COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this establishment. Some of the staff wears a mask. All customers are not expected to wear a mask. It's optional now. The staff also wears gloves when handling food. There are some hand sanitizers available for customers to use. This place is available for take outs and has some indoor & outdoor seating available with some indoor limited capacity. They are not sanitizing in between customers.  COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This establishment currently does not require proof of vaccination.  While I was here eating my food in this establishment a month ago, I asked if they had any special offers and they weren't offering any at the moment. They currently don't have happy hour. They also do not allow pets in their establishment UNLESS it's a service animal. But this isn't strictly enforced. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is incredibly small. They have valet parking. I urge you to park on the street. However, be wary of the signs. On one side, there is a no parking sign on Wednesdays from 12PM - 3PM. On the other side, it says no parking on Thursdays from 12PM - 3PM. Basically don't go there on Monday and Tuesday (they are closed) and Wednesday and Thursdays for horrible street parking. It is a shame that a cute mom and pop restaurant closed. I am sad that I did not know about it sooner. I would have came more frequently. They have been opened since 1948. Very impressive! Food: I ordered a baklava, spanakopita, and gyro sandwich. The house made baklava went perfect with my coffee the next day. A delicious start to a new day. The baklava combines layers of honey-soaked crisp phyllo pastry and a cinnamon-scented nut mixture with pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnut. To me, nothing rivals homemade baklava. The texture of crispy and flaky phyllo pastry. The crunchy filling. And the warm honey syrup. It is all I want in a dessert / breakfast. The spanakopita was very delicious and filling. This spanakopita had sauteed spinach, feta cheese and seasonings, all wrapped up in phyllo dough and baked until golden brown and crisp. It's the perfect blend of spinach, cheese, onions, and herbs in a buttery crust. It was very savory. The gyro sandwich was so mouthwatering. My gyro sandwich included succulent, marinated, and seasoned lamb and beef grilled to perfection. Then it was wrapped up with fresh tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and feta cheese in warm, soft, and slightly chewy pita, and slathered in delicious homemade creamy tzatziki sauce. I got a pistachio yogurt bar from their mini deli and market area. It was so nutty, creamy, and rich. Perfect for a hot summer's day. I love that they use real pistachio with yogurt to make it. None of the fake artificial stuff was used. Glad I didn't offer my close friend a bite of this otherwise he would have suffered a severe allergic reaction in the restaurant. That would have made the dining experience incredibly memorable, and not in a good way LOL I love that they have a complimentary water station for customers to grab as much water as they want. Staff: The staff here are very kind, friendly, and helpful. They accept both cash and credit cards. There is no credit card minimum. read more

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I used to have lunch at Papa Cristo's quite a bit when I worked in DTLA, as it was a favorite of my coworkers'. After leaving DTLA to work in the suburbs, I haven't been back and sad to say, it took a looming permanent closure to bring me back. What I loved about the place is still tried and true: a free parking lot (just need to tip the valet) and delicious Greek good. I don't eat lamb so my go to back then was the fish sandwich. I got it again, over 10 years later, and it is still as good as remembered. Prices have doubled (what can you expect in our current economy T_T), but the portion is still generous and the food still fresh and yummy. I brought BF and we ordered a spread enough for a family of four: spanakopita, tiropita, sausage appetizer, gyro sandwich, beef kefta patties sandwich (they were out of the beef kebab), fish sandwich, chicken kebab plate, and loukoumades dessert. Everything was fresh, light and delicious (okay, the dessert was a little too sweet for me)! We also grabbed a $3.99 baguette from the connected market. If you're planning on coming for one last visit before they close that first weekend of May 2025, make sure to come early and queue in the front of the store. The line will move and there should still be plenty of seating available after you order. If you come within the last 30 minutes before closing, you'll have to order to go. The employees here are still as courteous and friendly as ever. We were also jazzed to be graced with the presence of Chrys Chrys himself on our visit. We will miss you, Papa Cristo's! read more

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Papa Cristo's is closing soon and it's a shame. They have been here for nearly a century and it's clear to see why. The community loves Papa C, celebrities have made commercials online for this establishment Every dish was magnificent! The lamb was tender and flavorful, the octopus and shrimp were delicious and crispy and juicy, respectively, and I loved the balance and variety of the meal. The lamb was tender, the gyro was flavorful, the shrimp and soup plus the baguette was savory but not overly salty or overpowering, and the octopus portion was modest but I really enjoyed it. The feta and tomato sizzle was magnificent and I definitely burned my mouth LOL so wait and don't take it as your first bite. To be clear--Papa C did no wrong and it is I who could not control myself when presented with the delicious and fragrant combination of tomato and feta. Gorgeous!! So glad we could be part of this restaurant's legacy, thank you Papa Cristo and team for all your hard work and many years of service. read more

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" L.A.'s most important ethnic market & the true heart of Greek Los Angeles." - Jonathan Gold I think the legend amongst food reviewers said it best about this legendary Greek restaurant of L.A. I really wish there were more places like this instead of them closing down. Rent prices. This economy. It's the same causes that claims yet another gem of this great city. I'm really glad I got to pay a final visit to Papa Cristo's. You can tell with the long lines stretching outside the establishment in the final days, how much this iconic locale meant to so many - Greeks & non-Greeks alike. For those that don't know, this cozy mom + pop shop started out as market selling imported Greek foods. To 100% pure olive oil, to rare Greek Ouzo (wine), to homemade desserts that "Grandma used to make". When Chrys Chrys aka "Papa Cristo" inherited the market from his father, he went on to expand the market to add a kitchen & indoor + outdoor dining area to properly cook + prepare the authentic Greek foods that his parents sold. the That all said...I came here for what they're known for: FOOD - Lamb Chops Plate - 9.5 / 10 Your choice of 3 or 5 New Zealand-raised chops. This is important. Why? Because: 1) Everyone hates lamb because they're eating the wrong lamb. Everyone eats older lamb. The lamb that is served here are young lambs that have never seen a Summer. Their backs never got "baked" by sun - which in turn would cause a gamey taste. This is not the case here. These chops are beyond moist, delicate, plumb, juicy, & anything but "gamey". You can definitely taste the high quality olive oil + oregano. 2) Being that they're raised in New Zealand (which has the highest standards & is world renowned for their lamb + beef), you can taste the difference. You can tell from the taste that these animals are fed a natural diet free of GMO's + pesticides. The accompanying side salad is the ideal contrast of cool, crisp, lettuce balanced perfectly with bright tomatoes & the necessary acidity of vinegar (served on the side in it's own plastic container). As a plate, the additional Greek potatoes are out of this world. Covered in a special spice blend (which I'm willing to bet includes paprika), the tender pieces of joy have a nice, fluffy, interior. Squeezing the wedge of lemon over them was the smartest thing that I could have ever done. It made something great into something that was just that much better. & the Pita...I've have plenty of pita in my life. But this, this was just sublime. Perfectly warmed & insanely fluffy. I fear it would take a great venture to seek out anything remotely close to this pita break. Perhaps the only thing that could compare is if I made it myself. Spanokopita - 9.2/10 In my humble opinion, a solid & a quintessential Greek appetizer. I can still taste the warmed, melty Feta cheese expertly mixed with just the right amount of spinach. All encompassed in a crisp, flaky pastry shell. I think the only solace I can take from Papa Cristos' closing is the fact that their spanokopita's are sold in the freezer section of Whole Foods. On a side note, on the side of the casual dining area is a station for to go plates & utensils. Next to this station is a hydration station - a giant plastic jug of water & ice. As someone who drinks A LOT of water, especially while eating, I really appreciate that places have such designated areas for filling & refilling your cup of water. As hard as it is to write reviews of these legendary & iconic L.A. mainstays (this being written on the final day of operations), I owe is to the employees, the loyal customers, & to the man himself - Papa Cristo - how much his restaurant + market meant to everyone. & it was much more than that...it was truly a piece of L.A. Thank you for 77 wonderful years! read more

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We were unable to get in for dinner.as today was the last Saturday that they will be open but we did order from the deli area and picked up a lamb and feta sandwich some spanakopita yogurt and some frozen items Papa Cristo is closing the last day will be May 4 2025 read more

Papa Cristo's - Lamb Roasted Lamb & Feta Sandwich (available after 1130am) - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Since it was announced that they are closing, it seems everyone is back for one last taste! The line to order was about 40 minutes and the line to buy products was about 15 minutes. I got all my favorites, the baby octopus, spanakopita, grilled eggplant, and the whole grilled fish with Greek salad and rice side. Everything was fresh, tasty, and delicious. The fish was slightly over cooked but considering how wonderful everything else was, it was a very slight faux pas. I bought some Greek olive oil to bring home a reminder of the tastes, but the best part was saying goodbye to Papa Cristo in person! read more

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I read the famous restaurant was closing, so wanted to find out what makes it special. Others were in line which was about an hour wait. I really wanted a nice meal, so ordered a gyro plate and rack of lamb plate with lamb kabob. Well, I would have thought that slices of meat on a spit would not have bone fragments, but was mistaken. After almost breaking my tooth, I decided to stop eating and checked my teeth for breakage. Fortunately, no cracks, but not a good sign for food quality. This incident really opened my eyes and was not impressed with the restaurant. read more

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What is there left to say? Papa Cristo's was (sigh) a legendary Los Angeles establishment. For 77 years, the Chrys family has served Southern California in the Byzantine Latino Quarter... from new immigrants, to college students, to salarymen, to tourists. I can only imagine how many people had their first bite of gyros or saganaki at this local Greek institution. While we may not have as vibrant and ubiquitous a taverna culture out here on the West Coast, Papa Cristo's is as LA as Philipe's, Musso & Frank's, or Canter's... its absence will leave a hole in the city's dining landscape that no high rise or mixed use retail space can ever replace. More than the food, I will miss Chrys Chrys the most. The real life Papa Cristo's has hosted special events and comped meals for countless struggling students over the years. If ever there was an approachable ambassador of Greek culture and cuisine in LA, this man held it down for his whole community. The Byzantine Latino Quarter will never be the same; we will never see the like of Papa Cristo's in LA ever again. Thank you Chrys and enjoy your retirement. Yimas! read more

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Sad this place is closing. Would like for a miracle to come and keep this place open. Food is pricey but it's also good. It's about $30 for a plate. I tried their Greek spaghetti for the first time ever and I liked it. Looks like I'm going to have to start looking for another Greek restaurant to get my fix. read more

Glad we got to experience history. The portions here are huge. Gotta have the rack of lamb -- it's seasoned so well and super juicy! The wait in line is pretty long right now, usually about an hour for food on a weekend. read more

Papa Cristo's - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We had an amazing lunch at Papa Cristo's, which will likely be our last since they are closing in a couple of weeks. We went on a random weekday in the middle of the afternoon and although the line wasn't nearly as long as the line on a weekend, it still took about 45 minutes to get to the front to order. FYI They are no longer offering happy hour. The restaurant side was busy, but we were able to get a seat pretty quickly. Despite being super busy, everything was still very clean and they were clearing everything quickly. The food didn't take long to start arriving and it was delicious. The incredible service, amazing food and robust tang of the lemony potatoes will be missed! We were able to see the legend himself, and thank him again for feeding our family for decades. I hope Chrys Chrys enjoys his retirement and I wish the entire Papa Cristo's Team well in this next chapter. read more

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Papa Cristo's is closing folks! After more than 7 decades, this LA icon will shut its doors and I'm so glad I had one last chance to dine here. I doubt there will be another that will ever come close to rivaling the delectable authentic Greek offerings. So sadly a sign of the times. If you've ever enjoyed this place and the lovely people who work here I suggest a last try of your favorites before it's gone. We had the joy of meeting Papa Cristo himself while we were here and partaking in gigantic plates of gyros, saganaki and the tsipoura plate. All lovely and delicious, heaped with fresh salad, rice and pitas. Valet parking available. Service remarkable and the cute ambiance like you're eating at a local In Greece itself. Happy trails Papa Cristo's!!! read more

Was craving a gyro so ordered pick up from here. I cannot believe the positive ratings this spot has (*food only, service is fine and restaurant is fine). My beef/lamb gyro was $22 (!!) and a two bite piece of baklava was $5, aka I spent $30 for food that tastes bad and cost twice the price of other Mediterranean spots in area. The beef in the gyro is super chunky/thick with ZERO crisp, the texture is gross. They put zero effort into preparing the meat. Lettuce tasted like it'd been sitting out on a hot counter all day. Will not be back here. read more

Papa Cristo's - Gyro Sandwich - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I haven't been to a place as authentically Greek than Papa Cristo's. The place reminds me of the small shops in Athens (or any European city really) where you can just grab a reliable tasty meal to grab and go. I would say the pricing is... a bit steep for a lack of ambience but the convenience of a parking lot and food that's ready in minutes offset that. Come on the weekends when they have their exclusive menus. We thought it was worth it, and we've also ordered like 50 baklavas for a party one. One time we even got to meet the man, the myth, the legend Papa Cristo who's super funny and lively. Just wish he gave us some free food to sample read more

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Delicious and (I believe) authentic Greek food with a big market attached. You can eat AND take home frozen Mousaka, or get cheese, preserves, baklava etc. speaking of Mousaka, it was delicious. The plate combos are not cheap but it comes with ENORMOUS portions!!!! I wish I put something to show the scale of the combo plate in my photo. There is indoor seating as well as outdoor seating that looks to have extended into the parking in the back during Covid. Not much in terms of atmosphere as you are on the busy Pico Blvd but it was at least outdoors. You order at the counter then grab a table w your number and they'll bring the food to you. Very good pita bread. I wish I bought more of those to bring home. read more

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Closing their doors, May 5, 2025. Happy I got to experience Papa Cristo's before they're gone. The line was out the door and down the block and took almost an hour ~ was worth it! Kitchen was working like a fine tuned machine ~ to our surprise, food came out quickly. Everything was authentic and delicious. Lamb chops we're delicious. You'll see that I gnaw them down to the bones! Lamb gyro had big chunks of lamb. Spinach Spaniikopita, a big triangle flaky filo filled with spinach and feta Grilled eggplant with tomatoes and feta were cooked nice and soft. Octopus came with chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, and a lemon wedge. A whole white fish was delish, was crispy and had a smoky flavor. Accompanied with tasty white rice, must've been cooked in broth. Sadly, they were out of moussaka. Two desserts: best baklava ever had, and galactobaklava ~ a filo pastry cup filled with non-dairy custard, topped with sugar and cinnamon. YUMMY!! And their market filled with imported Greek items. We got Greek olive oil and frozen artichoke hearts that I can't find anywhere. Wish they were still going to be around, but Papa Cristo too is ready for retirement to take up at a new location. read more

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WOW. I love this place. As a Greek person, I felt so fortunate to walk in and see so many products that I've been trying to find or that I usually have to special order. The portions were HUMUNGOUS and I'm on like my fourth day of eating them. On top of that, the food came out ridiculously fast. I had the gyro plate with rice and salad (wish I got the potatoes and salad instead). The plate was piled high with meet and went well when I mixed the roasted feta and tomatoes from my sizzling feta plate with the rice and some tzatziki sauce. The loukoumades were so fluffy and fresh. The restaurant was decorated with historical momentos from the family who founded Papa Cristo's and its definitely a casual place to stop by. They have valet parking and plenty of places to sit. I'll be back. read more

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For more than 60 years, Papa Cristo's has been serving the best Greek food. It has always been on the corner at 2771 West Pico Boulevard. The place is painted blue and white and is so cute. They have dinning and a market. In 1968 Chrys purchased the business from his father. He wanted to make a great eatery to go with the market. What a success it was and is. Papa Cristo's caters to Los Angeles and as far south as Orange County, serving up family-style menus. The market has great Greek items that are hard to find elsewhere. They have the best spices for sale. It is a super place to shop. The place is kept so clean and the service for dinning is great. They know the menu and will help you. Everyone in the staff is really nice. There is not a bad dish to be had here. Their lamb stew is so great but I think only served on the weekends. But that is okay, because their roasted lamb with beans and rice is amazing. All of their salads are great. My favorite is their large salad with lamb added on. You must try their shrimp platter. It is so good. This is a wonderful place and they make you feel welcome. read more

Another Los Angeles Institution might be closing. For years enjoyed their Greek / American cuisine. Bought a Bottle of Retsina and will toast Papa Cristo, his staff and crew, the 77 years of hospitality. TK read more

Papa Cristo's - Off the patio, a sign " Voted the Best Gyro in L.A. - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My Greek friend took us to eat here. Very cool little market with frozen foods to take home and plenty of seating. You order at a counter then they bring the food out. I tried the double kabob, chicken and steak with double salad, but I should've gotten the potatoes, because I stole few bites and they were amazing. If melty delicious cheese is your thing, do not miss out on the saganaki appetizer! I'd do two of those and skip the dessert next time. We tried the hot donut hole things and baklava, which were both good. We ate outside because it's California and that's why you pay so much to visit that beautiful-weather state. It was covered, with fans and chilled water out there. If you're in the mood for some legit Greek food, I definitely recommend this place. read more

Papa Cristo's - Great murals on the outside. Definitely missed out on getting food and interior pics. Cool place! - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

As a fellow Greek, I am deeply saddened that Papa Rio is closing. It's not because he can't afford the rent. He's just being nice and amicable in public to the new owners which are foreign business interest, a Middle Eastern guy, and an Asian guy. I was here the day that he sat down with the new owners who bought the property up from underneath him and he was informed that he was losing the lease and they're building very expensive retail space with very expensive apartments on the property. They will not even allow him to continue the lease. He will be closing down on May 4, 2025. I have dined and ate here every Sunday as a child since the 70s. I have attended the Greek orthodox Church across the street since I was a small child with my grandparents. I have brought my family and my children here over the years and they love this place and their heartbroken as well. There is not one authentic Greek restaurant in Los Angeles today that is as good as Papa Cristo's. I wish him the best. He told me that he's going to retire and just enjoy life with his grandchildren. He is a Greek, a great Greek and he is just trying to make the best out of life. We love you, Papa Cristo, and we're going to miss you ! read more

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If you're unaware or uninitiated, Papa Cristo's is a Greek market first and a restaurant second. When you enter from the packing lot in back of the building (if early enough, no need for the valet that is there), you walk through a storage area into the main market area with shelves and counters for purchasing pastries and meat (separate counters). There are two additional rooms. To the left is a small counter to order food and to the right is a large room with tables scattered about and two prep areas to collect silverware, to-go containers, napkins, dirty plate depositories, and trash cans. We visited for lunch and went earlier as we were told they get pretty packed. I had to get their Avgolemono soup - delicious! Next I ordered the chicken kabobs. They're served with salad, potatoes, warm pita, and tzatziki. Everything was great. Let me repeat that. Everything was great. If you're in the area, make sure you stop in for literally anything. It's a must stop when you're in California. read more

Small portions, pricey dishes, great meat quality but sometimes the meat was cooked a bit tough. The donuts were enjoyable but not made to the finest standards.... Aka anything fried and drizzled with syrup will taste good. Spinach feta phyllo dough pastry was yummy for the first few bites but it quickly got very oily. Would not come again unless I'm in town, craving Mediterranean, and I manage to steal one of the few metered spots in front of the restaurant. read more

Ordered via Grubhub for a rainy day lunch at home. Immediately impressed by the leak-proof packaging and generous portions. The gyro meat was delicious and tender. The cheese and meat hand pies big enough to cut into two, equally large pieces. Was slightly disappointed that the Gigantes did not include the feta shown in the Grubhub picture, but it was delicious and definitely not the end of the world. The location is out of my own general travel range, but I would order (and maybe try other items) for delivery in the future. read more

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I enjoyed this hidden gem's ambiance and service. Nice indoor and outdoor to pick up your food and eat comfortably. The fast and kind service. The store, while expensive, had Ethiopian coffee and spices. That said, I ordered a whole chicken and it was undercooked inside. The taste was okay before the recook (just a standard roast chicken -- $15-16 incl. tax) and def worse after. I appreciate the effort after I flagged someone and they did try to fix it by putting it on the grill for 10 mins, though I thought I would just get a new chicken. My friend did say the gyro was pretty packed and had a lot of meat ($18 incl. tax). That said, it makes me not want to come back again. Parking isn't too bad in the neighborhood, but they seem to had attendants in the parking lot for valet(?) read more

Wow what deliciousness this place is unfortunately it's not in too great of a location but don't let that scare you away. The food is absolutely divine and the market inside really really cool. We tried this sizzling feta and tomato plate, gyro sandwich, gyro plate, lamb shoulder, spanakopita and the kids cheese pizza. This place has mind blowing delicious Greek food. The freshness of the ingredients, the presentation of the meals and the overall delicious bite in every thing we ordered. we were certainly wowed by this place and whenever we are near that area we surely will stop in again. highly highly recommend a dine in here. read more

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I can here and basically ordered over ten items on the menu. My kids loved the hummus and pita that they didn't stop eating it. They loved the French friena and the fish. The whole fish was very fresh and well cooked. The salmon was just okay- felt dry. I probably wouldn't order again. The grilled shrimp were flavored so so well. It had the char flavor and loved by my kiddos too. The lentil soup was also very good. I enjoyed the falafel very much and it was probably one of my favorite things I tried. I'd come again. I didn't like that it was a restaurant but you had to order and pay first then sit down. I eat out with my family at times and the beauty of it is being able to order from the table so I don't have to pick them up and head over to the counter each time. No big deal- just their style I guess. Parking on side helps because traffic can get congested on that corner. read more

Papa Cristo's - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This is definitely a ma and spa type of feel. The food was decent for the price point. My friend and I had the octopus, the grilled cheese slices and both of us gyro. Meat was a little dry. Nonetheless, had enough flavor. No real comment on service as we order at the kiosk and they just drop it off. read more

Papa Cristo's - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My fiancée and I came by Papa Cristo's for lunch with friends on Wednesday. I want to say upfront that this review is NOT a standard review, as it was certainly not a typical restaurant experience for us. I WILL get to the food, though, as it was absolutely delicious, but I want to include all details to showcase the excellent staff and service at this restaurant. The restaurant very home-y and has a market attached. We placed our orders at the front and sat in the dine-in seating area. I ordered spanakopita and the lamb souvlaki plate with potatoes, salad, and pita; my partner had the falafel sandwich lunch special with potatoes and a choice of drink from the fridge. Everything was absolutely delicious -- the potatoes were DIVINE, and, frankly, I'd drive to Papa Cristo's just for the potatoes, but everything else was delicious too! The lamb was perfectly cooked, and the tzatziki went perfectly with the lamb and veggies. The salad was superb. I will be back to buy some of the dressing! Our visit was cut short due to a sudden medical emergency that my fiancée had while eating (she's completely fine and is at home and doing well). I can't remember names or faces well, but I want to give extend my sincere gratitude to Papa Cristo's staff for their prompt attention. One of the people serving us immediately asked me about calling 9-1-1, and their quick assistance led to the ambulance arriving in less than three minutes. Everyone who helped us with getting my partner to safety, speaking with emergency professionals, and prioritizing my partner over anything else. They even brought my friends food bags and boxes after my partner and I took off in the ambulance and offer assistance and support to my friends as they processed the event. I'm simply amazed by the staff's kindness and professionalism even in such a scary set of circumstances. We returned home with leftovers that my friends packed up for us, and may I just say that those potatoes were the best medicine. We can't wait to return and have more of this delicious food! Thank you again to everyone on the Papa Cristo's team. Y'all are truly the best. read more

We love this Greek place. It has amazing quality food AND variety (which is often hard to do) and has quickly become a favorite. I hope it never closes because that would be a travesty The basics like gyros, Greek salad, eggplant, etc. are all winners that are consistently well-made and generously portioned. And they also do well with their lamb racks, salmon, sole, and calamari The food is made efficiently but the wait honestly feels like nothing when you have their store to peruse through. They have fresh baguettes, various cheeses and meats, and quality imported goods like olives, olive oil, drinks, snacks, and other things They also tend to have samples for small things like tahini sauces and tapenades. There's a red spiced tahini there that is absolutely to die for. (My apologies I can't remember the exact name but I'll edit that in when I'm back). I took a bottle home and it was honestly so good that occasionally I just take a tiny little caveman swig of it from the fridge and go "Mm yeah that's the stuff". But usually I just add it things like a normal person. It not only goes well with things from the restaurant but also is amazing with any protein you make at home. I am already planning my next trip back to buy a few more, whether I also get a meal there or not. Parking is street metered, so just make sure you prepare for that as well read more

I cannot believe I waited as long as I did to try this spot. For appetizers the SIZZLING FETA & TOMATO is so full of flavor! LAMB CHOPS for the plate dishes is a must. Can't wait to come back and try more dishes. ENJOY! PS: They have complimentary valet parking read more

I visited this place after hearing rave reviews about it from my friends. The restaurant is connected to a small Greek market. Orders are taken on the side of the market and servers deliver orders in the seating area. The ambiance is casual and it wasn't busy when my friend and I went on a weekend. The employees were friendly and the service was fast. Free parking and valet were located at the back of the restaurant. We may have gone on an off day, but we were not impressed. We ordered the Saganaki, Greek Salad, Beef & Lamb Gyro, Visinada, and Baklava. The Saganaki came with pita bread, cucumbers, and tomatoes. It was exactly how you'd expect plain cheese with cold pita bread and plain vegetables to taste like. The lemon didn't add much to save the dish. The Greek Salad was simple and good but the dressing was very salty. The Gyro was packed with meat and vegetables but was dry and salty. There wasn't enough sauce to balance the dryness of the meat and pita. The dry theme continued with the baklava, which had a dry interior. All of the baklava I've had before have been soaked to the center, but this one had dry center layers. The Visinada sour cherry spritzer was my favorite part of the meal. It was refreshing and tasted like an adult's Capri Sun. Overall, I was a little disappointed. I'm hoping I just went on an off day, so I may come back to try other menu items. read more

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I've been coming to Papa Cristo's for years, but it never feels like often enough. Someone in the comments saying "small portions".. maybe half of your order was stolen because these are the biggest gyros I've seen in all of Los Angeles! Like, need a fork and knife and many many napkins to eat big. Like, split among two or three meals big. And more delicious, authentic greek food. The falafels have the perfect amount of crisp and are never dry. Their dolmas are sweet, vinegary, and always the perfect treat. As the kids say: "Your portions too big. Your marketplace too different. Your falafel too bad. They'll kill you, papa Cristo!" read more

Lamb chop all the way !! Salad is super fresh Parking kind of sucks on a busy intersection so be careful read more

1st Time Visit. Delicious Food. So Sad Will Be Servings Last Meal On May 4th & Closing Permanently After 77 Years. Order 5 Piece Rack Of Lamb , Filet Of Sole , Lamb Gyro. Delicious. Reasonably Priced. read more

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Having previously lived in Koreatown, I used to occasionally visit this restaurant and, while eating a delicious gyro or moussaka, reminisce about a trip to Greece many years ago. Knowing this place will be closing soon (5/4/2025), I made a special trip to Papa Cristo's this past weekend, for one last meal here. I didn't figure so many other folks would have the same idea in the middle of the afternoon... Around 3ish, the line was out the door and down the sidewalk. It sloowwwwly moved along, and we eventually reached a telephone pole with a sign on it, saying basically "Thanks for your support... we will occasionally be shutting down ordering for 5-10 minutes at a time, to allow our kitchen to catch up." We waited in that line for literally over an hour. Approaching the register, I had forgotten how expensive some of the items are: $25 for a salad with gyro meat, $10 for hummus and pita, $5 for one piece of baklava. Some prices feel reasonable-enough and some don't. Either way, the gyros have always been delicious and the highlight among what I've tried here. I've long appreciated that their selection of Greek beers includes Santorini Brewing Company, which are easily recognizable by the donkey in their logo. I visited that brewery during that previously-mentioned trip years ago, so these beers also bring back a fun memory. If you're debating visiting Papa Cristo's before it closes, going on the weekend isn't recommended, if you can avoid it. Before joining that long line this past Saturday, I had already been on my feet for hours... The restaurant didn't have any chairs out on the sidewalk, so my back sure was sore the next day. This is the first time I've seen "Papa" himself, and I hope he has a great retirement! read more

Papa Cristo's - $74: two gyros, a bottle of beer, 1/2L of house wine, a 4-piece falafel side, and 4 stuffed grape leaves. - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I will miss you Christo! After 45 years of shopping and eating at your restaurant. You saw me as a new comer to LA, I would impress my dates bringing them there, you welcomed my children and gave them your wonderful lamb shanks. I brought my parents when they came into town. We love you and will miss you so much. Wishing you a long and healthy retirement my dear friend. Thank you for the fig tree which is still thriving and producing delicious figs. read more

If this place didn't mean so much to so many people it would be a 3 star review for me but I witnessed today just how much it does mean to so many people and so I will give it 4 stars for sentimental purposes. Arrived around 3pm hoping the lines would be a little shorter. Didn't seem like a long line when I queued but it did not move fast at all. Was around 4pm when I ordered. I got the 5 lamb chop meal with potatoes, lamb gyro, spanakopita, two baklavas and a couple glasses of wine since they had run out of bottles. It was around $90 with tip. That's a lot of cheese for lunch. The lamb chops were med to med well even though I ordered rare but they were nicely seasoned and were very tender. Same for the potatoes. The lamb gyro was very good maybe the best thing I ordered. The spanakopita was dry and nothing special and same goes for the baklava. To those wondering if the should taste a little history before this place is gone for good I'd say for the money and time it's probably not worth it. But I love a good LA story and this is certainly one of them. Cheers to you Papa Cristo and 75 years of service! Wish you and your team well! read more

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Papa Cristo where have you been all my life? ...Apparently on the corner of Normandie and Pico since 1948. I stopped by this little gem at the urging of my partner for lunch. Free, no hassle valet Parking on a busy corner is a plus. Gyro and Kabob Plate: 5 stars! Gyro meat is the best gyro meat I have eaten in Los Angeles. Tender, well seasoned and perfectly cooked. Comes with yogurt (tzatziki sauce), two pita bread. Steak Kabob: 5 stars! I will be happy to try the lamb next time. The Gyro and kabob plate also comes with lemon potatoes (or rice) and a side salad - all 5 stars. I look forward to coming back here and trying the other dishes as well. Be sure to check out the deli/dessert counter and the grocery section. read more

Papa Cristo's - 5 star Gyro & Kebab Plate - Greek Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Best gyro in Los Angeles. Equally as delicious is the lamb and feta on crispy french bread sandwich. Prices went up, but..... They have a great market there and parking. read more

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