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ZipPicks Awards
Best Outdoor Dining Mediterranean in Santa Monica
Best Middle Eastern in Santa Monica
Best Greek in Santa Monica
Master Critic Review
Nick The Greek
7.7
This authentic Greek street food spot serves vertical rotisserie gyros, souvlaki skewers, and loukoumades (Greek beignets) with honey. The casual counter-service format with outdoor seating makes it ideal for quick, satisfying Greek classics without breaking the bank.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef/Lamb Gyro Pita, Greek Fries, Loukoumades with Honey
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Authentic Greek street food at wallet-friendly prices
Who should go: Gyro lovers, quick lunch crowd, students
When to visit: Weekday lunch for fast service
What to order: Gyro pita, greek fries, frozen yogurt with honey
Insider tip: Add fries inside your pita for the full experience
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Arizona, metered until 6pm. Small lot behind building fills quickly at lunch
Dress code: Come as you are - it's counter service. Anything from gym clothes to business casual
Noise level: Outdoor seating gets street noise, but conversation is easy. Inside ordering area can be hectic during rush
Weekend wait: 5-10 min line to order, food ready in 10 min
Weekday lunch: 15-20 min line during 12-1pm rush, minimal wait otherwise
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - falafel pita, veggie souvlaki, Greek salads, spanakopita
Vegan options: Limited - falafel and salads available, ask to hold tzatziki and feta
Gluten-free options: Bowls without pita work well, gyro meat and most sides are naturally GF
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual lunch dates than dinner. The counter service and outdoor picnic tables keep things low-key and low-pressure
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations - it's first come, first served for outdoor seating. Turnover is quick, rarely more than 5 min wait for a table
Is it kid-friendly? Very - casual atmosphere, kids love the french fries and chicken souvlaki. No high chairs but outdoor benches work for all ages
Best For
Better for: Authentic gyro meat on a vertical spit beats most Greek places using pre-formed meat. Best value Greek food in the area
Skip if: You want table service, wine selection, or upscale Greek dining. Not the spot for business dinners or special occasions
Hours
Monday11am - 9pm
Tuesday11am - 9pm
Wednesday11am - 9pm
Thursday11am - 9pm
Friday11am - 10pm
Saturday11am - 10pm
Sunday11am - 9pm