Skippy’s Gyros in St. Charles is known for its gyros — it’s in the name, after all.
But Skippy’s is almost as well known for its gyros bowl, served over Romaine lettuce and rice pilaf. It’s eaten like a salad with tzatziki, honey mustard, tomatoes, crumbled feta, onions, cucumber and green peppers, served with traditional gyro meat or chicken.
“We sell so many gyros because it’s always fresh,” said co-owner John Volkos. Gyros bowls have been on the menu for two years. “With the salad it’s a great protein. It’s one of our most popular items.”
Other popular items include the flame-broiled Angus burger, Italian beef with center-cut sirloin and hot dogs, Volkos said.
Skippy’s Gyros has the same menu at all four locations. “As a company we’ve grown. Some things we took off the menu to be more consistent. But the gyros bowl, we’re focused on that,” Volkos said. “What sets it apart is the gyro bowl is a fresh option that we’re watching.”
About the owners: Kostas and Voula Volkos and their two sons, John and Tom, opened their first Skippy’s Gyros in Roselle in the 1980s. They sold that location in 2005 and opened South Elgin in 2006, St. Charles in 2009, Oak Brook in 2016 and Warrenville in 2017. “My brother and I, we went to school and worked,” Volkos said. “You grew to love working there and you love the shop like a family member. My brother and I knew we could either pick a different career or make Skippy’s our career.”
A mission statement or philosophy: “We try to have a positive experience overall with our food and the whole experience,” Volkos said.
Decor: “Warm colors, inviting, we always try a modern twist,” Volkos said. “South Elgin and St. Charles locations use copper and metal furnishings on the wall. The newer ones have slate and rustic wood.”
Specialties: The Gyros Bowl. “Think of places that offer it and think how you serve it,” Volkos said.
Prices: Salads from $3.25-$8.95. Chicken sandwiches from $5.50 -$7.50. Chicken nuggets and tenders from $1.99-$9.99. Sub sandwiches from $5.35-$6.99. Sandwiches from $2.99-$6.95. Hot dogs from $2.85-$4.29. Soup and chili for $3.75. Greek specialties from $3.99-$9.99. Greek specialty dinners from $12.95-$13.50. Gyros bowl from $6.95-$9.95. Char-broiled Angus burgers from $5.50-$7.99. Italian dishes from $4.25-$9.79. Italian beef bowls from $7.75-$8.99. Sides from $1.89-$4.95. Kids’ meals from $5.50-$7.25. Homemade Italian ice from $1.29-$5.95. Hand-spun shakes from $3.95-$4.95. Desserts from $2.49-$2.75. Catering available.
Logistics: Skippy’s Gyros is at 922 Randall Road, St. Charles. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday -Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Call 630-513-0900 or go to www.skippysgyros.net
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. Also locations in South Elgin, Oak Brook and Warrenville.Shonda Talerico Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.