Lefteris o Politis Souvlaki (Closed Sunday)

"Hidden away in Satovriandou, a neighborhood filled with boarded-up storefronts located right behind Omonia Square, Lefteris o Politis has been in business since 1951 and has been a CB favorite for years. The shop, whose name means “Lefteris who came from Istanbul,” has remained unchanged since it opened. On the walls are old-fashioned Coca-Cola ads, a framed certificate indicating that Lefteris belongs to the trade union of souvlaki makers and a framed portrait of Stelios Kazantzidis, the beloved Greek singer whose tunes were filled with a life of tears, immigration and loss. Unsurprisingly, there is only one kind of souvlaki on offer here, and it is spectacular. It’s a spicy meat kebab – which makes sense, considering the owner’s origins – made solely of beef, unlike most kebabs, and cooked on a traditional grill. It’s a dish for purists: beef kebab, tomato, thinly sliced onion and parsley wrapped in grilled pita. Despite the lack of sauce, the whole package is surprisingly spicy and succulent. Satovriandou 20, Omonia Telephone: +30 210 522 5676 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-9pm; Sat. 8am-4pm; closed Sunday - See more at: http://www.culinarybackstreets.com/athens/2014/kebab-kontosouvli/#sthash.7aiedjCf.dpuf"

"A few points regarding Lefteris o Politis' souvlaki wrap have not yet been discussed. This location has been serving Athenians its delicious wrapped souvlaki for decades, beginning in 1951. Lefteris has been a consistent value in the Omonia neighbourhood since it was the centre of the city, through the years of complete devaluation and degradation, and now as the neighbourhood is beginning to move in the right direction for a brighter future. The wrap was originally made with lamb, but starting in the 1980s, it was created with a fantastic beef burger (bifteki in Greek). The mix of a juicy burger, tomato, onion, and a well-cooked pita is unusual and delicious. In an attempt to take over the younger demographic, Lefteris just launched a second store on Romvis Street."