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Byblos Deli
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
3414 Connecticut Ave(between N Ordway St & N Porter St)
Washington, DC 20008
Neighborhood: Cleveland Park
(202) 364-6549
- Nearest Transit:
-
Cleveland Park Metro Station (Red)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
Sun 12 pm - 7 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
59 reviews for Byblos Deli
Review Highlights
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59 reviews in English
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Review from Paul M.
Had an absolutely fantastic lunch here - 3 key points:
1. This was actually the third place we tried to eat - Tackle Box does not do lunch and theRed Hook place only had pre-made sandwiches.
2. The Falafel sandwich and spinach pie were absolutely tremendous.
3. Owner incredibly friendly, lots of regulars, pretty busy - one of trhose beautiful January 2012 days where we were able to sit outside on a pavement table.
A fantastic lunch option if you are in Cleveland Park. -
Review from Lina B.
Columbia, MD
Delish!
I got a chicken souvlaki pita and dolmades.
It's not very big, so there may or may not be a table for you depending on the time you go (probably like 6-7 tables) but there are tables outside for when the weather is nice.
Marco was pretty funny too! And very nice. Food was made to order, but did not take long. I was very pleased! -
Review from Yujin K.
Nice little neighborhood joint. I wanted to like the food more than I did, especially since Byblos seems one of a few neighborhood places that are highly esteemed by local patrons. I had the gyro, which had both beef and lamb. The beef turned out to be in a patty-like form, and the lamb was a bit sparse. The gyro got a bit soggy, but that may have been because I waited for my friends' orders to come out before digging in. Taste-wise, the gyro was fine, but with so many awesome middle eastern options around, I probably wouldn't go out of my way for a gyro.
I am interested, however, in trying out the other options that seem more popular (chicken shwarma or byblos special, perhaps?), as well as a piece of baklava that I've found myself craving lately. The biggest saving grace of Byblos, IMO, is the reasonable prices and friendly service. We sat around for hours until closing time, and they were very accommodating! -
Review from Sarah B.
Washington, DC
How I wanted to love this place. The promise of a delicious Mediterranean deli right in my neighborhood was just too good to be true. I went during the afternoon and it was totally dead. I ordered a pita with grilled veggies and hummus and a side of fries. The pita was way to flaky, the hummus ice cold and flavorless and the veggies were nothing special. The fries needed salt and clearly had been sitting around for a while. I ate it all anyway in the hopes that it would get good at some point, and sadly that moment never came. Oh Byblos you may have your loyal customers but this just ain't into you. I wanted to love you, really I did, and you could have made a butt ton off of just selling me hummus alone, but sadly old cold fries and bland pita sealed the deal for me.
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Review from Elisa B.
Washington D.C., DC
The food and service and prices still are very good here. The person in charge is delightful and friendly. This food is hearty and a good choice if you want quick food that is cooked to order. Not for people on a diet!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/14/2010
Delicious food at reasonable prices. What's not to like? The people making the food care a lot… Read more »
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4/14/2010
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Review from Emily R.
Washington, DC
I finally went into Byblos Deli after many a manicure right next door. I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The staff is incredibly nice. Threw in free Baklava just because. I had the wrapped grape leaves and a chunky chicken salad... it was delicious. The meat was cooked to perfection and the fresh veggies, cheese and yoghurt were amazing. Definitely a must for those craving Mediterranean food.
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Review from Fernando L.
Vienna, VA
I absolutely love this place. Marco is great and he remembers every person who walks in the door. The food is always prepared fresh and the home made lentil soup is ridiculous. I had a chicken Souvlaki today, I usually get the Gyro, and once again my expectations have been exceeded. Incredible food for an incredible value. Also, easily the best Backlava I have ever tasted. Had to order a second piece. I can't say enough, if you're anywhere near by you have to stop in and eat. You simply cannot be disappointed. He even makes the Hummus himself. If I could give 10 stars I'd be wishing I could give more.
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Review from Jessica B.
Washington, DC
Byblos makes the list of top reasons why I love living in Cleveland Park. To start, the food is always super tasty. I especially love the chicken shawarma, falafel, and spinach pie. Oh, I should give a shout-out to the hummus too because it's also very good.
While the food is great, the owner is what really makes this place a neighborhood gem. He's ALWAYS there and really seems to care about his customers - whether they are regulars from the neighborhood or ambitious zoo tourists challenging the adventurer within to venture a mile north, he is the same - sweet and courteous.
Everything is super cheap too and the portions are more than generous. I definitely recommend checking this place out it if you're ever in the area. -
Review from Daniel A.
I always get the Byblos special when I'm here. The meat is always so delicious and they don't skimp on the hummus. They also don't make you pay until after your meal. I don't know why, but I find this very comforting; it's as if they trust their customers. They tend to have a lot of neighborhood business; they recognize customers and greet them by name. I myself am not among this privileged grouping, but I still like to see it.
But seriously, the food is amazing. And considering the portion size and quality, the prices are great too. I have yet to be disappointed. A really good choice if you need to grab some quick dinner before catching a movie at the Uptown. -
Review from Christopher R.
Washington, DC
This is a delightful cheap eat Greek place (especially right before an Uptown showing). The menu has alot of items on it and everything is pretty dang cheap! I had the Byblos platter, it was pretty good. The pita bread was very fresh (although a little hard). The Hummus was pretty dang good, as well as their Flaffel and other Greek like items. I could have went with less salad, but for not being a huge fan of Greek food this place still gave me a very satisfying meal! I would recommend it for the quick and tasty pit stop!
Be aware, dining space is sparse, so be prepared to eat outside or take out during busy hours! -
Review from Huntting B.
Washington, DC
It is easy to get to and around the corner from home, so that's a plus. The gyro meat was decent enough, but nothing special. I would *definitely* recommend the Bylbos special or something like that. The rice with meat with hummus and pita.
The hummus was very decent. Probably my favorite part of this meal, frankly, so definitely order it! The meat was just too dry, too small and not flavorful. I might come here again but I would probably head to one of four other joints in the city before heading here again. There's that place in Dupont, in U street and even in Georgetown that provide you with yummier gyro meat :) -
Review from M. L.
Washington, DC
Byblos has got a regular spot in my lazy weekend lunch roster! It's cheap, tasty, and local. The fries are also surprisingly good -- served piping hot out of the fryer and NOT greasy at all! What's not to like?
I see some Yelpers have complained about what they see as dingy or grungy, but honestly, I think Marco keeps the restaurant at the typical urban, hole-in-the-wall level of cleanliness. It's not pretty, but it's got that authentic, neighborhoody feel, which I appreciate. Service is good and fairly efficient.
Faves:
-Any of the chicken wraps, including Shish Tawook and Shwarma (less than $7 each). Chicken has a great grilled taste.
-The Byblos Special Platter (about $9) is a lot of delicious food -- fluffy yellow rice, hummus, tahini/cucumber slices, and meat of your choice. Ask for it in a take out container so you can eat to your heart's content and carry the rest home.
-Chicken wing special (around $5.50) -- Crispy fried chicken wings HOT from the fryer, freshly made french fries, and a can of soda.
Note: I've heard Fresh Med across the street is also good, but I've never really felt the need to take my med/Greek street food cravings elsewhere.... -
Review from Julia B.
Eh. It could be because I was really hungry, and as such I should have gotten the special for more food, but I got the gyro sandwich and it was okay. The meat was pretty good, as was the sauce, but it wasn't filled to the brim like most other gyros I've had.
They didn't include onions in the sandwich, which was a plus for me. It may be a minus for others.
It's good if you're in the neighborhood and you want a quick bite to eat, but we ordered the gyro special, a small greek salad, and a gyro sandwich and the bill still ended up being $22. I guess that's decent for DC, but not for the amount of food I feel we received. -
Review from Linda K.
Washington, DC
The chicken shawarma is very good here. The gyro is decent. They use a lot of garlic. The fries are a little greasy.
Service is quick and friendly. Byblos is small and the decor is somewhat rundown.
Prices are very good and portion size is good.
Don't go here for a fancy meal. This is a good place for a quick bite. -
Review from Salmaan T.
Washington, DC
Probably more 3.5 but I'll bump it up because it's got that quaint feel. This is a solid place and has that neighborhood feel. I think I've had the gyro and the kafta kabob. They were both good, not sure I'd drive out of my way to come here but if you're in the area, stop by.
Really good place for lunch. -
Review from Jennifer N.
Washington, DC
This is a neighborhood spot -- the kind of place you hit up when you've just finished a long day at work and there's no way you're cooking or raiding your fridge. This is not the kind of place you want to go on a date (no ambience) nor is it the kind of place you want to take your folks when they visit (it can be a bit grimy, and there are, at times, flies. If your folks are anything like my folks, flies are a big no-no). But the chicken shwarma is really good (though I wish there were onions in it! The chicken was moist and flavorful) and the vegetarian grape leaves are fantastic. And the whole thing is super reasonably priced in a neighborhood where dining options tend to be overpriced.
The spinach pie was sold out by the time we got there (3p on a Saturday) which led me to infer that it's a) good and thus really popular b) not prepared on Saturdays. I choose to think A and thus I will plan a trip back to Byblos sometime soon to check it out. -
Review from Henry T.
Washington, DC
The food is great. The gyros are hot, flavorful, and have the right amount of sauce and onions. The felafel is a step above the norm: warm and chewy, not hard and dry. The veggie pita had some great fresh-cooked eggplant in it. They've got a wide veggie menu, and prices are on the inexpensive side for DC takeout.
What really sets it apart though it Marco. He's owned the place for about 20 years, and is there every day working the grill and the register. He'll sit down and chat with you if you ask him stories about the neighborhood or his life. Friendly and awesome. -
Review from K. G.
Washington, DC
I had the sampler platter and I'm an instant fan. I'd give it 4 stars, but I need to visit it again before I go all star-happy. Their meat wrapped meat balls are amazing (they have a name, just forgive me b/c I don't know it). I'm very skeptical of dolma in general since most chefs seem to phone it in. However, their stuffed grape leaves were excellent.
I've been looking for a decent greek deli for a while, and wouldn't you know it? I landed in a neighborhood with two of them? (The other is across the street. I'll review it, too.) -
Review from Kimberly M.
Washington D.C., DC
I must say! I haven't had a cheeseburger that good in a long while! I got got called into work on my day off and didn't get a chance to eat it. It was spectacular when I got home...to me, that's a great sign of a great burger!!! I will soooooo be back!!!!
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Review from Dan R.
Washington, DC
Byblos is one of the best casual Lebanese restaurants I've ever been to. I live in the neighborhood, so I've had the chance to experience it in pretty much every condition - swarmed busy, dead empty, snowpocalypse, even once at 8:30 in the morning well before opening when I was starving.
Chef/Owner Marco obviously cares a lot about his restaurant and his customers; he knows all the locals either by name or by face. He recognizes me through the window every time (though he never remembered my name). When I come in, he instantly remembers how I like my shawarma, what I want on my hot dogs, etc. On 90% of days, I can't knock the service.
The other 10% of the time, it's a bit of a drag. Marco doesn't always hear everything you say, and you're going to end up repeating the toppings at least twice. Just get used to it, it's a small price to pay for the food.
The gyro meat is juicy and rich, just the right amount of fat, and finished off on the grill to integrate any veggie toppings you put on it. Marco makes his own garlic spread fresh daily, and applies it liberally -- yum (but maybe not date food). The pitas are thin and stuffed with a huge amount of food, not the thick American-style pitas you find at junky gyro places. It lets you really focus on the meat.
American classics like steak and cheese or hot dogs are also pretty good here. Nothing stands out, except maybe the hotdog special - the toasted bun and cheap price give it a bit of a boost compared to anything else in the area.
The kafta is well spiced, the chicken shawarma is incredibly juicy (might not want to eat it over your lap). The falafel is SUPER crispy on the outside, and very light and fluffy on the inside - just divine.
I've heard at least a dozen people say the Greek Chicken is the best they've ever had, though I've never ordered it. The simple olive oil/lemon/herbs/garlic presentation is very appealing though for my next dinner.
I wouldn't recommend it for a date place - garlic doesn't go well with that, and honestly the place is drab. Decor is NOT this location's strong spot. But if you're looking for a good dinner after a matinee at the Uptown, or just want some good lebanese food without the hassle of a more upscale place like Lebanese Taverna, I coudn't recommend it more.Listed in: Solid Food Choices
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Review from Krissi H.
Hyattsville, MD
My husband and I were in need of some quick food the other night after a wine tasting. We looked around and saw Byblos and decided to check it out.
First off, I love gyros. I would drink tzatziki if I could. I mean, technically I guess I could, but I don't know how to make it. And I'd feel a little weird ordering a side of tzatziki just to drink it. That's the kind of thing you only do in the privacy of your own home.
My husband and I were pretty hungry, so I ordered the hummus and a gyro for each of us. Honestly, I thought the hummus was a little bland. The gyro, on the other hand, was pretty fantastic. The meat was just ... I don't even know how to describe it other than good! It was everything you'd want a gyro to be. Grilled meat, perfectly sauced and just the right amount of lettuce and tomato.
The service was quick. The owner/chef Mark (maybe Marc?) was behind the counter. He was nice but I was a little annoyed that the couple who ordered before us got complimentary bean soup and the guy who ordered after us got complimentary hummus - when we didn't get anything complimentary. Kind of a crappy way to run things when there are only 3 parties in your small restaurant. But he did come over to check on us when he saw we were slowing down, just to make sure everything was OK with our food.
It's reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. I think our food came to $18? That's pretty cheap for good eats in D.C.
I don't know if I'd go out of my way to eat at Byblos again, but if I'm in Cleveland Park and hungry for a gyro, I'd definitely head there again. -
Review from Adoley J.
A friend is a big fan of this place so i decided to give it a try. Byblos definitely lived up to her hype. I got the chicken shawarma sandwich and it wad delicious. Service was fast and the staff is extremely friendly. My friends Greek salad was also tasty. No frills not a fancy place but sometimes you need just that. Cheap, good and quick.
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Review from Sarah S.
Delicious! Thanks Yelp for advising on this place.
Swung by here before taking an out of towner to the zoo. Their air conditioning was out, which didn't bother us. You order at the counter and pay after you eat (if you want). The place is a big dingy, nothing glamorous, but, the food is delicious the staff is friendly and sincere, and it's in a good location for pre-zoo eats that are cheap.
I had the chicken shawarma which had tender fresh chicken and super awesome tahini sauce (a bit too much but, that's okay). My buddy had the Byblos special with gyros meat, rice, and amazing hummus. The gyros meat was some of the best I've ever had, totally delicious and I was stealing off my friends plate for the duration of lunch.
Great food, great prices! -
Review from alexis g.
Falls Church, VA
Byblos is one of the places I stop by after work when I'm too lazy to make anything myself. Pitas are a great way to end any work day. They also have awesome falafel and dolmas here.
Um, could this menu be any longer? They have just about everything you'd expect or want from a Greek/Lebanese/whatever restaurant. If you're like me, and often eat the same things over and over again, this food will be a nice change of pace. They also put a boatload of veggies on the sandwiches here, so they definitely know what's up. I don't like lamb, it makes me feel weak in the knees, but other lamb-eating people in my life have enjoyed the gyro here.
And if you're with a really picky eater, they do have regular items like burgers and salads. -
Review from Wayne C.
Houston, TX
I've eaten a lot of wraps but this restaurant holds a special place in my dark heart.
The place is not fancy or eye-catching in anyway. It's as common as the next establishment. But your appetite isn't sated by the decor, hell no! It's the food that is paramount.
What separates this place from other places (besides the taste) is the Chicken Shawarma on their menu. Here's a fun activity to do, kiddies: Go to your local gyro shop and take a good look at the menu. Chances are they won't have this dish. That's very good odds. These are the sort of odds you would gamble away your child's college money for.
I love their Chicken Shawarma because the meat is marinated in some weird garlic mixture. Long after the meal, there's this lingering aftertaste you can only get rid off with mints or gurgling with acid.
Besides gyros and such, they also prepare burgers and fries. And if you're so incline, you can broker a conversation with the owners. -
Review from Bro H.
Syracuse, NY
Got the Byblos Special with gyro meat. For 9-some bucks, it was a ton of food, and the gyro is up there with the best I've ever had. The hummus was great, as well. Friendly staff, too.
edit: Received a request for more information... there's not a lot to say about the gyro itself, because a gyro's a gyro, but the meat itself was tender, and then it got deliciously crispy after it was thrown on the grill. It came with a perfectly sauteed 1/4th of an onion, hummus, some tzatsiki that was honestly a little low on cucumber flavor, and a side of pita. Girlfriend got the chicken schwarma wrap, which I thought was great from the one bite I had. She thought it had too much hummus in it. I occasionally use her input as a tiebreaker, but my plate of food was definitely five-stars, so that's that. -
Review from Liam D.
Washington, DC
It ain't fancy or spacious, and I'm pretty sure its Cleveland Park location hurts more than it helps, but Byblos Deli makes some damned good Greek and Mediterranean food! Had a quick lunch there today - who says you gotta eat American when honoring President's day, anyhow?
Chef Marc'O and his big ass pony tail greeted us and was very friendly in a not-too-extroverted kinda way. This is quite different than what one might expect from a Greek place, such as Kostas at The Greek Deli, who reminds me of a friendly version of the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld.
I had one of the better falafel's i've eaten in the city - very moist and flavorful. In trying to decide whether or not it beats Amsterdam Falafel, the answer was that the falafel's themselves do, but the fixin's at Amsterdam are what make it stand out (pickled radishes... mmm.) We split a tasty Greek salad and some hummus, which came with some pretty thin pita bread (i like a little substance to my pita), but it was warm and the hummus was tasty.
Total bill for two w/ snapples was $27 - not half bad. Definitely worth popping in for a quick sandwich if you like greek eats. Unfortunately, with so many good sit down places around there, I'm surprised Byblos gets enough customers to stay in Bysnos, but I'll eat there again now that I've finally done so! -
Review from Matt O.
Washington, DC
Got shut out of Sorriso and Indique late on Saturday night; stopped in here randomly. Good choice!
Gyro was great; cheesesteak was good enough, and our baklava got comped because...I dunno, they're friendly here. It's a five-minute walk; I'm gonna become a regular. -
Review from Olivia L.
I don't understand the reviews for this place. It's expensive, it's just ok, and after I ate here, I seriously wanted to find a city health inspector. I mean really. If you ever check out a noir detective novel from the library down the street, this place will give you a good sense of what to expect when the author writes, "patina of grime".
The one redeedming feature is that they're pretty nice. Ordered at a counter, delivered to the table, and the deliver-er of food also got extra condiments upon request which was more than I expected. -
Review from Lindsay P.
Washington, DC
Their hummus is great. Their gyros are great. Hell, even their rice is tasty.
Glad to have this in the neighborhood. Their food is cheaper than it would be in the supermarket. -
Review from Korey L.
New York, NY
Best gyro I've ever had made by an African American lady.
The meat was juicy and flavorful, the pita was soft and warm. And the veggies and sauce were just the right amount in quantity and texture.
Friendly staff too. =) -
Review from talia r.
Washington, DC
A-OK as in an eh, yea it is ok as opposed to the enthusiastic A-OK!!
Great prices, good amount of food: a gyro and small greek salad $10 and boy am I full.
Taste wasn't there for me. The meat was too salty and the pita was too thin. Tzatziki sauce tasted more like a light sour cream than real tzatziki. I like that the food was fresh and can be a quick meal, but rather than satisfy my gyro craving it kinda put me off of them.
I am sad to be the one to lower the ratings but it just wasn't there for me. I could get a better gyro at the Pentagon City mall food court. I can actually still feel/taste the sauce in the back of my throat (wow that is dirty) and it makes me want to gag a little.
The greek salad was just like any other greek salad. No complaints, no praise. -
Review from Roger F.
Washington, DC
I kick myself for not finding this place a long time ago!
Visited Byblos for the first time today - I will definitely be stopping in regularly. They have an excellent menu with various Mediterranean specialties, and the owner is very willing to customize and offer suggestions based on what you like. You can tell they care about their food and their customers, and have a loyal following (of which I am now a part).
I had the Byblos Special with the Grilled Chicken, which came with hummus/pita and rice, with tzatziki sauce on the side. It was so good, and worth every penny (actually, at $9, it was one of the most expensive items on the menu, as most of their meals clock in at under $7). My dad had the gyros, and said it was one of the best he's had in recent memory (and he is a gyromaniac). As someone else mentioned, next time I will have to try the spanakopita...
I cannot express enough how wonderful the service is. No words can do it justice.
The only thing holding it back is that there are only about four or five tables, and two of them are in an awkward position. Luckily, we were there shortly after they opened, so there was one table available by the window. However, the seating expands to about 10 or 15 tables when it's warm enough to sit outside on the wide sidewalk, so that is a definite plus.
I'm so glad I finally got around to trying this place! I shall be back... many times.... -
Review from lala s.
Washington, DC
I am a recent convert to the amazing deliciousness that is a Gyro. And this long-time gem in Cleveland Park sure knows how to make them right. Sometimes I just see the word "Greek," and I have to stop what I'm doing and re-navigate towards Byblos.
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Review from Tina L.
Vienna, VA
I like how Byblos is a neighborhood Greek deli. The owner / chef is always around and the place just feels comfortable. I have eaten here several times and remember the Spinach Pie Platter being really good but the Chicken Shawarma just needed some vegetables. There are a few slices of tomato, but add some shredded lettuce, cucumber, maybe some bell pepper toast the pita a bit and this would easily rival Perfect Pita in Vienna.
Maybe this wouldnt be standard way to serve the Chicken Shawarma, but the hummus is just overpowering without some lettuce and cucumbers. I think I need to try the Byblos Special next time as that has gotten great reviews on here. I really do want to give Byblos five stars, but I just havent found anything on the menu that knocks my socks off. -
Review from Matherine G.
Denver, CO
Positive: Best gyro sandwich we have EVER had. The stuff simply melts in your mouth. We also had a side of hummus which was delicious with a hint of red peppers. Great price and a large amount of food.
Negative: The hummus was drenched in olive oil. We like our olive oil but we could barely see the hummus at first. The service was only so-so. Could have been an off day seeing what fellow yelpers have said about the service.
Overall: If we could, we'd give it a 4.5. For all we care, the staff could be flat out rude to us and we'd still come back for that gyro. We are looking forward to trying other items on the menu. Final comment- the place was packed and it was a very cold snowy day...that says it all! -
Review from Venu N.
3.25 stars. This is a casual Greek deli in Cleveland Park. They use a hot sauce for their BG and hummus that adds an interesting element to an otherwise expected presentation. The vegetarian grape leaves are served warm, and they provide a sizable portion of pita with their veggie plates. The owner is very friendly; I would probably visit here regularly if I lived in Cleveland Park.
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Review from Raymond W.
Cambridge, MA
This is officially my type of neighborhood joint with cheap food and friendly workers/owners. When I first came in the head chef/owner? was taking orders and asking if a family wanted "something the way they like it." Pretty indication of customer loyalty is definitely getting me excited along with the smell of gyros. That being said, I decided to sample the gyros and it did not disappoint. When i got to my friend's place I took a bite and the softness of the wrap and flavor of the meat with the right portions of lettuce, tomato, and taziki sauce made my day. I'll definitely be returning, if not for the food for the girl that was standing in line in front of me. I kid....ha ha ha....
Listed in: Best Meals in Washington DC
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Review from leah g.
Washington, DC
Great Gyros!
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Review from Megan C.
Washington, DC
I ordered catering Byblos for a party. I was initially turned off by the way they avoided giving hard, per-unit prices. But I gave the owner my budget, and he promised to make me something "nice." What I got was about twice the food I expected for what I had paid, and he even threw in some items I hadn't asked for. And everything was legitimately delicious. I could have eaten half the baklava myself it was so good, and my guests RAVED about the dolmas. Ordering here was a great decision, and I will definitely do it again in the future.
