On a calm, rainy Friday afternoon around 2 p.m., I decided to continue my saga of reviewing local Gyro spots.
This time, it was time to try Chicago Gyros and Dogs, a small corner restaurant in Cincinnati that mixes Greek and Chicago-style food. The place sits in a convenient spot with parking around the back, directly next to Mac’s Pizza Pub. I walked up the hill and through the front door. I was greeted with a big open space. Not many people were there, just a few people sitting down lining booths on the wall. The only other person close by was a man picking up a door dash order. This made the place feel calm and peaceful, especially with the causal music playing above, perfect for a quick, quiet lunch break.
The moment I walked in, the service stood out. A nice lady greeted me at the front counter and took my order right away. I gave her my order, paid, and patiently waited. The total for the meal was $12.50 for my combo; not too bad. I barely had time to sit down and look around before my food was ready. The whole experience took no more than 15 minutes, which was impressive considering how fresh the food turned out to be. When my order came up, a man behind the counter handed it to me with a big smile and said enthusiastically, “You want ketchup for your fries, young man?” To that I responded, “Yes, please.” That friendliness instantly gave the place character, it was not just good service, it felt genuine.
When he handed me my order, it came in a simple brown paper bag with the top rolled up to keep the food hot. Inside, there was the gyro itself wrapped tightly in clear film and tin foil, keeping everything hot. Also, there was a smaller paper pouch tucked inside with fries. When I unwrapped it, steam poured out like it had just come straight off the grill. It was massive, so much meat that I could barely pick it up. The presentation wasn’t fancy, but it didn’t need to be for food like this.
The first bite proved it. The gyro meat was tender and well-balanced, not overly seasoned but cooked to perfection. What made it stand out was how the tzatziki sauce was mixed right in with the meat instead of traditionally being on the side. It made every bite creamy and flavorful without being too strong. Some places overdo the spices, but this one found the right mix. Even though the sauce may have softened the flavors a bit, it still tasted phenomenal.
On the other hand, lying in the paper pouch were traditional cut steak fries. They were thick cut, golden brown, and very warm. They didn’t have any Greek seasoning like some restaurants use but that worked out well here. They were simple, soft on the inside, and had just enough crunch on the outside to make them satisfying. I paired my meal with a Diet Pepsi, and together it made for a solid, filling lunch…