Michael Vasilas planned to launch Gyro Grill in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community in April, but put those plans on hold due to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order that restaurants be closed to dine-customers to curb the spread of coronavirus.
“We’ll see what happens toward the end of the month. Hopefully we can shoot for May 1st,” said Michael Vasilas, owner of Gyro Grill Mount Greenwood, 3660 W. 111th St. Chicago. Call 773-614-8005 or go to facebook.com/gyrogrillmtg.
“This restaurant is going to have a bigger selection and more pastries and ice cream for kids. It’s across the street from Mount Greenwood Park.”
With Pritzker’s stay-at-home order in effect until April 30, Michael Vasilas said he has been trying to stay open during regular business hours at Gyro Grill in Tinley Park but he has been closing early when customer traffic does not support being open late on a particular day.
Here is the dish on Gyro Grill, which opened in August in Tinley Park:
On the menu: “We specialize in authentic Greek food from the best quality gyro to marinated skewers,” Michael Vasilas said.
“We have rice bowls with a special lemon aioli I make and fresh-cut fries.”
More Top Picks Markers Plant
Other items include spinach pie and desserts such as baklava, galaktoboureko and rice pudding.
About the owners: Michael Vasilas, who co-owns Gyro Grill in Tinley Park, learned about food by watching his mother, Galatia Vasilas, and his late father, Antonios Vasilas, who were both chefs.
“My dad worked at Greek Islands restaurant in Greektown for over 25 years and my mom and whole family as well. My sister was in the office. My brother was a waiter,” Michael Vasilas said.
His parents owned Rhodes Bakery from 1994-2000 in Oak Lawn, where he grew up and attended Richards High School.
Michael Vasilas owned the Emporium Cafe in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from 2005-2007.
He, his parents and his brother, Steve Vasilas, owned University Restaurant & Patio in Miami from 2007-2017.
A mission statement: “We deliver fresh, quality food that is authentic and just simple recipes from my mom and dad,” Michael Vasilas said.
“I want to keep my parents’ recipes going. I got fortunate enough to have the gift of cooking the way my parents did and am taking it to another level. We have gourmet Greektown food in a small package in the suburbs.”
Specialties: “The Hercules platter is one of our biggest sellers,” said Michael Vasilas about the dish featuring two skewers each of chicken, filet mignon, pork and shrimp plus a half-pound of gyro meat, pita and tzatziki. “It feeds two to four people. It’s a family thing. It’s awesome.”
“My Gyrolls are a unique item no one has. I get egg roll wrap and stuff it with gyro meat. My other unique item are saganaki bites. “
How you can help: “Keep coming and calling in orders. We’re trying to accommodate everybody as much as we can,” Michael Vasilas said.
“The restaurant business has long hours. We do whatever we can to feed the people. I get happy when people eat my food. The feedback is amazing. That’s what gives me the gas to keep going.”
Prices: Start at 75 cents for starters and sides, $2.99 for desserts, $5.99 for bowls and $6.99 for pitas or platters.
Logistics: Gyro Grill is at 15960 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park. Carryout, curbside pickup and delivery via Grubhub and Uber Eats are available. Large catering orders also are accepted. Hours, which are subject to change, are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, noon-8 p.m. Sundays and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. Call 708-620-8440 or go to gyrogrilltp.com.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.