Everything but the kitchen sink
Mr. Gyros general manager Paul “Junior” Todd fist bumps with Mike Kovak of the Observer-Reporter as members of Mr. Gyros’ staff looks on after Kovak completed a food challenge by eating a variety of food at the restaurant in 30 minutes or less.
The Observer-Reporter’s Mike Kovak eats meat from a burger before moving on to a super gyro and full-size butter garlic chicken wings during an eating challenge at Mr. Gyros on West Maiden Street in Washington. To watch video of the eating challenge, visit www.observer-reporter.com.
Mike Kovak raises a glass of soda after completing the Mr. Gyros food challenge in 25 minutes, 7 seconds.
The Observer-Reporter’s Mike Kovak begins to slow down as he eats a hamburger bun and fries at Mr. Gyros on West Maiden Street in Washington. Finishing the fries was the final food obstacle in the eating challenge.
The Observer-Reporter’s Mike Kovak works on the garlic chicken wings at Mr Gyro’s on West Maiden Street in Washington.
Paul “Junior” Todd believes in second chances.
Todd, general manager of Mr. Gyros restaurant on West Maiden Street in Washington, received one after struggles with addiction cost him a successful career as a business director. That second chance came when he was hired at Mr. Gyros, which serves a mix of authentic Greek and American foods.
About three-and-a-half years ago, Todd went from restaurant employee to part of its ownership group when the original owners of Mr. Gyros, which opened in 2002, retired.
That’s when Todd went from receiving second chances to giving them.
“All of my employees are former addicts or they come from at-risk single parents. I had strong storms come into my life, and I fell into addiction myself. I’m not ashamed. I’m proud of what I overcame, and I’m proud of everyone working here,” said the 55-year-old Todd. “We’re here to support each other and, in a lot of ways, we’re like a family. This is more than a job. It’s a safe place to be.”
It’s a support strategy that’s proven as successful as the business, whose popular items include a gyro, super gyro, gourmet burgers and specialty whole wings, including the unique feta ranch with hot sauce.
“Over 25 addicts have worked for me and we’ve only had two fall off,” to addiction, Todd said. “This place has proven to be a blessing for many people.”
Things are so good at Mr. Gyros, Todd launched an expansion venture into catering and business lunches today.
Coupled with Mr. Gyros’ new venture is the relaunch of an eating challenge, which could be a blessing for those starved to add a competitive edge to eating copious amounts of the restaurant’s goods.
For years, anyone able to eat three of Mr. Gyros super gyros, which are piled high with at least 8 ounces of gyro meat, in 30 minutes or less, successfully completed the challenge.
“Only two people ever finished it,” Todd said. “No one could do it. It ended up not being that much fun, and it pretty much became forgotten over the years.”
Being one for second chances, Todd wanted another eating challenge, with better variety of menu items and something he considered more attainable.
That’s where I came in.
Todd’s second chance at a food challenge was a first for me. The mission? Eat a super gyro (pita included), a gourmet burger (any of five featured on the menu), an order of specialty whole wings (nine flavors to choose from), a side of Mr. Gyros french fries and a drink in 30 minutes or less.
Never one to pass up a big meal, particularly one filled with personal favorites, I gladly accepted the opportunity.
But there’s more to engulfing food for such a challenge. Prep work needs completed.
As difficult as it was, no meals or snacks were consumed from 6 p.m. the evening before the challenge until the 2:45 p.m. start time. Water went down in excessive amounts prior to sitting in a corner booth overlooking West Maiden Street. A vigorous run took place about three hours before arriving, and a strategy was detailed.
• Start with the meat.
• Go after the wings.
• Take on the bread products (pita and burger bun).
• Save the french fries for the end.
When Mallory Starkey, of Washington, took my order, which included a burger with two onion rings and barbeque sauce – to make the bun easier to eat – and butter garlic wings, she said, “Good luck. It’s a lot of food.”
Starkey was absolutely correct.
She delivered the food in three trays – one for the super gyro, one for the wings and another for the burger and fries. As soon as it hit the table, the 30-minute countdown began.
The burger went first. Then, the gyro meat. The wings were surprisingly easy to eat. Time was on my side.
Then came the french fries. By the time I was ready to eat them, they were cold, and I was quickly getting full. The stack seemed insurmountable. I even began counting how many were left. Doubt surfaced, and each handful was more difficult to eat than the previous.
But …
Twenty-five minutes and seven seconds after starting, the challenge was complete. Instead of paying $28.35 for the food, a Mr. Gyros T-shirt was in my possession, and my picture adorns the restaurant’s new Wall of Fame. Maybe others will soon join me.
“I didn’t think he could do it,” Starkey said.
Todd agreed. “I thought the gyro meat would get him. That’s a big gyro.”
Not as big as my appetite.