“The best gyros outside Greece” was the promise made to Manchester’s Finest when we sent a camera crew to Chorlton for an afternoon at Sali’s Souvlaki. Part of our Suggested By You series, it was some recommendation, even within South Manchester. Arriving on Barlow Moor Road, a strip known for great indie eateries, we found a charming, intimate restaurant tastefully decorated with blues and whites dominating the colour scheme. Eye-catching images of Greece adorn the walls, and enticing aromas that transport you to the Aegean, Dodecanese, and Cycladic Islands, mainland and beyond carry through the dining room. So far so good, then.
Owned by Besa, her husband, Sali, and brother Bleri — the man in the kitchen — they don’t come much more authentic than this outside of Hellada itself. Greece is renowned for its focus on family, and the team doing the cooking and serving here really emphasise this, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that greets you at the door. Recipes are traditional, passed on through generations in a country that has history coming out of its ears, with ingredients imported directly from timeless lands. The same goes for the wine, beers, soft drinks and bottled water, which adds to the experience.
Highlights when we visited were plentiful, and included the namesake Souvlaki, although the towering Mixed Grill might have stolen the show — a stacked selection of flavoursome and varied Greek meats that must be seen to be believed. We loved the beef kebab, chicken and pork gyros, bifteki beef patties, and lamb sausage, all of which only scratch the surface of what’s on offer for up to four people sharing. A real gem in a suburb that has famously stiff competition for anything remotely kebab-like, there’s a reason Sali’s Souvlaki hit the ground running when it first fired up the grills.