The Tallahassee Greek Meals Competition, happening Oct. 15-16, will characteristic dancing, reside music and procuring. However for many people, the spotlight would be the home made Greek fare.
Organizers of the pageant, a cultural celebration to learn the Holy Mom of God Greek Orthodox Church, notice that lots of the Greek classics served are from the outdated household recipes of church parishioners. You possibly can inform.
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I’m already envisioning delicious spanakopita, souvlaki, gyros, pastries oozing candy honey syrup and gyros.
However take coronary heart, pageant followers.
You don’t have to attend all 12 months to savor your favourite Hellenic fare. Tallahassee provides a number of prime locations, particularly for gyros.
The gyro sandwich is a fluffy pita folded over marinated meat, historically a mixture of lamb and beef that is roasted upright on a vertical broiler or rotisserie after which sliced, garnished with chopped tomatoes, lettuce, feta and tzatziki (a creamy cucumber-yogurt sauce). Higher have a lot of napkins helpful.
Whereas gyros originated centuries in the past, they’ve turn out to be such a mainstream hit that Sept. 1 has been named Nationwide Gyros Day.
With the assistance of Tallahassee Desk readers, listed below are some favourite stops for gyros within the capital metropolis.
One tip: In the event you don’t find out how to pronounce gyros, bear in mind the tune “I Don’t Know The right way to Pronounce Gyro’’ from Jimmy Fallon and Luke Bryan: No extra fear-o, you’re a hero, ’trigger now I do know it’s gyro (yee-roh).
Captain Pete’s House of Gyros: “Outdoors of the Competition, Captain Pete’s Home of Gyros, positioned off NE Capital Circle is amazingly good!” mentioned fan Amanda Floyd. Captain Pete’s provides a lineup of pita sandwiches, together with a conventional model in addition to choices with hen, falafel and eggplant. Amongst different objects: spinach pies, salads and baklava. 1184 Capital Circle NE; 850-877-8012.
Kosta’s Subs N Salads: Proprietor Joe Kosta has been making gyros and different Greek fare on this location for greater than 20 years. Reader Sam Myrick raves about Kosta’s, saying “Very best quality elements and style and such private, pleasant service.” The restaurant, throughout from Proof Brewing Firm, serves a conventional lamb-beef gyro, the seasoned meat combination sliced from a cone, topped with feta, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce together with variations that includes hen, shrimp and even a Philly steak plus salads and baklava. 1312 Adams St.; 850-222-0945.
Little Athens Gyro: For reader Jill Sandler, this small restaurant “has been great for a very long time.” House owners George and Janette Ragheb, initially from Cairo, have in reality been cooking Greek and Mediterranean dishes in Tallahassee for 30 years. “I’ve in all probability revamped 1,000,000 gyros,” mentioned George, who serves meat or hen gyros. The restaurant is simple to overlook, tucked away on a facet strip throughout from McDonald’s. Little Athens additionally serves soups and salads, hummus, grape leaves, entrees and baklava. Don’t miss their home made honey cinnamon tea and lemonade. 666 W. Tennessee St.; 850-222-2231.
Pitaria: The native Greek/Mediterranean restaurant has mixed its dine-in and supply choices in a single new website on Apalachee Parkway. (The Tennessee location and Specific have closed). Pitaria serves gyros with meat, hen, turkey or falafels. For Tallahassee Desk reader Crystal Bendz, “Pitaria is my fave.” The restaurant is understood for its Greek and pita fries in addition to vegetable platters. 1935 Apalachee Pkwy. 850-765-1171.
Sahara Greek & Lebanese Cafe: Proprietor Sophia Al-Siroa has been that includes Greek, Lebanese and vegetarian delicacies in Tallahassee since 2000. Sahara serves a conventional lamb-beef gyro in a sandwich or platter in addition to hen shawarma, falafel and vegetable wraps, stuffed grape leaves, Greek fries and baklava. 1135 Apalachee Pkwy. 850-656-1800.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe: The Birmingham-based chain, which opened a department in Tallahassee in 2016, contains a listing of gyro choices, together with chargrilled lamb, hen, shrimp and veggie model in addition to salads, vegetable plates and household meals. 216 S. Magnolia Drive; 850-329-6056.
Yasou Cafe: George Maximos, initially from Cairo, focuses on dishes impressed by the Mediterranean area. He serves a conventional gyro in his Southwood venue together with hen shawarma, falafels, bowls, salads, baba ghanoush and variations of Greek fries plus shrimp kebabs and salmon on his listing of entrees together with a couple of vegan objects. 3551 Blair Stone Highway.; 850-692-3415.
Rochelle Koff writes about meals and eating at TallahasseeTable.com, on Fb@TheTallahasseeTable and Twitter @tallytable. Attain her at TallahasseeTable@gmail.com
Ya mas! Greek Meals Competition is again
After skipping final 12 months as a result of pandemic, the Greek Meals Competition is again for 2021 on the Holy Mom of God Greek Orthodox Church. The pageant, which began within the Nineteen Eighties is in style, so anticipate crowds in addition to loads of Greek music, dance and crafts.
“Most of the recipes which can be used on the Competition have been introduced over from Greece by the mother and father of a few of our founding members and which means you might be consuming meals similar to the meals you’ll eat at a pageant in Greece,” Mike Gavalas, church president, mentioned.
What: Greek Meals Competition
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15-16.
The place: Holy Mom of God Greek Orthodox Church, 1645 Phillips Highway
Value: Admission is free; meals costs vary from $5 for 4 spanakopita, to $10 for gyros and $12 for dinner. Do not miss the vary of desserts together with baklava, $4, or a sampler field from $7-$20. Wine, beer and ouzo are additionally obtainable.
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