Something Different – Kosher Greek Specialty Foods – Kontos

Jun 12, 2026 by Chef David

By Chef David

Our search for kosher baklava, led us to Kontos, a family-owned and operated Greek bakery, located in Paterson, New Jersey. They sell over 300 products, many of which are kosher, including baklava (certified OK dairy), flatbreads (certified OK pareve, and Pas Yisroel), and the traditional Greek appetizers, Spanakopita and Tyropita (OK Dairy). Kontos provides a delicious way to get a taste of Greece without leaving home.

Kontos was founded by Evris Kontos, a baker who emigrated from Cyprus in 1949. He learned the craft of making hand-stretched filo dough in Chelsea, then opened Apollo, a filo bakery producing hand-stretched filo dough. In 1971, Evris partnered with an engineer to build the first filo dough machine that consistently create, paper-thin dough. In 1984, he sold Apollo. Three years later he opened Kontos Foods, a father-and-son business specializing in hand-stretched flatbreads and New York-style pita bread.

The Relationship between the Greeks and the Jews

The most familiar connection to Greece may be the Chanukah story, where the Maccabees led a Jewish revolt against the Greek kingdom ruled by King Antiochus IV. This was a defining moment of resistance against Greek forced assimilation.

There has been a Jewish presence in Greece since the fourth century B.C.E. In the 14th century, the Greek Jewish community grew as Ashkenazi immigrants fled Hungary and Germany. In the 15th century, there was an influx of Sephardic Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. Sadly, the Holocaust wiped out 90% of the Greek Jews.

The Connection Through Food

The language of Greek food is simple and delicious. We started our exploration with Kontos’ baklava, a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of paper-thin, flaky, filo dough which is filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup. Baklava presents a combination of tastes and textures, sweet syrup, crushed almonds and walnuts, beneath a thin veil of crispy filo.

Each piece contains 112 calories, provides 2 grams of protein, 1 gram of fiber, and 2% iron.

It is both decadent and delicious, the perfect sweet treat. Kontos offers several different variations of baklava, including Mediterranean Nut Rolls and Kataifi pastry. Their secret is their delicate signature filo and delightful sweetness.

Their other Greek specialities are Tyropita and Spanakopita, traditional filled, triangular savory pastries wrapped in layers of flaky filo dough. Tyropita is filled with a blend of feta and ricotta cheese, while Spanakopita also contains spinach. We found them both delicate bite-sized morsels, with a wonderful mouthfeel from the crispy filo dough covering a satisfying center. They are made with simple ingredients: corn starch, soybean oil, eggs, butter, and vegetable shortening. Spanakopita also includes spinach, leeks, onions, and palm oil.

Each piece is 80 calories, 3-4 grams of protein, and provides 4% calcium and 2% iron, with no added sugar.

They are ideal as appetizers or snacks. Preparation is easy, bake for 35 minutes at 350 until golden brown. Leftovers can be wrapped in foil and refrozen (and they serve up as well the next day).

So Many Types of Bread

Kontos’s signature products align with their humble beginnings as bakers. Their filo products are outstanding. They successfully transferred this skill to become a producer of many unique specialty breads. They make so many different types that it was impossible to taste them all (but we tried). Konton’s breads are pareve and Pas Yisroel, and many are hand-stretched.

They sell a wide range of flatbreads, from gyros to pitas, both pocketless and traditional, ranging from multi-grain to white. Their whole wheat had an exotic taste, it is made with whole wheat flour, fiber-rich bran, and crunchy flaxseed, millet, and sesame seeds. One of our favorites was the Greek Lifestyle Garlic Flatbread which is infused with a savory garlic flavor. It has more protein and fewer carbohydrates, sugars, and calories than traditional flatbreads. One sheet contains 180 calories, 7 grams of fiber, and 15 grams of protein, providing 25% RDA of calcium and 10% of iron. Another team favorite was the hummus flatbread which had a distinctive savory flavor.

We tasted their Nan breads, including Tandoori Nan, a flatbread baked by hanging the dough ball onto the walls of earthen tandoor ovens, as well as Kulcha Nan, authentic South Asian cuisine. These breads have a soft, pillowy texture.

While they are best served fresh, they can be frozen (and restored with a quick zap in the microwave or a few minutes in the oven). Served hot, they are delightful. There is something magical about the alluring aroma of fresh bread. Our team could not get enough.

Exotic Taste Explosion

Kontos’ products are fresh and distinctive. Some products can be ordered on Amazon and are available in retail stores. If you don’t see them, ask. Not all of Kontos’ products are kosher, but the ones that we tried were extraordinary. Delivering taste of Greece, with a kosher certification. It all started with hand-stretched filo dough and a dream. They sell so many different kosher varieties that trying them all can be a lengthy and worthwhile culinary adventure.