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Aladdin Gyro-Cery
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
4139 University Way NE(between 41st St & 42nd St)
Seattle, WA 98105
Neighborhood: University District
(206) 632-5253
- Hours:
Mon-Fri, Sun 9 am - 2 am
Sat 9 am - 3 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Jim W. said: "Outstanding Greek food! One of the best in the city. Great place for a date night. With respect to the above post on Yeeros. Yeero is a gyro. It's spelled that way to help you pronounce it the correct way, as the owner is Greek…" read more »
223 reviews for Aladdin Gyro-Cery
Review Highlights
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"I can't wait to try the falafel and other menu items." In 43 reviews -
"This is my favorite middle eastern place in Seattle." In 15 reviews -
"The prices are very reasonable, CASH ONLY." In 30 reviews
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223 reviews in English
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Review from Sarah A.
3/6/2012
If you are looking for the best lamb gyros in the greater Seattle area, this really is as good as it gets. We met a native Palestinian man when we were there a couple of months ago and he drives 45 minutes each way to come to Aladdin's and buy falafel and gyros for his family. He swore these are the best he has had in the States.
Aladdin also has amazing greek fries (feta and seasoning on fries). I love them.
Note: This place only takes cash. They have an ATM machine, but they don't take cards. Good news: their prices are all set so that when tax is added its on the dollar so you don't get a pocket-load of change.
Conclusion: Excellent food for a great price. -
Review from Kevin W.
4/14/2012 3 photos
Definitely one of the best restaurants on the Ave, and it's really close to campus too! Aladdin Gyro-Cery also has the benefit of opening very late into the night (around 2 AM on weekdays), and their prices are very low (I don't think I saw a single thing on the menu over ten dollars). It's like the winning formula for restaurants on the Ave. I feel that this is one of those restaurants where you can't go wrong with anything you order.
Well, I got the dinner gyro plate and it was superb. It took only about seven minutes to be delivered, and I was quite surprised when it arrived. It comes with one pita and so much stuff to put on it! Seriously, how is it all supposed to fit? My guess is that it isn't, so I had to eat most of it with one of their white plastic forks. Pita or not, it's still a fantastic array of food. It's the same usual stuff you find in gyros, but this store is particularly impressive.
Let's see, there's mainly lamb, rice, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, hummus, and goat cheese. The lamb meat is kind of hard and dry, and the rice doesn't taste very fresh, but the rest is fine. There's a lot of it, and it's an excellent deal for ten dollars. There aren't many places on the Ave where your money could be better spent. They even have some desserts that you won't find a lot of around, like baklava for two dollars.
There are only a couple of minor problems. The place seems to lack authenticity, although it may just be the radio there that biases me into saying that. It's also kind of dirty, as if the people are too busy working behind the counter to clean the place up a bit every once in a while. And I get too much of a fast food vibe from here. You order at the counter, pay up front beforehand, bus your own table, and eat from paper plates using plastic utensils. It's a very small concern considering how reasonable the prices are and how good the food is. Just remember to bring cash as they don't take cards. -
Review from Vivian H.
3.5
It's a great place to go to for late night food, but I would avoid this place on weekend nights as it is probably filled with college students.
The jumbo chicken gyro was big enough for two, and the thick cut fries were a good addition to the meal. Prices are excellent, and you bus your own table. The wait for your food to come out is also very quick.
I don't usually crave gyros, so I'm not sure if I would ever come back. -
Review from Mindy L.
Lynnwood, WA
5/17/2012
It's pretty ok. Not the best middle eastern food I've tasted (and I've tasted authentic), love the cooks behind in the kitchen. I would give service a plus!
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Review from J G.
Seattle, WA
2/19/2012
They are just bomb! Best gryo's I've ever had and definitely top 3 falafel. On par with those legit, hole-in-the-wall Manhattan places (Mamoun's anyone?).
OK, so they are cash only and usually I would fuss but I grant this place exemption from my auto-hate rule. Why? 1) It is bomb dank and 2) they have set all their prices so that after tax it is always an even dollar or at worst 50 cents. This leads me to my next point:
Awesome deal! $5 for a huge, perfectly made gyro with delicious meat and a thick, slightly grilled pita. $7.50 for combo with fries and a drink.
Another wonderful aspect is the atmosphere. In addition to a bunch of salvaged square tables, they have set up a corner of low-level cushions and tables with overhanging middle-eastern fabrics. For some reason most people do not sit here but it's very pleasant and you have to respect the pride of this family owned place. Easy 5 stars here. They are open late night so try it any time! -
Review from Vega S.
Seattle, WA
1/12/2012
If you want a robust, no frills, well priced gyro, Aladdin is the right place to go. They churn out gyros with delicious slow cooked meat (or falafels) into the wee hours of the night. So if you are cruising the bars around U-District, this is a good place to get a midnight snack.
Also, if you go in the back they have an authentic middle eastern tent set up and I could swear the gyros taste better when you are in it.
My only gripe with this place is that they are cash only. And the only ATM in their establishment is connected to the internet via dial-up. So if the old lady behind the counter is chatting on the phone, the ATM is not going to work. And this is frustrating at 1:00 AM. -
Review from Tony S.
Seattle, WA
1/12/2012
This place is the bomb, and let me tell you, I know a lot about bombs.
I have always enjoyed this place. You may have heard my origin story of being trapped in a cave in the Middle East and breaking out with a suit of armor that I made with a bunch of scraps... You may have also heard that I, Tony Stark, requested that I have a burger from Burger King as soon as I landed back in the states. Well, truth be told, I was paid an INSANE amount of money to do that. Marketing, baby.
What I really wanted was a fresh gyro from Aladdin. So badly, that I may or may not have killed numerous people on my way out of that cave... but if you had the crappy kind of gyro's they were serving me, you'd probably murder a few people. Did I say murder? I meant become friends with... I befriended a lot of people that day.
And now, the gyro. A delicious lamb and beef combo... enough to make your mouth water like you were sitting in the front row of a Victoria's Secret fashion show. Everything was fresh. I could've sworn I was in Istanbul, it was so fresh.
The fries were also great. They reminded me of that first guy that came at me when I ignited my flamethrowers in the Mk I suit for the first time. Crispy and with a little desert spice on it.
I plan on taking Pepper Potts here one day, I'm sure she'd love it.
5/5 Starks. -
Review from Alissa S.
Bothell, WA
2/16/2012
I went here for the first time last week and it was awesome. I had walked by it before and always thought about going there, but finally went. I'm sure glad I did.
The Gyro was huge and delicious. One thing I did notice is that they use some type of curry or yellow sauce instead of Taziki sauce. I'm not sure if that's something that can be added to it, since that was my first time, but I plan to ask next time because I really like that on my gyro. Although, even with their sauce it was still delicious.
The baklava was pretty good as well. I've had really amazing baklava and it was a close runner up, but some places have terrible baklava and this was by no means terrible. I would eat it every time.
The fries were mediocre. Bland and not quite as tasty, but still edible. By the time I ate my gyro I didn't finish all the fries anyways, but they could improve their fries.
The great part about this place is the decoration and seating. There is a great covered couch area in the back of the place that is really fun to eat under. It's very authentic.
The bathrooms are very clean. I saw both men and womens and they were both great, especially considering most bathrooms around the ave are not very clean feeling.
These guys run a great business and I plan to return soon. -
Review from Chris C.
Seattle, WA
4/13/2012
Good gyro. The hummus is good plus #9 with that lamb mmm. Too bad its cash only.
-
Review from Carly C.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here a lot when I was in college... mostly stumbled in after a night of drinking and at that point Aladdin is your BFF.
Flash forward to present day: I am no longer a college student and I am sure that there are gryo places closer to where I live.
But did that stop me from requesting a special trip on a my birthday fun day? NOPE. Better believe I made my boyfriend drive me there on his (day off) Friday afternoon, pay for parking and then buy me the #9 Beef & Lamb Gyro with a side of fries. Cheap date, but I was happy as a clam. It is always so tasty, fresh, filling and CHEAP (Two #9's, two fries and two sodas came to about $15). Honestly, I have only ever ordered the #9, but I would bet top dollar that the other food is great.
Good thing to note: CASH ONLY (but they do have an ATM inside) -
Review from Laura B.
12/21/2011 10 Check-ins Here
This place is so good. SO GOOD. so good. SO GOOD.
yum. yum. yum.
I love the people that work here, they always put me in a good mood, even if I have to wait in line and then wait for the food to be brought to me when I'm starving. Somehow I always end up here when it's 2 pm and I realize I need to eat something!
I always ask for no onions and they ALWAYS remember not to give me onions... I can't think of anywhere else that it is ALWAYS!
I get the small falafel sandwich every time. Sometimes I get a hummus to-go for the weekend.
Here's a review from 1999!!!! http://www.thestranger... -
Review from Yousif A.
Bothell, WA
2/12/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Excellent gyros and dolma, the best Middle Eastern food I've had in Seattle.
Also, they provide substantial serving sizes, and the prices are very reasonable. -
Review from Allyson M.
Seattle, WA
2/28/2012
Best gyros in Seattle every time I'm craving I always go to this place. Parking sucks and you have to pay cash but it's worth it
-
Review from Sakina I.
Seattle, WA
12/26/2011
The price is just so fit ($5 total, no tax on gyro/falafel) and the workers are so friendly! There is a lady who works there that reminds me of the motherly type which definitely reinforces the welcoming environment. One major thing that I love about Aladdin's is that they don't skimp out on their food; they're really generous with the vegetables, sauce, and meat for your gyros and/or falafels. Plus they give you a lot of cheese with your Greek fries :)
Oh, and they're Halal (woohoo!) -
Review from Janelle S.
Seattle, WA
3/4/2012
Only 5 dollars (including tax) for a gyro! Cheap and delicious for students on the Ave
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Review from Sean R.
Seattle, WA
3/17/2012
I know they're almost exactly the same in a lot of ways but I like this Aladdin better than the other Aladdin for what it's worth. If you're eating in it's way better in terms of the dining area. This Aladdin's dining area is cozy the other one's feels inherently awkward. Like even if it isn't an awkward moment, it's awkward just being there, at the other one. The gyros here have a slight edge in my opinion so even if you're eating out it tastes slightly better and everything else (price, hours, even location practically -- hell even their frikkin names) is the same so I pretty much only go to this Aladdin's now. I like the people better too which is not to say I don't like the other Aladdin crew. I just like it better here.
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Review from Stephen M.
Seattle, WA
4/25/2012
Really good "fast food" that isn't burgers; Aladdin's caters to the post-bar 2:30am drunk crowd, but if you can make it in before they do, they serve some delicious (if greasy) gyros. There isn't much in the way of service, but the food is great, water and napkins are easy to get for yourself, and the owners / staff are polite and friendly.
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Review from Maria N.
7/20/2011
Do not confuse this place with the other Aladdin gryo/falafel joint that sits on 45th and Ave. This is the one to go to! The gyro meat has amazing flavor and they don't skimp on the veggies. Also, it's open late, so it's great for quality drunk eating.
I'd recommend you get your food to go, the seating area can be crowded during lunch hour and it's definitely not the cleanest place to eat.
This is a cash only restaurant, but they do have an ATM.Listed in: My Inner Fatty
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Review from Adi H.
Seattle, WA
10/29/2011
CASH ONLY! but worth it...I'm Israeli and used to homemade falfalel but I'm too lazy to make it so I figured I'd try it out here. I was waiting at the bus stop but was too hungry so I came in. The falafel was delicious I just wish they could actually put it in the pita and not like a gyro
would definitly come back and try their gyros. They also sell tahini and fava beans there too if you're looking for some -
Review from Andy S.
Bothell, WA
2/25/2012
I first went to Aladdin in 1997 and I have continued to go there over the years. Now that I think about it, it has always been very good and the customer service is always perfect. Never messed up my order once and it's always delicious. Not to mention the decor of the place is great, very ambient semi middle eastern vibes going on. I've had several types of Falafel and their version is the best, and the Tahini is dank. Not to mention the history of the Ave. and it's location. Great place and a Seattle favorite. Many memories of this place!
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Review from A T.
Redmond, WA
4/1/2012
Best gyros on the ave. I come here all the time. They give you high quality meat in their gyros at a good price. Large menu with several choices gives people a lot of variety. Highly recommend if you are looking for a quick, cheap, yet delicious bite to eat.
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Review from John T.
Los Angeles, CA
7/9/2011
This place saved my butt during the hungry long nights at UW. I ordered a gyro here at 3 in the morning when everything else was closed; did NOT expect that type of quality that late. Pardon me if I rave, but I could feel the meat and feta melt on my tongue, the onions and lettuce crunch between my teeth, and the sliced tomato squirt sweet juices down my throat. The pricing was cheap, which made the food seem all the more delicious.
The other time I went here was for lunch (which I am going to describe in much less detail: I got a combo with rice; it was also delicious).
If I ever visit Seattle again, I'm definitely going to stop by just for lunch. Honestly, it's that good. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Seattle, WA
8/14/2011 6 Check-ins Here
"Yeer-oh" please don't call it a "Giro."
Some of my favorite gyros in town. It is not a grocery like the name might have you believe.
I usually get the lamb/beef gyro combo with fries and a drink. Good deal and yummy food. Having grown up in Michigan where gyros are a plenty this is my go to place in Seattle. Don't go here if you are in a hurry b/c no matter the time of day you have to wait a while. -
Review from Rob M.
Seattle, WA
10/25/2011
This is the other place that kept me alive in college. I haven't been here in years, but I have fond memories. Judging from the other reviews, I doubt this place has changed much.
Don't expect fine dining. This place is a really dumpy kasba. Truth be told, in college, my friends and I started going here only because it was close to Lander Hall and we could smoke inside. But we kept going back because it was dirt cheap, and the gyros were amazing. Generous toppings will fill you up with just one gyro. But don't neglect the falafel! -
Review from Tanya J.
5/8/2011
This is the go to place after a night of debauchery. I speak for friends of course.
The falafel sandwich with spicy sauce is a must if HOT food is your thing. I like the seasoned fries and baklava. I prefer Garlic Crush's falafel personally over Aladdins but I know a few people who would fight me heart and soul on that one.
Regardless, I will not be complaining at a place where you can get some good grub till 3AM. Just watch all the nightclub aftermath come wobbling in, eyes half closed, loud slurring expletives, rowdy patrons and your night just became a little bit more entertaining.
Cleanliness is not it's forte but at 230AM who really cares. -
Review from Munya S.
11/14/2011
Aladdin has great gyro plates for when you're too lazy to cook. 10 bucks will get you a complete dinner plate including a drink. The rice is flavorful and the sauce is yummy- I actually prefer the vegetarian plate (with cauliflower and eggplant) to the meat one. The portion sizes are generous enough that you can squeeze leftovers out of them. If you are in a rush, however, you might want to look somewhere else as the wait is quite long.
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Review from George C.
Seattle, WA
5/16/2011
Aladdin's isn't a Greek style gyro place but it's pretty good. I usually get the chicken gyro with french fries. I also tell them to go easy on the sauce because one time they totally drenched my shit. The fries are pretty good too!
The dining area is usually really messy. Unbussed tables that haven't been wiped down, packed to the rim trash cans, etc... The bathroom is terrible. It's been tagged way too many times and it's usually pretty gross. I know that 90% of Aladdin's customers are college students that trash the place but the Aladdin's staff can do a better job cleaning up.
Aladdin's is a Mediterranean dive but the food is pretty good. The prices are very reasonable, CASH ONLY! Worth a try if you are in the neighborhood. -
Review from K. L.
Seattle, WA
9/25/2011
Husband and I stopped by spontaneously late at night after a concert for a quick bite to eat. I wasn't expecting much but...
This place has GOOD gyros. They don't skimp on the toppings, and the food reminds me of a (relatively) authentic middle eastern gyro place Husband and I frequented in university.
Sure, it's a hole--in-the-wall, and dusty and there was a longer wait than I expected (maybe it seemed longer because of the obnoxious drunkard frat-boys--how stereotypical--harassing the man trying to take orders?). Regardless, good deal on tasty food, and I wouldn't be adverse to going there again.
Cash only. -
Review from Buzz J.
Seattle, WA
12/30/2011
Its great for quality. I have been to a few other gyro places. I love this one. The only thing that i didn't like was they don't accept debit cards.
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Review from Tyler M.
Seattle, WA
4/8/2011
I just want to start this review by saying that you, Megan A., are a moron. You just reviewed a place where you've never eaten because a homeless person was there. I'm just gonna direct you here:
http://whitewhine.com/
Anyways.
This place is one of the gems of the U-District. Such good gyros and falafels for a ridiculous price, and has helped me out many a time while inebriated at midnight.
Only complaints are that it's cash only, which is just obstinacy at this point, and that the employees aren't great. I can think of maybe one time that they actually took off the tomatoes when asked, and a couple years back an employee kept winking at my girlfriend, which was, at best, extremely creepy.
Hasn't stopped me from coming back though, so what does that tell you? -
Review from Megan A.
4/7/2011
I have never actually eaten the food here, so my review may not be 100% fair, but I do have a reason for the poor rating.
Everyone raves about Aladdin's, and I am sure the food tastes just fine, but the only time I went in here was just so gross that I lost my appetite. I came in with a couple of friends and went to reserve a table while they ordered. There was a man sitting nearby who was pretty grubby looking, which was completely fine with me until he lifted his pants leg and started picking scabs off his legs at the table. He then proceeded to take out a comb and comb his leg hair. Call me crazy, but those things seem unsanitary and not things that I want around my food. I guess I cannot blame the actions of a patron on the owners, but this is the only thing I associate with Aladdin's Gyrocery.
If I can ever conquer my gag reflex that is associated with this place, I will actually leave a review on the food. -
Review from Alex T.
5/3/2011
I always get one thing, and one thing only.
#9: jumbo lamb & beef gyro.
$5 dollars.
DE-FREAKING-LICIOUS.
Kind of dirty inside, but I always get my stuff to go. Cash only!
This is the only place you should ever go on the ave to get your gyros. -
Review from Colin D.
4/15/2011
I love this place. You can get lunch for less than $5 here and it's tasty if not healthy for you. I always get the jumbo (50% more meat) chicken gyro with spicy sauce (sriracha) inside and no onions. It never disappoints me. The chicken gyro is better than the Aladdin's up the street where they use strips rather than small chunks of chicken.
The place is a total dive and looks like it could double as a hookah bar, but that has it's own charm. They're open until 3am so you can get your drunk food fix here too and damn is it amazing greasy drunk food.
The old disadvantage is that they only take cash. -
Review from Bonnie C.
1/31/2011
Always a good choice for a cheap lunch near the University. Don't know about the meat, but the falafel is tasty and then there's the fried cauliflower.... mmmmm... fried cauliflower....
cash only! -
Review from Randy N.
I'm hooked with this place! One of the best gyro I have had. Cash only and they open late. I always get the #9 jumbo. Highly recommended!!
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Review from Deborah R.
Seattle, WA
12/22/2011
Cheap and delicious. However, you don't feel like you're eating cheap food. When I go to McDonalds' I know it's cheap.
Another great aspect is that they are open late. I swear, everytime my boyfriend and I get late night cravings...this is the place we end up.
The only problem with this place is that they don't accept credit cards.
Love their #22 plate. It has lamb/beef chunks with rice, a salad, and some hummus with a pita on the side. Very salty and very delicious. -
Review from Charlie W.
Seattle, WA
6/7/2011
I thought I'd given up writing reviews, but I feel compelled to say something about my recent experience here.
Really, there was nothing wrong with the food, but, gads! couldn't someone mop the floors, clean the men's restroom, or wipe the tables? The restaurant has a section where everything is enclosed by middle-eastern carpets--DUSTY carpets. You can see the motes rising up whenever someone sits in there.
I showed up at lunch hour on a Sunday, and the place was busy, with people ordering at the street-side window and at the inside counter. After 15 minutes of watching everyone else get their orders, I went up to the counter and asked about my order. Another five minutes later an order did come to my table, with a complimentary baklava, but it was the WRONG order.
I'm not sure that I want to trade cleanliness and competent service for cheap food when so many other places can deliver all three in Spades.
Just something to think about. . . . -
Review from Sean C.
Seattle, WA
1/6/2011
Aladdin's Gyrocery has nearly become synonymous with the ave. I hope places like these (think Hawaii BBQ!) never close down!
Seriously delicious gyros (and fries, for that matter). Open late. Cheap.
I find that the guys running the Aladdin's Falafel Corner up the ave seem to be friendlier than the guys running the Gyrocery here. Gyros taste the the same between both restaurants (+1 star for consistency!). If the relatively cold demeanor of the guys at the Gyrocery scares you away from the food, its not a far walk up the ave to get to the Falafel Corner. Or grow some skin, whatever. -
Review from Elizabeth W.
Seattle, WA
10/6/2011
A cool little jointed painted red with a serving window for people ordering to-go, a big menu hung by the walls. A clear depiction of a hole-in-the-wall. I wanted something quick to satisfy my hunger, so this is the place to go. (See what I did there? To go, to-go). Maybe I need a magical pill that can instantaneously morph me into the funniest person on the planet. Like Spongebob, or every word that comes out of my mouth become a magical golden stand-up comedy show. I wish, I wish.
Anyway, straying out of topic a whole lot. I dropped into this Mediterranean fast food restaurant, expecting a quick meal. I ordered the lamb & beef gyro (yee-ro), total of $5. A real good worth for your money, the gyro is surely filling! Took only a couple of minutes and I'm on my way.
On the way home, I munched a few bites. The first bite was glorious, I tell you, because there was an overload of yogurt tzatziki (I think?) which made the hardy meat easier to go through. The lettuce was a good crunch and tomato was not the juicy kind, goes well enough (coming from someone who hates tomatoes, this is one exception). After half of the gyro, the tzatziki started to disappear, like magic. I wasn't so happy, because to tell you the truth, that was the best part of this experience. I've tasted more authentic and delicious gyros (Mr. Gyros), but I guess this place is open till' late hours which is good for fucked-up-drunk-can't-walk-straight people who just want to fill their appetite. Or drugged up kids who got the munchies. The gyro used a thick flatbread or atleast thicker (good when warm, disastrous when cold) than I've tasted in other joints, and I thought it was to hoist mountainous pile of sauce, I was disappointed in some ways when there was a meager amount in my wrap. Make me feel like Oliver Twist, go on, do it! Some more, please, sir?
But, another downside I shall introduce: CASH ONLY, they only want the greens in physical form, and I'm not talking bout' lettuce, in this case.
At home, I drenched it with Kewpie (Japanese Mayonnaise), making it the best thought that has ever came upon me. Also a dose of sriracha, and I'm good to go. The meat has a subtle flavor, typical greek spices, but it's better with sauce. Says the SAUCE BOSS. Listen to me, minions and you shall perhaps taste small atoms from my leftovers of this amazing masterpiece I've invented. I feel like putting sauce makes it my own work. So, hence, I claim the throne for making gyros a lot better since '94. Ever since my mother carried me in a bundle of her stomach, and to the day I was born, I was holding one kewpie bottle in my hand and a sriracha in another. I was destined to steal the sauce boss title from that scruffy male shouting deviant from Epic Meal Time.
Deuces. -
Review from Evan J.
Seattle, WA
6/7/2011
This is by far my favorite gyro place on the ave. Sure, there's more authentic or better quality Mediterranean/Middle Eastern around, but nothing beats the Gyro-Cery for a combination of value, selection and hours, my god the hours! 'til 2 or 3, every day! Great for lunch, dinner, supper and that late-night meal nobody sober wants to admit.
Tip them well, they deserve it. And every so often, order something beyond a sandwich just to see the smiles on their faces for something out of the ordinary, perhaps even a touch more authentic.
Just remember, cash only, and the ATM inside is only functional close to half the time.
