In 2006, Vienna® Beef created an award to honor those unique hot dog operations that have achieved longevity and developed into neighborhood landmarks. Athen’s Gyros has been serving great food to the southwest suburbs since 1975. Pete Kanavos has been serving great gyros along with Vienna® Beef products since he started the food emporium in the Lincoln Mall. Athen’s Gyros has become the go-to place to meet and eat delicious food.
Since the move to Richton Park 25 years ago, Sally Ali and Pepe Rocha have been the faces of the restaurant, along with Pete and Kostas Kanavos. They are very proud of what they serve and how welcoming the community has been. Athen’s, ‘the king of Gyros,’ has been an ongoing supporter of Richton’s Youth Baseball and the Special Olympics to name a few. Over the recent years, Athen’s has been designated “The Best” by Chicago Magazineand many polls by the Daily Southtown who have tagged them as “Best Hot Dog.” Sally says “it’s the consistent good quality and service that has been bringing people back for many years.”
In an era when there is so much change, it is refreshing to see the landmark iconic status the community has felt for Athens Gyros. Now, it’s Vienna’s turn to thank and acknowledge the work that Sally, Pepe, and the Kanavos family has accomplished. We proudly welcome Athens Gyros into the Vienna® Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame. From all at Vienna®, we wish Athens Gyros much continued success.
