492358 Fri Feb 22 16:37:58 -0800 2008 46 22 Quebec (including Montreal) 0 3425739 Best souvlaki in Montreal is??? Fri Feb 22 16:37:58 -0800 2008 164327 hungrycountry 1 3426053 Do you mean real souvlaki (i.e. pork cubes in pita) or gyro (in pita)? In any case and IMHO, I think by far the best is Nostos on L'acadiemostly for their gyro pita but also for their souvlaki pita. Good runner-ups are Village Grec (Parc-Ex location mostly) and Marathon. I never understood the polls that claim George Souvlaki is the best; I thought it was very average and so is Arahova (with some locations being downright awful. Then again, if you've had it in Greece, you will never want to eat anything here; it just doesn't compare. BTW, avoid Kojax Souflaki at all cost; not only is it horrible and vile, they don't even spell it right! Fri Feb 22 18:39:01 -0800 2008 3425739 12421 hungryann 2 3426087 I haven't tried Nostos (will do), but with regard to the rest of your opinion I do agree with. Fri Feb 22 18:51:28 -0800 2008 3426053 164327 hungrycountry 2 3426173 George used to be very good a few years back, but there was a change of management (possibly ownership as well but I'm not sure) and it went downhill fast. I think the fact that they keep getting voted best souvlaki in the city has more to do with brand loyalty than with their current offerings. Fri Feb 22 19:25:36 -0800 2008 3426053 97427 Moosemeat 3 3426576 My favourite place is Agora on Somerled in NDG. It takes awhile as they cook everything fresh, but well worth the wait. They have insanely cheap lunch specials Also pretty good is Parthenon on Van Horne & Cote Des Neiges. Hands down the best Tzatziki in Montreal and it is also a BYOW Fri Feb 22 23:50:55 -0800 2008 3426173 19385 InterFoodie 4 3435547 Parthenon is the best tzatziki cos it makes my mouth burn with garlic! Tue Feb 26 06:20:27 -0800 2008 3426576 30876 marblebag 5 3440544 True! Wed Feb 27 12:07:19 -0800 2008 3435547 164327 hungrycountry 2 3426679 I agree that Nostos & Village Grec are best by far, if you're talking about gyro. Never tried the souvlaki at Nostos, & I think I tried the souvlaki at Village Grec once, but it was longtime ago. Marathon for their souvlaki I presume? Does it make a difference at which Marathon location(their laval locations & Decarie Expressway location)? Sat Feb 23 03:35:34 -0800 2008 3426053 11610 BLM 3 3428739 No diffrence...both are equal. There is also a WI location, which has the same quality. Marathon also does gyro; both the gyro and souvlaki are good but the pita is a little chewy. I prefer the fluffier pita and that's more traditional than using the arabic pita. Sat Feb 23 21:10:20 -0800 2008 3426679 12421 hungryann 4 3429106 The Marathon locations throughout Montreal, I'm guessing are owned & run by the founding family(meaning they're not franchise operations)? Sun Feb 24 05:54:40 -0800 2008 3428739 11610 BLM 5 3429329 No, I don't believe they are. Sun Feb 24 08:04:43 -0800 2008 3429106 12421 hungryann 1 3429244 Had to mention two souvlaki components that are top notch: the tzatziki at Village Souvlaki (Decarie & Sherbrooke) is excellent - very creamy, lots of cucumber shreds, but not too garlicky like I find the one at Arahova. I also love the fluffy pita bread at Terasse Lafayette (Villeneuve & Jeanne-Mance) - not sure if it's homemade or what they do that makes it different, but it's tremendously tasty and fluffy. Will try some of the other recs here - if I could ever find amazing chicken, pita & tzatziki in one place, I'll be in souvlaki heaven for sure. :-) Sun Feb 24 07:25:15 -0800 2008 3425739 66614 kpzoo 2 3429265 Yes, all the breads at Terrasse Lafayette are house made. Their tzatziki is excellent too. Add high-quality grilled meat and you have the makings of one of the city's better souvlakis. Plus it's BYOB. Too bad their doner isn't up too snuff. Sun Feb 24 07:34:58 -0800 2008 3429244 10520 carswell 2 3429337 I have never had great chicken souvlaki anywhere in Montreal. I never knew about TL. I will give it a go soon! Sun Feb 24 08:07:06 -0800 2008 3429244 12421 hungryann 1 3452796 La Ligne Rouge (a.k.a : the Red Line) on Jean-Talon corner of Saint-Denis (next to the Jean Talon Metro's most western exit -Direction Marché) is my guilty pleasure and the only place I can still recommend for souvlaki. The pork is fresh (not manufactured and frozen in Markham), tender and spiced right. The tzatziki will assure you people (even bank tellers behind protective glass) asking where you ate for at least a week. Drive back home with the windows open even in a snowstorm and enjoy! Sun Mar 02 15:38:38 -0800 2008 3425739 148298 Junior Warden 2 3468719 Is there a lamb souvlaki to be had in Mtl? In Greece is souvlake ever made with lamb as opposed to Pork? Fri Mar 07 03:07:33 -0800 2008 3452796 10711 VivreManger 3 3471668 I have never found a greek one in Mtl; Abu Elias has a lamb sandwich that is really good. Yes, in Greece, they have lamb souvlaki, however pork is more popular. Also most gyro in Greece is made with a combination of pork, lamb and beef and it is out of this world! Fri Mar 07 20:12:21 -0800 2008 3468719 12421 hungryann 3 3472715 I had lamb souvlaki the other day at the souvlaki place opposite st. viateur bagels (sorry forgot name it is a chain) and i enjoyed it and it was reasonable cost then crossed the street to get my bagels and smoked salmon spread! Sat Mar 08 10:08:48 -0800 2008 3468719 39407 wilmagrace 4 3472766 Arahova Souvlaki St-Viateur from your description. That would be the chain's flagship & original location. Sat Mar 08 10:25:40 -0800 2008 3472715 11610 BLM 5 3472787 I hope I won't be kicked off the board (or worse, laughed at and ridiculed). But I am still a big fan of the Original Arahova (on St. Viateur) souvlaki pita and tzatziki. The fries have gone downhill ( I think they are using McCains or something like that), but the pita is still great. And I love their rice pudding. I don't order anything else from them. ok. you can stop laughing now... We used to have a Village Grec that we could order from in the Plateau, but that closed. Those were great souvlakis as well, and I have been meaning to go to the other store. But we are just too close to Arahova... it is too easy. The sins of laziness.... Sat Mar 08 10:35:24 -0800 2008 3472766 89969 moh 6 3472830 They might of been the first souvlaki establishment in Canada, when they first opened on St-Viateur. No problem with liking Arahova Souvlaki St-Viateur, & they might still do these differently(for the better) than the other Arahova Souvlaki locations. Sat Mar 08 10:49:24 -0800 2008 3472787 11610 BLM 6 3472999 Don't sweat it. I used to like it too until I discovered Village Grec and Nostos and then married a Greek man! It's good for what it is but I know for a fact Greeks refer to it as souvlaki for non-Greeks. Sat Mar 08 12:10:36 -0800 2008 3472787 12421 hungryann 7 3473060 Gotcha... thanks for the distinction. I recall the Village Grec souvlaki well, it was really great and I obviously need to reconnect... will also keep eyes peeled for Nostos! Sat Mar 08 12:30:54 -0800 2008 3472999 89969 moh 6 4402643 nothing hits the spot at 3am on a saturday like a plate of their old fashion gyro and grilled octopus. the grilled octopus is seeping with oil but at that hour, gotta take what you can get Mon Feb 09 19:17:28 -0800 2009 3472787 14181 celfie 1 3652991 I was told by a Montreal restaurateur recently that most souvlaki eating establishments in Montreal, use a bit of mustard in their marinade of souvlaki(besides lemon juice, garlic, oregano, olive oil..etc). This is also the case with grilled chicken breasts, in many restaurants that serve them. Is this correct? Sat May 03 09:25:32 -0700 2008 3425739 11610 BLM 1 3653118 did anybody mention marven's in park-ex? they have my all-time favourite souvlaki. their lamb chops are good and i like their fried calamari too. it's best to go for lunch or an early dinner. line-ups out the door on weekends! Sat May 03 10:20:01 -0700 2008 3425739 174886 djou 2 3653326 Marvins used to be one of the best...that is up to about 3or 4 years ago, when all of a sudden the quality dropped. I had gone back a few times, but the food is just not the same. The Pita on my last visit was so stale it was inedible. I suspect that from the change in decor (most all the stuffed animals decorating the place were gone) that it may have changed ownership. Too bad, I really liked Marvins. Sat May 03 12:03:10 -0700 2008 3653118 96721 fedelst1 3 3653418 i haven't noticed any drop in quality of the food (the same can't be said of the service)... but then again, i've been eating there for almost 20 years, so i probably wouldn't like any other greek food i try (i'm a creature of habit). Sat May 03 12:53:23 -0700 2008 3653326 174886 djou 1 3854732 Just had souvlaki and yero pitas at Terrasse Lafayette after many moons away, and man,are those pitas delicious - soft, thick, doughy. And the tzatziki, so creamy and not too garlicky. The disappointment came in the meats - measly slices of dry yero and slightly better souvlaki though a little on the salty side. Wed Jul 09 19:41:24 -0700 2008 3425739 27713 chilipepper 1 4397151 I've been eating souvlaki in the Park Ave area off and on since 1976 . Anyone remember Salona? Park at Fairmount. Long extinct now. I loved it, but was only 13 so don't now know if it was really good or not. I dug up this post because my family hit Arahova on St. Viateur last night and I experienced the worst souvlaki pita of my life. I'm used to the usual one piece of grisly inedible pork that seems to be in every souvlaki everywhere (and diminishes it as a go to fast food, I might add). But I spat out (elegantly I might add) 4 of the 5 pieces of pork last night and left them on my plate. Told the waiter who grunted "Did I want another one?" I said no. To his credit it was off the bill without me asking. Arohova still has great tzatziki, that's about it. Still remember literally living off souvlaki pita at take out stands while traveling through Greece about 22 years ago. They were 50 dracma each at the time. 50 cents then. Super budget traveling. Anyone else slept on the roof of a hostel in Athens in their own sleeping bag for 1 dollar? Sat Feb 07 18:59:29 -0800 2009 3425739 262240 everyonelovessushi 1 4400666 Hands down best souvlaki is Marvens in Park Ex, also best fried calamari (although you should clearly get your cholesterol levels checked afterwards!) I was at Village Grec just this past Saturday night and I was very dissapointed, it's usually much better. Also good is the original Arahova on St-Viateur, but not their franchised ones. Nostas is super overrated and insanely expensive. Lunch there cost me $30! and all I had was the chicken pita platter with salad and fries - no entrée, diet coke, nothing to write home about! Mon Feb 09 09:47:58 -0800 2009 3425739 218742 chefdujour 2 4400688 Did you leave a 20$ tip? Mon Feb 09 09:56:07 -0800 2009 4400666 18488 SnackHappy 1 4402651 this may come as a surprise, but van horne pizza in outremont makes a fine souvlaki pita. whatever tzaziki they use is wonderfully tang with just the right amount of garlic. back during my vegetarian days, I would get their vegetarian pita which the owner claimed comes with the best feta cheese money can buy - and I don't doubt it . heck i might go veg again just to justify its daily order! Mon Feb 09 19:19:41 -0800 2009 3425739 14181 celfie 2 4402745 Well not too surprising, considering most pizzerias are Greek-owned. Mon Feb 09 20:01:00 -0800 2009 4402651 12421 hungryann 1 4788945 Hi, Being Greek myself and eating Greek food at least once a week I thought I would post my 2 cents. Marathon's (Never liked anything here, and i live 2 minutes away) Arahova (Great tzatziki, everything else is bland) Village Grec (Used to have best gyro and Souvlaki, now it is more miss than hit) Nostos ( So So, always takes forever for the girl to bring the bill) Mama's Pizza (Shameful because the owner is Greek, Disgusting) Alto ( Slightly better than Mama) Ace Deli (Slightly Better than Alto) Georges Souvlaki ( Had it once, it's enough) Elatos (Hands down the most succulent souvlaki I have ever tasted. Only complaint is they put Italian dressing on the Greek salad wtf, Following visits I always ask for Village salad with olive oil and it's terrific. As for Gyro, I am only going to mention the Real Gyro not that Chicago still crap most restaurants serve that looks like cat food. Arahova( Decent ) Marathons (It is always very dry) Nostos (Decent) Village Grec ( As I said Hit and Miss, when it is good, they have the tastiest Gyro in town, when there off they are second best) Elatos ( Always Consistent but not as good as when Village Grec is at it' best) Fri Jun 19 18:14:34 -0700 2009 3425739 1086370 chomedeylaval 2 4789950 where is Elatos located and what is the closest metro stop, within walking distance? Sat Jun 20 08:16:13 -0700 2009 4788945 87836 tombombadillo 3 4789961 550 Jarry West. I can't remember if I've eaten there before(from the address). Sat Jun 20 08:24:28 -0700 2009 4789950 11610 BLM 4 4792880 Now I remember trying the gyro at Elatos years ago(maybe 10 years ago). Elatos was the first place I found real gyro. Sun Jun 21 15:49:34 -0700 2009 4789961 11610 BLM 3 4789964 550 Jarry West 514 273-5358 Closest metro stations are Parc and Jarry, though the resto's several long blocks from each. Visit www.stm.info, click the Plan Your Trip link and enter your location and the resto's address; it will calculate the quickest route via bus, metro and/or train. Sat Jun 20 08:26:03 -0700 2009 4789950 10520 carswell 2 4792220 You should also try Tripoli; no gyro and the souvlaki does not come in a pita but the meat is tender and flavorful. Also some friends say that Panama's souvlaki is very good but I have never had it. Sun Jun 21 10:18:38 -0700 2009 4788945 12421 hungryann 2 4827775 "Elatos (Hands down the most succulent souvlaki I have ever tasted. Only complaint is they put Italian dressing on the Greek salad wtf, Following visits I always ask for Village salad with olive oil and it's terrific." Stop by yesterday since I was in the area and it turn out to be my the best tasteless souvlaki plate I ever had. Leaving the place I also stinked like fried oil and all. People were very nice but didn't like their food at all. I had a souvlaki platter with 2 sticks. Anyone knows of a secret place for souvlaki?????? my favorite place is parthenon. Love their tsaziki and souvlaki sticks. Fri Jul 03 13:38:03 -0700 2009 4788945 29575 maj54us 3 4828700 believe it or not but van horne pizza in outremont does a good souvlaki. in fact, even their vegetarian version is on the very good side Sat Jul 04 00:35:33 -0700 2009 4827775 14181 celfie 1 4861812 Arahova on St-Viateur is the best everything Greek. Wed Jul 15 14:12:19 -0700 2009 3425739 1092852 yeggy 2 4870414 they definitely do not but it is the best food imaginable at 4am Sat Jul 18 14:16:32 -0700 2009 4861812 14181 celfie 1 4870346 For me the best gyro in town is : La Ligne Rouge 414 Jean Talon Est 514 277 2222 The gyro meat is always tender,moist,flavorful and no fat. Sat Jul 18 13:34:06 -0700 2009 3425739 208904 satana_666 2 4898691 I'm not Greek, but I did grow up in Chomedey... and I have been to Greece a few times (so I can be a little objective)... and IMHO Marathon's really nails it. Arahova's if you have no other choice... a little too fluffy and creamy for me. Elatos... ummm... no way!! Bland and greasy. I'd sooner go to Decarie Hotdog. Tue Jul 28 18:29:27 -0700 2009 4870346 233504 rictitious 3 4898965 Update. Well mixed reviews I see. Will definatly try out La ligne rouge this week, never heard of it. I am on a low-carb diet and eat at least 3-4 times a week at these places. Maybe you should give some restos another try. I had Arahova take-out today and it was really bad. There was 6 strips of meat and a ton of white sauce, that did not resemble tzatziki in any way. Marathons yesterday was better than usual but still under par. Village Grec Laval location is still good for Souvlaki and the salad is ok. I still got to admit Elatos is the best overall. Try the one stick with doner meat and Village salad. Tue Jul 28 20:19:34 -0700 2009 4898691 1086370 chomedeylaval