Restaurant brings Mediterranean flair to town

Chamber of Commerce President Matt Welker, Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray, ABC Gyros and Pizzas staff member Tonya Patterson, Chamber Board Member Jinsie Bingham, ABC Gyros and Pizzas Manager Richard Simon, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tammy Amor, Administrator of Hickory Creek at Sunset Gail Camonte, and ABC staff member Arthur Middleton took part in a ribbon cutting at the new restaurant which recently opened in Greencastle.

There's a new restaurant in town and it's not like any other in the county. ABC Gyros and Pizzas offers a wide selection on its menu including the well-known Greek sandwich, Gyros (pronounced He-ros).

This sandwich is pure Greek and it simply means that the "gyros" turns around. A "gyros" is a full turn and the verb "gyrizo" means "to rotate." This comes from the way the meat is cooked in Mediterranean countries.

The Gyros itself is made with slices of beef and lamb on white or spinach pita bread served with Tartziki sauce and topped with onions and tomatoes.

According to historical sources, in 9th-century Baghdad they made "Judhaba", a dish similar to gyros. There is no other reference over the following centuries. Today it is believed that gyros were first made in Livadia in the 1950s, where the first souvlaki on a wooden stick was also invented.

However, if Mediterranean is not for you, ABC Gyros and Pizzas offer plenty of other choices. They have all types of pizza, sandwiches like hamburger, grilled chicken, Italian beef and sausage sandwiches as well as subs, salad and soups.

They also feature spaghetti, lasagna and breadsticks.

"Our hot sellers have been calzones and strombolis," said Restaurant Manger Richard Simon who also has a fine dining restaurant in Terre Haute called the Mediterranean Grill. When he decided it was time to open another facility, he surveyed the area and determined that Greencastle was a good spot to offer his cuisine.

"We wanted something on a smaller scale that people could afford and that was unique to the area," he said.

The restaurant opened at the end of November. They offer delivery, carry-out and dine-in. They also cater and do banquets and receptions.

Prices range from $2.39 for hamburgers to $4.29 for gyros. Pizzas start at $7.99 for a 14 inch pizza and $9.99 for a 16 inch. They offer all the regular toppings plus green and black olives, turkey, fresh tomatoes, artichokes, fresh garlic, spinach and green peppers.

Dough is hand-stretched for both pitas and pizzas.

ABC Gyros and Pizzas is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and open until midnight on Friday and Saturdays. They deliver all day. They are located at 424 S. Bloomington Street, Greencastle. Call 765-653-4400 for information or to place an order.