New on Nostrand: Clubs Gyro

Hawthorne Street HQ is a few steps from Flatbush Avenue, so we admit to a Flatbush-side bias in our coverage. That said, when we get a tip about something going on in the eastern part of PLG, we try to follow up. Which brings us to Clubs Gyro, a new Halal take-out option at 1026 Nostrand between Empire and Sterling (gmap).

It is, as the name implies, a simple gyro joint. Basic fare like gyros, falafel and kebabs. You can't treat the menu as gospel since they have added items since it was printed. The lone Yelp review says that they have added "Philly Cheese-steaks, white fish sandwiches, and fried white fish plates", when I was there, someone ordered fries and there was a sign on the wall for a couple of biryani dishes.

Clubs Gyro is a sliver of a storefront (pic below) and there is no seating. There is about 4 feet of space between the door and the counter, which is set up for the sandwich fixings, Subway-style.

I stuck with the basics on my first trip: gyro on a pita and falafel on a pita. To start with the good, I really liked the falafel (which, sadly, was Carrie's so I didn't get much). Even after the trip back from Nostrand to HQ in the cold, which really cooled down the fried-to-order falafel balls, it was a tasty, filling sandwich. At $4.50 for a falafel with hummus it is fairly priced.

The gyro didn't fare as well. Even though I've been told by posters that "it tastes better when you say YEE-ros," this isn't a Greek joint and the counterman told me "no heros, only pita." Which is fine, I wanted pita for my JAI-ro anyway. There was no rotisserie going to roast the outside of the lamb; it was already roasted, cubed and in a warming tray. It also did not survive the trip home nearly as well as the falafel. Whether it was already cooling in the warming tray or the December air really punished the sandwich, I don't know. It was pretty cold when I got home, though. These are not ideal reviewing conditions, so take this with a grain of salt, but even after reheating the sandwich in the microwave to get the fat melted again, I didn't love this gyro. Still, at $4 it is a pretty good deal. The portions are fair without enhancement, but by the time the gyro is fully loaded, it is pretty substantial. The sandwich fixings include banana peppers, jalapenos, cucumber, green peppers, raw onion, pickle chips and green olives. I'll try it again under better testing circumstances.

This is a lot of writing for two take-out sandwiches, so I'll cut this short here. The printed, though incomplete, menu is below the fold.

Thanks, Diana!

 

Comments

[sarah]

speaking of plg restaurants, thought i'd fyi you that i just noticed Mango Seed is on restaurant.com, offering discounted $25 and $50 gift certificates: http://www.restaurant.com/microsite.asp?rid=397854&mcn=00102129

[acrossthepark]

tried this place today. falafel not bad, though a little salty. my major gripe is that they do not distinguish between gyro white sauce and tahini. i requested tahini and was given white sauce. i asked, "is that tahini?" when he picked up the bottle of white sauce (I saw him use it when other customers requested white sauce) and the man behind the counter was obviously annoyed and said, "yes, that's tahini." well, it wasn't. he may very well not know what tahini is.

won't be going back.