Good Gyros in LA?

[jimmyodonnell]

I'm not new to town, I've just never spoken up on this topic before.

I have a hell of a time finding a good gyro in town. I can't name you three places that cut it off the spit the way it's supposed to happen -- but there are plenty of places that will sell you a gyro filled with sliced meat they pulled from a fridge.

I hope this doesn't turn into a debate on why Greek people never settled in Los Angeles. Not everyone selling a good gyro in other cities is from Greece. Also, I'm not sure "authentic" or fine Greek cuisine is the point here.

Bonus points if anyone has leads in LA (downtown, Hollywood, southside or westside) rather than the farther outlying areas. Thanks in advance, I can sure use the insight.

[Velvet Elvis]

I like the ones at Sam's Deli in Monrovia.

[cimero]

Pita Kitchen in Sherman Oaks, just in from the corner of Van Nuys Blvd and Ventura Blvd. (south of Ventura, west side of the street - middle of the block) has outstanding gyros, always freshly cut off the spit. All their middle eastern food is excellent and you have to try their hummas with the hot mushrooms....it sends me to heaven every time!

[klaatu]

I love Pita Kitchen, but I think the gyros meat actually is tastier at California Pita down the street. Everything else is better at Pita Kitchen.

[Gina from OC]

I've had a good gyros at Keno's in Anaheim Hills:

5750 E La Palma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92807
[phone]

[SecretAsianMan]

My enthusiastic vote is for Mediterranean Delight on Brand in Glendale (its tucked into a side alley near the Mann theater, just south of Border's Bookstore). Their gyros are fantastic!

[Mando]

Lebanese Kitchen isn Pas has great Shishk and Falaffel, though I've never had the Shawerma. Anyone care to chime in who has?

Zankou has a pretty decent one as well.

[Diana]

I dunno, lately, Zankou has let me down..I much prefer th Gyros at Firehouse to Shawerma at Zankou.

[ns1]

Is this the "firehouse" in Tarzana/Reseda you speak of?

[Diana]

yep! Yummy!

[jimmyodonnell]

Thanks for so many good and quick replies. There are several places here I haven't tried and, like many things in LA, you have to get out and look if you want to find the best. I've got a few new places to hit.

[robl]

Though it is a chain, and Chowhounds will be the first to negate my post as such, my favorite Quick Greek Place in So Cal is Daphnie's....has been for 5 years. The Gyros Platter is a beter value, but to each their own.

http://www.daphnesgreekcafe.com/index...

[nosh]

I tried the gyro at Daphne's when I had a discount coupon many months ago. Insipid -- no char or crust, just a blah ground texture.

[barefootpris]

Well if you ever in the SCV area there's a great place called Athena's on Soledad Rd. Best Gyro I've had in the area and great greek food altogether

[Dogbite Williams]

I hate Daphne's. I only ate there once, but their gyros was so awful I probably will never go back.

[JeetJet]

The chicken and veegie paltes with that great salad and rice are both good. For the amount of food and flavors for under $10 it is one of the best food deals in town. My wife and I share the 1/2 chicken dinner resulting in 1/4 chicken each, some salad, rice and pita bread for around $5 each. At the Arcadia location there is a sushi place next door, and if I am really hungry I get four pices of spicy tuna for under $3 and that really adds flavor to the meal for a little money.Thats why I like these places so much and will return.

[Diana]

The Firehouse in Encino/Tarzana in teh SFV is pretty dang good for Gyros.

[BearCity]

Second the Firehouse.

[wizardx]

Third! the Firehouse has the best Gyros I have ever tasted, and Tony the owner is a great guy!

-----
Firehouse Restaurant
18450 Victory Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91335

[ns1]

Any comparison to the Mad Greek? Was supposed to stop by last week but GF wasn't hungry enough

[SecretAsianMan]

Agreed! They are excellent! Huge portions, extremely tasty, great meat. My new gyros favorite!

[klaatu]

Tried it the other day. Very tasty gyros. Not the best tzatsiki, though.

[wizardx]

agreed.

[Swervo]

The Great Greek in the strip mall just off of Olympic and Bundy in West LA is a pretty small almost mall-typey greek joint, but I do enjoy their gyros and they do slice the meat off of the big vertical spits, not out of the fridge. It's in the same little complex as Good Stuff, a sushi place, and a strip club, but it is actually pretty decent.

[chuck]

The place in trhe mall at Olympic and Bundy is called Greek Kabob. I eat there often as I work across the street.I usually get souvlaki and hummos though.

[Burger Boy]

QT Hot Dogs on Woodman (4300 Block, I think), just north of Ventura Blvd. I was there today and saw your rotating verical spit with Gyros on it! I was there for the dogs otherwise next time.

[estone888]

My favorite is actually in Baker, right by the Nevada border on the way to Las Vegas - The Mad Greek. I sure wish it was closer to Los Angeles.

[ns1]

There is one in Garden Grove, on Beach! Exit 22 @beach and head towards Knotts. Sorry don't know the exact cross streets. I find the quality to be the same, without the ridiculous wait @the baker location!

[JeetJet]

The Mad Greek. That reminds me that so many years ago I enjoyed going to the one in Stanton. I wonder if these places are related?

Mad Greek Restaurant
12120 Beach Blvd
Stanton, CA 90680
[phone]

I admit that I like the chicken dinner and veggie plate at Daphnes and have been going there once a week this summer.
Daphnes Greek Café
http://www.daphnesgreekcafe.com/

[ns1]

I'm pretty sure they are related or used to be at one point in time; for the most part, similar menu/decor, and taste

god whenever i'm in that area, if i don't go to thai nakorn i go to mad greek!

[Dommy]

Hurrah!! I also love the Mad Greek! :)

--Dommy!

[epop]

mama voula's deserves a mention

[hrhboo]

I think Mama Voula's has closed.

[JeetJet]

On topic
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/331536

[nosh]

Mama Voula's definitely closed over a year ago and became El Super Tacos, run by their neighbor Monte Alban. I like the new habanero salsa on my dollar tacos, but I miss the old gyros, all meat, with a huge plate of thin, crisp, extra-raw-garlicky fries, though they were somewhat on the pricy side at $9.

In W.L.A., there has been praise for Delphi, on the west side Westwood Blvd. between Wilshire and Ohio. I've been wanting to try it, but damned if I can ever find a parking space.

I may be confused, but I think I've heard of gyro options somewhere either at Olympic east of Bundy or Pico near Santa Monica College?

[epop]

i thought their other location (i'm sorry, i thought it was called mama voula's as well, but i guess it is Ulysses' Voyage) near or in the Grove was still there. i'd only been to mama voula's but hopefully it is comparable. i've a taste for one as well

[epop]

that is that falafel place on pico and 18th or so, which has decent falafel but awful gyros

[a_and_w]

Monte Alban runs El Super Taco? Also, is the falafel place near SMC the Hungry Pocket?

[epop]

yes, hungry pocket

[vinosnob]

Hmm, not sure if you're correct about who owns El Super Taco.

http://tacohunt.blogspot.com/2006/12/...

[nosh]

El Super Taco is definitely associated with Monte Alban. I have asked. And if you need to use the restroom, they send you across.

[a_and_w]

I have noticed that the chips, salsa, and refried black beans are all very similar. Hmmm...

[vinosnob]

Usually Bandini's info is spot on, but perhaps he's mistaken this time...

[JeetJet]

I have had a good Gyro at these places along with other good things that they make. Gyros are not something I order all the time but if I hear that a place is good for it then i will try it. Each of these places were mentioned on this board for it and I agree that they do a good job.

George's Greek Deli (Also try the chicken)
318 Pine Ave
Long Beach, CA 90802
[phone]

Frisco’s (Breakfast served by carhops on skates, try the pancakes, burgers are pretty good also. Skip the tuna sandwich – don’t do it)
18065 Gale Ave.
Industry, CA. 91748
626-913-FOOD

Frisco’s has three locations
http://www.friscos.com/

Tops (Breakfast burrito w/ pastrami & egg, salsa)
3838 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107-3940
[phone]

Tops has several locations
http://www.topsburger.com/home.html

Connal's Burgers, Salads & Subs (Avocado sandwich, Egg salad sandwich, Burgers, Salads, Roast Beef, Pastrami, Corned Beef, Turkey Breast, Onion Rings, Boston Shakes)
1505 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91104
[phone]
http://www.connals.com/
(North of the 210, West of Allen, East of Hill )

[kek is khmer]

There is another George's Greek at 7th and Fig (Downtown LA). I've been to papa cristo's and found it to be oily and salty. I think George's is just as good if not better and it comes with a salad, which makes it a good deal.

I think George's serves it from a spit.

[JeetJet]

My bad. The Tops Colorado Blvd. location does NOT have gyros. The Other locations of Tops on Walnut in Pasadena, and T-Burgers on Foothill in Monrovia, DO have pretty good gyros. However, the Colorado Blvd location has a good Kobe cheese burger.

Tops (Kobe Burger))
3838 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107-3940
[phone]

Tops and T-Burger has Gyros
http://www.topsburger.com/home.html

[Gina from OC]

I tried Frisco's today - pretty good gyros, and I liked the atmosphere of the place too. What I'm really craving is a gyros with the meat cut off the spit - I think I will try George's next. Thanks for the info!

There's a new place out in Lake Elsinore which I saw mentioned on another thread - the owners are originally from Chicago, and they serve not only authentic Chicago-style pizza and italian beef, but also Gyros!
http://www.jntpizza.com/
Joe and Tony's
16005 Grand Ave
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

Haven't tried that one yet but hopefully I'll make it out there soon.

[paprkutr]

Moishes at the Farmer's Market third and fairfax

[Burger Boy]

The Greeks did settle in LA, Papa Cristos is in the center of what used to be a big greek area, San Pedro was very popular with the Greeks & the Italians. The Greeks also started lots of fast food places, Tommy's Hamburgers, Jim's Burgers where started by Greeks, Jay's Jay Burgers and many of the Burger stands, I think Astros was started by Greeks. There is a big Greek Church in Northridge. Then you have the Armenians, that started to come after WWII, Bezjians Grocery and several Armenian delis in that area (Vermont & Santa Monica) Partamians Bakery on Adams, still the best Lahmajoon in the city. But with times people relocate to other areas and neighborhoods change, there is a ton of amazing ethenic food in LA, HAppy eating and gain 5-7lbs for me. CIAO

[E Eto]

Papa Cristo's
http://www.papacristos.com/index1.html

[mattesq]

Second! The best. Got me through my college years when they were only 4 bucks and were so big that you could have one for lunch and dinner. Now they are a little smaller and a little more expensive but still the best.

[klaatu]

+1