I’ve often wished that the fast food industry would provide more healthy options for its patrons. Some fast food eateries are getting on board with this by offering apples as an alternative to fries and other such attempts, but apples instead of French fries doesn’t sound very appealing to many.
This is why Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, located on Market Street near Chili’s, is doing a wonderful job of providing “fast food” with healthy options that you actually want to try.
At Taziki’s, you can pay $15 for two hearty dinners, the equivalent of two very unhealthy dinners with smaller portions at a fast food burger eatery. I went with one of the Taziki’s Gyro specials, the Greek Salad Gyro. This dish had mixed lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted red peppers, red onions, feta cheese and Greek dressing. I added in lamb with it for a wonderful and savory wrap combination. These gyros are served with chips and a healthy side. Healthy side items include a tomato-cucumber salad, roasted new potatoes, basmati rice, fresh pasta salad, or fresh cut fruit. I chose the fresh pasta salad as my healthy side, and was not disappointed. Topped with feta cheese and seasoned just so, this pasta salad is a perfect complement for any of the dishes you chose.
My dining partner went with the chicken basil-pesto gyro, filled with homemade basil pesto, tomatoes and feta cheese. I got to try a bite, and this wrap was as lovely as it sounds. The pesto was not overpowering, and complemented the feta cheese and chicken blend. She chose the roasted new potatoes as her side, and was given a tasty pork based tomato sauce to dip these with. Taziki’s also has daily specials. Monday is the Portobello mushroom sandwich. Tuesday is the turkey club pita. Wednesday is the spanakopita roll-up. Thursday is Mediterranean tacos. Friday through Sunday is the pasta special that includes grilled chicken with penne pasta tossed in homemade balsamic vinaigrette on a bed of mixed lettuces toped with feta, tomatoes and fresh basil. All of these specials, except the pasta special, are served with chips and a healthy side.
Taziki’s blends fast food dining with restaurant fare by offering hummus, taziki dip, dolmades, pimento cheese and mezedes platter for appetizer choices. Customers can also choose a Taziki Greek Salad which offers a variety of meats on top of a mix of lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted red peppers, red onions, pepperoncinis, Kalamata olives, fresh feta cheese, and original Greek dressing. There’s Greek Lemon Chicken Soup to go along with as well. Continuing down the menu there are selections like Fresh Catch with Caper-Dill Tartar Sauce and Grilled Eggplant with Tapenade on the Mediterranean Deli selections.
The Taziki’s Feasts come served with a Greek salad and Basmati rice or roasted new potatoes. Items in the feast selection include grilled chicken breast (marinated for over 12 hours in homemade Greek dressing), chargrilled lamb, grilled beef tenderloin, grilled tiger shrimp, gilled tilapia, herb-roasted pork loin, and dolmades. Taziki’s offers take-out fresh feasts for four people, extras to-go, and catering options. There’s even a children’s menu for those 12 and under where they can create their own chicken roll-up (Sneaky Taziki), have a “Child’s Feast,” or stick with a safe bet of grilled cheese or PB and J.
The ordering process at Taziki’s is similar to stepping up to a fast food counter, and you can see the cooks behind the register preparing your selection on an open grill and prep station. Guests step up to the counter and order when they are ready, self serve their drinks and then wait for their food to be brought to them. Yet, at this healthy fast-food style café, the staff is wonderfully helpful and attentive to customer needs. We ate there on a Saturday night, and were checked on three or four times by different employees. We didn’t feel the rushed and uncomfortable dining experience that sometimes accompanies fast food eateries, and we were able to sit down to a quiet and delicious meal, but we were served as quickly as any fast food location.
Taziki’s dining room is also very well done. There is a downstairs with booths and tables, and an upstairs with smaller tables for couples or family dining. The upstairs dining allows for patrons to look out over Market Street while they dine, and refills for their tea and water are also available upstairs. The interior of the café is very stylish as well. There is lots of dark wood, sleek tables, and soft lighting. The wide windows all around the restaurant acts as a source of natural sunlight to dine by. Taziki’s has accomplished the perfect blend of fast food and dining-in from décor, menu items, and more. Stop in for a quick (and healthy) bite to eat.
Email Erica Tuggle at reporter@hamiltoncountyherald.com.