Gecko's Grill & Pub, 351 North Cattlemen Rd., 941-378-0077

Though flatbreads have existed as a carbohydrate staple for centuries, its only since the mid-90s that the U.S. has adopted their widespread use outside of Tex-Mex foods like burritos or chimichangas. Like many American food trends, the rise in popularity of wraps was made possible by clever and disingenuous marketing. Wraps were touted as a healthier alternative to bread when it came to sandwiches, and when shredded lettuces and veggies crammed their way into these food logs, the unwitting customer felt secure in their assumption that they were basically just eating a salad. We know now that wraps are not the low-calorie alternative to bread and that, in many cases, they either contain more calories or are so large that the stuffing negates any minor caloric savings.

But when a wrap offers the possibility of eating bits of fried chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, who really cares how healthy a wrap is anyway?

At Gecko’s, the trusty local chain (I know, a dirty word), their buffalo chicken wrap allows you to drop the pretense altogether of a wrap’s low-calorie promises and just enjoy a delicious meal. The bits of fried chicken are tossed in a bright-orange buffalo sauce that has a good amount of kick, but that kick is offset by the coolness of the romaine lettuce doused in Caesar dressing. Crumbled bleu cheese provides a nice twist to the profile, while diced tomatoes and bits of bacon help fill in any gaps in the wrap. Though it’s hard to imagine a more appropriate side than the house made potato chips, by all means, order a side of sauteed veggies or brussels sprouts if it makes you feel better about eating fried chicken.

Just don’t come bragging to me about it.

Gecko's Grill & Pub, 351 North Cattlemen Rd., 941-378-0077

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