Yamas Mediterranean Grill

I was very disappointed by this place as I've been meaning to go here for months. I love Greek food and I live a one block walk from here, so I was hoping this would become our go to Greek restaurant. Unfortunately we had a rather underwhelming lunch experience a few weeks ago and we most likely won't come back. The place itself was nice inside, but both the service and the food were underwhelming. My wife and I both got gyros and both find the meat to be rough and grisly. At the same time, the server seemed to be serving a room of 6-7 tables and as a result was not frequently around or available. Getting the check took quite awhile. With The Big Greek up the road in Rockville, we'll stick to that for Greek and go to the many other Bethesda lunch places for the occasional lunch.

Don't waste your money here. The chicken was too dry to choke down and the fries were cold. We wound up splitting 3 small lamb chops which were great, but nothing else was edible. We were looking forward to a quality Greek meal and were thoroughly disappointed.

Really good food, friendly staff, and one of the more affordable lunch options for Bethesda. Unfortunately, it seems that the kitchen is easily overwhelmed, so make sure you order ahead if you plan to make it back before your lunch break ends.

I've worked in Bethesda for over 4 years and this has become one of my most favorite secret places to order delicious food for lunch. The online ordering is amazing, I am always greeted when I walk in the door, even if it's crowded with the mid-day lunch crowd - I can't say enough good things. The location in Bethesda is a bit small, so if you choose to dine in it can be a little loud and overwhelming, try to go before noon. I have enjoyed everything I have tried on their menu, my personal favorite: Avgolemono. Amazingly good, especially on a cold dreary day - instant comfort food!

Four of us dinned together, each ordering different items and sharing them. Everything was delicious. I ordered lamb while the other three ordered vegetarian dishes. The lamb was perfect. The place is cozy and pleasant. A TV was showing a football game but the audio was muted so that it did not interfer with conversation.

I absolutely LOVE this place. The staff is super friendly and gives you a sense of a warm, mom and pop place. Unlike other restaurants, the owner is pure Greek and serves authentic Greek food-one the BEST in the area. Don't just take my word for it-go try for it for yourself.

Granted, I was on hungry, had it delivered and ate quickly, but the Gyro and Feta Fries from this place were LEGIT. I've never had gyro meat like this: it actually had texture and had some crisped ends, which made it so tasty. I will definitely be going back.

It was near to the motel and had great reviews; so off we went to give this small restaurant a try. Fabulous just does not get it; friendly, delicious and a bargain. Do not let this small fronted restaurant fool you, you tongue, stomach, wallet, and heart will thank you for stopping in. First time In my life I have wished reviews had more stars available to award.

Ordered online for pickup and so glad I ordered on a whim! It was a fantastic deal for the price, great portion size. Freshly made, great quality and flavor. Each platter was enough for 2 meals- my husband and I should have split a platter instead of each getting our own but it's fine because now we have another meal out of it! Greek salad is nice with lots of fresh veggies and feta, gyro is extremely well portioned. We did order online to pickup so and it was a quick in an out. The only thing- when we ordered orzo salad we expected a pasta salad with cucumbers, Greek dressing, etc. but it was orzo with red sauce, almost spaghetti-like. Not what we were expecting delicious either way!

As you know this spot is one of my favorites and I know everything isn't always perfect but this is the second time this happened to me ! I ordered off door dash the Grill Lamb Chops well done. I also called the store once I placed the other to let them know to cook it well done ! lol

This place was a pleasant surprise and fine. Thank goodness I was using my Yelp app. The group that I was with was hungry and we went to eat Greek food and it was pretty good and not too expensive. The atmosphere of the restaurant is a little bit small, but very quaint and I liked it. It appeared that this place was a local favorite seeing that there were people coming in and out, especially to go orders as well. I would highly recommend stopping by this place if in Bethesda.

This has become our favorite Mediterranean restaurant in the area! The food is great and they really treat you as if you're family. For the portion sizes the prices are fantastic. We will continue to visit at least a couple times a week! Warning: the spicy feta is delicious but it certainly has some spice, but it is well balanced and has great flavor. That said, as an olive fan, I'd like a few more olives in the dishes but that is very minor.

Ordered the Gyro sandwich which was awesome. Well priced and service is always positive. Would highly recommend for authentic Greek/Mediterranean food!

We had a fine experience at The Big Greek Cafe. Service was quick and easy, and the food was good. Avgolemono is one of my favorite foods, so I ordered the large size. It was huge, but it tasted just like regular chicken noodle soup with a lemon squeezed in, so I wouldn't recommend it. The gyro meat on the gyro salad was great, and I enjoyed the falafel appetizer. We're visiting Bethesda for a couple weeks, so I'm glad that we tried it, but we probably won't return during the time we have left in town.

Great Greek restaurant in the neighborhood. Slightly on the salty side, but taste is all authentic Greek. Go Wednesday night for $5 Gyros; your wallet (and mouth) will thank you.

Walked in with high expectations and wasn't disappointed. Greek salad was on point and everything came out fresh and delicious. Portions were also generous.

If you like Lamb Chops cooked the way you desire, then this is the place. OMG mine is Med well done just mouthwatering delicious!!! The vegetables broccoli & carrots, the roasted potatoes sometimes a little salty & over cooked. But if you like Gyros simply delicious also it is meaty. Customer Service is Superior, dine in is always clean. I enjoy eating there!!!

The food was amazing and the service was friendly and helpful. The ambiance was good, even though it was "lunch time" we still got a seat fast. I would definitely recommend this place.

Had wonderful gyros. Nice casual place with great food. A little pricey but I still very much recommend.

Try the Gyro bowl! Delicious and very filling. Only wish they mixed the bowl because all ingredients are separated.

I was having a gyro craving and when that happens, I know just the place to satisfy my craving. I normally visit another location of The Big Greek Cafe, but I was in Bethesda area and decided to stop by for dinner. There was a line, but it moved quickly. I ordered the gyro platter and it was made freshly and piping hot. I took it home and savored over the delicious gyro, crunchy French fries, and crisp salad. They give you a lot of food and I had plenty for lunch the next day. Service was great and they even remembered to pack my salad separately. I was happy about that. So, if you are in the Bethesda area and have a gyro craving, I suggest you head right on over, and they will satisfy your craving in an epic way.

Walked down for a late lunch with my wife. We split a gyro and fries. Huge portions and we both left full. The tzatziki sauce was fantastic!

Awesome service/food. Best Gyro I have ever had!!!!! Thanks BGC My wife also enjoyed her Orzo and sauce

Not the best -- but really good for the location and price. Love the gyros, the Greek roasted potatoes, and ...lots of sides on the menu! If you order the Big Greek Feast and you are 1 or 2 ...forget about thinking you can finish it in one meal! Serious leftovers. (value) If it's a group order, get a main without the platter and then order larger sides (like roasted potatoes...). I suggest you order extra tzatziki and perhaps feta if you get the gyro sandwich ...if you like it overflowing! Good food. I have only done carryout (many times) and I find the parking to almost always work perfectly. Friendly at the register, but sometimes the order wants to be checked before you head home... Tastes great, and your leftovers will reward you at least once...

Ate here one evening when hanging out alone in Bethesda. Had a Greek salad so I could eat healthy. Ate alone, nice other people in the restaurant. Good location, easy walk or parking. Simple decor. Prompt service. I gave 4 rather than 5 stars because the salad was not as good as ones I've had at their N Bethesda location and seemed to be a bit expensive for what one gets, still good. Would return.

The Big Greek has the best Greek food for miles around. I absolutely love their Greek salads and gyros. Love the platters as well as the fries. I haven't had a bad thing here!!!

I forgot how delicious the food is at the Big Greek Cafe. Ordered the moussaka, lamb chops, and the big greek feast for take out on night. The food was so delicious! The flavors were great. The food was well cooked and the temperature was perfect when I picked them up and by the time I brought them home. The portions are generous especially for the price points. Great food!!! Will make a point to get food here or eat here more often.

Decent fast-casual Greek food. Gyros and pitas are all decent and large, but for a pretty high price. A combo with a pita wrap, seasoned fries, and a tiny salad runs about $20. Their proper greek food is all really good though, amazing spanakopita and moussaka. This location is a little older looking and dingier than their other ones, but it's fine for a quick lunch or late snack.

Gyros are among my favorite foods, but I've never had one as good as the Big Greek's. They have raised the bar to where I suspect no other restaurant could compete. Their gyros are PERFECT -- the meat tender and well seasoned, the tzatziki sauce simply wonderful, great pita and just the right amount of tomato and onion to complement them. Also ordered a Greek salad to go with them. The salad was fresh and a good mix of greens and other vegetables with a nice dressing on the side. We did carry out and the staff were ever so helpful and accommodating. Did I mention that there is a $7 gyro special on Wednesdays? Almost too good to be true. Can't wait to try their other dishes. I'm sorry. I wish we had taken photographs before devouring the food.

Excellent gyro wrap! Highly recommend! Drive 45 minutes again just because I was craving it. Not stingy at all with the toppings.

I came here yesterday for lunch with a friend and we had a great experience! We came around 1 pm and there was no line, which was great since we were both starving. I ordered the crispy falafel pita wrap, and my mouth was watering just thinking about it. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the food was ready.. it was less than 5 minutes (or at least it felt like it). I was very happy with my order as the falafel were fresh and actually crispy as advertised. It was also a filling meal, and I felt that I got the bang for my buck. My friend also ordered fries along with a pita wrap, and from the few fries I took from her plate, I was super impressed by how flavorful they were. I was also pleased by how clean the place was and by the abundant seating options. The staff was also very polite. It's also only a 5 minute drive from the NIH main campus, so it's a great place to go off campus for a lab lunch or to catch up with a friend. Also, a great place to pick-up food if you're looking for a change from campus food. Parking in the area is a bit tight, so you'll likely have to parallel park or park a few blocks down the road- but, the delicious food makes it all worth it! Overall, would highly recommend!!

Tasty food Customer service could be a bit better Wish it was closer to "new" Bethesda and not buried in old Bethesda -- might as well be in Virginia

Food: 5/5 Price: 5/5 Customer Experience: 4.5/5 A steal in Bethesda! Usually meals are around $10-20, but you can get a meal here for less than $10. When I go here, I usually go on Wednesday's since they have a $5 gyro deal -- then I order 3 gyros just because it's so tasty. This is a great deal especially for students who want to eat out but not break their wallets. The last time I went, they had a few tables for indoor dining, but I'm unsure of what the situation is now. The gyro itself is flavorful and the meat just falls apart in your mouth. It's a fantastic portion size for $5. I normally order to-go online, and a few times they had forgotten the banana pepper, which was a bummer. I also asked for extra banana peppers when I had ordered online, but that request wasn't fulfilled. Overall, though, I am definitely a returning customer.

My new favorite spot! It truly satisfies all my cravings and the portions are always hearty. The salmon, gyro, lamb chops, and Greek fries are to die for. A must try!!

I like the crew but on several visits l have found hair In my gyro....then they increase the price on the Wednesday special ...guess they charging extra for the hair

I was excited to try this as I grew up in VA where the Greek restaurants are in abundance, & living in Bethesda I am trying to find new places. I would like to give more stars but there were a few issues. I ordered online and arrived to pick up prior to my estimated time, however when I arrived home my food was already cold (I live 10 mins away). 1. They ran out of green beans but was nice enough to sub my side for another small salad. I was disappointed because that's one of my favorites. 2. The spanakopita tasted great, but unfortunately not cooked properly. The phyllo dough on the inside was still raw and gummy. Only the outer layer was crispy (attached pic although hard to see). 3. Ordered the Big Greek Feast (pork souvlaki, chicken souvlaki and gyro) was ok. I thought the souvlaki would have come with a side sauce - maybe tzaziki but it didn't. The gyro was good - just wish they had evenly spread the tomatoes, onions and tzaziki throughout the sandwich. You basically just ate the meat more than 3/4 of the way and then the sauce was mashed in at the end. Again - good flavor but needs some tweaks here and there. Service was good otherwise - friendly when I picked up.

Came in for a takeout order on a Wednesday and got the $7 Gyro with lamb and steak. Cooked and seasoned perfectly, it was so delicious and fulfilling. Service was nice since i forgot to add a drink and they still offered a cup. Clean and friendly establishment to eat in as well. Will be back for sure to add the fries for $3.50!

Solid choice for fast Greek. Get you some Kourabiedes, best I've had since visiting Greece. Gyros, falafel, Greek salad, different types of hummus, all solid bet! Cheers.

Least authentic place on the block. The service was not great. Price wasn't great. Throw some fries and greek oregano on there at least.

Quick and fresh! Fries were bomb! My son loved the gyros. There was just enough salt! The staff was nice and quick!

The food there is great. It takes a bit long to get your food but it's worth it. Inside is big they have fountain drinks. I suggest the beef gyro. One thing that I found interesting is that they have 5 dollar gyros on Wednesday. It's very filling.

My family and I have relied on The Big Greek Cafe at Bethesda for countless delicious meals. Sad to report that my last order last night : family platter #3 and an entree order of lamb chops was a huge disappointment for my family. The meat in the entire was so salty- it was simply awful and inedible. My son in law said it was so salty that the meal made his lips tingle. As I said, we have gotten food there many times before. Never was it salty and inedible. Very disappointed. The kitchen staff should be replaced.

It looks like a hole in the wall when you walk past - you could miss it. But it is truly amazing. Their a avegolamono soup is to die for. Also can't beat their deals on Wednesdays.

A reasonable price for delicious dishes! The place is designed for take-out and I only recommend for take out only as they have too many flies trying to keep you accompany while you eat your delicious food.

I ordered a gyro and it was super filling and tasty! I really appreciated the cheese that was on the side too, but the fries were noteworthy!! I read the reviews and figured it was a must, and now I can't see myself ever ordering from big Greek cafe without those fries. I didn't come on a Wednesday but I heard there's a deal that goes on--will be sure to take advantage of this in the future! They do also offer vegetarian options; thankfully!

Really solid take out food. It won't wow your socks off, but it'll deliver the same items consistently over dozens of different orders. Favorites include the fries (great crisp on the regular fries, although the others are too soggy) and the rice pudding. Salad with chicken is the reliable item you'd expect.

Let me set the record straight.... This is NOT Greek fast food.... this is Greek Gourmet food, amazingly delicious, hot, filled with all these flavors of Greece! I ordered take out while Sheltering In Place and they blew my socks off! Give them a try.

Great little Greek spot in Bethesda. It's a great go to spot and one of the cleanest locations to date. I came on Wed and got the special gyro. I was in and out in less than 4 minutes. It was amazing and I will be back.

Amazing, No Lie it's BIG, FRESH & AMAZINGLY Delicious I live in Georgetown Work in Rockville and this is the best and most would confirm if they knew of this hidden gem.

Some of the best Greek food we've had in the states. Awesome crispy filo on the Spanakopita and gyro's were stuffed and served with extra feta and Tzatziki. Make sure you grab a box of the Kourapiedes cookies on your way out... you won't be disappointed!

Waited 30 minutes to pickup an order I placed an hour ago. Half the staff just standing around.

Good lord, I ordered a falafel pita to go on a late Thursday night and my mind was blown. If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life, it just might be this. As I bit through the most perfect crispy falafel, each bite a true symphony of the juices, textures, and flavors of onion, tomato, tzatziki, and pita-- I nearly shed a tear. In my mind, I was thinking about how grateful I was to be able to enjoy such an incredible meal. Other pluses: extremely fast service, courteous staff. Cons: slightly pricey... about $12 for a medium sized pita.

Visited on Gyro Wednesday and it was a great experience. It's clear it's a popular place with many people ordering ahead to pick up. Food was excellent and very affordable, and service was even better, delivering quickly and engaging with customers in a helpful way.

Daughter and I had the Wednesday $6 gyro special and though they were terrific. She ordered a slice of the BAKLAVA CHEESECAKE and said it was delicious.

So delicious!!! The staff is friendly and efficient. Our family loves it there, especially $6 gyro nights!

This new outpost of The Big Greek Cafe is a welcome addition to the Bethesda restaurant scene, a casual spot where you can get some really nicely prepared Greek food. The menu carries all of the standards you'd expect from a quick-serve Greek restaurant, starting with their appetizers (including dolmades, fried calamari, and a really good spanakopita - a meal in itself) and their generously sized salads. My go-to salad is the Horiatiki Salata (the 'Village Salad'), with tomato, red onions, red peppers, cukes, capers, olives, feta, and a classic oregano-based dressing, served with some of their fresh warm pita bread. Add some grilled chicken and you've got yourself a great lunch or dinner. Of course, there's souvlaki, and their chicken souvlaki pita is quite tasty. The proportion of the pita to the souvlaki's a bit off, with a bit too much bread to protein, but it's still a good version of classic Greek street fare. I also tried the avgolemono soup - the Greek chicken soup that everyone's mom makes when someone in the house isn't feeling well - but I can't say this one lived up to expectations. I prefer mine a lot thicker and more lemony, and perhaps the recipe is just down to regional differences in how people make this soup. Finally, being a Greek guy, I got a big kick out of seeing the Greek road signs sprinkled throughout the restaurant, bringing back memories of going back to 'the village' as a little kid. A nice touch indeed. Parking's actually quite easy - if you can't find a spot on the street, just park in the Woodmont-Rugby garage and you'll be just a half block away. Kali orexi! (That's Bon Appétit, hon!)

I was craving some Greek food and did a search on Yelp to see what was around me at the time and The Big Creek Cafe in Bethesda popped up. I stopped by on an early Saturday afternoon and it was not busy at all. Service was great and you can tell they cook the food to order which is completely fine by me! I ordered the Pork Souvlaki Pita and Big Greek Fries. Both were very tasty, especially the fries, I enjoyed those a lot. The pita was tasty as well but I am not sure that I would get the pork again. Next time I visit, I plan to try the chicken pita, lamb chops and roasted greek potatoes. The inside is really pleasant and clean. I would consider eating there next time versus taking to go. Certainly recommend for some quick Greek food!