Trippin’ in Greece Part 7: Best Meal in Thanasis

I would’ve loved to have my best meal in Greece during my last day there.  Instead, this meal was actually during my first night there and it’s something so basic and happens to be one of my favorite things in this world: kebabs!

There are few things in this world that I love more than kebabs.  So when kebabs are done right, few things are as satisfying.  Thanasis is particularly famous for their kebabs and their souvlakis, which are essentially grilled meat, and is considered the best souvlaki joint in Athens¹.  They don’t fuck around much.  No foreplay, no kissing.  Open up their menu and their Thanasis Kebap is the first thing you’ll see.

Their special kebaps / souvlaki are made from lamb and one order is 4 chunks of meaty goodness in tube form.  The kebabs are served with a pita, some onions, and roasted tomatoes.  I can’t tell you the difference the kebabs here are from any other I’ve tasted, but these are EASILY the best ones I’ve ever had.  The pita makes a huge difference.  It was crunchy yet moist.  The roasted tomatoes were so good that Cousin Jeff (who doesn’t eat tomatoes) couldn’t get enough of them.  Fresh ingredients and proper seasoning go a long way.  Add that up with perfectly grilled lamb kebabs and the oily and fatty remains from the kebabs and it’s really to die for.  I mean, take a look at the pictures and I can’t imagine anyone saying “No” to those babies.  Not even those evil vegetarians, or vegans, or whatever they call themselves².

But even those guys will have something great to eat in Thanasis.  We ordered a Greek Salad, which is almost unthinkable on my part.  Me?  Eating a salad?  But like the souvlaki, the Greek Salad was fantastic precisely because of the ingredients and seasoning.

Greek Salads are made with tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, olives, onions, and feta cheese, topped with olive oil.  Feta cheese is a staple of Greek cuisine whether its paired with sandwiches, salads, or eaten as is.  It’s one of Greece’s main produce.  It’s grainy in texture and salty in taste.  Even non-cheese lovers will like this.

The things we ate in Thanasis are not what you would call sophisticated cooking.  But that’s what I love about it.  I’m a sucker for simple food so I might be rating this a bit higher than another person would.  But I don’t really care.  I love Thanasis because they stick by what they do best and they really don’t fuck around.  Portions were big and enough to share³ and the price is something I’d pay for even in Manila.  And this is me: the ultimate cheapskate.  I made one mistake though, I ate in Thanasis only once.

Trippin’ in Greece Part 7: Best Meal in Thanasis 2011-12-30

would’ve loved to have my best meal in Greece during my last day there.  Instead, this meal was actually during my first night there and it’s something so basic and happens to be one of my favorite things in this world: kebabs! There are few things in this world that I love more than kebabs.  …