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Excellent gyros at Greek Kafe marred by uncomfortable dining experience

Submitted by Mark on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 6:55pm.
Greek Kafe
More Info
Restaurant:
The Greek Kafe
Cuisine:
Greek
Average Price Range:
Cheap ($7 or less per person)
Average Price Range:
Moderate ($8 to $14 per person)
Address:
2920c North Ballard Road
City:
Appleton

Map

Gyros are one of my guilty pleasures, especially when they're done right. Unlike many places that serve "gyros" with thinly-sliced, pre-packaged meat, the gyros at The Greek Kafe aren't just big and tasty, they're sliced to order off a rotisserie. For lovers of Mediterranean cuisine, The Greek Kafe serves a menu of familiar favorites.

Review
Ambience:
2

The Greek Kafe is a small dine-in or take-out establishment with a handful of tables. Though the menu states, "it's not fast food, it's good mouthwatering home cooking," the place definitely has a fast food feel with a darker, Mediterranean flare. When I visited, the weather outside was rather warm and sticky, and unfortunately, the temperature inside was noticeably, radiantly warm. As I left, another customer waiting for take-out at the same time as me remarked that it was cooler outside than inside. As it was my first and, to date, only visit, I can't attest to whether this day's inside temperature was the norm or an anomaly, but if it is the norm, I wouldn't revisit the restaurant unless I phoned in a take-out order ahead of time. Access in and out of the restaurant via Ballard Road is reasonable, and parking areas seem sufficient for the size of the restaurant.

Service:
3

Again, the menu tells you right off the bat, "it's not fast food, it's good mouthwatering home cooking." That was certainly my experience waiting for my regular gyro sandwich, which took about seven or eight minutes to come out of the kitchen with only one other order ahead of me. Though a little extra time to make such a flavorful, ample sandwich is understandable, the small size of this establishment combined with the meticulous preparation of food could make The Greek Kafe a claustrophobic experience at peak dining hours.

Food:
5

The gyro, as defined in the menu, comes with "sliced tender ribbons of meat (beef and lamb) served in warm pita bread with onions, cilantro, tomato and lettuce with a touch of lime juice and tzatsiki sauce." It comes in two sizes, small and regular. The regular size is a very large item, brimming with lots of everything the gyro has to offer. The meat is trimmed right off a rotisserie loaf of gyro meat and browned on a griddle. While I'm not intimately familiar with the makings of an "authentic" gyro, it appeared and tasted more authentic than gyros I've ordered at more "American" restaurants like Galvan's or Pizza King. Eating it may prove to be a messy affair, so make sure you have napkins with you. Other items on the menu include chicken gyros, souvlaki, dolmades, falafel and other items. Sides include french fries, rice pilaf, baklava and fountain soda.

Overall Rating:
4
Conclusion:

Though The Greek Kafe has fantastic, mouthwatering gyros, the speed of service and the overwhelming temperature inside the restaurant during my first visit marred my first impression. The Greek Kafe is relatively new and I don't doubt the issues I experienced will improve with time, and could become a five-star, beloved lunch spot. Prices were a bit on the high side for what most would consider "fast food," though the size and flavor of the gyro is well worth the price.

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)
Your rating: None

I love gyros

Submitted by wihogfan (not verified) on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 11:17am.

Good review. Haven't eaten there myself, but have wanted talked about going several times.

If you're ever in Middleton (far West side of Madison) and need a place to eat, try The Bavaria Family restaurant. They offer a little bit of everything on their menu, but their gyro was always my favorite and it's quite cheap. The restaurant is always busy, but the service is always good.

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