Tom and Jerry’s really is the King of Gyros

Situated within eyeshot of eastern Rockford’s State Street is Tom and Jerry’s. It’s located right on the beaten path of State Street’s strip of retail shops and restaurants. If you’re in the neighborhood, hungry, and looking for a unique dining experience, then this gem of a restaurant is worth looking for.

One thing that is this restaurant’s greatest strength can be one of its weaknesses. You will be getting freshly made food, which means you may end up waiting a while for it. Jacob Wingert, a friend and recent patron of Tom and Jerrys, felt that “[i}t was a longer wait than [he] was used to,” but that in the end it was “very worth the wait.” It is important to remember that they don’t start making what you order until you order it. This means that your food will be delicious and fresh, but you won’t have it instantly. The restaurant does it’s best to make up for this inherent flaw by having genuinely awesome people for their wait staff. The service is very friendly and that makes an excellent dining atmosphere.

The vibe here is very warm and inviting. It is a blend of family and fast food that makes this a place where you have a relatively quick, convenient meal that you can enjoy at your leisure and you could stay a while and talk after your meal if you wanted to. This isn’t a heartless, corporation kicking you out to make room for the next customer. You’re being served food by people who care.

The food at Tom and Jerry’s is a step above fast food joints you may be accustomed to. They have some unusual fast food faire, such as a pizza puff for 2.69$ and saganaki, a Greek fried cheese dish, both of which were unimpressive. Their Chicago-style hot dog, for the paltry sum of 2.25$, is very good. Their burgers are also very excellent, although they can be slightly over grilled. By far the best thing on the menu is the gyros. They are slightly more expensive than your average hamburger at 4.29$, but they are worth the investment. Their flat bread is made daily, and is always so fresh and warm it feels like it’s just out of the oven. They almost over pack the bread with meat. The meat is seasoned just right and is so tender it falls apart in your mouth. There is a sauce with the consistency of mayonnaise and excellent flavor, tomatoes, and onions on top. When asked about his feelings toward the gyro he had, he said that this experience made him a “fan of gyros, especially this one!” Short of kidnapping an elderly Grecian woman to make gyros for you, this is your best bet to get an excellent, authentic gyro.

The prices on the menu might be higher than you’re used to seeing at a drive thru menu, but what extra your paying doesn’t compare to the quality you’re getting. Really, if you’re looking for an excellent meal to share with friends for a reasonable price, you can’t go wrong with the king of gyros, Tom and Jerry’s.

Rating: ****
Tom and Jerry’s
5446 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
(815) 398-1240