Texas Spots Where Hearty Gyros Have Been Served For Decades

Texas might be famous for its barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the Lone Star State also boasts some incredible Greek cuisine.

Hidden among the sprawling cities and small towns are family-owned establishments that have been perfecting the art of gyro-making for generations.

These restaurants blend authentic Mediterranean flavors with Texas hospitality, creating dining experiences that keep customers returning year after year.

1. Papa Gyros – Dallas

Family recipes passed down for three generations make Papa Gyros a Dallas institution since 1974. The Papadopoulos family fled Greece during political unrest, bringing only their most prized possession their secret tzatziki recipe.

Tender strips of seasoned lamb and beef rotate slowly on vertical spits visible from every table. What makes their gyros special is the balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior, all wrapped in warm, fluffy pita that’s baked in-house daily.

Regulars swear by the “Papa’s Special” a double-meat gyro with extra feta and their signature hot sauce that packs just the right punch. During summer months, their patio becomes a neighborhood gathering spot where three generations of Dallas families share meals together.

2. Olympia Grill – Galveston

Waves crash just steps away from Olympia Grill, where salty sea breezes have complemented Mediterranean flavors since 1967. Located on Galveston’s historic Seawall Boulevard, this waterfront establishment serves gyros that sailors and locals alike claim rival those found in Athens.

The Kriticos brothers maintain the same recipes their grandfather brought from Kalymnos. Their signature gyro features hand-stacked meat (never processed), marinated for 48 hours in a blend of twenty spices.

During hurricane season, Olympia Grill has become known as the last restaurant to close and first to reopen. Even after Hurricane Ike nearly destroyed the building in 2008, they served gyros from a makeshift kitchen to help feed recovery workers.

3. Zorba’s Greek Taverna – Houston

Hidden in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, Zorba’s small blue door leads to a courtyard that feels transported straight from Santorini. Since 1979, this family-run taverna has maintained the same charcoal pit cooking technique that gives their gyros that distinctive smoky flavor.

Mr. Stavros, now in his 80s, still oversees the meat preparation each morning at 4 AM. Their gyro meat combines lamb and beef with herbs grown in their rooftop garden, creating a uniquely Houston-Greek fusion.

Though they’ve been offered millions for their property as Montrose gentrified, the family refuses to sell. Their legendary status was cemented when Anthony Bourdain featured their gyros on his show and declared them “worth flying to Texas for.” The walls are covered with photos of Greek and Texan celebrities who’ve dined there.

4. Athena Greek Taverna – Austin

Music and Mediterranean flavors have mingled at Athena since 1982, making it a fixture of Austin’s food scene long before the city became a culinary destination. Thursday nights feature live bouzouki music while gyro meat spins on vertical rotisseries visible from every table.

College students from nearby UT Austin discovered this gem decades ago when the current owner’s mother would offer free gyros to hungry students who couldn’t afford a meal. This tradition continues today with their “pay-it-forward” board where customers can pre-purchase meals for those in need.

Their gyros stand out for the distinctive honey-lemon marinade and the hand-stretched pita that’s slightly thicker than most. The outdoor patio, strung with lights and surrounded by olive trees, provides the perfect setting for their famous midnight gyro service that begins after the bars close.

5. El Greco – San Antonio

Just three blocks from the Alamo stands El Greco, where Tex-Mex and Greek cuisines have been fusing deliciously since 1972. The Karagounis family created something truly unique gyros served with handmade flour tortillas instead of traditional pita.

Locals line up daily for their signature “Greco Taco,” featuring the same spiced gyro meat but with avocado, queso fresco, and a roasted jalapeño sauce. Despite the Tex-Mex twist, they maintain authentic Greek techniques for the meat preparation.

During Fiesta San Antonio, their gyro floats have won the parade’s “Best Food Entry” category five years running. The restaurant’s walls showcase three generations of family photos alongside signed pictures from Greek NBA stars who make this their first stop when playing against the Spurs.

6. Mykonos Taverna – Fort Worth

Cowboys and Greeks might seem an unlikely pairing, but at Mykonos Taverna in Fort Worth, this cultural blend has thrived since 1981. Founded by a Greek immigrant who married a Texas rancher’s daughter, their gyros feature locally raised lamb that’s prepared according to centuries-old Cycladic recipes.

The restaurant sits in a converted old western saloon, with the original bar now serving as the counter where gyros are assembled. Their signature touch is the addition of a thin slice of grilled Texas 1015 sweet onion inside each wrap.

During the annual Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, their gyro food truck becomes one of the event’s most popular vendors. They’ve created a special “Rodeo Gyro” that includes a sprinkle of mesquite-smoked salt that perfectly bridges Mediterranean and Western flavors. Fourth-generation family members now work alongside the founders.

7. Dionysos Greek Village – El Paso

Perched on a hillside with views stretching into Mexico, Dionysos has been El Paso’s connection to Greece since 1969. The restaurant was founded by a Greek diplomat who fell in love with the desert landscape that reminded him of his homeland.

Their gyros are distinctive for using desert herbs that grow wild in the Franklin Mountains. The meat is cooked over mesquite wood rather than traditional charcoal, giving it a uniquely Southwestern character while maintaining Greek authenticity.

Border patrol agents and Mexican businesspeople alike gather here, making it an unofficial neutral ground for cross-border relationships. During full moons, they host special outdoor dinners where gyros are served alongside both Greek and Mexican wines. Their blue and white building has become such a landmark that it’s featured in El Paso tourism materials.

8. Parthenon Gyros – Lubbock

Dust storms and Greek food might seem incompatible, but Parthenon Gyros has weathered both since 1976 in Lubbock’s historic downtown. Texas Tech professors and students discovered this gem when the founder a mathematics professor from Athens decided teaching wasn’t his true calling.

Their gyros are renowned for being served on pita that’s noticeably thinner than most, allowing the flavors of the meat to dominate. The tzatziki contains a hint of jalapeño a modification made after local farmers brought the owner peppers as payment during a 1980s agricultural crisis.

During home football games, they create special red and black tzatziki (colored with beet juice and squid ink) to support the Red Raiders. The restaurant’s survival through multiple tornados and economic downturns has made it a symbol of resilience for the entire Lubbock community.

9. Mediterranean Brothers – Corpus Christi

Salty gulf breezes have been mingling with the scent of roasting gyro meat at Mediterranean Brothers since 1970. Founded by actual brothers who came to Texas as merchant marines and never left, this dockside eatery serves gyros to fishermen heading out and returning from the Gulf.

Their secret is a marinade incorporating seawater and local citrus, giving their gyros a brightness that cuts through the richness of the lamb and beef. The restaurant maintains its own fishing boats, ensuring the seafood gyros contain the freshest catch possible.

During hurricane evacuations, they’re known for staying open as long as possible, providing hot meals to emergency workers. Their “Fisherman’s Gyro” which includes grilled shrimp alongside the traditional meat has been featured in seafood magazines across the country. Photos of record-breaking local catches line the walls alongside Greek island scenes.

10. Apollo’s Chariot – Amarillo

Highway travelers along Route 66 have been stopping at Apollo’s Chariot since 1965, making it one of the oldest continuously operating Greek restaurants in Texas. Founded by a Greek family who came to America following WWII, this Amarillo landmark sits between two iconic roadside attractions.

Their gyros are known for generous portions “Texas-sized” as they advertise with meat that’s sliced thicker than traditional Greek style. The family raises their own lamb on a nearby ranch, controlling the entire process from farm to table.

Truckers spread word about Apollo’s along shipping routes, creating a reputation that extends across multiple states. Their “Road Warrior” special includes a double-meat gyro with extra tzatziki served with a shot of ouzo. During the annual Amarillo livestock show, they create special gyros using prize-winning lamb, with proceeds supporting agricultural education.

11. Delphi Oracle – Waco

Baylor University students have been receiving both gyros and life advice at Delphi Oracle since 1973. The original owner, a Greek philosophy professor, named menu items after ancient Greek concepts their signature “Socratic Gyro” encourages customers to build their own combination of ingredients.

Located in a converted Victorian house, each dining room represents a different Greek island. Their gyro meat features a distinctive clove and cinnamon profile that’s become their trademark, with a sweeter flavor than most traditional recipes.

During finals week, they’ve maintained a tradition of offering free gyros to any student who can recite 10 lines of Homer’s Odyssey in Greek. The current owner the founder’s daughter who left a law career to preserve her father’s legacy continues writing philosophical quotes on their gyro wrappers. Local judges and professors hold informal gatherings here, making it Waco’s unofficial intellectual hub.

12. Aegean Blue – Laredo

Laredo’s border culture and Greek traditions have been blending beautifully at Aegean Blue since 1978. The Stavros family creates gyros that incorporate both Greek and Mexican influences their signature “Border Gyro” includes both tzatziki and salsa verde.

Housed in one of Laredo’s oldest buildings with a courtyard featuring a replica of a Greek fishing village fountain, they maintain separate cooking stations for traditional Greek preparations and their fusion creations. Their gyro meat is distinctive for using goat alongside the traditional lamb and beef a nod to the local ranching traditions.

Spanish and Greek music alternate throughout the day, with weekend performances featuring dancers from both traditions. During their annual Greek-Mexican Festival, they create special gyros that incorporate ingredients from both cuisines. Three generations of the family still work in the restaurant, with the youngest members developing new fusion creations.

13. Acropolis Heights – Midland

Oil booms and busts have come and gone, but Acropolis Heights has been serving consistent Greek cuisine in Midland since 1969. Founded by a Greek geologist who came for the petroleum industry but stayed for love, this restaurant sits atop one of the few hills in the area.

Their gyros are distinctive for using mesquite wood in the cooking process, giving the meat a subtle smokiness that complements the traditional spices. During the 1980s oil crash, they created an “Oilfield Special” a half-price gyro that helped many families through tough times.

The restaurant’s walls feature both Greek landscapes and West Texas oil fields, symbolizing the owner’s dual heritage. Their outdoor patio, designed to resemble a Greek mountainside taverna despite the Texas heat, uses ingenious misting systems to keep diners comfortable. Local oil executives and roughnecks alike gather here, making it one of the few places where all levels of the industry socialize together.