The other day, I realized that I had never been to Zorba’s Mediterranean Cuisine located at 6014 North May Avenue, nor its previous location now occupied by Sheesh Mahal.
Truthfully, I don’t know why I haven’t eaten there. I grew up in and around North May and had always heard it was one of the city's better Greek places. I guess the restaurant has always just been there, was always going to be there and I just took it for granted.
Well, after thirty-plus years of sleeping on the job, I finally decided to try it for lunch, and, man, it was a real eye-opener!
Though the outside architecture gives me very Taj Mahal vibes, once you power through its massive wooden doors, you're greeted by a beautiful fresco on the main ceiling of the lobby, telling me I am in for a real artisan treat.
As we walked into the main restaurant, we were quickly ushered to a counter in the far corner and handed some lunch menus. After a quick scan, we grabbed our number, stopped by the drink station, and found some seats.
A few minutes later, our server brought out our appetizer—the semi-traditional Zorba’s Hummus ($6.50).
Served with pita bread and pita chips, it’s made with chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, tahini, and extra virgin olive oil, then garnished with tomatoes, kalamata olives, and sumac.
The hummus was wonderful, delivering a slightly tart taste that was both unexpected and welcome. While I preferred the bread to the chips, I liked having the best of both worlds. My girlfriend and I devoured the entire plate.
With such an aromatic appetizer preparing us for the main meal, my girlfriend fell head over heels for the Creamy Herbed Garlic Gyros ($13.50).
Well-seasoned gyro meat is coated in a creamy garlic sauce and paired with sautéed onions and peppers. It’s served with fresh warm pita bread, steamed basmati rice, and Zorba’s homemade tzatziki sauce.
I have to say it: you haven’t truly had gyro meat until you’ve had Zorba’s, especially their Creamy Herbed Garlic Gyros. The effortless pairing of fresh pita and tender gyro meat, combined with the onions and peppers, makes for a feast to remember.
For my plate, I opted for the experimental Zorba’s Greek Burger ($10.00). Not to be hyperbolic, but this might be the best burger I’ve ever had—or at least the best one last week.
The Greek Burger features a charbroiled, seasoned ground beef patty topped with feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, Kalamata olives, and basil mayonnaise, all served on homemade cheese focaccia bread with perfectly seasoned fries.
I’ve never had a burger as thrillingly original or wholly inventive. Taking the sheer concept of a burger and infusing it with the Greek essence of a traditional gyro, this dish is a work of delicious art. I’m already craving another one!
And as a final touch of brilliance, the twice-fried fries are the perfect capper to this meal.
Having fully demolished my burger, I knew I should stop. But ever since I discovered crème brûlée at La Baguette on my last birthday, I’ve been on a mission to try new spins on the dessert. Naturally, I had to order Zorba’s Baklava Crème Brûlée ($8.50).
Not to disparage La Baguette, but Zorba’s take on the dish is positively stellar. The combination of vanilla custard with walnuts and cinnamon, finished with a sugar crust and topped with phyllo ribbons and orange blossom syrup, creates a true masterpiece.
“Culinary art” is the perfect way to describe Zorba’s. Crafting edible masterpieces, their expressive menu feels like it was shaped by the Greek gods themselves. At the very least, it was a divine treat to experience their marvelous creations. Opa!
Cómpralo ya!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
