Roast lemon beef on a spit and they will come.
And they did to the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Greek Orthodox Church Zorba Festival in Bristol, Connecticut that was back in action this year as worries begin to lessen about the COVID-19 pandemic.
People came from as far as Greece for the popular event that included long-time regulars like Anthony Mahlis, who's been slicing the beef gyros there for more than 30 years and counting, The Bristol Press said.
They came despite searing heat and for many it was that lemon roasted beef they couldn't resist.
“It’s the most popular item,” said Andreas Theodoropoulos, who helped serve up all the homemade Greek specialties that included lamb shank, pastitsio, spanakopita and also gyros.
“The weather is beautiful and the virus is over,” jewelry importer Nikos Spyros said. “A lot of people want to get out now. They’ve been stuck in their homes for a year and a half.”
“Last year we did it exclusively drive-thru style,” Theodoropoulos said. “This year we would have had our tent outside but pandemic restrictions weren’t released until late May.”