Greto's Place is the place for Greek food

CRYSTAL ROCK — As he shaved succulent slices of seasoned lamb from a metal rotisserie cone, a smiled spanned across Anastos "Mak" Makripodis' face.Cooking puts the father of five at ease. It has ever since he was 8 years old.Back in Pittsburgh, Pa., where Makripodis is originally from, he worked in two different gyro shops: one ran by his father, Mike, and the other owned by his uncle, Kosta Adelianakis."I just remember going to the restaurant depot, called Pace, where we picked up the meat, pita bread and other ingredients," said Makripodis, whose family lineage traces back to Greece. "Then I would go back in the kitchen and cook. I love cooking. I love Greek food. It's just something I always enjoyed."Anastos "Mak" Makripodis, the co-owner of a new restaurant called Greto's Place, serves authentic Greek food. Makripodis offers fresh, and never frozen, gyros that he shaves each day from a metal rotisserie cone.For a long time, Makripodis tinkered with the idea of opening his own gyro shop. In fact, for a short period, he even operated a small pop-up stand from his Castalia home.Several complications in life, however, led him to place his cooking supplies up for sale earlier this year.But the man inquiring on his offer had no real interest in buying these materials — unless, of course, Makripodis would man them himself.Huron resident Rob Goretzki showed Makripodis a place he owns in Crystal Rock where auctions, a flea market and live musical performances take place from. Goretzki needed a restaurant to anchor the evolving entertainment arena he helps oversee and tapped Makripodis as the person to captain such a culinary undertaking.After talking to his wife, Meaghan, Makripodis accepted Goretzki's offer and debuted Greto's Place on May 22. Greto is a nickname Goretzki picked up when serving in the Navy."I am so happy I didn't give this up because something really good came out of it," Makripodis said.Greto's Place is located at 907 Crystal Rock Ave. in Sandusky. The hours of operation are 2 p.m. through 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays.Going GreekHe's not a member of the United Nations. But Makripodis unites the tastiest parts of the U.S. and Greece in hopes of pleasing his customers.For instance, his Hercules burger breaks down as a double bacon cheeseburger topped with feta rather than traditional cheese options of, say, American, Swiss or cheddar.Because of his Pittsburgh roots, he also sells an au jus Primanti Bros.-style sandwich — stacked high with coleslaw, tomatoes and french fries — layered with lamb instead of beef.And don't forget about dessert, consisting of traditional Greek treats, such as baklava and kataifi.The food isn't just Greek in name: Each delicacy features a special coating, hailing from Greece, to help bring out the richness and flavors to full effect."It's Makripodis Olive Oil, my own house brand," said Makripodis, adding he sells the product at his restaurant. "It's actually imported in Greece, where it's freshly made by my uncle and cousins there."The foods coming from Greto's Place kitchen are cooked in Makripodis Olive Oil, which is imported in fro Greece, where it's freshly made.While some restaurants sell Greek meals, none come as fresh or as unique as options dished out at Greto's Place, Makripodis contends."You can't get my type of food within an hour's drive," he said. "You can't get an authentic Greek gyro off the cone. It's not frozen. My portions are huge. About 90 percent of the time, people can't finish the food. And it's all sold for a reasonable price."Others vouch for the quality, quantity and authenticity of Makripodis' words."The people who eat here praise the food," said Goretzki, who is Makripodis' landlord. "There have been people who have traveled all around the world, come in here and say, 'This is the best gyro I have ever had.'"Anastos "Mak" Makripodis, the co-owner of a new restaurant called Greto's Place, serves authentic Greek food. Makripodis offers fresh, and never frozen, gyros that he shaves each day from a metal rotisserie cone.Once football season starts, Makripodis plans on offering special deals, especially for his fellow Pittsburgh fans."If you wear a Steelers jersey, I'll give you a free appetizer," Makripodis said. "I'll also have different promotions when the games are on."He even challenges people to try his Ambrosia challenge."If you eat three super gyros and 1 pound of french fries in under 30 minutes, you get your meal free, a $10 gift card and your picture on the wall," he said. "If you don't finish, you still get your picture on the wall — the wall of shame, and you have to pay for your meal."Operating his own restaurant pays homage to the two men, his uncle and father, mentoring Makripodis."Ever since I was old enough, my father pushed me and never treated me differently," said Makripodis, who has a prosthetic leg. "Growing up, my dad pushed me and pushed me. He taught me how to work and what it's like to be a man. As a man, you have to get up every day, go to work and provide for your family. That's what I want to do."Greto's Place is located at 907 Crystal Rock Ave. in Sandusky. The hours of operation are 2 p.m. through 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays.Some of the Makripodis family — including, from left to right, Andrew, Adriana, Anastos "Mak," Meaghan, and Tasso — stand in the kitchen of Greto's Place on Friday. The Greek-style restaurant features many dishes from the European country.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.