Community Corner
Lamb Slam: Gyros Chefs in Oak Forest, Orland Park and Tinley Park Square Off
In this week's Chowdown Showdown, we look for the best in upright roasted lamb, sliced thin on a pita. Which town will triumph when the gyros gauntlet is thrown?
Last week Patch took one for the team and , and came out on top. For this week’s challenge, on a quest to find the best gyros in the area, Patch expanded the showdown across Oak Forest, Tinley Park, and Orland Park. The contenders were Mickey’s in Oak Forest, Mickey’s in Tinley Park, and Kismet in Orland Park. Whose gyros won the Lamb Slam? Check it out.
MICKEY’S – 17432 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park
Just like any gyros, they offer it with tomatoes, onions, and cucumber sauce (tzatziki). I ordered mine with no onions and sauce on the side, as I always do. The first thing I noticed was the almost overwhelming amount of grease—which isn't always a bad thing—but in this case it got to me a little. However, the toasty pita soaked a lot of it up and really helped. The fresh cucumber sauce for dipping was also a big plus, so it came together as a quality sandwich.
Thumbs up: Solid pita and good overall flavor.
Thumbs down: Grease was tough to overcome, as it made for a really heavy sandwich.
KISMET – 9931 W. 151st Street, Orland Park
I had actually never heard of this place before and it’s a bit off the beaten path. I ordered my gyros the same way here and it was up pretty quickly. At first glance I could tell this one was less greasy, but I also noticed the sauce looked different. A couple bites in it clear that this gyros meat was top notch—I love it when its just a little well done and crispy. Downside was the sauce, which came up a little plain and the pita which was a bit chewy. But again, it was good food.
Thumbs up: Fantastic gyros meat.
Thumbs down: Supporting cast was a bit underwhelming.
MICKEY’S – 15221 Cicero Ave., Oak Forest
A staple in Oak Forest for a long time, many swear by their gyro but I haven’t tried one until this week. The gyros came out really fast and was piping hot. It had a nice mix of the well-done meat, and plenty of it (as with any gyro). The pita was slightly toasted, but most importantly it was nice and fluffy—not soggy from excess grease. The cherry on top was a deliciously fresh cucumber sauce.
Thumbs up: Great pita, sauce, and overall quality.
Thumbs down: Could've used crispier meat.
No matter how you pronounce it—jee-row, year-o, guy-row, gee-rows—a gyro is a great sandwich and I thoroughly enjoyed each restaurant’s offering. There can only be one winner, and the title goes to Mickey’s of Oak Forest. It just came down to the best overall sandwich, and that’s exactly what they put in front of me. But if you enjoy a good gyro, any of these can help you hit the spot.
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To be frank, we're feeling a hint of baseball fever, so next week Patch will pit the three towns' best hot dogs against each other. Is there a place in Oak Forest, Tinley Park, or Orland Park that we should be sure not to miss? Let us know in the comments below!
