Reheated gyros prove disgusting

Sometimes, I get a real craving for gyros. When I’m blasted with the desire for a Greek taco, chances are I’m stuck at my house in Troutdale, or at MHCC. The only place nearby that boasts a promising gyro is this little café called Stark Street Espresso. It humbly sits in a small shopping promenade on Stark, down the hill just east of the Mt. Hood campus, by Dairy Queen and Paws and Claws.

The service is very friendly and the Greek coffee is to die for. However, I’m not quite sure about the gyro. This puppy, despite its less-than- attractive physique, looked promising, laden with a generous amount of Tzatziki sauce. To my dissatisfaction, though, it tasted processed – indeed, a bummer. I found out the cause: It was reheated… dun dun DUN!!!!

Gyros, my friends, should be fresh cooked, not reheated. Even if they are Kronos gyros, which are a reputable brand, serious gyro addicts are not going to settle for precooked, unless they are truly desperate. While it had a satisfyingly spicy flavor, it lacked the authentic texture of thoroughly cooked lamb. I felt that the gyro was the lamb version of, I hate to say it, but, bologna. Good meat in a gyro is tender and a little tough at the initial bite but juicy afterwards. Unfortunately, what I ate was overall mushy from start to finish. Nonetheless, it was decent. Still, I could barely stomach it after having had top-notch gyros before. I know, I’m stuck up, aren’t I?

Here’s the kicker: If you’re an amateur with gyros, Stark Street Espresso is a very convenient way to get introduced. It’s perfect for discovering if you like the general taste. If you’re a gyro connoisseur, I wouldn’t pay the six dollars. I would say though, the macaroni salad on the side was pure genius. That was a level of originality I haven’t come across before. It was extra mustard-y – just how I like it. The gyro itself, however,  left much to be desired.

I give mad props to the owner though, because it’s a family business. That’s hard to do these days when developments bring in big chain restaurants to replace the mom-and-pops.

Advocate Staff