Anastasia Agelis and Joey Torres just returned from a month-long, working vacation in Greece.
“Food, that’s all we think about; morning, afternoon, night, we’re always eating,” joked Agelis.
The foodies have been to Greece many times in the past, but this time was different, this time they were on a mission to learn everything they could to enhance their Mediterranean offerings at their new Key Largo-based food truck.
“This time around we paid more attention to how they did everything, how they made everything, how they kept everything warm, how they sliced everything, how they paired everything,” explained Agelis.
Back in February, the engaged-to-be-married couple took a leap of faith and opened their first food truck together, “It’s All Greek 2 Me.”
“We talked about it for about a year,” said Torres of their decision to open the truck. “We don’t have any Greek food down here,” he added of the culinary need he identified in the Upper Keys.
For Agelis, opening a Greek mobile kitchen came naturally. She was born in Key Largo, but raised in Greece. Her father has owned Key Largo’s Tower of Pizza for more than three decades. You could say the restaurant business is in her blood.
Torres, on the other hand, has a background in law enforcement. He was a Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy for six years. Torres is Cuban, and before meeting Agelis four years ago, he had never been to Greece.
“What people love about Greece is how friendly we are,” said Agelis. “We’re trying to give that here as well, even though he’s Cuban, I’m teaching him,” she added with a laugh.
Torres admits there’s been a bit of a learning curve, but it’s been a rewarding and challenging experience.
“It was a lot to pick up all at once, but once we had our menu down, the cooking part was what I had to really learn,” explained Torres.
“I’ve never been my own boss and being my own boss is refreshing,” he added.
“It’s All Greek 2 Me” prides itself on serving up fresh and authentic Greek fare, like chicken and pork Souvlaki (skewers), falafels and hummus, Greek salads and baklava (a popular Greek dessert made of phyllo dough, sweet syrup and walnuts). They also serve sausage Souvlaki (skewers) and hummus and toasted pita wedges and baklava cheesecake.
But by far, the most popular dishes are the chicken and pork gyros.
“We’ve had people come from Greece and they’ve told us this is one of the best gyros they’ve had outside of Greece,” said Torres.
The traditional Greek dish is slowly cooked on a vertical rotisserie and sliced onto pita bread. It’s a process that requires timing and skill.
“It takes about half an hour to 45 minutes to get your first cut,” said Torres of the gyro rotisserie. “Once you get your first cut, every 15 to 20 minutes you’re shaving,” he added.
The gyros are served with a mouthwatering, homemade creamy tzatziki yogurt-based sauce and fries.
“The yogurt is the best yogurt you can find,” said Agelis. “Also the fries, I think the fries make the pita. The fries are in the pita and we have the best fries you can find in town.”
The pair says part of what makes the fries so delicious is the fact that they are cooked in beef tallow.
Agelis knows first-hand how competitive and all consuming the restaurant business can be, that’s why she never lets her guard down and always strives to offer a fresh, delicious and well-priced product.
“I think because there is a lot of competition we need to be on top of it constantly, with the quality of the food, the quantity, the prices, and customer service,” she explained.
Torres and Agelis are not ruling out expansion in the future, but admit they have a lot on their plates right now. Both have middle school-aged children from previous relationships.
“We are thinking about expanding, we’ll see how it is, with the kids right now, life is busy,” said Agelis.
“It’s All Greek 2 Me” is located in the parking lot next to Sundiver Station at 102840 Overseas Highway in Key Largo. They are open six days a week (closed on Tuesdays) from 11:30 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays they are open until 9 p.m. To check out their menu or place an order, visit their website at itsallgreek-2me or give them a call at 305-992-0200. “It’s All Greek 2 Me” also offers catering.
The couple hopes customers walk away with more than just a satisfied palate, they hope they leave with a memorable experience that keeps them coming back for more.
“We want people leaving here feeling like they’ve taken a part of Greece with them,” said Agelis.
