Poppa Coronofoulos Gyros & Chicago-Style Deli
Update 3/7/11: PCG&C-SD is closed. Thanks for the heads up, Kat.
In a word: Like being two hours south on I-90, but just outside Monona.
The specs: #0494
Address, hours & details via Isthmus; reviews at Yelp,
, listing at Eat Drink Madison.
JM ate the beef and brat combo.
Nichole ate the Chicago-style dog.
We split some mozzarella sticks.
The bill was $13.80, or $6.90/person.
JM gave Poppa Coronofoulos Gyros & Chicago-Style Deli an A-; Nichole gave Poppa Coronofoulos Gyros & Chicago-Style Deli an A (see our grading rubric).
Our fellow diners at Poppa's this grey morning were mostly families and solos, talking about baseball and movies. We got a couple sandwiches but made a note of the homemade chili for a future visit. We admired the ginormous - 10 gallon? - coffee percolator (unused) as we waited and pondered whether Chicago-style authenticity must entail suffering in the form of too-hot peppers.
JM's hot and dry beef and sausage sandwich was excellent. The roll was the tops: soft, yet firm; the quality of meat was good; and his only regret was ordering it hot instead of mild, though it was thermally perfect.
The Chicago-style dog is ecclesiastically correct as far as Nichole could tell. She had no complaints, and at $2.62 the dog is priced right.
The typical mozzarella sticks arrived already cool past the stretchy stage, served with a decent marinara dip (probably from a can).
We liked the service: it wasn't fawning, but direct, and our order was correct. JM got a slightly too FIB-by vibe, a little too in-your-face feel from Poppa's. Nichole detected the same and found it refreshingly unMadison. If you need Chicago grub in these parts, this is as real as we've found.
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That relish is scary.
Posted by: MJ | January 18, 2010 at 12:10 AM
No mention of giardiniera? How can this place be called a Chicago deli and not have giardiniera.
Posted by: Steve | January 19, 2010 at 11:16 AM
I'm curious how their gyros taste, considering it's in the name of the restaurant.
Posted by: Jeff | January 19, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Why was the FIB comment necessary?
Posted by: Ben | January 21, 2010 at 09:57 AM
It wasn't.
Posted by: nichole | January 21, 2010 at 01:41 PM
There gyros are very good, it is in my backyard from work and love the gyros! The sauce has good taste and plenty of lamb w/o being overwhelming. Though they do ruin a day on WW!
Posted by: Joey | January 25, 2010 at 09:55 AM
Tried to stop there this afternoon, with no luck - it's closed and the equipment is being auctioned off. :(
Posted by: Kat | March 07, 2011 at 12:56 PM
:(
Posted by: theginn | March 10, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Love this restaurant! What on earth is going on. We need Papa's to be there for us. Please don't close for good. Love you guys!
Posted by: Ann Kaufman | August 19, 2011 at 05:53 PM