July 16, 2009

Tousis draws on nostalgia for new Gus's Gyros

The inside of Gus's features wall murals of owner Tom Tousis's fond childhood memories.

Tom Tousis has a simple formula for a restaurant: Build a nice place, serve good food and offer it all at a good price. "It's a good combo," he said.

Tousis hopes all three pieces come together next week when he opens his new restaurant, Gus's Gyros at the corner of Douglas Avenue and Goold Street next door to the Better Day BP gas station.

After a recent tour of the new place, it's clear he's nailed two of the points. The interior of Gus's is a sleek modern take on American nostalgia with beautiful murals on the walls and stainless steel tables and chairs in the dining room. One of the murals is a menu that shows prices ranging from $2 for a hamburger to $6 for a giant gyro (Tousis was reluctant to share what the "BFG" will look like; he said it was a surprise for when they open.)

Gus's menu, painted on a wall in the restaurant.

Prices at Gus's are great. The restaurant will offer four styles of gyros starting with the original "1978 Gyro" (1978 is the year the Tousis family moved to Racine) for $4.99. The "Cheesehead Style" comes with a cheddar cheese sauce and onion rings for $5.49. The "Big Fat Cow" is a gyro cheeseburger combo for $5.99 and "The BFG" is a giant gyro for $6.99.

Hamburgers and cheeseburgers are automatically doubles and cost $2.99 for a hamburger and $3.29 for a cheeseburger. Singles are $1.99 for a hamburger and $2.29 for a cheeseburger.

Everything served will be made fresh on site, Tousis said. They'll even serve homemade fries cut with a potato press, he said.

Good food is a given for the Tousis family, which has a long history of running restaurants in Racine since Gus moved the family to town. Among their restaurants include Gibson's Charhouse, Ritzy's restaurant on Washington Ave. and Andrea's in Downtown Racine.

Gus's is built on the site of the former Gibson's and connects with the Better Day gas station, which Tousis opened in December 2007. Tousis' family bought the land at Douglas and Goold in 1989 from Marcus Corp, which ran a Big Boy there.

(As an aside, the gas station looks good, and even has a worldwide claim to fame. It was the first station to entirely use LED lights for its exterior lighting. Ruud Lighting, which manufactured the lights, brings tours by the station twice a week to show off the green technology, Tousis said. Gus's will actually go a step further, using second-generation LED lights that Ruud is rolling out.)

Stainless steel stools line the counter at Gus's.

Gus's interior is sharp. It has about 10 tables inside plus a counter. There's room for at least four tables outside. (Tousis also plans to open a drive-thru window once the restaurant is up and running.) The walls were painted by noted local artist Jane Cascio, who painted the mural on the outside of the Yardarm and played a major role in designing and creating the Uptown mosaic.

Tousis said he asked Cascio to create a mural of his fond childhood memories. There's a baseball field, the Zephyr passenger train, Captain America, Superman (actually, "Super Gus") and the Statue of Liberty.

Other walls have "rules" for eating at Gus's (most of them are jokes) and the menu.

"We don't want it to look manufactured," Tousis said.

"Rules" for eating at Gus's.

Tousis said running a restaurant comes naturally. He remembers being four years old sitting in a kitchen and watching his Dad and others run businesses. With Gus's, Tousis said he wanted to keep things simple to focus on quality. "Logistically, this is a lot simpler than what we did in the past," he said.

Plus, it's a true family business. Gus's is named after his father, Gus Tousis, who moved the family in Racine in 1978 to open Andrea's. Gus will be involved in running his namesake restaurant, as will Tom's wife. One of the wall murals even includes Tom's two sons and nephew.

Gus's will be open for lunch and dinner. Hours aren't set yet, but Tousis said the restaurant will probably open around 10:30 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

For any job-seekers out there, Gus's is hiring waitstaff, cashiers and bussers. If you're interested in applying, stop by the restaurant.
Gus's Gyros' sign is lifted into place on July 15.


Close-ups of two murals on the wall of Gus's Gyros.

68 comments:

  1. The Translator7/16/2009 3:51 PM

    Good Luck Tom. MMMMMM gyros!

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  2. Looks like a poor man's Georgie Porgie.

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  3. I miss Athan's Restaurant...used to have awesone breakfast. Looking forward to this place!

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  4. Ah Andrea's, anyone remember the sign with ape looking waiter picture.

    Good luck gyro's.

    MMMMM Big Boy.....kinda want......

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  5. Finally the only man (Gus) capible of running a quality resturant has returned.

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  6. Good timing Tom on having a place that serves good food at good prices. If his restaurant is as nice a clean as his store, I'm sure it will be a popular spot. Good job Tom, one of the few guys in Racine willing to build anything. I wish him and his family much luck!

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  7. Patrick Greene7/16/2009 7:57 PM

    This is great. That gas station is so clean and not a problem in the neighborhood, like a lot of out of town owners are.

    What a great addition to the community.

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  8. They should have called it "TOUSIS'"

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  9. The Post was right on for the London Broil looking forward to checking this place out!

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  10. Their gas station is so clean that I pass many gas stations just use Tom's bathroom (only when I can't make it home). They are the only gas station bathrooms that don't make me gag when I first open the door. I am looking forward to the geros.

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  11. Athen's Gyros were the BOMB. I hope the have the same ones I remember, I can still remember the taste fifteen years later. Can't wait to have one again. Tom please make them like you guys did at Athen's

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  12. Tom would make a ton of money if he could keep the restaurant open until 3:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, but we all know that a certain element in this city would show up there and cause trouble (probably shootings) after bar closings. Very sad that business owners have to worry about that in this city. There is nothing like a Gyro after-bar when you are tanked. Remember how packed Around-The-Clock would get serving gyros after bar???

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  13. Except that picture on the front window of the gas station... The liberty bell?

    I can't wait to eat Yee ros.

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  14. yeah!!! We need more places to get a good meal on the northside. Nothing like a really good Greek restaurant. Can't wait to try it out, good luck.

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  15. Greek sailor7/22/2009 1:46 PM

    Opa!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  16. If you wouldn't have attacked Mitch and Marty with your sign out front, I would give you business. Why would you attack another business unless you weren't confident in the services and products you provide?

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  17. this is not a greek restaurant. it's an american diner

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  18. It's called competition. And guess what, only the losing half of a competition constantly cries like a little girl. So that makes Mitch the loser. Plus Mitch will never get to enjoy a delicious gryo, he's stuck eating his week old hot dogs. LOOSERS!!!!

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  19. Nice murals, would be nice if they paid the person that designed them. I'm sure the person that produced them will be asking for their money soon as well.

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  20. Jane Hobbs Cascio7/31/2009 7:18 PM

    The above comment is a COMPLETE lie. I am the artist and have been paid in full upon the completion of the mural at Gus's Gyros.
    It was a pleasure working with Tom on this project. He was open to my creative ideas and trusted my talents to help create a space he invisioned.
    Jealousy is an ugly thing. I hope "anonymous" is not raising a family!

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  21. Something is to be said for long time businesses. Slinging crap at Mitch and Marty's in uncalled for. They are not the ones that are so high in debt they can't see like "Beter Day". Don't deny it, everyone knows (people talk), you may not make it.....

    It's always common curiosity to check out new businesses, but giving back to long time pillars of the business community is where I stand. Just because you open and fold a few times like Gus's and Better day with thier past ventures, does not keep the clock running. You now started over again.

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  22. To the above poster. Wow you seem very intelegent. Perhaps you have a degree is business management? If so you might have missed the lesson on spending money to make money.

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  23. hey designer, did you get a copy right release from marval comics to reproduce the superman?

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  24. hey designer, did you get a copy right release from marval comics to reproduce the superman?

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  25. Hey idiot read the article it says "supergus" which is why it has a G instead of an S.

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  26. Poor little Mitch & Marty, come over to granny's house for warm milk and cookies to make your little heads feel all better.

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  27. I'm glad the best gyros in town are back on the north side of racine. Its sure allot better than eating 4 day old hot dogs from Mitch & Martys, along with their expired soda!

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  28. The food is WONDERFUL, the prices are GREAT! What more can one ask for? This isn't battle of the gas stations..I thought this article was about Gus's Gyros...always so much hate. Why? Competition is good for all. The ones that talk on here like Mr. Tousis is such a bad person and is attacking Mitch & Marty's, did I miss something? I never saw anything on the marquee that mentioned their name what so ever. You want to talk about disrespectful business man maybe you ought to ask Mitch if he ever walked over and thanked Mr. Tousis and his employees for informing him and the police the night he got robbed.

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  29. a superman with a "g" on his chest, a greek selling a gryo .... how origional

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  30. I stopped by gus's today on my way home from work and it was AMAZING!! the best gyro in town HANDS DOWN! and with the price at under $5 there is a TON of food there! More than enough for me! Oh well it makes good left overs! Can't wait to try the other items on the menu!

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  31. I eat there the other day too and spent the rest of the day and night on the tiolet. Guess that's what I get for eating at a gas station.

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  32. toilet not tiolet

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  33. I ate there not I eat there

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  34. It has been well worth the wait. The gyros are GREAT as are the prices.
    You and your family are the best. :~)

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  35. Spent the rest of the day on the toilet??? Maybe you ought to get your stomach checked or stop over eating. I've ate there several times and never had the issue. Oh wait you said you ate at the gas station...You should have ate at Gus's.

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  36. Maybe you have a stomach issue. Try going back to the veggie dogs and boca burgers. Gus's has been nice with my body

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  37. THE BOMB! THE BOMB! THE BOMB!
    Their food rocks! The gyros are some of the best I ever had. I ate alot at Oakland Gyro when I went to school and Gus's rivals Oaklnd's sandwich. A+ for Gus.

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  38. The chicken strips are to die for. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. That is hard to do. I will have to try the Gyros next time.

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  39. pat,

    i'll let you in on a secret, how get chicken tenders so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside is ....... you drop the chicken into the oil and cook it until it floats.

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  40. Gus, Tommy and Vickie - the gyro's are outstanding. I wish you all the luck in the world, but based on what I had last night, luck will not be required. this place is going to be hopin when word gets out.

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  41. Should be more like way to go Gus and Vickie. It's their money that pays for everything. Also .. why the heck do people call him "Tommy", isn't he 30-something by now? Myabe it's because he still lives at home with his Mommy and Daddy?

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  42. Hes called tommy for the same reason mitch and martys isnt called mitchell's and martha's. and i dont know who you mean by "people" because only one person called him tommy. Does it matter where the money comes from? its a family business. thats like saying mitchell pays the bills because his name is first on the sign. I really dont care where the money comes from. I just care that i can get a AWESOME!! Gyro! cant wait to try the rest of the food!

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  43. Who the heck cares if he's called Tommy, Tom, or Thomas, his age or where he lives. He's still one of the best business men in Racine and a few others should take lesson from him. You must be one jealous person.
    Hope your not loosing sleep over who the money belongs to, can't believe you don't know what family business means,LOL
    Maybe you should try one of Gus's Gyros, you would feel much better.

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  44. What the heck is some peoples obsession about Mitch and Marty's? This article isn't even about them.

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  45. Do you mean Mert and Martha?

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  46. AMAZING!!!! and flipping hilarious at that. No one cares about what the Citgo across the street may feel or think. If they are taking the marquee sign statements to heart well then someone is feeling guilty about one thing or another. Why is it that when ever Better Day BP does something and hits the paper people want to get on here and start M&M this and that...Do spmething to get in the paper yourselves and u wouldn't have to try I repeat TRY, to rain on their parade. I am proud of these owners and think they have done a wonderful job and brought a fabulous business to this city. SINCE THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT GUS'S GYROS AND NOTHING MORE...LET ME SAY VERY TASTY!!!

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  47. Maybe Mitch & Marty should open a restaurant too. They can call it "Mitch & Marty's House of Weiners". There is no shortage of weiners at their place. The only thing I got served at M&M was a $900 brake job that everywhere else in town I could have gotten for about $400. They screw people royally everyday, but want to be known as good guys? Is Tom stealing the wind from your sails? I hope he is because you are nothing but a rip off artists and cry baby.

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  48. Ten four on the cry babies.
    I don't think Todd is so bad, he probably did your brake job, but doesn't set the prices.
    If he was smart he would get out of there, like his brother did.

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  49. ewwww who would want a weiner from M&M? There too small. Id much rather have a BFG from Gus's!

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  50. Weiners---Weiners...being sold by Weenies....I almost forgot there was still a gas station on that corner. Can't even noticed it with such a beautiful, well lit station across the street. I LOVE Better Day BP and Gus's Gyros, can't find a better place to go, such a friendly atmosphere.

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  51. I'm sure M&M isn't too worried about it, they've been there forever and always will be.

    Unlike the place across the street. Think about it, Athan's failed and it closed. Gibson's failed and it closed. Why would their gas station be any different?

    Would have been nice to put something useful on that corner like a Walgreens.

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  52. First of all genius read the above posts about success. 2nd of all Better Day has been open just as long if not longer than athens and gibsons. 3rd of all i highly doubt they will fail with how many cars are always in that parking lot! I mean come on! there is no where to park! Something good must be going on there for that to happen. Unlike M&M who have customer cars all over because they raped them(customers) with an insane bill. Those cars sit there until the customer has a chance to refinance their house!

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  53. 1:21 - you are no genius. BP has probably been open a couple years at most. Gibsons was open longer than that and Athens was open the longest so get your facts straight. Hey, they both run good business so let's just call it as it is. A couple families trying to make a buck, and paying taxes into the system. We should want both businesses to succeed. Why would anyone ever try and hurt a local business, especially during these times.

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  54. The sign may say locally owned and operated but the real money goes to Venezuela. (aka Petróleos de Venezuela) which is why the triangle was changed from blue to red. Red for Chavez's political party who was re-ellected by exhorting workers to secure his position.

    you say they could have built something useful on that corner? What did you have in mind? The Venezuela Community Center? A place to put the 19,000 employees Chavez fired back to work after he retained presidency? Nope sorry it became a BP which is actually listed on the NYSE. (great for "these times")

    Straight from wikipedia "Venezuela is a major producer of oil products, which remains the keystone of the Venezuelan economy. Chávez has gained a reputation as a price hawk in OPEC, pushing for stringent enforcement of production quotas and higher target oil prices. At a June 2008 meeting, Venezuela was the only OPEC country calling for lowered production to drive oil prices higher."

    Just what we need during "these times". Higher gas prices. You screw people to fix their brakes and screw them AND THEIR COUNTRY!! when they fill up?

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  55. Haha awesome anonymous! You left out the part where just recently Chavez told obama they ( meaning venezuela and Cuba) were enemies if the united states. Also the part where Chavez was sending images of himself to mrs. Obamas email. Great for our country!!

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  56. It would be nice if everyone publishing their comments to this blog would keep them about Gus’s Gyros. Let’s not make this a mud slinging contest!! Everyone knows that there are two similar businesses at this intersection and the citizens of Racine will choose the one they wish to patronize regardless of what mud is slung here or how. I have lived all 35 years of my life in this cesspool we all call Racine and I wish this local business the best of luck. Racine is falling apart fast and any local businessmen that step up to make that leap to start a new business deserve respect!!

    My hats off to you Tommy… I wish Gus’s Gyros the best of luck!! Your menu is fantastically simple, prices are more than reasonable, and the atmosphere is great!! I’ve tried many items from your menu and you have exceeded my expectations on all levels!! In my opinion your Gyros are the best in Racine!!!

    Btw- My girlfriend and I love the fact that this local business has taken steps to being more energy efficient and environmentally friendly by installing LED lighting. That’s something to be proud of and we hope others take notice and make changes.

    -Anonymous-

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  57. Not that it matters but the LED's were free. They are prototypes from Rudd and they donated them to test in the field. Same with the canopy lighting at the gas station. But you are correct in that the food is great. keep up the good work.

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  58. To 10:29am... You’re right, it doesn’t matter!! Nice to see you were kind enough to end that unnecessary comment positively:) Either way this business took that step to be “Greener”.

    Good Day!

    -Anonymous-

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  59. All this BS on this blog! Well anyway, I tried the 1978 Gyro and the cheeseburger this week, awesome meals!

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  60. I am looking forward to trying the food at the new shop. Congratulations to someone willing to invest time and money in our community.

    And what a curious bundle of vitriolic commentary from so many people. Aren't people in a community supposed to help each other out? Shouldn't we all take the high road and give the other guy the benefit of the doubt before besmirching him? And can someone start a new topic somewhere about the gas station controversy - there is clearly a need for people to speak out on the subject. Let's keep this topic on "Gus's Gyros."

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  61. Have eaten at Gus' several times and the food is fabulous. However the many references to "Gus' meat" or "can't beat the meat" or "mouthful of meat" are really tasteless,and probably cause the loss of some business. Families won't come after church, husbands won't bring their wives. Dads' won't bring their young children. Very uncomfortable. Great food. Poor taste.

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  62. I dont understand some peoples mind. if you read deeper into something than its intended to be thats your own problem. nobody calls you a homo when you go to pizza hut and order a meat lovers pizza. come on man...

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  63. You'd have to be an idiot to not catch the sexual connotations of the menu. I might have a dirty mind but I'm not stupid.

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  64. you just admitted you have a dirty mind. Thats your own problem. Try going back down to happy meals cuz only us big boys eat at guss

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  65. the food was great, but the cashier had a chip on her shoulder, as if we were bothering her. 10/11/09

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  66. Nothing risked, nothing gained. I say "Good for you!" The North side needed new eats, not the regular chain restaurants. The Gyros are OUT OF THIS WORLD and we've eaten there several times. I tell ALL of my friends and everyone who has tried Gus's AGREES! Thanks goodness for the good old fashioned entrepreneurial spirit!!!!

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  67. tried it other day .burger great, soup was even better.

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  68. does anyone know of gus' email. I'm trying to open up an establishment myself and I believe I can get some really great pointers and numbers.

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