Yia Yia’s Baklava to Open in Hatfield Township This Month

Tony Di Domizio | North Penn Now•

By the end of the month, a business dedicated to making baklava baked from a 19th-century family Greek family recipe will open its doors at 252 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield Township, according to the Bucks County Courier Times.

Yia Yia’s Baklava only began in 2021, but it already has a reputation at the Horsham, Wrightstown, Warrington, and Berwyn farmers’ markets, and is readily available on the shelves at Henning’s Market in Harleysville and Weaver’s Way Co-op.

Its rich 40-layer, flaky, buttery, honey syrup-sweetened phyllo dough baklava is the creation of Christine Samaras, 70, and her son, Dimitri, who have been selling together with Dimitri’s wife, Leticia.

Christine has had her hands in the dough since she was five, baking with her mother a recipe passed down for more than 125 years from her grandmother, dating far back far before the Greek genocide, which her grandmother survived, to a region that is now Turkey.

So, it’s fitting that “Yia Yia” means, endearingly, “grandmother” to the Greeks, according to the article.

Per the report, the Samaras’ will have a 3,500-square-foot shop, with 1,000 square feet dedicated to retail, and the remaining space to be used for production. It would be an upgrade for the family, as they currently bake out of a church kitchen.

According to the report, baklava is customarily served on Greek holidays and Greek weddings, but most commonly is savored as a snack.

Their Yelp page speaks for itself:

Indulge in the rich and flavorful treat of Baklava! Made with layers of flaky, buttery phyllo dough, mixed with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey syrup, our Baklava is a truly authentic and traditional dessert. Every bite is a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more!

Dimitri wrote on Yelp he has always cherished his bond for his mother.

“Whenever I received one of her scrumptious boxes of baklava, I felt a sense of homecoming. Today, it’s my privilege to join forces with my mother and bring our family’s traditional treat to the world,” states Samaras on Yelp.

Fans of Yia Yia’s Baklava also left reviews of the business on the Yelp page.

Stephanie T., from San Francisco, said the baklava is “true Greek” and is “absolutely delicious.”

Another fan from Philadelphia described the baklava as “velvety” in texture, and M.C. from Sea Isle City, N.J., wrote Yia Yia’s is a staple at many holidays.

“We have enjoyed the sweet treat, every mouthful. Looking forward to trying various flavors going forward. Yummy!” wrote the reviewer.