Morse: Morse Gyros Offers Gyros, Hamburgers, and a Little Something More
The gyro is meshed on top with toppings of tzatziki sauce and hot peppers with onions and
shredded lettuce submerged underneath. (Photo by Vi Nguyen)
By Vi Nguyen
The Red Line Project
@vinguyen
Posted: Monday, March 7, 2011
Located on the corner of Morse Avenue and Wayne Avenue, Morse Gyros offers a wide selection of food. This family-owned and operated gyros joint has been up and running for more than 30 years. Opened in the 1970s, this compact establishment is run by Nino Powzo.
Powzo remembers the names of his frequent customers, and even has their food orders are memorized. However, he declined to comment for the interview.
“You can ask about me and my business through my customers,” he said.
Owner of Morse Gyros, Nino Powzo works the soda machine to complete a customers order.
(Photo by Vi Nguyen)
Morse Gyros may be a bit cramped, and the seating area tends to be limited, yet, there’s something about the carefully sliced gyro that keeps the customers coming back for more.
The gyro meat is sliced thin and comes with a basket of crispy French fries. Aside from gyros dominating the menu at this neighborhood establishment, broasted chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs also shares the menu.
“I always get the gyro,” said William Brooks, a frequent customer of Morse Gyros. “I’ve had the chicken wings and burgers before. They good too.”
Brooks moved to the Morse neighborhood almost ten years ago from Sheridan. “I lived over by the Sheridan neighborhood for about 20 years, and I still hiked over for some gyros,” said Brooks. “I’ve been eating here for a very long time.”
As far back as Brooks could remember, he only recalls seeing Nino and Benny working at Morse Gyros and no one else. “It’s always them two,” said Brooks. “I never see anyone else here.”
Powzo interacts with his customers by asking how their day went and by laughing at their stories. His assistant Benny appears to be the cook master working the different grills and slicing the gyros. Powzo wraps and packs the food up then finalizes the food order by working the cash register.
“The service here is good,” said Jeffrey James, who frequently stops by for his dinner fix.
James orders from Morse Gyros at least twice a week. “I live for the gyro salad,” said James. “It’s only $5.50 for a regular size.”
The gyro salad is a popular selection among many customers. As Benny is preparing the salad, Nino is hard at work completing the order with drinks and side order. Powzo's assistant slides him the gyro salad and Powzo sets it aside for a photo opportunity.
Even though James order the gyro salad every single week, he still enjoys scoping the menu for other food options. “Maybe next time I will try the broasted chicken,” said James.
Brooks and James may be frequent customers of Morse Gyros, others like Joey Pullinam, spotted Morse Gyros from the Morse Red Line stop. “I was waiting for my train when I spotted a sign that said gyros,” said Pullinam. “Figured I’d stop by to grab something to eat.”
Pullinam ordered the Nino hamburger with French fries. The hamburger was named after Nino, the owner of Morse Gyros. The Nino burger is basically gyro meat on top of a hamburger topped with cucumber sauce. “It’s my first time here, so I didn’t even know I ordered the specialty burger,” said Pullinam.
Morse Gyros is conveniently located right next to the Morse Red Line el stop making it easy for customers to come and go, but the Morse location is also home to crimes and gang activity.
According to police reports, last year, at least seven gunshots were fired near Morse Gyros. The Chicago Police Department confirmed that a 17-year-old-male and a 19-year-old-male were hospitalized after a shooting broke out near Wilson Avenue. The shooting affected a lot of the surrounding neighborhood businesses, including Morse Gyros. Nino’s business faced a few slow days due to street closure to investigate the shooting.
Though the community may be crime ridden, Morse Gyros is still a favorite fast food hot spot for many neighborhood residents. Morse Gyros offers a sense of comfortability for many customers. The food and friendly hospitality is what makes up Morse Gyros, but more importantly, the two men behind the counter hard at work is what keeps the customers coming back for more.
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