This place is the beating heart of State Street. I worked here for a year while in college at UW-Madison, and loved this job. Dimitri and Erin are kind people, and it shows in the way that their employees love their jobs and exude energy in the workplace. I'd eat the French Fries, which are excellent, and the gyros, all the time. The workplace was excellent and the atmosphere is great, as well. They just recently redid it, too - and the decor is marvelous. I treasure this place as an essential part of Madison. If you're in town, even for just an afternoon, a visit to Parthenon Gyros will be worth your time. read more

best gyro in the country. my favorite thing about this place though is how much pride the staff have for what they do. will be back

Seriously good gyros for super cheap and the fries are also excellent. This was one of the better post-drinking meals I've had in a long time. It's also pretty sweet that they sell beer here as well. read more

Stopped in for a Mega Gyro last night- I did share with my friend, a little. It was delicious. The lamb was tender and fresh, there were not too many onions, and there were Greek music videos playing while we ate. The counter guy was friendly and tried to sell me some baklava when I was eyeing it at the register. That was so cute, and I am sure it is great baklava! That gyro was huge, though. Uurrp. I love gyro belches, don't you? :D So, I will have to stop back in and get some baklava another night. Thanks, y'all, for a tasty and affordable late-night gyro. read more

Had a great dinner, tried the chicken, pork kabob and gyro - all were good but the gyro stood out as the tastiest and nice tzatzik. Fries were legit. Super fresh and authentic tasting. Great staff and service, friendly and accommodating. Plus beer. read more

Amazing food!! I normally don't enjoy eating gyros but something about this place makes it special. The atmosphere is amazing and the employees are all very friendly!! They're open late which is amazing. I highly recommend eating here!! read more

Repeat after me: when I am drunk and staggering, there is NOTHING better than a Gyro and fries. And, unless you're a dolt, you just order WATER, you hear me! Its messy, delicious and now even meets most health codes...but it lost a lot of character when they remodeled. But even though there's enough plastic for a couple of McDonald's here, it still retains its essential Greekiness...even though the staff is now nearly completely Latino!! Still have lots of Catsup with your fries, let the sauce run over your fingers and eat ALL those onions, you're not going to be kissing anyone this morning anyhow! read more

Pretty good. There are not many other quality gyros restaurants in Madison. Your only other choice is really Athens Gyros in the West Towne Mall, but then you have to eat in the mall foodcourt. Both restaurants are really good though. Be aware that they will be confused at Parthenon if you try to order a gyro with chicken instead - I guess it's not a gyro without lamb. read more

I love it best places in madison wi. Could. Eat this every day me n my kids love gyros.

I am a UW-Madison student who spends a lot of time reporting at the Capitol and City Hall. Consequently, I spend a lot of times in the shops on State Street. Parthenon is hands down not only my favorite gyro place, but my favorite restaurant. I always take visiting family here. And they serve Spotted Cow. What Wisconsinite could turn that down? read more

I have gone here since I was a child and still do, Best Gyro in Madison, and price is reasonable

I've had gyros far & wide and none compare to Parthenon's - None.

Wow! Best gyros I have ever had, I think. The fries were also awesome..perfectly crispy, and freshly made. Employees very friendly. Prices were decent. I would definitely go back, and would recommend it. Everything was perfect about our meal! read more

The food is definitely better than the service. Fries are the best, gyros come with a healthy topping of onions and tomatoes. Its good if you want greek quick and dirty. read more

The food is alright. The gyros were honestly pretty disappointing-- I had heard that they were the best in Madison, and I hope that they aren't. The atmosphere is pretty dumpy as well... Overall, nothing I'm very excited to try again. I wish I could recommend a better gyro place! read more

Gyros and fries are wonderful, non-Taco Bell / Pizza alternative to fatty, but tasty guilty pleasures. Parthenon engages customers with solid service and better than average customary dishes for fast Greek. Check out when you wish not to count calories. read more

Yum! Love the greek salads and the rooftop patio. As mentioned, they are open late, which is convenient when you aren't in the mood for a burrito or pizza. Supposedly a friend of a friend of a friend found a chunk of metal in their Euro, but that has the makings of an urban legend, so who knows? This place has been a favorite for fast food since high school. 4 stars. read more

Amazing Customer Service...Great Food..Love the sauce and onions S0 fresh! Love the rooftop and the cleanliness of the place. Also Love the music and the videos that are always playing really sets the mood in the environment, By far my favorite Gyro Place in Madison! I grew up eating this food and So will my kids! read more

The Gyro's are pretty good here, but the one thing that I really love are the french fries! Those fries taste like the type of fries that you have at one of those BBQ places. They are nice and thick and have that crispy texture to them that really makes you want to ask for a side of Ranch dressing, but I wasn't daring enough to ask for ranch dressing at a Greek restaurant. read more

I was new to the area and was hoping that this place would offer soemwhat good greek gyros. This place sucks, I would never go back. Their gyros were disgusting, I don't even want to know what the gyro meat was made from, it looked like a cardboard composite. I'm sure it's wonderful for drunk college kids, but not for anyone sober. No thanks. Besides, these are all made by persons whom definately aren't even somewhat greek at all. read more

Have stood by the Parthenon since college...ate hundreds of gyros . Things have changed. Stood in line at bar time for 45 minutes. No big deal. A staff member came out screaming at us to shut the door and grabbed it smacking a friend with the door as he yelled at us. Got our food at 2:55. They called the police 5 minutes later and told us we had to leave. Rude little pricks. Will never go again. No longer a go to place to go. For management..,Friday night March 15th. Fire every prick who worked that night. I'll never recommend the parthenon to anyone again. read more

Its open late and always hits the spot. Fries in a paper bag and gyron to go with lots of white sauce on the side. I've eaten here when not totally drunk and the food is good. The greek salad and gyros are always a safe bet. read more

Very important restaurant for students, inexpensive tasty food until 3am. I had gyros, meat was cooked well and the tzatziki sauce was scrumptious. Service is at the counter, quick and friendly. read more

The fries were out of this world delicious. The Gyro was covered in that sauce but it was way delicious regardless. Really good drinking food I think! We stopped here on our way wandering state street and it was really worth it. read more

I usually come here around lunch time and I find the staff to be very friendly and helpful. They always ask how the food is, and say goodbye as people leave. I typically get the gyro meal, and it has never disappointed. You get plenty of meat with the gyro, the french fries are nice and crispy. Overall, I think its well worth the price. The atmosphere is also kind of fun, they play Greek music videos. read more

Good gyros, but it is a gyro...Not really all that hard to do well and I have definitely had better. Having Greek MTV on is definitely a nice touch though. But I gotta say I never liked the attitude of the guys working there. Maybe they were just hardened from years of dealing with drunk fratboys at 3 in the morning and the State St. bums all day. read more

Excellent gyros and the tastiest fries I've had in a long time. I have never had a gyro before I came here. I'm 32....The smell once you step inside is amazing. For $10, you get a giant gyro, fries and a soda. This is a pretty good deal. I can't give it 4.5 stars, but I would because a better price would be $8 for everything above. That being said, it is excellent food for $10. The french fries are the most amazing that I've had in about a year. They are delicious and very crispy, just the way they should be. read more

went to have gyro as I have never had it before. It is okay I would say. But expected a little more. Customer service is also not the best. Overall I don't think I would go there anytime in future. Also I think it is a bit pricey for the food I get. read more

Not bad, but not overly impressive. Though, it is a gyro joint. The food wasn't bad. I liked the gyros better than the fries my friend and I shared. They seemed overly greasy and limp. Maybe they'd been sitting under the heat lamp too long. At least the gyro meat looked fresher and more edible. While I agree they are a tad over-priced for the quality, they at least make up for it in quantity. Plus, if you look at the menu and think about it, you can work it so you can feed multiple people for less than if everyone each got their own gyros and fries. If I lived near the State Street area, I'd probably pop in at least a few times a month for a quick bite for lunch or late night because I don't eat enough meat carved off a spit. read more

I have come here for decades. Memories beyond. College, comedy clubs, marriage, kids, grandkids. Hot greasy pita bread with thick slabs of juicy fragrant gyro meat off the spit with spoon slaps of yogurt sauce, everything fresh with personality from the family grillmasters. Goodbye!! Parthenon of old! Same delicious fries,sad old thin decrepit dry meat, flavorless sauce in plastic containers and dry (not fluffy greasy) pitas. Gotta get my now only once a year gyros at Oakland gyros in Milwaukee. Oh, and now you tip without permission ! I was told my total was $11, but my cash register take out bill at counter without service was $13. My receipt said$2 tip!!! The cash register guy gave himself a $2 tip without my consent!! Goodbye 80s honorable Parthenon family, whoever you were. read more

UUUMMMM!!! That one word sums it up. I don't live downtown anymore, but this is still my treat place. Best gyros, good fries & even better: GREAT hours. The trick is to go at bar time, the meat is the freshest:-) read more

I came in for a gyro meal. It was a tad pricey: $9.75 for a gyro, fries and pop. But hey, the value's pretty good. It was served to me quite quickly, nice and hot. The gyro was sizeable and delicious, and the fries were crispy. The atmosphere is nothing special; your typical Greek fast food joint. I would eat here again, if my wallet were up for it. read more

This is my favorite gyro place! Best sauce and best meat in town. Hands down the best gyros anywhere. Friendly staff and happy environment all around!!! read more

Food can't reach average quality, fries are soggy and for two it ended up being $30. It's not bad for drunken accident food but if your not blackout it's just not worth it. read more

Been a while since I've had a Gyro, and glad I stopped in! Place was referred to me by a friend, whom said this is a can't miss joint. Very clean, service is excellent!!! Had the Gyro meal for $11.00 - they don't skimp on the meat or the fries...the fries, double cooked with a batter I believe, very CRISPY, very HOT!!! Great spot, great part of town - forget frozen burgers and hour old fries - have a Gyro! read more

I've been coming here since I was a little kid and love it. I only gave it 3 stars because I feel the quality of the food isn't as good as it used it be. For one thing the pita bread itself is smaller. The lamb and fries are hit and miss but when you get a crazing for a gyro this is your place. read more

Favorite place to eat in Madison. Enjoy sitting in the outside area above the eatery on a warm sunny weekend afternoon. Don't know how it happened, just a tradition. read more

Honestly can't agree more with some of the reviews on here. However on the other hand if you've tried their gyros before you can tell there are skimping on both the meat and the sauce. Rather skimp on the meat than anything else. read more

Hadn't visited in a while but was very pleasantly surprised with the new recipe for gyro meat. They are now making it in house with beef, lamb, and delicious seasonings. So much flavor! A bit spicy, less greasy than the previous product. Roma tomatoes that were red, thinly sliced onions and extra sauce made for a great lunch. I will visit the Parthenon more often. read more

This is a fast food joint with the prices of a full service restaurant. The food (gyro meal) is ok but not great, the atmosphere is ok, the prices are outrageous ($10 for lunch gyro sandwich, fries and soda). If you are desperate for a gyro and no other options then this place is fine. read more