By Eugenia Miranda

After a three-week hiatus, my food writing endeavor is back. This time I ventured into Queens to find some delectable ethnic cuisine. Located on Broadway in Astoria, Uncle George’s promised to be a safe bet since a couple of longtime Queens residents had recommended it to my roommate.

The quaint, family-owned Greek taverna lived up to the hype. I ordered the gyro platter, which cost me just $8. Served with a side of rice topped with a tomato-based sauce, the gyro platter left me feeling fully satisfied. Wrapped in pita bread, the slices of lamb, chopped lettuce and onions, and glops of tzatziki can make for a deliciously messy meal. This is why I first attempted to thin out the pita wrap by eating some of the lamb with a fork first. The dill in the tzatziki sauce gives it a different flavor than at other restaurants.

Uncle George’s Greek Tavern was established in 1978, and its decorations don’t try to hide it. A yellowed first aid poster on how to help a choke victim hangs in the dining area visible to customers, indicating that the owners of this taverna are about the food, not fancy distractions. With part of the seating located under a glass ceiling and surrounded by windows, certain parts of the restaurant would make for a chilly place to eat in the winter time. The tables are covered with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and adorned with red carnations, giving the establishment a homey feel. Its brown tiled floors and walls that are partially covered with dark wood paneling bring you back to the time when Uncle George was alive.

While the Queens spot was initially a hit in part because of its namesake’s charisma and personality, according to the locale’s Web site, it continues to thrive through word of mouth. It has also been featured in The New York Times, New York Post, Daily News, Astoria Gazette and on the CNN Burt Wolf cooking show. With a limited food budget, I’ll likely try another ethnic restaurant in Queens sometime soon. It’s worth the train ride out there.