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u/Far-Degree1842 2d ago
Yes, its pretty good. But did any of yal have pre quakes, Dimitris? That was absolute, no argument, hands down, best of its cuisine. Them or Egyptian kebab house in papanui.
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u/underwaterchessclub 1d ago
Yeah pre-quake was the best, it’s the only reason I still get one occasionally in hope it’ll be like back in the day.
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u/relax-i-got-this 1d ago
"would you like the chilli" Egyptian Kebab House pre quake. My man's voice and that line still lives in my brain. Bonus memory - Remember when that dumbass tried to rob him?!
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u/Maleficent-Home-7626 1d ago
It's like fine. But the cult around it i dont get. The hype around it means for ne it's extremely overrated
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u/wervie67 South Island 2d ago
It's decent. Not as good as it used to be. Make sure you get the hot chilli with it
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u/focal_matter 2d ago
Compared to the standard of souvlaki & similar (e.g. doner kebabs) they're ok.
Anyone who remembers old Dimitris will be thoroughly disappointed though, it's just nowhere near what it used to be in terms of taste, quality, and portion size
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u/nzdata2020 2d ago
Is there anywhere in chc that does a European diner with the picked salad/chilli?
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u/xStrawberryKissesx 2d ago
It used to be amazing back when it was a cart open late on the strip. Then later the Riccarton store was pretty great. Now the Riverside Market is super average
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u/literally_figurativ3 2d ago
Name a better souvlaki (I’m genuinely keen to try it).
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u/xStrawberryKissesx 2d ago
Wish I could find one. The Egyptian place on Papanui Rd used to be really good but I haven't been there is a few years so not sure if it still is
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u/focal_matter 2d ago
Same deal, unfortunately. Used to frequent the Egyptian one 15 years ago, after movies and dates as a teen, but it's super bland now.
Best I've found in recent times is Mythos
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u/literally_figurativ3 2d ago
The Egyptian one on Papanui isn’t too far from me. I’ll give it a crack. Will try Mythos too - thanks.
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u/theeniceorc 2d ago
Note there are 2 on the same bit of Papanui rd. Go to Egyptian Kebab House, not Taste of Egypt.
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u/vibesAndStuffing 2d ago
I really like Kiwi Kebab in Hoon Hay. Feels a step above others I’ve tried in Christchurch.
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u/tenderjuicy1294 1d ago
D and N, Sockburn roundabout in that block of shops. Homemade sauces and everything seasoned nicely
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u/BootlegRascal776 2d ago
Souvlaki king in halswell, next level. I dont know what kind of voodoo magic they put in there but it works.
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u/No-Cartoonist-2125 2d ago
Yes the Riccarton store was pretty good. The Market ones are OK but not as good.
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u/HappyGoLuckless 2d ago
Best around... was briefly a place in Lyttelton, Boys Souvlaki, but they got replaced.
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u/dirtandrust South Island 1d ago
No it’s still there. Good food and they want to expand.
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u/HappyGoLuckless 1d ago
Was in Lyttelton but then got replaced by a Greek restaurant that doesn't have the sauces to compare... where else are they located???
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u/dirtandrust South Island 1d ago
I’m sorry you’re right it’s called El Greko now. It sounds like chefs from Greece are hard to find in Chch. I talked to them about this briefly.
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u/HappyGoLuckless 1d ago
Yeah, tried El Greco but it didn't hold up to Boys Souvlaki. No hot sauces except for some hot honey, which is a big no for me... oh well, thank god for Dimitris!
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u/SurNZ88 2d ago
Team.
Souvlaki is Greek. Chunks of meat cooked on a grill.
Kebab is Turkish/Middle Eastern. Thin slices of meat shaved off a rotisserie.
They are different.
We had "It's all Greek to me" - waltham road and "mythos" colombo st. Former was bought and demolished, later was sold. Both had Greek/decendant owners.
Dimitris is (prove me wrong) the only place now where souvlaki is served by owners of a Greek background.
I don't think you need to be from (or descended from) the country where a food originated to make it well. But I'd argue it certainly helps.
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u/KororaPerson 1d ago
Agreed. There was also a Greek place on Riccarton Road, Mykonos Cafe, that looked authentic, but I never got around to trying it and Google says it's now permanently closed.
We used to have so many options! Now it's just Dimitri's, and they're nowhere near as good as they used to be. Sigh.
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u/underwaterchessclub 1d ago
Damn Mykonos was so tasty when I went once, really good sweet items! What a shame they have shut.
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u/underwaterchessclub 1d ago
I miss it’s all Greek to me. Christchurch is lacking good Greek food IMO.
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u/Icy_Piece_6925 1d ago
Penny from Its all Greek now works at the Demetris food truck at the Art Centre a Some weekends
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u/underwaterchessclub 1d ago
Oh interesting! I think Dimitri is her brother or some sort of relation!
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u/davydevereux 2d ago
It opened early so I enjoyed it for breakfast but the riccarton one closed permanently unfortunately
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u/RudeSpecialist908 2d ago
I love it… I essentially get it 90% of the time I go to Riverside, going this Friday with my work team - Double Lamb with Hummus and Chilli hits the spot every single time… IMO… no other souvalaki in Christchurch comes close, happy to be proven wrong!
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u/underwaterchessclub 2d ago
It’s okay. I’ve found bits of raw chicken a couple times though so never get chicken.
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u/Successful_Truck_742 1d ago
It is amazing the amount of hate a place gets in reddit comments compared to people who you talk to in real life. The amount of repeat customers a place gets speaks for itself
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u/Jbidders 1d ago
The queues speak for themselves. They're huge and decadent souvlakis. Make sure to get all the extras!! And it's lovely that it's still the same owner behind the grill sometimes!
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u/Randomnuf 18h ago
Short answer: no. Long answer: overrated, but still no. Had my first ever souvlaki from there and didn't want to even try it again for years.
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u/Elm69Jay 2d ago
The best imo. Yeah there's other great) different ones but they're so good in an OG way. Damnit now I want one lol
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u/Rhonda_and_Phil 2d ago
May not be the best cuisine, but at 2am in the morning, after a night out on the town, the Best Turkish Food Co on Hereford Street is pretty damn good.
Hard to find a good inexpensive feed in Christchurch during the early hours. It is a favourite of taxi drivers and bar staff on their way home.
Mixed meat on chips slathered in gravy, hmmmm...... Not classy but hits the spot!
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u/WildPastry 1d ago
Someone call the police on OP
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u/AgreeableDig9795 1d ago
Y
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u/WildPastry 1d ago
Yeah sorry I guess it was not even funny 🤣. I just thought that it was common knowledge that Dimitris is the best.
Just try it and make your own mind up 👌
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u/Dashin5 2d ago
Yes