Zeus Street Greek, Jimmy Grants & Greek Street Grill talk Greek street food

QSR Media speaks to restaurant concepts at the forefront of the Greek food wave in Australia.

Greeks cuisine seems to be enjoying a renaissance as of late in the form of Modern 'Greek Street Food', which is rising through the ranks of the quick service restaurant industry, similar to how Mexican fare has been elevated in the fast casual scene with the likes of Guzman Y Gomez and Mad Mex.

The growth of Greek Street Food is phenomenal, Mimmo Lubrano, the chief of Sandhurst Fine Foods, told QSR Media. "Greek food has always suffered from being 'limited menu' and people just thinking that it revolves around a few key menu items --- Moussaka, Souvlaki, Octopus, etc. [but] the new Greek Street Food," he noted, "combines elements which are now everyday items eaten by all Australian."

"Tzaziki and dips are more popular than ever!"

"Mediterranean influence in food and lifestyle has [actually] been prevalent in Australia over the last 60-70 years," said Peter Augoustis, one of the initial founders of Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar and now one of the seven partners at newly launched restaurant Zeus Street Greek.

He noted that with Australians now being introduced to Greek food, in the appropriate way, there is a massive potential for growth in that market. "From our heritage and restaurant experience combined we have the foundation to provide a whole Greek food experience at Zeus as you would in someone's home, [and] this is where "filoxenia" or hospitality comes into it --- beginning with the kitchen to the store, to the food itself, Zeus Street Greek have achieved many layers of Greek tradition meeting with food expectations in Australia today."

"As long as [QSR] operators have this same passion for Greek food and can provide the complexity required, they will be able to sustain a good level of growth," he said, and that many restaurants have and will continue to follow the trend.

Another thing Greek food offers, even its "street-style" counterparts, is its healthy nature, shared Sharelle Kostoglu, Director of Greek Street Grill. "With the trend towards health conscious food choices, today's consumers are drawn towards Greek cuisine and its promise of clean, healthy, delicious food."

She is very confident and said she believes that Greek Street Food will be the new revolution in QSRs, and will overtake both Thai and Mexican cuisines in the next few years.

FROM DODGY TO TRENDY

"Greek food has had a bad rap in this country for a number of years," explained Augoustis, pointing out its reputation as the hangover cure to a big night out. "Dodgy old Greek taverns with the fish net lined walls and the old soundtrack of Nana Mouskouri playing in the back ground have not helped, [and] stodgy old food that has lacked flavour freshness and authenticity unfortunately have been prevalent."

However, research papers and major studies around the world today show the Greek cuisine, along with its Mediterranean counterparts, as being integral in representing a healthy lifestyle choice for people, he noted.

"Greek food is not that pink taramosalata dip you see in the supermarkets... It’s all about wholesome food, healthy grains, beautiful meats and freshly grilled seafood," described a spokesperson from Jimmy Grants.

According to Lubrano, Greek Street Food revolves around four key proteins --- Lamb, Pork, Beef, and Chicken. "It’s basically an extension of the popular Doner Kebab, brought to us courtesy of places like Flemington Markets in the 70's and 80's. The new Gyros is seen as the upmarket version of the Kebab and doesn’t have the stigma attached to it, [like the] late night kebabs after clubbing."

"The quality of the protein is a key factor in their offering," he told QSR Media. "They describe the meats as ‘lighter, spicy and less fatty’ than the traditional enemy --- the dreaded Schnitzel, [and] they are using flavour as a key differentiator and are benefiting from the fact that they don’t have to regulate salt levels, and they don’t have to display Kilojules."

Adding that the use of wraps comes across as a better carb option than burger buns or pizza bases.

Greek food is born from the Mediterranean diet which is considered the healthiest cuisine in the world, explained Kostoglou. Greek street food combines lean cuts of meat that are chargrilled and not cooked in oil and coincidentally, Australians have an affinity with meat --- from lambs, to chicken and even pork, which has gained popularity in the last 10 years, said Augoustis. Noting that meat consumption in Australia is one of the highest in the world.

"From a health perspective, people pay particular attention to the foods they consume, and trends are showing that consumers want to go back to basics almost “meat and veg” or “paleo” like eating habbits --- but with a twist. The ]Greek] cuisine offers this in abundance to the everyday consumer."

Combine these well-loved meats with fresh salads, tasty dips and light breads, Greek Street Food makes for a healthy and nutritious alternative to other quick service dining options, commented Kostoglou.