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Last October, I wrote a story expressing my dismay that in a town filled with Greek-Americans — and, more importantly, many Greek-American restaurateurs — the city lacked authentic Greek gyros (pronounced yee-ros). The meat used in the gyro sandwiches around town is typically a cone of pressed meat, usually beef and lamb trimmings with bread crumbs and seasonings.
At that time, entrepreneurs Cindy and John Georgopoulos, owners of the Little Village Grill (710 W. Trade St., 704-347-2184), said then that they had discussed the idea of doing pork gyros (pork is the meat of gyros in Greece). In January, they decided to give pork a spin, so to speak. Since then, sale of pork gyros has gradually increased (but still, these are not nearly as popular as the lamb and beef, Cindy says). Now, this gyro has been added as a regular feature to the menu at $4.50.
This pork is not sliced off a skewer as it would be in Greece. It is marinated and rotisserie cooked and then finished on the griddle. This summer, the Georgopouloses plan an exploratory trip to Greece to investigate authentic gyros. As someone who became a pork gyro aficionado during a summer spent there, I can tell you the Little Village Grill's pork gyro is fairly close in taste to some I had in Greece.
The Little Village Grill, though, only offers the traditional tzatziki sauce that is popular in Athens and the smaller islands, but not the mustard-based sauce of northern Greece or the aioli sauce of Crete. Nonetheless, Little Village Grill's tzatziki sauce is exceptional.
Looking for a food you can't find? Or do you know of other food items unique to the Q.C.? Whether it's regional foods or international, talk to me: tricia.childress@creativeloafing.com or 704-522-8334, extension 136.
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Haw River Wine Tasting @ Carolina Beer Temple.
- Wed., April 24, 5-7 p.m.
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Haw River Wine Tasting @ Carolina Beer Temple.
- Wed., April 24, 5-7 p.m.
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TRIVIA THURSDAYS!!! @ Elizabeth Parlour Room
- Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Continues through June 27
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LIVE MUSIC FRIDAYS: TRACE CASANOVA @ Elizabeth Parlour Room at Hooligans FC
- Fri., April 26, 8-11 p.m.
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Charlotte Grilled Cheese Festival @ SouthEnd Station.
- Sat., April 27, 1-4 p.m.
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Three Questions for Barista Morgan Hopkins of Central Coffee
Java Master
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Braised Chicken with Shallots 2
I don't think I'll be making this again, but hey, if you like shallots more than a fat kid likes cake, then go for it.
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Leroy Fox now open in Hotel Charlotte's former digs 1
New Southern-inspired restaurant open in Cotswold neighborhood.
