Meet Romeo Taus of Romeo’s Euro Cafe in Gilbert, East Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Romeo Taus.

Romeo, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always love to eat. Somebody once said that Gluttony is not a secret vice. A little knowledge is dangerous, so as I immersed myself in the culinary arts, the more I learned, the more I realize how little I know. In the process of learning and rediscovering the power of magic from our illustrious predecessors, the more respect I acquire for the people ( the farmers and ranchers ) that dedicate their lives to providing us the raw ingredients, without which we would be silent, and the more humble I become. Evoking an emotional response thru our food created my passion for cooking. Born in Romania, emigrated to the US in 1973,lived in Detroit, a product of the engineering & business schools, worked for Chrysler, F&M Dist.,Drug Emporium….self-taught chef with a lot of guidance from a lot of people. Started Romeo’s Euro Cafe June 1st 1991 and with the help of a great crew and loving support from our valued guests still going strong. For a quick bite or a sit-down meal, Romeo’s Euro Café nestled in the historic Heritage District in old town Gilbert, is a welcoming and inviting establishment. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu (Mediterranean influenced) is seemingly endless, cooked after the order has been placed in the kitchen, NO microwaves or heat lamps.

Appetizers such as: Greka, Faccacia de la Provincia, Portobellini, Feta Dill Fritters, Venetian Roasted Peppers, Eggplant Capri, Artichokes Vinaigrette, Mezzogiorno, Chilled Balsamic Beans, Spanaki Balls, Vegeta Skins, Mushrooms Meteora, Baked Bleu Tomatoes get you started.

The 18 salads are highlighted by the Balsamic Steak salad, Greek Salad (Authentic), Mediterranean Salad, DeLemono Seafood salad, Corinthian salad and unique Ravioli salad.

The 26 pitas encompass everything from their featured Euroburger (homemade gyros) to Avocado Feta, Monte Karlo, Balkan Pita, Bleu Vegeta, Feta Gyros Pita and Zucchini Chicken. Also subs, pocket subs and burger subs make the menu.

Romeo’s also features a variety of Specialty Entrees: Gyros Platter, Pasta Rustica, Sunflower Beef and Fillomousaka.

Poultry: Garlic Chicken Pesto, Chicken Veneto and Greco-Roman Chicken.
Seafood: Salmon de Provence, Balsamic Shrimp de Modena and Shellfish Tortellini.
Eggplant Oscar, Asparagus Eggplant, Linguini Lombardy, Lemon Cilantro Linguini, Mostacciolli Secundo, Ravioli Euro Paeus , Ravioli Calavo are only some of the vegetarian dishes available.

The large wine selection culminates in monthly specials and unique events held at Romeo’s that draw fun and creative crowds.

The restaurant also feature two glass cases with four rows of numerous desserts (made in-house) beautifully presented and labeled for easy decision-making.

The kitchen is open and the dining room features metal and wood accents with a brick wall and big windows open to the street. Romeo’s also offers take out and catering so stop-in or call to order any one of their scrumptious dishes.

“Restaurant Week” every Thursday!!!!!!

Taste of Romeo’s Euro Cafe, Thursdays @ 6.30 PM.

This 5 course meal will be a smaller version of the food we have on our menu every day. The Menu: 1 appetizer, 1 salad, 2 main dishes and dessert.

This is a way to experience our menu without the stress of making a choice.
Hosted by Janice and Romeo, the proprietors in our private room.
All this for $ 30.00++ for an extra $ 10.00 you’d get 5 wine tastes.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not!!! This is the nature of this business, we are as great as the last dish we served. Chef driven kitchens, run very differently than chains or franchises. No microwaves, no heat lamps, from scratch culinary. The learning curve is very steep. Once the taste, presentation, and technique is established you need quality people that can do all that consistently, and deliver that quality every time. It is very hard to get that talent at any price. The restaurant environment, is hard, repetitive work, long hours, physically demanding, on your feet, it’s hot in the kitchen in Arizona, flames, knives, hot oil, perishable ingredients, and timing. It’s a younger people game, doing what they do, sex, drugs, alcohol…

Everything in a restaurant will break, or gets thrown away: silverware, glasses, plates, tables, chairs, display cases, pots, pans, stoves, ovens, cooking equipment, refrigerators, beer & wine coolers etc. You need to know good plumbers, electricians, hood cleaning people, fire suppression! Every 5-7 years you replace everything. Lots of money!!!

Neighborhoods change! If you are lucky to do this for 25 + years you already experienced this. What might be a great location today, may change in 10-15 years. People move, upsize, downsize, culinary preferences change. It is hard to offer food that evokes an emotional response and have a timeless quality.

So our challenges are: quality people, location and money….

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Romeo’s Euro Cafe – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Romeo’s is a relaxed cafe serving an extensive menu of Mediterranean-influenced fare plus full bar and a great selection of wines. The menu features eclectic, Greek-influenced dishes. Try a poultry or seafood dish, such as garlic chicken pesto served over linguine. On the third Tuesday of the month, Romeo’s features a three course food and wine pairing with a seasonal menu that reflects sustainable products and local flavors. Proud to be able to serve the community for over 26 years, doing it our way, no microwaves, no heat lamps, no substitutions. Great food and service.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Great place to live and play! Hard to get people to be more adventurous with their culinary palate.

Contact Info:

• Address: 207 N Gilbert Rd
  Gilbert AZ 85234
• Website: eurocafe.com
• Phone: 480-962-4224
• Email: Romeo@EuroCafe.com
• Instagram: @romeoseurocafe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romeoseurocafe/
• Twitter: @romeoseurocafe
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/romeos-euro-cafe-gilbert
• Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g31230-d450050-Reviews-Romeo_s_Euro_Cafe-Gilbert_Arizona.html

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.