Jimmy Grants – Melbourne’s Souvlaki Bar by George Calombaris

Jimmy Grants, is masterchef judge George Calombaris’s modern interpretation of a Greek souvlaki bar off Smith Street in Melbourne. The name of the restaurant comes from the Australian rhyming slang for immigrants and this is further emphasized when street artist Dan Wenn captured a DC-3 aircraft and The Patris on two of the walls.

This is where you can either enjoy a Greek beer, or have pretty good souvlaki food in the restaurant or takeaway. Souvlaki is a popular Greek fast food consisting of small pieces of meat. They are traditionally wrapped in pita bread and then topped with a variety of condiments – lettuce, tomato, onion, and of course, the famed tzatziki sauce.

There are historical and cultural references in the names of the souvlakis here. The Patris ($9.50) – a souvlaki comprising prawns, attiki honey, mayonnaise, cucumber, mint and coriander – is named after the migrant ship which carried migrants from Europe to Australia. There’s also a selection of salads and dips on offer along with the essential garlic oil chips ($6) with feta and oregano, all available to order at the counter.

The 200g slow roasted lamb shoulder ($17) is slow cooked for 12 hours and beautifully caramelised. Squeeze abit of lemon and wrapped in thick, puffy pita with tzatziki, this is my recommendation for you. If lamb doesn’t suit your palette, there is also free range chicken from the split ($16) marinated in oregano and olive oil. I prefer the lamb as it is more flavourful. Chicken is a tad dry.

Jimmy Grants
Address: 113 Saint David Street, Fitzroy
Opening hours: 11am-10pm daily