Yia Yia Mary's Greek Kitchen

The Scene – A welcoming and lively atmosphere awaits diners at this Galleria-area hot spot. A foyer and front bar make way to a spacious dining room decorated with blue checkered tablecloths and pictures of yia yia (grandma) Mary herself. TVs are plentiful and the ceilings high, but the noise level remains tolerable, even at peak times. Expect table service and not counter-area ordering as before. – – The Food – The menu is accessible (it's still a Pappas restaurant after all), but remains true to its Greek roots. The appetizers (or mezes) are exceptional here, so opt…

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Editor's Tips

What to Drink:: There's a surprising wine list including inexpensive carafes of Greek house wine. For an even more authentic experience, try a glass of retsina or ouzo.
Parking:: The small parking lot and adjacent parking areas can be a little confusing. The restaurant provides a parking map at each table.
The Extras:: Food can be ordered from the bulk to go menu and serves groups of up to 10. Allow 24 hours for large orders.

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User Reviews (39)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Yia Yia's offers a good happy hour experience (for those of us who like a quiet atmosphere for happy hour) and great food.” “Although the food is very good, don't go for the ambiance.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“have been to several restaurants around town the serve greek, middle eastern, etc. and Mary's, bar none, has the best hummus & beef/chicken kabbobs.” “My girlfriends love to go for happy hour and get excellent appetizers, great service and good drinks.”
food quality	76.88000202178955% positive	“I'd recommend it to anyone who likes greek food.” “Service is so-so, but the food was wonderful!” “Pappas makes sure that the theme is authentic, but this place was less than that.” “love the food here.” “Good food” “Great food!” “love Greek food and this is the best I have found in Texas.” “Among our favorites is the baked feta (a block of feta cheese baked until golden and bubbly, covered with fresh marinara and served with pita bread triangles)and the jumbo shrimp.” “Now I am usually one to give credit where credit is due, but the food was waaaaayyyyyy overpriced, and the menu lacked interests.” “It is a little noisy but the service is good and the food variety is wonderful.” “The worst Greek food I've ever had in my life!” “Also, try the Saganaki appetizer---Greek cheese flames tableside and served with scrumptious fresh Pita bread!” “Although the food is very good, don't go for the ambiance.” “If you're looking for a gyro and fries then this place is pretty good; if you're looking for a good Greek salad then keep looking.” “The gyro was delicious and salty, with a nice tangy tzatziki sauce.” “The greek salad is okay and the baklava is not very good at all.” “It was way overcrowded and the food was way overpriced and downright disgusting.” “food is good, but way overpriced” “The greeek salad is forgettable, but the Patstisio (sort of a Greek lasagne) is fabulous.” “The grilled meats are quite good too, especially with the feta.” “The food was horrible also.” “The food is good.” “The best potatoes in Houston” “And lastly, the portions are small & the food is not authentic or very tasty.” “think the food is great, especially the tasty Mousaka (the best I've had in the US since tasting it for the first time on a visit to Athens.” “the osso buco-style lamb shank over the orzo pasta is my favorite.” “The manager did comp the meal- which was a nice gesture.” “As we were being seated a waiter dropped a full tray of food splashing my wife and her friends black pants with soup.” “The beef is on the rare side, so if you only like charred beef, not the place for you.” “The food was all tasteless, you would need to have a few spices with you to make it taste right.” “The Spanakopita is delicious- as well as the Keftades (sp?)” “Well, I have to say, that it was a clean restaurant, but sorry to say that I left 90% of my food on the plate and left with a bad feeling in my stomach.” “have been to several restaurants around town the serve greek, middle eastern, etc. and Mary's, bar none, has the best hummus & beef/chicken kabbobs.” “The best lemon roasted potatoes ever!” “The chicken and beef is wonderful and love the Greek salad.” “Yia Yia's offers a good happy hour experience (for those of us who like a quiet atmosphere for happy hour) and great food.” “the rice here is delicious, and the kabobs are average, however the portions are small compared to the huge prices you pay.” “loved the potatoes as well which are very tangy.” “was a little disappointed with the greek salad -- too much iceberg lettuce with an unappetizing wedge of cold feta and a so so dressing.” “The potatoes were very intersesting and had a nice flavor.”
menu variety	58.33000183105469% positive	“Now I am usually one to give credit where credit is due, but the food was waaaaayyyyyy overpriced, and the menu lacked interests.” “love the service and the variety.” “It is a little noisy but the service is good and the food variety is wonderful.”
overall	100.0% positive	“However, in it's own right I think Yia Yia's is a great place.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“Wont go back, and definately wont recommend.” “We will not return there are many other good cheaper restaurants in Houston”
service	75.0% positive	“The service is very good.” “Although our waiter was extremely pleasant and prompt, is there really a need for such a role?” “I've also had exceptionally slow service here more than once.” “have taken several people here since it opened and EVERYONE has said Yia Yia Mary's has the BEST hummus ever tasted.” “It is a little noisy but the service is good and the food variety is wonderful.” “The manager did comp the meal- which was a nice gesture.” “My girlfriends love to go for happy hour and get excellent appetizers, great service and good drinks.” “As we were being seated a waiter dropped a full tray of food splashing my wife and her friends black pants with soup.” “love the service and the variety.”
value	59.52000141143799% positive	“Good Greek, for a good price” “And lastly, the portions are small & the food is not authentic or very tasty.” “the rice here is delicious, and the kabobs are average, however the portions are small compared to the huge prices you pay.” “It was way overcrowded and the food was way overpriced and downright disgusting.” “The dining room is huge, loud, and chaotic.” “Now I am usually one to give credit where credit is due, but the food was waaaaayyyyyy overpriced, and the menu lacked interests.” “food is good, but way overpriced”
wait time	0.0% positive	“I've also had exceptionally slow service here more than once.” “Service was slow both times, but waitstaff was pleasant enough.”

10/04/11

Yum! Yum!

by Rekaya

One of my favorite restaurants for Greek food in town. The food is always excellent and there is lots of parking (just follow the signs). My favorite is the Keftedes, herb rice and lemon potatoes. The jumbo shrimp appetizer is also delicious. On an extra healthy day, I have the Spinach salad with grilled salmon and we won't even get into the salads. Fresh takes on a whole new meaning at this restaurant. And as many times as I have been there, I still have the rest of the menu to go. There is a dish for every taste and mood. You can never go wrong at this place. The atmosphere is very relaxed and you can always hear the Greek music playing in the background. Walking into the restaurant reminds me of my trip to Athens early this year. To enjoy the Houston cool weather in the Fall, the outside patio is a must. Great stuff! Enjoy!

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07/10/11

baked feta cheese all the way

by joseph99

The parking lot is confusing but the food is right all the way, they have happy hours between 3-6pm so I would advise you all to pay them a visit and try there menu!

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09/19/10

Greasy food and less than excellent service

by Mary ann

Unless you like greasy food and a noisy ambiance, I would avoid this restaurant. Personally, I do not like either.

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07/31/10

SOOOO SALTY...BAD service!!!!!!

by cookingmama69

First off, the parking lot makes no sense. it's a far walk. but whatever, I guess I won't complain too much about it.

Second, the food is overly salted.

My boyfriend and I ordered calamari to start with. OVERLY SALTED and the portion was tiny. But it's okay, it was disgusitng anyway so I wouldn't have eaten the whole thing.

Then for our entrees, we both ordered lamb dishes. OVERLY SALTED. AGAIN. it's like they're trying to compensate for how gross the food is so they put salt wherever and whenever they can. I've never had salted pita bread until I came here. The potatoes were mushy and tasted strange. Even my water tasted salty (no joke).

Last but CERTAINLY not least, our server ORION was inadvertently rude and snobby. By not being courteous and/or welcoming, you are RUDE. I only remember his name because I made a conscious effort to look at the receipt so I could go on citysearch to review this dump. I was recommended by a friend to go here...and I regret it. What a waste of $60 for crap food and crap service. He never asked how our meal was, didn't write our order down on paper (hence the need for him to come back a second time to ask what we ordered...how professional), didn't wish us a good night after we paid (I don't think I'm being petty with this, it was the least he could do), and wasn't helpful at ALL. He was just downright unfriendly and cold. Not sure if it was because he was stereotyping/generalizing or PLAIN LAZY, but instead of my usual 20%+ gratuity, I gave ORION (that's his name) 10%...which he didn't deserve at all. I hope he reads this and makes an effort to be a professional. If he doesn't, he needs to find another occupation. Didn't mean to get personal, but I don't like wasting MY earned money on places/people that do not deserve it.

DONT waste your money - trust me. Go to Niko Niko's or some other Greek place. This place is bad news. Will NEVER return.

Pros: mango tea was okay
Cons: they put sea salt on EVERYTHING, our waiter was bad.

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07/10/10

Best Humas in Galleria Area

by Wayne Lee

Been here a few times. Service was always quick and friendly. Food is always good. One of our favorite Pappa's places. Looking forward to our next visit.

Yia Yia Mary's Greek Kitchen

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Editor's Tips

10/04/11

Yum! Yum!

by Rekaya

07/10/11

baked feta cheese all the way

by joseph99

09/19/10

Greasy food and less than excellent service

by Mary ann

07/31/10

SOOOO SALTY...BAD service!!!!!!

by cookingmama69

07/10/10

Best Humas in Galleria Area

by Wayne Lee

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