O Xontros Kai O Lignos (Laurel & Hardy's), Maleme, Chania
Found on the main road through the small town of Maleme, O Xontros Kai O Lignos is ideally placed next to the SYNKA supermarket smack dab in the center of the town, just look for the sign featuring the infamous Laurel & Hardy. It is open all year round and offers fresh and tasty food from midday to late.
I have to say that this place is one of our favourite places to eat with its great tasting and fantastic value food. Whether we just want a quick gyros pita snack or a full on meal either from the grill or one of the excellent specials that Giorgos, the chef, creates in his marvelous kitchen, O Xontros Kai O Lignos is normally our first choice.
Today we stopped for a quick lunch and a catch up with friends and due to the heatwave we are experiencing, salads were the dish of choice for three out of four of us. Two had the chef's special salad and there was also a mixed salad on the table and each was served with a chicken souvlaki skewer to add some meatiness. Being a true carnivore I went for the special burger.
The salads are fresh and extremely tasty...and huge. The sauce on the chef's special is delicious and is rich and creamy and works well with the bite size pieces of ham that is sprinkled liberally throughout. The mixed salad is fresh lettuce, cucumber and onion but we mixed a little tomato and one of the chicken skewers to really jazz it up. The special burger is a double stacked beef burger in a lightly toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, bacon, cheese and Giorgo's special sauce.
We never have any complaints about the food at O Xontros Kai O Lignos and today was no exception with all of the plates being picked clean. We also shared some white house wine and a few draught beers to ward away the thirst of one of the hottest days of 2017 so far. The white wine is very nice and highly recommended if you want a light, fruity pairing to any of the great dishes.
At the end of the meal Gianni came over with a plate of dusted loukoumia, a Cretan delight that is sweet and flowery on the palate and of course he also brought over a raki for us to enjoy. He actually joined us in a toast in between his busy lunch service and between the two of them they work as a great team to make O Xontros Kai O Lignos the successful restaurant/taverna it is.
PROS
Great value - Gyros pitas at under €2.50, main dishes all well under €10.
Good portion sizes for those with a healthy appetite or to share.
Lovely house wine and smooth raki.
Two very nice guys who will do anything to help.
CONS
None
TOP TIPS
If you are more hungry than a simple gyros can satisfy but not quite hungry enough for a full meal, try the Skepasti. This is a kind of pita sandwich that comes filled with meat, peppers, cheese and potato fries with a small side of fries to fill that void in your belly. It is great value and is one of our top dishes to eat at O Xontros Kai O Lignos. Also ask about the specials, from soutsoukakia to chicken in the oven and even the wonderfully traditional tsigariasto (lamb in a white wine sauce) are all fantastic and so, so tasty.