GYRO’S WELCOME FOR MARIA
Medford native and TV sweetheart Maria Menounos is bringing some of her fave Greek staples to Fenway, revealing her forthcoming food stall, Maria’s Greek Kitchen, at the park yesterday. “I used to sell sausages out here, and at Patriots games, and I never got to go in,” Menounos said, tearing up in front of fiance Keven Undergaro, who peddled tubed meats alongside her back in the day, as well as her parents, Costas and Litsa Menounos.
Now, the Emmy winner, CEO of AfterBuzz TV Network and The New York Times best-selling author has made it. And, she said, “I’m here to teach you the right way to say (gyro).”
Maria’s Greek Kitchen will be selling meat wrapped in pita goodness — “the Greekest thing you can have” — when it officially opens Sept. 4. In the meantime, the former E! News anchor, who’s still on the mend from a July surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, has been munching on her favorite Greek dish on her own.
“We threw my mom a big party this weekend and we had two gyro machines going,” Menounos said, explaining that the fete celebrated a year of life since her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer.
During her quick New England visit, Menounos said she always enjoys hitting Regina Pizzeria, in addition to spending time at her parents’ property down in Connecticut, where she went four-wheeling and paddle-boating last weekend. Her Fenway food stall, which is located next to Savenor’s, has been a group effort alongside food and beverage partner Aramark. She said they’ve worked hard to bring healthier fare to Yawkey Way — a growing priority in light of her family’s recent wellness scares.
Made using veggies from Fenway’s rooftop garden, the menu also includes Greek salad wraps that you “can eat ... like a hot dog,” hummus plates and kebabs in a cup.
One Greek specialty that will likely stay off the menu: “My parents used to, and still do, roast pigs and lambs, which devastates me,” she said, cringing. “They take all of the insides and make a stew from them. I die.”
Yeah, we’ll probably pass on the bowl of organs, too. But save us a gyro or five.