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Greek House Cafe
5 W. Haley St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 560-0809

  • Category: Greek
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
  • Price: < $10
  • Serving: Lunch
  • Reservations: Yes, but usually not needed
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Greek House Cafe writes: Authentic Greek Cafe. Serving Gyros, Kebobs, Greek Salads, Calamari and more. Casual dining with take away for all your needs.

  • Specials: Daily specials include Moussaka, Lamb Shanks with Artichokes. Seafood Plake
  • Delivery: $30.00 min. Delivery fee $5.00. Call ahead, times available. (805)560-0809

Reviews by the General Public

Great Authentic Gyro, 8/27/2010
Reviewer: N.R from Santa Barbara, CA
I am a frequent international traveler and have never found a food that is as tasty as the Gyros that you can buy in Greece. Living in the states, I have searched for a Greek restaurant that prepares and serves authentic Gyros with no avail until I had the Gyros at the Greek House Cafe. These gyros are as authentic as I have seen, especially the fact that they are served with "chips"(French Fries) which is common in Greece and that their meat is thick. This is the best Gyro I have had sense traveling to Greece and the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the meat is a bit overdone, but not enough to really make a fuss about. I will continue to go back to the Greek House Cafe and am happy to be a loyal customer.
Eh, wouldn't go back., 6/7/2010
Reviewer: David from Santa Barbara, CA
It is possible to be funky and have less than perfect decor and still be clean. This is not that. Old, crusted on food stuck to tables is not cool. The food was passable. The gyro was commercial gyro meat (so no surprise good or bad) and the accouterments were dismal and miniscule. The Greek salad was about what I would expect from a place that has never seen one before. The ingredients were mostly romaine lettuce with some slices of bell pepper and a few (pitted) olives. The Feta was grated into tiny pieces and very sparingly at that. It was hard to taste any Feta at all. Having been to Greece and having gone to many Greek places in the U.S. I would rate this as though it was operated by someone who has no clue what Greek Salads are supposed to be. Additionally the salad was served with (bottled) Italian dressing on the side, no olive oil or vinegar or lemon juice. It would be so easy to repair these flaws, and I hope they will.

Greek House Cafe writes: David Your comments are will be addressed. The salad comment on the guy who runs the place etc. I am the owner and made the menu. I am 100% Greek. I grew up in a Greek household. Greek is my first language. My grandparents immigrated from Greece. They also taught me how to cook and passed on family recipes. Your comments on how you went to Greece and ate at a few places does not make an expert on anything Greek. In Greece they do not use lettuce in the salads , as lettuce is too expensive to grow. They like lettuce but it is scarce. So when Greeks came to the States and found lettuce all around, is was added to the Greek Salad. My Grandma (Yia-Yia in Greek ), who lived with us and cooked Greek food for the family daily. She even make yogurt and cured olives. She put lettuce in her Greek salads. Many restaurants also use lettuce, as does my church at functions and many Greek Festivals i hav´ worked at. In example: Check out Papa Cristos in LA and on the Web. This place is great and check out their Greek Salad.(with lettuce and house dressing) . We also serve the Village Greek Salad that has no lettuce with olive and vinegar in the store on request and it will be printed on the new menu. Bottled Italian Dressing. The dressing is made on site, It contains some olive oil, sea salt and oregano all imported from Greece. I also add some dijon, lemon juice, garlic and pepper. Yia-Yia used red vinegar instead ot lemon juice. We also used straight olive oil and vinegar on request. At the cafe we do not put the dressing on the side unless it is requested. Olives: you may ask for more olives, as many as you wish. Our dressing is very popular. Gyro-I believe the cone we use was invented by a Greek in Chicago, It is not like the ones in Greece which are Pork. The Cone is very popular in the States and other parts of the world, When I was in Greece , a non-English Speaking Greek Gyro Stand owner, took me in his kitchen and showed me how to make a Gyro. It was layers of Pork with spices that included Black Mustard Seed. He also had Chicken in Pita and Bisteak in Pita. We also offer the Chicken, Steak and a Falafel. at my cafe. Your comments on your Food Portions. I am sorry that you were not served the proper amounts and shredded feta cheese (which is sheep’s milk) I have taken care of both of these issues, We will gladly give you a refund or another meal. Your table should not have had a spot on it., we missed a spot. We clean tables when guests leave. We keep a clean kitchen. I agree the decor is. funky because it has no decor .. We are in the middle of a remodel . The current dining room has most of the decor removed We will be adding more seating and new colours and floors We are also adding a full kitchen and grill . Most Recipes are all Yia-Yia’s from Greece. I hope this addressed your comments and if you wish call me or stop by or more information.
wonderful service and food, 3/26/2010
Reviewer: DCR from Santa Barbara, CA
Will always go back and recomend to people to try it. :P
The Best Gyros!!, 2/19/2010
Reviewer: Lo from Santa Barbara, CA
This place has the best Gyros in town!!!
French Fries IN a Gyro? , 11/7/2009
Reviewer: Leslie from Santa Barbara, CA
I ordered a Gyro to go. When I opened it, there was overdone meat with little or no tzaziki, tomatoes or onion. However there WERE French Fries. Don't know if the owner was trying to "stretch" the Gyro by skimping on real ingredients or what. Last time I checked fries were not part of a Gyro. I wish I hadn't left a tip in the jar. I feel totally ripped-off. I will not go back.
EXCELLENT GYROS!!, 9/30/2009
Reviewer: Mike from Carpinteria, CA
Finally got to try this place and it was great!! I ordered 2 gyros to-go and took them home to Carpinteria. They were perfect. The best I've had in a very long time. The girl who waited on me was very friendly (and VERY pretty too!) I'll definitely recommend this to my friends!

great food and cheap
Reviewer: vanessa from Santa Barbara, CA
the people working were really sweet and the food was great. i highly recommend this place.

Really Good Turkey Sandwich
Reviewer: Allison Sebek from Santa Barbara, CA
I randomly went to Greek House with a friend who raved about it. I ordered the turkey sandwich with avocado and sprouts and I want to say that it was the best turkey sandwich I have ever had! The bread was so so fresh. I've been there several times and the man is really nice. The first time I went our order took a really long time and he threw in baklava for free in return. It was amazing!!! All I have to complain about is the building itself, which is decorated like it came out of the nineties, and is way to small and claustrophobic to eat in.

great food, super nice owner
Reviewer: sean jackson from Santa Barbara, CA
i have been going here for about a year and a half, great tri tip sandwich, great falafels and all the gyro combinations are awesome. The owner is always really nice and he bakes amazing pastries.
Kept my change
Reviewer: Eric from Santa Barbara, CA
I ordered a mixed meat gyro to go. The guy behind the counter (not the owner, another middle-aged guy) wasn't that friendly. Then he took my money and didn't return my change! He just turned his back to me and started doing something else. I was going to put the change in the tip jar anyway, so I just left. But in retrospect, that's unacceptable! Hopefully it was just an honest mistake. That said, the gyro was pretty good.

Greek House Cafe writes: Thanks for the info. I have spoken to the employ as we feel the customer is always first. Thanks, Stan
UNSANITARY
Reviewer: Aaron from Santa Barbara, CA
I just went there to order a gyro and the kid there wasn't wearing any gloves and EATING something while preparing my gyro. Completely inappropriate and must be illegal for food prep. I can't believe that stuff still goes on. I am definitely NOT coming back after seeing that.

Greek House Cafe writes: Yasas This was totally not in our standards. This person no longer works for us and all staff has been informed of this violation. Thanks, Stan
Wishing
Reviewer: Michelle M. from Santa Barbara, CA
I have such high hopes for this place. I would love to support any local Greek eatery; yet I'm always disappointed. For the love of God, Please stop microwaving your chicken/ meats. It really effects the quality of the food. If you just change this one aspect of your establishment it would be a great improvement. Please set a higher standard for Greek food in SB we want to support you!!! it's just hard when the meat tastes like rubber. Everything else here taste wonderful; sauces salads... yum :)

Greek House Cafe writes: Yasas We do not have a microwave in our kitchen and am sorry the meat was overcooked. We will always replace your order if is not correct. Thanks,Stan
Yummy!
Reviewer: Brook from Santa Barbara, CA
Great falafel!! I do agree that you need to call in your order if you don't want to wait, but the food is so good, it's worth the wait!
You've got to wait, but it's good overall
Reviewer: Christina from Santa Barbara, CA
Despite it's size, The Greek House is well worth it, taste-wise. We waited for a very long time for our Spanakopita because an oven has been down, apparently. (We noticed the cook was very stealthy and incognito in the back). That is the only downside-the wait. (3 stars for food) A good tip-call about 15 minutes before you go, then your food will be ready when you get there! Oh, the waitress behind the counter was very nice and welcoming. We've seen two ladies working there, a younger and an older. They are both very sweet. The younger one was there when we went. We wondered why she was working there and not at a more upscale restaurant! It must be worth it! (5 stars for service)

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