Another Father's Day and another chance for me to eat out with the family. So I spent the last week or two scanning through Yelp and reviewing my Check Please database for the perfect restaurant. If you remember last year's Father's Day review it didn't go well (the place is actually closed now and I'm NOT taking credit for that). After much reviewing I decide on Central Gyros Restaurant in the Cragin neighborhood. My wife and I use to stop here back when we were dating, over 25 years ago. We have gone several times since then, but it has been a while. We start with two orders of Saganaki (Flaming Cheese). This is the BEST! It starts to bring back the old memories. The seven of us polish off the Saganaki in no time. Next we have the Fish Roe Salad (Delicate Dip of Whipped Fish Roe or Fish Eggs). It is a pink colored spread that is sooo light and delicate. We use four baskets of bread to finish off the Fish Roe between the seven of us. We also ordered five bowls of the Egg Lemon soup. It is a Greek Lemon soup with Orso or Rice mixed in. It is light on the lemon and continues the wonderful tastes and memories. On to our main course meals. My oldest son orders the half slab of BBQ Ribs with thick cut French Fries and Coleslaw. He says it is good, the BBQ sauce is a bit spicy, but otherwise good. My youngest daughter orders Chicken Tenders served with thick cut French Fries. She also said her Chicken Tenders were good. Good old Dad gives them a try and has to agree, they are good. My youngest son orders his usual, a 1/4 Lb. Cheeseburger with Melted American Cheese, Lettuce, Onions, Tomatoes, Pickle and those thick cut Fries. He polished off that Cheese Burger in no time flat. I thought he must have inhaled that burger! My wife, my oldest daughter, her boyfriend and I all ordered the Gyro Sandwiches (which is a combination of Beef and Lamb finely seasoned and fried to succulent perfection! Then sliced and served on Pita Bread with Onions, Tomatoes and Tzatziki Sauce, a type of cucumber sauce). Maria and I went light on the Onions, and our oldest daughter went without the Onions and Tomatoes. Our daughter's boyfriend also had a side order of those thick cut French Fries. The restaurant was half full on this Father's Day. As we came in everyone greeted me with a "Happy Father's Day". The wait staff were attentive and friendly. The owner even stopped by a few times just to make sure everything was fine and going well. There was free off street parking right across the street. I even got to watch portions of the Brazil and Ivory Coast World Cup match. This was truly a GREAT Father's Day! Our total bill came to roughly $97 dollars, which I thought was reasonable for seven of us with three appetizers and five soups. Also with the seven main course dinner orders. It came to less than $14 dollars a person, on average. The service was friendly and prompt. And with the free parking right across the street, I highly recommend Central Gyros. You don't need to head to Greektown to get high quality Greek food, at reasonable prices, with friendly service. read more

So I have to admit before you read on, that this is the first gyro I had ever tried in Chicago. I was told this place was the best, but I haven't had much to compare it to in Chicago, but as far as other cities like the ones I have had in New York and Los Angeles, this place tops it all!! So savory and moist! Just bursts with flavor after each and every bite. And don't even get me started on the potatoes! Yuuuuummm!! read more

I used to go here all of the time. Then I moved to the burbs. Still the Best Gyros around. I was in the neighborhood visiting family. Walked in and placed order. They were very fast. Followed proper COVID procedures. Upgrade the fries to the Greek Fries(lemon, feta, and Greek seasoning), you won't be disappointed. read more

Growing up, this is my family's go to place for gyros. Fast friendly service, the owner/manager John is a class act. Always smiling. Clean location, friendly service. The food is beyond amazing, full of flavor and you never go wrong with their flaming cheese as a starter. Now added bonus they deliver, which is now a bonus. Still walking distance from house if I don't go for delivery. Definitely one of my favorite stops when around Belmont and Central. read more

This is probably the best thing around my neighborhood. I've been coming since I was a wee tot along with my folks. The owner's a nice guy. He's probably seen me grow-up more than my godfather. haha The only thing I get here is the gyros plate and once in awhle I'll have the saganaki but that's a rare treat. The tzatziki sauce was hard to learn to pronounce as a kid but I've learned and if I could get it as a drink...I'd be a happy camper. Also, they have meal specials now so that's a huge plus. read more

My family grew up on their food. There food is good , although they have become pricey for the portions, so minus two stars. There is ample FREE parking across the street in the garage. If you're gonna go there I HIGHLY recommend you split the gyro and the combo plate. You can honestly get a gyro anywhere, but the combo....now that's where it's at! What to try: No matter what try the garlic dip appetizer! It is DELICIOUS! Just don't plan on kissing afterward. I don't think too many people know that it's even on the menu. Ofcourse try the egg lemon & gyro. But if you want to try something new, definitely try the combination plate! it has dolma, rice, Pastitsio, moussaka, and peas! Now this portion is big and worth it! Idk, what they put on those peas, but they sure are delicious! read more

Central Gyros is open again!!! The dining room had a good crowd for a week night. Central Gyros is Still serving excellent Gyro sandwich plates with awesome customer service. We called in a carry out order and it was exactly what we ordered and Everything was tasty and hot. read more

When my friend suggested this place for lunch I assumed that it was a fast food place. I was pleasantly surprised. It's not fancy by any means but it's not fast food (though they were pretty quick). Our server was an older lady and she was very casual and very friendly so it kind of felt like we were having dinner at a friends house (and getting charged for it). I ordered the chicken gyros plate and it was really good! Great flavor and not overly greasy. I don't remember the price but it was very inexpensive and it came with a ton of food! It was very cold on the day of my visit so I ordered a hot tea, I was a little sad to see it was Liptons but not too sad because I definitely drank it :) Metered street parking isn't horrible but I found out after the fact about a free parking garage across the street! am I blind or what?! Definitely worth a stop in. read more

These people are the nicest folks imaginable. After several orders where there was no menu, I mentioned this to the woman on the phone, and she explained that they had them ordered but were having some trouble getting hold of the printer. I said I'd keep on asking. But when our order arrived, there was a photocopied menu packed with it! They'd taken the time to copy all the pages and put it together for us so we'd have a complete menu for our next order. Who does that? They've won our hearts. read more

This restaurant certainly deserves the 5 stars for what it offers at this location. 5 stars for great food, authentic, tastes great and is consistent. 5 stars for friendly service, friendly courteous, always looking good and are attentive, owners. 5 stars for free parking that they share with the community across the street. Certainly 5 stars for the value of such real Greek food, with a variety of meats, vegetables, salads, cooked in the oven, pot or gyros style. Always get their Greek wine if you want and can easily substitute your fries with peas () or dandelion greens () for healthier choice. They beat straight up the fancier restaurants in Greek Town. How do I know? I am Greek, I cook Greek, I split my time between Greece and US, I travel everywhere and I have been sampling these establishments for 20 years! (Bon Apetit) and give them a big ! (efharisto = thank you). read more

Central Gyros - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love central gyros and was excited when they opened again. Our waitress was nice but we noticed every other table that sat down received bread which we never did. We didn't notice until after we recieved our meal. The food came out fast and was delicious. I'll be returning frequently. read more

After seeing all the praise on EveryBlock, I decided to give Central Gyros a try. I had the Gyro and Fries for lunch. The gyro was good. I thought it was on level with other good gyro places in Chicago. The meat was cooked just right. The toppings were good. The tomatoes seemed fresh and the tzatziki sauce was good. The pita was a little dry, but still pretty good. I like the steak fries they serve. Steak fries are one of my favorite types. The people were friendly and the place was clean. There is free parking across the street in the parking garage. I think I might return if in the area. read more

The gyros was well enough, but it lacked flavor. It didn't really taste like a gyros. I usually get a gyros at Best Sub #3 on Belmont. The ones they make are DELICIOUS. The pita is browned to perfection with butter, and they have the best creamiest sauce. Central gyros meat is too gray. I did love that it was shaved because I like my meat very thin. The portion was skimpier than I am used to. The raw onions were cut just right. My mother had hers with grilled onions, and they have the best cut grilled onions I have ever seen; perfectly thin. The sauce was fine, but it could have been creamier and more flavorful. The pita was not browned the way I like, it was too soft. I ordered a chicken Souvlaki and I would not order it again. The portion of chicken was so skimpy it made me mad, and there was too much pita bread for the amount of meat. The chicken itself could have used more seasoning. The cheeseburger was OK. The beef tasted more like a fake pepper steak burger out of a box. The onion rings are SO SO good. The delivery fee is $4, which is too high in my opinion. I probably would not order again. read more

Who needs Greektown? This place is far better when it comes to the food. Yes, you're giving up ambiance... but who cares? Gimme some real Greek food. Great service, very reasonable prices, and a big selection on the menu. For an appetizer, try the fried eggplant with garlic sauce. I don't know how they get the eggplant to be so crispy, but it's so delicious! read more

One comment from our group was that we got short-changed when the saganaki was set aflame (in comparison to some of the explosions taking place for other tables). But that's not the reason why I only gave it 3 stars. Central Gyros is just too brightly lit! Maybe with less candle power in the overhead lighting, that flaming cheese appetizer would have seemed more impressive? It is one big room. It has eye-catching 3-D murals. It is clean and not too noisy. All of this is very good. Plus, you can park free at the city garage structure just across the street. We were entrusted to a friendly and conscientious waitress who had a Greek accent, but could easily have been mistakened for someone's Polish babka (perfect for this neighborhood!). We will all fondly remember and come back for their fried kalamari appetizer, which many among us thought was the best they'd ever had. Their dolmades were al dente outside, but a bit mushy inside. Many of us had the gyros plate or the even larger, gyros combo plate (with added slices of sausage and skewer roasted pork souvlaki), both good bargains and tasty too. The broiled salmon filet was thoroughly enjoyed and consumed. And the Fisherman's Plate was also a winner (although inexplicably, the fried squid there was different than the kalamari appetizer). The one odd dish was their pastisio, usually a modest loaf of creamy, cheesy macaroni-like noodle and ground beef. Central presents an intimidating 8-inch cube of this traditional Greek recipe. Be ready to take part of that home. This has long been the Greek outpost among the Polish and Mexican eateries in this very old neighborhood. You can be sure that tradition continues on under their spinning gyros sign and high-powered chandeliers. read more

I have no idea why I waited so long to review this place... . love love love love love love love. Granted... the decor is extremely outdated but that is NOT what you are there for. Delicious Authentic Greek food just like mama used to make (not mine though.. I am not Greek). :) My daughter loves the grilled calamari. The Greek salad is always delish and you can't beat the egg lemon soup!!! I think my only gripe is that they use a little too much brandy on their saganaki for my liking. But not too much for me to give it any less stars!! Love love love Central Gyros!! read more

Our former landlord in Wicker Park grew up going to this restaurant and recommended it when he knew we were purchasing a house in the neighborhood. While we were having the floors refinished and house painted/moving in we went to Central every night for an entire week. It is truly one of a kind. The owners and waitresses (no waiters here!) are exceedingly friendly. Even when I see the owner at the local grocery store, he is very warm and courteous. The food is better than what you'll find in Greektown. I personally love the souvlakia and their greek sausage. All of the cops/detectives from the area police headquarters eat there too, which I usually consider to be a sign of a solid restaurant. They do a heavy carryout and delivery service. The delivery service is very reliable. Run, do not walk, to Central Gyros! read more

Had the chicken and beef gyros, both had tender meat with lots of flavor. Great sauce too. Friendly service, meal was ready quick. Would definitely recommend. read more

Awful, awful, awful. For a place that specializes in gyros, you would think that we could get more than 2 slices on a gyros plate that were not like gyros jerky! Perhaps it was because there was a party of about 25 people taking up the time and energy of all the staff, but in addition to the dried-out mess, we didn't even order the plate, we ordered the sandwich! My soup was nasty and the fried shrimp came out on top of the fries, which just means they were soaking-up the grease from the shrimp. Any self-respecting greek restaurant (and I have eaten in plenty and worked in one) knows you put them on some toast for that specific purpose. It took us about 15 minutes of sitting there with no plates or anything on the table to get a check. I was sad I opted to come in here instead of Barbakan, where the food is ALWAYS top notch. read more

I am not a big gyros fan, but this place makes a really good gyros. I had the sandwich and Christopher had the plate. His came with some fairly tasty fries. I also tried the pastichio. It was not bad at all. I got the side order and the piece was really quite large. I brought home a lentil soup for mom and she enjoyed it as well. I took a taste and had to concur. Good soup! I would have to say that this would be my "go to" place for gyros. read more

Normally most of the rating I give comes from the flavor of the food and other details such as service, cleanliness, portion size and ambiance although important are details that I factor in but not too heavily. On this review though I'd say the food flavor was a 3 star experience and the other details are what pushed it up to an overall 4 star rating. I really really want to be blown over by this place because of some of the exceptional reviews I've read here on Yelp. I even waited to review it until I'd tried it 4 times to make sure I was correct in my assesment of it. I've only tried the Gyros so that is the only food flavor I'm basing the flavor portion of this review on. The gyros have a good flavor. Certainly nothing to complain about, but nothing to excite me or motivate me to take visitors from out of town there. Like I mentioned I'd give the flavor a 3 star A-OK rating. What has impressed me is portion size. I always order an extra pita bread because the gyro is piled so high with meat that it easily makes 2 gyros for me and I have a pretty healthy sized appetite. I certainly feel I get a huge bang for my buck when I order here! Also very notable are some other factors. I'm a huge fan of good friendly service and everytime I've gotten food here the service has been extremely friendly. At some restaurants a carryout customer doesn't get the same level of friendly service as dine in customers but not here. I always feel like the people I'm interacting wtih really appreciate my business and are happy I'm there. The management here has done a fine job of putting together a good staff. Although I haven't dined in yet here while waiting for my order (which is never a long wait) I always observe the dining area to check it out. I'm impressed with what I see! It's a very nice restaurant that as far as appearance goes I would not hesitate to bring family or friends too. The tables not being used are always cleaned up and the place basically just looks really sharp. Next time I visit Central Gyro I will order something other than the gyro and I will dine in. With all the postitive things this restaurant has going for it I wouldn't be surprised if next time I review this restaurant I'll maybe be able to give it's flavors a stronger rating and maybe even bump up the overall rating a little. read more

Obviously they have more than gyros here. A nice menu with Greek delights, reasonably priced and great service. Why not stop for lunch or dinner? Although I enjoy Greektown, you don't have to go there just to enjoy authentic Greek cuisine. Ooopah! read more

Central Gyros - central gyros - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

BEST. GYRO. EVER. No, seriously. I've had my fair share of Gyros and this place has just the right blend of Lamb, Beef, Onion, Taziki, Bread, Tomato and seasoning. I'm craving one right now after having one only 12 hours ago. Their Spinach Pie (Spanakopita) is good too. Fries are yummy! Friendly and fast. read more

I've been eating at Central Gyros for over 30 years. I grew up coming here with family, and the food has always been consistent and delicious. This is authentic Greek cuisine, and you can count on it being freshly prepared. The Saganaki has the perfect blend of salt in the cheese, and melts evenly. It's always fun to yell "OPA!" with the waitresses! Another great appetizer is the fried eggplant with garlic sauce. I don't know what they do to make eggplant crispy, but it is the perfect crunch without being greasy. I have tried to replicate it at home, and I still can't come close! Pastitsio is a Greek version of lasagna, and it is hearty and the perfect comfort food. Pair it with a side of egg lemon soup, and I'm in heaven! read more

Chicagoans looking for delicious, authentic Greek food may be surprised to learn that some of the best greek food isn't found in Greektown, but a little further north, in Chicago's Cragin neighborhood. Central Gyros has been a neighborhood favorite since it opened its doors in 1979. Award-winning gyros, authentic greek dishes, individualized service and an at-home feel make Central Gyros a must visit restaurant. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a family gathering around mom's kitchen table complete with stucco walls, greek music and old-school decor. The friendly wait staff are always available to lend a helping hand and make recommendations while the owners are a regular sight, stopping by tables to ensure everyone is happy with their meal. Gyros PlateThe menu is full of high quality, authentic, traditional Greek cuisine from such staples as Gyros (both chicken and lamb) and Kabobs to Souvlaki (pork skewers) and Dolmadakia (meatless vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs). Less adventurous diners can enjoy a selection of burgers, steaks and chicken dishes. Vegetarians have a wide range of choices from the saganaki to the spanakopita (spinach pie) or greek salad. SaganakiMake sure to start your meal off with an order of Saganaki (flaming cheese) served by the waitresses with a signature "Opa!" You can't go wrong with an order of the Gyro Platter. Served piping hot, the portions are super-sized and amazingly delicious. It's clear why Central Gyros has been voted Best Greek Restaurant by Chicago's Best. With free parking close by and easy street parking along Central Avenue and its location along the #77 Bus line, a visit to Central Gyros is convenient for city dwellers and suburbanites alike. Make sure to stop by this award-winning restaurant for some top-quality Greek. You won't be disappointed! - See more at: http://www.mojobistro.net/Blog/Restaurant%20Raves/#sthash.Y0TAFPHH.dpuf read more

My pop's use to love this place. If I could overnight him a Gyro plate and have the delivery guy light the ouzo on his saganaki at Heavens pearly gates, I would. I mean, come on', there's a freakin' giant gyro (pronounced J-I-ROW, lololol) hanging from the building. The decor is one of those timeless atmospheres. Could be 10 years old, could be 50, but that's not why your there anyways. They serve all the classics you would expect like moussaka, dolmades, plenty of lamb and beef dishes, kebabs, terramosolota (butchered spelling), and all the other greek fair some of us have come to love. The servers are either family or old ladies, which makes me a bit more of a fan of this place. It's delicious Greek food that these people have been doing for over 25. I'm happy I gave this place another try as I got older, since I use to only order cheeseburgers when I was 5-10! Check it out, it's worth a few visits. read more

I have been quite pleased with this establishment the number of times I have ordered from them. My first experience was dine-in and while my gyro took longer than I thought it should have, it was tasty none the less. Would I call it the best? No, but it is better than most. Their staff is pleasant and cheerful which is a welcome change from other restaurants of similar fashion. CGR also has a great menu with a ton of classic Greek cuisine dishes. Delivery was fast as well. read more

My very favorite Greek place in all of Chicago. Blows all the spots in Greektown out of the water. Service is fast and friendly, and it's a quick walk from my place (or from Belmont & Central, if you're not at my place). Chicken Souvlaki sandwich is to die for. Get extra sauce, their Tzatziki is so good! read more

Ordered the Saganaki, Braised Lamb Entree and my boyfriend had two gyros. We loved that it was easy to park near the restaurant, the food was really affordable, the service was great, and best of all, it tasted fantastic! When my server asked me what soup I wanted with my entree I told her to bring me the one she liked the best. She brought out the fish soup in a small dish and I enjoyed it. She came back to check on me and ask how I liked it, then went back to the kitchen and came out with a big cup of the same soup and another small dish of another soup so I could try that too. I was really impressed. The lamb was just right and I loved the sauce on it. My boyfriend enjoyed his gyros too! read more

Friendly service and good food a little pricey for the small portions. Parking is free across the street. read more

Central Gyros - braised lamb - Greek Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Central Gyros is the place where you want to go for a good gyro. I'd give them a 5 but their fries are kind of crappy. Inside is clean and the crew looks nice too. Salad is the same old, same old. Not much more I can say. read more

meh. Didn't live up to the hype. I went out of my way to give this place a try for the gyro. Greasy meat, too much runny taziki (sp?) sauce. The pita was the only saving grace. Maybe other items are worth it, but I probably won't give this place another try. Much better gyros elsewhere. I would have liked to order lunch at the counter, and be able to grab a table. instead had to sit down and order off a menu. read more

Too expensive for this food very dirty inside the gyros is like everybody else but it's twice as much as other Greek joints not work the time or money read more

Maybe a little lower price point than Greek Town or suburban greek restaurants. Very casual. Food was good and served hot. Good, friendly service. Did not try Chicago's Best gyros. Combination plate was very good as was saganaki and egg lemon soup. Spanokopita was only fair as was the baklava. Another Server had trouble lighting saganaki at another table and they served it, without a real flame??? I would have complained. Restaurant is a little dated and the murals are kind of weird. Would return if I lived in neighborhood, but probably not worth a trip from the burbs. Overall Breads 6, Circuses 4. read more

Horrible delivery service . EVERY SINGLE time ive ordered delivery theres something missing . The owner never lets you speak , tries to over power you if you call to say something about your order that you pay way too much . I don't care about all the good reviews. Until you personally deal with this type of situation then you can judge . HORRIBLE,HORRIBLE service . There's another same restaurant down the street , And it actually looks nicer and photos of the food look new and fresh! Enough of dealing with an explosive , argumentative restaurant owner . One day they charge for tzatziki sauce the next they dont? Hahaha , so you're suppose to eat a dry pita sandwich, ' because the owner says so ' . BEWARE . read more

My husband and I went to Central Gyros after it was featured on "Chicago's Best." On the show, they said the restaurant arguably had the best gyro in the city, so my expectations going in were very high. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed. I was expecting to be blown away, but instead I thought it was just OK. For an appetizer, we ordered the Saganaki, which I will say was very delicious. For the main course, I ordered the standard Gyros Sandwich, and my husband ordered the Gyros Plate. Normally, you get a lot more meat with the gyros plate than the sandwich, but in this case, the meat portions seemed too similar given the price difference ($6 for the sandwich and $11 for the plate). The gyros meat was tasty, but I wasn't blown away. The Tzatziki Sauce was good, but I didn't feel like there was enough poured onto my sandwich. My husband's gyros plate came with two small containers of the sauce, which wasn't enough. I suppose we could have asked for more, but I just hate it when places skimp on the sauce. A friend who accompanied us to Central Gyros ordered the Braised Lamb, which came with Egg Lemon Soup. He said both were very good. Central Gyros' decor is warm and welcoming, and I really liked the colorful 3D murals that are etched into the walls with interesting textures. There are no booths in the restaurant; only table seating is available. You can also order food for carryout. Overall, I wasn't too impressed with Central Gyros. I think we will eventually give it another try, but this time I'll order the lamb instead of the gyros. The quest to find the best gyros in Chicago continues ... read more

yes it's a bit of a hike from downtown but totally worth it. Food is very authentic and delicious. friendly staff and happy to accommodate a large group even on a friday night. Gyros are awesome- i speak from experience. The fried cheese thing was a hit as well. although i didnt try it myself, it got rave reviews from other people in my group. read more

Gyros were too salty. The Fries weren't fresh and too oily. This place has lost its touch. I dont think ill be back for the That kind of price and lack of consistency and flavor. read more

Tried this place thanks to yelp (and because King's #2 was too far at the time). I only tried the Gyros plate (around $10...reg gyros around $6), so I'll have to come back to try everyone's other suggestions. Probably the best Gyros meat I've had in Chicago. Sliced nice and thin, but still juicy, which is tough to perfect. The steak fries aren't my favorite, so I didn't really care for them. Overall, really good food and worth the $$$. read more

This review is for the Gyros only. I used to go here often as a kid and teenager and it was always good. It had been at least 10 years since I had eaten here so I decided to see how it's doing now. Yeah, the Gyros is still pretty decent, but I have a few minor complaints and pointers. A)They put a lot of Tzatziki sauce on the Gyros, so either ask for it on the side or for them to go easy on it if you don't like a large portion. The Tzatziki sauce is some of the best I have ever had anywhere. B)The Gyros meat was a bit luke-warm when it arrived. I don't like things piping hot and then you have to wait 5-10 minutes before eating, but this Gyros could have been a little warmer. C)The Gyros meat portion size was lacking for the price (almost $7 after tax.) If there was more meat on it it would be much more worth it. The meat was cooked just right however-not overcooked or undercooked like many places. Bonus points for not being greasy. D)The pita bread seemed really fresh and was nice and warm. It was also very soft and fluffy. read more