Zorbas

Zorbas has many options, but their breakfast is top-​notch. Their waitresses are very attentive and are very personable. I absolutely love the food. But, the state of the ceilings and floors really gets to me. It makes me wonder how clean the kitchen is.
They better do some maintenance to the from of house or people might stop coming.

Zorbas is the only place in town for the serious breakfast diner. The employees know their regulars, and they always keep my coffee cup full.
Also, I wasn’t able to finish this review before my food came out. The kitchen is very fast here.

I hate to be that person who reviews a place that I haven’t had their food but I will be. My girlfriend and I were looking for a local place to eat so I suggest we try Zorbas.
We walked into the place and there were two employees standing at the register. They looked right us but did not say a word to us. We sat ourselves. A few minutes later, one of the ladies walks over and places menus on the table. She didn’t bother standing next to the table. Instead, she sort of scooted them on the table from the side of me. The two ladies stood up at the register looking at our table and whispering. At that point, I decided it was time to leave.
They should spend their time making it more inviting place so they can get more business then use their profits to fix those huge potholes in their parking lot and update their dining area.

Not my favorite joint in town. The gyro was a bit dry. The French fries were below par. The water was fresh and cold. Would come back for a moderately priced so-​so food. Not highly recommended on my list of food in Normal. Oh and my coffee cup was stuck to the plate, kind of off setting.

I tried their famous Gondola, a hot submarine sandwich for $ 4.95. Good grub and experienced waitress, but dining room has stained carpet and stained ceiling panels. That’s a big turn off for me and signals me that the owners must not care much about the place.
Place was nearly empty at 11:45 AM. Not sure this old place can compete with all the newer restaurants in new buildings all within a couple blocks of this place.

Oh Zorbas. I think the only times I ever frequented you were when I was hungover. This is the place to go after a night of too much drinking. Some of their breakfast food, an omelet, or some coffee will get to back to a semi-​functioning state. Plus it’s a great place to recap the night with friends…

I love this place… Everything is good. The toast is great. The hash browns will roc your world. It’s a great homie place!

I’ve been going to Zorba’s since I was five years old (25 now). This is the epitome of the greasy spoon. You will not find better breakfast for the price. It used to be located a couple blocks south, but relocated about ten years ago.
The food: Amazing. I always get the #10 (gyros, eggs, hashbrowns, and toast). A few of my friends swear by the french toast. This food isn’t going to win any awards — unless there were an award for cheap, greasy comfort food.
The atmosphere: About what you’d expect. It’s a dirty place, but that only adds to the experience. If I wanted to have my meal in a sterile box, I’d go to Bob Evans.
The service: Again, about what you’d expect. Some of these waitresses have been working there for 40 years. They have some serious attitude issues, but I love it. Your food WILL come quickly. If you have an issue, the waitress WILL fix it. Just don’t expect smiles and «you betcha» attitude.
Zorba’s has a very special place in my heart. I recently moved away from Illinois, but I make sure to have a meal or two at Zorba’s each time I go back.

I’m sorry Unilocallers, but Zorba’s is NOT good food. We drove my brother down to Quincy for school and pulled up Unilocal to find a great breakfast spot in Normal. Zorba’s sounded like the place. Unfortunately, we were mistaken. :-(
The parking lot is awful and the entire place does not feel welcoming at all — maybe it’s because we weren’t regulars, but something was just off the whole time. There were five of us. Four people ordered omelettes — I think two veggie ones, a ham and something else. I ordered the pancakes with bacon and eggs. I don’t eat eggs, but if I had ordered the pancakes and bacon without the eggs it would have cost me 25 cents more. I think my Dad described it best when he said that the omelettes were «flat». An omelette should be light and fluffy, not compressed and overcooked. The pancakes may have been homemade, but the overall texture left something to be desired. They fell apart and not in a good way. My bacon was purely two pieces of fat on a plate.
There was one highlight though… our waitress said that she has been there for 42 years. WOW! She was quick and cute. I’d almost stop in just to say Hi if I was ever in the neighborhood again, but then I would probably have to order something and that is not something I am willing to do again. Sorry, no Zorba’s — dancing or otherwise — for me again.

So, if you are looking for a definition of a greasy spoon, this is it.
It’s a local, out of the way «Greek Joint», as my parents would call it. Not quite the same as what you’d see in the suburbs.
When it comes down to it, Zorbas is good, cheap breakfast food. I have never been to lunch there, only breakfast. Staff there are lifers… waitresses with years of experience, and it shows. I don’t drink coffee, but I have never seen an empty cup there.
4 stars– well, if you know what to expect, you won’t be disappointed. It’s busy after church– and there isn’t much space to wait.
It’s not super clean. Parking lot is a mess to navigate… suggest if you see a spot, take it.
Food is good, comes out hot and as ordered. Staff are effective and know their stuff.

If you are looking for fantastic hangover food and a complete lack of frills, this is the place for you. Fuel your tank as you exchange knowing glances with your fellow bleary-​eyed patrons.
I ate here first in 1993, and the quality’s the same.

Zorba’s is cheap… and they don’t let you forget it. This is what cheap breakfast/​lunch is supposed to be. You get your food served to you fast by waitresses with attitude. The veggie omelette is wonderful and super cheap, as is the bacon cheeseburger (one of the best I’ve ever had). Zorba’s is not 5 star dining, but you won’t care when you get a check for $ 10 for breakfast for two. If you don’t want to wait for a table, try to get there between the «just out of church» crowd and the «ungodly hangover» crowd… or go after noon.

This place was a favorite of mine when I used to go to Illinois State University, due to how decent much of their food was. They have excellent inexpensive food specials for both breakfast and lunch. And it not surprisingly is a Greek-​themed and owned diner.
Before the local Bloomington and Normal smoking bans, this was the closest place off-​campus (and to the South Campus area of ISU, where my dorm was) you could smoke at. Of course nowadays, with both local smoking bans in effect, and the superceded state ban, the smoking area is now al fresco.
And IMHO, this is a much better option to get a breakfast at than the local Dennys or Steak ‘n Shakes that existed in the B-​N area. Also, no worries about waiting too long for a table (I’m looking right at you, B-​N Raab Rd. + US 51/​Main St. Denny’s!), and any waits I’d ever experienced here for a table were very minimal.
Only cons about this place, is that it closes about 2:30pmish each day, and recall (doubt this has changed) they’re cash only. Will leave the latter for other Unilocalers to confirm or deny.