Thursday, June 21, 2012

RV Trip To Roan Mountain – Let’s Eat Greek

It rained our first night in Roan Mountain so we awoke to a fog-on-the-mountain type of day which caused us to change our plans as we knew the top of Roan Mountain would be socked in and we wouldn’t see much of the rhododendrons if we went up there.  So we went east so the power shoppers could have their day.

From Roan Mountain, we soon entered North Carolina and traveled thru Elk Park, Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain, and Seven Devils to arrive in Boone.  It is a beautiful little town and I was totally surprised at how big Appalachian State University turned out to be.  It has 17,000 students and a pretty campus that sits beside the old downtown area providing for a thriving business district.  Since it was lunchtime, Bev went on line and found a Greek restaurant with good ratings at a site called boonerestaurants.com and she stumbled into a dandy.

The name of the place was simply Mr.Original Gyros and it was in a small strip mall along NC route 105. 

I was concerned when I saw the outside with so few parked cars, but once inside, it was very nicely appointed. 

Their sign and our server said it was authentic Greek food and when I saw the little old owner/chef and noticed he spoke broken English, I was mostly convinced.  I ordered a Gyro platter which is described: "Served open-faced with a generous amount of meat" along with “Platters come with a pita and Tzatziki sauce, a Greek Dinner Salad, or soup and your choice of homemade potato salad, cole slaw, fries or chips. For Greek fries add just $2.00 more”.  Bev and Pat split Souvlaki platter described as: "Served open-faced with a generous amount of 100% pork tenderloin" plus the platter description.  We both upgraded to Greek fries which were their homemade fries topped with a tangy sauce and feta.

This was my plate, with the salad on the side and it had a generous portion of everything.

This is the girl’s plate and them.

Everything about mine was delicious and I ate all but a few bites of salad and most of the pita (homemade), which was under the meat (the pups loved it as a treat).  And if I wasn’t already convinced it was authentic, when I went back to the kitchen door to compliment the chef, he motioned me in and opened the door to a pizza oven.  He pulled out a pan piled high with oregano form Greece which he was roasting and advised it was the best in the world – it looked very different than what I grow, but after eating his food, I sure wouldn’t argue the point.  The question of authenticity was settled.

They are open 7 days a week at 2968 Highway 105, Suite C, Boone, NC, ph: 828-268-9899.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

One year ago:  Nothing

Two years ago:  Nothing

Larry

10 comments:

  1. I had to smile at your fog-on-the-mountain type of day. That's what we wake up to many mornings. Fortunately it lifts as the sun rises in the sky. Actually I think sometimes we're in the clouds not fog.

    Boone is a fun college town, but very cold in the winter. Glad you found a good Greek place. College towns always seem to have good food.
    Sam

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  2. I am the same way about judging a restaurant by it's parking lot. If you haven't noticed through my blog, Greek food is not on my radar. We've got a couple restaurants available to us, but they're never make the final cut. I think this roasting oregano is very interesting. Have you ever roasted it???

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  3. Love finding wonderful little places like that.. especially when you almost turn around and leave before you even stop the car!!

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  4. We enjoy finding great little places on our travels. I must admit that I am less adventurous than Terry when it comes to trying them out!

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  5. Larry, This is a cuisine that Laurie and I really miss! We're especially fond of gyros and a good garlicy tazatziki sauce. We haven't found it here in the Knoxville area yet! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  6. Hi Larry, I almost went to college at App. State. I love Banner Elk... Beautiful area. There's a neat big waterfall there also!!!!

    Sounds like you had a good lunch. I'm always afraid to go into a restaurant where there aren't many cars...

    One of these days we'll have to get to Roan Mtn.
    Betsy

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  7. I haven't been to Boone in a long, long time but thanks for the tip on great Greek food! It looks amazing.

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  8. Gyro meat is one of my all time favorite ethnic meats. I've made Alton Brown's version several times. I think I might have to drive to Gondalier tomorrow now that I read this.

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  9. It sounds (and looks) as if you found a great place for lunch. We'll keep that in mind the next time we're in Boone.

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  10. Isn't it nice when you can find a nice little spot like that when traveling. I certainly sounds delicious.

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