Gyros at Hickory Ridge Grill
Nov 8th, 2010 by Alex
Per my roommate’s recommendation, I discovered that Hickory Ridge Grill prepares a mighty fine gyro. One of the best I’ve ever had in fact, second only to those at Chris’ Charcoal Pit (and that’s a tall order, folks).
The assembly of a gyro (pronounced “yee-roe”, please) isn’t too complicated and doesn’t take long, but the difference is in the details. The pita was hot, perfectly wrapped in foil so that none of the contents would escape, soft and fluffy but not crispy. Thick cuts of meat are key, freshly sliced from the rotisserie. The mixture of onion, tomato, and feta is equally important; if the tomatoes aren’t strained or are too juicy, the pity gets soggy. No problems at Hickory Ridge Grill. I thought that serving the slightly zingy Tzatziki on the side was a nice touch, since it’s easy to overdo it and everyone’s tastes vary.
Despite its American-sounding burger-joint name and the fact that it is hidden away in one of Columbia’s many nondescript strip malls, Hickory Ridge Grill has got it together when it comes to Mediterranean dishes. Not surprising, since it’s Greek-owned and operated. You can hear the cooks talking in their native tongue from the open kitchen. It’s a nice touch, one that rounds it out as a great place to stop in for lunch or dinner.
hi alex. saw your comment on howchow’s blog and followed the links to here. are you in the hoco? love to have your blog listed on hocoblogs.com if you are. ’tis free …
Great writeup. I used to live over there and the Grill was always a pretty good spot for lunch. If you’re into sushi, you should give Narita a try (same shopping center).
Better late than never i just saw your review and appreciate the feedback. Hope to see you soon for a “Yeeroe”
Thanx Chef George Papas