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).
Latest Poppa Coronofoulos Gyros & Chicago-Style Deli news and reviews
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.
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
Now Cuco’s Mexican Restaurant with a busy lunchtime clientele. Inside handsomely redone with a cute bar. Food gringoized. Request spice/heat if you want it. And you know you do!
Posted by: MJ | October 12, 2012 at 09:49 AM