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    The Mad Greek

    3.9 (355 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

    Order The Mad Greek Takeout or Delivery

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    THE MAD GREEK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - The Mad Greek

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    Kerbie D.

    We came to The Mad Greek in Lawrence for my birthday with a reservation at 7 PM, party of four, cake and sash in tow. Unfortunately, the evening started off rocky and never quite smoothed out. Our server, Matt, was not the warmest or most welcoming when he first approached the table. We were ready to order everything, but when my partner mentioned appetizers, Matt cut him off mid-sentence and said, "I'm only taking drinks right now." The delivery was sharp and came across as rude. Later, when I asked Matt his name, I could see him soften a bit, realizing how he had been coming across. He explained that they were severely understaffed and that it had been a rough Sunday. As someone who has worked as a server and bartender myself, I get it. If he had led with that information, I probably would have been more understanding and left a higher rating. The food itself was a mix of highs and lows. We ordered toasted ravioli and saganaki as appetizers. The saganaki presentation was a highlight and Matt did a great job of lighting it, but then he quickly walked away, leaving us without silverware or napkins. The apps sat on the table for several minutes before I had to flag down the hostess to bring us what we needed. Anyone who has had saganaki knows it is best enjoyed right away, so that delay was frustrating. For entrees, we had gnocchi with grilled chicken, lasagna, a gyro plate, and fries. The food was solid, but the service overshadowed it. They were kind enough to refrigerate and later cut our birthday cake, which we appreciated. Other details worth noting: the table rocked badly, and my partner had to fold the drink menu into a wedge to stick under the leg so it wouldn't tilt as much. That was another small thing that added to the feeling of neglect. Overall, I'd call this a 3-star experience. I understand staffing issues and sympathize with the strain, but hospitality is about communication and warmth. A quick acknowledgment up front would have gone a long way. This was my second visit, and while the food has potential, there are other Greek and Italian spots nearby that feel more welcoming. I might give The Mad Greek another chance in the future, but it won't be anytime soon.

    Great vibes inside, and have always had great service when I come. The food is decent, I always get the gyro sandwich. The baklava's great.

    Chicken, Lemon, Rice Soup
    Sydney L.

    My favorite thing on the menu even though it's so simple it tastes absolutely so good. Service can be iffy depending on the day, but it's always good vibes and food is really really good.

    The Greek Combo--a true delight. My novice photography and the dim lighting failed to capture its life-altering essence on a plate

    Grace and The Mad Greek: A masterclass in Philoxenia... "the ancient Greek art of making a stranger feel like a God at the table". In a world of mediocre service and soggy pita, Grace at The Mad Greek stands as a titan among mortals. I didn't just eat dinner; I underwent a culinary baptism. The legend began the second I crossed the threshold. The hostess didn't just greet our group; she provided a welcome so warm I personally felt like a long-lost Spartan war hero returning to my village. Her smile was the lighthouse guiding us through the fog of hunger, setting a tone that whispered, "You are home now," and also, "you are about to eat a lot of feta." It was the kind of personalized touch that transforms a simple "table for three" into a banquet for the gods. (My apologies for not asking your name... but that's a lack of management's oversight, as there should be a sculpture-bust of your likeness, decorated with string lights, highlighting your name on a plaque so it's emblazoned on ever guests' mind, your name on the very tips of their lips...) Then, there is Grace. If hospitality were an Olympic sport, Grace would be draped in gold, standing atop the podium while the national anthem of Flavortown plays on a loop. She didn't just "take my order", she curated my destiny. Her timing was so precise, I'm convinced she can see five seconds into the future. My water glass never dropped below the halfway mark, it was as if she were performing some sort of Greek hydro-kinesis. Grace is the GOAT. Period. Then came the Greek Combo. Calling this a 'dinner' is like calling the Odyssey a 'quick blog post.' It was a sprawling, epic masterpiece on a plate. The gyro meat was sliced with the precision of a master sculptor, and the souvlaki was seasoned by the gods themselves. As for the spanakopita, it possessed a structural complexity that would make the architects of the Parthenon weep, with more golden, buttery layers than the shifting labyrinth of Knossos. Every bite was a journey through the Mediterranean that didn't require a passport, just a very large napkin and a moment of silence. If you haven't been served by Grace at The Mad Greek, have you even truly lived? Five stars isn't enough. There's a 'Michelin' Standard being overlooked on Mass street... in the modern "culinary constellation," stars are the ultimate symbol of excellence. By adding a "sixth star" to capture the intergalactic in Grace's service, I'm coming close to being able to describe the celestial level this culinary experience became that even the night sky struggles to contain. Grace: our dinner party will never be able to 'eat Greek' the same again. You've officially ascended to the Acropolis of hospitality as our eternal Goddess of the Sixth Star. And as they used to say in the old country: , ! (...it's all just Greek to me!)

    Jenni S.

    I stopped in a couple evenings ago before going to a show while I was in Lawrence. I've been a couple times before & went this time just for the limoncello cake. I ended up also getting the toasted ravioli. It was not very much for the price, but it was good. The cake was DELICIOUS just like it always is. My server was super sweet and the restaurant, while obviously a little old, is very clean and cozy. I'll be back, if just for the cake.

    Raspberry White chocolate cheese
    Raúl C.

    Location: Mass street. Downtown Lawrence Ambiance: This is a nice restaurant with indoor and outdoor sitting. Inside the restaurant, they have multiple paintings and sculptures ( watch my video) Food: they offer Italian and Greek options. The lasagna plate is popular, but my honest recommendation is to stay with Greek food. Italian food is not the best here ( or anywhere in Lawrence). Greek food is diverse and goes beyond the popular gyros. Service: This place can get crowded, especially during dinner time. Service is great. I recommend Spanakopita for a vegetarian option

    Grecian Mixed Grill

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    2 days ago

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    15 days ago

    Amazing service and great pasta. We walked in on Friday night and enjoyed a lovely early dinner in this cool environment.

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    6 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Great food, wonderful selection. Service was quick and kind. The atmosphere was romantic without trying too hard.

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    3 months ago

    Great food that's always fresh. We always enjoy stopping here while In town and will definitely be back!

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    4 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great food. Take out ready on time. Best pita in town. Gyro fries outstanding. Hummus very good and fresh.

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    1 year ago

    Love that we can now make reservations. Always great service and wonderful food. Oooopaaa

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    2 years ago

    Very interesting decor and food we very good. Our waiter was very attentive and made some great recommendations.

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    6 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Delicious food, great service. I had a Greek salad and gyros plate. Couldn't stop eating. One of my fave places in Lawrence.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - The Mad Greek

    Sahara Mediterranean Food - Shawarma chicken and a chicken kabob

    Sahara Mediterranean Food

    4.5(216 reviews)
    47.2 mi
    $

    Amazing !! Food is always fresh and clean. Welcoming and friendly staff. Have eaten at the…read morerestaurant and ordered takeout. This is a once a week staple for dinner !!! Soooo good

    The food here is very good. The falafel is crispy on the…read moreoutside and fluffy on the inside. Very generous pieces. Not your typical round shape but more of a tube/long shape which really works great for dipping them in tzatziki. We also had grape leaves which come warm. Yummy! We had a chicken shawarma and gyro entree. Both came with rice, salad, pita, and hummus. All very good. My one criticism is I prefer my protein sliced more thinly instead of a thick cut. It's a texture issue for me. The thicker, the chewier. The chicken also had a bit of chewy skin. It could have had more flavor. Still good but this is what made my review 4 instead of 5 stars. I thought the gyro had a little more flavor than the chicken. You order at the counter and then they walk your food out to you when it's gone. Our two appetizers came out very quickly. Our entrees just a few minutes later. Service was smooth and very good. The guys working there were all friendly. Great service! The restaurant is very clean, plenty of seating, and lots of appropriate artwork. It was cold in there but it was really hot outside that day so they had the air turned up. It did make my dining in experience a bit tough since I couldn't escape sitting under an air vent but I don't really want yo criticize them much for running the air in a hot day. That's better than the alternative. On the way out I got a small variety pack of baklava and a rice pudding. Both really good! I'm still eating the baklava. I really like being able to get the variety! It's hard to choose. We would definitely go back again. On the way out, we saw 2 gentleman with gyro salads. Wow, it's a huge bowl with gyro piled high! Looked fantastic and I want to try the gyro salad now!

    Photos
    Sahara Mediterranean Food - They have a lot of options. The menu is right beside the counter where you order.

    They have a lot of options. The menu is right beside the counter where you order.

    Sahara Mediterranean Food - 1 lb. Chicken Kabob Skewer

    1 lb. Chicken Kabob Skewer

    Sahara Mediterranean Food

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    Hummus Republic - Salad spinach kale harissa hummus roasted eggplant hummus zesty feta dip traditional hummus Kalamata olive hummus

    Hummus Republic

    3.6(11 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    This restaurant is a pleasant surprise. It is located in a strip mall on South Iowa. That mall has…read morebeen the site of a disturbingly large number of restaurants that have closed. The most successful restaurants in Lawrence have tended to be either downtown or in West Lawrence, on or near Wakarusa Drive. We went to Hummus Republic for dinner on a Saturday night at 5:30 pm. Since we usually prefer dinner in restaurants with full service and comfortable booths, we were expecting to be disappointed. We were not. We very much hope that this restaurant succeeds and prospers. The Mediterranean food is excellent, and the dining room is very pleasant. Since it was our first time there, we were not clear about the choices and the options. The server behind the counter was very helpful and considerate in explaining everything to us. You can find the menu online at https://order.tryotter.com/s/hummus-republic/2000-west-31st-street-lawrence/fce5d483-09f6-4739-9262-7c3659b05bca or https://www.yelp.com/menu/hummus-republic-lawrence When you arrive, there is a menu on a card that is more informative than the one on the wall above the counter. Although we would usually prefer this kind of counter-service restaurant for lunch rather than for dinner, we will not hesitate to return for dinner to this excellent restaurant. It also is possible to order online for pickup or delivery. You can build your dinner as a pita, a wrap, or a bowl. The bowls are cardboard. They provide a cover and a bag with the bowl, so if it is too much food for you to finish for dinner, you easily can pack the rest to go, as we did. You get to choose one protein (I got the Falafel, which was excellent). My wife got the Mushroom Shawarma, which she liked. You then can choose three items from the "base," with the couscous and garbanzo beans being winners. You then can choose 3 kinds of hummus and spreads. We got the Feta, Harissa Hummus, and Kalamata Olive Hummus. You can add an unlimited number of Toppings, including the Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), and an unlimited number of Dressings, including Lemon + Olive oil, Garlic Jalapeno Tahini, Roasted Red Pepper Tahini, and Tzatziki. We got a side of Sweet Potato Fries. There is an upcharge to add them, since not included with a bowl, but they are well worth the upcharge. If you don't want a bowl, wrap, or pita, you can get the Street Style Sweet Potato Fries, including the Sweet Potato Fries topped with eggplant, fried Jalapenos, chickpea croutons, red cabbage, olives, feta, and tahini; or you can get the Earth Burger sandwich made with a Falafel patty and served with sweet potato fries. Since we are pescatarians, we cannot comment on the chicken, beef, or lamb at this restaurant. We would prefer that they included some seafood, such as shrimp, on the menu. But we did not miss the seafood, since the other options are so extensive. To drink, we got a can of Kambucha and a Diet Coke. They were good, but next time I will want to try one of their lemonades, probably either the Cucumber Jalapeno Lemonade or the Strawberry Lychee Lemonade, based on the reviews. They also have bottles of San Pellegrino, which we very much like.

    I have a mixed review! The fried pita and 3 hummus flavors I got were delicious! I ordered a bowl…read moreand the couscous was basically dry and almost chewy (couscous should not be this texture), I ordered lemon chicken for my protein, which had good flavor, but I bet there was maybe 2 Tbsp of chopped up chicken. The girl serving me was sweet, possibly new, and the dude working in back seemed completely annoyed with life and was chastising her under his breath. Very off putting to me. I wanted to love it the way I love CAVA in OP, but they have some work to do.

    Photos
    Hummus Republic - Pita warmer, couscous, garbanzo, rice

    Pita warmer, couscous, garbanzo, rice

    Hummus Republic - Veggie sides, sauces

    Veggie sides, sauces

    Hummus Republic - Front register

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    Front register

    The Mad Greek - italian - Updated September 2026

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