Mr. Gyros & Burgers — Restaurant in Virginia

I was visiting from California and got a hankerin' for gyros. Because of all the rave reviews, I gave Mr. Gyros a shot. Whoa. What a let down. I've had gyros in both Chicago and Detroit's Greektown, plus dozens and dozens of other gyro stands throughout the country. Those customers giving the high ratings to Mr. Gyros must not have anything to compare these gyros to.

For starters, let's talk about the traditional Tzatziki sauce that they don't even label as Tzatziki sauce but "gyro sauce". It should be made with Greek yogurt, fresh cucumbers, fresh mint and a dash of garlic, olive oil, fresh lemon, salt and pepper. As a Foodie, I've made this sauce many times for my guests. It's supposed to be cool and refreshing. This "gyro sauce" was almost all garlic making it pungent and potent. It was quite the shock to the ol' palate biting into a the sandwich and getting hit with that burning sensation of way too much garlic. Also, gyro meat should be a combo of lamb, beef, and spices. This was lamb and beef, I think, but missing those wonderful Mediterranean spices. It was very bland and there wasn't much meat in the sandwich. I'm used to my gyro sandwiches being piled high with gyro meat. The pita bread was fine but a traditional gyro is pita, gyro meat, Tzatziki sauce, onions and tomatoes. Mine came loaded with lettuce too, maybe as a filler instead of loading up with gyro meat like other places do?

We also ordered the hummus side with pita. Again, I've made hummus hundreds of times in my life. It's very easy to make in your food processor or blender. This was another bland taste. They must have used the garlic in the Tzatziki sauce and just waved the Tahini (sesame seed paste) bottle over it as a blessing during preparation. We received ONE pita cut into four pieces. Again, I'm used to 3 or more pitas cut up for dipping. We didn't finish the hummus do to it being so bland but we would have had to grab some crackers to finish it if we did.

I came away feeling my meal was made as cheaply as possible, built around cost cutting; a lack of the correct ingredients, lots of lettuce replacing a pile of gyro meat, and the one pita for dipping. I won't be back because this was a traveling one-shot trip for me, but for you locals who think these gyros are the bomb, just wait until you experience a...

We've eaten here a couple of times and each time it's been great. This is a really tiny place so if you don't like feeling crowded take your order to go. Or they have a couple of tables outside. You can use their online order system to place your order. It's very easy. No app needed. You get an email and a text about your order. The expected pick up time is clear when you order. They can get pretty busy at dinner time, which I love to see for small local businesses. So we like placing our order ahead of time and by the time I've driven there it's ready. Everyone is always super friendly. While I was picking up our last order the attendant behind the counter was talking to one of the customers who was a regular and checking in with them since it had been a while since they had been in. That was awesome to see. My last order had a salad and 3 burgers. Some extra pita bread and sauces. The attendant made sure everything was correct and that the sauces weren't forgotten. They have some killer tzatziki sauce. We really didn't want that left behind. Well as it happened I was heading out to the car and sure enough something was forgotten. But I didn't spot it. They did. They chased me down to give me my extra pita bread. In the July heat they ran after me and they made sure we got everything! So many things get taken for granted these days but here not only is the food good but you're treated like you matter and your business matters. You don't feel like you are an imposition being there. It's a nice feeling. Oh and the place is clean. You can look up at the ceiling tiles. That's usually a good indicator. No greasy fluff on the ceiling and they don't paint it black to hide it like chain restaurants. **So if you're looking for the TLDR: nice cozy place with good food. Order ahead to save time. You're treated well and your food is made to order and packed with care. All done in a clean...

Mr. Gyros and Burgers is a sterling example of what a takeout restaurant should be. There is no telling how many people’s lives have been preserved during the Covid epidemic because they have been able to depend on the fresh, wholesome meals Mr. Gyros has served. While there is little space available for indoor dining, the whole premises is clean and attractive—including the kitchen and wait staff. I have no idea how they handle the amount of takeout business they have, but each order is carefully prepared—AND checked—before it is packed and delivered.

At one point last year I think I ordered almost all my lunches there—everyone in my family loves the food, whether served as delicious Gyros, or as enormous Greek Salads with grilled chicken souvlaki or grilled sirloin/lamb “Gyro meat.” On days I felt I could not eat so much food, I would order either a ground sirloin or lamb burger, with a smaller Greek side salad.

All portions are enormous, even of the crunchy lightly battered french fries. A wide variety of soft drinks is available, and if you THINK you could eat a dessert, there is almost always Baklava and at least one type of cheesecake to choose from.

I found it very handy to call ahead and place our pickup order directly—they ask how long it will take you to get there, and the meals were ready and waiting for me when I arrived. Just “pay and go”!

Gradually the menu has expanded—they now offer “Rice Bowls” with your choice of ingredients—but everything on offer is first-class dining. You can also choose from a large variety of salad dressings, but I have always found their in-house Greek olive oil dressing...