Chicago Classics: Central Gyros

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 10, 2009 4:00PM

Chuck Sudo

Central Gyros signage is almost the same as we remember it from our childhood on the Northwest Side. Except back then, the lamb on the sign rotated.

Bright lights and an airy dining room are a marked change from the dimly lighted Central Gyros of years past.

Waitress Toula lights two orders of saganaki. It\'s widely believed that The Parthenon in Greektown originated the practice of flambe&#233ing saganaki tableside in the 1960\'s.

After the fire, some still-bubbling saganaki.

The Greek combo plate, a heart-stopping mix of gyro meat, souvlaki and Greek sausage served with onions, tomatoes, fries, tzatziki sauce and one pita.

A wave of nostalgia takes over us whenever we find ourselves on the Northwest side of the city. Thirty years ago, the Belmont-Central retail area in the Cragin neighborhood was a bustling, thriving commercial area. Although it's a shadow of what it once was, to this day folks driving to shop in the area can park for free in the parking garage located just south of Belmont on Central Avenue.

Central Gyros joined the ranks of businesses in 1979. Being Greek from our father's side, we didn't need to travel to Greektown in order to get some quality Greek food. Central Gyros still makes one some of the best Greek food in the city, and easily the best gyros. We braved the downpours over the weekend to revisit a Chicago classic and see how Central Gyros has held up.

Central Gyros is located at 3127 Central Ave. Phone # is 773-545-1276.