To start off, a lot of people have asked me if there are places to eat for under five bucks. Yes, there are two places. Go to Pak a Pocket. Or I will sell you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for $4.25. Plus tax. Why are there so few options? Because restauranteurs know that you'll gladly pay eight bucks to enjoy a hot flavorful meal instead of your sandwich you made that morning while still groggy, that may have bottled tomato sauce on it instead of jelly. I'm the most guilty about this. I will spend hundreds at the grocery store to buy great lunch ingredients. I will make a delicious lunch with all sorts of unique parts. I will put it in the fridge at work and I will promptly forget about it when somebody mentions Carshon's. Now I have a new affordable place that will allow me to continue paying my mortgage.
Pak a Pocket was recommended to me when I was admiring a gyro. Gyro is pronounced "guy-roo" and its a pita filled with lamb (beef), tahini, spices, tomato and onions. It was created in Athens when Zeus demanded a food he could carry up Mount Olympus with him since he only had one hand (the other, obviously, was carrying his thunder bolts). I had the Zeus to go special, but before I get there, you need more information about the place.
This place has taken Zeus' mission to heart and serves everything in a pita pocket. They have typical sandwich fillers to put in the pita, taco stuff, greek stuff and even a vegetarian option. I said above that this place caught my heart. The reason is that the vegetarian option is fried. Brilliant. I could be vegetarian with that type of modification. Veggies and Meaties can travel like Zeus now.
The gyro was filled with all the stuff I mentioned above and was different than most others I have had. At Jazz Cafe, the gyro is served with a yogurt/cucumber sauce on the side. At Pak a Pocket, the meat was covered in a tahini sauce with large slices of bright red tomatoes and filled with a delicious blend of spices. The pita was soft and warm and the insides were delicious. Plus, it was $4.something for the pita. For less than five dollars you could have a water and a pita and enjoy a fairly large meal.
They have combo meals and specials on certain days that make some things cheaper. They also have a menu you can take with you so that you can get all excited about it at your desk (or mountain top).
If you've been and had something other than the guy-roo let me know if it was good. If you haven't been, take your chances but watch out for the Country Day kids....
The internets lie and say this is in Benbrook at 5512 Bellaire, but its really in Fort Worth (don't correct me - I don't take it well) at the corner of Bellaire and Bryant Irvin, across from Country Day and behind the car wash.
31 comments:
That place has been there for at least 10 years. It sounds like it was as good then as it is now.
I have never been there but I don't get by there often either. I love the idea. Also, I agree with you about getting lunch out. It is one luxury I have never wanted to give up -- and won't.
Actually that is Benbrook. A buddy of my is a police officer for Benbrook and they have to include that area in their patrol because the boundaries take a weird turn there.
not trying to argue with you... (runs for cover)
Yep. That's a great place. Little-known gem for good food.
Wow - I would hate to be BeanDip...duck and run now.
What is tahini sauce and where do they get all the tahinis?
Gyro is pronounced yero, for a treat try Pauls Donuts on Hemphill for theirs.
Seriously BeanDip... You're going to let "facts" and "persons with actual knowledge" sway you? A random blog has said its in Fort Worth and if thats enough for most people, why can't it be enough for you? You're lucky you have a cool nickname and that I have no authority or power. Or else....
Francis, is it a sad statement on our lives that lunch is a luxury? Or is it great that we can appreciate such small things?
No, its pronounced guy-roo. I checked the internet. See above on internet accuracy.
I love this place. It's near my office and I occasionally go there for lunch, or for dinner if I have somewhere to go after work. Great food, lots of it, reasonable price.
And pronounce it however you want.
;-)
I've never heard of this place before, but it sounds great (yay for vegetarian options!). It sounds kind of like Pita Pit in Austin (among other places). Does anyone who's been to both places think this is an accuate comparison?
Stephanie, just for the record, I believe its "vegetarian option" - singular.
I love this place. There's more than one vegetarian option. I love their falafel with tzatziki but sometimes I'll go for a big Greek salad or some hummus and a stack of pita bread.
The first time I went to Pak A Pocket was 1994 and it wasn't new then...now that I live in River Park I go more often. The chicken shawarma is my favorite and the tangy oil based dressing is addicting.
My Friend, the chicken shawarma is next on my list.
Thats good to hear that they have more vegetarian options. Not for me personally, but I know we've got a lot of people that will appreciate that here in the Fort.
Thanks for reading.
My daughter and her friends while still attending Heights ate there on a very regular basis. They gave a discount to the students and it was good food, not fast food.
I used to eat this regularly when I was a Country Day student and I graduated in 97. I haven't had it in years, but the Chicken Schawarma used to be delicious as well!
Love your blog! It has helped me to discover wonderful new places!
I checked the internet also and "guy-roo" is not the food, it is "a member of a major international service club". Gyro the food is indeed pronounced"ye-ro".
Not that it matters, right?
Should I duck and run?
This is one my favorite places! I lived about 45 miles away for a year or two and eery time my wife or I would be in the Fort Worth/Benbrook (What ever) area, we would pick up a handfull of pitas and take them back with us. The Taco Salad/Spud/Pita, are also some of our favorites. Cant go wrong with ordering any of that. I know the family that runs the shop through my visits...WONDERFUL People!!! I love having a place where they know exactly what I want, how I like it, and the cookies are great. Best thing though...SUNKIST on TAP!!!
This is one of my favorite family owned places in Fort Worth (it's owned by my friend's parents)! I have been going there for ages and everytime I am in the area I make sure to stop by! So glad you stumbled upon this gem and posted about it!! I used to only eat the turkey pita but I have expanded to the gyro as well...so yummy!
but why not sell the hummus as a dip? was told, "No. Just can't do it." we did love the gyro and the veg pita. spinach pie was great!
Ohh...Heights and Country Day, comingling at the same place. I bet some fights broke out...
Those of you that know the family, give them a big awkward hug for me.
Delicious all around and everybody agrees. Great news.
Glad to hear so many people like this.
There are multiple veggie options. My wife is a vegetarian and there were a few choices for her to choose from. I think they will put any of their salads in a pita for you.
Look at that, Doohickie to the rescue for the vegetarians. I'm getting hungry for a pita after reviewing all the comments.
Thanks for reading.
I could be wrong, but I think its pronounced "Yiro" (kind of like year-o). By the way, I really like the blog and I have taken a lot of your suggestions!
Sorry to be a smartass but your pronunciation is wrong.
The greek is γυροσ or γυρο transliterated this is gyros or gyro. In Greek these are pronounced Yiro or Yiros (Year-o, Year-os).
Try to do your homework next time ;)
Nadia and my buddy, I think you're wrong. I checked the internet twice before posting and this blog stands on pillars of truthfulness and correct pronunciation. I also asked a guy who watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding six times. He said it was guy-roo.
Thanks for reading.
Pak-A-Pocket has been around for at least 20 years. I have been eating there since 89. As a CDS student I ate there at least twice a week in the early 90's. The gyro is tops in my mind with that delicious tahini, but what makes this place so good is the fantastic family that has owned it since day one. Ahmed and his wife and kids are an absolute delight. They have been successful because they serve a great product with a genuine smile. I hope they are around for at least 20 more years. Congratulations on finding this gem. I'm going to get an gyro right now...
I have no idea what a guy-roo is - a male kangaroo, maybe? The lamb/pita/cucumber sauce combo is indeed a "year-o", more or less. Maybe this will help:
http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/audio-medlineplus.pl?gyro0002.wav=gyro
Nope, that doesn't help and what would an irish person know about greek food? Nothing, thats what they'd know. Would I ask an Ohioan about American food? No, no I wouldn't.
I checked the intertron a dozen times and guy-roo is the correct pronunciation.
Loved Pak-a-pocket when I was at Country Day! They used to deliver to us at lunch and it was my favorite thing to order! While I love the Pita pockets, I can also go for the Veggie Delight salad with creamy Italian dressing. But what you really can't miss out on are the homemade pita chips!!
also, you're getting a little belligerent about this pronunciation thing. I don't know how you internet search, but the first things that come up when you type in "gyro pronunciation" pronounce it year-o....
Well, based on the numerous comments and emails, I guess its fair to say that my sarcasm indicator is broken on this post.
Anonymous - when you were at Country Day, did you ever have any singing fights with the kids from Arlington Heights?
Thanks for reading.
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