Kalo's Tavern provides good food for the price

ALI ARMGARD
DM Senior Staff Writer

I was not exactly sure what I was thinking when I told the DM that I wanted to start a restaurant review column. At the time, I was probably just hungry, and the idea of exploring the taste of Oxford and then reporting my experiences seemed relevant. Plus, I like to eat. So, here it goes. Bon appetit.

Tucked away beneath the eyesores of Jackson Avenue lies a mouth-watering-hole-in-the-wall that can satisfy one's hunger for some of the best Greek cuisine in town, plus a mixture of other stuff.

Kalo's Tavern specializes in wraps and delicious appetizers that are definitely worth trying out.

Served on warm pita bread with a specialty marinade called tzatziki sauce, the wraps, or gyros, come in all sorts of flavors such as chicken, crawfish, steak, mushroom and shrimp, a noted favorite. A mixture of lamb and beef make up the regular gyro and add a hint of Greece to the mostly assorted menu.

The appetizers are to die for. Well, not really, but they are still pretty commendable. I started off my meal with one of Kalo's famous fried plates which quenched every greasy craving I had. Stocked with an assortment of fried finger food like mushrooms, pickles, potatoes and onion rings, the fried plate proves a successful dish. My ultimate favorite of the massive medley is the fried pickle chips. I had never heard of the concept of frying pickles until my arrival in Oxford. Since I've been here, however, I have acquired the fried pickle philosophy and taste. I realized that Kalo's has the best fried pickles in town, especially if dipped in that mysterious comeback sauce.

The sauce is good and it goes well with everything on the fried plate. Don't eat too much, though; it costs 75 cents extra for each additional bowl. And each additional dip calls for one more peppermint after dinner. The comeback sauce is gratifying and worth a second visit back to Kalo's. Hence the name?

I used to think that Kalo's menu did not have nearly enough options. I've changed my mind. Although the menu is not entirely Greek and not entirely plentiful, a consumer can choose anything from "burgers and things" which offers food of all sorts. Barbecue, burgers and lasagna make up this portion of the menu. But if you can't find a craving for anything like that, you could try the pita pizzas or delicious salads, all at an affordable price. Top off your dinner with an indulging plate of baklavah for desert.

In my dining out episodes in Oxford, I have always enjoyed eating at Kalo's because of its atmosphere. A restaurant's environment has the power to make or break a dining experience. A plethora of hand-painted booths and local artwork on the wall provide a very decorative, colorful and comfortable atmosphere that meshes well with the flavorful food. Kalo's has that gathering place motif that is a bonus in any college town.

My thoughts on the service? The waitress was cheery and prompt. All food was served hot, except that extra bit of comeback sauce and the friendly bartenders made sure to say "have a good night" upon leaving. All in all, my Kalo's experience was a kind one and I thoroughly enjoyed the food.