The Big Greek Cafe — Restaurant in Maryland

This place is sooo good. I have always had a good meal here. Only once did I have a piece of my order left out, but it was Friday during lunch and it was a big group delivery order for the office. Even then, I'd called later that evening to tell them I would stop by after work to either get a refund or the missing item, no big deal. When I stopped by, they didn't ask for the receipt and just offered a replacement meal plus a free dessert of my choice.

This is where my biggest recommendations come in. WHEN you stop by this place, try their baklava. It's a good healthy portion sliced into halves (pictured) and has such the perfect layering of flavors between the honey, dough, and nut fillings. Very difficult to tell yourself you'll save the other half for later and actually follow through!

The other recommendation is their spanakopita platter (also pictured), which, too, is a healthy portion of the popular dish, and my go-to when I stop by this place for a meal. It also includes a side of your choice.

And--speaking of sides--my final recommendation and possibly their most popular side item: their "big greek fries" (pictured with the spanakopita). There have been times where, I admit, I've ordered a box of these mouth-wateringly satisfying fries purely as a cheat meal along with ANOTHER SIDE of the SAME ITEM. No shame. They're fried to a crisp outer layer and topped with cheese and spices and get my highest recommendation at this restaurant.

Great service, phenomenal food, excellent theme, and fair portions make this place a must for anyone who's into Greek cuisine.

Oh and also... $5 gyros...

First Visit: We ate dinner on Wednesday night 12/17/2014. A neat little neighborhood. I ordered the $12.95 special Greek Salad with broiled Salmon. This salad was fantastic!! From the outstanding plump, moist, golden brown baked pita bread to the amazing thick and complex salad dressing, the very freshest salad greens, seeded olives, fresh sprinkles of feta throughout, red peppers, amazing tomato eighths, a small spattering of capers was perfect. The salmon filet was perfectly broiled with browning on top with sprinkles of delicious Greek seasoning. The service was prompt and courteous (about 13 minutes after-ordering at the counter). We also had the calamari appetizer which was terrific. too. The breading was light and crispy similar to Japanese tempura. The restaurant had about 5 people standing, waiting for their take-out orders, and maybe 5 tables with 2-3 people each. There were only 3-4 empty tables. Right next door is a very cozy coffee shop (Zed's Cafe, dim lighting, sofa and stuffed furniture) where we ordered coffee to go, and we put both the Big Greek Cafe and the Zed's on our "must visit...

An avid Greek cuisine lover, I am always on the lookout for some really good souvlaki or gyro, Greek salads or other fabulous eats, having tried them from Oregon to Florida! I recently ran across BGC while in the Silver Spring area around lunch time, and boy, am I glad I did! For being a small place, I was impressed with their lively and bright, yet not overwhelming décor - it not louder than your lunch, helping to savor and enjoy the experience. It was nice, neat, convenient, and the counter staff is very friendly and attentive. I was sold BGC the moment I bit into their huge and hard to handle, but incredibly delicious Bifteki Pita with a side of peppers and feta cheese, and a Coke! Anyone who can make something this good, has to make everything just as well. I had the pleasure of briefly meeting the busy Big Greek himself, coming out of the kitchen briefly to say hi and receive my compliment. Anyone who enjoys excellent Greek fare, has to put the Big Greek Café on their bucket list of eateries. I'll see you as soon as I can get back to BGC. ...