This was my first time having Parthenon Gyros and it was delicious! I had a gyro, Wisco cheese fries, and some pita bread with tzatziki and hummus. Everything was delicious! The hummus isn't the best I've had but it gets the job done. I would highly recommend. read more

The gyros and quality of meat is so-so. Their kitchen isn't the most sanitary, and much of the staff seems overworked and tired. Their portions are relatively large however, so it may be worth the money especially if you are coming back from a party late at night. Definitely not the best gyro I've ever had, but still decent. read more

Ordered delivery. I think it's a little pricy for the quality. The chicken skewers are just really really really really dry. If you are looking for a quick bite for delivery, you might wanna avoid this place. It took them an hour to prepare, the estimated delivery time is 40min but I waited an hour and half to get my food. read more

Parthenon Gyros - Greek Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

We were feeling spontaneous and in the mood for gyros. Found Parthenon Gyros and made the trip from Chicago and.. expectations exceeded. The meat and tzatziki sauce are all made inhouse and the decor captures their personality. They were very friendly and even gave us free baklava! Great place to go to for a quick and delicious bite of gyros if you're in town or just feeling spontaneous. read more

Parthenon Gyros - Gyro Sandwich - Greek Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

If you are looking for an authentic gyro or need to fulfill your gyro craving, this is the place to go. There was so much piled on the warm pita bread, it was nearly impossible to hold. Freshly cut from the spit, the lamb meat was piled on and on and on. There tzatziki had fantastic flavor and, again, they did not skimp. They also made perfect French fries: crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. My wife, preferring to keeping her meal a bit more on the healthy side, thoroughly enjoyed her hearty Greek salad with tzatziki sauce. It was made even better when I shared my lamb meat. The service was fast and friendly. They bustled to complete our order. Simply outstanding. read more

This place is fireeeee the meat is super flavorful and not dry and everything is fresh and not too expensive. Pretty inside and rooftop, fast service, everything you want in a gyro place. read more

I actually Googled if that is a word this place . I'm not from Madison but I wanted something different than the usual hamburger I get so I moved on to look for gyro. I was a little worried because the stars was low but I'm glad I took a chance . Upon entry I could just smell the food . There was a very broad chest healthy looking middle eastern man cooking which made me feel confident about my meal if he look like that maybe it's healthy food lol . So he greeted me as I walked in to a very clean environment which I appreciate so I was pleased so far After greet I met the staff who I'd like to call the dynamic duo one girl I asked there names and one guy . Nicole and justen are truly amazing they both helped me pic a meal that was to my liking . I was going to spend less money but they immediately up sold me to a much more expensive option that would best suit my appetite . The food was amazing ! Fresh fries out of clean grease meat cooked but not over done sliced right off the spindle beverage fresh and clearly the syrup and carbon was mixed well and even though my toppings was cold it did not affect the temperature of my meat I sat an dined in because I was going to take out . The service was so amazing I called my co worker over so he could enjoy . The thing I loved most about this place was not the food but the service it actually made the food better if you ask us . The guy in charge was not rude and not rushing me to hurry and order which I appreciate since I am spending money . They turned my ten dollar order into two 13 dollar orders so staff is on point . Very attractive and we'll groomed staff it's like they truly care about their restaurant. I suggest you try this place it will not disappoint thanks justen and nicole I will spread the word about this place read more

I have been going here for the 50 years since it opened. I went yesterday and was disappointed. The frys were awesome, but the Gyro had dry, really thin meat that was not very seasoned. And the sauce that you can normally smell on your hands for hours was bland. Please go back to what made this place such an icon.... read more

Late night munchies! Gotta try their fries here, so crispy and good. Beers are super cheap, and there's plenty of room to sit!

We came in here around 8:00 p.m. really wanting gyros but ended up being disappointed. The meat was dry and salty, and the bread was soaked in oil. The fries were the only decent part. I would not come back and not reccomend. read more

Parthenon Gyros - Greek Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

B E S T Gyros of ALL TIME. Go during the summer/fall and eat on the roof-top garden deck. Such great food and an outstanding experience.

I love, love, love this place. I honestly can't imagine why it isn't rated better on Yelp. It is the *only* place I recommend for gyros, and I certainly can't get enough, and here's why... Unlike other restaurants offering gyros in the Madison area, that order their gyro meat in from other companies in an already frozen cone, everything involved in making Parthenon's gyro meat is done in-house. And I mean, everything - it is an absolutely awesome process. They believe in quality ingredients and use only quality, locally sourced lamb and beef to make their gyros, meaning... *no fillers*. Additionally, if you want the best Tzatziki sauce you've ever had in your life (also made *completely* in house)... look no further! Parthenon's is the only place in Madison with a license to make their greek yogurt in house and it makes all the difference in the world. Their current staff is flawless and friendly, and the owners are two of the loveliest people you'll meet. They really take pride in what they do, and the love they put into running their business really shows. Also, did I mention they are open super late? Because, let's face it. Who doesn't want a hot, delicious, homemade gyro at 2AM. ;) All of this is what really sets Parthenon's apart from other places offering gyros around the Madison area. Moral of the story....DO IT. :) :) read more

Stopped in here for dinner. It was fast and decent but didn't seem to be worth the price in my opinion. (kindof "fast-foodish", a bit smaller portions, and a bit less flavorful than expected.) Not bad or disappointing by any means - just not my cup of tea. Would have rather spent my $12 at HopCat, Ian's, the SideDoor, Sushi Express, etc. read more

Their fries are delicious and gyro is always fresh. Probably the best I've had in years. Always go here when I'm in town. The upstairs is so beautiful in the warmer months. read more

I was shocked at the price gouging after getting my receipt for take out service. I was charged an 18% tip fee for an order of mega spicy gyro, when the gyro was a regular one. Check your receipts before accepting your order and then your order. read more

As the night was winding down on State Street, we started looking for some food options. Since we had already given Ian's a whirl the night before, we thought we'd look for something else. The long line outside of Parthenon Gyros was an immediate recommendation, and late night gyros, kefta, and kebabs are a treasured institution the world over. After waiting almost an hour, we entered what struck me, as I see it did other reviewers, as basically a Greek McDonald's. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing - hey, I'm all for a speedy late night gyro. And with the lamb and beef glistening on the spit, my Greek pants were getting excited. But in sum total, the experience was a let down. The gyro meat wasn't tossed on a griddle or anything before being served, so it didn't get that crispy char at the edges. The tomatoes and onions in the pita were freezing cold, which translated into nearly cold gyro meat along with the cold tzatziki, which combined into a rather off-putting meal. The plate was served up quick once we got to the counter, but in this case, haste made waste. The only redeeming factor is that the fries were actually quite good. Crispy and flavorful, and if you get a piping hot batch, they are delicious with a side of feta cheese dumped and slightly melted on top, which you can purchase for about 75 cents. I was so hoping this late night gyro would be fantastic. But alas, we should have just gone back to Ian's. read more

Since I'm a newer Madison resident, I'm not sure how much better this State Street gyro spot was in the good old days. However, I've become quite hooked. This is a late night gyro joint and not fine Mediterranean dining. The regular gyro is okay (and the Hercules plate is quite the haul), but what I always get now is the Chick-n-Bob, or chicken kebab with fries. The chicken is seasoned, grilled, and served on skewers in a big warm pita with delicious, tangy tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, and onions. It's filling and lovely. And the fries are incredibly good. Crispy on the outside and softer on the inside (except for the super crunchy fries on the bottom of the basket; there are always some). Have yet to sample the baklava. Service is friendly and down-to-earth. The interior is pretty fast food-like, but I like the rooftop garden in the warm months. There's always Greek music videos playing and there's ouzo, too. Admittedly, paying $9.25 for a chicken kebab and fries feels a little steep. It would also be nice to have more specials/deals on food now and then. read more

Ick. Have you people ever tasted a gyro before? This one was so salty I could barely get it down. I find it interesting that the reviews are so split on this place-I'm guessing that most of the four and five stars hit up this joint post drinking on State street. I went in hoping for a quick and delicious Greek meal before I had to make my way to the airport but was sorely disappointed when I received my sandwich. The pita was yummy, but it was filled with dry, overly salty meat of questionable origin, too many onions, and a pile of sauce. If I lived in Wisconsin, you couldn't pay me to go back. In fact, if you paid for my travel to Wisconsin and for my lunch, I wouldn't go back. read more

The BEST! It's always difficult to eat just one...love each and every bite!! Usually take one for the next day.

In the young, naive days before I discovered the joy of gyros, this place was just a late night grub and Greek mafia money laundering joint. Rooftop patio which was cool (but not in the winter when it would have been *very* cool). read more

Parthenon Gyros - Greek Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I ordered the "mega" (for ~$9), because I wanted a lot of gyros meat. I love gyros meat (well, actually, I love kebab meat,and am spoiled by the time I spend each year in Hamburg, where the best places have slabs of meat hunks rotating on a spit, not just burnt minced composite product, like Parthenon has). At Parthenon, I just picked at the gyros meat and a bunch of the onion, and left the bloated pita and the tomato. The meat was black, scrawny, and there was precious little of it. If this was the "mega" I would hate to see the normal gyros, and if I ever do order it, I will bring a microscope. As a form of therapy, a couple days later I went to Oakland Gyros on Layton in Milwaukee. For ~$6 (!) their gyros has mountains of succulent, rich, tasty slabs of gyros - - dense, rich rolls of it - - piled so high it is had to finish (along with plenty onion and a really good tsatsiki in squeeze bottles). The contrast is so massive, and the Parthenon gyros is so miserable and pathetic in contrast (in terms of quantity, quality, and flavor), that rating Parthenon with two stars should nominate me for sainthood, in the Parthenon pantheon. But I just can't give it two stars. This is a major rip-off, and a horrible product. read more

My mom used to take me here when I was just a little guy. I barely even remembered it (I remember getting gyros from time to time), and then I was home in Wisconsin visiting this past Christmastime and we went to the Parthenon. I instantly remembered it and the awesome gyros. Their fries are also really awesome. So, needless to say, I plan on going back to the Parthenon pretty much every time I'm in Madison ever again. read more

Oh Parthenon, how I miss thee.... I moved from the Madison area quite some time ago now, but the Parthenon was one of the best spots in Madison. My cholesterol levels are much better for having had to give it up, but I often remember the grease soaked fries with much fondness. The quality and spice of the gyro meat was unbeatable in Madtown. The pita was nice and sturdy yet delicious, so it could actually take some abuse yet still be tasty. And, of course, what with it being in Madison, it is one of the best places to go when you've had way too much to drink. ;) read more

Liked the gyro, loved the fries. It was super busy given the game getting out and the staff was a pro. Great experience! Will be back!

I'm basing this review solely on the gyro itself. I may be a bad person to ask, and a little biased, but I think Parthenon had one of the worst gyros I've had in the Madison area. I really like the ambience and decor of Parthenon, but the food is lackluster. I grew up in a Greek household, surrounded by a larger Greek community, and from those experiences, I feel like the lamb meat leaves a lot left to be desired. The pitas they use are pretty dry, and the tzatziki sauce doesn't have the flavor I'm used to. I realize that I'm being completely pretentious in this review, but I walked away from my Parthenon experience less than impressed. read more

So I've been going to The Parthenon for nearly 2 decades and it was always really great but the last couple times I've gone the meat tasted different...like not as good. I don't know if they've changed vendors or what but something is definitely not quite right. Previously I would have give the Parthenon 5 stars but now it's closer to 3.5/4 stars. I dont like potatoes but my husband loves the fries. I have also tried the baklava, souvlaki and chicken kabobs. The baklava was delicious, the souvlaki was good and the kabobs were just ok. There is outdoor seating in front and on the upper terrace with is wonderful! read more

It's a gyro joint, they do that well enough Getting double meat is somewhat unwieldy so I don't recommend that read more

This used to a a favorite hang out when I went to school. They always had good Gyros from when I remembered. I just went back the other day and had the traditional gyro. If you forget to have extra napkins, you can use your short or better yet, your friend's shirt. It had lots of meat on it and perfectly sliced onions and an ample amount of sauce. First bite -meat and sauce falls out; second bite - more meat and sauce fall out, but this time on my shirt; third bite- I give up and just lick my fingers, my arms, and my face. I did get it all and loved every bite. Oh yeah, there were also fries. That was a blast from the past and so satisfying. read more

I've eaten good gyros, so-so gyros, bad gyros and this trash. Meat is burnt and salty. I doubt is actual meat. Onions smell too much and its impossible to eat the thing with your hands because of the size of the serving basket. read more

Great gyro and amazingly friendly owner who gave us the history of the cool artwork and then sent us off with baklava & Greek yogurt and honey on the house. Will definitely return! read more

Parthenon Gyros - Greek Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

One of our favorite places to go when we were in college in the 80s and we do not miss a chance to go back when we are in Madison! Absolutely the best gyros in America! read more

perfect late night after-bar food. I crave it fortnightly! Smokin hot gyro == $7 Onion breath == free. read more

When I was in school at UW, we LOVED Parthenon gyros, going occasionally for lunch. The meat was always hot, juicy, and seemed fresh. Their fries always seemed hot and fresh as well. We went there last night for dinner after a long hiatus. The service was very quick and we loved the outdoor seating area. The fries seemed different than I remembered, but still very good. The gyros had the same ingredients I remember, but the meat was not very hot or juicy, and seemed thinner than I remember. Of course maybe my memory sucks :) Just overall not as good as when I was in college. I would still go back and try again though, as maybe it was just a fluke. read more

It had been awhile since I visited and had a bad experience, but this time, it was just as I had so fondly remembered years ago! Meat was seared perfectly and tender inside-bursting with that perfect cumin and garlic flavor you're craving! The sauce was so delicious I'd eat it alone! Perfect sweet juicy tomatoes topped my magnificent gyro meat and no onions nor pita as ordered! (Keto warrior) I had this delivered to my hotel as I was visiting from out of the state now. I cannot wait to return the next time I'm in Madison this fall! Thanks Parthenon, you rocked it!! read more

Parthenon Gyros are the best! Nothing is better late at night or even just having a sober meal with freinds than a Gyro - Fry- Pepsi! If you have had Gyros before and never had Parthenon...then you have not had a real Gyro! During the warm months enjoy the roof garden! read more

Best cold gyro I ever had. Unfortunately, I wanted a hot one, full of succulent juicy meats. Service was fine, lunch rush was over. I ordered two gyros and a large soda. I nearly fell over when they said that was going to set me back $16. Seems a bit pricey to me, but I needed my gyro fix. At first I thought it was the ice cold tomoatoes that were making the whole thing seem cold, so I took them all off; unfortunately, it didn't help. The meat wasn't fresh from the spit; it was taken from a tray on the prep area, but since they were slicing meat when I came in I thought it would be OK. The meat was tasty enough and so was the tatziki, but the whole thing being completely cold really ruined it for me. read more

Messy and delicious.. slightly pricey, but well worth it. Fantastic Gyros.. Pork souvlaki, which is new to me.. i'm certainly used to the standard beef/chicken lineup. But the Pork was tasty and well cooked.. They at times go a little heavy on the onions, but if that's not your thing, pick them off and go for it. read more

I agree with the last reviewer. I have been coming here for decades and always felt that their gyros were the gold standard. I went there last night with my kids and something was not the same. The pita was perfect, the sauce was the same, but the onions and the meat seemed different. The onions were cut very thin, paper thin--they used to be thicker. They also had a slightly bitter taste, which I don't previously recall. The tomatoes were mealy--so much so that I had to take them off. The meat also seemed different as well. It's hard to put my finger on it, but as I was eating it, I thought to myself "this is what baloney would taste like if it was made with lamb..." Not the Parthenon I remember. read more

My first experience with this restaurant was in September, 1972, almost 50 years ago, when I started attending U.W.-Madison. Even though it's now almost a 100 mile round trip for us to pick up a gyro, we still make the pilgrimage a couple of times a year. Today, we are introducing our granddaughter--third generation of U.W. women--to its delights--carry-out and eating at the park. Almost a half-century of patronage--that says it all. read more

First of all, screw the entrees, the fries are TO DIE FOR. For crispy fries, can't think of a better place on State Street. Best enjoyed while hammered... the Greek music videos are an interesting touch. I heard stories about how, years ago, in place of Pizza di Roma, another gyros shop competed with Parthenon, and they used to sharpen their knives in the windows, either threatening each other or trying to draw more customers. Sadly not the case anymore, would be much more entertaining if so. For a student, within reason but a *bit* pricy, especially if one already spent money out. read more