Review: Parthenon Gyros
Author: WIBIA | Filed under: Food Reviews, Location: Indianapolis, IN
Parthenon Gyros
1486 W. 86th Street
Indianapolis, IN
One of my favorite intersections for food added a gyros joint. Once I saw the coming soon sign, I was pretty excited about it and I even tweeted about it. I really like gyros, they are a great stinky lunch food that are difficult to beat when done right.
When I walked up, I saw the usual Kronos signs and I felt comfortable that this was going to be a normal Americanized gyros, which I like. I had a Greek roommate in college and he said that real gyros are chopped meat and a lot greasier. That sounds good too. I’m rambling…
I walked in and was greeted by a server. There are about 40 seats, two servers and it was 30% full. The Kronos sign in front said gyro/fry/drink for $6.99. However, when I looked at the menu, there is a 1/2 gyro option which was confusing…what are they going to do, cut the gyro in half? The server let me know that the special is a 1/2 gyros. I was starving, so I had to get the whole gyros.
What I Ate: Full gyro, fries, drink. $6.95 + $1.00 (fries), $1.40 (don’t quote me).
Before, I even start the review portion…lets compare something.
Kronos table tent:
What I received:
Ahhh…the ol’ bait and switch!!!
What in the world are those things?!?!?!?!?
First, I absolutely hate pita pockets. They are dry and always break. These were no exception. The “famous” sauce must be famous for sucking, because it was nothing special. Plus, because of the half circle shape of the pita pocket, you get a ton of it at first and then nothing. Notice that the table tent shows tomato and sliced onion. The onion was diced and folded into the sauce and there were no tomatoes to be found.
The only good thing to say was that there was a good amount of meat for the price. The meat was the standard American gyro meat, so if you’ve had one…
The fries were out of the bag frozen with a little seasoned salt. Nothing special.
Would I Buy It Again? NO, NEVER EVER! If I had a wall of shame, this would be on it…and at the top. Why would you replace a a nice soft warm pillowy pita? It is like putting a taco in a pita pocket and calling it a taco. This is truly false advertising.
Also, I didn’t see the point for table service. With tax and tip, lunch was around $12 and I couldn’t even say that it was a good value.
-wibia
That is absolutely horrible! That’s not a freakin’ gyro at all. Blech! What are they trying to pass off?
The bait and switch is bullcrap! I don’t know if I would have kept silent about that one. You should definitely do a wall of shame, and make this the first victim.
LOL @ “…famous for sucking”.
@ Adam: I rarely complain at restaurants anymore because if I post about my experience then it could tip off who I am, especially if I paid with a credit card. Pre blog days, I would’ve asked for something else.
@Jugomugo: Ha, if you figure it out, let me know.
That is just wrong on sooooo many levels. That’s no gyro. That’s something filthy and obscene.
Gyros are a weakness for me. I love a good one and abhor a bad one. These look like sh**. Honestly, why do people insist on screwing up easy food. I think it’s time to have a search for the best gyro in Indy!
I’d rather go next door and get a tan than eat that thing. Ugh.
Ah. Now I get the 1/2 gyro idea. I’m with you. I’d much rather have a full gyro wrapped in a warm full pita. I have noticed, though, that a lot of the local supermarkets I shop at (i.e. Kroger’s) seem to be ditching full-sized pitas these days for pita pockets. This makes me angry. Give me a choice, at least!
What they served you actually looks a lot like what gets served at Sam’s Gyros. How do you all feel about Sam’s fare? I’m mixed. Its pretty tasty, but something is lacking to me.
At Saffron Cafe, they have a shawrma that is to me teh best gyro I’ve had in town (tho, I don’t claim expertise in gyro’s)…. Saffron Cafe also offers a side of a nice hot sauce that really adds something to their shawrma…..
I bet LA Tan has better food.
Saffron Cafe is quite tasty. The people who own it also own Casablanca in Bloomington, which has a similar but distinct menu.
Also, in the event you find yourself offered baklava at either restaurant, accept it! They know their baklava.
Paragon on the westside is the best gyros for me so far.
You are so right about pita pockets, they suck. Why do so many places serve them?
I went to The Parthenon with me and 3 other friends and I got to say…..I don’t think that this person knows what they are talking about, I loved it!! I had a Chicken Shawirma sandwich that was awsome! My friend had a hot and spicey kind of gyro that he loved, Then my other two friends had gyro plates with onion and tomatos on top…It came with a greek salad that is to the T of the old Parthenon’s along with that yummy sauce!! We also all split a dip plate that had 3 kinds of dips with falafel on it! It was great! So I guess what I am trying to tell this terrible reveiw of a good restaurant is…Taste around before you slash a poor new resturant!!!! A+ to the new Parthenon I loved it!!!
@Susan…I would try something else there, but if anyone thinks that a pita pocket is a good idea for a gyro, then they are mistaken.
And…trust me, I know what I am talking about and I surely know what good food is. I wouldn’t have the amount of readers that I do if that wasn’t the case.
I actually think that your review is completely off. First off, the Parthenon was originally located in Broad Ripple and everyone, including my self loved it. It was known for being the best Mediterranean Restaurant in town. They had so many regulars come in and if they did such a horrible job this wouldn’t be the case. Second, if you want tomatoes and onions all you have to do is ask for them. It doesn’t take much effort to do so. I asked them once why they didn’t have it already on the sandwich, and their response was because the majority didn’t want it on there. It’s easier for the customers who want it to ask for it on their sandwich.
How can you complain about the price, when you get SO MUCH food for the price. The majority of places don’t even serve even half the meat that they put in a half of a sandwich.
If you don’t like the pita pockets, that is your own opinion. Some people do and some people don’t. But to talk down about the restaurant. Two different topics. They have great customer service and are very kind. The restaurant may not be very large but it’s a cute place to go and just eat and enjoy a great meal.
I think this place is definitely worth the money and food. I’d recommend it to anyone.
Horrible! I went there on a recommendation and the place was empty at 1:30 p.m. I now can see why.
I ordered the gyros plate and a greek salad. No kalamata olives in the salad, but plain black olives. What gives! Soft lettuce and barely any feta cheese along with a measley piece of cumcumber
and a chunk of hard tomato. To top off my experience, I watched the server pick-up my
previously frozen pita bread with her bare hands after handling various items in the restaurant
and then microwave it. For the same amount of $$, my business will definitely be given
to the authentic and awesome place that knows Greek food~Hella’s for even
less $$ than Parthenon. A very bad experience and will never go back.
i will go back i love it