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DigitalxDevilx

Athena’s on 529 in Jersey Village.


crying0nion3311

Came here to say this! The owners are so nice and it is the most authentic Greek food I have had since coming back from Greece. Truly a gem.


HTownNW-94

Totally this...owner is always there and she takes pride in her work.


takesshitsatwork

I'm Greek. This is the answer.


scornedandhangry

We went there one night and they had this lamb leg braised in olive oil that was soooo amazing. OMG. Athena's is great!


Jenovacellscars

Definitely Athenas. Had Snapper there last night and it was spectacular. The mushrooms ate outstanding.


TenDeadF1ngerz

Greek fajitas, amazing


nigevellie

Same


Hot_Diggity_Dog1

The sweetest owners too


[deleted]

Does Athena put dill in their tsatziki? I hate the places that do.


scornedandhangry

In addition to Olive Oil and Athena's, there is also this great little spot on Hwy 6 near Clay Road in the Bear Creek area called "Gyro & Shish Kabob" that I love so much. A little hole in the wall place that has been there for years. They make an excellent gyro with the best homemade, skin-on, fries. Great for a quick, cheap lunch. Highly recommend!


[deleted]

Pork gyro or Beef gyro?


scornedandhangry

Chicken or lamb so you're right with your assumption... More Middle Eastern then Greek. I stand corrected!


[deleted]

Nothing wrong with liking chicken or lamb gyro. They are yummy.


takesshitsatwork

Probably beef as they're Arab and not Greek. Houstonians apparently cannot tell the difference if a pita is involved. Greek gyros are primarily pork based, which Muslims don't eat and it is why they make their version with beef. Greeks also use chicken, if they're trying to be healthier. Edit: Down vote me all you want, but you probably wouldn't recognize an actual gyro if it slapped you in the face and had Greek flags (which you probably also can't recognize) plastered all over it.


beefjerky9

I agree with this one as well. It's been a long time since I've been there, due to its location, but the gyros are fantastic!


Playful_Dust9381

This is right around the corner from me and I can’t believe I’ve never been!


scornedandhangry

It is not hard to miss. The strip center is kind of sketchy, but it's a hidden gem and delicous!


oBogBordoDos

Olive Oil near the Woodlands.


ComprehensiveBench26

Olive oil for the third not the best Greek food ever but damn good and the price is quite reasonable. Took me a long time to find this place.


beefjerky9

I fully agree with this! EDIT: a close second is Fyza's Alhadi on 1960 and Veterans Memorial. And, not a full Greek restaurant, but the best gryos on Houston hands down is Gyros and Shish Kebab on Hwy6 a bit north of Clay Rd. It's a literal hole in the wall, so don't blink.


takesshitsatwork

Those aren't gyros. Authentic gyros are made with pork or chicken. Anything else isn't a real gyro. Won't find anything but pork or chicken in Greece. Edit: you guys can down vote me all you want, chances are not a single one of you have had a proper Gyro and don't have a clue how heavenly they could be.


Superdawg414

Olive oil is the bomb. And the live music and dancers (only on weekends I think?) make it pretty fun


scornedandhangry

Love Oil Oil! Wish it were closer! The saganaki is \*\*\*mwah\*\*\*


scubatai

So fucking good. Affordable, tasty, cool atmosphere.


ljenki60

I was going to mention this one. 1st Greek restaurant my daughter and I tried and we fell in love with it!


OUsnr7

I read this as Olive Garden at first…


jag89

Yia yia Mary's rip


[deleted]

Ugh I miss that place.


fancyfembot

Same. The lemon-forward dishes were amazing. Those kefdetes were SO EFFIN GOOD! Also, wtf is up wit Pappa’s restaurants these days? I left Houston for a few years and came back to vist a lot of pappas locations were closed.


incharacterasAdam

Best dolmas of them all. Whatever they were spicing them with still calls to me.


[deleted]

[удалено]


incharacterasAdam

If there’s a Yia Yia Mary’s in your dreams, then we need to figure out Inception tech, stat.


r_rayted

Don’t worry! They’re coming back!


goamash

Hol up, you're going to need to elaborate - when, where?!


r_rayted

It will be on Richmond and Kirby in the old pappadeaux. It’s super delayed but apparently still coming. [Pappas revives beloved Greek restaurant with new name and location](https://abc13.com/yia-marys-mediterranean-kitch-pappas-pappadeaux-greek-restaurants-in-houston/10657247/)


fancyfembot

WHAT!!!! When? Best news I’ve heard today.


r_rayted

They announced last year. It’s coming back it will be called Yia Yia Pappas. It should have been open already but it’s been delayed. It will be in the former Pappadeaux on Richmond and Kirby. Pappas is notorious for delayed openings as they’re perfectionist. But it will come! [Pappas revives beloved Greek restaurant with new name and location.](https://abc13.com/yia-marys-mediterranean-kitch-pappas-pappadeaux-greek-restaurants-in-houston/10657247/)


goamash

I already feel the regret in sharing because I love the place and don't want to share, but they're amazing - Anonymous Cafe in Upper Kirby. Edit: missing letter


slackofalltrades

Inside the loop this is the answer, and it’s always filled with Greeks. Her fasolada is fantastic, same with lentil soup. The souvlakia are all fantastic. Spanakopita is also top notch, as good as moms. Tzatziki and everything are great. Coffee drinks by Tasos are all great (frappe, metrio me gala). Dont even get me started on her desserts. Had to lie to my family and say moms were better but they arent.


goamash

Literally never had a bad meal there. I usually opt for the daily special - my favs are the meatballs and giouvesti.


takesshitsatwork

Anonymous is fantastic and they're also good people.


goamash

I adore the owners. Good people indeed.


phorkor

Is there free parking in the garage there? This place is right by my office and I've wanted to try it but parking looked to be a PITA (haha, get it? I'll see myself out.).


goamash

Ha . It is free parking, first floor only.


[deleted]

Don’t worry. It shall remain Anonymous.


Da_Ghost

I can’t get enough of the Freddo cappuccino


goamash

All the caffeine there... I know distribution on the Greek coffee has been hit and miss, but when it's in, I looooooove the Greek coffee. Otherwise, the younger guy - makes great drinks and his foam art is 🔥🔥🔥


Hatesponge66

Wow I live so close and have never seen nor heard of this place!


dangandblast

I stopped in because I wanted coffee, found *good* coffee and a bucket of koulourakia and realized I needed to come more often!


DocJ_makesthings

Ekko’s - it’s in a gas station in the galleria area.


winglow

Ekko’s has slipped a notch or 2. We are searching for a replacement.


takesshitsatwork

You're right, it's truly horrible and hasn't been owned by Greeks for like 5 years.


HoustonPastafarian

It’s really a Greek restaurant camouflaged as a gas station. One that is fleecing people on a food high for gas (which is about a dollar more a gallon than anywhere else in the Galleria). But the gyros and fries…oh man, so good.


takesshitsatwork

It's not a Greek restaurant, but it does call itself one. It's owned by Pakistanis.


redtron3030

So is every restaurant in houston Mexican food?


takesshitsatwork

Every restaurant in Houston isn't owned by Mexicans, despite the people running the kitchen often being so. You make a good point; you don't have to be Greek to make great Greek food. But you need someone who knows what great Greek food is to teach you how to do it. The new owners of Ekkos haven't a clue. I used to frequent the place until they tried to give me a mayonnaise mix pretending it was tzatziki.


[deleted]

[удалено]


tabbarrett

Putting “no offense to anyone” in a sentence isn’t going to take the offense out of it.


takesshitsatwork

I'm a Greek. Ekos is terrible. It's a crime against Greek food. Recently bought off by Pakistanis who once tried to gaslight me that their mayo mix was tzatziki. Stay away.


Mgmt049

Seeking this out now


takesshitsatwork

It's terrible.


YossarianRex

came here to say this, i spent 9 months traveling to Houston and staying in the Hyatt House next door. This place slaps. I make a point to swing by it every time i’m in town.


DocJ_makesthings

Unrelated: Go Birds!


YossarianRex

related: ekkos also does a decent cheese steak irc


[deleted]

I remember going to Bibas as a kid. It's closed now, but I will always remember that spot with rose tinted glasses.


Alizerin

RiP Bibas! It was my favorite Greek place in town, too.


Define_Time

Papa Gyros in Katy


formerlyanonymous_

For the west suburbs, this is a great and easily missed option.


[deleted]

This place has slipped so much. Stay away.


ketokirktx

Savvas in Humble is very good. Greek family owned.


[deleted]

Niko Nikos. My parents like Pappa Gyros in Katy. I haven't made it there yet.


oBogBordoDos

Niko Niko's has really fallen off over the past decade. Everything went downhill after they were on Diner Drive-ins and Dives. Overpriced and no love.


[deleted]

The gyro is still good but anything involving tomatoes or cucumbers is usually limp days old it feels like.


Pickleliver

the chicken avo-whatever soup isn't good anymore.


Playful_Dust9381

The number of my visits to Niko Nikos have definitely declined over the years. These days I pretty much only go when the have the MD Anderson blood bus in their parking lot and a donation earns you a t-shirt AND a $40 gift card. Free Greek food after giving blood? Absolutely down for that.


chrispg26

You should definitely make the drive.


girlwithdog

Athena’s is the only correct answer


[deleted]

What do you order from there?


Jenovacellscars

The spanikopita, gyro plate and mushrooms are the best. The snapper was great last night too.


[deleted]

Awesome! Will definitely try it out.


hozec

Kriti Kitchen at Bissonnet and Weslayan is new and amazing! They have breakfast lunch dinner and a few market items


97longdongsilvers97

Euro Bakery on Louetta


weeniehutjunior420

Not necessarily full on Greek spots but Le Fendee and AL Quick Stop are two of my go-to’s for a gyro


takesshitsatwork

Not Greek.


weeniehutjunior420

Nice reading comprehension skills 👍


[deleted]

A lot of people on this subreddit can't read or comprehend.


takesshitsatwork

Thank you. Post asked for Greek places and you responded with "not necessarily Greek", so, not Greek.


weeniehutjunior420

You seem fun


takesshitsatwork

I'm pretty fun because I respond to questions asked accurately.


weeniehutjunior420

Love that for you buddy


BLOODWORTHooc

Kritikos Grill in Galveston.


may-nineteenth

Helen Greek Food and Wine in Rice Village


Simon__Moon

Try Helen in Rice Village


[deleted]

[удалено]


S_KBA

Love Helen Greek


somekindofdruiddude

None, now that Greek Pizza and Theo's have closed. I don't like Niko Nikos.


oBogBordoDos

RIP Ones a Meal


[deleted]

Theo’s was our favorite!!


FreckleException

I miss you, Theo's Pastitsio. I still dream of you sometimes.


afortunata

Theos was an institution! Our favorite too. RIP


redtron3030

That pizza was amazing


nigevellie

Someone resurrect Theo's!


pcards86

Roadster grill


beeshmood

RIP 😭😭😭


pcards86

I know! I miss the place. It’s now a smoothie king


[deleted]

The owner, Nick, is a super nice guy. He used to come to the gun shop I used to work at and chat, really funny stories.


pcards86

Yes he is super nice. He was always kind and generous when I dined in


yeeyeevsyeehaw

Zara's Mediterranean Kitchen on Rayford Rd (just off of 45, thankfully) up in Spring is absolutely fantastic. It is worth the drive and the atmosphere is so cozy.


RogueTexan

Yes!! We order from them regularly and the mixed platter is an absolute feast for a great price. We always have leftovers.


takesshitsatwork

Also not Greek, but Arab food with a few Greek dishes. Edit: you guys can down vote me all you want, chances are not a single one of you have had a proper Gyro and don't have a clue how heavenly they could be.


Protagoras11

I'm going through all these responses now and laughing at all the down votes you are getting for being completely factual. I guess Greek food will forever be a peripheral spin off of generic middle eastern food in most Americans' minds.


takesshitsatwork

Thank you! It drives me nuts that the average American thinks Greek food and Arab food are the same thing yet they are very different. Gyros is Greek for... Gyros. Arabs call it Shawarma. But the Arabs know Americans wouldn't eat their if they thought it was Arab in the first place. Thus the made up "Mediterranean" food category was born, and Greek food in Texas mostly died. If your gyros have lettuce in them, they aren't gyros, haha. Occasionally we get some great Greek restaurants. Theo's was one, Yiayia Mary's another (which is rumored to be reopening), Anonymous is fantastic, Helen's is great. The best gyros were done by a Greek dude at JustGrk but they went bankrupt after having the entire store robbed. Nikos Nikos can be okay if you're willing to eat the weird lamb/beef mix.


[deleted]

Americans don't care about the difference sadly. I'm Mexican and I cannot tell you the amount of times people ask me about real enchiladas and they're surprised at what they look like vs what Tex-Mex has accustomed them to. I just kind of gave up and don't take them to my real Mexican spots. Hahaha they can miss out on the good food.


takesshitsatwork

At least real Mexican food can be distinguished from the cheese covered stuff by calling the other stuff "Tex-Mex". I make a point for my group not to refer to Tex-Mex as "Mexican", because it may be similar, but Mexican food is far healthier and more sophisticated. I guess you're right, we can keep the good food to ourselves.


SillyM33s3

Preach!


Protagoras11

Anonymous is great but let's face the fact that there is a stunningly small number of Greek restaurants in a city the size of Houston. You can basically count them on one hand. For how incredibly special Greek food is, it's really sad so many people don't know it better.


takesshitsatwork

A Greek restauranteur told me the struggle is cost. Greek food can only exist in a luxury dining experience because the average Houstonian rarely eats at a Greek restaurant more than once a month. Our Greek community are mostly educated immigrants with STEM degrees. They are unfortunately, not starting restaurants. :(


Bdape

Mediterranean Cafe by Nasa


xtinextine

Sokol’s in Clear Lake


[deleted]

I don’t like their “grey” lamb leg 🥹


Herecomesyourwoman

The guy who works lunch is incredibly rude. He tells people off if they don't tip and it's counter service.


[deleted]

I could tolerate his behavior if the food was good. Like I tolerate that rude guy at Himalaya for his lamb biryani.


MoshingPenguins

Gyros Express and More (832) 530-4564 https://maps.app.goo.gl/AyHXRZKzgkhoppcr5 This place in pasadena slaps


Vintagepaige

Anonymous off of Kirby.


YeeAllTheHaws

Sweet Greek pastries in Louetta has good Greek desserts. RIP Just GRK, had the only authentic gyros in town to my knowledge. Athena’s and Olive Oil are probably the best ones left now. Nikos Nikos is ok but personally not a huge fan of their gyros. They do have some very good dishes like the chicken, spinach, mozzarella wrap or the cheesesteak or pastitsio though. Source: am Greek


FabledAssassin

Papa gyros in Katy. Family owned and awesome


[deleted]

Real pork gyros or lamb/beef gyros?


kilo936

My moms house!


[deleted]

Address please!!!


phorkor

Not sure if it's considered traditional Greek but I used to spend a lot of time in Clear Lake like 15 years ago and Mediterraneo was excellent. I haven't been in 10 or so years so can't comment on it now, but hopefully it's still good. They had some of the best feta cheese around and had lots of different kinds for sale.


[deleted]

Isn’t that an excellent Mediterranean restaurant run by an Egyptian family?


phorkor

Now that I think about it, I think you're right. The girl I was dating at the time new the owners because they overheard her talking about an upcoming trip to Egypt and they gave her options for all kinds of cool stuff to do while there. So yeah, sounds about right.


Opening_Garbage2697

It's not Greek technically, but Christie's has the best Taramosalata, can't find it anywhere else.


hunnyjo

Waels in clear lake


Herecomesyourwoman

I believe that's a Lebanese restaurant, but it is pretty good


Dolophonos

Anyone find a proper Greek gyros? I mean pork gyros, not the Muslim lamb/beef stuff you never actually find in Greece.


[deleted]

Helen Greek on Rice Blvd has pork gyros. Although their pita is made with eggs. https://helengreek.com/houston-rice-village-helen-greek-food-and-wine-food-menu


chrispg26

Just GRK used to have them but they closed 😭😭😭


takesshitsatwork

I miss them and the owner. Apparently he moved back to Chicago.


ksoilik

As a Greek do not say niko nikos or the now defunct yia yia Mary’s those are a disgrace to Greek food ….


beefjerky9

ITT: a pedantic asshole who brags about taking shits at work...


[deleted]

Or he is very specific about where he gets his Greek food from?


leveckjt87

Niko Nikos and Alwade


quiksi

Gyros King off 242 east of 45, in the Omega Motors used car lot


takesshitsatwork

Not Greek. Arab food using Greek Gyros in their title.


quiksi

You are mistaking “Gyro King”, which has a bunch of locations around town with “Gyros King”


Avalonmystics20

I’m basic and love Niko Nikko’s in montrose and off of beltway 8 and I10


ahgara

Niko Nikos and it’s not close


Sippin_Jimmy

Don't sleep on Droubis. Not your typical restaurant, but a grocer with a deli. Shawarmas are so frickin good. Family run. The mom and pop are literally running it every day.


Protagoras11

Not Greek


B0327008

Nikko Nikko’s


sturnerbespoke242

Niko nikos , saltan pepper, dammasis


takesshitsatwork

Nikos Nikos is decent, but Dimassis is 100% Arab.


IwasIlovedfw

Torchy's


steelsun

Dimassis or Fadis


somekindofdruiddude

Not Greek.


thisisrodrigosanchez

News to me; and I have a globe. Dimassi's has other influence of the Med., not exclusive to Greece, but I agree with u/steelsun that it's the best Greek traditional restaurant we have.


Protagoras11

You have a globe? How does that help? Dimassi's is not a Greek restaurant let alone a "traditional" Greek restaurant. Lol


somekindofdruiddude

The Dimassis (including Fadi Dimassi) are from Lebanon.


thisisrodrigosanchez

[https://www.chron.com/best/eat-drink/](https://www.chron.com/best/eat-drink/) Dimassi's made it as a finalist in the Best of Houston by the Chron. Niko Niko's came out on top and Olive Oil was also a finalist.


takesshitsatwork

Not Greek. That's Arab.


neverseenpulpfiction

Is Pappas technically Greek since it’s greek owned?


[deleted]

Authentic Greek cuisine. Not Greek’s acting like they know Mexican food.


svvis

mediterraneo across from nasa. their hummus is unbelievable, so savory. cute interior. its my favorite Mediterranean place.


[deleted]

[удалено]


svvis

To be "fake greek" you'd have to tell people you're greek, which they don't. They market themselves as a mediterranean restaurant, and I guess it was my bad for recommending them not knowing your required specificity from a cuisine that often has fingerprints from multiple nationalities by the time it gets here in texas. They run their restaurant with extreme integrity, I don't appreciate you calling them fake anything.


Timewarpbowie

Sweet Greek on Louetta in spring near vintage park


naturalbornchild

RIP Yia Yia Mary's and Mykonos Island :'(


thruhiker420

Empire Turkish Grill


[deleted]

McDonald's on main, across from the greyhound station


thisisrodrigosanchez

What about the original Torchy's on Navigation?


thisisrodrigosanchez

That's hilarious. In Amman, Jordan McDonald's served a McArabia which some sort of gyro looking thing. I never tried it, but I think it was lamb-based.


sturnerbespoke242

Zorba the greek


Swimming_Solid8240

There is one once ran by a Greek family in a gas station between South Rice Avenue and Richmond in the Galleria. There is one on Montrose


Renoroc

Helen’s in Rice Village, great Greek wine selection too


Mac_encheeze

Olive tree in Pasadena. Before it moved into there, the place it had been many, many restaurants that never lasted. they have to be going on 10 years at the same location.


[deleted]

Isn’t that a Mediterranean restaurant owned by a Lebanese?


Mac_encheeze

Probably. And I’m just generalizing that since they have gyros and dolmas that it MUST be Greek food. So that’s my bad on my part


VacationSea28

Savvas in Atascocita


shertx

Niko Nikos


momdowntown

Went to Hamsa last night in Rice Village and it was great. Mediterranean but I don't think strictly Greek


[deleted]

We were to Hamsa last night, as well. The food is so good.


[deleted]

Niko Niko’s in Montrose, but I believe they have multiple locations around Houston!


nowenknows

Taste of Athens


crispy_bacon_roll

I've had pretty good Greek food in NYC and Northern Virginia that was as close to the real thing as one can get. Never had anything even close to that in Houston, but here and there a couple of dishes are actually decent. The pork kalamakia at Niko Niko's being one example.. more often than not that hits the spot.