New York Street Food

I had to make a rare foray down to the Financial District, which made it a perfect time to catch up with Souvlaki GR for Today’s Lunch.

Ever since they started parking daily in FiDi, my visits to the Souvlaki GR truck have been scarce, although I have made it to their restaurant on the Lower East Side a couple of times for dinner.

Since it’s been a while, I wanted to try a variety pack, so I got a pork souvlaki ($4), a beefteki ($4.50) and a chicken stick ($1.75).

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I couldn’t eat lunch today because I had to go down to FiDi for the Eat St. shoot with Bistro Truck – but yesterday I made it over to Uncle Gussy’s on the SE corner of Park Ave & 51st St for some of their Mom’s pastitsio.  That was a great meal!

When I got to the truck around 1pm, I was a little worried because there were 22 people on line (I counted), and I didn’t have all day to wait.  Luckily, these guys are pros, and I was out of there with lunch in hand within 10 minutes.

Uncle Gussy’s special of pastitsio with a Greek salad on the side was $9, and it was true Greek home-style cooking made by Nick & Frankie’s mom.

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Today was the big day – the opening of the Souvlaki GR restaurant at 116 Stanton St.  We’ve been in touch with the people behind the Souvlaki GR truck since before it even opened last August, and were thrilled when they won the 2010 Vendy Award for Rookie of the Year.  It was like everyone else recognized what we already knew – that their food was delicious!

Now Abby, Pavlos and Kosta have given birth to a new baby on the Lower East Side.  The Souvlaki GR restaurant is like a small piece of Greece transplanted to New York City.

It was raining when I got there earlier today, but once I walked inside, it was like you weren’t in New York any more.  The lighting made it seem sunny, and there were even some tables with umbrellas to block the “sun”.

The food is pretty much the same as on the truck (meaning excellent), with a few additions like salads, desserts, and beer, although the beer will be delayed about 2 weeks due to bureaucracy.

Click through to check out more pictures of the restaurant, as well as news about when the Souvlaki GR truck will be returning.

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Eater NY reports that Souvlaki GR’s new restaurant on the Lower East Side was approved last night for a beer and wine license.  Now souvlaki can be eaten the way it was meant to be – with beer (or wine if you prefer).

The 2010 Rookie of the Year Vendy Award Winner’s new venture at 116 Stanton St will incorporate 10 tables and a 3×5′ bar.  They were unanimously approved for a beer and wine license, with operating hours of 11 AM – 11 PM Sunday-Thursday (1 AM Fri/Sat). [Eater NY]

We are seriously looking forward to Souvlaki LES – now with beer & wine!  But with only 10 tables, it’s gonna be a tough seat to get.

I haven’t been to Uncle Gussy’s in a few months, but their tweets over the past few months have shown a new eagerness to push the envelope beyond Greek street food.  I don’t know if it’s because they bought a new truck, or if it was all the press that Souvlaki GR received when they launched, but Uncle Gussy’s has really stepped up their game, and now has daily specials with lamb chops, pasticcio and other Greek specialties.

Unfortunately, by the time I took lunch today, they were already out of lamb chops – but Nick made a great suggestion for Today’s Lunch – a double souvlaki platter with lemon butter potatoes and a Greek salad ($10).

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