I remember the first time I heard about Temo’s gyro over rice—it was a friend’s recommendation on a crisp Saturday afternoon. Intrigued by the name alone, I decided to follow my curiosity down a narrow side street, where a small, unassuming eatery sat tucked between a florist and a record shop. The sign above the door simply read “Temo,” but the aroma wafting out onto the sidewalk was unmistakable: warm, spiced meat mingling with the faint tang of tzatziki and freshly steamed basmati. It felt like stumbling upon a secret in the city’s heart, and I knew I had to find out if the gyro could live up to the scent that had drawn me in.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by Temo himself—an affable, mustachioed man who greeted every customer like an old friend. He moved with practiced ease behind the counter, carving thin slices of perfectly seasoned gyro meat before laying them atop a bed of fragrant rice, dotted with flecks of saffron-yellow grains. As he drizzled a cool, creamy tzatziki sauce over the top and scattered fresh parsley, his eyes lit up with quiet pride. It was clear he had poured years of practice into perfecting this dish. I watched him plate it with care, as though presenting a small treasure. There was a reverence in his movements that hinted this gyro over rice was more than just a meal—it was a labor of love.
When that first forkful reached my lips, I felt a little jolt of delight. The rice was pillowy and subtly fragrant, each grain separate yet cohesive, soaking up just the right amount of that spiced meat juice beneath. The gyro itself was tender without being greasy—crisped gently on the edges, salty and richly savory, the marinade weaving hints of oregano, garlic, and a whisper of cumin. Then, the tzatziki: light and cooling, with just enough tang to cut through the meat’s richness, its cucumber undertones dancing on my palate. I closed my eyes and savored it, caught off guard by how perfectly each element complemented the next. It was, quite literally, one of the best things I’d ever tasted.
Midway through my meal, Temo emerged from behind the counter to check on me, and we struck up a conversation. He told me how his grandmother taught him to make rice the right way—never letting a grain clump, always flavored with homemade broth. He spoke of the gyro spices passed down from his father, who’d grown up near the Mediterranean coast, learning to blend herbs and spices to create a flavor profile that married both his Albanian and Greek roots. Listening to him, I realized I wasn’t just eating a gyro over rice; I was tasting generations of recipes, honed and passed down with every stir of the pot. There was a warmth to his storytelling that made each bite feel even more personal, as if I’d been let into his family’s culinary legacy.
By the time I finished, the small container was empty, save for a few stray grains of rice hiding among the parsley. I leaned back, thoroughly satisfied, my mind already drifting to what I might try next—perhaps the lamb kebab or the spanakopita, though I doubted anything could outshine that gyro over rice. As I walked away from Temo’s that day, my appetite sated and my heart full, I felt certain I’d found a new favorite haunt. If you’re searching for a dish that feels like a warm embrace—soulful, authentic, and utterly delicious—look no further than Temo’s gyro over rice. It’s a five-star experience from the first aroma to the...
Read moreCame from west virginia to visit my partner and the service was excellent. Very bright and happy people making it a beautiful environment. The cheesecake is perfect with the right amount of sweetness. Their loaded nachos are so delicious. There are a lot of robust aromas with amazing flavors of their sauces including their white sauce and their own temoo sauce which has a kick to it. Fresh ingredients and made with love. If you are a fan of small ice like at sonics will enjoy that as well with their drinks. My partner and I both ordered the mango pineapple drink. The mango and pineapple don't overpower one another. Their fries are fresh and delicious. Made topped with a seasoning that tastes like shawarma but I am not positive. Either way it is very good. Their wings are traditional bone in chicken wings that are juicy crispy and the meat comes off the bone easy when you bite into it. We ordered the mango habenero sauce on our wings. The sauce has a real fruit flavor with a balance of sweet and spicy, that fits for the sweet and spicy...
Read moreTimos is one of the best restaurants located on East Gainesville, they offer a variety of food, not just fried but grill, fish, shrimp, chicken, lamb, goat, beef, smothered onions, fresh cut salad, cucumber, tomatoes, loaded, lettuce, freshly made nachos, loaded with all type of toppings that you would like. They also offer fried items all seafood, fish, scallops oysters you have to come by and check them out. It is the best place ever to eat. I guarantee you the service is excellent and warm. The owners wife is so friendly and loving the way they prepare their meals and keep their kitchen clean. You will never stop coming , we look forward...
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