Sofia's Greek Bistro — Restaurant in Garden City

Sofia’s Greek Bistro ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

We don’t have many options for Greek food in Southern Idaho. Of those in the Treasure Valley, my recommendation is Sofia’s Greek Bistro in Garden City. Owner Litsa M. grew up working in her parents Greek restaurant in Pocatello, Tom Gyro & Burgers. Sofia’s is named after her mother.

The photos pictured are from my visit on 8/12/20. My take-out order was: Dolmada ($2.20), Greek Salad ($10.99), Combo Plate ($15.99) with rice pilaf substituted for fries ($.95) and extra Taziki ($1.45).

Dolmades are beef and rice stuffed grape leaves. Sofia tops hers with Avgolemono (lemon) sauce. Dolmades are not my favorite Greek dish, but it had been a while since I had one, and I had never tried one from Sofia’s, so I ordered one. Given how big these are, this item is the best value,on the menu. While the quality was good, the filling was under seasoned. Most of the flavor came from the combination of the grape leaf and the lemon sauce.

Sofia’s Greek Salads are the best I have had locally, but I was disappointed to find mine came with very little salad dressing. To make matters worse, when I called the restaurant to share what had happened, the woman who took my order told me that she thought it was too little salad dressing and had commented on this to the cook, to no avail. I was asked what I needed to make things better. I asked for a credit for half a salad since that’s how much salad dressing I had. I was told there would be a credit for half a salad under my name for the next time I visited. I haven’t had an opportunity to revisit yet. Incidents like this is why it is so important to check your food order personally before you leave the restaurant, when doing takeout.

The Combo Plate is Greek marinated chicken and sliced Gyro meat on top of fries. It is served with feta cheese, Taziki, Kalamata olives and warm pita bread. There is a $.95 charge for substituting rice pilaf for fries. One of my pet peeves about this dish is having to pay $.95 more for rice pilaf instead of french fries, when rice pilaf is more traditional. I’ve only done take out from Sofia’s one other time, but I wasn’t charged extra for Taziki sauce, nor have I ever been charged extra for this item while dining at the restaurant, where I was given a generous enough portion that I didn’t have to ask for extra. The order comes with 2 ounces of Taziki sauce, which is clearly not enough for both the chicken and gyro meat. I don’t normally comment on prices, but I think $16.99 is a bit steep when you consider the gyro meat is not made in house. It is highly processed meat that is pre-cooked and reheated on site.

I like that Sofia’s takes the time to properly heat up their pita bread, don’t charge you extra for feta cheese and give you a decent amount of Kalamata olives.

Other dishes I recommend are: Hippie Dippie, Spanakopita, Greek Hummus, Greek Sampler, Gyro, the Gyro Bowl and Moussaka. I did not care for the Saturday Night Lamb and Patatas Special.

I enjoy the physical environment which has blue walls reminiscent of the Mediterranean and primitive artwork displayed on the walls, which is the handiwork of the owner. During the summer, the concrete floors and blue walls make it a nice reprieve from the heat outside, and reminiscent of a trip to the Mediterranean. However, due to the concrete floors in large glass windows, it can get a bit chilly in the winter time, so dress accordingly.

My recommendation for those visiting this restaurant is that you take the time to ask if Litsa M. will be present and cooking herself the day/time you plan to visit. This was my first experience visiting when she was not there. I would rate this visit 3 stars, but all my prior visits were a solid 4 stars, with the exception of the one time I visited on what turned out to be Trivia night. With all of the hard surfaces, the volume was obnoxiously loud. That was the first time I chose to do...

Sofia's Greek Bistro is addicting.

I visit Sofia's once a week, sometimes more because, if you love Greek food, as I do, it cannot be beat in Boise. The staff always greets people upon entering and you can tell from the first moment you walk in that it is a special restaurant. They go out of their way to make you feel like family.

The decor uses inviting blues and greens to give the feel of the Mediterranean. Artwork from local artists adorns the walls, adding bright splashes of color and interest. Every time I have been in there I see happy couples and families genuinely enjoying each other's company. The place exudes happiness.

Now for the food! If you are used to gyros like the type you will get at a carnival, county fair, or a drive through gyro places, you are in for a delightful surprise. The gyro meat that Sofia's uses is delicious. It's a mix of beef and lamb and it is delectable. The way they cook it leaves it not at all greasy. When I order a gyro I usually order the Hippie Dippie Gyro which include a spicy tzatziki sauce that adds a nice kick. I get mine with feta which adds a wonderful extra layer of flavor.

Sofia's also has a wonderful selection of rice bowls to choose from. But this rice isn't you run of the mill, dry, steamed rice. The bowls are served on a base of moist, delicious, make your tongue go crazy, lemon rice that just melts in your mouth. You can order gyro bowls or chicken bowls, even veggie bowls, but I opt for the crispy chicken bowl.

Sofia's also offers specials that cannot be beat. Moussaka. Pasticho. Dolmades. Lamb. These delicious, authentic, lovingly prepared specials have all the flavor you expect from traditional, amazing Greek food and are guaranteed to give you that feeling like they were prepared just for you by someone who loves you.

With a great staff, amazing fare, and an environment that makes one feel special, it is no wonder Sofia's has become one of my very favorite restaurants in all of Boise and why I find myself gathering my best and most loved friends together to share special memories with extraordinary food.

Do yourself a favor and fall in love...

Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you -- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

140th person to review Sofia's Greek Bistro in Garden City corner(ish) of State and Glenwood in the shopping mall near Ross and Big Lots. Been in this shopping area often and never noticed this place-- wish I had! This is my 456th review.

This place small albeit spacious and full of energy and love. I was invited here today for lunch and I enjoyed it. I love Greek food and it's only a quick drive from the HP campus (5 minutes or so). We were seated right away. My dining companion happens to notice that they had on Latin Music and we both chuckled about it. I actually find it confusingly adorable.

The menu came on a laminated sheet the size of a placemat or bigger-- double-sided with an ample amount of choices.

I ordered the low carb bowl. It was super juicy and full of flavor. I've never really enjoyed kale but ordered it as an alternative to rice, intending to only eat the contents that were on top of the kale, but I tried it and I liked it! YAY me!!! In this bowl was strings of perfectly cooked onion, some tomato, nice, juicy, thick cuts of flavorful chicken breasts. You're given a side of feta cheese and your choice between tzatziki, hippie dippie sauce (says spicy but I didn't think so) or hummus. I asked for the first two as I couldn't make up my mind. Now that I think about it, I should have gotten all 3--YOLO! I personally didn't like the Hippie Dippie, but so many others do and it's raved about, so you gotta try it once :)~ The tzatziki was (delicious).

The waitress was sweet. She came minimally which was all that was required. I was able to have a nice talk, good food, a comfortable atmosphere and all within one hour! Great job Sophia's!

Every third Saturday they have Belly Dancing. Reservations are highly...