What better way to combat insomnia than writing a review of a Greek restaurant? I now use Yelp more and more to locate new places to stuff my face. One such place I found was Kosta's Cafe on Greenville Ave. I like Greek and Mediterranean food though it isn't my favorite but every so often I get an itch and need to scratch. Upon arriving at Kosta's, my first thought was immediate disappointment. The exterior is worn and shabby. I honestly needed a second to assure myself I was at the place receiving such fine reviews. But let's get on to the food. I ordered a plate of Dolma as the appetizer and found them quite tasty. I've always been weary of eating leaves not found in a salad but Kosta's dolmas pass my test. For our lunch I ordered a veal dish with mushrooms and onions, she ordered some kind of pastry with flaky crust. Before the dishes arrived, I received my salad and she was given a cup of lemon soup. The salad was standard but her soup was terrific. Lemons are not at the top of my list for favorite fruit but this soup was splendid. My veal dish was soft and succulent. I mostly ignored the mushrooms and onions but the few I ate were tasty. From a meal consisting of items mostly outside my top favorites, Veal is definitely an exception. I'll drive a good distance for a veal worth eating. The meat easily came apart and melted in my mouth. I regret to say my delicate nature can not prevent a little drooling at the memory of the dish. Yet why only 3 stars? For one thing, the exterior of the building must be addressed. I would almost be embarrassed to take a date to Kosta's knowing the building is in such condition. Another reason being the waiter. He was a little quick to take away dishes I wasn't through with. Yes sir! I will lick the plate, keep you hands away! Should you find yourself looking for good Greek cuisine, try Kosta's but be sure to mention the need for a paint brush to the owner. read more

Compared to the Kostas in Plano, this is definitely the weaker restaurant, but the food's still pretty good. A small group of us met up for Sunday dinner last night and all in all it was a good dining experience. We started off with an order of hummus which was incredible. Incredibly smooth and with great flavor. Paired with their deliciously fresh pita, I could have made my meal out of it. We were a table divided when we realized there was only one piece left in the basket. Luckily our server could sense the bloodlust and had another basket of warm pita goodness out in a hot minute. The Greek salad that came out before our entrees was less than impressive. The dressing was weak and flavorless, the feta had an incredibly tame and mild taste to it, there was only one olive per salad. . .it was an amateur hour dish and a complete disappointment compared to the rest of our meal. Next time I'll heed my Greek roommate's advice and get the Avgolemono (I hate soup but even it sounds better than trying that salad again). For the main course I got the Chicken Souvlaki while the rest of the table got the Gyro plate. The chicken was tender and seasoned well and the lemon butter sauce they poured over it gave it just enough juice to make it great. The rice was on the bland side but the green beans were fresh which was something we all noticed and commented on. I was able to snake a few bites of gyro from my sister and it was obvious I made the wrong choice on menu options. First of all, the gyro was loaded with meat. By far one of the most generous portions I've seen at any Greek place in the city. Second, it was seasoned well and the cool tzatziki was in perfect balance with the rich lamb. Finally, it came on those damned addictive fresh pitas. Luckily my sister wasn't too hungry so I was able to get my fill. When we were getting ready to pay, we were discussing what I'd mention in my Yelp review and I told them I'd probably give Kostas four stars because everything was great minus the salad. Then we got the bill. There were five of us and our bill broke down as follows: 1 Hummus ($4.95), 2 Iced Teas ($3.90), 1 Chicken Souvlaki ($9.95) and 4 Gyros ($43.80). No big deal right? So after tax and split 5 ways we were looking at $14 a person before the tip. Again, not a big deal, except we were all charged $19. At first we wondered if gratuity was added. Our waitress did a good job, but she certainly didn't do a 30% tip good job. My sister asked the manager if they added gratuity to parties of 5 and he seemed insulted that she would even ask. He in turn asked the waitress and she looked just as insulted. It sucks that this little exchange put such a damper on the meal. It really was great food and we were all having a great time, but this debate kind of sucked the life out of everyone. I'm sure we'll be back for another Greek fix because Kostas really is the best in town at what it does, but odds are we'll pick the Plano location instead. read more

I've been wanting to check this restaurant or for a while now and finally stopped in for lunch. I think I was actually the first customer of the day. I ordered the gyro plate and was not disappointed. Like most Greek places, the gyro meat was slices off a cylinder of meat, but unlike all of those places, the meat was not greasy to the point where the pita basically disolves in your hand. The meat was well seasoned and plentiful (I had to eat several pieces before I could attempt to pick it up) and the soup appetizer was delicious. It doesn't beat out my all-time favorite gyro joint, but it's the best I've had since moving to Dallas. read more

I must defend the tzatziki! Kostas has the most authentic tzatziki I have ever had in a restaurant and is how it is served in Greece. The spanakopita and mousaka are okay but not like home made. My family eats here often! read more

The best Greek food I have found in Dallas. Hole in the wall decor from the street, but don't be fooled. This is damn good Greek food.

Four stars for food and they lose a point for service. I can't say I love Greek food but I do like it. I am a gyro, hummus and tzatziki fan. I had the gyro plate which was full of meat and delicious! The tzatziki was a great appetizer and the pitas are addictive. The owner was super polite and friendly but I can't say that for our server. He was angry which made our dinner less than delightful. Most of the time he was too busy flirting with the table next to us... it's really obvious when you are smiley and jovial with them and I get a stern, deep voiced "are you guys doing ok?" Especially when we are two of the three tables occupied in the place. How could I have done something to anger you? I just sat down. From reading these reviews, maybe I should try the one in Plano for even better food and hopefully, a less angry server. read more

Wow, seriously? My wife and I decided to try this place based on some great reviews we saw, but I'm afraid we were not as impressed. The food was unimpressive. My wife had leg of lamb that was very fatty, and I had the red snapper, which lacked any plating presentation whatsoever. Staff was very attentive, but mostly because it was not busy at all. In fact they often stood together next to the kitchen with a desperate look of "somebody please come eat here" on their faces. I will give the place credit for having a good ambiance. Lighting was well done, and everything inside is much more upscale and intimate than you would expect from the outside. I'm not saying that place was bad, but not something that impressed me much. read more

Cozy, low key, quality Greek food. Go here to settle in with a bottle of wine and some hummus while you ease into dinner. The greek style sole I had was perfectly seasoned and slightly crispy. The lamb was cooked to a rare at request and an incredible deal for the price and quality. The owner and waiter were gracious and efficient despite a packed house on a Friday night. read more

My boyfriend and I decided to try this place out while searching a new place to eat tonight. For an appetizer, we tried the fried Saganaki "opa" ($6.95)I don't want to ruin the surprise but I was surprised when it came out! It was tasty, I mean if you like cheese it's less than likely you won't enjoy this. My boyfriend was in the mood to try their salads and ordered us both a small Horiatiki salad ($9.95 reg.). The salad was really good. I enjoyed it more than the cheese. It consisted of cucumbers,tomatoes,sliced purple onion,fresh feta,olives and O&V. It tasted really fresh and I especially enjoyed the tomatoes-They were awesome tomatoes. For dinner, we actually both ordered the gyro plate ($10.95). We were pretty full from our appetizers so we took the plates to go and added in (2) baklava ($3.00) for dessert. I haven't tried the baklava yet but I did take a peek and they boy did they look tasty!! There were about three other tables occupied. Dim lighting, intimate atmosphere or just relaxed. My boyfriend (little world traveler) had mentioned while we were on the inside that the it felt and looked just like a little cafe in the Mediterranean. Great place for an easy going date night with the BFF/other half. =) read more

This is as authentic as Greek food gets. Best Greek in Dallas proper. I love this little joint. Small, quaint, delicious. Try it if you have not. read more

It's reasonably priced for Greek food. I went to the Greenville branch on a Sunday and it looked like date night for the more mature regulars. :) I shared tzatiki and a spanakopita plate with my friend, and I'm glad we shared cos the spanakopita was huge. The pita was warm and fluffy, will order a sampler next time. read more

I can't believe I don't hear more people talk about this place! It's the perfect little Greek cafe, and the food is delicious! It's also very quick and efficient service. My boyfriend had the Gyro Sandwich and I had the Greek Salad with gyro meat. Both were incredibly satisfying and delicious. The waiter recommended a beer called Mythos that we tried and it's a great light beer for lunch. Can't wait to go back!! read more

I've tried just about everything here and it's reaaalllly good. YOu can't go wrong - just close your eyes and point to something. The first time I went, I had the Greek combo - which got me hooked on their broiled shrimp. Their mousaka is not the best I've ever had, but their souvlaki is wonderful, the spanakopita is delish as are their dolmas with that lemon-butter sauce that is sooo good. They have great hummus as well and the pita bread is buttery and addictive! Oh - and I can't not mention their side salad...my favorite! No, it doesn't have the usual olives, cucumbers, green peppers, etc...because its a SIDE salad - but if you order the full as an entree you get those goodies. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint, I want to go eat there right now....mmmm....breaaadddd. read more

Friday night on Greenville, hard to get a table anywhere. So, after what ended up as a 2 hour trip to Central Market...the wife and I pulled into Kostas. We were seated after being pleased with the ambiance, and perused the menu, rittled with traditional Greek eats. The good was wonderful, just wonderful. The staff was warm and friendly. The whole experience was just what you would want from a family restaurant...will be back. read more

Yum! Very small, cozy restaurant that's jammed packed on weekends. We ordered the fried cheese which comes with some entertainment. They bring it out, light it on fire and opa! There's your fried cheese. Small portion but just enough salt and savory for an appetizer. You get a loaf of white bread but wasnt impressed by it. It was super duper white. Is that normal? Anyways for our main course I ordered the pork and my boyfriend had gyros. I loved my dish. The pork was crispy and moist with a cream sauce lightly over it. The rice and green beans it came with was perfect. Also the portion was not too big so I finished without difficulty and felt very satisfied. The gyros was good also. The very generous portion of meat was very tender and on the salty side. This dish was paired with greenbeans and potatoes. The potatoes had no flavor. Our friend who dined with us ordered some sort of eggplant, cream and ground beef dish. It was odd. Could have been a VERY Greek dish where I don't really have a taste for it. This place a little on the pricey side. $14 for my pork dish... Eh. They have wine and beer it seems. This place has dim lighting and could be very romantic. read more

Pretty disappointed. Does anyone notice that they just burn the crap out of their pita bread? Why!?! Seems like everyone else thinks this is normal. Anyway, the steak I had was flavorful and cucumber sauce was also decent. Other than that, I am not impressed. Hummus was just alright, bread burned and salad was meh. Way too much feta. Cmon people read more

Kostas Cafe - Umm..just a bit burned? Sigh... - Greek Near Me - Dallas, Texas

I don't even think I can count anymore how many times I've been to Kosta's. I always get the Avgolemono soup - it's my favorite soup on the planet. And then the pita bread is amazeballs too. And sometimes I get the steak, sometimes the chicken souvlaki, sometimes the pork. I don't think I've ever had a bad meal here. My only reason to knock it to 4 stars is that they have some serious issues breaking down into separate checks. They're kind of old-school that way, and it's a major frustration when we try to go on our lunch hour. If time was not a factor...this would be a five star review. read more

Kostas Cafe is a quaint little Greek cafe on Greenville Avenue. The house Greek wine is fabulous. The daily soups are always delicious. I love the tender, delicious fried calamari. Great dolmas, gyros, shrimp scampi, lamb, hummus. This is the place to go if you want an authentic Greek salad with fresh, flavorful ingredients. read more

Our family agrees this is the best Greek restaurant in north Texas. The food is fabulous! They have the best shrimp and rum cake I have ever tasted! The staff is very attentive and very friendly. If you frequent the restaurant once a month or more they greet you by name when you walk in and treat you like family. You'll love this place, this food, these people. Don't miss out on this fun and memorable experience. Spoil yourself! Come to Kosta's! read more

This place was amazing! Excellent food and service. I had not been in many years and I am sorry I wasted that time. Greek wines, Greek flavors and small, hole in the wall, cafe atmosphere. read more

I'm pretty happy i found this place. After a recent trip to Greece, I was in search of some authentic Greek Salad and Bakliva. The food here is great! It was easy to get in and out of and the food is fairly close to what i was looking for. I'll be back for sure. read more

I haven't been here in years and wow I've missed all of it. Jody gave great service and was very perceptive. The food was possibly the best multi course meal I've had in 10 years or more. Crab claws were out of this world! Veal was tender and pan fried, cut thin in an awesome lemon sauce. Can't say enough as I very rarely give 5 stars to anyone. This place is a must must must visit. Quaint, personable service and amazing food. Thank you all Kostas for a great time. We will be back real soon. - Clif Hunter read more

The food was terrible and the service indifferent. There are a thousand little cookie-cutter greek places like this, I didn't think you could mess up the recipe, but they did. A waste of my time and money. read more

I have going to this restaurant for many years. Owner is great, a real Greek serving authentic Greek food. Not much left to say except try everything! The dolma, humus, chicken, salad, potatoes.. everything is excellent. I believe the owner's brother runs the Plano location. read more

My husband and I loved this romantic Greek restaurant. I'm a huge fan of Greek food and most of the dishes we ordered were delicious and satisfying. The kalamari was a bit too salty for my liking, but the garlic sauce served with it was spectacular. That's the sauce I would want on top of my pizzas! The gyro plate and Mousaka was PERFECT. Flavorful and tasty in every bite. For the wine drinkers out there, try the Apelia white wine. It went perfectly with my dinner! Our waiter was helpful and nice and the decor on the walls are very Greekful! Check this place out! You won't be disappointed. read more

Amazing Greek food - consistently delicious meals and quite possibly the best pita, hummus and greek salad ever!

There are several reasons why I'm not giving this place a better review. The service is NOT one of them. Service was excellent. The food was not great. The gyro meat was a little suspect--not the most fresh. The saganaki was mushy, bland and not served with pita bread. The price is also really high for what you get (a gyro plate with Greek potatoes was $14). On top of all that, the place is super out-dated. I felt like I was in my grandmother's living room. Glad I tried it, but I probably won't be back. Sorry Kostas... read more

I have no idea why this place gets good reviews. They don't even serve pita bread! And the green beans you get with your entree are from a can. I would not go back to this place, its very old inside and the food is WAY overpriced. I could have cooked a better meal for half the price at home. I didn't even get onion on my greek salad and there were 3 olives. I think maybe why this place gets good reviews is because there are no competitors or maybe people don't have any clue what real Greek food tastes like. This was a HUGE disappointment. But you can always go there for the pure humor and comedy that people actually buy into this place. We will not be going back. read more

After my first visit made me sick, I gave this place another shot, thinking it might have been coincidence. Nope! The food is bland at best - off-putting and nauseating at worst. On my second visit, the plates were also dirty. Service was relatively pleasant, hence the stars, but not good enough to get me to come back. read more

We came back for a second time and loved it again. This place is so reasonable, the food is tasty and it has the warmth of a Greek family's home. read more

Doesn't have the best curb appeal but the service and food is great. hummus is garlic based and comes with pita which we replace with carrots. The Gyro salad is the best I've had, I crave it about once a week. We get the same waiter every time a nice young male, who always remembers our order and usually bring out a Deseret for us at the end! Overall it's a great date night place if you want good food and service! read more

Drive by all the time, and finally decided to stop in for a work lunch with a friend. The gyro was great, and the hummus was so good, but beware the garlic! Phew! You can bite into it in the garlic in the hummus. A good little gem and I am excited to go back. read more

Atmosphere is scary when you first enter, but the food is alright. A nice little gem to eat at.

whenever i go to a place that blows my mind, i hesitate to write a review of it because i don't want it to get super-busy and start to suck. but then i think, well, if people keep going there, they will stay open and not change anything because it seems to be working. so i write the review. kostas cafe? please don't change a thing. what you're doing is working. i was craving pork souvlaki like i used to get at my beloved Teddy's back in brooklyn, and this seemed to be the closest/best option... i've driven by this place probably a thousand times and never gone in. now it will be hard to drive by without stopping! our ebullient waiter suggested dolmas and the russian beer that was last month's "beer of the month." we had no reason to think he was lying, so we took him up on those and then added pork souvlaki, moussaka, and an order of tzatiki. we were so, so, so right in every aspect. the dolmas were the best i've had in my life. the tzatziki was dilly and creamy and accompanied by fluffy warm yummy oh god so good pita. The souvlaki was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and the moussaka was fantastic (i did need to add a tiny bit of salt). I love the beer of the month thing too! we got a russian beer called baltika that was a perfect pairing with our awesome delicious food. next time we'll try to make room for dessert... read more

I went on a Sunday evening we were the only people there it looked like someone's living room, I was definitely a bit turned off by this we ordered the Dolmas as an app and wow they are grrreat! I then had the soup can't remember what its called, but it was delicious, a very rich chicken soup with a lot of lemon and a bit of rice, I then got the gyro and my friends had the chicken slouvlaki. The gyro was okay nothing too special, the tzatziki however was very good. I tried my friends chicken and that was delicious. Will definitely be coming here again! read more

Fantastic food!! I got the gyro plate and the meat and tzatziki sauce were flavored perfectly. You also get enough food for two meals. Will definitely be going back - like this week! read more

My family ad I have been coming here for years. The food is consistent the lam chops are delicious. So are there meat dolmas. Service is always friendly. One of my fav spots !!! read more

This use be one of my fave places to eat but after last night, never again. I was there to celebrate my best friends 30th birthday and her engagement. We had a 10 top of people. Our waiter was so spaced out and couldn't remember anything so we had to keep flagging down other servers and asking them for things....things we shouldn't of had to ask for like bread. Needless to say we got bread 30-40 minutes later with no bread plates or butter. The bday girl ordered a bottled of sparkling wine and they brought 2 glasses but asked if she needed more and she said 2 more please.....needless to say 15-20 mins past and those 2 glasses never made it so we asked someone else for them. We finally ordered food and since my husband and I were ordering the 8oz filet and broiled shrimp the waiter asked how we wanted it cooked, we both said medium rare...they brought out the steaks and what do you know, they are as well done and dry as you can get!!! It was awful. I ate about 4 bites and decided to just eat the shrimp and sides. If we hadn't already waited forever to eat and were not starving I would have sent them back. Oh and we had to ask for steak knifes!!! Absolutely ridiculous. Over all I'm so sad how horrible and over priced this place has become. The other people in our party also had issues with service so I know it wasn't just me. read more

WONDERFUL!! One of my favorite places to eat lunch near my office. Great atmosphere! My favorite is the Gyro plate but I substitute the taziki sauce for hummus. Highly recommend Kostas!!! read more

Very nice date location. Try the lemon rice soup. The best I've had!