Athenian Garden — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

I've been meaning to write this ever since Hurricane Milton. I've always liked Athenian Garden, and now I appreciate Athenian Garden SO much more and on a whole other, deeper level for how they were open and there (here) for the neighborhood and community in the aftermath of the hurricane. I live in the neighborhood where Athenian Garden is located. My particular block did not have electricity for 5 days after Milton, and I believe that much of the neighborhood if not the entire neighborhood did not either. There were large oak trees down everywhere, blocking the roads. There was a boil water notice in effect for the whole city. So I couldn't cook anything or drive anywhere, and had to throw out everything in my fridge. Athenian Garden evidently had a generator and somehow stayed open. The only two real, hot meals I had for five days were thanks to Athenian Garden staying open. Even though all of their staff were probably impacted by the hurricane, too, there they were: they somehow made it in to work, they somehow prepared good food even with that boil water notice in effect, and like I said, it was basically the only food I had (other than some sea grapes from my trees and some sunflower seeds!) for five days. No matter how traumatized and stressed the staff was regarding their own homes and situations, they never showed it. In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Athenian Garden was a profoundly needed and appreciated little spot of "normalcy" during what was a very scary, overwhelming time for me and all of us (the place was packed!). From now on, whenever I eat one of their delectable gyros, I will think gratefully of how they pulled everything together to be open and to continue to provide these and their full menu to the neighborhood and community during such an overwhelming time. Thank you, Athenian...

This review is based on how I was treated today, not based on the food. I like the food very much. I have also received good service in the past. Today my to go order was rung up and I signed a credit card slip. They asked to rerun my card because they had rung it up as cash and they wanted to run it again. I gave them my card while asking how I know that my credit card is not being charged twice - given that I signed 2 separate receipts. They said that they could not give me anything that showed that they had refunded/voided my credit card,. This turned into a whole brewhaha where I was treated very rudely by Olivia. I ultimately stated that I didn't want my order and to refund me (again). Once again, I had a receipt that I signed on my credit card but could not get any evidence that the amount was refunded back. I asked who was in charge and Olivia stated that there was no manager and that she herself was in charge. I asked if she was the supervisor and she said, "right now I am". Olivia was unhelpful, condescending, and rude. My concerns were in no way her concerns. When I asked what I should do if my credit card shows 2 charges (because that is what I signed for and I had no receipts for refunds), I asked who was going to believe me if I come in days later. She got increasingly rude, did not answer my concern and I left. I want to go on record that Mariah made whatever the original mistake was - which is okay, because we all make mistakes. But she called on Olivia to help resolve the mistake and that's when things escalated. At one point Olivia left and Mariah tried to ease the conflict in a professional and kind manner. Olivia came back, and things got worse. I like the food here. I come in often for to go. I won't be back based on the toxic way I...

4 of us went for lunch on 11/25/22 right at the end of the lunch hour. We were seated immediately by a very friendly hostess. We were given filthy dirty menus that were falling apart. Our server started off good, brought out drinks while we looked at the menu. I had to double take the prices. Having been here before and knowing food was excellent we decided to stay. I’m sorry but $11.70 for Gyro by itself and an additional $5.25 for fries just seems high to me. It was good but not $17 good. 2 in our party ordered the Greek Salad for 2 with Gyro meat. The waitress told us there would be a $3 per person up-charge due to a lettuce shortage. What B-S, lettuce cost $1.95 retail in the grocery store and you know it’s less at wholesale price. I firmly believe they should make a profit but $35 for a Greek Salad with Gyro meat? Please! I know we could have left and gone somewhere else but your there and drinks are already on the table, prices are high but we decided to stay. Never again. The service was not good. After the food came out our server disappeared. I had to go find the hostess to get a box for the leftovers and ask for a check. A Greek salad for 2, 2 Gyros with fries, an order of grape leaves and one iced tea with less than a normal tip was $97, that is outrageous amount of money for 4 people to eat lunch. The 2 stars are for the overall experience. Food was 4 stars. Not as good as last time but certainly not worth...