Niko Niko's — Restaurant in The Woodlands

I'm not usually the type to write reviews, but unfortunately I cannot recommend Niko Niko's in the woodlands. Originally came here a couple of weeks after their grand opening on a weekend. Waited 30 minutes in line and when we got to the counter, we were told it would be another 50 minutes until the food would be ready. I gave them the benefit of the doubt and figured they were just busy busy and we would come back another time.

Upon walking in tonight (Tuesday night at 7:45), there was one person in line in front of us and a party of three behind us, so we figured surely this visit would be different. We order our food (gyro plate, chicken and souvlaki plate, two drinks and a piece of the baklava cheesecake) which came out to just about $60 and were told the wait would be about 30 minutes. A little bit excessive in my opinion on price and cook time, but again, giving the benefit of the doubt. Our ticket was printed at 7:54, we grabbed our drinks and waited for our food. After about 40 minutes and seeing the people who ordered directly behind us finishing their food and leaving the restaurant, I go to the counter and inquire about our food. After some visible confusion among the staff, they come back to tell me it will be another 3 minutes for our food. When the food is ready and I go to pick it up, the food wasn't even hot. At this point, I ask to speak to a manager. Aaron follows me to the table and I express my concerns considering the service we recieved and he proceeds to ask if I have "ever been a part of a grand opening before" as if opening over a month ago is some kind of excuse? Then he proceeds to tell me that we are "only approaching about 35 minutes since ticket was printed". At the time of this comment it was 8:41, 47 minutes after the ticket was printed. He comped the baklava cheesecake and offered another dessert. The fries were room temp, almost cold, my lamb was room temp as was the chicken souvlaki plate. If the food had arrived hot, I would have given it 3 stars, but really the food was just okay. The most redeeming part of the meal was the tzatziki sauce, which was very good. All the food is served on paper plates with plastic ware, you stand in line and order at the counter then when your food is ready you go back to pick it up. You refil your own drinks and yet at the counter you're expected to tip 15-25% on food that is overpriced. I heard really great things about the Niko Niko's in downtown Houston, but this one in the woodlands unfortunately doesn't seem to measure up.

TLDR; ridiculous wait times, overpriced food served on paper plates with plastic utensils and cups, cafeteria style restaurant where you're still expected to tip, food is just okay. I will not be returning to this branch, but am eager to give the one...

We we so excited to hear that Niko Niko's was coming from Houston to The Woodlands, and are so grateful!

Reading over the reviews, it appears that many people may not be aware of what Niko Niko's is.

Niko Niko's is the Greek restaurant Houston's Greeks go to when they don't want to cook. It's been a Houston staple for almost 50 years.

Niko Niko's is unique. There are a lot of Mediterranean restaurants in the U.S., but as any Greek knows there's a big difference between "Mediterranean food" and "Greek" food. There are very few Greek restaurants good enough for Greeks to enjoy.

Those who say that Niko Niko's is expensive aren't considering everything that's included in the meals, and the portion sizes. Greeks don't skimp, and any platter here is 2 meal's worth of food. Most restaurants nickel and dime or make you buy Greek salads separately. Here they typically come with the meals.

Reviewers who complain that they don't wait on you confuse me. Great places focus on the food, and if they can lower the prices by eliminating unnecessary steps that's wonderful! Who wants to pay for someone to interrupt you a dozen times during your meal to ask if you'd like more water, and not-so-gently nudge you out and prematurely end your time with friends and family as soon as you've finished eating so they can seat someone else? You get to relax in a spacious and pleasant dining room with no rush and enjoy high quality food made from high quality ingredients for about 50% more than the cost of mass produced mediocre fast food.

We really appreciate that this location is large enough to handle crowds, and has plenty of parking and...

Niko Nikos is a reasonably priced choice with an extensive menu and options for everyone in the family. It's a fun, energizing setting, but set your expectations for good but not fantastic food before going in, and you will be satisfied.

Full Review: Niko Niko's new location is the latest Mediterranean-style restaurant in The Woodlands. It is a fast-food Mediterranean, its counter-service self-seating, where the food comes on disposable plates, and the silverware is recyclable. It's hard to recognize the old Luby's that it replaced and renovated, adding outdoor seating and transforming the restaurant into a fresh, almost rustic vibe; unlike some other Greek restaurants, it doesn't feel gaudy or garish. Like many people in and around The Woodlands, we've been waiting for this to open, watching it slowly being constructed, and now that the time is here, it is jam-packed with lines up to close at 9 PM. So, it's hard not to have high expectations when the restaurant touts "Voted Best Greek Food" in Houston. Lower your expectations before eating here to align with a counter-service Mediterranean restaurant at a friendly price. It's a great place to feed your family; the staples like gyros were acceptable, but don't expect them to be much different than Ta'bleyah or GW in the mall. The pita and hummus were also acceptable, but the calamari was chewy and could have been better. The dessert case looked good and tasted good; we tried the Black Forest Cake and had no complaints. This restaurant fills a need for those who want to avoid Mediterranean buffets with solid but not fantastic food at reasonable prices in a fun,...