Three Brothers

My first week in Thessaloniki I was eating lots of gyros and other street foods. I realized I hadnt been out to a taverna for a traditional meal yet. I walked down a small street and went into a small taverna. I sat for 10 minutes but nobody was serving me. I went up to a lady and asked if I could have a menu. She explained that there was a company dinner there that night and I couldn't eat there that night. She then took me outside and told me about a small taverna run by three brothers with delicious cheap Greek food. She was extremely nice and I have to thank her for showing me this place because I am hooked. The place is right off of Aristotle square, one of the most expensive and famous spots in thessaloniki. Since this was a tiny street though it was like stepping out of a tourist area and going to a local place even though it was about 100 meters away from the square. This taverna is very tiny, about 4 tables outside and 3 inside. From the outside looking in you can see the charcoal grill with all different kinds of meat being grilled right there. The kitchen and grill are always on display. I sat down and ordered bread, horiatiki salata, and pork chops. One of the brothers manned the grill while the other waited on me. The barrel wine i got is from the island of Limnos and it is the best white wine I've ever had. He grilled the bread on the charcoal grill giving it amazing char flavour. Dipping that in the olive oil and tomatoe juices from the salad is heaven. As I sipped my wine and ate my salad and bread, I watched my pork being grilled right in front of me. The hand motions and skill of the brother manning the grill looks like he's been doing it for years. The portion of food was ridiculously large for the price. They gave me French fries with the pork which I didn't expect, and this amazing mayonnaise and mustard sauce. I thought it would be gross but it was the most flavourful sauce , and dipping the French fries deep fried in extra virgin olive oil, in this sauce, is an explosion of salty, fatty, fried, deliciousness. I'm addicted to this sauce now and I think it would make anything taste good. I sat for hours and just slowly ate, enjoying every bite. Everyone that came in were locals and I knew I found a great place. I have been there three times already and I enjoy it more every time. This food is extremely fresh, cooked to perfection, right In front of you , and the hospitality is amazing. Going to a place like this you will be stuffed for ten euros and you will have a great buzz from the delicious barrel wine. I would take someone here who has never had real Greek food to get a taste of Greece. It amazed me how close this place was to the square where the same meal would be double the price. I will continue to go back here, and eat and drink like a king, and just enjoy life. 

Street Food 1

Since I have been in Thessaloniki for a few days, I'm realizing that this city is amazing for street food. There are so many little bakeries and cafés where you can get a quick pie. The spanakopita and tiro pita are better than your yia yia makes, (don't tell yia yia I said this). Everything is 1-2 euros and with the dollar getting stronger in Greece this is very very cheap. The best street food to get is pita gyros of course. Here you can get anything you like in your gyro. They are huge and will only set you back 2-3 euros. The fat on the pork is so rendered down that it's almost like eating bacon. The garlicky tzatziki is addicting . The last bite of a gyro is a magical thing. The meat juices, tzatziki, and tomato juices all soak into the French fries and the pita bread. It's a bite of salty, fatty deliciousness and you have to come to Greece for this experience. And hell, get one at 3 am after a night of drinking and you couldn't be more satisfied.