The Mad Greek
907 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, 66044
The Mad Greek Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Lawrence for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lawrence for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lawrence for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
907 Massachusetts St
Lawrence, KS, 66044 - Phone (785) 843-2441
- Website https://www.themadgreeklawrence.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Greek Cuisine
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
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Adrian L.
Good for lamb, reasonable prices. Can do gluten free.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Went for an early dinner on a Saturday night. My partner and I split the saganaki and both ordered the gyros dinner. I had a gin martini and my partner had a beer. The service was good. We were seated right away and promptly got our waters. The waiter seemed knowledgeable enough and was able to tell me that a Greek margarita has uzo and blue curacao in it (no thanks). The saganaki came out quickly and was pretty good. However, it was served with a ton of pita bread which is not something I've ever seen before. The gyros dinners also came out quickly and were just okay. The gyros meat tasted like the standard food service quality gyros. The tzatziki sauce was flavorful and fresh and the pita bread had a nice warm chewy but airy flavor. However, the rice pilaf was terrible and tasted like a store bought boxed mix with some dried cranberries tossed in. Equally baffling was the inclusion of canned green beans and one boiled potato slathered in watery tomato sauce. The sauce sort of ran all over the plate and made the pita bread very soggy. I had hoped for some feta cheese and kalamata olives but those were nowhere to be found. Overall this place was just okay. It looks like they have a pretty great happy hour which I'd be willing to come back and try but go somewhere else for dinner.
(2)Stephanie C.
This place is amazing! I come here every time I visit Lawrence and it never disappoints! Great food-hot feta is my fav, fried ravioli, spinach pie, gyros to die for. Check it out! Plan a trip!!
(5)Brianne L.
I've only been here a few times. But I REALLY love the octopus salad. And their bread is always on point. I'm not a fan of the gyro-meat stuff, but I haven't come across a dish I've ordered or my friends have ordered that I didn't like. I'll definitely be returning. Great salad dressing, too!
(3)Nick V.
No good. I have been in Lawrence for business a lot lately and this is hands down the worst meal I have had in lawrence yet. Ordered a Greek salad with souvlaki. The souvlaki was raw. I like my pork medium but this was rare. They tried to make it right by taking a couple bucks off the check and replacing the souvlak with grilled chicken which was nice. Salad itself was not worth anywhere near $11. The only reason I can give I two stars is how nice and attentive the waitress was.
(2)Grant E.
The food is superb. The dilemma is what to order. The gyros are a must. Tender and seasoned perfectly. As is the manicotti. And lasagna. If you eat there on Sunday, get here between 11 and 1 for the Buffett. It's $11 and completely worth it.
(4)Ken D.
Stopped by tonight, Sunday, around 8:30 for dinner. Stood in front of the host podium for an awkward four or five minutes while the guy behind the beverage station eyeballed us weirdly. No host in sight, only two people in the whole place eating. Never acknowledged, won't be back. Sorry for trying to inconvenience you so close to quitting time. Keep forgetting I live in Kansas now, where mediocre performance by employees is accepted.
(1)Ann W.
I have been a somewhat infrequent customer at this restaurant since the late 80s when it first opened. By now, it's pretty much a Lawrence institution.The food is pretty decent and reasonably priced, but I have never dined here and been amazed. Most recently, I was here with some family for the Sunday brunch buffet and it was pretty much ok just like I expected it to be, but nothing blew me away. Service was a tad slow for the buffet as well with very slow refills on water and ice tea. I guess I had forgotten what an awkward and cramped space this restaurant has, but just getting in and out with wait staff and other patrons clogging up the aisles was amusing. The booths are tiny as well, so if you have four people crammed into a booth, you might be elbowing the person sitting next to you.
(3)Charles R.
Great. I could eat the vegetarian dinner for any meal every day. The complaints about the restaurant being cramped because it's in an old building only demonstrate that many Yelpers just look for things to complain about. Go to Applebee's if you need wide-load seating.
(4)Ray M.
Best Greek in the area for me...Sunday buffet is just the best. I haven't had a bad meal in the dozen times I've been.
(5)Andrea S.
Just visited the Mad Greek for the first in in ages. I remember having had some excellent meals here in the past so I was surprised with a so-so dinner tonight. Gyros, pita and tzatziki were all decent. Spanakopita and dolmas were mediocre, at best. The green beans and rice pilaf were some kind of awful. Nothing really tasted fresh. Something about the service left me feeling that we were a distraction to the wait staff. I wouldn't rule out trying them again but, with plenty of other options on Mass, I doubt it.
(2)Ryan F.
This is a neat little place. The decor was fun and authentic. The food was decent, though a little on the skimpy side for the price. The appetizers were the highlight of our meal. The Saganaki was really good though the skant serving of pita bread was disappointing. The moussaka and dolmades were homemade and very good too. The staff was not very welcoming and seemed more interested in standing around and talking to each other than taking care of customers.
(3)Lexey J.
I really love the Mad Greek. I'm a huge fan of the flavors in Greek food and the restaurant seems to have a nice authentic feel to it, regardless of whether or not it is actually in fact authentic. However, the family that owns it appears to be from Greece, so I have no reason to doubt them. First, the atmosphere is really cool. The high ceilings and darkish wall mural, along with the many planters and other Greco-Roman statues and architecture give the feeling of eating outside in a garden at dusk. It sometimes seems a little dark, especially at the back of the restaurant, but I've never felt it to be unpleasant. The food is also very good, and the prices match the portions well. I typically get the falafel, which is always fantastic. They give you plenty of tzatziki for the gyros, and they seem to have a rotating assortment of sides that come with the entrees. It's often some variation/combination of green beans, a small salad, jasmine rice, new potatoes, etc. They also have an excellent assortment of desserts that, if you're interested, they'll bring out on a huge, delicious-looking tray. My favorite is the tiramisu. :)
(4)Brent K.
I am a huge fan of this Lawrence icon. The greenbeans are what you'd eat in greece. the grilled chicken is divine. the service has always been fantastic, family oriented, great menu options, delicious deserts and won't break the bank. sunday's buffet at 10 bucks is about as good as it gets for the money.
(4)Jeremy C.
From my kids - Very good and yummy Greek Food. They give you ice cream at the end. The service is quick and kind. The servers are nice. From me - Excellent food. Reasonably prices. Good portions. Great place to introduce children to Greek food. We have visited there several times and the kids still request to go back.
(4)Claudia S.
It was a busy Saturday lunch hour when we visited... service was fast, although the server for the table next to us kept sticking her butt in our faces as she waited on her table. I have a big butt too, but at least I have big butt awareness and try not to stick it into people's faces as I'm navigating around tables, especially if I'm bending over to do something. Her butt almost caused my mom to jab her fork into her face at one time she had it so close to my mom's face...wowzer. Anyway, I got Gyro Lunch Plate and mom got Spinach Ravioli Special. She enjoyed salad, but was truly, truly disappointed to find the ravioli were icky looking frozen ravioli out of a bag she could have bought at any grocery store. I'm not even sure they were boiled, but maybe microwaved because they were all dry around the edges. She probably should have refused them, but our server never came back. We never got refills on our drinks...she finally gave me the check after I sat there waving her down. I stood up for a second to pay the check and went back to drink a bit more of my melted ice in my empty glass and they already bussed the table. I told him that I was still sitting there and he said "Oh, I didn't know" and kept bussing the table and took my "drink" even after I told him 2 or 3 times that I still wanted to sit there and was going to DRINK THAT. By then the lunch rush was dwindling so he didn't need to rush that much. I finally yelled enough that the cashier came over to offer to get me a new drink, but by then I was so mad we just left. My Gyro was good, but not so good I'll EVER go back here. I can get something just as good at many other places around Kansas City. BOO
(1)Diana K.
Excellent food great ambiance, service was fantastic
(5)Reed N.
This place barely gets 3-stars... and it gets them due to service. Out service was friendly and excellent. We went for the lunch buffet on Sunday as we were indecisive. The buffet had gyro meats (lamb/beef and chicken). Neither were spiced very well nor were they appetizing in texture. The triangles of pita were cold.. The salad and dressing were fine, but nothing special. The green beans, tomato sauce, and potatoes were better. Along with the eggs and the regular potatoes they were the best things on the buffet. The lasagna was actually okay as well. The real disappointment for me was that the Greek selections were the worst items. Just strange.
(3)Judy R.
The food is excellent . The service at noon is good. We went back today for a late lunch and it was as if we were invisible.
(4)Paul G.
I love the food and atmosphere. Come for lunch or dinner you won't be disappointed. Went back today expecting another Great expecting!!!! The food may still be good. Only one other customer and after seating us I gave up waiting on a waitress and we left!!! Isn't service important anymore.
(4)SectionZ F.
Average tasting everything, except tiramisu which was a 10/10, gnats bugging us throughout dinner, waiter wasn't clearing the table...not much else to say.
(2)Hi T.
Best gyros in the area, including KC. Fantastic menu and very friendly staff. Sunday brunch is excellent! One of my favorite spots on Mass.
(4)Kayla H.
Food was really good...lots of olive oil goodness! The eggplant fritta and the spanakopita were particularly yummy. Our server was friendly, but a little slow with drinks. We were visiting from out of town and everyone in the party liked the atmosphere and the food. I was personally surprised to find an authentic Greek place in Kansas.
(5)Mackenzie C.
My friend and I recently visited the Mad Greek for a late lunch. When we finally got service, it was still slow, but the waitress was very sweet. The calamari appetizer was excellent. I ordered the lamb and was slightly disappointed. It was very dry and I had to soak it in the sauce it came with. I was also slightly upset by the charge for a side of olives (I expected to pay, but not that much). The martinis were decent. I ordered baklava for dessert, which was very good. Overall I don't think my meal was worth what I paid. If you're a big fan of Greek I'd recommend this place; if not, maybe skip this one.
(3)Michael A.
My wife and I live in KC and every time we go to Lawrence we always have to eat at the Mad Greek. We love it. My favorite dishes are the falafel sandwich and the vegetarian spaghetti, which is spaghetti with mushrooms and green bell peppers on it. And we love their toasted cheese ravioli appetizer. Fantastic! The only thing keeping me from giving this place five stars is the lousy service we experience every time. Each time we've gone we've gotten the same cranky waitress who always has a terrible attitude. The rest of the staff seem friendly but for some reason we only ever get her--always rude, always frowning. It's not the end of the world but it certainly puts a damper on the whole experience. Anyway, the food is always superb and is the thing that keeps us coming back.
(4)Paul F.
Good food and atmosphere! Though the bathroom may need some love, sitting on the toilet I shifted and the whole thing moved. Then when I grabbed some toilet paper the front of dispenser came off at me. I felt like I was discovering I was super-powered in a bathroom like those scenes in X-men Origins: Wolverine and the Amazing Spider-man. Sadly, I discovered upon further investigation this was not the case. The faucet in there was kind of neat too.
(4)Ron B.
First time here. My wife and I did the Sunday Buffett. Best Greek food I've had in awhile! Egg and lasagna or do you call it moussaka was really different. Had to go back for seconds on those. We had 3 different deserts at our table. All were amazing! It'll definitely be in our rotation now for Sunday brunch!!
(5)Megan C.
My 8 year old son likes the Sunday buffet. Plenty of choices for the entire family. Gyro is good. Great service.
(4)Chris S.
The Mad Greek ... Good Greek Cuisine, Moderate Prices Mad Greek Restaurant 907 Massachusetts Lawrence, KS 66044 madgreekrestaurantlawren… Phone: 785-843-2441 If you like arsenic poisoning, you will love the Mad Greek in downtown Lawrence! Seriously, this restaurant is actually pretty good and reasonably priced. The reason I made that comment is because they seem to serve rice and green beans with EVERY dish and rice has been linked to high arsenic content with recommendations, according to OneGreenPlanet.org and others, to limit rice consumption to once a week among other precautions. On our first visit to The Mad Greek, my wife ordered the spinach pie ($7.99), spinach and feta cheese with herbs baked in a light phyllo dough with tzatziki (a creamy cucumber sauce used extensively in Grecian cooking) and fresh pita bread. The spinach pies were light and flaky with a perfect ratio of filling to crust. For the price, I would think a salad would be included, but you must pay $1.99 to add a Greek salad ($1.59 for "house" salad) to any entrée. My wife and I both ordered a Greek salad with our meals and at $1.99 extra, not a bad deal considering the quality. Fresh romaine lettuce, tomato, Greek Calamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese in a Greek olive oil and vinegar dressing. I would prefer chunks of feta over the fine crumbles, but the taste is the same either way...very good. Greek "Side" Salad I ordered the gyros platter, a reasonable ($9.99 - not abundant) amount of sliced gyro meat (a combination of seasoned beef and lamb), pita bread, tzatziki, green beans, and rice (of course). The gyro meat was fresh and tasty, and the tzatziki delicious, but the pita bread was a little too soft for my taste. The green beans were simmered in a tomato sauce and were "OK" and the rice was similarly boring, but I am not a huge rice lover. I ordered a side of french fries ($2.99), which were hot and crunchy just the way I like them, but I will probably ask to substitute fries for the rice and green beans on our next visit. On our second visit it was my wife's birthday, so I ordered the "flaming" saganaki, a slab of fresh Greek goat cheese soaked in batter, deep fried, and served in a flaming extravaganza table side. The "oohs" and "aahs" of fellow customers followed the lighting of the cheese, but at $7.99 the dish was overpriced by AT LEAST $2.00 in my opinion, coming with one slice of pita bread (cut into six pieces). The birthday girl ordered the moussaka, one of her staples (along with Greek salad) during our month-long visit to Greece in 2005. The moussaka - eggplant, ground beef and other ingredients covered with a béchamel sauce and baked - looked as though it had been sitting for a while and the serving was small, a cube no more than two and a half inches in diameter and at $9.99, about one quarter of the size of servings we received in Greece. The moussaka came with pita bread, rice and green beans, so my wife substituted french fries at no additional charge. She did not like it and I thought it was very "average", being overpriced for the serving size. I decided to try one of the Italian offerings, so I ordered the cannelloni Florentine, pasta tubes stuffed with veal, spinach and seasonings then baked after being covered with alfredo (white) and red sauce. The cannelloni was actually pretty good, but the sauces were both rather boring, most likely coming from a can or jar, not homemade. Again, we had to pay $1.99 each to add a Greek salad and mine came with two small pieces of garlic bread ($9.99 for pasta and bread, $11.98 including the salad, not bad, but NOT A GREAT VALUE). Wine is reasonable at $3.50 per glass for the house wine, a tasty, inexpensive burgundy that went well with both meals. They have a full bar and prices seem fairly reasonable with a decent selection of drafts at $3.99 to $4.59 (stout). Water is served wit a lemon slice, but I had to ask for refills, something that should not have happened considering the small number of customers that night. The Mad Greek has original Greek recipes and decent food, but the value for the price is questionable. Ordering "ala carte" should be reserved for restaurants with cloth napkins and severs who take your payment rather than making customers stand in line to pay our bills (as is the case at The Mad Greek). I would recommend including a Greek salad with entrees and maybe increasing the price by fifty cents to a dollar to offset the cost and having servers handle payments as is done in even the cheapest sit-down restaurants these days. People should feel as if they are receiving a "good value" for their money and NOT feel like we are eating at McDonalds after having spent $25 each for dinner. CombatCritic gives The Mad Greek 6 Bombs Out of 10 ... Bombs Are Good! Key Words: mad, Greek, Greece, restaurant, gyros, moussaka, mousaka, phyllo, pita, bread, souvlaki, tzatziki, hummus, food, eat, wine, beer, CombatCritic, L
(3)Kim H.
The rice was horrible. Trust me go down the street to Aladdin's or try the gyros at the Lebanese flower (also down the street) They use real rice not the microwaveable ones. K
(2)Lab L.
We make the drive over to Lawrence for the Mad Greek!! Hummus and pita is a great way to start out. They will continue to refill the pita for a small charge. The Gyro sandwich and fries are perfect!! We had a large group last time and our table was waiting for us. They even let us go ahead and sit down early and get the apps going...before the rest showed up. We are fans....and will continue to drive over from Topeka when we get the craving for Greek!
(5)Dimitri G.
Our family had dinner there last night. Food was fresh and delicious! We had a great time. Fantastic atmosphere! We would definitely go again. Thanks for a memorable evening!! Opa!!!
(5)Katrina R.
I love The Mad Greek. Really, I love it. It has been my favorite restaurant in Lawrence for around 20 years now (possibly as long as they've been opened, definitely for as long as I can remember) and my parents love that I love this place because the prices are completely great. I always order the spaghetti with meatballs. No, it is not going to be your mom's Italian. Yes, I know this is a Greek place. Don't ask me why, I really just love their spaghetti here. But that's not to say that's the only thing I've ever eaten here. I've strayed from the path a few times. I like their Gyros. I'm sure I've tried other stuff but between spaghetti and gyros I'm set on main course. But, the appetizers! Babaganoj is an easy pick, it's tangy, healthy, and delicious. But, the Saganaki is my most favorite appetizer ever-- and the Mad Greek always dresses it up with a big flame and a holler of "OPA!". Color me loves it. And yeah, the inside is kitschy but I totally love it. They even changed their very classic wooden divider-thing into these completely grotesque white columns, and I am way into it. The Mad Greek embraces what it is wholeheartedly, and I love that about this place. So yeah, I know there's Teller's and Pachamama's and everyone in Lawrence has some weird cultish following of Zen Zero-- but I will take Mad Greek over any of those joints any day.
(5)Natalie W.
I haf never been to Lawrence before and my friend and I decided to go today. We were just walking down Massachusetts and came upon mad greek. We decided it sound good and it looked nice...well you definitely DO NOT get your moneys worth. I spent $11 on one piece of lasagna which wasnt any better than Fazolis. My frind spent I think $9-10 on like 10 pieces of ravioli. Placed looked nice until they gave you your food on a plastic plate that looked like it should bebused at ihop. I wouldnt go back again.
(3)Gaz H.
Very friendly servers. Nice dining room. Just one problem: the food for the dinner service is powerfully mediocre. At best. Bo knows Greek food and this kitchen has some significant shortcomings. The taste of the gyros is all wrong. Also, in the one area where Greek restaurants always distinguish themselves the Mad Greek is sorely lacking: roasted meats. The (pork) souvlaki was comprised of some horrifically poor cuts, prepared inexpertly. Side dish of green beans and potatoes was blandsville, population you. There was no redemption in old favorites, either: the moussaka was also bland and completely forgettable. The rice was an abortive mixture of cranberries and other such non-Greek additions. Not to say that nothing they serve is good; the pita and the tdzadsiki (sp?) were just fine. As was the baklava (it's imported from Chicago - they don't make it). I've had a spinach pie there before and it was just fine as well. But. So. Many. Things. Just. Suck. It's unforgivable. Overall, the kitchen powerfully disappoints. And the service was slow. And the servings were small. And the place is overpriced. Too bad, so sad.
(2)Ty O.
The atmosphere at the Mad Greek was nice enough. It felt clean and, though not super swanky, made a good effort to help it seem a touch nicer than average. The service was unfortunately poor, making the dining experience rather unpleasant. The waitress vacillated between impatiently hovering and weekend-dad inattentive. Getting the check or a water refill should not have been so difficult. The food was slightly below average. Of all the Greek and pseudo-Greek food I've had, this was definitely in the bottom half. Nothing was especially remarkable but rather dry and surprisingly plain. They put a more effort in than a food court gyro place, but it still fell short, especially for the price. It certainly wasn't the worst food I've had but the dining experience itself significantly lessened the experience. Review: 2 stars.
(2)Caitlin B.
The Mad Greek is a casual place that has a really nice atmosphere - think Roman-style interior with a touch of home-town diner. It has a specialty for four-person seating, but there's not a whole lot of room for large groups. Accomodations can be made, however. I've been here on two dates and a large birthday get together, and the seating and atmosphere was acceptable for both. The waiting staff are nice people who have usually been prompt in serving. They do tend to get stressed when it comes to large groups of people in their store, understandably. I've not been here often enough to sample their full menu, but their gyros, ravioli and spaghetti are all tasty enough. My main complaint is that there seems to be some sort of pricing issue - for a quick sit down and eat type restaurant, the prices seem steep. The food can be greasy and plating isn't appetizing, but the food tastes pretty good.
(3)Paul K.
My friend and I were trying to decide between Chipotle and Mad Greek. We went to Mad Greek. Bad choice. Funny thing is that I already had a bad experience at that restaurant few years ago but I figured I would give them another chance. My lemon-chicken-rice soup tasted like warm lemon water with huge amount of rice. I ordered gyro plate. Gyro meat was dry and salty, potatoes and spinach came from cans, I am very certain. In the end they overcharged me (that was fixed at the register) and explained the difference between debit card and credit card transactions (they don't get charged service fee with debit). Never again.
(1)Christina M.
Is it sad that right after clicking "Write a review" for Mad Greek, I instantly wanted to change my mind and write a review for one of the two Greek restaurants in Kansas City that I like a lot better? That's kind of what this place is for me: a passable but not entirely satisfying substitute for the places I no longer get to visit regularly. I tend to judge a Greek place pretty heavily on their hummus, and the hummus here is just okay. I can make better at home and spend far less per ounce doing so. Spanakopita is really hard to mess up, so they do a decent job at it (although sometimes it comes out tasting very microwaved, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's how it's heated up). The falafel is probably the safest thing to get, and it's always fine, although I've certainly had better. Mostly it just makes me crave falafel from Jerusalem Cafe in Westport. Joi B. is right about the Italian food. I usually give it a miss. I live in the same town as Paisano's, so if I want Italian food I'm not going to not go there. (Yeah, I used a double-negative. You guys are smart, you can figure it out.) The one time I did get the eggplant parm here, I was severely disappointed. It was a soggy mess, on a bed of overdone pasta and covered in sauce that I'm pretty sure comes in a #10 can. The place is always very clean and bright, and I have never had issues with the staff. Everyone there is perfectly friendly. The decor is like the inside of an Applebee's, except all the stuff on the walls is Greek (ish) and there are no ugly Tiffany lamps hanging above the tables. Some people think it's fun in a kitschy sort of way, but to me it seems a little bit overwrought. Overall, I think we pretty much only come here for Greek because we forget about Aladdin's Cafe. I never realized that before I wrote it down, but it's pretty much true. That's... really sad.
(2)Sarah M.
Love: food! Gyros are delicious, salads are great, Sunday buffet is the best! Great outdoor seating during nice weather. Dislike: their Alfredo sauce is a little watery for me
(4)K M.
Mediocre at best. Over-priced and under-sized portions - you won't be bringing home any leftovers and you sure won't feel you got your money's worth. The food is bland and in-authentic, like the "McDonald's" of Greek food but without any flavor. I briefly worked here years and years ago as a busser while in college and happen to know that all of their "Italian" dishes arrive frozen from Sysco. The place is clean, at least, hence the second star and very kitschy - lots of knick-knacks and reproduction statues, that sort of thing. The service, however, leaves a lot to be desired. I've had some great servers in Lawrence, so they obviously are scraping the bottom of the barrel with the local food-service talent pool. They raise their prices fairly often and will always charge you the higher price even if the website menus haven't been updated. The staff and owners will argue with you, too, if you have a problem with your bill or food. If you feel like paying $10 for a tasteless sandwich and bagged salad which will leave you feeling emptier than your wallet, go right ahead. Otherwise, head over to Aladdin Cafe down the street for Mediterranean food with flavor. (I am in no way affiliated with Aladdin Cafe, I just like their food.)
(2)Abba G.
After four years living in Lawrence, I finally tried the Mad Greek last night. It was FANTASTIC! For any Greek/Italian food lover, Mad Greek is the place for you. The menu had pages of delicious entree choices, and they had an awesome and affordable wine list as well. I went with my boyfriend who is from St. Louis, so he was thrilled to see toasted ravioli on the menu. I went with the spinach stuffed ravioli and Roma tomatoes, with a small Greek salad on the side. To be honest, I think it was the best Greek salad I have EVER had! The service was really fast, but we never felt rushed, and our waiter was delightful. I'm a HUGE fan of the Mad Greek.
(4)caitlin j.
I sometimes find myself here. Among friends who're really psyched for some authentic-ish Greek-or-something type food. I heave a heavy sigh and consent to eat here. If you are going to eat here (I cannot stress this enough) do not order the pasta. Oh, you might glance over the Italian fare listed on the menu and say to yourself, "Well, that just sounds delicious." And it might sound delicious. But it will taste.... (How do I put this....?) bad. I don't even heat up a hurried can of sauce at home and am baffled as to why I'd be sold this stuff at an established local restaurant. The service is generally good-- sometimes better than good. The Greek food? It's alright. I wish they'd make more of their stuff in their own kitchen but... whatever they're doing, it seems to work. They're usually pretty packed. It's gotta be the music.
(2)Alicia R.
As Lawrence's only Greek restaurant, I think they do a decent job. I really haven't tried the Italian offerings, so I have no comments there. Flaming cheese appetizer is fun, and delicious. My favorite offerings are the moussaka, the Hercules burger, and the Mad Greek plate. If you're afraid of or new to eggplants, try the moussaka, and I think you will be happy. The Hercule burger has gyro meat on top of the burger - and the burger is pretty tasty. Mad Greek plate gives you a nice sampling of everything. One thing I enjoy about Mad Greek that I always forget about is their huge dessert tray. They usually have ~10 dessert offerings. I have tried various ones; they're baklava is not the best, but is better than Aladdin's Cafe. They also have some desserts by the cash register. The interior is a bit tacky, but full of Greekness and charm. Things are a bit tight here, and beware of the rushing servers. Just tried the $10.99 buffet this Sunday - pretty awesome! I was surprised I enjoyed the lasagna; I can be picky when it comes to lasagna, but it made me happy. The buffet is a great deal, and you should leave stuffed and happy.
(3)Quinn R.
If the rating was based on the food, I'd probably give it 4 stars. But the last 2 times I've been here, they have padded my credit card bill, charging me more than I signed for. This is unacceptable and you should avoid the Mad Greek so you don't get ripped off.
(1)Andrew J.
One of the things I miss living on the West Coast is The Mad Greek. It is my favorite restaurant in Lawrence. The prices are reasonable, the food is great, the wait staff always pleasant and professional...it is a gem. McDonalds opened a restaurant right next door to The Mad Greek - if memory serves, it lasted less than a year. People were using the alley access from McDonalds to get to The Mad Greek. If you are ever in Lawrence, Kansas, make a point of dining at The Mad Greek. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Joi B.
The Mad Greek claims that it offers Greek, Italian and American food. They do "offer" all three; it's no lie. I have this thing about Greeks making Italian food. As in, THEY CAN'T DO IT. You know, you don't see Italians making Greek food, now do you? It's more than slightly annoying. My worst food memories, besides eating french fries prepared at a Chinese restaurant (they taste like egg rolls!) and "chocolate chip cookies" from an Italian bakery (an abomination, between the texture being sandy, the flavor being that of a seed cookie or biscotti and the chocolate chips these dreadful pointy things that taste like wax) include Italian offerings at the Greek diner. Oh, so off it kills, between the sauce seeming out of the can, the pasta overcooked and the cheeses just plain FUCKED UP. /rant because I wasn't about to go near "eggplant parmesan" topped with provolone cheese. Thanks for the warning, Mad Greek. I've been craving crunchy, greasy, cheesy eggplant parm since I left New York but I wasn't about to go there. So, I tried the falafel. MEH, indeed. The Mad Greek was typically packed last night and I don't really get it. The falafel is OK, but why settle for OK when you can get authentic Middle Easter falafel made down the block for much cheaper? And they serve it with the tahini it's SUPPOSED to come with. The Mad Greek serves theirs with a tasteless yogurt sauce. Can I just bitch a moment about the new trend in expensive falafel, please? Since when is falafel NOT street food? I mean, 8 dollars for a falafel? It's so fucked up, I could cry. At least in the Middle Eastern restaurants I've tried in this region they serve falafel as part of a larger platter for that price (sandwiches are usually a reasonable 4 or 5 bucks), and serve you a salad or soup, first. Mad Greek's 8 dollar falafel gets you four balls, served up on some tired lettuce, with two tomatoes and some onions (I'd like some olives please?). Oh and they put the thinnest schmear of hummus, truly negligible enough that I couldn't even tell you if it was good. The pita was very good and fresh. I'll give them that. Ohhhh, and they served the WORST chianti I've ever had since that magnum of Macaroni Grill "chianti," purchased at the liquor store for 6 bucks when desperate and broke. ( A $6 magnum of anything is probably not going to be good, this I was prepared for). Sad, sad, sad. Maybe if I would have tried the traditional Greek fare, like spanikopita or dolmas, I would have been happier? I'm not sure I'll go back to try. Our waitress was really sweet and I forgave her forgetfulness because of that, plus she had a full section. I'll also grudgingly admit that these were the best prepared green beans out of a can (they use a tomato sauce to make them "Greek style"). Fancy French style green beans. Green Giant would be proud.
(2)Allie M.
So this place was just OK. I am very unfamiliar with Lawrence and just happened to wander in here while shopping on Mass. I feel like this place has a lot of shortcomings and needs to step it up. Their full potential has yet to be reached. The server was very friendly and accommodating. The food was just ok...something to eat to fend from death of starvation. I like what K M wrote in her review, "McDonald's of Greek food" uhm EXACTLY....served with ample amounts of grease and oil. I really like Greek food and hope that this restaurant can perfect a great idea.
(2)Shannon H.
Fun, kitschy greek spot at 9th and Mass in downtown Lawrence. Fun for girl's night out.
(4)Kev L.
Horrible, HORRIBLE Greek food . . . . This place is what I would expect if Ronald McDonald went to Greece and then had a revelation that people in Lawrence would actually find this food to be delicious. All I have to say is that I'm just disappointed I didn't get a toy with my hummus . . . . .
(1)Gary T.
Very good. Always good service and great food.
(4)Mykie D.
i hadn't visited the Mad Greek in several years. I had the pleasure of visiting again last week. The dolmas and falafel croquettes are still amazing. the spaghetti was just ok this time around.
(3)Phil W.
Wow! This place made our move to the Kansas area a complete success. We haven't been to a Greek place this good since we lived in Chicago! Great food and great service! Can't wait to go back to beautiful Lawrence.
(5)Brian A.
I have to agree with Joi B on one point about the Mad Greek; stay away from the Italian portion of the menu. Other than that, I had a totally different experience. I was there on Sunday about 11am, strolling Mass Street. I was surprised by the banner over the store front that announced a Sunday Buffet from 11-2. Didn't know they offered one. I have only recently discovered that I like Mediterranean food, so my knowledge of what dishes are called is limited..Have to go by the look and sample method. Finish eating the good ones and discard the ones that don't appeal, so the buffet option was for me. Inside they were just putting the finishing touches on their buffet setup so we were among the first to serve out of the fresh offerings. The price was $9.95, just about the same cost as most of the items on the menu. The sampling of dishes was limited, but sufficient. There was a large Greek salad, a pasta salad, tomato basil soup, gyro meat of two varieties, "spinach cakes" that were small pastries of warm spinach and cheese, seasoned potatoes, rice, some ensemble of scrambled eggs with onions, peppers and spices in an olive oil type sauce, pita bread,spaghetti, lasagna, I know I'm forgetting something here. The salads and soups were both very good. Lots of feta cheese, and spices. The Gyro meat was tender and perfectly spiced. One was definitely beef, believe the other was lamb. Loved the spiced potatoes, just couldn't decide what the spices were....The spinach cake pastries were the best. warm and cheesy with a flaky crust coating. As I've said, the Italian offerings were poor. The lasagna was bland, and the sauce for the spaghetti was like oregano ed ketchup. Don't waste plate space on these and go for the other offerings. I was disappointed that there were no grape leaves out or any baklava. The deserts were on display in a glass case near the buffet, but were extra cost options. Despite a few shortcomings, I enjoyed what I had to eat and of course, went back for a second round of the things I liked after the inital tiny sample round that was my first visit. we thought for $10 it was a satisfying brunch with a good variety of tastes that didn't cost an arm and leg......Stay with the Greek dishes though.
(4)Walter M.
We came to the Mad Greek after we found one of our favorites had closed. Two of us ordered Italian and my wife ordered Greek. My wife raved over the gyro sandwich. Myself and our aunt had different types of pasta, which were below average. If we come back I will have to go Greek.
(3)Hector B.
Amazing food! Back when I used to eat meat, I had some of the best gyros and beef ever!
(5)Clarice W.
Given the fact that The Mad Greek has the term "Greek" in the name (even though they strangely advertise Italian and American food as well), I assumed this is what they should do best. After having been there, I can safely say that they do not. We had the gyros dinner and souvlaki. The souvlaki was okay - definitely deserving of 3 stars - though the pork was a bit tough, it had a proper smokey, lemon-y flavor. The gyros dinner, on the other hand, was a wreck. The gyro meat not only looked unappetizing (grayish hue), but was overly seasoned and dry. I was too terrified to eat more than a few pieces. And I really have no idea what is up with the servings on these dinner platters - I had a pile of gyro meat with 1.5 wet slices of tomato hiding under it. I was supposed to get potatoes; I found 1 on the plate. The pita bread is too soggy, the tzatziki is boring and unrefreshing. The green beans were surprisingly the most edible thing on the plate; they're a little mushy but at least taste like vegetables. Thank goodness I got a full serving of them. At first look prices seem okay for a sit-down dinner ($10-14 per entree), but I would say it is much too high given the quality of the food. To make matters worse, service was haphazard - our server checked in on us either too frequently or too infrequently, leading to a jarring experience. I should have been able to tell from the weird Greek-Italian-American combination: The Mad Greek is just sloppy.
(2)Sunthud P.
I went to their Sunday brunch a few times. The food is not bad. Spaghetti with meat sauce is delicious. The gyro meat is also delicious too. I did not try anything cheesy or creamy because I do not like it personally so I cannot review them. I went for lunch once. I have gyro and grilled pork in kabob style (I cannot remember the name). Gyro is delicious but the grilled pork is okay. The salad has plenty of Greek cheese. Well, I do not like it but somebody who love cheese may try it. I give four stars for the Sunday brunch and three stars for other lunch times. 3.5 stars.
(4)Travis B.
Really good Greek food. I've been coming here pretty consistently the past 3 years. The quality of the food & service has remained excellent. On Sundays they offer a $10.99 buffet. The lamb with pita bread is great. I highly recommend giving it a try!
(4)Siobhan G.
Came here on a Tuesday night with my sister. It was a totally random find. We were on a cross-country road trip and haphazardly stopped in Lawrence for food, and stumbled into this place based on our shared love of Greek food. As someone who cannot eat gluten or dairy, I was really sad to learn they add wheat flour to their falafel here, which is I what I walked in expecting to order. But my server was amazing with coming up with suggestions for things to eat (he subbed fresh veggies for the pita with the hummus appetizer for example). He also checked in with the kitchen a couple times just to double check what I was ordering was safe, and he didn't even make me feel weird about all the requests. He also plugged in my sister's dying phone in the back. I wish I could remember his name so I could give him the credit, because the service totally made our experience. Knocked off a start because the veggies weren't super fresh, but the hummus was good and so was my salad. My sister had to ask the server to take away her food because she was apparently overeating, so it might have just been what I ordered. Probably wouldn't eat here again because of how limited my options were, but no complaints about the place.
(4)Jacob B.
Skip the Italian and the American on their menu. If you are not here for Greek-American food, go elsewhere. If you are there for a dinner, one of the best ways to order is to get one or two Gyros Dinners (depending on how many people you are with), with a slew of appetizers, and ask your server to bring separate plates so you can tackle the spread buffet-style. Dolmas, Flaming Cheese and Hot Feta Dip are all great starters; Flaky and savory, I could eat their Spinach Pie all day. If you do not want the do-it-yourself buffet style, show up on Sunday for their brunch buffet. You will find many of the dishes on their menu (including an all-you-can-eat Gyro set up) on their buffet along with some more breakfast inspired additions. The "Greek" parts of the menu are very solid, the service has always been good, and the quality has not disappointed. Is it the most authentic Greek experience? No. But you won't find anything else like it in Lawrence, Kansas.
(3)Katherine J.
I used to think this place was okay (2002-2003). But then there food started getting yucky and I met a couple of people who had worked there. Mad Greek lies about their vegetarian options which are not really vegetarian at all. The pita has lamb grease and the rice is made which some sort of meat broth. In terms of cleanliness, this place is sick. I won't go into detail but it has to do with arms in big buckets of food. Arm hair = disgusting. Eat here at your own risk. In my opinion the only reason it is still open is because of the freshman that do not know better keep it in business.
(2)L C.
I love this restaurant. My two favorites are the falafel salad and the eggplant Parmesan. It's inexpensive, tasty, and the kids meals come with ice cream and sprinkles. They have fantastic tiramisu and the summer berry cake is amazing. Whenever I come home I want to eat here and Free State. This is one of my all time favorite restaurants!
(5)Sarah G.
I was happy to find a place that has pretty good falafel here in Lawrence. The Italian food that my friend ordered did leave much to be desired, but I don't think I'd order Italian or American food at a place specifically called The Mad Greek. In fact, I think I'm just happy enough to settle with some hummus, falafel, gyros, and nothing else too fancy. I went during the day during the week, and it wasn't packed at all. Prices were decent (for Mass street). Overall, I am definitely a fan of The Mad Greek, but I wouldn't really stray from their Grecian menu.
(4)Alex C.
Mad Greek has plenty of variety to satisfy. Seemingly, the other reviewers are basing their reviews on a single experience. Seriously, give restaurants a chance; it's a tough business and there are far too many snobs as customers. I highly recommend the buffet they offer and, again, the menu, location, hours, and variety are satisfactory. Great for lunch!
(4)Joe W.
Cool, quaint place. Bland food.
(2)Corey W.
Stick to the basics here....gyros, falafel, hummis/pita. The Saganaki is a great appetizer. The lasagna was greasy and the pasta sauce may have had Paul Newman's face on the jar. The sides were bad...green beans were disgusting. How do you screw up green beans...that takes work. Service has always been good to outstanding.
(3)Samantha A.
My sister and I disagree on everything. But the quality of the Mad Greek is our clearest line in the sand. I think the place is lame; she swears by it. You'd think in a cosmopolitan college town you'd find some good Mediterranean food, but you'd be wrong. Mad Greek is only so-so, whether I go once a week for a month or every other year. Despite it's average food and service, the Mad Greek just keeps hanging around. Dozens of better restaurants have come and gone along Mass since the Mad Greek opened, and many more will probably come and go before it's gone. Maybe it's the pedestrian Mediterranean flair, like the faux grave vines and music that keep people convinced they're having a true Greek experience. As for me? I think you'd be better off waiting for gyros and hummus til the the next time you're close enough to Jerusalem Cafe to stop by.
(2)Jason D.
My favorite local place for Greek. Yummy!!
(4)Maneekwan C.
Very good price for Sunday brunch buffet! You will see how lively Lawrence is on Sunday. The only Italian and Greek buffet you can find in Lawrence :)
(3)Heather M.
Good prices, good soup.
(4)Tristan N.
The Greek menu is a little bit salty for my liking but I love their desserts and the Italian menu!
(3)Nick K.
I am not terribly impressed with The Mad Greek. I am not saying it is bad by any means, but being recommended by a friend as "the best gyro I have ever had", I had high expectations going in. The food was decent but most of it was blatantly Italian not Greek and the gyro was far from being the beat I have had. The Mad Greek could get away with all of this if they were a cheaper restaurants, but $10 plus for a gyro I could get at a Greek festival for $5 ( an have it taste better) just doesn't seem worth it to me. If you are really in the mood for mediocre Greek food in Lawrence and don't mind paying a little more than you should then by all means this is the restaurants for you.
(3)Henry M.
Sorry folks...I love the Greek portion of the menu, and it is the best Sunday buffet in town. Plus...how can you go wrong when a place carries Retsina? You cannot.
(4)Michael B.
This place is a family favorite. We have been going there since 1988 and even 11 years we lived in Florida, we managed to hit the Mad Greek while on vacation. Try the Flaming Cheese Appetizer or the Feta Cheese Plate. There is a large array of Vegetarian Dishes and meals utilizing meat. The Souvlaki is wonderful. Remember to save room for Chocolate Baklava
(5)Corey O.
What a terrible gyro.
(2)Alison M.
The Mad Greek is a fun place for a meal, but haute cuisine this is not. The decor is awesome- fake grapevines in the front, a big mural of Greek sculpture in the back, lots of stuff on the walls including Greek armor. The food is pretty good, I completely agree with Carol R that the Hot Feta Dip is where it's at, and the Flaming Cheese (I forget how to spell that in Greek) is really good too, if a little oily, but what fun to have your appetizer set on fire with a shout of "Opah!" I have only had their pasta dishes, their red sauce has a touch of sweetness, which is nice, and the pastas a la greco are pretty fresh tasting with parseley, feta, tomatoes, and olive oil. I agree that the quality went down for a while, but when I ate there this week it was back to what it used to be. The service is always friendly, and I appreciate that they list vegetarian dishes separately.
(3)Amanda S.
The food at this place is pretty good, but you should know that if you chose to sit outside, you a) have to pay beforehand and b) you will get absolutely no service. No one even came out to ask us if we would like a drink refill. Also the gyro wrap is a bit steep at nearly 6 dollars, because it includes nothing but the the wrap. No fries, nothing. However, as I said before the food is pretty good, so if you really like Greek food, simply sit inside and hope for the best!
(3)Lisa H.
I've always really liked this place. It is a little more expensive than most places on Mass., but this place is really tasty. Definitely the best Greek food that I've had. I always get an order of the vegetarian grape leaves and then a gyro platter. They always have choices for people who are not sure they like Greek food. My husband had some awesome vegetarian lasagna there. I've never had a bad time here, the food is delicious. The service tends to be average, but I've never expected more than that from them.
(5)Gidget K.
Best kept secret of Lawrence! I don't feel it is overpriced and believe that you get what you pay for. The menu is awesome, the food is amazing. I couldn't make it better at home and everything tastes as if your grandma spent all day making your dinner. Delicious! Can't wait to go back!
(5)