Driving down 90, searched for dinner. This popped up with all the green flags: hole in the wall,…read morefamily owned and run, authentic and homemade from scratch. Did. Not. Dissapoint. is an understatement. Holy baklava! Everything that came to our table was phenomenal. Hummus, baba ganoush, kofta specialty wrap (called the Laila(sp?)), skewered lamb platter, tatziki. The pita alone was to die for, so fluffy and soft. Their ingredients are so high quality and flavorful, the Tahini you could taste was super fresh, olive oil on top of the baba and hummus was really lovely, pickled veggies in the wrap just hit the spot. Yes, it's a few minutes off the highway, but the service was so fast and so incredibly friendly, like genuinely beautiful humans running this place, that it's 100% worth the quick detour off the highway and you'll probably spend more time and feel far more stress waiting on much crappier food at a restaurant closer to the interstate. Don't let the neighborhood put you off, this is worth the trip. If you're driving through when they're open (only 4 days per week), it's your lucky day!

The restaurant is located on a street that seems like it used to be bustling, died out, and is…read morestarting to revive. We arrived around 2:30pm on a Thursday, there was only one other group there. We were immediately greeted and our waiter was super friendly and chatty. The inside is pretty casual, and they played 2000s hits at a good volume. We started with a cup of Turkish coffee... I've never had Turkish coffee so maybe this is standard, but they did not offer cream or sugar. I don't usually like black coffee but it was surprisingly light, and the serving was pretty small so I actually quite enjoyed it. The owner later said it was the brand Utica coffee (which I love). We ordered the loaded fries, which came with taziki sauce, feta cheese, and tabouleh. Usually loaded fries feel very heavy and greasy, but these tasted very fresh. For the main dish, we ordered the Elias Gyro and the Layla Gyro. My pallet is usually more oriented towards lots of flavor and spice, so I found the Layla Gyro to be lighter than I would have liked. There wasn't as much sauce as I was expecting, but it was still very moist. I loved the pickled vegetables in it, but I wasn't a huge fan of the fries. The Elias Gyro was a lot more flavor heavy thanks to the garlic sauce, which was delicious. The meat in both gyros was cooked perfectly. Lastly, we had the baklava. Ive never had baklava before so I have nothing to compare it to, but oh my goodness it was so good. Overall, super positive experience. It's always such a treat to see the owner walking around interacting with customers, and I would definitely go again whenever I want something light and fresh.

This was the BEST place for falafel. I think it's closed now though. The folks working were always…read morekind and friendly. Always going above and beyond to accommodate to my vegan fiancé. I've never had a bad meal. I'm sad it's gone.

Such a gem! The food is amazing!!! Not greasy at all and always super fresh! Crispy delicious…read morefries, amazing burger patties and steak, as well as delicious hummus. Also staff are friendly Also TRY THE FELAFEL

This spot is easy to miss. It is in a small strip of businesses, diagonally across from Meyda…read moreLighting. First impression was that the siting area was relatively clean. No one was there, maybe it's just quiet on Wednesdays. I ordered a mixed meat gyro with fries and canned soda, and a piece of Galaktobureko. I took my food to go. The gyro was big, nice thinly sliced red onions, lettuce and tomatoes, perfect amount of tzatziki sauce. Pita was warm and soft; it didn't over take the wrap. The dessert was very enjoyable. I had not experienced a custard filled philo and will definitely order again. I overheard the owner cooking my order say his mom, also an owner from what I gathered, makes the desserts. Check this place out for sure!

This place is so easy to miss, but today I was feeling like having a gyro for lunch in the middle…read moreof errands and am SO glad I stopped. The place is in a little strip of shops and if you're not careful, you can drive right by it! The two staff working there were friendly and the place itself was clean and quiet. I ordered a falafel gyro with some rice pilaf on the side. I have had many falafel gyros around here and I can honestly say this was one of, if not the, best I've had. It had a perfect amount of everything and the falafel itself was super crispy but also fluffy on the inside. The rice was great, too! On my way out I grabbed some baklava for the road and it was phenomenal! I cannot wait to come back or order some take out very soon!

I love how simple the decor is inside and there are high top and low top tables to sit, as well as…read moreoutdoor seating. The service was prompt and friendly. Now the food, it was truly delicious! I got a lunch special with a lamb gyro, fries, and a drink. Great value and great taste. They hand cut their own fries, and slice the lamb right off the spit and grill the pita. It comes with some extras that I decided not to get like olives but it makes it a special gyro. I also got some falafel and spanikopita. Everything was delightful.

Solid place to grab a fulfilling lunch or evening meal…read more Bottom line is that the service is always friendly and prompt, the food is good while the portions will not leave you wanting plus the restaurant is always clean. Give it a try..::

Very quick friendly service, apple desert very tasty simple crisp puff pastry with warm Apple…read morefilling a bit of whipped cream dusted with cinnamon and lovely treat!

I was on a short road trip to Syracuse New York, and thought I'd try out a few places recommended…read morefrom Guy Fieri's DDD series, and was really looking forward to it, given the yelp reviews. The place was pretty small and unassuming from the outward appearance. Upon coming in, there are limited seats, but everything was neat and clean. I could smell some enticing aromas from the kitchen. Not sure if they are short staffed, but it took a while for someone to come to the counter to take our order. I really was looking forward to having the lamb gyro, so that was what I ordered, as well as ordering a baklava for dessert. The food took a while to come out, but I'm fine waiting for something great to eat. They did have a number of takeout orders that were served while we waited, maybe 3 of them. Once the food came out, the lamb was pretty nice, and there was a reasonable portion of meat in the gyro, as well as some tomato, lettuce, and onion on a nice pita bread. But the tzatziki was very disappointing, it was very thin, and didn't have much flavor. That sort of killed the whole gyro. The baklava was very tasty, and had nice pistachio crumbles on it, but the honey was a bit too much, giving it a very soggy bottom. Flavor was good though, and I don't mind a little messy dessert. All in all, I was a little disappointed with the meal. I tend to be a little generous in my reviews, so I gave it three stars, as I felt I couldn't rate it as a 2, but I couldn't quite give a four star rating. I'd give it another try, but maybe not go for a gyro.

I ordered a rice plate with half chicken and half lamb; so delicious and the portion is generous…read morefor the price . The service was amazing. friendly and sweet staff. The place is also clean. Highly recommend!

Delicious! I was always told how quick and delicious Syracuse Halal is so I had to try it myself…read moreand I couldn't agree more! I had ordered it through Doordash and it was delivered warm, stacked to the brim, and so flavorful! I had the combo box that comes with chicken and lamb and I also chose spicy rice with lettuce, banana peppers, white sauce, green sauce, and hot sauce and the flavors all go super well together. I also really appreciate that it comes with sliced pita pieces. I had ordered this on Wednesday and immediately ordered again Friday night. This might become one of my new go-to's! Their servings are easily big enough for two meals or one to share.

Takeout order for lunch…read more Got chicken kabobs, fast and friendly pickup, car smelled amazing on the way back to work, opened it up to lovely grilled chicken wrapped In foil with veggies and this lovely rice pilaf. The seasonings were amazing and so juicy and flavorful. I will definitely be eating that again. Grabbed a bottle of the seasoning and so glad I did to give a little extra pop of flavor to the rice.

Haven't been to Symeon's in many years. Used to go fairly often as this was a family members…read morefavorite place to go. Received a Gift Card for Symeon's and decided to give it a try as I just did not feel like cooking.... thought it was a good idea at the time. Place has not changed much in 10 plus years. Reminds me of a place you would go with Grandma. Went later in the dinner hour and was not as busy as it tends to get. Took awhile to take our order and to get follow up from wait staff but they may have been short handed the night we went. We ordered the tenderloin skewer special which came with a salad, grilled veggies and a salad. Ordered my steak rare but came out well done and had asked for no seasoning but was coated in seasoning. Sent it back and came out Rare which was great. Unfortunately, I do not tolerate seasoning well and between the salad and a bite of the meat I was done. Not my cup of tea given my limitations though my partner in crime was happy with the meal but they were not all that thrilled with the lack of service. Know this is a very popular local restaurant and may just have been an off night.

Never had a bad meal here. Consistently fresh product and is on time when ordered out or dining in…read more Prices are reasonable and you receive PLENTY of good. The "louies cart classics" are really good!!! Shaved lamb is muy delicioso.

Great food, friendly atmosphere and accommodating!! Excellent rice pudding!! Go there every time…read moreI'm in Utica!

Quiet night. Met both owners and my server was very friendly, great conversation and wonderful…read moreservice. Food is top notch. Portions are big, and prices are good.

Delicious Arabic food! I had the lunch special and it was all delicious and authentic! The baba…read moreganoush was especially good. The meal was also very affordable with large portions. All the food was served with fresh pita bread. The service was decent too.