Emila reviews a Greek favourite at the Preston market

Click PLAY to hear Emilia’s full review on 3AW Breakfast.

“We just love cooking on an open fire”, owner Frank tells me. Frank and co-owner Sebastian have that in common, as well both being Greek and qualified chefs. They were both there when I went to visit for lunch on a weekday, Sebastian working the counter and Frank on the spit. Their unassuming Greek street food on a corner in the Preston Market might be one of the most unlikely spots for some of the best Greek food in Melbourne. They’ve been in the spot for the last 2 years and by now the locals have well and truly figured out how good they are. Saturday and Sunday market days can get busy but you never wait more than 5-6 mins even at peak. 

Frank and Sebastian met working at Nikos cakes in Oakleigh so don’t discount the fact that Eurospit is not in Oakleigh or Lonsdale Street, they’ve also worked in the kitchen at many a Greek institution including Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar and the now-closed Medallion. It also means they make all their desserts in house, standby for more on that. Preston Market itself is also no stranger to Frank, his father had a deli at the market for 15 years. 

This is not my first visit to Eurospit, in fact I do my weekly shop at Preston Market most weeks and try to resist getting a mini Greek pack to snack on before my fruit shop and I do dream about it on a Sunday when I might be feeling a bit morose and sorry for myself. They still make sure to provide vegetarian and vegan options in lieu of zucchini fritters souvas or for the vegans they make a smoky eggplant dip that they load your wrap up with.

You generally can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, their spit roasted meat is the star of the show. They marinate their own meat sourced from their specific butcher and it makes for the crispiest ends, and caramelised, juicy middle. You have the choice of chicken or lamb but I’m a big fan of mixed meat in a souvlaki. We tried their signature Eurospit special souva and added the homemade hot peppers. Of course, there’s chips in your souva and their homemade tzatziki or signature mayo is a little addictive. Their pita is special too; they like to load up their souvlakis so they opt for a thinner pita, roasted on the open flame but they offer the thicker pita too if you can’t live without it. 

If that sounds a bit heavy for you, opt for the Yiros salad, traditional Greek salad, Greek pack or open souva. I tried the Yiros salad which is just Greek salad loaded with chicken (but you can choose any meat) from the spit, they don’t scrimp on their meat servings either. 

My favourite offering they do is found on a little blackboard next to the counter, the mini Greek pack which ranges from $10.90-12.90 depending on your meat choice. It’s the perfect size for a ‘treat’ rather than a full meal, served in one of those square cardboard takeaway boxes rather than the full size rectangle ones. Proper crispy, Greek chips ; that’s herbed and got warm feta through it topped with meat and finished with their tzatziki or signature mayo. The tzatziki isn’t just some Black Swan dip, it’s perfectly ratioed, citrusy, herby but still smooth. The signature mayo tasted a little bit like big mac sauce, if that’s your thing, load it up. 

Now, I told you to standby for dessert. I got one of everything and brought it home to my Greek housemate to get an authenticity review. She said the galaktoboureko, which is essentially a mix between custard pie but in vanilla slice packaging, was as close to her YiaYia’s as she’s tasted. That’s high marks, don’t tell YiaYia. The loukoumades, which are Greek donut holes or ‘honey puffs’ , were moreish and that’s a good thing because they’re best when they’re fresh. The baklava didn’t miss, lots of pistachio just how I like it and the tulumba which is fried donut oozing in syrup was the ultimate after dinner sweet, but you do have to like sweet. 

Price wise, I’m going to give you the highest end of the range you can choose which is lamb (by only $2). So a souva will set you back $15.50, a vego or vegan wrap will only be $12.50, the Yiros Salad bowl (with meat) will cost you $16.90 and you can take away your own meat too for $56 a kg of lamb and $43 for chicken. Or you can feed the family of four with one of their packs for $54.50.

Every time I get Greek street food not from Eurospit, I’m just reminded that it’s not Eurospit. The meat isn’t as tasty or crispy, the chips aren’t seasoned as much, the tzatziki doesn’t leave me licking the inside of the takeaway container and the desserts are not made by the two owners, that’s a guarantee.

Eurospit

Shop/C211 The Centreway

Preston (Preston Market)