612332 Wed Apr 15 15:16:46 -0700 2009 61 2 Los Angeles Area 0 4599240 Not to be confused with Shwarma or doner kababs Wed Apr 15 15:16:46 -0700 2009 10866 kevin 1 4599298 Papa Christo's 2771 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90006. There's nothing better this Greek market or there Gyros. Wed Apr 15 15:37:02 -0700 2009 4599240 283036 asuninja 2 4599426 Agree. Wed Apr 15 16:18:22 -0700 2009 4599298 10134 David Kahn 2 4599430 Papa Christo's gyro is overrated, IMO -- the Firehouse blows the doors off of that place... Wed Apr 15 16:19:36 -0700 2009 4599298 10606 Joe Blowe 3 4599459 Firehouse was pretty damn good but I think I prefer the ones from the Mad Greek I don't think you can do wrong @either one though Wed Apr 15 16:30:33 -0700 2009 4599430 91179 ns1 3 4599939 No better than firehouse. Wed Apr 15 19:51:29 -0700 2009 4599430 97947 trojans 2 4934937 Their gyros is way too greasy and about average. I do like the place a lot as a market but have had only the bad gyros. Mon Aug 10 18:26:14 -0700 2009 4599298 15114 epop 3 4935297 The post ended up low. I am referring here to Papa Christo's gyros as the bad one. Mon Aug 10 20:51:34 -0700 2009 4934937 15114 epop 1 4599920 California Pita - LA mall. Wed Apr 15 19:44:07 -0700 2009 4599240 115162 bu dat 1 4600073 If you come to OC, Mad Greek (Stanton) or Greek Garden Grill (Orange/Santa Ana). Wed Apr 15 20:56:53 -0700 2009 4599240 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 4600183 mad greek in stanton is related to the one near barstow???? thanks. i will try greek garden for the gyros, i've already tried their grilled fish with potatoes about a year or so agao. and it was damn good. Wed Apr 15 22:18:33 -0700 2009 4600073 10866 kevin 3 4600434 I find them both identical...(baker and stanton), except the Stanton one doesn't have the ridiculous line Thu Apr 16 05:12:17 -0700 2009 4600183 91179 ns1 4 4600860 Agree. Same place, same owners, less stupidity at the Stanton one, mostly because if you asked a hundred people where Stanton is, 90+ wouldn't be able to tell you. The one in Baker (between Barstow and Vegas) is a tourist destination; the Stanton one ain't. Thu Apr 16 07:54:34 -0700 2009 4600434 10811 Das Ubergeek 5 4601278 http://lmgtfy.com/?q=mad+greek+in+stanton Thu Apr 16 09:39:13 -0700 2009 4601258 10606 Joe Blowe 5 4601289 stanton is sandwiched between garden grove and buena park. then again, google is your friend. Thu Apr 16 09:41:17 -0700 2009 4601258 10704 wilafur 6 4601477 do they serve those fresh strawberry milkshakes at the stanton location too? thanks. Thu Apr 16 10:22:57 -0700 2009 4601289 10866 kevin 7 4601551 That I don't know, because I don't like strawberry milkshakes. And no, it's not worth the slog from the SFV. Thu Apr 16 10:42:57 -0700 2009 4601477 10811 Das Ubergeek 5 4601997 Absolutely not. Thu Apr 16 12:45:19 -0700 2009 4601258 91179 ns1 2 5163022 Also in OC, Greek Island Grille on Bristol and Sunflower, across the street from South Coast Plaza, has darn good gyros. The pita is fresh and fluffy, and the tzaziki is plentiful and tasty. This is larger than many others I've had, and quite filling. Sat Nov 07 06:51:08 -0800 2009 4600073 13464 lil mikey 1 4600121 this tread has me desperately craving some tasty gryos. Wed Apr 15 21:30:14 -0700 2009 4599240 19525 Psiweaver 1 4600145 Spitz (the original location in Eagle Rock, and the newer one in Downtown L.A.) have amazing "donner" kebab sandwiches. You have an option of getting it with Focaccia bread or in a pita wrap, which is a bit deviated from the original idea of the gyros, but it's a great place. They also have amazingggg fried pita strips and great hummus (I have a Middle Eastern family, so I have valid reason is judging so!) Wed Apr 15 21:48:35 -0700 2009 4599240 228058 whatanappetite 2 4600184 thanks, but i was asking besides doner kababs and shwarma. i'm not exactly a fan of spitz, it just doesn't do it for me. but a lot of people do like it. besides i had an ultra-bad experience the last time i was at their downtown locatioin. Wed Apr 15 22:19:59 -0700 2009 4600145 10866 kevin 2 4600233 Everything I had at Spitz's was overly salty, everything, to bad. Wed Apr 15 23:07:19 -0700 2009 4600145 11279 Burger Boy 1 4601641 Really the best GYRO is at Athena's in Canyon Country. 18853 Soledad Cyn Rd., Canyon Country 91351 661-251-8442 Really everything they have there is great--all authentic greek food at reasonable prices. Its worth trip!! Thu Apr 16 11:14:35 -0700 2009 4599240 245033 waveandwen 2 4612569 I will second your Athenas rec. Great gyro, really good greek salad. Outstanding pizza. Mon Apr 20 14:45:40 -0700 2009 4601641 136984 lovetoroq 3 4953782 Agreed on the Athenas rec! And the Papa Christos rec! But I am ADDICTED to the one at Sam's Kebab House in Monrovia on Myrtle. Pretty much every time I am at the Friday Night Farmer's Market I need to have one. Just so good. Shit, now I want one!! Mon Aug 17 13:57:19 -0700 2009 4612569 12400 WildSwede 1 4601643 I recently had one of the best gyros I've had in L.A. at a place on 7th Street in Downtown that is next door to the Original Texas Barbecue King -which is at 525 W. 7th, near the corner of Grand and 7th. The only problem is that I can't recall the name of the place. It also has Korean BBQ and is run by Koreans, but the gyros were excellent and cheap. They have a particularly good, homemade, vinegary hot sauce that I was very pleased to squirt on my gyros. Thu Apr 16 11:14:41 -0700 2009 4599240 12292 estone888 2 4601654 that does sound good, next to grand and 7th, if you have a name on that one, please post back. thanks. Thu Apr 16 11:17:19 -0700 2009 4601643 10866 kevin 3 4601689 I wish I did. It's driving me nuts and Google has been no help. I was there two weeks ago, so I'm sure it's still there. My girlfriend thinks it might have the word "International" in the name. It has a window shade with pictures of most of its menu items. It is definitely on 7th, next door to, or two shops down from the Texas BBQ place that I know nothing about but has an obvious sign. Sorry about the lack of name. It's just a funky looking fast food shop. Thu Apr 16 11:23:50 -0700 2009 4601654 12292 estone888 2 4935299 I want it made by Greeks, with Tzatziki. Mon Aug 10 20:53:05 -0700 2009 4601643 15114 epop 1 4607875 I happened to be near Stanton this afternoon, so I stopped by the Mad Greek for a gyro. With apologies to Das Ubergeek and ns1, that had to be one of those most average gyros I've had the misfortune of eating. It's not that it was bad, but it was definitely not better than any other place mentioned in this thread (including Papa Christo's which I slammed upthread). It was the standard rotating spit of pressed meat, standard pita (maybe a bit on the dry/stale side), with some onions, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce and a relatively bland tzatziki sauce. Again, nothing offensive, just underwhelming. However, the fries were pretty good! In response to someone possibly asking for a better place, I humbly offer LaZeez: http://www.lazeezpitagrill.com/Sandwiches/Sandwich_&_Wraps.htm They're a Middle Eastern restaurant in Torrance (local for me) that does an *outstanding* laffah, but their gyro definitely puts Mad Greek's to shame... Sat Apr 18 18:30:06 -0700 2009 4599240 10606 Joe Blowe 2 4611155 Fair enough :) Mon Apr 20 08:47:24 -0700 2009 4607875 91179 ns1 2 4953859 When is the last time you've tasted the tzatziki sauce at Papa Cristo's? It's consistently the best part of the sandwich... thick and rich, wonderfully full flavored, well balanced... not too acidic, not too herby. To say that Mad Greek's sandwich is "not better" than Papa Cristo's by citing their bland tzatziki implies that they are roughly equivalent, and I can't imagine how you can say that if you've had any recent experiences at PC's. What exactly do you not find appealing about PC's gyro? Mr Taster Mon Aug 17 14:15:59 -0700 2009 4607875 17579 Mr Taster 3 4954632 I liked the tzatziki at PC but the gyros was way too oily and the wrong texture as a result. I didn't like the way they cut the meat into a million little pieces. It reminded me of the typical Kronos gyros but maybe wasn't that. Mon Aug 17 19:32:21 -0700 2009 4953859 15114 epop 3 4954636 Does it depend on who is making them? I will go there soon but am trying to reduce the risk of the poor gyros. Mon Aug 17 19:34:01 -0700 2009 4953859 15114 epop 3 4954982 I just ate a quart of the tzatziki over the last week, with nothing but a spoon. It was like heroin, I could not stop, so frikkin goooooooooooooooddd! Mon Aug 17 23:26:48 -0700 2009 4953859 11279 Burger Boy 1 4607960 Tried the mixed chicken,lamb and beef Gyro at Firehouse for the first time today. I must say it was pretty tasty. I will surely be returning soon. Sat Apr 18 19:16:44 -0700 2009 4599240 200344 selfportrait93 2 4613132 I second Firehouse! Mon Apr 20 17:46:52 -0700 2009 4607960 14348 tissue 1 4611057 Try George's Greek in Long Beach. There are two locations....one downtown and one on 2nd street. Seriously good. Mon Apr 20 08:19:12 -0700 2009 4599240 207946 mbbear 1 4612306 Ulysses Voyage in the Grove wins my vote for best in this part of town, by far. Mon Apr 20 13:33:25 -0700 2009 4599240 15114 epop 2 4612379 Ulysses does make a very nice gyro. My vote for best gyro would be for Kings Kabob. The meat is spot on and has a very nice texture - crunchy on outside. The sauce is perfect and quite a deal for under $6. They also make some very good fresh falaffel. I particuarly like their tahini. Kings Kabob 5500 Sawtelle Blvd (and Sepulveda) Culver City, CA 90230 (310) 390-1599 Mon Apr 20 13:54:30 -0700 2009 4612306 49222 js76wisco 3 4612453 ooh, thanks for the heads up. i'm on the hunt for good falafel! Mon Apr 20 14:12:59 -0700 2009 4612379 10704 wilafur 3 4612764 I can't wait to try it... Thx for the tip. Mon Apr 20 15:44:16 -0700 2009 4612379 15114 epop 3 4640554 I like the gyros much more at Ulysses than at Kings Kabob on Sawtelle. I am not saying this rudely but I don't really understand your opinion on this one... Wed Apr 29 16:56:39 -0700 2009 4612379 15114 epop 4 4640605 To each their own. I've had the gyros at both places on several occasions and prefer the King's Kebob gyro. It's more authentic to me. I was raised in Queens and have been to the mecca of Greek food in the US, Astoria, and King's Kebob reminds me of those gyros. I think the Ulysses gyro is also very good. But at almost half the price I'll take the King's Kebob. The meat itself is better and the tzatsiki is spot on. If you took the gyro to go then all bets are off, not very good when transported. Wed Apr 29 17:17:04 -0700 2009 4640554 49222 js76wisco 5 4640672 Don't Sawtelle and Sepulveda run parallel? Wed Apr 29 17:43:29 -0700 2009 4640605 11279 Burger Boy 6 4640722 they intersect in southern culver city. Wed Apr 29 18:01:33 -0700 2009 4640672 10704 wilafur 7 4641307 ok, i'm in......will head to king's kebob......will report back to this thread afterwards Wed Apr 29 22:05:50 -0700 2009 4640722 148558 jaymor 8 4643743 And compare to Ulysses in the grove. I can see Wisco's point about the price though... Thu Apr 30 16:45:03 -0700 2009 4641307 15114 epop 8 4954754 it's been a while but i finally went to king's kabob.....i had a nice long friendly conversation with a man who i think is the owner.....the gyro was of the typical brown meat on a spit .....it was nice of him to cut a hearty slice from it....heated it up on a grill and let me have it to try......i thanked him for the sampler but it was not what i was looking for, so i left. Mon Aug 17 20:37:43 -0700 2009 4641307 148558 jaymor 3 4954241 I like Kings Kabob, but they are really inconsistent in my opinion. When they get it right though, be it a gyro or a (lamb) shwarma, they are absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, I've received many less than great sandwiches from them over the years and they seem to be skimping on the condiments lately. Mon Aug 17 16:42:06 -0700 2009 4612379 235517 annapurna7 1 4726321 Had Papa Christo's gyros and think that Ulysses Voyage makes a much better one. Good tatziki though. Fri May 29 15:36:36 -0700 2009 4599240 15114 epop 1 4935384 Pozi's in Tarzana on Ventura. Amazing!!! Mon Aug 10 21:48:30 -0700 2009 4599240 290757 ultraviolet 1 4951930 Finally one (kind of) on the West Side, near LAX. The owner brings it in from Chicago. Tasty gyros sandwich. Plus there's all kinds of other goodies. I had a great lentil soup and a traditional horiatiki (greek salad without lettuce, as it should be). Aliki's Greek Taverna 5862 Arbor Vitae St Los Angeles, CA 90045-4731 (310) 645-9555 Sun Aug 16 21:23:35 -0700 2009 4599240 15114 epop 1 4952000 Here's a question I've been meaning to ask.. Is there really a difference? They are all getting their 'meatsicles' from the same couple of vendors, right? (there was an NYT article about this IIRC). Probably the pita as well. The only difference are the condiments and sauce. Am I wrong? Is anyone actually putting their own meat on the rotisserie? Don't get me wrong I like gyro's as much as the next guy, but they all pretty much taste the same to me?! Sun Aug 16 22:17:16 -0700 2009 4599240 110510 AAQjr 2 4952752 There are differences, and not everyone buys the meatsicles from the same two or three places... but even still you'd be shocked how much difference rotisserie temperature, slicing skill and, um, er, "meatsicle age" can vary the final product even before you dress the meat. Mon Aug 17 08:51:40 -0700 2009 4952000 10811 Das Ubergeek 3 4953149 For me, it's ALL about the dressing and freshness of the flavors... for that reason I prefer Petit Cafe in El Segundo, mostly a take out place in a strip mall, but their toppings are so fresh and flavorful... great bread too... Mon Aug 17 10:45:39 -0700 2009 4952752 10659 Dommy 4 4954230 I love this place. I used to eat here all the time when I worked in El Segundo. They have a great fatoush salad as well. Mon Aug 17 16:38:22 -0700 2009 4953149 235517 annapurna7 3 4953189 Precisely, Das. Mon Aug 17 10:56:30 -0700 2009 4952752 15114 epop 1 4953565 Try Daglas on Vanowen in the Reseda area ... excellent Gyros. Their seasoned french fries are also excellent. Mon Aug 17 12:52:25 -0700 2009 4599240 1091133 Melvin Surdin 1 5162908 I'm a big fan of the gyro sandwich at Elena's Greek and Armenian Cuisine in Glendale (1000 S Glendale Ave). great flavor, relatively inexpensive (just under $5, i think), and a portion size that rivals any place you'll find in southern california. http://www.elenasgreek.com/ Sat Nov 07 05:14:36 -0800 2009 4599240 108960 HerbyN 1 5168064 i am big fan of the gyro at George's Patio Cafe in Burbank on Riverside Dr. I go there for lunch 2x a week. it's just a good, solid, well done gyro with fresh greens and a good sauce. Mon Nov 09 14:04:44 -0800 2009 4599240 1118691 Jelly71