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I went to Katies restraunt on a Thursday night around 6PM. I was told by many that this was "the place" for the best gyro platter and fries and also wanted to try the sagnaki, ($6.50) or flaming cheese. This was obviously a family run business in the most literal sense of the word and I enjoyed a Greek mythos beer while waiting for the appetizer. The first thing I noticed is that when a gyro platter and fries come out, it smells divine. Places that make a "fast food" gyro have nothin' on this. In my limited culinary experience, I do not know the difference in preparation, but let me tell you when you go to a place that is real like this one, the texture of the lamb with the fries is something that is divine.
The server came out and lit the sagnaki on fire. It flamed up quite high and amused the entire half of the restaurant closely seated to us. Once the cheese is fried, it simply becomes a finger food of sorts that makes you wonder if you could just eat this with fries all night. The vibe while waiting for the main course was relaxed and the folks here were a bit eclectic, having a quiet evening and I think I was the only one there who had never been there before. The gyro mega platter ($10.99) was what I came for. I could not finish it. The lamb was so filling and I had not devoured better anywhere in San Diego, Denver, or Boston. Why? The texture. Somewhere in this place an ancient Greek god landed when it lost its' way from the isles and blessed the cooks forever after. You want this, in large quantities, and you won't mind waiting for it.
It should be noted that the felafel ($7.99) was told to me by another customer as an amazing vegetarian option. I am used to felafel with a more middle eastern flavor and did not take that route. That same other customer told me that the Greek Nachos ($8.99) were divine in the blending of the peppers and feta, and unrivaled in Omaha. The Assorted Appetizer Platter ($12.50) may be what I try next. There is spankopita, hummus, tzatzki, chicken or gyro meat, tomato, cucumber, feta, and olives. The fries that come with the gyro platter are large and each one is perfect. Remember when your buddies told you they loved fries from Runza so much more than the other fast food giants? just go ahead and mulitply that notion by ten. They are that good. Pour the Gyro sauce over them. Bathe them with ketchup. And appreciate them as you would as any object of your affection. I have been told that the Red Greek Pasta ($9.99) is also an excellent offering when not ready for the "weighing in of the lamb" on the empty belly.
We know a tavern owner around the corner that has been going to katies for fifteen years of more. Part of the greats like Bourdain and some other chefs/elaborators use when describing something such as corner vendor food is "its that great if they dont even try and its better than being transported to that land". Well, here, they try, and the result is... something that takes the mere notion of olive oil added to the cooking and speeds you out on carpet a magical isle as if you were in Crete, Lesbos, or Rhodes. When my partner and I mention Katie's, a certain weakness comes to the knees as if you were waiting as a child for your Christmas presents already in may, and didnt mind waiting because if was going to be THAT GOOD. And if you have never tried Greek and are feeling adventurous, why not have the satisfaction of trying the best. Thats right, the best. For taste, texture of lamb, and overall authenticity, I have no choice but to give this a stamp of approval that is like a Scorsese picture in the film realm. This restaurant is located at 119 S 40th St in Omaha, and their website is http://www.katiesgreek.com/.
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