CHICOPEE — Gyro Express had a grand opening on Aug. 27 to officially welcome their brand-new takeout restaurant at 345B Chicopee St.
The menu includes Greek salads, gyros, kebobs, sandwiches, as well as pizza and wings.
Owners Nicoletta and Jaime Muche expressed they are excited to bring such a unique taste to Chicopee.
Nicoletta said, “It’s a Mediterranean cuisine so mostly Greek cuisine and we have all kind of Greek food, Greek salads, souvlaki, spinach pie, gyro and also other stuff like pizza and some Portuguese dishes so it’s Mediterranean food and American food.”
Gyro Express is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Nicoletta also shared how excited she was to take everything she has learned so far and bring this unique cuisine to Chicopee.
She said, “We opened the restaurant to feed the community because in this area and even in the other area, people liked the Greek food a lot especially when it is fresh made. We thank everyone so much for those who have already stopped by. We’re really, really blessed because a lot of people have shared about us on social media and given us good reviews.
Since opening, people on social media have speculated that this location was the former Greek Place at the Holyoke Mall reopening under a new name but Nicoletta confirmed there is no affiliation and this is a completely new restaurant.
She said, “We are not affiliated with the other Greek Place. I don’t know why they were saying — just because we have Greek food it’s the other restaurant that has Greek food. We have nothing to do with that place. This is our family, just me and my husband, so we opened this, we worked in the restaurants before and then we opened up this restaurant after gaining knowledge about the food and everything.”
The confusion was that both Nicoletta and Jaime were familiar faces having worked at that Greek Place for many years. Jaime had worked there sporadically over the course of the 40 years when they were open and when help was needed, as Jamie’s sister Maria was the owner. The Muches met while working there.
Gyro Express also posted a statement on Facebook that read, “While you may recognize some familiar faces behind our counter as our owners did formerly work there, it’s important to note that we are not the same brand, nor are we owned by the former Greek Place. Gyro Express is its own unique business, bringing our own flavor and approach to the table.”
Nicoletta said she invites everyone to check out Gyro Express and try the food. Right now, Gyro Express is takeout only but there is a small table for customers to wait inside for their food.
