Kalyvas Family Grill — Restaurant in Athens

It’s been awhile since I’ve felt so insulted in a restaurant so let me get this out while the taste is still fresh, (or bitter), in my mouth. Arrived early, 5:30 or so for dinner after reading the glowing reviews. Waiter was really not interested in explaining anything about the menu so we fumbled through and made our order. Mine arrived almost immediately but another 15 minutes passed before my missus’ chicken gyro showed up. I’ll repeat that, a chicken gyro in a restaurant that supposedly specializes in gyros took an extra 15 minutes to put together and get to the table. Real 3rd world service.

And that was the last we saw of our waiter. No, how is everyone doing, can I get you something else? He apparently just went home. Then try to flag down another waiter and they flat out ignore you. Surly, entitled, arrogant, disinterested. That about sums it up.

Now if the food was spectacular, or the wine out of this world perhaps you could overlook the lack of service. But if the ONLY THING available on the appetizer menu is cheese balls and nothing else you gotta figure something is amiss.

When we tried to order a piece of baklava and were told they were out, that was it. A family run, local Greek restaurant with no baclava at 6:00 in the evening. Sold out yesterday we were told.

Have tried a couple dozen restaurants since we’ve been in Athens and this is without a doubt the worst. Do yourself a favor and...

Visited last Sunday with family. My cousin was left locked in the toilet because there was no sign that the door was broken. There was no alarm bell to ring and no one could hear him banging the door for help as the toilets are in the basement and the staff was busy. One of us went looking for him as he wasn’t coming back. She heard him upset behind the locked door. She went upstairs to inform the staff to get him out. When asked the manager said that he knew the issue and that he was sorry. He stated the door was broken “since Friday” and that because of the weekend he didn’t call the locksmith. When we suggested that he should have 1) called an on-call locksmith 2) ensure that this toilet is inaccessible to customers 3) make sure there is an alarm bell working so staff can hear someone upstairs he replied: I said I’m sorry, what should I do? Should I I kill myself? That’s a manipulating and irresponsible behavior for such a busy restaurant. Clearly the priority here is the monetary gain rather than the health and safety of it customers. Behaviors like this are an indelible stain to the Greek hospitality and should be eradicated. Edit at 23:57 manager saw us leaving upset and he said “next time I will offer you the beers”....

Such an amazing meal. Americans come here!!!! If you're confused with the menu or how the line works just sit down. They will bring you a menu and carefully explain the dishes but just get what we got.

We ordered Greek Salad.....well I guess here they call it salad and the pork gyro.....I think. Look at my picture. Whatever it was it was so delicious. The salad was so fresh. I've never had Greek salad quite like that. It was drenched in olive oil. Everything was so fresh.

The pork had such an intense flavor you must try. We also ordered a basket of bread. Was just plain toasted bread. Will order more pitas next time.

Opens till 1am and try their Alph beer. Was so cold it turned half slurpee as I poured the 1st glass.

Everything was fantastic. We'll be returning tonight to try the chicken.

Salad, pork gyro platter, 2 large beers, and a basket of toasted bread was €20 and some change. Not bad. Filled up a party of 3.

Plates actual size larger than in pictures. Keep in mind beer...