The gyro is a popular Greek street food that has become popular in many parts of the world. Its history can be traced back to the early 20th century, when it was first introduced in Greece by Greek immigrants from Anatolia.

The original Greek gyro was actually inspired by the Turkish doner kebab, which consists of meat cooked on a vertical spit and shaved off in thin slices. When the Greek immigrants arrived in Greece, they adapted the Turkish kebab to suit their own tastes and culture, and the gyro was born.

The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern that is based on the traditional cuisine of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain. It is characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, as well as a moderate intake of fish and poultry and a low intake of red meat and dairy products. The Mediterranean diet has been associated with a number of health benefits, including:

Even if you’re not Greek, you may have heard the Greek expression “ya’sou” or “yassas” in your travels (or maybe even right here at Freskos!) Greeks often greet each other with this friendly, casual phrase, but what does it mean?

What Does Ya’sou Mean?

Literally translated, ya’sou means “ to your health” – and is used to greet someone and wish them good health. That’s why, in the spirit of “your health,” Freskos has an exciting new item on our menu – we call it the “Ya’sou” gyro and it’s available exclusively at Freskos.

What’s in the Ya’sou Gyro?

As with all of our classic Greek sandwiches, we start with a warm pita – fresh from the oven, thinly sliced red onion, tomato, fresh sprigs of dill all topped with a generous dollop of tzatziki.

When many Greek-Americans think about traditional home cooking, Avgolemono soup naturally comes to mind. It's the family gathering, holiday and rainy-day comfort food. It's the stay-home-from-school-with-a-cold-food. Avgolemono is the Greek answer to "Jewish Penicillin" aka chicken soup. Conjuring up delicious flavors of chicken, manestra (orzo) and lemon as well as nostalgic memories and family history, this is a recipe that many Greek children grew up with and that has been handed down from generation to generation.

When people think of fast food, they think of burgers and fries, drive throughs and – let’s be honest – greasy food. That’s why, at Freskos Greek restaurant we don’t call ourselves fast food, we call ourselves “fast casual.” But what does fast casual mean, anyway?

Fast. When the kids are hangry after a visit to the Eli Whitney Museum, you know you can get a fast meal at Freskos. When you’re going to a show at The Space – you won’t be late if you stop for a bite. All our salads, sandwiches and entrees are made fresh to order, but our top-notch kitchen staff can whip your order together grígora (that’s Greek for quickly!) If you’re in a super rush, order ahead online!

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, your palate is in for a real treat. Super fresh produce – oranges, tomatoes, and beans with rich cheeses like Feta and right-from-the-oven pita and flatbreads. Just plucked -from-the-Mediterranean seafood. Olive oil that was picked, pressed and bottled locally. No matter where you are in Greece – the capitol city of Athens, the Peloponnese, Macedonia or any of the islands – there are some traditional staples that you simply must try in order to fully embrace the culinary beauty of this diverse country. Best of all, they’re all available right in your own backyard – at Freskos in Hamden.

Here are the top five Greek dishes you should try:

 

On September 28, Freskos in Hamden held a fundraising event in order to raise money to help support UnidosUS, launched by the Hispanic Federation which aids in long-term needs for residents of Puerto Rico. Thanks to your donations, Freskos raised $500. To read more about our event, click here.

Gas prices have been at a record high this summer – and are now slowly coming down. At the time this article is being published, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Connecticut is hovering at around $4.35. So, we’re all looking for ways to cut costs just a little. We’re driving more conservatively… no more pedal to the metal. We’re driving less, trying to consolidate our errands and make fewer trips to the store, the pharmacy, and the pump. But what about healthy eating? Everyone knows that junk food costs less than fresh-from-the-garden ingredients… packaged foods are cheaper than homemade and hand-prepared meals.

When you’re lucky enough to travel to the gorgeous and vast country of Greece, you're bound to pick up a few words. “Gea sas” (pronounced “ya sas”) means hello (or goodbye depending on context). The seemingly contrary “ne” (pronounced “neh”) means “yes,” and of course “efaristo,” which means “thank you". Greetings and polite words are good to know when you’re enjoying a meal in a restaurant – but even in far-flung villages in the Peloponnese, you’ll find that most restaurant workers speak English. (If they don’t, you can always point to what you want on the menu!)

You may think the Mediterranean diet is another fad, like Atkins or Whole 30 but the term was first coined in the 1950s when researchers discovered that heart disease wasn’t as common in Europe as it was in the U.S. – specifically countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea: Greece, Italy, France and Spain. So, what makes their diet so healthy? Read on.

Why the Mediterranean diet?

For the record, Freskos is a Greek Restaurant – we’re not doctors. Some doctors and researchers have found that the Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating plan that helps prevent heart disease and even stroke. By eating fresh, healthy foods, and incorporating traditional flavors and cooking methods, you could be on your way to a healthier lifestyle. And it’s truly delicious, too!