Pete’s Gyros Place

2819 E. Colfax Ave. (at Detroit)/303-321-9658

The other day, as my children and I gave our mouths a final napkin-wiping, it occurred to me that I have never written a review of one of our favorite, standby family restaurants, Pete’s Gyros Place. How had so many meals and years of reviewing  gone by without me ever thinking I should let other families know about this little treasure? Was I subconsciously trying to keep it a secret? That’s pointless. Pete’s Gyros is an institution, as are the six other restaurants run by the friendly and white-haired Pete Contos.  Three of Pete’s restaurants are within steps of each other (including this one) and because of that (and I’m sure because of Pete’s long-standing presence in the restaurant industry in Denver), that stretch of East Colfax is called “Greektown”.  Shame on me for trying to keep the secret because this Pete’s is too good to keep to oneself.

Pete’s is a great place to take the kids for many reasons: 1. The food is consistently good and reasonably-priced 2. There’s a good kids’ menu  3. The same waitresses have been there forever and call you “honey” or “darling” whether this is your first time in the place or your 50th 4. The clientele is diverse 5. The mood is low-key with an old, greasy-spoon feel but not greasy-spoon cuisine. 6. It’s a great way to introduce kids to mediterranean food.

Having grown up on Greek food, I couldn’t wait to introduce my children to the wonders of things like Gyros meat (seasoned lamb and beef mysteriously pressed and placed on a large spindle which the cook then shaves off with a sickle of a device), souvlaki (marinated, cubed pork), Greek salad with feta cheese, Greek olives or warm pita bread.

When we first started going to Pete’s some 15 years ago, when the kids were little, I could get them to nibble at small amounts of meat or chicken as long as it was cloaked in warm pita bread followed by some perfectly crispy french fries. Nary an olive, bite of salad or anything at all adventurous would pass their lips. Now, however, their palates have matured enough that they will order the Gryos Sandwich and slather cool yogurt-based Tsatsiki sauce all over it and dig in. They’ll slurp lemony Avoglomono soup or chow down on the tangy Greek salad (get the dressing on the side or it will come drowning the greens).

On our recent visit, after having asked me for weeks to return to Pete’s, my daughter took the first bite  and exclaimed  “it’s a dream come true!”. Wow, when have you ever heard a kid say that…about a sandwich? Never!  The Greek specialties range from $7.50 for a Gyros Sandwich (with fries) to $15.95 for the Big Greek Combo (with a variety of traditional Greek dishes).

Before the kids became enraptured by the Greek food, they focused on breakfast standards like pancakes, omelets and platters, some of which get the Greek touch by adding Gyros or Souvlaki meat to them ($3.75 – $8.95). We’ve also tried the burger, Rueben and grilled cheese ($4.50 – $9.50) sandwiches which are more what you’d expect from a diner type of place.  Because of the American offerings, there is something to please everyone.

The Children’s Menu, for ages 10 and under includes Micro (“small” in Greek) versions of the Gyros, Souvlaki and grilled cheese sandwiches with fries or a breakfast combo for $3.95 each. A drink and cookie are included. You’ll have to remind the wait staff to bring the cookie because they routinely forget for some reason.

Go to Pete’s on the early side or for a late lunch or you’ll be left standing in the cramped entry area right next to where the waitresses butter toast and pick up orders.

Note: I have no tempting photo to entice you with in this blog because we ate everything before we thought to photograph it. Sorry. Let this Greek flag suffice until you go to Pete’s yourself.