Diagonios 1977

Diagonios 1977 is a souvlaki grill at Egnatia 159 in Thessaloniki, Greece, on the long arterial street that runs through the centre of the Central Macedonia capital. The date in the name marks its start in 1977, and it presents itself as a specialist in pork souvlaki and gyros pita, the staple fast food of northern Greece. In Thessaloniki, as elsewhere in Greece, the souvlatzidiko is a daily institution, and Diagonios belongs to the tradition of counter-service grills where the food is cooked quickly and eaten on the go or at a few simple seats. The menu is built around three signature items. The pork souvlaki pita is skewered meat grilled over charcoal and wrapped in pita with the usual garnishes. The gyros pita uses meat cooked on a vertical spit and sliced to order. Kalamaki skewers are the plain grilled sticks of meat served as the base of the souvlaki. No Michelin recognition or chef lineage is documented, and none is needed for this kind of venue, where the reputation depends on consistency and speed. The atmosphere is informal and functional. Service is at the counter, dress is whatever visitors are wearing for the day, and the noise level reflects the traffic of Egnatia Street and the turnover of customers. Prices are low, with a pita costing about €3 to €5, making it among the cheapest ways to eat a hot meal in the city. There is no particular wine programme; drinks are limited to soft drinks, beer and water. No reservations are taken or needed, as service is walk-in at the counter. Opening hours reported by sources differ, with listings suggesting Monday to Thursday from 12:30PM to 11PM, Friday and Saturday from 12:30PM to 3AM, and Sunday from 12:30PM to 8PM, so a call to +30 2310 262245 is advisable before making a special trip. Egnatia Street is close to the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, which makes the grill a convenient lunch stop during sightseeing.