Grape Leaf Express — Restaurant in Florida

I was first introduced to Mediterranean & Middle Eastern food when I lived up north. There were a half a dozen amazing restaurants in my area. Since then I have really come to love all the various dishes from those cuisines. One of my favorite items to order are gyros.

Since moving to Florida, it has been difficult to get a gyro how I like it. Most places that serve gyros are Greek and serve it with tzatziki sauce.I don't like my gyro served that way and prefer mine with tahini sauce instead. Greek places usually don't have falafel so they don't have tahini.

Most Middle Eastern restaurants have falafel but have shawarma instead of gyros. Usually the meat is either beef or chicken. In the few Middle Eastern restaurants that did have gyros, they were not very good or served with very little meat. People think gyro and shawarma are the same thing . While shawarma is OK, gyros in my opinion are better.

So by chance, I dropped into Grape Leaf Express while on a day trip to Tampa. To my surprise, they serve both Middle Eastern and Greek food. So I ordered a gyro with tahini sauce. Immediately one of the lovely ladies there asked if I meant tzatziki. Nope. No mistake please make it that way. I took a seat and waited for my gyro hoping it would be good.

The gyro was delicious. I was served up a huge gyro loaded with meat.It was served on a fresh pita with lettuce and onions and lots of tahini sauce. Just the way I like it. I'm a big guy and can usually polish off a gyro with no problem. This thing was so big I could have taken half the contents out and put it on another pita and had 2 normal gyros. The very generous portion was greatly appreciated as I hadn't eaten all day.When asked how it was I told them it was outstanding.

So if are in the Tampa area and are looking for a great gyro this is the spot. In addition to gyros they had a great selection of other items at reasonable prices. I'm so happy I found Grape Leaf Express and will definately return next time I'm...

Decided to stop by at this place since I was in the area and it was reviewed pretty good online. I ordered the shish kabob sandwich combo and my husband had the falafel sandwich combo. In place of the fries I also got the lemon rice soup and hot mint tea as my drink. -This place is very spacious and the interior decor along with the lights are just absolutely beautiful! Really makes you feel like you are in turkey or somewhere middle eastern. -Our waitress who took our order was extremely friendly and helpful especially since I had several questions about the menu. -I really wanted to try the grape leaves but they were all out! -As far as our order goes, I enjoyed my soup and sandwich. I would like to say that the sandwich did taste a little bland, like it needed more seasoning. Not enough salt or spices. I did order the garlic sauce separately just so I could add that to my sandwich for more flavor. The beef was a little too rare for my likening. So if you decided to order anything with the shish kabob make sure to let the person you order with know how you would like it cooked. The mint tea was very delicious. The prices are also very reasonable.

-I will definitely return to try the grape leaves next time since I love them so much! -Overall a clean, friendly, and...

I ordered the Chicken Galaba. I wanted something different. I have been to this restaurant a few times prior. I asked if the dish was spicy. The person at the register said no. When I received my food, I checked it for correct order. I noticed red pepper, so I asked her again was she sure the dish was not spicy. She said no again that the peppers were not hot. Well, once I arrived to my destination 30 minutes later, the dish was spicy and the soup was salty. I was very upset because I could not share this with my 82 yr old relative because of reflux and hypertension. Please be aware that everyone coming to your restaurant is not healthy. You all serve the public. Plus, a Mediterranean meal should not have salt. A Mediterranean diet is fairly healthy because it is of no salt. So, be mindful of the people serving. Plus, your staff should know what menu items are hot and/or spicy. Hopefully next time will be better...but not today.

Addendum: I went back next day to let the restaurant know that the dish was spicy and was met with disagreement from the staff. Same lady at cash register stated that she has had the dish and it wasn't spicy to her. I was appalled at how she and one of the cooks treated me as a customer. Plus, no...