Lilly's Gyros — Restaurant in Fairview Heights

Spectacular eatery! It was everything I hoped for and more! Have followed this place on Facebook for a while now and finally got the chance to try it! Right off the bat we had to park in the back, and there were like 10 people ahead of us in line so I KNEW it was going to be great! It's a tiny little place, maybe 10 tables at the most, and the decor is a little dated which is just what I want in a hometown mom and pop shop. It being so small also guarantees that you're surrounded by amazing smells that are sure to make your mouth water! It also means that the food and service is so good they haven't had to try to spruce up the place to attract business!

After maybe a 10 minute wait to order it was finally our turn. I believe it was Lilly taking our order, and the only other employee I saw was, I assume, her husband preparing all the food. Some people would find something wrong with this; the owners doing all the work. But personally I feel it guarantees authentic hospitality and a high quality meal every time! Another 10 or so minute wait and it was our turn to get our order. I opened the bag and gently spread out our meal on the table. The cabbage roll was reminiscent of my German grandmother's, although slightly sweeter. The spinach pie wasn't as big as I would have hoped, but the amazing flavor made up for it! The fried mushrooms were nothing short of amazing. And, above all, the gyro had SUCH an amazing flavor and consistency! None of that thinly sliced pre-packaged crap I've gotten at other places. Thick, juicy hunks of meat topped with fresh veg and smothered in "Lilly's Sauce", all wrapped in a soft, warm pita. Folks, it just doesn't get much better than this.

I had every intention of ordering a falafel and baklava, but we barely finished what we had ordered, so it simply means I HAVE to go back as soon as I'm in the area! Overall this place gets a 9.5/10, with the only thing lacking as far as I'm concerned being that you must walk around the outside to reach the bathrooms. No big deal, and definitely doesn't effect the food one bit!

Folks, this is one place you don't...

5 years ago this was THE place to get a gyro in a 100 mile radius.

It has gone down hill a lot. We came in before the lunch crowd ordered 2 gyro lunches. A few people still came in ordered after us and then after 15 minutes, and 4 people that ordered AFTER us had gotten their food, we got ours.

The gyro was lukewarm, with nowhere near the same amount of meat and toppings as before. The tzatziki sauce was runny like it had been watered down and left out warm. The bread, not warmed up enough, cracked as soon as we picked up the sandwich, dropping the meager contents out.

The fries were good, as they always are, crispy and hot.

The soda machine has a sign, "No Sharing and only ONE refill." A little cheapo move, but oh well.

We ate and left, disappointed knowing what this place used to be but now what it has turned into, subpar food and not worth stopping for anymore.

Maybe I'll try it again but it's not going to be my go-to gyro place...

My coworker & I ordered gyros to go on our lunch break at work. We sat down to eat & found there was no sauce on either gyro. I called to ask for replacements tomorrow as our lunch break is close to over. We just wanted regular gyros the way they are advertised & the way we ordered them. A lady answered the phone then put a man on the line saying he was the manager. He admitted he made them & forgot to put the sauce on. He only offered for us to drive back up there to get the sauce. Its 10~15min away from our work & our lunch break is only 30min. He refused to replace the gyros for lunch tomorrow saying the sauce is only $.55. Well sir, i didnt pay $6 for a gyro & add $1 for feta which should come on every gyro to get a super dry gyro. I told him this was bad business practice. He said " I DO NOT NEED YOUR BUSINESS". Wow!!! Highly unrecommeded!!! Disappointing portion size for a medium gyro that i paid...