The Gyros Project – #4

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Knife work

These signs glorify the tools of the trade with the loving care of the best vernacular art: Knives especially, but also the gyros pan and the vertical broiler. Of course the tools are nothing without a gyros jockey handling them.

The cult of the gyros knife. Parthenon, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Gone

Parthenon, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Gone

The Parthenon Gyros Restaurant, State Street, Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1972

Parthenon Gyros on State Street in Madison, WIsconsin, did not look like this when I discovered gyros there in 1974, but it's great to see it not only survive but prosper.

The Parthenon Gyros Restaurant, State Street, Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1972

The Parthenon Gyros Restaurant, State Street, Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1972

The Parthenon Gyros Restaurant, State Street, Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1972

Menacing gyros, California Avenue near 47th Street. Gone

The Parthenon Gyros Restaurant, State Street, Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1972

Simple knifework. Mr. Greek Gyros, Halsted Street at Jackson in Chicago's Greektown

Battle of the gyros? Wrigleysville Dogs, Clark Street near Racine

Shawarma Inn, Damen Avenue near Armitage

Shawarma Inn, Damen Avenue near Armitage. The permanent signage is much less interesting.

Wrigleysville Dogs, Clark Street near Racine

That's Mr. Greek to you. Halsted Street at Jackson in Chicago's Greektown. This sign is gone

Mr. Greek Gyros, Halsted Street at Jackson

Mr. Greek Gyros, Halsted Street at Jackson

A loving rendition of gyros equipment, plus stylized flames, at CND Gyros, Grand near St. Clair. Gone

CND Gyros, Grand near St. Clair. Gone.

Disembodied hands highlight the gyros (and the specialized gyros pan) at the old Wells St. Deli, Wells Street and Huron. Gone

Wells St. Deli, Wells Street and Huron. Gone.

Impressionistic gyros at Poor Boy Restaurant, Kankakee, Illinos

Poor Boy Restaurant, Kankakee, Illinos

Poor Boy Restaurant, Kankakee, Illinos

Poor Boy Restaurant, Kankakee, Illinos

Serious gyros preparation on Central Avenue, near Belmont. Gone

Herm's Hot Dog Palace, Dempster near McCormick, Skokie. This version of the window painting is long gone

Some gyros chefs are happy. Others, like this one depicted in a New Orleans window, seem tense. Dixie Gyros. Gone

Herm's Hot Dog Palace, Dempster near McCormick, Skokie, Illinois. The window painting is gone as is most of the color

Nick's Drive-In, Harlem at Touhy, Chicago

Fast food in the cloud. Nick's Drive-In, Harlem at Touhy, Chicago

Nick's Drive-In, Harlem at Touhy, Chicago

Dixie Gyros, New Orleans. Gone

Herm's Hot Dog Palace, Dempster near McCormick, Skokie. This repaint of the window image is now gone

Taqueria El Gallo #1, Montrose at Drake

Exercise in abstraction. Taqueria El Gallo #1, Montrose at Drake

Taqueria El Gallo #1, Montrose Avenue at Drake

Taqueria El Gallo #1, Montrose at Drake. Some of the best "gyros" signs now promote al pastor at Mexican restaurants. This meat jockey drawing is as folky as they get

Taqueria El Gallo #1, Montrose at Drake

Taqueria El Gallo #1, Montrose at Drake

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