Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Le Souvlaki Athenien

Paris, France

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

A few nights before, Billy and I were walking along the famous and iconic Rue de la Huchette, trying to find a lamb gyro.

We were inundated by a tour group of around 40 people who chose this one place, with gyros made of chicken.

While delicious, we wanted a traditional one, so after our meal, we went wandering down this Medieval street in the heart of the Latin Quarter until we came upon Souvlaki Athenien.

BINGO!

This was it.

We decided to eat there the very next day.

The humble front entrance of Le Souvlaki Athenien

The Souvlaki Athenien is inexpensive and an easy place to visit for a quick takeaway meal. Or you can choose to sit upstairs with a view, or downstairs and watch the action.

This family-run restaurant specializes in Greek cuisine and is particularly known for its souvlaki.

Their menu includes about 31 dishes, offering a variety of meats like lamb, beef, and chicken, along with sides like fries, salads, and desserts such as baklava.

It gives an authentic Greek experience.

Gyro or Souvlaki?

I was under the mistaken idea that gyros and souvlaki were the same.

While similar in that they are both roasted on a vertical rotisserie, Gyro meat is ground, often a mix of lamb, beef, pork or chicken, seasoned then formed into a large loaf.

The loaf is cooked slowly beside a heat source allowing the outer layers to cook and crisp. Thin slices are then shaved off.

Souvlaki has chunks of meat (pork, chicken, beef, or lamb) like you can see here in this photo.

These are marinated, then skewered, and grilled near a heat source giving the meat a slightly different texture and flavor due to the direct heat and the marinade.

The marinade is generally a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and various herbs and spices, such as oregano, garlic, and rosemary, which gives it a distinctive flavor.

They are both amazingly delicious.

Akaisha with her souvlaki, fries and Beaujolais

Inside this shoebox-sized restaurant there is a modest ambiance that transports guests to Greece.

Some have commented that this place is quite small and tables are close together.

This is true.

Billy and I were already seated when 2 young musicians walked in and asked if they could share our table while they, too, ate their souvlakis.

It made for great conversation!

Gyros and Souvlakis are similar

Served in pita bread with fries, the flavor of this grilled meat is distinctive.

As you can see from this photo, souvlakis have distinct pieces of meat.

But the gyro is very famous and its influence is seen in various forms of street food globally, from the shawarma in the Middle East to the tacos al pastor in Mexico, which also uses a vertical spit. 

Bottle of Beaujolais Villages

We're in France, so why not have a bottle of Beaujolais Villages?

Beaujolais is famous for its light, fruity red wines. Beaujolais Villages is a step up and comes from 38 designated villages within the Beaujolais region, which are considered to produce superior wines due to better soil, climate, and winemaking traditions.

Another view of the entrance

Since Rue de la Huchette dates back to the 13th century, it's one of the oldest streets in Paris. The street has retained much of its medieval character with narrow, pedestrian-friendly pathways, ancient buildings, and a timeless atmosphere.

You can wander around on this street during the day, early evening or late night when it's lit by old lamps and filled with the sounds of music, chatter, and the occasional street performer.

Le Souvlaki Athenien is situated in the 5th arrondissement, near the Sorbonne and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame RER station, making it easily accessible by public transportation.

They offer takeout services, making it convenient for those looking for quick, authentic Greek food.

It's a place where the past and present of Paris converge, offering an unique slice of the city's vibrant life.

Would we recommend going to Souvlaki Athenien?

Absolutely!

__________

Le Souvlaki Athenien

25 Rue de la Huchette

75005, Paris

Website:  https://foursquare.com/v/le-souvlaki-ath%C3%A9nien/4dc4747352b1e8f9f7bb53fb d

Email:  souvlaki.athenien@orange.fr

Tele: +33143549695

Open daily, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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