Yannis Gyros

Best gyro in Springfield. Staff is very friendly and the place is cozy! My family and friends eat here a lot.

one word… ddddddddddddddddeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiccccccccccccciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiioooooooooooouuuuuuuuuussssssssssssssssssssssssss

I had the Gyro salad, extra meat. The service was fast, the meat has a good crisp on the outside but cut thick enough to not be tough. It is a no frills type establishment order at the counter, pick up, clear away your own tray, but what it lacks in service makes up for in efficiency and quality.

The food is consistent, it’s tasty and served hot. The owners are genuine and happy to see new faces as well as regulars

I spent a week in Springfield and came to realize something about middle America. I know this is going to offend some people, but if you knew me, you would know I have opinions that are not mean spirited nor meant to be hurtful. In fact, I will go out of my way NOT to say something to hurt anyone’s feelings, so please accept this from one who has done extensive traveling around our great country — middle America lacks personality. Some of the most wonderful people you will meet; solid Americans one and all, but nothing you can point to and say, THAT is personality. I think this extends from Illinois (minus Chicago) to the middle of South Dakota (including all of Indiana and Iowa), most of Minnesota and part of North Dakota, and south as far as Kansas (including all of Nebraska). Somewhat surprising to even me, it doesn’t include much of Missouri — go figure.
Ok, so I bring this up because as I read restaurant reviews for Springfield, I came across a general feeling of «this place (insert establishment name here) is all right. A-​ok, and not half bad. Yanni’s falls smack dab in the middle of this description. Yeah, the interior is a bit dated and worn, but it is clean and the family-​style seating in the middle of the place is unique as it has mounted swiveling stools instead of chairs. The menu is on the wall (to the left as you walk in). I point this out to the readers of this review as I was somewhat rudely directed to read it if I wanted to know what they had. Apparently the young woman at the counter didn’t know? Anyway, I selected the gyro with double meat, following a suggestion I read on here. It was prepared quickly and was certainly very large and hot. All good things. The gyro itself? Not so much.
The first few bites were good. The tzatziki was flavorful but very thin. I expected it to be thick and creamy, but not so in Springfield. The onions, tomatoes and pita were fresh so that was good, but the meat was very dry and overcooked. Honestly I never had gyro meat that dry and leathery before. Seriously, much of it was more like jerky. I don’t even know how one could get it to that sort of sinewy consistency, but Yanni’s did.
Come to think of it, it isn’t a three star place at all, because I have had better. Sorry.

Talk about disappointing! We were driving from Chicago to St. Louis on Saturday, and Springfield is the last place with much restaurant selection, so we stopped about 1:20pm for a late lunch. I had scoped out restaurants on the way, and Yanni’s was my top pick from the restaurants that Unilocal showed to be open at that time, that I figured would be fast, and that looked like a tasty local restaurant.
When we pulled up in the parking lot, my wife commented that it looked like they were closed. Sure enough, they were. No sign of anyone. Door locked. Yet the hours on the window (and Unilocal and Google) showed that they were supposed to be open.
Disappointed, I looked up the route to my second choice, Coney Island. We arrived there about 1:40pm (and they were supposed to close at 2pm). They were also closed, with one employee sitting inside in the dark.
We ended up skipping lunch after wasting 30 – 45 minutes and many miles of driving, thanks to these two restaurants.
They may have good food, but if they’re not open when they’re supposed to be, I have no way of knowing that.

MMM MMM MMM I LOVE LOVE Yannis. Every time I go the food is amazing! The Greek fries are cripsy and tasty. I have tried several things, and every one of them has been amazing. My BF tried the spicy BBQ gyro and he said it was really spicy and made him sweat a little (perfect for him) I already want to go again!

My husband and I have been coming here for years. I used to live in Chicago and I worked at the best Greek restaurant and I couldn’t find anything comparable for many years (that was back in the 1980s).
I found it here at Yanni’s. I always order their authentic Greek food. The dolmades, gyros, spanakopita and the best moussaka I’ve ever had (their Friday special).
The food is fantastic and so is the service. They have many more traditional items to choose from also. We have never been disappointed.

Had the gyro and Greek fries (topped with oregano and lemon). Really good, though could be improved with fresh-​cut fries rather than frozen. Loved the simple ambience with Greek music and blue/​white color scheme. Friendly service. Would definitely go back.

Yanni’s Gyros are yummy! Best gyros in the galaxy and at $ 5.75 tax included a great deal for lunch or dinner. So happy I found this place — making it one of my favorites. Jax

Working in the area and stopped in after reading some of the reviews. Place was good. Nothing special but good.

Overall pretty good food. Definitely a hole in the wall place but, the food was pretty good. I had the falafel gyro and it was better than first expected. The falafel waS soft and flavorful and the tzatziki sauce was run through the gyro perfectly.
Nice food at a reasonable price and quick service even though they just call your name.

Yannis Is As Close To Being in Greece Your Going to Experience In Illinois
Being a 2^nd generation Greek American, I happen to be working in Springfield, Il on a healthcare related project and was craving some really good authentic Greek food. A colleague recommended Yannis so I decided to try it out. It exceeded my expectations by tenfold. The food was simply wonderful. The cute café atmosphere lead to the authenticity as if I were in Greece. Lastly, yet most importantly, it’s a family owned and managed café. You could experience they put their heart and sole into making Yannis a delicious place to fulfill your Greek food cravings. Of course, I highly recommend Yannis

The Greek fries at this place totally awesome. I also go outta my way on Fridays to get moussaka. This is 1 of the best places I could ever recommend in central Illinois.

Great Gyros! I decided to try this place after seeing the positive reviews and was not disappointed.

Found through the Unilocal app on a trip through town. I was just looking for something basic & substantial for lunch, and this place was highly rated. I probably never would’ve stopped in otherwise, because it’s hidden to the side of a rundown strip mall, next to a martial arts studio.
Judging by the number of to-​go orders while I was there, it’s pretty popular with the local businesses for lunch, but there was only one other party in the dining room. An easily readable, simple menu hangs on the wall and the exceedingly friendly staff will explain any questions.
I ordered the gyro with double meat (and added feta & lettuce) and the Greek appetizer (grilled pita, olives, feta, olive oil, and oregano).
The appetizer was good, but disappointingly small; it could’ve at least used another piece of grilled pita. The double meat gyro more than made up for it. The other person in my group had ordered a regular gyro and my double meat was easily double the size of theirs! Flavor was good, meat was perfectly cooked and juicy.
For how small the space was, the fact that there were really no other guests, and it seemed as if the three staff (two male cooks & a female counter worker) cared about the establishment, the dining room was in a sad condition. The female staff member came out to hang out and chat with the other party in the dining room, but disregarded the fact there was trash and remnants of food scattered under most of the tables. One of the stools at the long communal table is broken in half and the seat is laying flat on the floor.
I probably won’t be back the next time I’m in town, but if I lived here I might order a gyro to go.
Food: Solid, exactly what I wanted at the time, but still not something to drive out of my way for. 3.5 Stars
Service: Other than the cleaning issue, these people are happy to be here and to educate you in their cuisine. 4 Stars
Atmosphere: It wasn’t ~filthy~, but not a place I’d want to hang out & eat again. Maybe that’s why all the orders were takeout? 2 Stars

went there for a quick dinner. the place is okay. it’s not bad — but it’s not great either.
they don’t miser on any of their ingredients but i would rather prefer a well portioned entrée. (the right amount of /​properly cut veggies)
their tzatziki — or their variation of it — could use some work, it was okay.
also tried their greek fries. fries with lemon/​oregano. would have loved some well made tzatziki instead of the lemon/​oregano mix.
large portion size — for $ 8 — you get a thick gyro full of meat, a portion of fries, and a medium drink.

While traveling between Kansas City and Kalamazoo I had a chance to stop in at Yanni’s. This visit was about 2 or 3 weeks after eating Greek in KC. I can say that Yanni’s would put up good competition if they moved into the big city.
While the tables and building didn’t feel to clean or inviting the food was great and you could tell there were a couple of regulars in ordering food.
Mini Gyros, Baklava, Greek Fries and Hummus was my order. I was stuffed everything was fantastic.
Greek fries: Oregano lemon and maybe some other spice, its just a tray of fries with spices and lime juice. The lemon juice puddled in the bottom of the tray making the fries at the bottom soggy and kinda gross. I think these fries would be better served by either tossing the fries in the lemon juice and herbs or just using a lemon zest.
I left stuffed for next 3 or 4 hours and passed out in the car from food coma.
I started at 5 stars but after the soggy fries and the less than well kept tables/​building I have to go with 4 stars.

Ah-​MAZING, GIANT gyros. I can’t stop going here and I’ve only been in Springfield for a week and a half. The gyro special comes with fries and a drink and it’s about $ 7.00. I upgrade to the delicious Greek fries for fifty cents. The Greek fries are seasoned with lemon, oregano, and some other yummy spices. The Gyro itself has a huge pile of lamb, sauce, tomato and onion. It’s so delicious!
The people who work here are great– When I told them I was in town on business they offered to suggest other good restaurants in the area so I don’t get burned out on Yannis. Ha!

This is the best gyros you can find in Springfield. Their sauce has a certain zip to it that says it didn’t come out of a tub they bought from Sysco. The meat is Kronos (my favorite for years) and the pita bread is cooked perfectly. Add some very thinly sliced onions and a pinch of fresh parsley and you’re in heaven.
Also notable are the Greek-​style fries. They take their usual fries (skinny and slightly crispy) and add lemon juice, oregano, and sea salt to make them a completely different accompaniment to the sandwich.
Add a drink (with free refills) and all this is yours for about 7 bucks! Yum…