I’m going to crank-up the frequency of my “Talk Toronto” posts on my blog. These posts will be primarily related to food, leisure or anything else I feel worthy about sharing when it comes to Toronto. What a better place to start than with some Greek food. Greek fast food. One of my favourite quick bites has to be Gyro.
Before I get on with Alexandros, I want to underline what Gyro is: Gyro is made of thin cuts of meat that are seasoned/marinated and stacked on a vertical rotisserie. In Greece, the most common Gyro is made of pork and you will now often see chicken Gyro offered as a lighter choice.
Gyro that is made of that ground meat/meatloaf-like stuff is rarely found in Greece. Those of you in Canada and the US might be accustomed to this form of “Gyro” which is fine. Just don’t expect to find it should you visit Greece. Here in Toronto, we have both the “meatloaf” type of Gyro and the more authentic version, with identifiable slabs of meat on the rotisserie.
From as early as I can remember going down to the Danforth (Toronto’s Greektown), memories of Gyro rotating in the storefronts of restaurants and take-out joints linger in my memory. When I was young, trips to the Danforth always included being treated to a Souvlaki or Gyro by Ma & Pa. Going down to the Danforth to this day is a good thing.
Last night I had some time to kill before meeting some friends for pints. I hadn’t made anything for dinner, tummy grumbling – something good, fast and satiating was needed. Gyro. I decided to start off with reviewing Alexandros as this shop was the first to introduce real Gyro (like in Greece) to Toronto.
Alexandros began operations in the mid-nineties and the main location can be found at the northeast corner of Danforth and Logan, at the Alexander the Great square (hence the Alexandros name). Before Alexandros opened, Toronto only had that meatloaf-type of Gyro. In my opinion, that’s Donair – not Gyro.
Anyway, enter Alexandros and you’ll likely find a corner table with local Greeks chatting it up about Greece, about local Greek community gossip or family, kids, etc. I’m hit with the smell of meat: two rotisseries with pork and chicken Gyro…slowly turning, waiting for the next customer and whispering, “slice me, slice me”. On this occasion, I opt for the pork Gyro.
There’s a couple of young guys behind the counter but sometimes you’ll get the owner(s) serving you. I get the impression these dudes have a lot of diner/restaurant mileage under their belts. Since this is dinner, I go for a Pork Gyro with all the toppings: Tzatziki, onions, tomatoes.
As a side, I order Alexandros famous Feta Fries. Another first for Alexandro. From what I can remember, Alexandros was also the first to offer Feta Fries on a menu: crisp fries made to order that are given a squirt of a dressing, topped with crumbled Feta cheese and a sprinkle of dried Greek oregano. I order a can of Coke and head to my seat.
After taking the usual food blogging pics, I tuck into my fries. These are as thin as Mc’D’s fries (which I still like) and they taste good. Thankfully, the dude who made them has a light touch with the dressing and he didn’t make my fries soggy. The Feta used is a firmer, dry Feta that looks more grated than crumbled. The dried Greek oregano could be sourced better. This stuff is probably from those big plastic containers from restaurant supply outlets.
On to the pork Gyro. The meat looks juicy, smells great and although the sandwich looks a little small (other Gyro joints in Toronto have bigger sandwiches), all is forgiven with the first bite. The pork Gyro at Alexandros tastes very much like what one would eat in Greece. Well seasoned, succulent pork meat that unapologetically still has some fat in the meat mix. Gyros are not something one should be eating on a daily or regular basis. It’s fast food, albeit Greek but fast food.
The down side of Alexandros’ Gyro is that the sandwich is smaller than its competitors in the city and they do not include fries as part of their toppings.
Another downer is that this eatery is not licensed – no beer or wine. Just soft drinks and water. This shouldn’t deter you: one piece of evidence of good eats is when the 911 crowd shows up to order: Police, EMT/ambulance, firemen.
Having said that, if/when I’m going to have a Gyro, I want the flavour and that means there should be some fat in the pork. I do not like dry meat nor do I like dry Gyro. Some Gyro joints go overboard with the fat content and evidence of this is when your sandwich is dripping from bottle. Alexandros’ Gyro has little drippage.
Alexandros’ Gyro wasn’t always the same. At first, it was very popular, delicious from what I remember and very busy. Quality probably suffered due to its initial huge success. A location in Scarborough opened and closed and there’s currently also another location on Queens Quay (near the ferry boat docks).
I’ve returned to Alexandros on three occasions in the last 6 months and they are consistent, service is prompt and the place is clean (a quick visit to the bathroom) confirmed this.
I bought a pork Gyro, some Feta Fries and a Coke, the damage was $11.50.
Alexandros World Famous Gyro
| Address: 484 DANFORTH AVE , Toronto Phone: (416) 461-3073 |
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| Nearest Major Intersection: Danforth Ave & Logan Ave | |
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© 2007-2010 Peter Minakis
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I’m a fan of both forms of Gyro…meatloafy and meaty…Danforth one of my favorites eating streets in Toronto..love your post..best Gyro i’ve ever had, was in Rhodes on Tsampika Beach….the cook told me it was a mix of pork and veal layers….out of this world….
Ooh yum – I’ve never seen feta on fries before either in Greece or here in the UK ……..I want some now!
Fantastic post.
I’ve never had a pork gyros! But feta fries are inspired – I guess it isn’t a big stretch for a Greek-Canadian to come up with Greek poutine!
Gyro – yum! Love the fries too!
It has been years since I have been on the Danforth since I am now officially a Westerner:D I do remember establishments just like this, and maybe even Alexandros as also serving homemade pitas with their gyros. Nothing like it Peter.
My dad makes the “meatloaf” kind, and we do call them donairs – nobody on the east coast knows what a “gyro” is because of the popularity of the Halifax-style donair.
The original Greek “fast food”, even though the same meal here in Athens costs about half of what you paid :P:P:P…guess coz it’s local and not imported!!!! mooouwaahaahaaa :P:P
I love these fries. They look great with the cheese on top.
Gyros is always a great “end of night” treat. I love its convenience but also the taste…and I agree with you entirely. The meat should have some sort of fat. It’s funny…where I grew up in Melbourne gyros was always made with lamb (and later chicken).
Peter I had gyros, years ago in Toronto and they were not great. It was my last time eating Gyros. I guess next time I’m in Toronto I’ll have to try them again.
I love Gyro. Even cheap ones make me salivate!
Peter that looks so good! Feta fries!!!
That looks SO yummy! I really like those fries too!
oh, i do love an unapologetic gyro. :) this sounds like a place where i’d quickly become a regular, pants-size be darned!
Does anyone know why nobody in the USA serves the authentic greek style (non-meatloaf) gyros?
Next time tell them to make you honey feta fries!!! So cool learning about Toronto’s Greek Town through you.
Also loving the fries! That’s a perfect side dish to try at home.
Wow, the only gyros I’m used to are the meatloaf type. Funny, when I saw the thin slices of pork on the rotisserie, I thought, “tacos al pastor”! Which is the same setup, but different flavor profile.
I adore gyros, especially lamb ones. The herbs and spices, the sourish yogurt, the cooling cucumber…all make one tasty sandwich.
I’ve never seen feta fries before but now you’re making me want to fly all the way over to Toronto to have some!
Thanks for sharing.
Oh please do write more about Toronto- I just moved here from Rome and would love to know more about your city- I dont know the map of Toronto too well yet, but I have managed to find some wonderful restaurants with my husband, thankfully. It would be great to learn more through your blog. Best wishes, shayma
That looks like a great meal and I like the sound of the feta fries! I will definitely have to try Alexandros gyros.
Messinis is much better in my opinion. They have pork, Lamb and chicken but pork is the best way to go. They also put fires in the Gyro which reminds me of the souvlatzithiko i go to in Greece. They also have all sorts of souvlaki in pita and souvlaki/gyro platters. Lunch special was around $10 with a drink and salad or fries.
i went to Alexandros in Queens Quay last night after partying at Cherry Beach for Victoria day. I got 2 chicken gyros, an order of Greek Fries (feta fries) and a bottle of coke which came to about 20 bucks. I’ve only had the meatloaf type gyros down at Taste of the Danforth but I have had shawarmas with the same meat before. Overall, the food was great. I took 1 of the gyros for the train ride back home. The fries were delicious, crispy and well seasoned. The gyro was one of the best I’ve had. it was juicy but not enough to make it drip. Even after sitting in my backpack for an hour the second pita wasn’t wet but the chicken was still juicy. I’ll be looking for them at Taste of the Danforth this year for sure.
Do you deliver to Niagara Falls,NY area.It’s making me HUNGRY. Sick of Wings & Pizza here….Gyro (YES)
Just found your blog, on my quest for a recipe to make homemade gyros meat. I lived 4 years just outside Athens when I was a child and my father was in the Army, stationed there. (I’m a native Texan) My recollection, based on what my parents told me as I was growing up, was that the gyros we got, often in Monesteraki (spelling is probably wrong), was pressed lamb and beef. What I really remember is that it was roasted on the spit and we loved watching it sliced off.