a classical horiatiki salad and the Ellinki, which adds chopped Romaine. Both salads are laced with a (not at all classical) balsamic vinaigrette. (Salads, $8, lunch; $9, dinner; with grilled chicken, $13.) Sofi, 8030 3/4 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 651-0346.