4. Restaurants

Ayola

327 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA, 94108
  • (415) 391-1154
  • Store is closed

Ayola Menu

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  • Shana L.

    Love Ayola. I usually get the 7 or 9 inch gyro with a small side of tabouli. I recently had them cater a dinner and they did a fabulous job. Super friendly and easy to work with. Delicious pita and tzatziki. Nice variety of salads. I like the variety plate too for a combo of appetizers. Chicken shawarma and lamb/beef are both amazing. Very resonable for the quality and quantity. They make their red pepper sauce which is the bomb for those of you who like hot sauce.

    (5)

  • Jean K.

    Came here for a brief lunch with a friend. I ordered a gyro platter and he got falafels. Gyro platter is seriously a huge plate. Lots of slices of gyro meat - it's flavorful and on saltier side but not a fan of the meat quality.. Taste a little rubbery, and I like fresh slices of good meat I love the red spicy sauce!! So good, nothing I've had before tastes like Marinera and hot sauce - great on salad and meat. This Greek place didn't blow my mind, but it's decent food and good price in the FIDI/Soma district

    (3)

  • Kent H.

    Great gyro. The meat was moist and not charred like some places where it's just chunks of black. The taste was great, although I could do with a little less yogurt. I opted for the larger version which was just the right size to fill me up.

    (4)

  • Elena N.

    I was looking for a good Greek/Mediterranean place by work. Using Yelp, I found Ayola. October 2013 *Gyros platter ($8.95) with side of Hot sauce yelp.com/biz_photos/ayol… The Gyros platter comes with gyros meat, hummus, tzatziki, a small greek salad and pita. I'm not a huge pita person, so I made a salad with the meat and sauces. The meat was good, but it was kind of dry. It needed the hummus to give it moisture. The hummus itself was good. Full of flavor and smooth. I thought the tzatziki was a little too thick though. Made it hard to eat with the salad I made. Make sure to grab some hot sauce to add a little heat to the dish. Decent Greek food. And fairly cheap.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    When I was a work'n stiff on Market Street, I came here once a month or so for a lamb gyro. They have a loft upstairs and a nice bar. The seats at the bar have a commanding view of the street and the customer area. Below the loft is a giant menu of all the things at Ayola. Pretty girls come in off the street to order their food. They look up at the menu from below and smile. It appears they are smiling at me as in, "Oh! What a cutie you are!". That was the first time it happened and I wondered how it was that a lovely young girl could give a look like that to a sucked out old geezer. Then I figured it all out - she was making a menu selection. Now I go there and just pretend they are all smiling at me. I don't smile back and wave though.... that would be bad form. I have never eaten anything but the lamb gyro's here. When I first came to this place I started eating at the other gyro places. After sampling 3 different establishments with inferior gyros I made this place my one and only gyro shop. There is an Ayola on Montgomery but it isn't as good as the Kearny shop. I would only go there if there was a hard rain. They make their own hot sauce for the food. I love it and put gallons on my gyro. You should too.

    (5)

  • Nilufer S.

    Namnamnam this makes me so hungry right now My favorites are Fries and chicken Gyros+ falafel and and greek salad wrap fries inside! Oh god give me some pls :)

    (5)

  • Ed U.

    I'd make a terrible Greek. I can't dance, even if Anthony Quinn was holding onto my shoulder as he kicked up his heels on a beach in Crete. My everyday plates are Corelle, so they bounce when you try to smash them. Nope, I'd make a lousy Greek, which may mean you have to take my review of Ayola with a grain of salt or maybe a grain of orzo. But hey, I'm a big fan of the one on New Montgomery where they do something nearly magical with their fries, so I'm not sure why this one doesn't make me want to go "Ooom-pah!" Part of it, I have to admit, is location, as this Ayola stands in the shadow of Baladie on the same block where their gyros wraps are outstanding as you gaze at the mural of Petra. Here you just gaze at the condiment stand. On my first visit, I went for what I knew best, the $7.95 Lamb & Beef Gyros, the nine-incher as we say in the trade (..I have no idea what trade I'm taking about) with a splooge of tzatziki sauce (photo: bit.ly/1COyXgo ). It was certainly big enough with a decent amount of meat shaved from the spit (presumably), but the pita wrap was crusty to the point of jaw-tiring. What's more, the fries were dry like Sahara-dry (photo: bit.ly/1CcfJMh ). Needless to say, I was not all that motivated to come back until recently when I had a hankering for some Greek eats for lunch but wanted to be a bit more mindful of the calorie count. This time I ordered the $8.75 Neptune Salad described as a "Greek salad with tuna". Well, not quite but it was still pretty good. It was actually a pile of chopped Romaine with a few tomato wedges and even fewer Kalamata olives thrown in. On top was this mass of tuna that looked like it came from a can. Not that I'm complaining as I eat canned tuna voluntarily, but I had no idea Charlie the Tuna even knew the God of the Seas. Anyway, their special house dressing was on the side as were a couple of grilled pita wedges (photo: bit.ly/16Nld7Q ). And halelujah, the fries were almost back to their magical form - hot, lightly crisped and oh-so plentiful (photo: bit.ly/16Nll7a ). It was enough for me to reconsider the gyros at some point when I can afford the carbs. In the meantime, I sat up in the balcony where they set up a counter for diners to have a panoramic view of the first floor. It's the nearest I'm getting to a vacation for the next couple of months. FOOD - 3 stars...kinda hit-and-miss with their gyros and fries but the salad is pretty decent AMBIANCE - 3 stars...small space, not that comfortable but the view from the balcony is just...oh who am I kidding? SERVICE - 3 stars...order and pick up, no big whoop TOTAL - 3 stars...will Anthony Quinn ask me to dance?

    (3)

  • Sara R.

    I've been here twice, but failed to write a review the first time. I believe the first time I ordered the greek salad pita, which left a little to be desired. But the second time I pre-ordered the customizable 3 choice combo deal, with fries, spinakopita, and falafel on Yelp. The spinakopita was really good, as were the fries, especially with tzatziki and the hot sauce. The falafel was a little dry, next time I'll try a salad with the meal. Those fries though! Crispy, salty, delicious!

    (4)

  • Andrew M.

    Ayola is the FiDI's ideal launching point for a gyro trip. The gyro comes with both 7-inch and 9-inch options, but unless you anticipate burning the midnight oil or work in construction, the 7-inch is recommended to prevent sudden onset nap syndrome. The pita is noticeably fresh and a great envelop for shipping the lamb and beef contents mouth-ward- it does not awkwardly crumble, an obvious characteristic of stale pita, and is not overly chewy, so to compare it to the necessary gum after. The tzatziki sauce permeates the gyro in appropriate amounts, negotiating harmony between the juicy slices of meat and crisp, veggie accoutrement. A true highlight of Ayola is the optional hot sauce stored in squeeze bottles by the utensils. The sauce is not overwhelmingly spicy and devoid of flavor, but instead a rich smokiness that perfectly complements the cool tzatziki. Beware the gradual spice buildup when progressing through the gyro, but the swirl of flavor high is well worth the slightly sweaty aftermath. Ayola's fries, which can be added to any meal along with a soda for $3, are thick, crispy, and well-seasoned, and are as inseparable from the gyro as they are from their more famous burger cousins. The crispy fries' textural dance with the softer, yielding gyro is a spectacle for your mouth to behold.

    (4)

  • Jeff O.

    Came for lunch. Counter service restaurant. Awesome Gyro sandwiches. Be sure to get the homemade hot sauce. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could. The owner is super friendly. Great value for the money. I want to come back and get some of the platters. Everything looks great. Limited seating but they have some more upstairs. Just look for the steps to the left.

    (4)

  • Heather L.

    OMG! Ayola is SO good. One of our staff recommended we order our staff lunch from them. So this week we did. I ordered the chicken gyros and it was really good. Tasted even better with the hot sauce they gave us. I also got an order of fries which were just okay. But I was very happy with their service. They delivered on time and got everyone's order correct. The 3 item combos are a bit on the small side but the wraps are very filling.

    (4)

  • Sam F.

    Had a hankering for some Greek food and Ayola was conveniently located in the direction I was heading, so I made a pit stop for some yummy fuel. I arrived around 1 PM and there was only one guy in line ahead of me. The man at the counter was really nice, and I ordered the chicken gyro with no sides. They have free water, utensils, and spicy sauce on a little cart which was awesome because I was super thirsty and didn't want to pay for a soda. I grabbed my water, hung out by the cart, and only waited five minutes or so before my food was served up in a convenient paper bag by a smiling young lady =) I headed to the park near the Transamerica tower because it was pretty crowded inside and I wanted to get some fresh air. The gyro was quite good, I really enjoyed the liberal amount of lettuce and tomato inside, but the pita was kind of dry on the edges. The meat was nice and tasty and moist and the tzatziki sauce was delicious. I grabbed some of the hot sauce on the way out and poured some of it in my pita while I was eating which gave it a delicious kick. The seven inch sandwich was definitely enough to fill me up, no sides needed!

    (4)

  • Ringo M.

    Welcome to the latest edition of food kid f.A.A.t city's morning show. Please give a round of applause to our special guest, the Best Fries in FiDi Award winner......AYOLA FRiES! food kid - "Well congrats on winning the Best Fries in FiDi Award. That's quite a distinction." Ayo-Fry - "Thanks, but I can't take all the credit. I need to thank the owners of Ayola for making me so hot and crispy. Seriously, I didn't know I'd be able to get grown men to drool over my thick-cut figure." food kid - "Can't argue with you there. You've partner with Schwarma, can you tell us a little about him?" Ayo-Fry *blushes* - "Oh Schwarma was such a pleasure to work with. I really want him to win the Best Supporting Lunchie Award. He brings so much meat and substance to the table. Without Schwarma, I don't think we would be the satisfying and fulfilling lunch that FiDi knows us to be." food kid - "There are a group of people out there who believes that you robbed Super Duper's Garlic Fries for the Best Fries Award. Let's look at this footage from the award ceremony." *********************Footage Start******************* *Kanye Zest storms on to the stage* Kanye - "Yo Ayola, I'm really happy for you, and IMMA LET YOU FINISH, but Super Duper has one of the best Garlic Fries of all time. OF ALL TIME." *********************Footage End************************* food kid - "That was harsh. How did you feel?" Ayo-Fry - "I try to not let it bother me. There are people like Kanye, and then there are nice people. For example, the Ayola employees are super nice. They provide SUPREME customer service even during busy lunch hours. I try to focus on nice people like that." food kid - "Great answer. Well, have you spoken with Super Duper since the award?" Ayo-Fry - "Yes, I have. I tried to make light of the situation and I send him a text. Apparently, it got screenshot and now it's going viral on the internet. Here it is." -----------screenshot----------- YOU MAD BRO? ------------screenshot-------------- food kid - "kendricklamarshouldvewonomgforgetstupidmacklemore­" Ayo-Fry - "Pardon me?" food kid - "Ahem. Nothing. Well thank you for coming to the show today. Another big congratulations to Ayola and their Award-Winning fries!"

    (4)

  • Anas R.

    Their Manager Ron is rude. He refunded me and asked me to go and not to come back when I asked why the food wasn't ready in a timely manner.

    (1)

  • Kenny L.

    Recent ordered: Large lamb shawarma w/ side of fries, and a soda. (meal) about $11-12 I was so ready to try this spot out since my coworker always talks about it and comes here atleast once a week. Well well, the shawarma was a disappointment unfortunately. \ The lamb was ok ... but it was luke warm. I was able to chow it down easily with no hassle, but I didn't get much taste. It was just warm and bland. I had to add extra yogurt / white sauce to make it more "flavorful". Surprisingly on the other, the fries were actually REALLY good and crispy. I'll have to say, the fries justified an extra or else this would be a 2-star for that mediocre shawarma. I'm not sure if I'd be back, I think i may stick with Oasis Grill since they have bigger and tastier Shawarmas

    (3)

  • Jana S.

    Chicken Macedonian Salad - a week work day must and staple. Great salad - even comes with a pipping hot pita. RED SAUCE, peeps aren't lying, that stuff is for real amazingness. Other favorites: chicken gyro, FRIES, their FRIES are like liquid gold. ORDER SOME. Staff is super friendly and will remember your face when you come in.

    (5)

  • Amaresh S.

    Came in pretty excited, because I'd tasted their fries before and their fries are the bomb. Got the falafel wrap, and was severely disappointed. The falafels were dry and not crispy, so the wrap was kind of doomed from the start. The hummus didn't taste great, the bread itself was dry and not really warm, and the hot sauce was almost sweeter than spicy. Definitely will not be coming back, but maybe if you're in the mood for gyros then check this place out.

    (2)

  • Istvan S.

    One of the best gyros places in SF.

    (4)

  • Margot K.

    I've been an Ayola fan at least since 2010, and have always been a very loyal customer. Today I came in for my Sparta salad and business was pretty quiet. I ordered the salad with no onions or tomatoes and as I was waiting the (I presume expediter?) who was by the window proceeded to make fun of me shouting "no chicken! no lettuce!" at the cook. I'm not sure what the point of making fun of my order was, but honestly it was a turn off. I've been ordering this salad the same way for over 5 years, why should I be made to feel uncomfortable? I'm not going to take this too hard, but that's all it takes to lose a loyal customer. I love Ayola but get it together professionally. The salad is still delicious so only docking y'all one star.

    (3)

  • Darina H.

    My husband and I were in the city and decided that we wanted to eat something fresh, easy and affordable. We stopped by Ayola and ordered the Gyro and Beef salad with a side of Tabouleh Salad. The salad was decent, not the best meat I've had out there. It could have been more flavorful. I felt like that salad was a big size, enough to share with two people. The tabouleh salad was good though and I enjoyed it with the fresh pita bread we got with the entree. Overall, decent but nothing to write home about. Not sure where the restrooms are the seating area is limited.

    (3)

  • Emma H.

    This is one of my go-to lunch spots in the financial district. Their gyro pita wrap is really great and the dolma are really good too. They have Jones soda in their fountain too ;p Ayola is a down to earth joint in the midst of the trendy spots on Kearny so the line is always short, not to mention they put out food at lightning speed, and the prices are very reasonable.

    (5)

  • Meredith M.

    I really love the location on New Montgomery. I never frequent this location,but for some reason whenever I order delivery or catering for my company I get defaulted here. Today, not only was our catering order a half hour late (yes the food was cold) but our delivery guy was full of excuses. "I couldn't find parking" or "construction". Yes, of course the city is insanely busy, but that's why you PLAN FOR THE UNKNOWN and leave at a decent time! Our order was for 12PM, our delivery guy left at 11:50AM. Are you serious? We called multiple times to try to get a sense of timing, and the staff were very apologetic but couldn't give us any info on the driver! Doesn't he have a cell phone? They never called us back to follow up, even after we asked them to, so unprofessional. It's too bad because the food is pretty good. Our company (Sephora) will not be ordering from them ever again. Unfortunately our executives don't have time to wait around for food. Timing is crucial for us, as is for anyone else I'm sure. Really sucks, I'm so disappointed.

    (1)

  • Jake P.

    Okay, first thing's first -- I'm 1/4 Greek, and I speak broken Greek at best. When I see a Greek place, I'd love to walk in, say "Giassas" and at least get a broken "Ti Kanis?" out of the proprietor. Please note that while three employees were working at Ayola today, not a single one spoke a word of Greek. That's lame... in fact, extremely lame. I mean, not that I have a problem with people cooking outside of their cultural heritage, but unfortunately, the impression got worse from there. The cashier asked me if I was speaking Spanish to him... which was again, not so funny so much as very insulting. Whatever -- I was there already, so I went ahead and ordered a Gyro Platter. Now here, they did some good things. I asked for no tomato, and to their credit, I got none. The hummus was definitely a good consistency and flavor, although that little guacamole thing in the middle would have made my Yaya sneer. As it was, I didn't think it added anything positive to the flavor. The pita was warm, and the gyro meat was fresh, so no real complaints there. Still, at nearly $13 for that platter and a drink, I think the meat-to-bread/salad ratio could have been a little higher. For the record, a "Greek Salad" in Greece almost never has lettuce in it though. I realize this is America, but lettuce is a lot cheaper than Kalamata olives, Feta cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. The value wasn't really there for a relatively fast-food styled place, and their top-floor seating needs ventilation *badly*, but the food was not bad, but not great. The staff was certainly friendly and attentive, if a bit clueless. Either way, they should really learn some Greek. For those of you rating this place on the quality of its gyro meat... seriously? You know that stuff comes in frozen, and isn't just a whole leg of lamb, right?

    (2)

  • Jessica S.

    The food tastes pretty good so am disappointed that I feel like I can't go back. Why? I get a stomach ache/some version of sick every time after I eat here. Didn't eat here for a few months because of this and decided to try again recently. Same problem.

    (2)

  • A M.

    Hands-down one of the best gyros I have had ever! There are a lot of Mediterranean restaurants all within the same 0.5-1 mile radius. After performing taste tests on all of them, Ayola has had the most consistent, flavorful, and moist gyro sandwich and/or plate. Their fries have also been consistently good - crunchy on outside, smushy and moist on inside. Great job guys!!

    (5)

  • Tiffany D.

    Lamb and beef meat all in one gyros was so yummy! It's my first time that I have a mix of lamb and beef meat mixed together and in a gyros! That yogurt in the gyros was at a good, tasty amount and add that hot sauce they provide on the side, then the combination is perfection! I literally devoured the gyros in 10 minutes. The cashier thought that I was rushing and told me to take my time, but I was eating it voraciously not only because it was way past my lunch hour, (it was 3:30 for my lunch break) it was also too delicious to put the gyros down, but in my mouth! Their meat had flavor and it wasn't dry. Of course, the hot sauce and yogurt sauce helped superbly! The pita bread was toasted to a warm crisp! Adequate seating with a mini, upstair seating area! Pondering on what to get for lunch? Their gyros is better than your average sandwich shop!

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    Good salad but chicken tasted reheated. Perfectly fine. But they need freshly cooked chicken.

    (3)

  • Mindy T.

    I work a little outside of the delivery area, so once a week my coworkers and I use paper scissors rock to decide who has to walk the distance to pick up our order. We usually order ahead, not because it takes a long time to make the orders, but the orders are usually so vast, that this is the only organized way to make sure everyone is included. The meals are what we stick with. KISS is what we call it. Keep It Simple Stupid. Chicken or Beef and Lamb? 6 Inch or 9 Inch? And what type of soda. And of course you want the fries, they're delicious. And everyone always includes "extra spicy sauce please!" The sauce is amazing with the gyros and the fries. Besides the typical sodas they also have throwback RC cola!!! Usually the 6 Inch meal is more than enough, but for those daring or super hungry, 9 inches will definitely be enough to satisfy your lunch time hunger. My only gripe (not enough to lose a star) is that they wont deliver to where I am on Powell. Oh well.

    (5)

  • Adrienne G.

    Ayola continues to serve 1 of the best falafels around! And those french fries are absolutely 2 die 4! My mgr told me he found out that they invested something ridiculous like $10K on their french fry fryer b/c they wanted fry-perfection..... & let's just say this was 1 of the best & wisest investments anyone could have ever made! Crunchy & blistered on the outside & super soft & creamy inside - coated w/ sea salt & black pepper - you'll want at least 2 orders of these babies! And my standard go-to is their Falafel sandwich special - falafel wrap, fries & a drink all at an extremely affordable price - kept me coming back over these years & guarantees I'll keep on coming for more to come!

    (5)

  • asal s.

    Best in town gyros, I walk 35 minutes for their sandwich. The appearance is not appealing, but their gyros is fantastic :)

    (5)

  • Watashi T.

    Lamb and beef gyro was wrapped like a burrito. A bit disappointed in the lack of flavor of the meat. Huge size, if you're hungry.

    (3)

  • Jose J.

    This place is dope. The staff is dope. The food is dope. Be dope and eat here. Also if you're going to complain about non-Greeks making the food, you've obviously not been around San Francisco long enough to realize that the majority of the cooks in this city are Latinos. And by Latinos, I mean Latinyes. Sayonara.

    (5)

  • Anna W.

    Seriously. The BEST fries I've had in a long time. Why fries at a Greek place? I don't know, but I'll order them every time. I wanted to eat Greek food for lunch, but didn't want to go to Oasis (don't know why, since it's a hell of a lot closer and I still haven't tried them yet), so I found Ayola. Originally, I found one that was in SoMa, but Boyfriend found this one which is much closer. Plus they do order ahead -- an instant plus in my book! I ordered their gyro and it was huuuuge. I only managed to eat about a half of it before I had to call it quits. But the meat was really good, and I loved their yogurt sauce (though usually I'm a little skeptical about that kind of stuff since dairy and I aren't always friends). But their friiiiiies. Ohmygod, their fries. YUM. They made me happy. Their pricing is totally worth it, too! It was only $6.50 for my 7 inch gyro, and it was only another $3 to add on a side of fries (a generous portion!) and a 12 oz. can of soda. Totally satisfied me for the rest of the day. I will be coming back, Ayola!

    (4)

  • Joe L.

    Passable Greek restaurant. I had the chicken Swarma, and the meat was good, but the wrap was stale. Not enough sauce inside. Not a ton of seating and a little pricey. I'll be back, but won't be raving about it. Fries are seasoned and incredible! Tabouleh salad was really disappointing. WAY too much parsley- and no flavor!

    (3)

  • Kevin A.

    Not very good, there are plenty that are better within a block or two radius. Gyro sandwich was eh, and not very filling at nine inches.

    (2)

  • Christy K.

    This place is fantastic. It never disappoints!! Everything on the menu is so delicious. The Gyros Platter and Neptune salad are delightful. The hummus, tzatziki, and salad dressing are so good that I never get bored with them. Very casual atmosphore, great for a quick, yummy lunch.

    (5)

  • Aly L.

    Easily one of my top three lunch options for work. The gyros are savory and the hot sauce is great (not too spicy) but the fries! Always crispy with a tender center, dressed with salt and pepper... I am not ashamed to say I am addicted. Say hi to Jen, the friendly cashier who is also a Giants fan!

    (5)

  • Patrick O.

    First things first - the pita bread here should be used to wean crack heads off their drug. It is that good. Get it with hummus. The falafel is also done to perfection. My go-to is the gyro, which like everything else, is without compare. Ideal for take-out, prepared quickly, and friendly service.

    (5)

  • Yan L.

    This is the best greek food I've found in SF. I go here 2-3 times a week for lunch. The guys who work here are all really nice, and the food is absolutely fantastic. Everything I've had has been fantastic. The menus is simple because everything they make is great, and it's the kind of place where great food won't come out of the kitchen. There's limited seating options, but usually enough for small groups. Takeout is probably your best bet, though. The best part about this place is that most things on the menu are pretty healthy -- if you stick to the chicken it's pretty lean and high in protein. Also, did I mention that the staff is all super nice? If I did, it's worth mentioning again. There's another greek place next door, which is not even in the same ball park, so don't stumble in there accidentally!

    (5)

  • Christine Kassandra H.

    Don't underestimate this little shop. The food is solid! Enough said!

    (4)

  • Christine W.

    I had lunch here on a whim a few months back. I'm a big fan of gyro's so I figured I would try Ayola. I had the 6" chicken gyro and an order of fries. Pretty great! Very flavorful and not dry! French fries could have been a bit crispier but I have no complaints. I would eat here again if I was in the area.

    (4)

  • Rob D.

    Went here for the first time today and ordered the 9" Gyros and a side of fries (as all the reviews said they were awesome). Total cost: $9.42. Gyros: Not too bad. Tasty meat, they didn't skimp on the sauce, and nice and filling. The only minor complaint is that the pita doesn't really close around everything, so when you get down towards the end, it becomes an exercise in keeping your pants clean. Still, very tasty, and that's what counts. Fries: Pretty darn good. Salted and peppered just right. Overall, a pretty good experience. I'd definitely come back if I were in a gyro mood. They also have a few other things on the menu which looked good (falafel, chicken gyros, etc). You can get fries and a can of soda for $2.25 extra (compare to $2.00 for the fries alone), which is a nice deal.

    (4)

  • Christine E.

    I've finally found a tasty Greek/Mediterranean place here in the city! I'm a huge fan of lamb gyros and that's what I had here. Baklava was pretty good too, but they charge $1.50 for a small piece. I'll have to try the spanokopita next time, which'll be tonight! It can get busy during the lunch hours and there is a small seating area inside.

    (4)

  • Adrian W.

    This place has become a go-to lunch-hour spot for me the consulate co-workers since its relatively close to the office, has quick service and is moderately priced. Their gyros are quite tasty, though I definitely feel they benefit greatly if you add the garlicky hot sauce on while consuming, but their fries are out of this world for a small lunch spot. Crispy, golden and well seasoned make them a perfect accompaniment to the gyros.

    (4)

  • Mutant O.

    The tabouli and dolmas and warm flat bread combo are my comfort meal, and so I never noticed the fries. I'll need to do something about this immediately! The staff are great, quietly humorous/amused and very efficient.

    (4)

  • Aaron L.

    I was bummed when the first Ayola's opend after my office moved from New Montgomery to the FiDi. Whine no more! Love, love, LOVE this new place. I've been a couple times now and I'm very impressed. Had both the lamb and chicken gyros. Both are flavorful and fresh, and with the right amount of tzaziki. Like Aneel said, the pita has substantial enough to keep things together. I also sampled the tabouleh, the fried calamari, and the spanikopita. All were fresh and really quite tasty in their own way. I get the spanikopita consistently and it's hot, fresh and nicely flakey. Service is warm and inviting. Definitely a hit on Kearny's restaurant row!

    (5)

  • Theodore H.

    This place is on the regular rotation! Gyros are great...Chicken or Lamb with crispy fries can't be beat. The plates are delicious as well especially if you like hummus and greek salad. The service is very fast for lunch the only problem is finding a seat if its not warm out so its a problem but not a big one.

    (4)

  • Marc S.

    Large chicken gyro ($7.52) is constructed much better than Baldie (you could eat this one walking, easily), but the particle board style chicken is definitely not as good as real chunks of nice white meat you get there. It tasted good, portion was enough, and the pita was excellent quality and I recommend it even with only a 3 rating; it would be a 5 if they used better chicken. When it was on the grill, the chicken looked like slices of swiss cheese and I was surprised when they called my order. Now, this might actually be the standard form for gyro chicken, but the chicken gyro standard on the Kearny lunch walk of fame has been set by the first-comer and so my demands are what they are.

    (3)

  • Justin B.

    Had a great fries related service experience here today that warrants a 5 star review. People are just super nice here. My fav gyro for lunch and SUPER fast service. Love it.

    (5)

  • dan a.

    overall good experience. only 4 2-seater tables, so pretty small like ppl have said. the food isn't amazing, so, i would give 3 stars, but: - the texture of their gyros is perfect (a little crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle) - the portions are great! the gyro platter comes with tons of food, and i paid under $10 with a soda! - friendly staff so that bumps us up to a 4 star. thanks ayola!

    (4)

  • David P.

    tried a salad and fries. i don't even remember which salad I had, but the fries - perfect unless you like the shoestring style. UPDATE: I tried Ayola #1 and the fries are awesome there too. I've decided that the plates of med. food there are only okay.... but i go there just for the fries!

    (4)

  • Yoddha Y.

    I have been looking for a complete Gyro plate, with all the good stuff, the dolmas, hummus, gyro platter and that too not skimping on the meat slices. The taste, quantity, freshness and quality is just outstanding. Kudos to the guys taking time to make your platter and very reasonably priced. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Emily C.

    Oh man, gyros and shawarmas make me giddy with joy. I was so excited when I found out that this place was only a block away from my office. I ordered the chicken gyro combo meal, which came with an order of fries and a drink of my choice (for an additional $2.25). The total price ended up around 8 to 9 dollars. Very fast and friendly service, which is always nice. The fries? Delicious! One of the best fries I've ever had. It was crispy with a small kick of spice. The chicken gyro was good, but I was slightly disappointed how the chicken was only lukewarm. I think it could have also used a little bit more flavoring... I don't know, something about it was a bit too bland. To compensate for that, I slathered it with the spicy sauce that they provide you on the side. The spicy sauce was GOOD. I can drink it straight out of a cup if I could. (Well, not really, but you get the point...) I will be back. I think next time I will try the shawarma and see if it will be more flavorful.

    (4)

  • Michael E.

    Gyros are rather large and fries are good. Taste pretty good. Could be cheaper.

    (4)

  • Jonny G.

    Way better than Baladies. Good food and good service. I usually at the veggie sampler, and it ends up being a LOT of food. There is very little space to eat in, so the best thing to do is take out and eat on the steps of the BOFA building across the street (if it's not too windy or cold). During summers, that's my MO for any place in the area.

    (4)

  • Sarah P.

    Had a severe gyro meat craving around lunchtime and yelped the Financial District. Found that Ayola sounded pretty great so chose there. Craving = Satisfied. Had the Troy salad (gyro meat on greek salad) and it came in a matter of minutes. Pros: Good classic gyros salad, ultra quick service, good looking menu Cons: Meat is a little to salty for my taste, no small tzaziki for the included pita (I'm used to getting that in San Diego greek joints), and pricey! Seriously, over $8 for a salad (no drink, including tax)? What is the deal with SF prices?

    (3)

  • Ellis S.

    Gyro was delicious and meaty. I love how the fries kinda pop out of this machine. Can't really describe it, but it does. The gyro was refreshing and tangy. Much rather have this then a burger during my lunch hour. I need to check out the other eats around the area before my internship is over.

    (4)

  • Vanessa R.

    SO DELICIOUS!!! I would go there for lunch everday if I could. Affordable prices, for the financial district, and the most amazing Falafel Pita sandwich with this red, hot sauce that makes my life. My company orders from them to cater our lunches and everyone can't get enough. I want some right now!

    (4)

  • garrett y.

    Delicious falafel pita sandwich and amazing french fries. Extremely friendly staff. I usually arrive around 11am so I'm able to get in and out no problem. In order to have earned 5 stars, I'd like to see the spicy falafel pita be spicy like Oasis Grill.

    (4)

  • Roony P.

    Had a hankering for some gyro meat for the lunch-ee... Quick, reasonably priced... Troy Salad... oh yeah!!! will try the fries and gyro-gyro next time...

    (4)

  • Jon K.

    I'm not sure what everybody is talking about when they had the most amazing gyros here. What the heck are you comparing to? I had the 7-inch gyros ($6.25) and the meat was cold, bland and dry. Maybe it was just a bad batch? Thankfully they had hot sauce on the takeout table which helped add flavor to it. The only redeeming thing was the additional $2.50 for the fries + soda can. The fries were thick-cut with a slight crisp on the outside (but not thick like a potato wedge). It tastes good because it was heavily salted. The fries itself combined were larger than the gyro and was what made the meal filling. Skip the gyro, go for the fries.

    (2)

  • Stefan K.

    Delicious falafel wrap!

    (4)

  • Jeff W.

    i had only time for a quick lunch on a busy rainy Friday. so i got an awesome gyro (beef and lamb meat blend) on fresh flatbread. so much better than a burger and fries. this two block stretch of kearny street has really upgraded its list of restaurant within the last couple of years. one of the newest tenants here is another branch of Ebisu sushi across the street. but for a quick tasty Mediterranean food option. this is a true winner. next time, a falafel and tabbouleh combo. i may become a regular here soon. i chatted about kefte (a ground lamb and beef meatball) briefly with the owner, Fahad who is super friendly. too bad they don't offer this dish here yet.

    (4)

  • Jen D.

    This place was highly recommended by my co-worker. The whole office was ordering from here, so I decided to join in. I went for the Sparta Salad (greek salad with roasted chicken), hold the olives, extra feta. So I get everyones order together, grab the menu and give them a call. 10 min later I show up at this location and found out that I had called their OTHER location on New Montgomery. Oh... No problem they said. They called over to that store, cancelled my order and then made everything here at this location. HOW AWESOME!! The salad was amazing! Yes, a salad can be called amazing. The main thing I liked about it was the fact that the chicken was actually HOT. I have a thing against grilled chicken that has been chilled and put on salad. I hate it actually. This place keeps their chicken hot and fresh. And the dressing is great! I liked it so much, I went there again, the very next day! This time, I ordered from the right location. I must have mentioned to the guy that I was starving. It was a little after 2pm and I still hadn't eaten. So while I waited, he gave me some warm pita with a little hummus and that great slightly spicy green sauce that goes on top of the hummus, to much on. So nice! I love this place. GREAT food! And super affordable.

    (5)

  • Preetesh B.

    This is only based on one visit. I had the Sparta Salad (your typical greek salad with chicken) but it was just average. The chicken was a little rubbery and a tad cold. The accompanying pita was nice and tasty and the hot sauce is flavorful too. But I am guessing based on all the positive reviews of the sandwiches/wraps, salads just may not be the way to go here. I hope to head back and try a chicken shewarma wrap and update my rating.

    (2)

  • Molly P.

    Back to four stars after several more consistently good lunches. The gyro is really good, as are the Sparta and Trojan salads.

    (4)

  • Anna C.

    wowowowowowowowow drove allll the way here from inner richmond area cause i was really craving some gyros and saw the reviews. When you first walk in and see the place, you kinda just think that it's just an average, simple greek place. BUTTTTTTTTTTT when you get your food and start eating it, you realize it's not!!!!! OMG THIS IS THE BEST HUMMUS I HAVE HAD IN THE BAY AREA!!! IT IS SOOOOO DELICIOUS!!! DON'T QUESTION ME, JUST GET IT AND TRY IT.. IT'S SUPER CHEAP TOO, 3-4 DOLLARS! We ordered the chicken gyro and the regular gyro which has lamb and beef. The gyros were a four star but the hot sauce made it a five star. don't be shy with the sauce too, i dipped my fries in there, my pita with hummus, my gyro, my fingers... omg the sauce is really good! anddd it's really decently priced too. The 9 inch is 7.65 or 7.95 and the 7 inch is 6._5. DEFINITELY WILL BE BACK HERE!!! HELLA GOOD DOOOOO!

    (5)

  • Bert K.

    Very new Greek fast food joint. I just went today and i'd say 3 stars for now. The gyro ( yee roh) was packed with lamb/beef and fresh lettuce/tomates and the tzakiki sauce was good if a little light . For a smeasly $5.95 it handled my tummy tiger quite nicely. The tray of spanakopita pieces looked good. Quick service. Sparse decor, minimal seating. I'll go back. Just went there today july 20th, had the Veggie combo platter, pretty good except the strange looking falafel: looks like a doughnut. Tastes like a cheapie falafel. Rest of the combo was pretty good. Staying 3 stars.

    (3)

  • May T.

    Upon recommendation of my good pal Valeria, I bought a Macedonian Salad. There's nothing better than a salad filled with fresh and tasty ingredients: walnuts, red delicious apples, grilled chicken with Mediterranean herbs, feta cheese and romaine lettuce tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette. It was hearty and tasty. Thanks V!

    (4)

  • Anna P.

    The best gyros in town!

    (5)

  • Eli T.

    (Wish I could give this 4.5 stars instead of 4 but it doesn't warrant a total 5 star) I almost wish I worked in FIDI because of this place, but thankfully I'm still in law school and can randomly drive around the city during lunch time. This place is absolutely delicious and quick if you're on the go. I brought my gyro home and my boyfriend immediately tried to pounce on the delicious and tender meat. The french fries are also amazing and have a little bit of salt and pepper on them. As others have said, the value meal is the way to go. It was about $9 for the 7" gyro, fries, and a soda. If you're in the mood for some deliciousness, jump on it. The only negative part is there is not a lot of seating and it's only open until 6pm. I know it's the financial district, but I still wish they would be open later for a quick dinner.

    (4)

  • Doctor L.

    I'll echo the sentiments of a few other Yelpers who correctly pointed out that this is one of the best gyros outside of Chicago, and probably the best in the city. Everything about this place feels like a real Chicago-style Greek restaurant, which is one of the highest possible compliments that I could pay a restaurant. I didn't have the fries but everyone says that they're awesome, and if you've ever had fries at a Greek restaurant in Chicago then that explains why these are supposedly so awesome. And the hot sauce, while not especially hot, is frigging delicious. Ditto for the salad dressing and the humms.

    (4)

  • phillip w.

    I was waiting for lunch...my head was hurting from hunger. Not sure why cause usually I start to get hungry by about 1:30, but today it was just unbearable. I knew I had to eat something before it got worse. I wasnt too sure on what to eat. I didnt feel like eating rice and I wasnt too keen about getting a burger or hotdog. I was about to just go to subway and get a foot long or something..=_= when all of a sudden I remembered there was a place that sold Gyros. Ive never had a Gyro before so I was thinking well might as well give it a shot...I always hear people saying its tastey and etc. So I walked to Ayola and noticed there was a line. Hmmm I guess it must be pretty good, I noticed that they have falafels and schwarma? wraps and salads. I just stick with the Gyro (comes with lamb and beef and greens and red onions and their um tatziki? sauce). They have two sizes for the wraps and gyros a 7inch and a 9inch. There isnt much of a price difference for a larger size but I wasnt planning on falling asleep at work because of a food coma so i opted for the 7inch. They also have a "value" meal which they add fries and a drink for 2.25 more to your order which is actually a pretty good deal. Overall everything came out to 8.90, with drink and fries. Not bad, not bad at all~ I have to say getting the 7inch was a smart move cause after devouring everything I realized I was quite full. Another two inches of Gyro would of probably killed me. The meat itself looked different like it was dry but tasted the opposite. The vegies were nice and crunchy refreshing and the sauce was good~ I was thinking that they might overdo on sauce but they actually did just right. The fries were also quite good, seasoned with salt and pepper. Crunchy on the outside soft on the inside. A good addition to the meal. So for my first ever Gyro experience it was a success. Another place I can consider going out to lunch to. And now I can say that I have had a Gyro and it was such a good Gyro too~

    (4)

  • Charlie F.

    Solid lunch place. I like the gyros, especially if they add some eggplant. It's definitely better than other similar places nearby.

    (3)

  • Nancy B.

    This is what I've been searching for: a good gyro, cheap and delicious. Perhaps with fries on the side. Ayola has just that - in 7" or 9" portions (perfect for me and the hubby). Not only was the gyro good, but the fries were crispy, not too greasy and flavored with the right amount of salt/pepper. We also dipped them in the hot sauce (I also slathered this on my gyro - it meshed well with the tzatziki sauce). Definitely will return in the future - need to order the hummus (got to try a bite).

    (5)

  • Nick V.

    So happy that this place is out here near Chinatown. I used to be a regular at the the Montgomery Ayola when working in the area & occasionally would make the trek over if nearby after moving on. Ayola has some of the best fries in the City! Gyros are fantastic. Falafel is good. Check it out sometime!

    (4)

  • Ada T.

    I can't remember the last time I threw out so much food because I thought it was too disgusting to eat. After reading all the many positive reviews of this place on yelp, I eagerly headed over too Ayola at noon for a chicken gyros. When my order came, I looked down into my pita sandwich and blinked. There were no chunks of meat; just many slices of extremely processed chicken. Now, I'm not against ALL forms of processed meat (god knows I consume enough spam), so I decided to give it a chance and bite in with an open mind. It was terrible. Didn't taste like chicken at all and the texture was so reminiscent of vegetarian fake meat that I scanned the menu to check if they in fact served a fake meat gyros. They don't. I'm really surprised no one else has complained about the chicken gyros - is this actually standard and I'm just being provincial? Even the fries were meh - a bit too salty and peppery. And I'm a girl who normally adds salt to her fries. Two stars for nice people who work there and fast service.

    (2)

  • linda t.

    The Gyro is delicious, the fries are to die for, and the spicy sauce is scary addictive. I love this place, the owners are super cool, and they are the fastest folks EVER when it comes to getting you your order. I also come here w/ my co-workers and we walk in around 15-20 at a time, and we're all out within like 5-10 minutes with our food in hand (INCREDIBLE!). Overall, AWESOME -- and great value for the price!

    (5)

  • Yoko S.

    I eat there once and the food was actually pretty good. Would try something else.

    (4)

  • Charlie B.

    Yay!!! Gyros....with the correct style bread and sauce. Cant talk eating. MMMMMMMMMMMM I love lunchtimes at work that involve the lamb and beef gyros from Ayola. Thank you for being an awesome hole in the wall that Ill come back to over and over again.

    (4)

  • Sabrina B.

    Thank God for Ayola and their fries. 'Nuff said.

    (5)

  • Allen B.

    Large portions and great food.

    (4)

  • Shannon H.

    This place is delicious. It beats the other Mediterranean places on the street, hands down. I've had the beef & lamb gyro, chicken gyro, falafel, spanakopita, hummus, and fries from here - all excellent, although I wouldn't order the chicken gyro again (just not as much flavor as the other options). I buy the hummus to take home, since they give you as much as the containers from the store, and it's WAY better. The best part is the homemade hot sauce - it's delicious and makes an already messy meal even messier (and better).

    (4)

  • Paul V.

    Ok, I'm kind of a Gyro snob, I've come to the conclusion you can't have a truly good gyro (what I like) unless your place is so busy, with a line-out-the-door and one guy working the counters who's sole job is to sit at the spigot of meat and cut. My theory is that the heat has to be turned up enough and that all the meat gets about 1 turn of a good roast and then cut. So the cutter is just always cutting. I've seen this only a few times and they've been during the peak drunk hours of dining in Chicago Greek spots. Now that I've gotten my expectations out of the way, this place is not bad. It's pretty busy, so everything is pretty fresh if you go during peak hours. prices are a little costly, but very fair for California. Also keep in mind I expect to get a Gyro packed full of meat the size of my head for $3.50. They have a 7" and a 9". I opt for the 7" with extra meat. I'm pretty happy this place is here. It's good. If it were in Chicago it would be just OK, but considering what we have to work with out here in the Bay, I rank this among the highest gyro spots in the bay.

    (4)

  • Bruno C.

    I come here at least once a week, look at the menu as if I don't know what to get, and order the gyro sandwich. I don't think I've tried anything else. It's simply great, and it's ready in 30 seconds if there is no line. With the red spicy sauce it's even better.

    (5)

  • Pele N.

    Great Gyros, Really fast for lunch.

    (4)

  • Just Y.

    (3.5 stars) I'm not a fan of Greek food, and even less so when I think about getting it from a small "fast-food" type joint setup to serve the Financial District Fringe folks. Nothing kills my appetite faster than watching someone shave off gawd-only-knows-how-old meat from a spindle, or cramming deep fried whatever into a pita. In fact, I actively campaigned against it when my coworkers picked this for the lunch spot today. Happy I am that I was overturned. Gyros, calamari, dolmas, fries, baklava - much more between the four of us, all of it very good, served quickly by a nice group of people who (in my opinion) went out of their way to be friendly and generous, and all for a price that is hard to beat. Extra happiness bonus in that the place looks and smells clean. My mind hasn't completely changed about Greek food, but I'll certainly be hitting this place again soon.

    (3)

  • irene k.

    So here's my two cents about the debate of the better lamb gyro between Ayola and Baladie. If you like gyros that are made from freshly carved meat, fresh vegetables, and the kind of pita that is thick and soft (which, I do!), than Ayola is your place. If you prefer your gyros with meat reheated in a microwave and in the thin pitas (that decrease the portability of the wraps because of pita sogginess), than go to Baladie. Both are reasonably priced, but I prefer the gyros at Ayola for taste and for a choice between a 7" and 9" one. My sister and I split the 9", which with the addition of fries, was more than enough for both of us. We ordered for lunch around 12:30 p.m., and though there was a line, it didn't take us very long to get our food. In addition, the people behind the counter were very nice. There is not much seating in the restaurant - just a few bar stools along a wall counter. But with so many great outdoor places to eat in the area, and with a gyro that can withstand the travel time, this isn't really a problem for those willing to walk (gasp!) a couple blocks.

    (4)

  • Betty W.

    This is probably an obvious tip for those of you who already work here, but when in the Financial District, avoid all food places from the hours of 12 noon-1pm. Which is why I always end up taking my lunch break at around 1:30-2 - it not only makes my day feel like it's going by faster when I get back, but the rush is just about beginning to dwindle at that time. When we got to Ayola today at around 1:45, the place was literally empty with maybe one or two lingering customers in the back. The chicken shawarma is super tasty (all sandwiches have a small 7" version or a large 9" version for just a little more - the 7" was more than enough for me, though). I ordered a value meal with fries and a drink and was so stuffed that I opted to take the five flights of stairs back up to the office later on. They crammed the pita to the brim with tender chunks of chicken meat - of the breast variety which I normally am not a fan of, but it was perfectly juicy and delicious with the homemade tzatziki sauce (not gonna lie I totally Googled the spelling of that) - creamy, cool, and extra tasty with the fresh chunks of tomatoes, onions and cucumbers. The whole thing was piled with fresh, crisp green leaf lettuce and enveloped in a huge hearty slab of pita that's warm, fluffy, thick and just a little crisp on the outside. Taking every bite was a little messy and as I sat outside on one of the sidewalk tables attractively wolfing my shawarma down, I didn't care at all because it was so good. Every bite was fulfilling and tasty. If you order just a sandwich/main item, adding fries is $2 whereas making it a meal (fries and a drink) is adding on $2.25 so I obviously opted for that. Though it might help for some people to know that their sodas are canned and not of the fountain variety, which I prefer. No biggie, though. The fries were perfect! They were a little thicker cut than I'd normally prefer, me being a big fan of the McDonald's esque skinny fries, but I didn't mind so much this time when they were so crisp, delicious, and perfectly seasoned with a little bit of salt and pepper. Definitely recommended, though I couldn't finish my fries at all so I say that splitting them with a friend is a good idea. I'll definitely be back to try the beef and lamb gyro, which I also hear is excellent. Also props to the lady behind the register who took pity upon me when I was short literally two cents and grabbed the change I needed from the tip jar and dropped them into my embarrassed hands. She also walked outside to give us the food and when I realized I forgot to grab a drink from the fridge, she offered to get it for me. Awesome service and delicious food. Just get here after 1:30ish and you're good to go.

    (5)

  • Eugene M.

    Three stars for the fact they use real Pita flat bread. One for the fact they load up the savory sauces. One for the chill service.

    (5)

  • Preston G.

    I come here instead of Baladie when I'm craving hummus and salad to go with my meat. Protip: go for the gyros platter over the Sparta salad, the portion of meat is roughly the same, the salad only slightly less, and you get an extra dose of awesome hummus. If you're eating in the decor leaves a lot to be desired, but that's to be expected in this part of town for a under ten bucks kind of place.

    (4)

  • Cory D.

    I came in with low expectations, that were greatly succeeded. I was in the mood for Shawarma, and I had been to the other Ayola, and did not like the shawarma there (the chicken was cold). Here it was pretty darn good. Really good! I came at 1pm, so that's probably why the food was better. Anyways, the sauce was good, the chicken was warm, the yogurt mixed with 2 or 3 different sauces with a seasoned blend was fantastic. I saw the lady dice up fresh cucumber right there (a major major major plus in my book). The workers were extra extra nice. I was happy! I subtract one star because I paid $8 for the large meal and I'm still really hungry. I can't seam to find a place that will fill me up here in FiDi, I have a high metabolism, all I want is to be full for once... :-(

    (4)

  • Amelia M.

    I ordered a Shawerma and swear i got a Gyro instead... anyhoo... I asked for extra hot sauce and it still wasn't hot... it was very runny... which is kinda normal... but there was just something missing... it was ok... I did try the falafel... and thought it to be excellent... I may give them one more try and report later...

    (3)

  • Iftikhar K.

    Saw the rotating lamb when we walked in today, and knew I had made a good choice. The Gyro combination was ordered, and quickly served. The gyros are large, and packed with everything you'd expect. The fries are often hit and miss in these kinds of joints, but they added to the experience. This is one of the best gyros I've had in a while, but my wife while having a good time, still likes UT Gyros more.

    (4)

  • Dave G.

    Fantastic fresh, good, friendly you want middle eastern. DO IT!

    (5)

  • Megan H.

    I liked this place, but after reading everyone else's reviews I will have to go for the gyro and fries next time. I got the greek salad with the gyro meat on it - the meat was a little dry actually, but the price was good and the service was quick!

    (3)

  • Ron T.

    Tried the falafel today, very good! Crispy on the outside and nice and flavorful on the inside. Every dish so far has been a winner. They get the food out fast and it's reasonably priced!!

    (4)

  • Lizete S.

    We came here on a Saturday afternoon. We were in the area, hungry and found this place. We had the chicken and lamb gyros with a good hot sauce on top... they were ok. The service was fine.

    (3)

  • Alex B.

    the falafel is ah-mazing. crispy outside, super tasty...i love it. the pita bread is always warm and toasted, and the greek salad is filling and fresh. but the tzatziki - ugh, never order it. it's super thick, like mayo, and barely has any cucumber chunks. i'm sure it's fine when it's on a gyro or something, but definitely not on its own. never again.

    (4)

  • Anthony Y.

    I actually really really really dig this place. I think this is a very good solid lunch spot. i have been on a diet lately so i havent been able to indulge as often as i should but this place is the bomb. the gyros are good and their tatzini sauce ( i know i spelled that wrong) is homemade and delish. couple that with the fact they absolutley stuff your pita with portions and you got a winner in my book. oh yeah drown that thing in hot the homemade hot sauce for a gastronomic treat unlike any other.

    (5)

  • Andrew r.

    the combo platter of hummus, tabouleh, falafel and a side of calamari is so good! make sure to get the turkish hot sauce from the squeeze bottle. this place is legit!

    (5)

  • Rohan N.

    3 stars for the chicken gyros. I liked everything but the chicken itself. Why is it that all chicken at Mediterranean places in San Fran are processed, tasteless pieces of cardboard? Someone please point me toward a good chicken gyros! Oh, and the hot sauce is great. Somewhat reminiscent of La Vic's hot sauce (downtown San Jose) but less creamy and spicier. Made the chicken almost tasty.

    (3)

  • ellana f.

    Had the sparta salad. The chicken was seasoned perfectly, and Ayola has the best Greek dressing I've tried since moving to the city. I was super impressed with this little hole in the wall!

    (4)

  • Katie E.

    This is my favorite lunch spot in the entire Financial District! Both the chicken and lamb gyros are fabulous, especially when you mix in one or 2 falafel balls (those are extra). They put just the right amount of sauces on it and I also suggest you get it "spicy" because the zing is great. Their french fries are delish and are a nice cheap side dish. I have also had the chicken shawerma and the Gyro plate which are also both very tasty. The staff is so friendly and nice and they really are working as fast as possible in that kitchen. I have never waited for more than 7 minutes for my food. 5 STARS!!!

    (5)

  • chelsea b.

    If this review was on the french fries alone I would give them 5 stars. Since most meals consist of more than just fries, I'll give them 3 with a round up to 3.5 for service with a one-liner. I have to admit I get the same thing here every time. I go for the falafel plate with hummus and tabouli. My favorite Falafel comes from Alibaba's Cave but Ayola's doesn't make me wish I went somewhere else. I love their pita bread as it is soft, squishy, and never dry or stale. You get a lot of food so I've never managed to finish my entire meal here. I do have to say however that the french fries are to die for! I like to come here with coworkers so that they can order fries and then I can steal a couple :) They are big thick cut fries seasoned with salt and a healthy dose of black pepper. My guilty admission is I had just the fries and a soda for lunch one afternoon. It's so bad for you yet it tastes so good! I'm not big into eating a bunch of meat for lunch so I can't vouch for much else here. In short, if you enjoy ethnic eateries, Ayola is a good addition to the FiDi lunch spot rotation.

    (3)

  • Joseph T.

    I had the chicken shawarma ($7) and diet coke for a total of $9. They made it spicy, and it was really good. The pita was soft and tasty, and the chicken was tasty. It did drip out a bit, they may want to invest in plastic wrappers to keep the mess off your desk.

    (4)

  • Gary T.

    This is the place in the Financial District to go to if you want really big gyros for cheap. Go for the 9 in., it's only $9 and super huge w/tons of meat. The falafel is pretty good too if you're trying to stay on the healthy side and shy away from meat. The outdoor seating is nice on a sunny day and good for people watching, it can tend to get a little warm inside though. I make it a point to eat here once a week to get my Greek fix.

    (4)

  • Lisa D.

    One of the best Gyros I have ever had, and amazing hummus that comes in a quarter pint with a lid, so you can take the left overs to go! If I worked downtown, this would be a fav. lunch spot, for sure.

    (5)

  • Young T.

    YUM! Hortopita heaven! The service is extremely quick and very friendly. Great for lunch in the Financial District. The hortopita is fantastic. I love mushy eggplant, and the eggplant in the hortopitas are the best. Cheap, fast, friendly and delicious. Perfect.

    (5)

  • Kevin W.

    Ayola is legit - definitely the place to go in the financial district if you are looking for Mediterranean food for lunch. I have tested out all the other places over the last 2 years and this one takes down the title as the best. The gyros/kebaps/kebabs (whatever you want to call them) are delicious. Importantly, the place is CLEAN! There is a chill loft area to sit in upstairs and few tables outside for when the weather is nice. The staff is friendly and helpful. And for all those PE guys and bankers who still have to work on the weekends - this place is open. Say goodbye to "eating fresh" every time.

    (5)

  • Spencer N.

    Clean, fast good Greek/Mediterranean food. I got the small hortopita which is eggplant, feta and a nice mix of onions, cucumber, lettuce and tomatoes. They also add hot sauce to it upon request. Delicious! The falafel are great too. This place would get a high rating just for their flat breads. To die for.

    (5)

  • Thomas H.

    I tried this restaurant for the first time today. I ordered a lamb gyro. I thought the price was good, I think it was about $7.50 for a 9 inch gyro. Unfortunately, the gyro tasted rather bland. I had asked to have spicy hot sauce put on it. The cashier asked me if I wanted the red sauce which she pointed to behind me or the green sauce. I said the red sauce, and had assumed that they would put it on for me, which they did not. Was not very impressed with the gyro and wouldn't go back.

    (2)

  • M K.

    Very good Greek food. Love their salad dressing and the gyro meat and hummus were delicious!! All five of us enjoyed it and the price was fair. Try it.

    (5)

  • Andrew S.

    A solid spot for lunch. Their menu is simple and not overly complicated which is a huge plus. I opted for the 7" lamb gyro and the meat was flavorful and the sauce was delicious! At first I thought it was a little small, but it was pretty filling and hit the spot. Oh, they have this hot sauce by the door that is basically crack. Don't forget to grab a side of it before you leave.

    (4)

  • Jay A.

    Clean place and delicious food customer service they has beautiful smile all the time.

    (5)

  • Antonin A.

    I am becoming pretty used to mediterranean food and I must say that the Gyro platter was very good and well served. Hummus is perfect, the meat is extremely fresh and good. Everybody else at my work seemed very happy with it too.

    (5)

  • .Hon H.

    Kearny Street seems to have a new lunch spot open every few months. Lots of turnover means the choices tor a meal are many. Not for me. Ayola's gyro or felafel wraps get me through the door every time. The service is quick and ohsofriendly, the food fresh and well prepared, and the price is right! I've also had their dolmas, which are scrumptious. Next time I'm getting the fries!

    (4)

  • Karen H.

    3 1/2 Stars. This place is fast and the people are friendly. Very small place. Only a few tables. The food is good, but I just don't think it is my type of food. Maybe it's the spices that I don't like that much. I got the Chicken Shawarma with roasted chicken, sumac and tzatziki-there is alot of chicken in it and it's tender. Make sure you ask for the hot green sauce. The fries are the best here. SUPER CRISPY!!!!

    (4)

  • Sunil R.

    I went to Ayola since the Japanese Curry place next door that I wanted to go had a line going out the door. Ayola is a tiny spot with a couple of tables inside and some inside. I got the gyro plate and the baklava. The gyro meat was really dry, the pita was hard and overall the meal was not that appetizing. On the plus side, it came out super fast.

    (2)

  • Mike L.

    In search of the greatest falafel balls in my neck of the woods, I'll be going to Ayola, Liba Falafel Truck and SAJJ Food Truck and posting my comparisons of the three. Ayola was recommended by a good friend who loves good food. His love handles alone can demonstrate that love. He warned me that Ayola is not known for their falafel, but more for their gyros. So I ordered the gyro with a side of falafel balls. The gyro was absolutely amazing. The balance of beef and lamb mixed with fresh veggies and tzatziki sauce. Surprisingly, not only was it good, it was rather large and very filling. I have a feeling my friend's love handles have a few gyros in them. The falafel balls were very good too. I always appreciate falafel with a green interior from the mixed-in chimichurri. The lightly fried exterior offers a crunchy consistency without a greasy finish. One thing I did not count on were the french fries. I nabbed a couple from my co-worker and had to order my own. Super crispy and not greasy at all. So there you have it, the 'lunch of champions', a gyro, falfafel balls, and a side of fries. Food coma guaranteed with a grin plastered on your face.

    (5)

  • Aaron N.

    gyros is very filling and the fries are amazing. I usually hit this place up for lunch once a week

    (5)

  • Joanna H.

    Fast lines and quick service. A very generously stuffed lamb & beef gyros for $7.07. No min. fee for debit/credit card charge. Sweet, creamy tzatziki sauce drizzled over the layers of salty lamb&beef slices, fresh lettuce and a few slices of tomatoes all in a thick, cushiony pita wrap. Great lunch spot. Note: Seating is more convenient for singles or two people.

    (4)

  • Becky Q.

    The place to go for my gyro pita! I usually have company catered lunch three times a week. Out of those two remaining days, I usually venture over to Kearny to enjoy a nice roll of the gyro pita's at Ayola. With nice thin slices of gyro with tomatoes, onion, lettuce, and the nice white sauce that is not too over powering. Yums! At a very reasonable price, you can make it a combo with delicious fat fries with a can of soda. The service is usually very fast and they are pretty friendly. I brought my coworker here where he was born in Greece. Lets just say I have his approval and this is one of our spots to grab Mediterranean food.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    I've eaten a lot of Greek Gyros in my time and these guys put together a great mix of meat, tzatziki sauce and vegetables. Their fries we also crispy and tasty. I can't wait to try some of their other meals and baklava. Fast service if you are grabbing a quick lunch in the FI district. I highly recommend visiting. I would of included a photo but I was hungry. Next time.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Their gyros are shawarma style, and pretty flavorful. Got a kick out of how they have a "value meal" (comes with fries and soda). The fries are delicious!! They batter them or something, and comes peppered and were piping hot and crispy. Also it really says something when the guys who run the place were eating there themselves with some friends :)

    (4)

  • Dimitri V.

    My daughter was looking for a falafel sandwich. Ayola was a great choice: decent portion (we got the small), great tzatziki sauce with lettuce and tomatoes, generous amount of fries, and very fast service. I got the straight chicken, which was a little dry, but the sauce worked wonders, making the whole combo just right! The fries turned out to be the sticking point for me (meaning one star off). I agree that they were very tasty, crispy from beginning to end, and more than enough to satisfy any craving. Personally, I prefer non battered fries, even if they get a little soggy at the end, and Ayola's have some kind of coating that works the magic everyone raves about. I like a more authentic experience when I eat potatoes. Service was friendly, and I certainly would return to try the swawarma!

    (3)

  • Andrew K.

    Great gyro salad. Had everything I liked - charred gyro meat, lettuce, feta, hummus, and lots of sauces. Tasty if not a tad salty.

    (4)

  • Shane R.

    decided to stop by since i didnt take a lunch to work. located along that strip of kearny with a bunch or restaurants. combo platter was cheap and premade. not bad, but nothing spectacular. hummus had a kick, which was nice.

    (3)

  • Steven B.

    Ayola's a small restaurant with very limited seating inside. There's a small room upstairs with a bit more seating and outside the restaurant has a few tables to sit down. The place is pretty small in general, which makes it seem more like a pick-up and go type of place. The lamb and beef gyro was a decent size and it tasted pretty good. It wasn't too big and it wasn't too small. Just enough to make you not hungry. The gyro shell was soft and warm when I got it. The quality of the beef and lamb was pretty good since it wasn't too chewy. The veggies inside were pretty fresh by the taste of it. One thing I didn't like was there was too much yogurt sauce in it. Service here is fast! The food was ready within 10 minutes and the guy behind the counter brought the food to my table. Overall, good food at cheap prices for this neighborhood. What's there not to like?

    (4)

  • Nick H.

    My review is short and to the point... I never really liked gyros before. I mean I would get them once in awhile but I never had the urge to buy them on a regular basis. However, after getting a gyro from Ayola, I know understand how a gyro is SUPPOSED to taste and I freaking love 'em. I would especially encourage my co-workers to go check this place out if you haven't yet. This is the ONLY place that I will go for a gyro; 'nuff said.

    (5)

  • M R.

    I had the chicken shwarma in a pita. The chicken was good quality breast meat, and they put on lots of yoghurt sauce. It was a good find for a quick and cheap lunch.

    (4)

  • Raina B.

    When I need something spicy for lunch, I go here. Their hot sauce is SOO GOOD. I douse my hortopita in this sauce and couldn't be happier afterwards. To strike a balance, I also get some bachlava. :) My coworkers love their gyros as well! In and out in under 5 minutes.

    (4)

  • Wendy P.

    Lamb shawerma? Yes please! And salad too? Check check! We popped in a few minutes before these folks were closing. And by a few, I mean about half an hour. We weren't so aware of the hours, only that it looked cute and inviting and like a place we could enjoy an easy meal without too much hubbub about us. My shawerma was like... a foot long. Stuffed with meats and veggies and just the right amount of pickled things. I got a nice big container full of salad with it. Brownie points for letting us finish our meals even though the shop owner was ready to close up shop and go before we were done. No weird looks, no dimming of the lights. Just a genuine "take your time!"

    (4)

  • Ashley T.

    Ayola is a great lunch time spot for those who find themselves downtown during lunchtime. I always get the 7" chicken sharwarma sandwich and it always fills me up. The chicken is tender, and its filled with lettuce and tomatoes and a white sauce that is akin to the white sauce you get at 53rd and 6th in NYC. The service is pretty quick, so if you need to grab and go, its an easy option. There are only 3 tables inside, but I've never had a problem getting a seat. They also have homemade baklava, which I haven't tried yet (but only because I'm usually coming from or going to the gym, and that just doesn't seem right). Ayola is a great option, especially on that block of Kearny which has tons of options.

    (4)

  • M A.

    They catered our company's summer "bbq" for us. The staff is friendly, they were on time and brought more than enough food. The prices were good and everyone loved the food!

    (5)

  • Britain T.

    I was visiting Academy of Art university And decided to try this greek place across the street for lunch. Best choice I've ever made. I had the Gyros. I usually don't like lamb, but this sandwich tasted like heaven. And their fries are pretty awesome.

    (5)

  • Molina T.

    I've been here twice so far and both were good experiences. I had the Hortopita the first time and it satisfied my craving for Greek that day, but I didn't think it was anything special. The second time I went, I had the Falafel Pita Sandwich and It was Delicious! I bit into the falafel and it just melted in my mouth. I ate that up faster than you can sing: What am I craving more than ever? Is a falafel in a pita You can get it at Ayola You can get it at Ayola (yola yola yola la la la) Get it at Ayola (yola yola yola la la la) Get it at Ayola (yola yola yola la la la) Get it at Ayola (yola yola yola la la la la la la)

    (4)

  • Groucho M.

    This is my favorite quick place to eat. The food is great, I only wish there was more seating and that it wasn't so warm inside. I really like the owner he's always friendly.

    (5)

  • Amy Z.

    I've been on a Mediterranean kick lately (probably because I'm planning a trip to Morocco) so I've been craving hummus, salad, and lamb. Sorry Mary. Huge portions at fair prices and the service is always really quick. Each meal that I've had has been fresh and tasty. I've turned a few of my co-workers on to the place, and their experiences have been the same. Added bonus is that the staff is really pleasant too!

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    First time trying a beef and lamb gyro. I must say it was pretty delish! I had a side order of fries and the guy was nice enough to give me a new set of warm fries when I couldnt finish it and wanted to take the rest home. Cheers to finding a new gem in the financial district and cheers to the guy for more fries for me! :D I will be coming back soon!! They accept credit cards, yippie!

    (5)

  • Angel S.

    Ayola was quite the pleasant surprise. Maybe it helped that I wasn't expecting much, but what I got for a very reasonable price was a deliciously rich and flavorful chicken shawarma filled with tender and juicy chicken, even better than the one from Oasis (which was also good). My colleague also raved about the lamb gyro as well. This is definitely one of the better lunch options in the FiDi. Whatever you order, make sure to take advantage of the turkish hot sauce, some seriously good stuff. The place is small and unassuming, not the type of place one would expect to be good, especially since the neighboring places (except Muracci's) are mediocre. I see myself not just coming back, but likely being a regular.

    (4)

  • Erik K.

    All Ayolas are not created equal. This location gives way less meat than the New Montgomery St. Location. Also this location seems to be stingy on all portions of the Greek salad besides lettuce.

    (3)

  • Maya S.

    Ayola makes amazing and fresh gyros! Fries are even more amazing! They taste like they've been battered and super deep fried which gives them this great crunchy texture. Probably some of the best fries I've ever had. I suggest dipping the fries in their special hot sauce and then smothering some more of the sauce onto your gyro. This location is a bit small so be prepared for taking your meal to-go. Service here is friendly and fast!

    (5)

  • Steven H.

    Pretty standard gyro. They make the food ultra fast which is nice. You can get a combo for like 8-10 bucks depending if you want a standard or large gyro. I've had better, but its good enough for lunch if you're in the area.

    (4)

  • Carl C.

    Normal Gyro at a normal price

    (3)

  • John N.

    Went there for lunch with colleagues. Ordered the gyro to go and ate it at the nearby park. Good gyro and good price for the 7 inch option. Would go back. Long line though.

    (4)

  • yoni s.

    Really friendly staff and quick service. The food was great and really flavorful.

    (4)

  • Jennifer W.

    So here we are again: stuck in the rain with only fifteen minutes on the clock to grab a quick bite. This is my one stop solution. I order in one minute. My food gets here in 4 minutes. I finish my gyros in 10 minutes. My tummy and wallet is satisfied. I spend 6.52$

    (3)

  • Melody T.

    Good for lunch during the week. Usually pretty hard to find a seat, but been lucky the last 2 times. Not too bad, about $6 for a small chicken gyro.. tasty! The fact that the beef is mixed with the lamb sort of freaks me out so I just go with the chicken...always tempted to get the fries as well, surprised they dont offer a **super size** that includes fries and extra tzaziki... but i am a fan! Hard to find greek food out here that's not kokkari.. fan!

    (4)

  • Lolia S.

    Maybe shawerma isn't the thing to get here? They have gyros, falafel, salads, and sides. I didn't see any vertical spits but decided to try the small 7" chicken shawerma ($5.95, a 9" is $6.95, add fries and soda for $2.25). The shawerma doesn't come in a lavash wrap and the portion is much smaller than most other places in town (Baladie, Yumma's, Sunrise Deli, etc.). The chicken pieces were a bit dry and not that flavorful. They could use more sumac. The sandwich, served on a soft, fluffy pocketless pita (might be Kontos brand) had lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and a thin and tasty tzatziki sauce. You can also specify whether you'd like it spicy or not. It's a messy meal since the fillings aren't wrapped and there's quite a bit of sauce to contend with. Overall, it was an okay shawerma experience. The place has little décor and the food arrives quickly. Seating is limited as it caters mostly to the to go, downtown lunch crowd.

    (3)

  • Naoko M.

    I have to admit I have never actually been to Ayola, but my company often caters from here for birthday lunches so I have had the opportunity to try most of their menu. Over time, I've had the lamb/beef gyro, chicken gyro, chicken shawarma, and falafel wraps. All of the wraps are quite tasty, though I think the shawarma is a bit disappointing (It's been bland the few times I've had it). Their fries are delicious, and though they've changed the recipe for their spicy sauce, the sauce is still good.

    (4)

  • Steven C.

    Good old artificially made gyro. Its like the good sausage, youre not quite sure whats in it. For the price, with fries, the large Gyro will feel you up and its quite tasty. I used to really like Baladie's down the street, but after this place opened up, it killed them.

    (5)

  • stuart l.

    I have to apologize or no reviewing Ayola before. I've been over 40x and love the food. The french fries are a must. Hummus and chicken are great. House hot sauce delicious. Owner is super friendly and remembered me even after a 3 year hiatus (I changed jobs).

    (5)

  • Wakako U.

    I love it here!!! the man at the register is awesome, hot sauce is still awesome and the french fries are double fried.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    Great food, I had a yummy falafel. Not so great to sit and eat, more of a take out place

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    Pretty standard on the gyro front

    (3)

  • S K.

    This place is amazing, I go here regularly for lunch on a weekly basis. Their gyros and salads are SO tasty, fresh and juicy meat not like some other places that have dry gyros. And the fries? OMG. Died and gone to fry heaven which go well with their special sauce. In addition to their food, I go back for the service. There's a younger guy that works there and is extremely efficient during a busy lunch time and friendly- honestly he's the reason my rating went from 4 stars to 5. Thanks lunch dude, you make my week.

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    FRIES ARES SO GOOD! also their falafels are moist -- not dry like most places BLEH! five stars are for the fries.

    (5)

  • Stacie F.

    I had the chicken gyro and a slice of Greek baklava. The chicken gyro was good, all the ingredients seemed real fresh. The lettuce was real crispy and it wasn't drenched in tzatziki sauce, just enough to give it the flavor!. This place has two options of baklava which is pretty cool. I tried the Greek version. It was so good, rich with flavors of honey & cinnamon. I would go back just for the baklava. Next time I will have to try the Turkish baklava.

    (4)

  • Julie F.

    I've been craving Ayola since I went to the first location a few weeks ago. #2 is closer to my work so stopped in for the gyro combo (9inch) with fries and a soda. Glad the consistency of the food - same as location #1! Fries are bomb!

    (4)

  • Saran R.

    I had lunch here today. Falafel pita sandwich (small for ~$7) was just ok. Falafel isn't hot and the skin isn't crispy. Hummus was spread over on the pita bread to make a sandwich. To spice it up, add the hot sauce to your sandwich.

    (3)

  • Linda C.

    Excellent lunch spot especially if you are time pressed! This place has delicious lamb and their special sauce is just amazing! Got the classic gyro and it was delicious. The place is small and there is very limited seating. Service is quick and efficient, food is good, decent prices for FiDi area.

    (4)

  • Sarra E.

    Just started working in the FiDi so I dont know where anything is. I was craving a gyro so I turned to Yelp of course. Pretty good Chicken Shawerma. The red spicy sauce everyone is talking about tastes like Tobasco+ Tomato sauce + spices and gives your meal a nice kick. Very yummy I had a shawerma + Fries+ Drink = $9.75

    (4)

  • Umilia M.

    I came here for lunch the other day, and I'm definitely a fan. I had the chicken schwarma, it was full of moist chicken breast, and a tasty sauce. The fries were crispy with a little bit of spiciness. Our food came out really fast, and the staff was friendly. We ate at the counter in the upstairs area (which I don't recommend if you're inclined to vertigo), and it was light, airy and clean. There are also a few small tables outside, great for people-watching.

    (5)

  • Cesie A.

    This place knows how to make a good tasting gyro. I don't know what more to say about it. If you're craving a good one, go here!! Oh and make sure to grab a side of the hot sauce.

    (4)

  • Debora L.

    In the quest for shawarma as good as NY (Astoria, Queens), my boyfriend and I scoped out Ayola the II for a FiDi lunchhour break. We got there right at 1215pm and man, it was already packed. We managed to squeeze two stools upstairs, but just barely. I got the combo plate for $7.95 which I thought was a better deal than getting any of the small dips alone ($3.75 each) or a falafel sandwich ($5-7.95). It came with 2 falafel balls (not over-fried, but a bit dry), 2 small dolmas (mediocre), salad (mediocre), baba ghanoush (apparently quite good but too olive-oily for me), hummus with an olive (best part of the dish) & 4 white-flour pitas. Complimentary items = hot sauce, tap water. I recommend scooping the falafel and hummus into the pita and eating it like a sandwich with the salad-- that was the best combination for me. Boyfriend's meat platter was just OK. Did not add up to the shawarma he was looking for-- didn't have that smoky finish or taste like anything special.

    (3)

  • Wendy L.

    REALLY YUMMY FRIES!! thick and steak cut, seasoned with lots of salt. Definitely my style. However, I recommend skipping the ketchup and getting plenty of the spicy red sauce for dipping. I tried the gyros sandwich, and enjoyed it about as much as I've ever enjoyed Mediterranean food. The gyros was moist and flavorful, and the bread was toasty and warm. I also ended up pouring a bunch of the red sauce on my sandwich. Service was really fast and friendly, and since it's about one block away from my workplace, I will be returning soon.

    (4)

  • Kalai L.

    Fresh, good and healthy food. I got the gyros and they were really tasty. Casual sitting and compact space.

    (4)

  • F F.

    I'm baffled how this place has 4 stars. I swung by for lunch based upon the Yelp review and was extremely disappointed... The people working there seemed nice, but this was hands-down the worst gyro I've ever had. Tough gyro meat with an even tougher pita. Don't waste your time or money.

    (1)

  • David O.

    How bizarre... While I tried the original Ayola a while ago and wasn't particularly impressed with they Gyros, I tried one at this location yesterday and ate a beautifully tender lamb sandwich. The fries were also crunchy and tasty. Who knows? Perhaps my last trip to Ayola #1 was a fluke... Either that or whoever's running the show at this here location is way more legit! Whatever... the fact of the matter is that I had a really tasty 9" Gyros here and I'm starting to salivate just recalling the experience. The lamb was absolutely delicious, as was the warm and tender pita bread envelope. There was probably not enough tatsiki for my personal taste, but I added some spicy sauce for a nice kick. Their french fries are absolutely fabulous, probably the best fries I've tasted in or near the FiDi. Next time I'll probably go back to Ayola on New Montgomery since it's much closer to my work. If that doesn't work, then I'll have to make Ayola #2 a weekly lunch destination. Too bad they can't hook me up with a shot of Ouzo with my lunch to truly send me back to Greece (and of course, make my afternoon coding marathon that much more enjoyable!)

    (4)

  • Sus... B.

    Hmmm, I have been here before after all - seems I tried this place before trying Baladie, probably on a Saturday. I guess that's why Baladie looked so different all the times I'd been here since, heh. I went there (again?) on a Saturday and here's what I think of this place versus Baladie: Price: Ayola, but not by much, not enough to make a difference - besides, see "size..." Gyro, Size: Baladie, with their burrito-sized (and wrapped) versions. Gyro, Bread: A tie - Ayola's more traditional-style bread is flavorful but there's a little too much of it, while Baladie's lavash-wrap-to-filling ratio is far more favorable (and still quite good). Gyro, Quality: Ayola, by a hair. Gyro, Taste: Baladie by several hairs, the meat has a little more flavor, there's more onion and they'll make it spicy. I do appreciate Ayola's tendency not to overdo it with the sauces though, unlike Baladie at times. Fries: Another tie - Ayola's fries are more like Belgian frites and hold up better than Baladie's, while Baladie is more of a semi-shoestring variety with a lot more spice. Were it not for the spices, Ayola would win out here, but both styles have their merits. Dolmas: Baladie - haven't tried the ones at Ayola yet, but for $3.75 for 4 of them, I'm not in a hurry and Baladie will do just fine. Hours: During the week, Baladie is open when I get off work, while Ayola closes at 5 so, yeah, Baladie for sure. Overall, Baladie wins out, but Ayola has a lot to offer also. If Baladie took Ayola's meat, used slightly less sauce and adopted Ayola's fries but kept the spices, I think I'd have a nearly perfect gyro meal (the perfect one being my first from somewhere in Sepulveda over 20 years ago, and maybe the one I had in SOMA some drunken evening that I need to find again to verify its worthiness). I'm sure I'll find myself here on some random Saturday again between 11 and 3.

    (4)

  • Shariyah M.

    Love the gyros from here. Freshly made, the meat is flavorful, the veggies are fresh and the tzatziki is creamy and garlicky like I like it. The fries are addictive so I stay away from them! They also made a great gyro salad plate. Perfect place to pick up a quick bite for lunch and head back to work.

    (4)

  • Wes T.

    Good gyros. They come in two sizes: the 6" and the 9". The 9" is a little much, while the 6" leaves something lacking. I guess I have some idea of how women feel now. {Rim shot} They have a "special hot sauce" which is pretty good. Get it in the gyro, and pick up some extra, too, as the tzatziki sauce overpowers the internal stuff.

    (4)

  • Daniel G.

    This is the best Gyro in SF. The fries are great too. Go with a 7" with fries. $9. I go here at least 2x per week for lunch. Make sure you get a couple tubs of hot sauce. Scrumptious.

    (5)

  • John R.

    It's noon...I'm starving...I work near here... 7 inch Chicken Gyro (with herbs and tzatziki sauce) for $6.95. Add fries and a 12 oz. can of soda to any sandwich for $2.50. I usually split the fries with other people and I usually opt for the sparkling water. Judge away. Hunger problem solved. And a delicious solution for sure. It's a pretty short story. Next review will have aliens and a comedic chain smoking Dachsund, I promise (can't promise).

    (4)

  • Brad Y.

    PRETTTTTTTTY damn good! Decent prices is what I'm mainly concerned about - you can get an entire meal (Gyro, Fries, and 12 oz. Soda) for less that $10! The bread was warm and flaky, the meat was tender and juicy..Take the food to go and eat it outside on a bright, sunny day. You can't go wrong!

    (4)

  • Don W.

    All I've had at Ayola is the lamb and beef gyros/fries combo (many, many times!) They cut their gyros straight off the spit, the way it's supposed to be prepared, unlike some other places I've been to in SF that sell that weak ass pre-packaged/cut junk. Sacrilege! It's always tasty, served hot, and you're never left waiting long for your order, which is key at a place that serves the lunchtime crowd. The fries are pretty much run of the mill, but they do have a somewhat strange, yet satisfying crunchy texture on the outside, while still being soft and moist on the inside. And that crunchy/moist contrast is the basis for a good fry. They could have a smidge more flavor, though, as they're a bit on the bland side. But then, you can't always have it all. :) If you're in the mood for a hot tasty gyros combo, served quickly at a standard downtown SF lunch price of $7-$10, you should definitely check this place out.

    (4)

  • Lucy D.

    My friend and I both got the 7" gyro w/ the fries and drink and that came out to be just under $10 per person. The gyro tasted like another other gyro but the fries were delicious. They were crispy and not overly seasoned. We sat upstairs and someone brought us our food 5 minutes after we ordered. The people who work here are really nice! We came just before noon to beat the lunch rush but there wasn't much a rush as we ate. There was a line of about 6 people at some point that cleared up quickly. Needless to say, if you want to get food fast, this is definitely a great option. Simple food place in the financial district without a ridiculous price.

    (4)

  • Elaine C.

    Soo, I tried the Chicken Gyros for the first time today. I like the Falafel Sammich more. Falafels and tahini sauce are amazing. Moist, crunchy, flavorful, etc. Words cannot explain the mouthgasm I have at this place. Also, there's friendly service and good food. The Financial District can get really hectic during lunch hours, so fast service is a requirement. Ayola #2 has been my favorite stop for a filling lunch so far. Fries are really tasty here. I don't know why, but it's seriously good. The value deal ($2.25 for a soda and fries) on top of whatever you're getting is a great value, considering fries alone are $2.00. Also, I like eating at the counter upstairs. Fun and convenient for people watching. The tables on the first floor are very close to each other. Very close. Be aware of that.

    (4)

  • Joe L.

    Pretty good gyros at reasonable prices.

    (3)

  • Daniel K.

    Lamb gyro is bomb and the hot sauce is SO good. Not too hot, just full of flavor. What makes this even better? Dipping your french fries, in the hot sauce. Mmmm...

    (4)

  • Rachel G.

    Tried Ayola today for the first time. I went for a falafel pita and added chicken so that I could try both. The verdict? Falafel: 4/5 Certainly not the best falafel I have had (that honor is reserved for East Side Pocket in Providence, RI) but it was quite tasty and well-prepared. Chicken: 3/5 The chicken was nice and moist, but did not taste like it had been seasoned at all. I wouldn't order it again. Maybe the shawarma meats are better. Other considerations: Good: the lettuce and tomatoes were fresh and the sauces were pretty standard/good. There was no line when I went at 11:50am on a Thursday. Bad: my goal was to have a half-chicken, half-falafel pita, but I was told the only way to have both was to order a falafel pocket and add chicken for $2.00. Fine. But, I am fairly certain the result was that I got fewer falafel pieces so that the chicken could fit into the wrap, while being charged for the full number of falafel PLUS the additional chicken. I say this because the pita was by no means bulging, and if the standard 7 inch pita contains only the three falafels I received, then it would be pretty limp. This was not a huge issue, but enough to make me feel like I was getting slightly ripped off, and enough to bump an otherwise "good value" lunch into something I'd think hard about ordering again. I'll go ahead and give this 4 stars, but 3.5 is probably more accurate.

    (4)

  • Valeria R.

    At most of the other places along this stretch of Kearny, it's necessary to call in your order ahead of time unless you want to stand around for 15 minutes waiting for your food. Not so at Ayola. Within minutes of paying, you are being handed your bag. Speedy and efficient. Yesterday I was in the mood for a gyro platter and wanted to try theirs in comparison to my usual Baladie. Ayola comes in just a tad behind. Baladie's portions are a bit bigger, their gyros a bit juicier and their price a dollar less. Ayola is good, but Baladie wins by a nose. Today I went back for their Macedonian salad of apples, walnuts, warm chicken and feta. It was excellent. Better than comparable salads at Working Girls nearby for about the same price. Good ratio of greens to toppings, and the perfect amount of vinaigrette. Ayola wins this one by a good margin. I'm eager to sample their other salads. Only complaint: Their pitas don't open. What is up with that?!

    (4)

  • Andy D.

    Gyro is awesome. Red sauce makes it even better. Fresh, simple, you can tell what the ingredients are. Crazy fast to go orders at lunch time. Only thing that could be improved is a new credit card machine that doesn't require signatures under $20.

    (5)

  • Erik J.

    Five stars just for the french fries... best in town.

    (5)

  • T S.

    Great Gyro at a good price.

    (4)

  • Nikki M.

    Did an iphone yelp app search for "lunch-financial district-cheap-and high rated" and this is what I got. I was happy. Fresh tasting and delicious Gyros make this the ideal cheap lunch option for me. Agree with other reviewers that they need some kind of burrito-style packaging for to-go orders because I made a big mess at my desk!

    (4)

  • Brandy B.

    Greek/Mediterranean food and Japanese anything are basically my weaknesses (along with beer, rice, and b-boiz....lol)! So upon arriving in SF (I'm a newbie), this was one of the first places that stood out to me in the BIG BOOK OF ADMIN MENUS!!! So I strolled down to this place one sunny day and ordered a Troy Salad! I immediately fell in love... It was huge, and I devoured the whole thing!!! It was a massacre and I didn't even feel guilty. :) I got the salad, a side of tzatziki for 8 bucks! It was literally like an LB and a half!!! I immediately wanted a nap after this salad (which is a good thing and doesn't usually occur after a salad). I would go, just based on the gyro meat. Its PHENOM! ;) Oh I went back and had them do a salad with falafel balls! Tore that up too! I'm basically going to be a regular here, so if you want good food and to see this sweet face, then you should try it too!

    (4)

  • Janet J.

    Had the chicken gyro, and it was really refreshing and tasty. The small is a perfect portion size, and you can add one of their plastic-cup fulls of side dish for 2.25 (it included 4 pita slices, which unfortunately were very hard). I tried the eggplant side, which was not all that great. It's served cold and topped with some cheese that you can't really taste through the eggplant. I would say it's great value fast food. Service was prompt and the lady at the counter nice and helpful.

    (4)

  • Omid F.

    Yum! 9 inch gyro sated my appetite for a gyros sandwich for sure. Wasn't hot enough and isn't truly "authentic" (had lettuce and no potatoes) but whatever. Delicious! Definitely going to visit again and again since it's so close to work.

    (4)

  • Liz H.

    This is one of my favorite places to get lunch in the Financial District. They offer gyros, salads, falafel and much more! My favorite is the gyros platter - you get a greek salad + hummus & pita + your choice of meat (I usually go with chicken breast but you can also get gyro meat). The service is speedy and the staff are incredibly friendly!

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    Delicious! I ordered the lamb and beef gyro and it was pure goodness! Not dry and theres a tub of extra hot sauce to go. My co-worker bought hummus and it was so so so good with Costco pita chips. You can order the 5 or 7 inch gyro. I ordered the 5 inch and it was good. I like this place a lot and I want to try their chicken gyro next time. It was moist and delectable. My memory of this gyro makes me want to get one right now. I believe there's another Ayola down Montgomery too. Cheap eat and so so delicious!

    (4)

  • Linda Z.

    LOVE their fries too much! omg, the other day my coworker intro me to this amazing fries, now im totally addicted to them.... Gyros sandwich & Troy salad are amazing too~

    (4)

  • Brianna H.

    Perfect for a quick and affordable lunch. Great gyros, crispy fries, and a great babaganoush. Quick service, fresh food, friendly cashier. There are only a couple of tables, but there is also an upstairs. I wouldn't trek here, but if I were nearby and craving some falafel and hummus, this would be my first stop.

    (4)

  • Wendy H.

    I was introduced to Greek food when I was on vacation in Montreal years ago (Montreal has the best greek food, no?). Anyway, it's really slim pickings here in the Bay Area (not sure why). I've been circling around Ayola for awhile and I finally gave in and ordered a Chicken Gyro w/ side of fries & pop for about $10. Service was pretty fast but I don't know whether it's because this place is small or what but people just do not pick up their orders when the server calls out their numbers. I stood around for 10 minutes listening to the server drone #49, #49 about three times. That wasn't the first occurrence either. Geez, people either pay attention or maybe Ayola should get a mike. Food - they gave me a lamb and beef gyro instead of my chicken. Since I'm too lazy to walk back and exchange, I ate it anyway. The gyro was pretty good. Although the meat looked dry, it didn't taste like it. Fries were well seasoned and crispy. Overall it was a very good, filling lunch. Maybe I'll go back next time and try for the chicken gyro again!

    (4)

  • J E.

    Great, cheap, wicked fast. Awesome for lunch, a few tables for sitting too.

    (4)

  • Joseph C.

    Their falafel is delicious. so good I called people to tell them about it. It's perfect. They also have this spiced tomato sauce that has quite a bit of rosemary in it that and I'm having trouble thinking of something that it wouldn't taste good with. The people who work there are very very nice

    (5)

  • Christina C.

    Had the chicken gyro with tzaziki sauce. It was quite good, but it sadly did not meet all the expectation behind it. I did not taste the "lots" another had described - it was decent portioned and decent sized. I didn't get a chance to try their fries, however, which may have given this place its fourth star. Nonetheless, the service and the quickness behind my gyro were great.

    (3)

  • Jean K.

    Pretty decent gyros. I would say 7" is more than enough for most people. My sister and I split the 9" and it was definitely enough for lunch. I really recommend the fries. I'm not sure if they're made on the spot or just frozen fries, but with the salt and pepper they are really tasty (these fries don't even need ketchup) so I'm not going to ask. Even though there may be a long line, it moves fast. So don't stress over it. Bike Parking: meters and poles along the street.

    (3)

  • Anne M.

    I am VERY pleased with the 7" lamb/beef gyro I just ate. The gyro itself was delicious. Make sure to get a little tub of their hot sauce because that really takes the gyro's flavor over the top. What was most impressive to me is how they package their food for take-out orders. With hot food that is best when crunchy, most of the time, it's soggy by the time I get back to my office. This was definitely not the case with my lunch today from Ayola #2. The put a paper cover on the gyro so it doesn't drip on the french fries, and the french fries are in a small-ish paper bag places in a larger paper bag, so that they can release their steam without getting soggy. Bonus points for having a cute guy taking orders. I will most definitely be back to get my gyro on.

    (5)

  • Marsha Z.

    When it's nearing lunchtime in the FiDi and I have a hankering for falafel, I head to Oasis Grill. But while good, I never found their wrap to be very filling... Cue Ayola. Their falafel isn't the best, but what Ayola has going for them is their offering of 7" and 9" wraps, the fluffy ("pillows of heaven") pita bread, and their crispy salt and pepper sprinkled fries. The fries itself are already $2, so the value meal for $2.25 extra (fries & drink) is the only way to go. Though there are a few tables, the joint is small, and incredibly warm when the sun is shining in, so I always end up taking it back to the office. I try to keep my $10+ take-out lunches to a minimum, but I figure, the meal is at least hearty enough to tide me over till dinner.

    (4)

  • Autumn S.

    I am always on the look out for an affordable, delicious restaurant in the Financial District. This place is crawling with overpriced, extremely mediocre food. I decided to see what my fellow Yelpers had to say about some local Mediterranean spots. Ayola seemed to get pretty decent ratings, so I decided to try it out - and boy, I'm sure glad that I did. For under $10 (which is good for this part of town), you can get gyro meat, a hot pita, fresh hummus with EVOO drizzle, super fresh tabbouleh and an extremely tasty tzatziki sauce. This is a a wonderful collection of flavors for a very reasonable price. I will absolutely make the effort to carry my ass up the Bush St. hill for this place!

    (4)

  • Annie C.

    So far, I have only had the lamb gyro. The fries are great with it, too, and you can add fries and a can of soda for $2.50 (I think). The lamb was good and I will definitely be going back to get it again and try more stuff!

    (4)

  • David W.

    This is the typical kind of food you'd expect from a Mediterranean food place, but what differentiates them is the DELICIOUS red spicy sauce they've got sitting out. If you like spice, you will want to be dousing every bite of your falafel/shawarma/gyros in this. Every. Bite.

    (4)

  • T J.

    Delicious! The fries, like others said, were great, portions are huge, and the folks working there have great customer service. The place was packed, which also tells me others like this place as well. I'll definitely add this to my list of places to have lunch!

    (5)

  • Benjamin K.

    Unimpressed by the gyros. I've been to Greece many times, I lived in Europe for a long time, I know what a true gyros is. This was not the real meat, the real bread, nor the real sauce. It tasted ok. But was small and just underwhelming. Disappointed. People seemed nice tho, so I will bump them up a star for that.

    (3)

  • Darren W.

    The only thing I've ever eaten here is the lamb and beef gyros. And its the best gyros i have ever had. Its all i order from here. They are very generous with the amount of lamb and beef which has alot of flavor. The sauce blends nicely with the meat and doesnt over power it and the lettuce is always crisp and cold. I like the fact that the pita bread they use has a little fluffiness to it and they warm it up so its soft and fluffy on the inside with a slight crunch on the outside. Other places i've gone to just put a pita out of a bag and serve it like that but i prefer it the way they do here at ayola. Best gyros in town, i just wish they had another location that is closer to more residential living areas than financial district.

    (4)

  • Doug M.

    Love this place, come here at least once a week with the co-workers and get the gyro lunch combo. Food is always great and fast, staff and owner super friendly. Those french fries - I don't know if they cook them in duck fat or something, but they are some of the best I've had downtown. So good.

    (4)

  • Tiffany L.

    I can only rate the fries, but $2.25+tax for a piping hot bag of thicker cut fries is a Yay in my book! Great as a quick filler upper for those days when you don't have time for a sit-down lunch, are in between meetings but desperately want food that is not a cold sandwich.

    (4)

  • James C.

    The lamb and beef gyros here are money! Definitely get a ton of that red sauce that they have too as it really adds a nice kick. It's not very spicy but it's very tomato-y and really delicious.

    (4)

  • Aaron M.

    All the goodness of their other location ( yelp.com/biz/S3P5F0j-KfP… ) and more! Things lacking in the previous location: A big rack of meat, spinning, and roasting on a skewer. Ayola #2 has two of them on proud display. (That's how you know it's the real thing). Also, unlike the SOMA location, this one has plenty of seating, with bar stools downstairs, and a small mezzanine balcony with tables and chairs. $7.32 for a regular sized gyro sandwich and a can of coke means I can't eat here every day, but that's probably a good thing. Bonus points for having cute little "people love us on yelp" cards at the register. And I'm still a total sucker for their super soft fresh pita bread. Yum!

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    This place is where you order and pay at the front. They give you the food and you can either sit down and eat or take it to go. We were the only group who stayed to eat. I ordered the small gyro, not spicy at all. It was really good! I love the meat. I would definitely come back and eat. The only downside was that the lady taking my order seemed depressed or something.

    (4)

  • David B.

    No ambiance, but great take-out falafel

    (4)

  • X X.

    Here's a pet peeve of mine. Going to a place that says Greek cuisine, only to find out its not freakin real Greek food! It's like going to a Mexican restaurant and the owner and chef is Chinese. This place is middle eastern food NOT Greek. It's just OK nothing special, I was expecting pretty decent food but its really not all that. I had the chicken gyro with what they call hot sauce. The tzagiki is runny-yuck. If you don't know what real middle eastern or mediterranean food tastes like then you will like this place and feel its just fine. If you know these types of foods you will compare this to a taco bell of the middle east!

    (2)

  • Nicholas F.

    It's extremely difficult to get a quality meal for a reasonable price in this part of town! Fortunately, Ayola is there, like a diamond in the rough. The staff is consistently super-friendly, even when it gets busy during the peak of lunch hour. Best of all, their food is fresh, filling, and delicious. I recommend the chicken shawarma, the gyro, and the gyro platter (these are the only things I've tried, but if these three are as good as I think they are, the other menu items probably are too--just a little silly inductive reasoning). Oh yeah, I almost forgot: Their fries are awesome!

    (5)

  • Richa A.

    I had the macedonian chicken salad and it wasn't great -- the apple pieces did not feel fresh and the feta was part of the dressing, not really a substantial amount. So maybe don't come here for the salads.

    (3)

  • Francis M.

    Hard to go wrong with a 9'' gyro + fries + drink for under $10. The special hot sauce is a good addition to any meal. Friendly owner, staff, etc.

    (4)

  • Adam Z.

    Much better than Baldie's down the street, but that's not saying much. $10.07 (incl. tax) for a 9" gyro with fries served piping hot and a can of pop. They also make their own tasty and spicy hot sauce. However, they don't reheat the gyro meat before serving it so it's just lukewarm, and you'll have to ask for extra gyro sauce because they never use enough.

    (3)

  • Ashley K.

    Was looking for a new place to go during my lunch break. Took a coworker with me and we decided at that time that we need to find new placed in the Financial District to try out. Way to go Yelpers! You were right about this place. Pricing is average and taste is great! I got the falafel...Grade A Took a star off because the seating is limited. Go here!

    (4)

  • Shafaq C.

    I didn't expect to like it, but I really really did. I usually get the gyros with a mix of chicken and beef...both are flavorful. The steak fries are pretty awesome too. Always taste fresh and crispy!

    (4)

  • katie k.

    Every time I go here I want to try something else on the menu but it's too hard to pass up the gyro. I'm writing this review as I devour my lamb gyro. I've been craving a gyro for weeks and Ayola's is the only place that can successfully leave me satisfied. I splurged for the 9inch today which is a little more difficult to eat than the 7incher but I'm not complaining. Don't for get to add the house spicy sauce from the condiment counter. Their fries are also phenomenal. Mmm...de-lish!

    (5)

  • Liz K.

    The fries have got to be the best thing here. If you don't believe me, try it yourself! I have to say the gyros were good, but I felt like it was something that I could make at home. The portions were generous, so I was definitely satisfied. We ate upstairs in a loft area that was comfortably warm. I swear I could have just fell a sleep in that loft area after my filling meal. By the time we walked out, there was a line out the door. Must have been a gyro and fries kinda day for everyone! Next visit, I am definitely going to try the tastey looking salads.

    (4)

  • margot b.

    I work right around the corner from this place, and while the neighborhood has tons of lunch options, someone (myself included) from my office goes for Ayola at least once or twice a week. Great food. They have a nice assortment of salads. I personally am stuck on the Greek with grilled chicken (tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, feta). There is a similar one with poached calamari rings in a light vinaigrette that is also fantastic. The salads are always crisp and incredibly fresh tasting and come with a side of soft, warm pita bread. The hummus and falafel both kick ass. Have not had the gyro but my husband has and says it's one of the most decent gyros in the city. The kicker though, is their delicious french fries. Every time a co-worker and I head over to pick up a salad, it is a true act of discipline to not get an order of fries to share. They are coated in salt and pepper and are warm and soft inside and crispy and golden outside. They are seriously dangerous, those Ayola fries. A solid 4.5 star choice for fast, classic, delicious Greek food.

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    On the advice of the lovely ms. margot b., I set my sights on one goal today - gyros and fries for lunch. Ayola is about two blocks down from my office so when the tummy rumbled, I was off like a prom dress and on my way. Now, its no secret that I am part greek by association of seriously close friends for the better part of my life and therefore, I feel qualified to take the pepsi challenge of sorts ... and this shit is good. really lovely comfort food of a gyros, this is. See, I'm certain that I make my surrogate-yaya roll over in the grave by insisting that my gyros be accompanied with fries (y'know, much like they did in the old country ... I'm kidding, yaya ... please don't haunt me) ... but, in my opinion, finding a gyros place in this city that includes fries for pairing is like finding a hooker praying the rosary in church. seriously rare. Anyhow, the fries are ridiculously perfect ... and truth be told, I'm not sure whether to get on bended knee and confess my love to margot b. for the recommendation ... or really, to slap her since this little introduction today will surely take over the size of my ass if I'm not careful! mmmmmmm. so good!

    (4)

  • Monica S.

    The Gyro Platter is the Best! Always a busy place.. Don't be fooled by the unattractive sign and interior.. the food is good!

    (4)

  • Simon L.

    I am in love with gyros, a few years back I had my first ever gyros and from that day on I fell in love with this particular food item. It's right there at the top with calamari. How can you go wrong with lamb. Now now, they're cute and all, but they taste even better...I know...evil, call me a Republican (ouch). Anyway, I recently found out about this place while strolling around the financial district. Suddenly stumbling upon a big poster of a gyros next to fries taped against the window of the restaurant. It ain't a fancy smancy restaurant, but it does the job quite well. Of course I had me some lamb and beef gyros, I'm a man's man after all. It was delicious and my young days of eating gyros came to me in a sudden burst of Utopian flashbacks. Okay, maybe not. But it was an awesome taste which I am craving for once again. There are other stuff on the menu, your usual Greek menu: hummus, baklava, falafel, etc, but it's all about the GYROS. I knock a star off for its unappealing staff...Gosh, can you make me feel any more awkward than you do, register girl? Geez. I'm waiting for the day when they make a calamari gyros. That would be my death wish when I die. One calamari gyros, please!

    (4)

  • Gigi T.

    3.5 Stars! I felt like i've been too generous regarding my rating.. so round down to 3... so mean... so mean.... i know... I felt like having something light today for lunch, and what's better than poached squid over a bed of delicious greek salad?!!!?!! Corma salad, they say, is back by popular demand! And yes it should stay on the menu FOREVER! The greek salad dressing was delishh! The squid was poached justttt righttt, and pretty generous portion of squid too! Big chucks of cucumbers and refreshing tomatos.. mMmm... perfect light salad :D And and and!!! they give you some pita bread too! heheheee yuummmmmiee! Squid salad for around $8 is not too bad at all! I'll definitely be back to try the gyro salad or gyro plate. I'm already looking at the menu to see what to eat next.. and the hummus looks good too.... dang... i wish have more stomach space... but then i'll be broke by spending too much on food....

    (3)

  • Higgins D.

    If you want a good, solid gyros, you can get one here. Best ones I've had outside of Chicago. They may not be stuffed to the brim with meat, the pita may not seem like it was tossed in with the sizzling fries for a few seconds, and there may be an inordinate amount of lettuce on them, but damn are they tasty! The tzatiki sauce is none too heavy either, being mostly fresh and flavorful instead of falling under the classification of a solid. My fave side, falafel, is sizable and crispy. (Order the 7" gyros if you get any of the sides, or else you will end up uncomfortably full.) Their "special" hot sauce is also to be recommended for being flavorful but not setting your head on fire in the process. Ayola is definitely a high ping on my radar when I'm in the mood to go out for lunch and want to teach my arteries a lesson or two. P.S. I have no sympathy for those who order the chicken gyros and find them lacking. Lambs are so meant for gyros that they ought to use giant pita bread as blankets. Nobody eats gyros if they're concerned about health! If you want chicken, get a salad instead--which are also excellent here, I might add.

    (4)

  • Lisa N.

    pretty darn good! and price wasnt bad at all, either! i had the beef and lamb gyro. great flavor! clean place, friendly staff. the only problem was... no parking. -_- sucks for me. i would totally go back way more often if there was a more convenient location. butttt.. i willll be back!

    (4)

  • Lee S.

    OMG I just happened to walk by and LOVE Greek food. Went in and ordered a small gyros with fries and a can of soda. Now, I tend to eat a lot but the small was enough to fill me up. This place is amazing, I am recommending it to all the people I know. Thanks yelp app, this is what I get for entering "Greek food" for my search =]

    (5)

  • Kylie L.

    I find myself in this place quite often at lunch time after staring at my computer for hours upon hours on end. The shawarma platter and the gyros are my go to at this tiny friendly almost hole in the wall. Sigh, it always smells so good when I unwrap my lunch and my mouth waters just before I take my first delicious bite and to my surprise before I know it the entire plate of food is gone in a matter of seconds.

    (4)

  • Viviana B.

    Great gyro!!! loved the taste of the lamb and the tatsiki sauce is one of the best i've had!!!

    (4)

  • Eddie L.

    Here's a quick rundown of the main lunch time options that are nearby my office: Subway sandwiches, overpriced sandwiches, bougie overpriced cafes, overpriced organic food, questionable Chinese food, and McDonalds. Then I found Ayola. I'm not a huge Mediterranean food fan, but this place is great. Got the gryo lunch special with fries and a drink for just under nine dollars. And the food is GOOD and FILLING. The meat is delicious, they give you a good portion of fries, and the hot sauce is legit. Add it all up and this is one of the best places to go for lunch in the FiDi. Look, I have nothing against the five dollar footlong or the McDs dollar menu (perhaps to a fault), but sometimes you just gotta mix it up a little. Feel me?

    (4)

  • Oliver D.

    It is ridiculous to give this place less than a 4! What, you don't like that they serve fries here? It's not authentic enough for you? Seriously. This place is consistently serving up tasty gyros, shawarma's, falafels, and more - and the service is great! If only there was a place like this on Polk st, than I would be one happier yelper.

    (4)

  • Beth T.

    After having the gyro from Kings Kabab in LA, I was sadly disappointed with the mediocre gyro that I had at Ayola. I can't pinpoint the missing OOMPH that it lacked. Maybe the meat coulda been tastier, the sauce coulda been richer with more of a kick. The gyro was just kinda EH. I haven't tried any other in the bay though. I noticed 2 other restaurants on the same street a few doors down that sell them as well. Maybe better? We'll see. Oh, the fries. Didn't like them at all. It's too salty. And the texture was...hmm.. the only way I can describe it, is like Jack in the Box. And I'm not a fan of Jack in the Box fries. But if thats what you like, you'll like the fries here.

    (3)

  • Maximillian M.

    The falafel is above average (I recommend getting it with chili sauce and without lettuce), and the fries are surprisingly delicious. Who knew?

    (4)

  • Marissa M.

    I got turned onto this place by my friend and fellow Yelper Stacy O when we made plans to eat at the New Montgomery location last week. Unfortunately, we never got together, but today when I was craving Greek food, I thought I'd go check it out. Imagine my delight when I discovered I wouldn't have to walk all the way down to NM, and could enjoy a location just 2 blocks from my office! I am currently in love with the Falafel. I've never been a fan, but thought I'd give theirs a try just in case I was proven wrong. I was. This is DELISH! Probably not on my diet, but who cares? Slightly spicy, not too dry, and the sauce that comes with them is divine. And the PITA!! Oh my heavenly PITA!! It's like little fancy clouds of love...super yummy to dip in both the sauce that came with the falafel and then the dressing - the mixture is fab! Having a Greek Salad to go along with it - pretty standard combo of Romaine, olives, tomatoes, and feta - but the dressing is tasty and the combination of the falafel and salad make for a nice lunch. With a diet coke, I spent $11.21. Not terrible for a FiDi lunch! I'll definitely be coming back!!

    (5)

  • Erica W.

    There are at least 4 places serving gyros within a one-block radius of this place but after extensive testing, i've determined that ayola is the best. plus good fries, though i try not to eat them. plus good tabbouleh when i'm being virtuous and not eating fries. and i like it upstairs -not that many people go up there so it's quiet and a nice place to read while you eat.

    (4)

  • Minji L.

    Oh, come on! I've seriously had better gyros with fresher ingredients! Just OK food, no ambiance, no service to speak of... Plus they started cleaning the floor with broom as i sat at the table with my food!! How can I give it more than 1 star?

    (1)

  • Chalk A.

    I love to sit down to a Greek salad but don't necessarily want to feel like I'm eating it on an oppressively hot Greek beach- lotta heat, sans ocean, that is. I really like this new place (or new location), but today at lunch it was a sauna in there. There's something about sweaty and then eating and then going back to an office that just doesn't jive with me. Temperature complaints aside, the food here is fabulous. Those warm, soft pitas! They even use English cucumbers for the Greek salad and don't shy away from garnishing your plate with plenty of kalamata olives. The spanakopita was yummy, especially when dunked in the creamy, minty tzatziki sauce. Lastly, the egg plant salad is so rich and earthy, with little blasts of caper tartness. This is a great place if you want to go light with a flavorful salad or if you want to go cave man with a pile of meat- something for everyone, just wear layers so you can peal off your clothes as you mow though a heap of hummus.

    (4)

  • Shradha B.

    both times i went, the chicken shawarma was awesome!! twp thumbs up :)

    (4)

  • Daryl E.

    The superfriendlyfantastic service and superior pita bread make this a great gyro experience. Great fries, too, of all things.

    (4)

  • E M.

    A while back I traveled to the middle east and had the best falafel on earth. Since then I have been on a quest to find falafel that could match the same deliciousness back at home. The falafel at Ayola does not match the falafel I had overseas, but it's the closest I've ever come. I was not dissapointed. Likes: -Falafel -Hummus -Service -Eggplant salad Dislikes: -Price - it's a little expensive to me. -The tabouleh tasted weird I would have given it 5 starts but the tabouleh was just a little too weird.

    (4)

  • Aneel N.

    A tasty gyro. The meat was well-browned, they didn't skimp on the tzatziki, and it came in a well-wrapped pita, rather than a crumbly sheet of lavash. It's not enormous, the way Baladie's is, but it's a good-sized portion and packs more flavor.

    (4)

  • J S.

    Yes, I am a fan. While I worked near by, I pretty much went there EVERYDAY. Fries are good, but sometimes a bit salty.

    (4)

  • LT B.

    Aside from the fact that the place smells like you just walked into a giant eastern european cabbie's armpit, the food is awesome, otherwise I would never dare brave such a pungent odor. I love the warm fluffy pitas w/ generous amount of hummus, which is more portioned for a double order of pita. The spanikopita is great and the fries are the bomb. I have yet to try to the gyro, but it's on my to-eat list for sure! Highly recommended for downtowners looking for a change up for lunch.

    (4)

  • Aditi M.

    Just about decent food. Nothing to write home about and I have lived in the middle east so I KNOW falafels and shawarmas. Yummy fries though. Friendly, quick service

    (3)

  • Vanessa N.

    Who cares if Greek people work there. You go to sushi and the cooks are latin, give me a break. The food is yummy, cheap, hot and you can't go wrong here. Seating is limited. Place is clean inside too.

    (5)

  • H. L.

    this place has the best gyro i've ever had in america. they serve it on a fluffy flat bread (not a wrap), which is perfect. their cucumber sauce is good. this will probably be the only place i would come get a gyro.

    (5)

  • Jay W.

    This is the BEST place to get a gyro downtown. Pretty much everything here is good... I'm a big fan of the lamb gyros and falafel. I discovered this place because its so close to my office... and I go back every week because its quick, cheap and delicious.

    (5)

  • Susi M.

    this place is the bomb! we need food this good and reasonably priced in sacramento. i miss a good Giro!!

    (5)

  • R E.

    i haven't eaten at this place in the 7 months ive been working in the area. finally got to try it. the gyros are pretty good. great lunchtime option.

    (4)

  • benita b.

    thank you, ayola for helping me overcome my phobia of the felafel. after 5 months working--mostly walking around the financial district, i finally gathered all my spirits and took a chomp at a felafel from ayola. all these years from universities, street carts and restaurants, the felafel failed me over and over and only left me with increased disappointment each time. ayola's felafel has a really nice moist consistency and a really good combination of herbs and chickpeas that makes me remember my favorite things. now, i know that i can do anything!

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 4:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Greek Cuisine

Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.

Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.

For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.

Ayola

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