Kipos Greek Taverna — Restaurant in Chapel Hill

This was one of the strangest nights out I have had in the Triangle ever, and especially at a restaurant of this caliber. First I want to say I have had two previous positive experiences at Kipos prior to the pandemic at their old location. Also, this meal ended up being comped when we spoke to a manager so the issue was recognized and addressed. I hope they are able to grow and improve their staff training so others do not have this experience.

My sister and I took my mom to Kipos for a late Mother’s Day dinner at Kipos last night. It was a busy Saturday clearly, but not over capacity. We had a reservation and were seated on the patio, which is quite lovely. I will say, there are two chair styles, and I found the wooden ones to be a bit uncomfortable, but the woven ones are nicer for a long meal.

It took a while for our waiter to greet us and take orders, more than we are used to. We ordered one cocktail and a bottle of wine, then later when he came for food orders, we ordered two appetizers, three entrees, and also two entrees to take as take out for family members at home.

Wait times throughout this experience were longer than usual, though not egregious. However service from start to finish was extremely odd and untrained.

First, a waitress brought us a bread basket and appetizer we had not ordered. After she placed it on our table, we asked if it was our appetizer and she realized she’d gone to the wrong table, at which point she took food that had already been put on our table to a table behind us.

After a wait, a waiter came with our entrees, and we informed him we had not yet received our appetizers. He took the entrees back saying he would check. Several minutes later, a waitress came back with our entrees and said “I know you’ve just gotten your appetizers, but I have to give these to you now.” We were shocked, and told her no we had not yet gotten our appetizers and she did not in fact have to give us our entrees. She seemed annoyed and said she didn’t know how long they’d hold them in the back and we said well since there’s a whole course between they really ought to be refired later, but this did not seem like our issue. She relented and took the entrees back to the kitchen.

Eventually, our appetizers did come out. One of them was the kind of appetizer that should clearly come with pita or bread or something similar and it was missing. We waited unable to feasibly eat it until we could flag someone down and he said he would get us pita points. We shortly saw a waitress harriedly deliver the pita points to a different table who looked up confused. It took a long wait to get our pita points and be able to enjoy our appetizer. Throughout this experience- with one exception to come- food was delicious.

After another substantial wait, we received two of our three entrees, with no comment provided on when the third would be out. It was a substantial wait. As we waited, one of our party who had ordered lamb chops rare cut into them and saw they were well done. When the third dish was delivered, she showed this to our waiter who somewhat dismissively asked oh do you want us to remake it, cause that will take a while? Clearly he was trying to talk her out of it. She started trying to eat it but had to relent when it became clear it was really badly overcooked and she showed him again. He did finally acknowledge it was over cooked and let her send the dish back. Of course by the time she received her new dish, we had finished ours which is awkward, but is of course part of sending dishes back.

We asked to speak to a manager to address the service issues. While that took a while, a manager did readily agree to comp our meals. In talking on the way home, we agreed our biggest frustration was that throughout a truly bizarre evening of service, most of the staff refused to acknowledge errors or offer any apologies. We were made to feel like we were the problem for pointing out clear errors in dinner service including ones that compromised food safety. I hope the staff receives better...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kipos Greek Taverna for a birthday celebration, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a lively atmosphere that set the tone for the evening.

First things first, let's talk about the food. The mousakka and spanakopita were absolutely divine! The mousakka had layers of flavorful goodness, perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The spanakopita was a delightful blend of spinach and feta, encased in flaky phyllo pastry. Both dishes were a true testament to the authentic flavors of Greece.

But that's not all! The next spread that was brought to our table was nothing short of delightful. It was a feast for the senses, with a wide variety of Greek delicacies, including tzatziki, dolmades, olives, and more. Each bite was bursting with freshness and transported us to the Mediterranean with its vibrant flavors.

What truly made this dining experience exceptional was the lively ambiance. As the evening progressed, the restaurant turned into a lively party! The staff encouraged guests to dance and join in the fun. We couldn't resist the infectious energy and soon found ourselves dancing alongside other patrons. The traditional Greek music and enthusiastic atmosphere made for an unforgettable celebration.

To top it all off, the evening concluded with a memorable moment as we witnessed the staff's traditional plate-breaking custom. As they shouted "Oppa!" in unison, a plate was joyfully shattered, bringing our night to a rousing close. It was an unexpected and fun way to wrap up the festivities.

The service at Kipos Greek Taverna was impeccable throughout the night. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed. They went above and beyond to ensure that everyone had a fantastic time, and it truly showed.

If you're looking for a unique and exhilarating dining experience, look no further than Kipos Greek Taverna. The combination of delicious food, warm hospitality, and an electrifying atmosphere makes it a must-visit destination. Whether it's a special occasion or just a night out, you're guaranteed a memorable and joyous time.

Kudos to the entire team at Kipos Greek Taverna for providing such a remarkable experience. I can't wait to visit again and create more wonderful...

After a long day, I treated myself to supper at Kipo's Saturday night. The atmosphere was beautiful and relaxing, several families and friends out to dinner. The drink and food were delicious and comforting.

I was really happy with everything, in no rush, just enjoying the activity around me, perhaps partly because I wasn't responsible for any of it. I was a very pleasantly disinterested observer, who was thinking I could get used to living in town if I could find such comfort food and community feeling at Kipo's.

When the waiter brought the check, I put my card on the slip and he took it away.

I waited.

My waiter was apparently very busy again.

So, I waited.

Remembering how much I hate to rush, I reminded myself that right now I do not have to rush.

So, I waited.

Eventually, however, I was getting tired and still had a little way to drive. So I stepped up to the host's table at the front door, and asked to speak to the manager.

I waited.

When she arrived, the manager seemed mystified by my request to get my card back. She said she'd have to find the waiter. (I gave her his name just to make sure she got the right waiter. 🤔)

I waited.

When she returned, without explanation, she hands me me a slip of paper and says, "Leave your name and phone number. We'll look for it tonight or tomorrow and if [not when, but IF] we find it, we'll call you."

I stood there, waiting. (I feel like my mouth was open. Speechless.)

Nearly 24 hours later, still no calls from Kipo's, even though they are responsible for costing me both time and money because I have now to cancel my (new!) card and get another, which in turn means notifying people with whom I do business and whom I'd just given the new (now old) card number.

Note to Kipo's management: When I was a student, I worked waiting tables. And when I was older, I managed people. One thing I learned from both those experiences is that management is responsible for training and conveying to staff the real value of admitting one's mistakes and making amends. A good manager models taking such responsibility and apologizing directly to the client/customer.

This experience was, in fact, handled very unprofessionally by Kipo's staff.

It's left a bad aftertaste, which is unfortunate for...