When I was growing up in Little Rock, there weren’t many opportunities to get good Greek food. In fact, I didn’t know how to pronounce “gyro” until I was a teenager. My experience and exposure was usually limited to the Greek Food Festival and the Arkansas State Fair.
The tiny oddly shaped building started out life as a gas station, oddly enough. There’s still an empty storage tank located under the place, I’m told. In the 1950s it housed a barbecue joint come drive-in that offered take-home family packs and curb service.
And then some time in the 1970s Leo’s was born. Gyros and such were new and unusual for a lot of the folks living in Hillcrest, and hummus even more so. But the restaurant’s ice cream and burger offerings kept people coming in.
That’s because the diminutive eatery’s dining area is about the size of a single car garage. Within, there are six tables leveraged in to the left of a counter and ice cream case.
Leo’s has gone through several hands over the years, but it has found stability under Hector Parodi, who I believe has owned the place since 1996 (I was told 14 years by a staffer, but those numbers seem off). With so many other ethnic offerings brought in over the past decade or so, you’d think it might have suffered. No. Leo’s is still going strong.
You’ll find Leo’s Greek Castle at 2925 Kavanaugh Boulevard in the Hillcrest district in Little Rock. (501) 666-7414 or check out the restaurant's Facebook page.
Love Leo's!!
ReplyDeleteThe second historic photo is not of Leo's, but is a gas station at the Memphis Bridge crossing into Arkansas.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are on the walls inside. I have no idea if they're incorrect otherwise.
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