GRK Street brings fast-casual food to town

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GRK STREET

GRK Street

This new fast-casual restaurant brings authentic flavor to town

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

Dubbed the “Taziki’s Test Kitchen,” GRK Street is a concept from Taziki’s Mediterranean Café founder Keith Richards that opened last summer on Valleydale Road in the Inverness area. Years ago, after a trip to Greece with his wife, Amy, Keith returned to Birmingham with a dream to infuse Birmingham with the flavors they experienced in the Mediterranean. Now, after Covid curbside

Keith’s newest endeavor is GRK Street, inspired by the fast-paced street food of downtown Athens. Flavorful Greek cuisine delivers a twist on the popular dishes of the country’s vibrant street scene: sizzling grills, pulsing music, happy chatter, satisfied stomachs. Though the concept is centered around family meal takeout, the restaurant does offer seating beneath café string lights, surrounded by the cool blues of the Mediterranean and colorful photos of Keith, Amy, and their family on trips to their favorite country.

The most important part of the restaurant, however, is the consistently delicious food. Classic appetizers like hummus, spicy feta dip, and Grecian veggie falafel are popular options. Follow up with a flavorful entrée: gyros—chicken, lamb, beef, veggie—sandwiches and roll-ups featuring seasoned pork, lamb, and even plantbased burger, or a hearty Village Bowl. Choose a base—Greek or beet salad—add a protein, and enjoy with Mediterranean rice or the signature seasoned fries. Actually, be sure to grab a side of the GRK fries no matter what you order, and

GRK STREET

5291 Valleydale Road (205) 383-3193 Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m –9 p.m.

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throw in a piece of street corn, too: corn on the cob with yogurt-lime sauce, GRK herbs, and crumbled feta. Kids will be happy with a pita grilled cheese or chicken roll-ups served with fries or apples.

Dessert at GRK Street is a treat and a perfect sample of authentic sweets from Greece. Baklava, cinnamon apple, and baklava cheesecake are mouthwatering ends to a great meal from this inventive spot, but our personal favorite is Sofia’s GRK Loukoumades, donut-like fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon and finished with a drizzle of local honey.

The smaller location exchanges interior space for easier curbside parking and a pickup/drive-thru window, and all menu items are made to-go. Order takeout and curbside online or through the GRK Street app. Receive $5 off orders of $15 or more when ordering online or through the app with code GRK5. For more information, visit greekstreet.com.