Oikonomakos: Pastó Tradition Since 1874 in Kalamata

On Ithomis Street, in a narrow side street close to the center of Kalamata, sits a small shop with a green wooden sign: Oikonomakos, for more than 150 years the address for pastó, the smoked and cured pork specialty of Messinia.

A family tradition since 1874

The shop was founded by great-grandfather Nionios Oikonomakos, who was also a co-founder of the Messinia Chamber of Commerce. His son Georgios ran the shop for decades on the old Plateia Othonos itself — only after the old meat shops were demolished during urban redevelopment did the business move to its current location on Ithomis 12, just around the corner. The current generation, brothers Giorgos and Panagiotis Oikonomakos, carries the tradition forward.

What is pastó?

Pastó is a traditional Messinian smoked and cured pork specialty, related to the Maniot synglino — originally a farming tradition to preserve pork after the winter slaughter. At Oikonomakos, the meat is cut into pieces about 9 cm long, rubbed with coarse salt and savory, and cured for five days. It’s then slow cold-smoked over olive wood with thyme and oregano from Mount Taygetos, followed by simmering in a pot with red wine, orange peel, and spices. Finally, Oikonomakos stores it in extra virgin Kalamata olive oil. The result: tender, lightly smoked meat with a subtle citrus aroma, with no artificial additives.

Atmosphere

A small, informal shop with two tables outside and traditional music playing in the background. The clientele ranges from neighborhood regulars who stop by weekly to visitors from Athens who take home up to 9 kilos of pastó at a time.

Practical information

• Address: Ithomis 12, Kalamata.
• Phone: +30 27210 28718.
• Website: oikonomakos.com.

Note: we could not confirm exact opening hours or price per kilo — check in person or by phone.

On the map