Opa!
Rome will soon experience the Greek influence when Stathis Greek Restaurant & Gyros becomes a permanent fixture in the city.
Romans may have already experienced the taste of a “stuffed to the hilt” lamb gyro or a honey-sweet slice of baklava when owner Stathis (Steven) Koulouris brings his Stathis Greek Restaurant food truck to the rear parking lot of Miner Realty and Property Management, LLC, at the corner of South Madison Street and Erie Boulevard West from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays.
And while there’s plans for adding more food truck days to his Rome stops in the near future, Koulouris just found a new home in addition to his Utica restaurant at 1900 Genesee St. The Greek chef will open a second location at 172 Black River Blvd., recently closing on the property.
Several renovations will soon be made in the coming months, including some Parthenon-style columns installed on the storefront, fit for Zeus himself. Koulouris said he, his father and family members will be handling all the construction on their own.
For now, plans are to have the Black River Boulevard location a takeout only restaurant, rather than dine-in.
Koulouris started his career as a plumber down on Long Island where he grew up. But the day came when Koulouris knew he needed a change and it was the mix of food, family and togetherness that blossomed a dream to own and operate his own restaurant. The Koulouris family already had their roots in the restaurant business making fine Greek foods.
Koulouris opened Stathis Greek Restaurant and Gyros in Utica’s south side back in May 2018. An opening date for the Rome restaurant has not yet been set.
“My family owned restaurants in the Bronx,” said Koulouris. “My parents are right from Greece, and when they came over” to the U.S., “my dad, Jerry, started a restaurant and my mom, Irene, got involved.”
It’s the culture of family get-togethers celebrated by traditional foods that Koulouris hopes to grow in Rome.
“As a child the one thing I remember growing up in a Greek home and surrounded by my relatives is the food,” he said. “Now it is my turn to share that food with you.”
And Koulouris said he wouldn’t be able to make his dreams a reality if it wasn’t for the support of his parents and family. When first thinking of starting a restaurant, Koulouris said he had a location in Long Island in mind. But dad Jerry, who’s living in Canajoharie, Montgomery County, encouraged his son to come and make his business home in upstate New York.
“My dad said, ‘No, I want you to come up here and then I can help you with the business,’” Koulouris recalled. Soon later Koulouris found and purchased the current Utica location across the street from Price Chopper grocery store.
Koulouris plans to bring the same menu he’s grown his business on in Utica to his Rome location. Some of those traditional Greek foods and entrees include: lamb, grilled chicken breast, pork and loukanikis (sausage) gyros; vegetarian moussaka; grilled stuffed baby eggplant; grilled platters to include lamb, chicken or combo with pita, tzatziki and Greek salad; pastisio or baked Greek pasta; and chicken kabob with onions and peppers on rice.
For starters, there’s stuffed grape leaves, tzatziki (dip) with pita slices, hummus and even grilled octopus. Greens include the Greek Chickpea Salad, grilled chicken Caesar salad and Pikilia salad topped with garbanzo beans and grape leaves.
And for those able to leave room for dessert, there’s baklava, rice pudding and Galakatoburiko — Greek custard wrapped in phyllo and topped with honey.
Koulouris said he plans to add falafel to his menu soon as well.
Stathis Greek Restaurant & Gyros also caters for parties and special events. For more information, including menus for the Utica location and catering menus, go to www.stathisgreek.com or check for updates on Facebook.
Source: https://romesentinel.com/stories/food-truck-favorite-brings-taste-of-greece-to-rome,131083