|
It is a confusing subject but let's clarify some
things. First, it is souvlaki and plural souvlakia. In Athens and the
south, asking for a souvlaki ap' ola will result in bringing you a wrapped
pitta with with pork skewed meat, sliced tomatoes, tzatziki, sliced onions
with parsley and sometimes fries. In Athens and the south (This applies
to most islands as well) souvlaki are never called a sandwich. In
the north sandwich is a generalization but be careful because they
also wrap all the variations in a bread sandwich. Not that it's not
tasty, but if you 've never tried souvlaki you need to try
pitta-souvlaki first. Best bet is to just ask for pitta souvlaki.
To
be sure you get exactly what you want, order a:
1.
pitta-souvlaki (with pork skewed meat, sliced tomatoes,
tzatziki, sliced onions with parsley and sometimes fries)
2.
pitta-kotopoulo (with chicken skewed meat, accompanied with
lettuce, sliced tomatoes, mayo-mustard-ketchup mix sauce and occasionally
fries)
4. pitta-gyros (pork doner sliced, sliced
tomatoes, tzatziki, sliced onions with parsley and sometimes fries)
5.
pitta-gyros kotopoulo (chicken doner sliced, accompanied with
lettuce, sliced tomatoes, mayo-mustard-ketchup mix sauce and occasionally
fries)
6. pitta-kebab or pitta-mpifteki (lamb or beef minced
kebab, accompanied by sliced tomatoes, sliced onions with parsley
and sometimes tzatziki and fries)
All souvlakia are usually seasoned
with paprika and salt after all condiments are added and before being
wrapped.
Ap' ola means "with everything" so it will be with the
above condiments. If you want something left out, better name exactly
how you want it.
Pediko means (literally children's) without tzatziki
and onions.
As an Athenian having being served the stunt of whole platter
or nothing, I would avoid like hell going to Mpairachtaris on
Mitropoleos street, Monastiraki, the one with all the famous persons
photos visiting his shop. He had the nerve to tell us that souvlakia
were only served on the go and not in tables when they were
perfectly mentioned and priced on the menu. Of course we left and never
came back.
Across the street is Thanasis who has the BEST pitta-kebab
(or pitta-mpifteki). This one you must try! But because he is the best
on kebab, there is not a large variety of other foods on his menu.
From souvlakia, he only serves pitta-kebab. He has pork and
chicken souvlakia but on a large platter and no pitta. He also serves
kebab merida (platter) that is 4 kebabs on a plate with 2 pittas,
grilled tomato and sliced onions with parsley. YUMMM! (The platter is
far better because of the grilled tomato sweetness)
If you want to try
the other varieties, your best bet is to go to a corner neighbourhood shop
(usually a standing queue is the good sign) and see what's available. Avoid
the chain franchise shops like Loxandras, Pitta tou Pappou, Pitta Pan etc. -
they are not even close to what a real souvlaki actually is, just fast-food
imitations!
In corner shops, 1 souvlaki-pitta costs about €1,70, fries
€1,60 tzatziki €2,30 (prices for takeaway). Generally with 2 souvlakia
you are full and that only costs €3,40 for a meal!
Return to Greek Food: Souvlaki
|
