Tinos Greek Cafe — Restaurant in Austin

UPDATE: Added stars since I have had many past positive experiences here, and I received a fast reply from management offering to comp our meals. I wish something had been said/offered at the time, but I appreciate the reply and know they were unexpectedly swamped with a large group.

I have been coming here for years as I work at a school down the street, but was very upset at my last experience here. I placed an order for myself and a few other teachers at 11:30, knowing the teachers could only eat lunch from 12:00-12:35. They said it would be ready in 15 minutes. I got there at 11:50 and a very large crowd arrived with me- probably 20 people who were in a class together. I went up to the front since I assumed the order was already made, but they told me five minutes. They then proceeded to serve EVERY SINGLE PERSON in line- including people not with the class that arrived AFTER me before they even started MAKING our order (we had plates and sides, nothing that had to be specially made). This is despite me approaching them three times as I realized what was going on, and telling them I had called ahead a while ago and was picking up for teachers who now only would have a few minutes to eat. I did not get my order until 12:25. THEN I realized they forgot a salad and a side when I got back to the school. This was supposed to be a special treat for some amazing teachers and instead they had to take a few bites and go back to class, spending their whole lunch waiting for me to get back from a place that's five minutes away that I ordered well in advance from. It was so frustrating that, after eight years of being a customer, I don't think I will...

6/3/21 Update: Quality improving. Chicken is tender. Arbor Walk location. Increasing to 4 stars.

7/28/20 Update: Quality seems to be going down hill compared to their competition for Greek food. Not necessarily this location but the location on Arbor Walk- same owner. Reducing to 3 stars.

8/5/19 Update: I guess I have more tolerance now that I have a 2-year old daughter so you get 4 stars from me instead of 3. I am ok with the cold falafel. Now I appreciate this place more since it’s easy and quick to get food with my daughter. The food is balanced and generous for the price. I can’t really find a better go to option for Greek food in North Austin. Oh, and I really like that they serve the meal on a platter. If you can manage to make falafel to order so it’s fresh i will give you 5 stars!

10/12/16 The falafel today was not good at Tinos at 13450 Research Blvd.

It was cold and not fresh during the lunch hour. My hope is it was an off day at this location, in the past the falafel was great and I highly recommended it. Also, please don't change your recipe for the falafel, the spices in the falafel that I had at the West Anderson Ln Location...

Been a long time fan of this location for the last 5 years or so. But in my latest trip I was refused a refund after being given the wrong order.

Food quality is still as good as it ever was, but quality of service is at the absolute rock bottom. Terribly managed, clearly mis-staffed, and the eldest employee was more concerned with chatting than making sure that customers were served.

Ordered two combo plates at 7:05 PM on a Friday online, tipping ahead of time. Was directed to pick up my order at 7:20. Got there at 7:25 and there was a line out the building. No clear area to retrieve To Go orders. Was able to ask if my order was ready, it was not, so I got comfortable.

After every other customer both there before me and who came in after me were served, my order was ready. As they were handing me my bag, I made sure to confirm the name on the order 3 distinct times. Got my order politely said "thank you" and headed the 20 minute drive home. Got home, busted it open and saw that it was clearly an order for a young family.

Called the store back to explain the situation and ask for a refund. They refused to refund...