Came here for an early dinner after getting a recommendation from friends. They hadn't eaten here in the ten or so years since they left St. Louis, so maybe that's why they still recommend it... The ketchup and hot sauce on the table didn't bode well from the beginning, and after having the gyros, tzatziki and 'Greek' potatoes, don't feel the need to visit again. Feta was the only bright spot. If you've never experienced authentic Greek food, then this might be the place for you. Place a bit run down but service friendly and efficient enough.
(2)
Melissa S.
We absolutely never visit Saint Louis without a stop to Ari's. This restaurant has the most well prepared calamari we have ever had. The Grecian cuisine is as authentic as it comes. If you have room please try out the desert it is amazing.
(5)
Nicole L.
Ari's has among the best Greek cuisine in this city! The dolmades are so fresh, the pastitsio and moussaka are both so full of flavor, and the saganaki has a nice crunchy exterior. There's two options for the gyro: regular and large. By regular, I mean you get a decently sized gyro topped with all the traditional fixings and a side. Oh, you're very hungry!? No problem. Order the gyro plate. It's like two gyros there's so much. It's served with pita triangles and a mountain of gyro-goodness piled in the center. Breakfast/Brunch, they've got that covered, too! The spread covers several meat options, herbed red potatoes, biscuits and gravy, eggs with and without cheese, French toast, fresh fruit salad, pastries, and an inlet station. Every time I've been the service is smiling and friendly. It's such an enjoyment to visit Ari's. They also accommodate carry-out and the quality of the food is just as it is when dining in.
(5)
Ally C.
Very disappointed. Ordered the gyro sandwich with fries. When it came out it was a bunch of onions, several tomatoes, few pieces of meat & slap of sauce wrapped up in a warm pita and tinfoil. I counted 10 steak fries which were lukewarm. Couldn't really get a good taste for the meat because of the overwhelming amount of onions. Definitely not the best gyro in the city by any means. Place is outdated and somewhat dingy - could definitely use some cosmetic changes to make it more appealing. Even if it was a fresh coat of paint. Service was friendly and fast, but that's the only positive thing I have to say. If I return it'll be for their brunch that everybody raves about but nothing else.
(2)
Michelle M.
I've only ever had take out from here, which has always hit the spot. The calamari appetizer is ample, perfectly fried and comes with a delicious marinara for dipping. Their gyro is on warm, soft and tasty flat bread, topped with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes and onions. It is generously filled with delicious gyro meat that will well cooked, sliced to the perfect thickness and seasoned perfectly. I add lettuce to add a little extra crunch. It is accompanied by steak fries which are typical and a nice compliment. One of my favorite things about Ari's is that they everything I've tried has been only lightly salted. For those on a low sodium diet, this place is a great option. Personally, I'm just not a fan of too much salt, but either way it's nice to not have a salt lick of a dish, which is common around here. The staff is friendly and the prices are great. I have yet to try their weekend breakfast buffet that many rave about ($7.95 including coffee and tea), as well as their all you can eat soup and salad lunch special ($6.95). I'm sure I'll make a point of trying each one of these days soon!
(4)
John M.
Breakfast buffet is a great deal at $8 with tea and coffee like I mentioned in my previous review. This time I went back for the greek food. Delicious saganaki and gyro salad! Pretty good baklava and red wine paired with the red meat. Huge portion for me. Great value again. It isn't the biggest place but we haven't had to wait yet and have made reservations with groups as big as 12? 16? I'm not sure if they serve from their regular menu during their breakfast buffet. No need though. Breakfast is a good deal and really everything on their menu is too. I don't understand the american breakfast buffet, but I'm sure it brings in some money when other restaurants sit closed in the mornings. Go and enjoy!
(4)
Mel M.
Great breakfast buffet and only $8 with coffee what a deal. We will be making this a regular breakfast stop on the weekends.
(5)
Al S.
Went to check out the brunch one Sunday morn. This happened to be Easter Sunday so was a bit more expensive that the typical brunch. They had a decent selection of eats considering most brunch buffets consist of meat, meat, and meat. We are on a quest for the perfect brunch for vegetarians! The food was just ok - not an immense amount of flavor but tolerable enough to eat. The service and staff were fine. We sat on the patio to avoid the crowds inside, and it was a lovely morning for it. Will probably return to try their regular brunch since it is right up the road.
(3)
Jon T.
We made it back to Ari's on a Sunday with or friends the B's. We had been to the Botanical Gardens and intended to go for the breakfast buffet. We looked it over and for some reason decided it was not what we wanted so reverted to the menu. Ari's is a 3-1/2 star place for us. We have had good gyros and salads on previous visits. This time the B's ordered Souvlaki and the Greek Salad. They liked the food and the place very much and have mentioned going back. Ms T and I broke away from the Greek thing and had very good Grouper Sandwiches. They were lightly coated and seasoned just right. This was a nice lighter meal. Ari's is a bit of a hike for us. If we want a gyro on a moment's notice, we are going to Med Grill in the Valley. But for lunch after Member Morning at the Art Museum or other events that take us into the Hampton area, it is on our go-to list. They have a solid Greek menu plus American.
(3)
Jeremiah E.
Gyros. Gyros. Gyros. Possibly the best in the city. "So why only three stars" you ask? This place has possibly the worst bar I've ever seen. Overpriced booze + under experienced bartender = regret. Come here for dinner, then hi-tale it to a place with a better selection and drink specials. seriously though, come her for the gyros.
(3)
Richard G.
Food is fantastic, the gyro is my favorite in the city. The people are exceptionally nice. Its very inexpensive for what you get. I always try to make it in when I get a chance.
(5)
And W.
Breakfast buffet is to die for. All the samples plus an omelet bar. Yes please! Oh, did I mention the bloody Mary's are the bees knees? Cause they are. Salt on the rim. And they play great music, (billy Joel, Elton John, Michael Jackson, all in one sitting)
(5)
Sasha S.
Good morning, affordable breakfast buffet! This is a solid basic breakfast buffet and at $7.95 there isn't a lot to complain about. It also comes with coffee or tea. They have an omelet station (tips are appreciated), scrambled eggs, cheesy scrambled eggs, fruit, french toast sticks, sausage, bacon, potatoes, and some form of pastry. The omelet station, fruit, and the potatoes are my fave. The omelet station has a dude making individual omelets by request. They typically have shredded cheese, feta cheese, onions, peppers, mushrooms, tomato, olives, jalapenos, and I may have forgotten something. I usually tip $1.The fruit is nice and fresh. The eggs are your basic scramble but throw some pepper or other condiments on them and you're good to go. The potatoes are fantastic and seasoned well. When I ate meat I have to say that I thought the sausage was a little weird and the bacon, although seemingly well done, was kind of chewy but still tasted good. I avoid the pastries and the french toast sticks but they look good, if you're into that kind of thing. This isn't the best food you'll ever have but, again, it's a good solid breakfast buffet that is affordable and lets you avoid annoying chains. It's a great place to take out of towners that are on a budget. I'm not always in the mood for Ari's buffet but it's a great go to for a basic breakfast.
(3)
Erica S.
The breakfast buffet is awesome!! Fresh fruit, yummy biscuits and gravy, potatoes, made to order omelets, Danishes, eggs, sausage, bacon all for an unbeatable price! We leave feeling sooo satisfied and full!
(4)
Laurie K.
I went to Ari's for the first time on Friday. While I live (somewhat) in the neighborhood I had never been. I love Greek food but always thought that the prices were too high. (I should have looked on Yelp to see...they aren't high at all.) We had the calamari first. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE calamari. This was good, kind of bland - needed a little salt but cooked perfectly. One of the specials for the night was a pan-fried grouper with a seafood sauce. Sounded rich and a little fattening so I went for the regular pan-fried grouper on the menu (no seafood sauce). I usually take a photo of everything I eat. (Sometimes to the annoyance of others.) I didn't take a picture of this. Why? One thing was that this grouper was HUGE. Not sure it could have fit in a regular picture without backing up...okay so that might be a exaggeration BUT it was HUGE. The other reason was that as I started eating I didn't want to stop. It was so good. Fried perfectly, not heavy. The grouper was lying on a bed of rice with veggies on the side. The vegetables were cooked perfectly. NOT overcooked. The Greek potatoes that I decided to go with could have been greasy/oily...but they weren't. The potatoes were firm, there was just the right amount of olives and onions thrown in the mix. I regret not getting the Saganoki. Twice it was lit up while we were there and smelled FANTASTIC!! I'm not a fan of the parking and we walked all the way around the building looking for the front door. BUT, the items that really can't be fixed (parking, door, small dining room) were my only issues. I will be back - for the Saganoki!!
(4)
Katie A.
Pretty good food, pretty bad service. We got there on a Friday night and waiting 15 minutes to get a glass of water. My husband was so thirsty he went inside to the bar to get his own glass before our waitress delivered ours. We got the saganaki which was okay and the calamari which was pretty good. The marinara sauce that came with it was pretty gross but I don't usually like that anyway. I got the gyro plate and my husband the gyro sandwich. The gyro plate comes with one pita cut into four, more meat then the sandwich, feta, olives, tomatoes and onions. My husband was surprised to find the sandwich didn't come with feta. Also he ordered extra tzatziki which cost $1.50! A little outrageous if you ask me. The meat was really good - I would order the gyro again. Our waiter never checked on us. I had to ask the owner to bring me some boxes because she was never around. I would go back for the food but I will need to bring my patience.
(3)
Jack H.
The neon beer sign in the window and ketchup bottles on the tables should have been warning enough. Fairly average gyro and *whoa* on those raw onions there, fellas! The decor was pretty frumpy (dark, TVs in the corners, and textured, plastic water "glasses"). The service was underwhelming. Waitress never checked in on us or came to refill our drinks. For a 6pm on a Saturday night, it felt pretty empty. Only 4 other parties there (and a few people at the bar). Maybe if they had actually lit the candles on the table, would it have felt like the date night experience we were hoping for.
(2)
Vince S.
Great place for brunch buffet on the weekend. Try a Greek Omelet cooked to order. Brunch includes coffee or tea for $7.95
(4)
Jeanelle T.
Been here many times and they have a great staff, fantastic food, and a fun atmosphere. You're missing out if you don't go here!
(5)
Brian M.
I can only vouch for the breakfast here, however I do intend to return for dinner. Breakfast on the weekends is possibly one of the best deals in the city, a simple breakfast buffet with coffee or iced tea is only 6.95! You can get biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, French toast sticks, build your own omelet, etc pretty simple however its a great value. Service is quick and the staff is friendly.
(4)
Steven B.
Great place, I have never been disappointed. The staff is friendly and provide great service. The Ari's Greek Salad is big enough for two to share and then some. If you're sharing a Ari's Salad, share an order of Flaming Cheese...YUM! Breakfast on the weekend, for $6.95, it is the best value in the city. I can not sing the praises enough of the breakfast buffet at Ari's. It is simple, filling and worth the $. The made to order omelets are huge and stuffed with the items of your choice. Make it a true weekend brunch and enjoy a Bloody Mary
(4)
Leslie H.
We've been to Ari's twice, and we love it. If you can eat outside, do it. The plants around the patio are beautiful and make for a nice setting. On this past visit, we were inside out of the rain. :) Each time, I have ordered the Greek platter (moussaka, pastitsio, and dolmathes -- along with 2 sides). Always great. I had their Greek soup that is on the menu (can't remember the name -- sorry!) as one of my sides, and it was great. The Greek potatoes aren't bad, but aren't my favorite. My husband gets the gyro plate and loves them. My kids have ordered things like a bacon cheeseburger (loved it), toasted ravioli, dolmathes, and gyros. They are always happy with what they get as well. My husband asked about beer on this visit and decided to try the Greek beer they carry...it was yummy!
(4)
Karen G.
Ive been here twice now for brunch, and I have to say that I'm not all that impressed. Nothing really stood out as better than you get everywhere else. Nothing was bad (except maybe the scrambled eggs), but nothing was beyond average. I've also gotten used to the massive selection at Mokabee's brunch, so I was surprised at the small spread of hot food. They do make good omelets to order, but I really only opted to get one since I wasn't all that excited by anything else. It was good, just not something I ever crave. I will say that we had a big group and got good service for drink refills and they handled multiple checks well. Kudos for that.
(2)
Tanya M.
recently was treated to brunch here. The omlette bar was the best part. they offer a couple different options than other places. 1) Feta cheese loves me some feta. 2) spinach again loves spinach too. coffee or tea is included in the price of just $6.95. at first, i didn't like the coffee. it was just not what i am used to drinking. i got used to the taste and it tasted pretty good by the end of the meal. the other offerings are pretty standard; eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, big bowl of fruit, and pastries. the service was friendly. when i was waiting in the omlette line, a waitress asked a patron if he wanted his pastry heated a bit. hate to keep this short and sweet but my yelp is being a doody head.
(4)
Iffat B.
The Good: They have an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $6.95 and omelet station. The omelets were actually pretty good. The servers were very nice. The Bad: The food is not that good. The buffet includes scrambled eggs (with and without cheese), sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, fresh fruit (grapes and watermelon), and danishes which sounds impressive but, sadly, it was just average. The scrambled eggs had this odd texture and I could not even finish them. Overall, if you're looking for a cheap, average to below average breakfast buffet, then this is your place! I will definitely not return for breakfast, but perhaps I will be back to try the lunch or dinner menu...
(3)
Reviewer A.
First off, if you are looking for a great value, I suggest the breakfast buffet they have on Saturdays and Sundays that go through the afternoon, where they have plenty of delicious food (check out my pics) for only $7. That is a great deal for a buffet. It is very crowded and the building is somewhat small, but they have an outside garden/patio to accommodate more people. If you come any other time for their main dishes, my recommendation would be the gyro sandwich, which is their signature meal, or the even-more meat-covered gyro plate. By the way, you can just show up and order a quick meal to go, so you don't have to wait and be seated.
(5)
Sal E.
Brunch - A Hungover Surplus Bounty of Delight! You've blown all your cash the night before on $15 martinis, and murdered your dress with that cosmo.... so you come here. Directions: Take a biscuit, split it in 1/2, top each side with a bed of bacon, for the sausage links to sleep on, of course. Then toss a bit of scrambled eggs in the middle, letting it all swim in a sausagey sea of gravy. Garnish with two bacon strips. Slam that complimentary coffee (Optional: filling your to-go cup on the way out) and $10 on the table. Job well done!! Oh - and sit at the bar, it's worth it not to deal with any form of wait (and you're closer to the mimosa maker).
(4)
Fred M.
Last night was our second time here. I ordered the lamb chops and they were superb. My wife had the stuffed squash special. It was excellent. We ate on the patio, had a very nice server, and we will be back!
(4)
Tiffany N.
My roommate and I went here because we were tired after a long day of moving to our new place. The waitress was great, though it took her a minute to notice us. If it hadn't been seat yourself, that would have fixed the problem. The waitress recommended the pitcher of peach sangria, which ended up being a little too much for us to finish, but it was pretty darn good. I got the hummus appetizer, which was good, and the large Greek salad, which was so big that I ended up taking half of it and my pita home. I was kind of shocked at the price of our bill, but I took Jamie Foxx's advice and blamed it on the alcohol. Pros: salad, service Neutral: price Cons: none
(4)
Mike K.
I went since I'd seen the sign on premises advertising buffet breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 till 1 for only $6.95, drink included. The usual breakfast fare, nothing Greek about this meal. Even a guy to make your specialized omelette. It was all good, especially the coffee. Such a deal. Don't miss out.
(4)
Sadia Lynne B.
I ordered one chicken gyro and a regular one to go. First time customer. I walked in to pick up my food and the "lobby" was dirty in need of serious cleaning and a dying plant greeted me. I felt like I was in someone's house. The gyros lacked flavor. no lettuce, tiny bits of diced tomato and no homemade sauce. I will not be back. Sorry. However, the customer service was great and inviting.
(2)
Samantha A.
I always see their breakfast special sign from Hampton, so my husband and I thought we would try it out. Big mistake....the food was nothing special at all....I've had better breakfasts at hotels. Maybe I should have tried the Greek food instead?
(1)
Stewart P.
Everything about this place earned 5 stars. The fact they have landscaping that seems to be impervious to the heat we have been having, to the service, to the food selection and the quality of everything ordered. Ari's is located right on the corner of Hampton and Arsenal, making it hard to miss. You walk up to the front of the place with very lush flowers and greenery, very impressive given our weather lately and I wouldn't normally comment. We were immediately greeted and seated as we walked in the front entrance. The service had excellent timing throughout our stay from revisting the table for ordering, to removing dishes, to delivery of what was ordered, hummus - excellent, Souvlak - like a chicken gyro, the combo plate - dolmathes, lasagna, and something I can't remember and came with some choices of which I picked a salad, very fresh and balanced with a topping of parmesan cheese and baklava (was a huge piece and very good) and Galaktobureko (custard topped with phyllo dough). This is a very casual place and had customers of all types as we got there at 6pm, and pretty busy for a Wednesday I'd say it went as well as any well oiled machine can be and I counted at least 4 people who worked our table, but did not come across as too much at all. Very good team work. I'll go again, maybe to try the weekend breakfast buffet.
(5)
Byanka S.
I went there for Easter brunch. The service was lovely, but for the price the food was meh. A lot of people liked the roast beef, but it was way too salty for me, and there wasn't much variety. Everything just lacked flavor. If I ever do go back, it won't be for a buffet. I'll order off the menu next time. Sorry Ari's, but it was not a good first impression. I do give second chances though. :)
(3)
Greg K.
From the owner through the employees, you are made to feel welcome. The food is never disappointing especially on the night when the pork shank is the special..... So good! The desserts are also made in house and are as fresh and sinful as can be. This is a great low key spot to hang out with friends or take a date to get to know someone.
(4)
Christine W.
Always amazing food and service. Their grouper with seafood sauce is one of the best meals I have ever tasted! This is a family owned restaurant, and they always make me feel like part of the family!
(5)
Chris M.
They say you get what you pay for. When you pay $6.95 for an all you can eat brunch, you get powdered eggs, over oiled omelette's and deep fried bacon that curls up. After a long night out the grease helped to soak up the alcohol but the food wasn't cry good. For being a Greek restaurant, I really expected more of a touch of Greek on the buffet. For example, there was no spinach to add to the omelette's making a Greek omelette. This brunch left such a bad taste in my mouth, I don't think I will go back and try their Greek food for lunch or dinner.
(2)
Katherine B.
I have only ever been to the brunch. You really can't complain about 6.95 brunch. Great omelet station. The french toast is awesome. Beware- you see your fare share of grease. In other words, not for the calorie counter. But, just like everything else that's unhealthy for you, its delicious!
(5)
Andrew M.
Meeting a friend obsessed with Greek cuisine for lunch, we naturally ran down the suggestions until he came to a restaurant I've never been to. So Ari's it was. The place DEFINITELY had some feng shui - and I immediately liked the cozy atmosphere. The waitresses were quick, accurate and attentive and I really appreciated how personable our waitress was- offering suggestions and making our eating experience that much more enjoyable. On to the food - never having eaten here I decided to try an appetizer along with my meal to get more data. Feeling apathy toward grape leaves, I decided I'd try the the Saganaki Flambe with the image of a platter of imported Greek cheese sticks in mind. The dish came out and on it were two small wedges, caked in what looked like panko batter. The waiter poured (what I assumed was) Ouzo on the wedges and set if aflame. Let me put this out there for everyone to see- FIRE IS ALWAYS FUN. The cheese wedges were, unfortunately, not as much fun. The flames DID mildly toast the breading and melted the outer edges of the cheese, but left the core intact - and apparently Saganaki is in the firmer family of cheeses. I also wasn't impressed by the small portion for $7 dollars. Fireworks be damned. I ordered the Gyro sandwich, which was advertised as being smaller and less expensive than the Gyro platter - but it's a pet peeve of mine when a 'sandwich' comes to the plate disassembled with not enough bread to go around (a rare exception to this philosophy exerts itself in my enjoyment of quesadillas - odd no?). I also took the option of adding 'Greek Potatoes' with 'special Greek seasoning' over french fries for a $1.00 up-charge. Try to look for that on the menu though - I sure couldn't find it. The Gyro was good - typical in my experience - and it was moderately sized. The meat was well prepared and seasoned and I always love the taste of tzatziki. And the proportions were appropriate for a hands on eating experience - even if I did feel the sandwich was smallish overall. And those Greek potatoes? They didn't seem to be more than potatoes cooked in oil long enough to soften. While not bad, there was definitely nothing 'special' about them. I'd have preferred fries. The experience added up to about $15 plus tip. I felt it was a little overpriced since my small appetizer was the same price as my small sandwich and I definitely felt as though I could have made better choices. I've had better, for cheaper at such places as Antonino's Taverna On the Hill. But the tastes and preparation were good, and I'd go back to try something else... when I can afford it. ^_~
(2)
Jeremy I.
I've never been to Ari's for the Greek food, and I doubt I will, cause other places trump it so well. I go to Ari's for their Sunday brunch. Standard fare, but lots of it and cheap! They have: 1. Omlette Station 2. Eggs 3. Buscuits & Gravy 4. Sausage links 5. Bacon 6. French Toast 7. mini-danishes 8. Coffee or tea included with the buffet price. Sound good? It is! The staff I find to be hit or miss. They're either under or over attentive. Believe it or not, you can be overzealous, especially with trying to get someone to check out in a hurry. It's a buffet. It's brunch, you should be able to relax.
(3)
Keren G.
We LOVE this place for Saturday/Sunday BRUNCH buffet! From 8am to 1pm Ari's has a made to order omelet bar! I always get the veggie and feta omelet. If you prefer scrambled eggs they have those with and without cheese, biscuits & gravy, sausage & bacon, French toast sticks with syrup & jelly or preserves for the biscuits! Of course they have a fruit salad and Danishes as well! It includes iced tea or coffee to all for $6.95 as of this post date. (5/21/12) You can beat if for an inexpensive and FAST breakfast/brunch! If you beat the church rush that is! It is still worth the wait if you have got time!
(5)
Lynn S.
I really have tried to like this tiny restaurant only because my son knows the family. I have never left here feeling satisfied. I have only ordered Greek but, IMHO. they just keep missing the mark. The gyros are so so, Greek salads are so so BUT the service is very good!
(3)
Jennifer D.
Our favorite Gyro place in Saint Louis was closed on Sunday, so we decided to venture out to try a new Greek restaurant. This was a risk for us since the last place we tried was absolutely HORRID and we were worried we'd run into the same problems as this supposedly "best" Greek restaurant in STL...I'm going to be nice and not name the place. For now :) We were pleasantly surprised with our trip to Ari's Restaurant and Bar. The food was very good considering it's an Americanized version of Greek cuisine. We started off with the hummus which was a bit on the bland side but was delicious when you added in the Kalamata olives and olive oil that was lightly drizzled on top. It was served with warm pita bread which they kindly refilled for us when we demolished the first plateful. We also tried the buffalo wings, but that's the Captains territory and a review for another day. C.W. had the open faced Gyro plate, which is a generous serving of meat and all the typical gyro fixings with the pita bread off to the side. The meat looked perfectly cooked and smelled great! I was a bit jealous since it looked so good, and apparently it was pretty tasty. Not the best Gyro he's ever had, but a pretty darn good substitute that satisfied his craving for some kebab and tzatziki. I decided to go all out and ordered the Greek combo platter, which came with Pastitsio, Moussaka, and Dolmathes (click the links for descriptions) with a side of roasted greek potatoes. When my plate arrived I was so ravenous that I plunged right in, tackling the Pastitsio and Dolmathes. The Pastitsio was pretty good, a bit on the dry side but the Beschemel sauce that it was swimming in was delish. The dolmathes were pretty tasty too, a very strongly spiced yet savory meat mixture encased in grape leaves that were perfectly cooked. I love, love, love Moussaka and was saving this for last, and when I was ready to dig my fork in I noticed that...it was another slice of Pastitsio! I was thoroughly disappointed but had already wolfed down half of my plate and felt bad sending it back, so no Moussaka for me. I'm sure it was just a plating mistake and the Beschamel sauce drenches both dishes, so it was hard to tell at first. I will definitely have to let this mistake go and try it the next time we visit. In addition to typical Greek style dishes like Greek Chicken, Greek salad and Baklava they also serve up some American fare like burgers and sandwiches. They had a fully stocked bar, so drinks are no problemo. We didn't try the dessert so I can't say for sure if the Baklava is up to snuff but it was tempting and is a must try if we ever dine at Ari's again. They also provide a breakfast buffet for $6.95 on Saturdays and Sundays. That in itself might be worth a trip back! The atmosphere was lacking the typical over the top Grecian style that you see at most Greek restaurants, but it was cozy and made you feel welcome. They have a decent sized indoor dining room as well as outdoor seating. The waitstaff was pleasant and service was reasonable, a bit on the slow side but probably due to being shorthanded. Pricing was decent. I felt my combo platter was a bit overpriced for the amount of food I got but everything else seemed reasonable, about $7-$16 depending on what you order. My only complaint besides my missing Moussaka which I really hate having to report was the owner/manager...not sure what he was... who was gruff and hard on his employees in front of customers. This is one of my biggest pet peeves when dining out and I am thankful it happened at the end of our meal or this review might have went a little differently! I understand how frustrating it can be when you are short handed and running behind on place settings or prep work, but seriously, berate your employees somewhere else other than the dining room floor. Our servers were pleasant and worked hard under obvious pressure, so give them the courtesy of not embarrassing them in front of your paying customers. It reflects poorly on a business and is my only hesitation in returning to Ari's. Would we eat here again? Hmmm.... probably. It's not hard-core authentic Greek food but it's pretty darn close and with the exception of the management issue it was an enjoyable and tasty meal. I highly recommend it over that horribly over-rated and service impaired Olympia Kabob House on Mccausland Avenue. Yep, I said it! =) Eating STL, A Chicago Perspective eatingstl.blogspot.com
(3)
Laura L.
We went here on a weeknight. We expected more of a Greek feel, but the place seemed to want to be everything to everyone. Pizza and pasta due to the Hill being nearby, and for some reason, steak, in addition to gyros and hummus. The hummus was kind of blah, and the pasta, while ok, was nothing to write home about. Service wasn't bad, however. Still, I doubt we'll come back again.
(2)
Em T.
We ordered dinner To-Go and it was fabulous! We got the Gyro Plate and there was so much food for the price - it was so fast too! My only suggestion would be to have a larger size to-go cup for drinks, with that much food you need more than a very small size drink. I think I will be back many times!
(4)
Nick M.
This is a GREAT place, and let me tell you why: (warning, long story) My brother got me and my wife a gift certificate to Ari's, because he loves the place. My wife and I go in, never having been there before, and the waitress was terrible, the food was mediocre, and the atmosphere was awful. I subsequently reported this to my brother. He then, on his next trip in, off-handedly told the waiter what happened when I came in. The waiter returned to his table with a new gift card on the house to give to me and asked my brother to have me reconsider! So, several months later, my wife and I decide to give it another go, and boy are we glad we did. I think the problem with the first night was the waitress, and she tainted our visit from the start (*This particular waitress was fired, btw*) The food there is great, with interesting and dazzling specials every night. Try the gyros, the rissoto, the salad, the lamb... you really can't go wrong with anything. Oh... and the Sangria is AMAZING! My wife and I now love Ari's, and go as often as we can.
(5)
Jae K.
Not bad, but not good either. The service is friendly and the waitresses do a great job. The food is just mediocre though. There isn't any clear way to explain it other than that. However, take my advice with a grain of salt because it seems that plenty of others love this place.
(3)
Emily T.
Service was good at Ari's. Very personable server. He provided us with lots of information. I was going for gluten-free and he suggested the kabobs with rice. Delicious. Ambiance was a little off, but overall, a good dinner.
(3)
Team Pfeiste X.
I think that people are being way too generous with their stars. Or no one's a vegetarian. It's just rich, hole-in-the-wall restaurant food. With meat sauce. Or fish. In white sauce. Yuck- no options. And very small. Service was good, though.
(2)
Randy V.
This place is a gem. The portions are huge, the food is great, the prices are reasonable, and the service impeccable. Our server, Richard, was full of personality, very attentive and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. He really made the entire experience so enjoyable for our family. We will definitely return soon!
(5)
jordan c.
Great gyros and great service. A hole in the wall that you should check out.
(5)
Mary E.
The weekend brunch is fabulous. For only $7, you get a full, delicious buffet (omelette bar, French toast, fruit salad, pastries, bacon, sausage - the works!) plus your choice of coffee, tea, or juice - truly one of the best brunch deals in the city. Great food, unbeatable price.
(4)
Christie S.
I frequent the Ari's breakfast buffet every other month or so. You can't beat it! For $6.95 you're looking at an all-you-can eat buffet of scrambled eggs (plain and w/ cheese), bacon, sausage links, breakfast potatoes, an omelet station, biscuits and gravy, French toast sticks, fruit and danishes. What more do you want for $6.95? On top of that, the coffee's good and the service is always fantastic. What's best is you can throw on your warm-up pants and head on over with your hot mess hair and makeup from the previous night's debauchery. No one cares!
(4)
Patt C.
Office birthday lunch celebration, AND we had a coupon for 20% off our meal that we printed from Ari's website. You cannot miss this place. It's BLUE inside and out. We were welcomed warmly and seated near the front picture window. The place looks pretty small. We all got the gyro plate -- an open-faced version of a gyro. The website says that gives you more meal, but I'm not so sure. Choices of potatoes were fries or Greek potatoes. Two got the Greek potatoes, which were jazzed up with red and yellow peppers, and kalamata olives. I got the fries, which were quite good. We all enjoyed the open-faced gyro. It was tasty with appropriately proportioned ingredients. The pita was cut into triangles, so you could use it as a scoop. That worked quite well. The birthday girl got a surprise dessert: Galaktobureko -- a lemon custard pie with phyllo dough crust drizzled with honey. Man, was that piece of pie huge!! And she said it was good. Service was extremely attentive, albeit a bit slow, but I think it was the kitchen that was the hold-up.
(4)
Valerie L.
Went there for dinner, food was average. Seems to be family friendly (lots of kids there around 6:30 on a Saturday night). It didn't start great when we waited by the door at what looked like an obvious hostess spot, yet no one sat us for a minute or two. Servers kept walking by and said nothing. Menu is large, all things looked great. I had the shrimp Alfredo. Save $5 and just get fettucini Alfredo. It's a good sauce, but they only added about six shrimp to it, and they still had the tails. So in order to eat I had to detail a very saucy shrimp. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was nice and responsive. A woman sat down next to me and ordered something to go, and she smelled awful. She just reeked, and while I know this is unrelated to Ari's service and quality, it spoiled my dinner. So I boxed up more than half my meal and ate it at home.
(3)
Sarah S.
Solid CHEAP brunch spot! I actually had bookmarked it awhile ago, and was lucky to join the Baron, Steven B, for his brunch UYE. For under $7, you can get an all you can eat buffet, which includes: eggs, bacon, home fries, french toast, biscuits and gravy, fruit, pastries, and made to order omelets. The food was solid, and as a vegetarian, I was satisfied. The best part? The mimosas! They are only $5 and delicious! Service was friendly and you can tell this place has a lot of regulars. I'd definitely come back!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
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.
Industrial S.
Came here for an early dinner after getting a recommendation from friends. They hadn't eaten here in the ten or so years since they left St. Louis, so maybe that's why they still recommend it... The ketchup and hot sauce on the table didn't bode well from the beginning, and after having the gyros, tzatziki and 'Greek' potatoes, don't feel the need to visit again. Feta was the only bright spot. If you've never experienced authentic Greek food, then this might be the place for you. Place a bit run down but service friendly and efficient enough.
(2)Melissa S.
We absolutely never visit Saint Louis without a stop to Ari's. This restaurant has the most well prepared calamari we have ever had. The Grecian cuisine is as authentic as it comes. If you have room please try out the desert it is amazing.
(5)Nicole L.
Ari's has among the best Greek cuisine in this city! The dolmades are so fresh, the pastitsio and moussaka are both so full of flavor, and the saganaki has a nice crunchy exterior. There's two options for the gyro: regular and large. By regular, I mean you get a decently sized gyro topped with all the traditional fixings and a side. Oh, you're very hungry!? No problem. Order the gyro plate. It's like two gyros there's so much. It's served with pita triangles and a mountain of gyro-goodness piled in the center. Breakfast/Brunch, they've got that covered, too! The spread covers several meat options, herbed red potatoes, biscuits and gravy, eggs with and without cheese, French toast, fresh fruit salad, pastries, and an inlet station. Every time I've been the service is smiling and friendly. It's such an enjoyment to visit Ari's. They also accommodate carry-out and the quality of the food is just as it is when dining in.
(5)Ally C.
Very disappointed. Ordered the gyro sandwich with fries. When it came out it was a bunch of onions, several tomatoes, few pieces of meat & slap of sauce wrapped up in a warm pita and tinfoil. I counted 10 steak fries which were lukewarm. Couldn't really get a good taste for the meat because of the overwhelming amount of onions. Definitely not the best gyro in the city by any means. Place is outdated and somewhat dingy - could definitely use some cosmetic changes to make it more appealing. Even if it was a fresh coat of paint. Service was friendly and fast, but that's the only positive thing I have to say. If I return it'll be for their brunch that everybody raves about but nothing else.
(2)Michelle M.
I've only ever had take out from here, which has always hit the spot. The calamari appetizer is ample, perfectly fried and comes with a delicious marinara for dipping. Their gyro is on warm, soft and tasty flat bread, topped with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes and onions. It is generously filled with delicious gyro meat that will well cooked, sliced to the perfect thickness and seasoned perfectly. I add lettuce to add a little extra crunch. It is accompanied by steak fries which are typical and a nice compliment. One of my favorite things about Ari's is that they everything I've tried has been only lightly salted. For those on a low sodium diet, this place is a great option. Personally, I'm just not a fan of too much salt, but either way it's nice to not have a salt lick of a dish, which is common around here. The staff is friendly and the prices are great. I have yet to try their weekend breakfast buffet that many rave about ($7.95 including coffee and tea), as well as their all you can eat soup and salad lunch special ($6.95). I'm sure I'll make a point of trying each one of these days soon!
(4)John M.
Breakfast buffet is a great deal at $8 with tea and coffee like I mentioned in my previous review. This time I went back for the greek food. Delicious saganaki and gyro salad! Pretty good baklava and red wine paired with the red meat. Huge portion for me. Great value again. It isn't the biggest place but we haven't had to wait yet and have made reservations with groups as big as 12? 16? I'm not sure if they serve from their regular menu during their breakfast buffet. No need though. Breakfast is a good deal and really everything on their menu is too. I don't understand the american breakfast buffet, but I'm sure it brings in some money when other restaurants sit closed in the mornings. Go and enjoy!
(4)Mel M.
Great breakfast buffet and only $8 with coffee what a deal. We will be making this a regular breakfast stop on the weekends.
(5)Al S.
Went to check out the brunch one Sunday morn. This happened to be Easter Sunday so was a bit more expensive that the typical brunch. They had a decent selection of eats considering most brunch buffets consist of meat, meat, and meat. We are on a quest for the perfect brunch for vegetarians! The food was just ok - not an immense amount of flavor but tolerable enough to eat. The service and staff were fine. We sat on the patio to avoid the crowds inside, and it was a lovely morning for it. Will probably return to try their regular brunch since it is right up the road.
(3)Jon T.
We made it back to Ari's on a Sunday with or friends the B's. We had been to the Botanical Gardens and intended to go for the breakfast buffet. We looked it over and for some reason decided it was not what we wanted so reverted to the menu. Ari's is a 3-1/2 star place for us. We have had good gyros and salads on previous visits. This time the B's ordered Souvlaki and the Greek Salad. They liked the food and the place very much and have mentioned going back. Ms T and I broke away from the Greek thing and had very good Grouper Sandwiches. They were lightly coated and seasoned just right. This was a nice lighter meal. Ari's is a bit of a hike for us. If we want a gyro on a moment's notice, we are going to Med Grill in the Valley. But for lunch after Member Morning at the Art Museum or other events that take us into the Hampton area, it is on our go-to list. They have a solid Greek menu plus American.
(3)Jeremiah E.
Gyros. Gyros. Gyros. Possibly the best in the city. "So why only three stars" you ask? This place has possibly the worst bar I've ever seen. Overpriced booze + under experienced bartender = regret. Come here for dinner, then hi-tale it to a place with a better selection and drink specials. seriously though, come her for the gyros.
(3)Richard G.
Food is fantastic, the gyro is my favorite in the city. The people are exceptionally nice. Its very inexpensive for what you get. I always try to make it in when I get a chance.
(5)And W.
Breakfast buffet is to die for. All the samples plus an omelet bar. Yes please! Oh, did I mention the bloody Mary's are the bees knees? Cause they are. Salt on the rim. And they play great music, (billy Joel, Elton John, Michael Jackson, all in one sitting)
(5)Sasha S.
Good morning, affordable breakfast buffet! This is a solid basic breakfast buffet and at $7.95 there isn't a lot to complain about. It also comes with coffee or tea. They have an omelet station (tips are appreciated), scrambled eggs, cheesy scrambled eggs, fruit, french toast sticks, sausage, bacon, potatoes, and some form of pastry. The omelet station, fruit, and the potatoes are my fave. The omelet station has a dude making individual omelets by request. They typically have shredded cheese, feta cheese, onions, peppers, mushrooms, tomato, olives, jalapenos, and I may have forgotten something. I usually tip $1.The fruit is nice and fresh. The eggs are your basic scramble but throw some pepper or other condiments on them and you're good to go. The potatoes are fantastic and seasoned well. When I ate meat I have to say that I thought the sausage was a little weird and the bacon, although seemingly well done, was kind of chewy but still tasted good. I avoid the pastries and the french toast sticks but they look good, if you're into that kind of thing. This isn't the best food you'll ever have but, again, it's a good solid breakfast buffet that is affordable and lets you avoid annoying chains. It's a great place to take out of towners that are on a budget. I'm not always in the mood for Ari's buffet but it's a great go to for a basic breakfast.
(3)Erica S.
The breakfast buffet is awesome!! Fresh fruit, yummy biscuits and gravy, potatoes, made to order omelets, Danishes, eggs, sausage, bacon all for an unbeatable price! We leave feeling sooo satisfied and full!
(4)Laurie K.
I went to Ari's for the first time on Friday. While I live (somewhat) in the neighborhood I had never been. I love Greek food but always thought that the prices were too high. (I should have looked on Yelp to see...they aren't high at all.) We had the calamari first. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE calamari. This was good, kind of bland - needed a little salt but cooked perfectly. One of the specials for the night was a pan-fried grouper with a seafood sauce. Sounded rich and a little fattening so I went for the regular pan-fried grouper on the menu (no seafood sauce). I usually take a photo of everything I eat. (Sometimes to the annoyance of others.) I didn't take a picture of this. Why? One thing was that this grouper was HUGE. Not sure it could have fit in a regular picture without backing up...okay so that might be a exaggeration BUT it was HUGE. The other reason was that as I started eating I didn't want to stop. It was so good. Fried perfectly, not heavy. The grouper was lying on a bed of rice with veggies on the side. The vegetables were cooked perfectly. NOT overcooked. The Greek potatoes that I decided to go with could have been greasy/oily...but they weren't. The potatoes were firm, there was just the right amount of olives and onions thrown in the mix. I regret not getting the Saganoki. Twice it was lit up while we were there and smelled FANTASTIC!! I'm not a fan of the parking and we walked all the way around the building looking for the front door. BUT, the items that really can't be fixed (parking, door, small dining room) were my only issues. I will be back - for the Saganoki!!
(4)Katie A.
Pretty good food, pretty bad service. We got there on a Friday night and waiting 15 minutes to get a glass of water. My husband was so thirsty he went inside to the bar to get his own glass before our waitress delivered ours. We got the saganaki which was okay and the calamari which was pretty good. The marinara sauce that came with it was pretty gross but I don't usually like that anyway. I got the gyro plate and my husband the gyro sandwich. The gyro plate comes with one pita cut into four, more meat then the sandwich, feta, olives, tomatoes and onions. My husband was surprised to find the sandwich didn't come with feta. Also he ordered extra tzatziki which cost $1.50! A little outrageous if you ask me. The meat was really good - I would order the gyro again. Our waiter never checked on us. I had to ask the owner to bring me some boxes because she was never around. I would go back for the food but I will need to bring my patience.
(3)Jack H.
The neon beer sign in the window and ketchup bottles on the tables should have been warning enough. Fairly average gyro and *whoa* on those raw onions there, fellas! The decor was pretty frumpy (dark, TVs in the corners, and textured, plastic water "glasses"). The service was underwhelming. Waitress never checked in on us or came to refill our drinks. For a 6pm on a Saturday night, it felt pretty empty. Only 4 other parties there (and a few people at the bar). Maybe if they had actually lit the candles on the table, would it have felt like the date night experience we were hoping for.
(2)Vince S.
Great place for brunch buffet on the weekend. Try a Greek Omelet cooked to order. Brunch includes coffee or tea for $7.95
(4)Jeanelle T.
Been here many times and they have a great staff, fantastic food, and a fun atmosphere. You're missing out if you don't go here!
(5)Brian M.
I can only vouch for the breakfast here, however I do intend to return for dinner. Breakfast on the weekends is possibly one of the best deals in the city, a simple breakfast buffet with coffee or iced tea is only 6.95! You can get biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, French toast sticks, build your own omelet, etc pretty simple however its a great value. Service is quick and the staff is friendly.
(4)Steven B.
Great place, I have never been disappointed. The staff is friendly and provide great service. The Ari's Greek Salad is big enough for two to share and then some. If you're sharing a Ari's Salad, share an order of Flaming Cheese...YUM! Breakfast on the weekend, for $6.95, it is the best value in the city. I can not sing the praises enough of the breakfast buffet at Ari's. It is simple, filling and worth the $. The made to order omelets are huge and stuffed with the items of your choice. Make it a true weekend brunch and enjoy a Bloody Mary
(4)Leslie H.
We've been to Ari's twice, and we love it. If you can eat outside, do it. The plants around the patio are beautiful and make for a nice setting. On this past visit, we were inside out of the rain. :) Each time, I have ordered the Greek platter (moussaka, pastitsio, and dolmathes -- along with 2 sides). Always great. I had their Greek soup that is on the menu (can't remember the name -- sorry!) as one of my sides, and it was great. The Greek potatoes aren't bad, but aren't my favorite. My husband gets the gyro plate and loves them. My kids have ordered things like a bacon cheeseburger (loved it), toasted ravioli, dolmathes, and gyros. They are always happy with what they get as well. My husband asked about beer on this visit and decided to try the Greek beer they carry...it was yummy!
(4)Karen G.
Ive been here twice now for brunch, and I have to say that I'm not all that impressed. Nothing really stood out as better than you get everywhere else. Nothing was bad (except maybe the scrambled eggs), but nothing was beyond average. I've also gotten used to the massive selection at Mokabee's brunch, so I was surprised at the small spread of hot food. They do make good omelets to order, but I really only opted to get one since I wasn't all that excited by anything else. It was good, just not something I ever crave. I will say that we had a big group and got good service for drink refills and they handled multiple checks well. Kudos for that.
(2)Tanya M.
recently was treated to brunch here. The omlette bar was the best part. they offer a couple different options than other places. 1) Feta cheese loves me some feta. 2) spinach again loves spinach too. coffee or tea is included in the price of just $6.95. at first, i didn't like the coffee. it was just not what i am used to drinking. i got used to the taste and it tasted pretty good by the end of the meal. the other offerings are pretty standard; eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, big bowl of fruit, and pastries. the service was friendly. when i was waiting in the omlette line, a waitress asked a patron if he wanted his pastry heated a bit. hate to keep this short and sweet but my yelp is being a doody head.
(4)Iffat B.
The Good: They have an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $6.95 and omelet station. The omelets were actually pretty good. The servers were very nice. The Bad: The food is not that good. The buffet includes scrambled eggs (with and without cheese), sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, fresh fruit (grapes and watermelon), and danishes which sounds impressive but, sadly, it was just average. The scrambled eggs had this odd texture and I could not even finish them. Overall, if you're looking for a cheap, average to below average breakfast buffet, then this is your place! I will definitely not return for breakfast, but perhaps I will be back to try the lunch or dinner menu...
(3)Reviewer A.
First off, if you are looking for a great value, I suggest the breakfast buffet they have on Saturdays and Sundays that go through the afternoon, where they have plenty of delicious food (check out my pics) for only $7. That is a great deal for a buffet. It is very crowded and the building is somewhat small, but they have an outside garden/patio to accommodate more people. If you come any other time for their main dishes, my recommendation would be the gyro sandwich, which is their signature meal, or the even-more meat-covered gyro plate. By the way, you can just show up and order a quick meal to go, so you don't have to wait and be seated.
(5)Sal E.
Brunch - A Hungover Surplus Bounty of Delight! You've blown all your cash the night before on $15 martinis, and murdered your dress with that cosmo.... so you come here. Directions: Take a biscuit, split it in 1/2, top each side with a bed of bacon, for the sausage links to sleep on, of course. Then toss a bit of scrambled eggs in the middle, letting it all swim in a sausagey sea of gravy. Garnish with two bacon strips. Slam that complimentary coffee (Optional: filling your to-go cup on the way out) and $10 on the table. Job well done!! Oh - and sit at the bar, it's worth it not to deal with any form of wait (and you're closer to the mimosa maker).
(4)Fred M.
Last night was our second time here. I ordered the lamb chops and they were superb. My wife had the stuffed squash special. It was excellent. We ate on the patio, had a very nice server, and we will be back!
(4)Tiffany N.
My roommate and I went here because we were tired after a long day of moving to our new place. The waitress was great, though it took her a minute to notice us. If it hadn't been seat yourself, that would have fixed the problem. The waitress recommended the pitcher of peach sangria, which ended up being a little too much for us to finish, but it was pretty darn good. I got the hummus appetizer, which was good, and the large Greek salad, which was so big that I ended up taking half of it and my pita home. I was kind of shocked at the price of our bill, but I took Jamie Foxx's advice and blamed it on the alcohol. Pros: salad, service Neutral: price Cons: none
(4)Mike K.
I went since I'd seen the sign on premises advertising buffet breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 till 1 for only $6.95, drink included. The usual breakfast fare, nothing Greek about this meal. Even a guy to make your specialized omelette. It was all good, especially the coffee. Such a deal. Don't miss out.
(4)Sadia Lynne B.
I ordered one chicken gyro and a regular one to go. First time customer. I walked in to pick up my food and the "lobby" was dirty in need of serious cleaning and a dying plant greeted me. I felt like I was in someone's house. The gyros lacked flavor. no lettuce, tiny bits of diced tomato and no homemade sauce. I will not be back. Sorry. However, the customer service was great and inviting.
(2)Samantha A.
I always see their breakfast special sign from Hampton, so my husband and I thought we would try it out. Big mistake....the food was nothing special at all....I've had better breakfasts at hotels. Maybe I should have tried the Greek food instead?
(1)Stewart P.
Everything about this place earned 5 stars. The fact they have landscaping that seems to be impervious to the heat we have been having, to the service, to the food selection and the quality of everything ordered. Ari's is located right on the corner of Hampton and Arsenal, making it hard to miss. You walk up to the front of the place with very lush flowers and greenery, very impressive given our weather lately and I wouldn't normally comment. We were immediately greeted and seated as we walked in the front entrance. The service had excellent timing throughout our stay from revisting the table for ordering, to removing dishes, to delivery of what was ordered, hummus - excellent, Souvlak - like a chicken gyro, the combo plate - dolmathes, lasagna, and something I can't remember and came with some choices of which I picked a salad, very fresh and balanced with a topping of parmesan cheese and baklava (was a huge piece and very good) and Galaktobureko (custard topped with phyllo dough). This is a very casual place and had customers of all types as we got there at 6pm, and pretty busy for a Wednesday I'd say it went as well as any well oiled machine can be and I counted at least 4 people who worked our table, but did not come across as too much at all. Very good team work. I'll go again, maybe to try the weekend breakfast buffet.
(5)Byanka S.
I went there for Easter brunch. The service was lovely, but for the price the food was meh. A lot of people liked the roast beef, but it was way too salty for me, and there wasn't much variety. Everything just lacked flavor. If I ever do go back, it won't be for a buffet. I'll order off the menu next time. Sorry Ari's, but it was not a good first impression. I do give second chances though. :)
(3)Greg K.
From the owner through the employees, you are made to feel welcome. The food is never disappointing especially on the night when the pork shank is the special..... So good! The desserts are also made in house and are as fresh and sinful as can be. This is a great low key spot to hang out with friends or take a date to get to know someone.
(4)Christine W.
Always amazing food and service. Their grouper with seafood sauce is one of the best meals I have ever tasted! This is a family owned restaurant, and they always make me feel like part of the family!
(5)Chris M.
They say you get what you pay for. When you pay $6.95 for an all you can eat brunch, you get powdered eggs, over oiled omelette's and deep fried bacon that curls up. After a long night out the grease helped to soak up the alcohol but the food wasn't cry good. For being a Greek restaurant, I really expected more of a touch of Greek on the buffet. For example, there was no spinach to add to the omelette's making a Greek omelette. This brunch left such a bad taste in my mouth, I don't think I will go back and try their Greek food for lunch or dinner.
(2)Katherine B.
I have only ever been to the brunch. You really can't complain about 6.95 brunch. Great omelet station. The french toast is awesome. Beware- you see your fare share of grease. In other words, not for the calorie counter. But, just like everything else that's unhealthy for you, its delicious!
(5)Andrew M.
Meeting a friend obsessed with Greek cuisine for lunch, we naturally ran down the suggestions until he came to a restaurant I've never been to. So Ari's it was. The place DEFINITELY had some feng shui - and I immediately liked the cozy atmosphere. The waitresses were quick, accurate and attentive and I really appreciated how personable our waitress was- offering suggestions and making our eating experience that much more enjoyable. On to the food - never having eaten here I decided to try an appetizer along with my meal to get more data. Feeling apathy toward grape leaves, I decided I'd try the the Saganaki Flambe with the image of a platter of imported Greek cheese sticks in mind. The dish came out and on it were two small wedges, caked in what looked like panko batter. The waiter poured (what I assumed was) Ouzo on the wedges and set if aflame. Let me put this out there for everyone to see- FIRE IS ALWAYS FUN. The cheese wedges were, unfortunately, not as much fun. The flames DID mildly toast the breading and melted the outer edges of the cheese, but left the core intact - and apparently Saganaki is in the firmer family of cheeses. I also wasn't impressed by the small portion for $7 dollars. Fireworks be damned. I ordered the Gyro sandwich, which was advertised as being smaller and less expensive than the Gyro platter - but it's a pet peeve of mine when a 'sandwich' comes to the plate disassembled with not enough bread to go around (a rare exception to this philosophy exerts itself in my enjoyment of quesadillas - odd no?). I also took the option of adding 'Greek Potatoes' with 'special Greek seasoning' over french fries for a $1.00 up-charge. Try to look for that on the menu though - I sure couldn't find it. The Gyro was good - typical in my experience - and it was moderately sized. The meat was well prepared and seasoned and I always love the taste of tzatziki. And the proportions were appropriate for a hands on eating experience - even if I did feel the sandwich was smallish overall. And those Greek potatoes? They didn't seem to be more than potatoes cooked in oil long enough to soften. While not bad, there was definitely nothing 'special' about them. I'd have preferred fries. The experience added up to about $15 plus tip. I felt it was a little overpriced since my small appetizer was the same price as my small sandwich and I definitely felt as though I could have made better choices. I've had better, for cheaper at such places as Antonino's Taverna On the Hill. But the tastes and preparation were good, and I'd go back to try something else... when I can afford it. ^_~
(2)Jeremy I.
I've never been to Ari's for the Greek food, and I doubt I will, cause other places trump it so well. I go to Ari's for their Sunday brunch. Standard fare, but lots of it and cheap! They have: 1. Omlette Station 2. Eggs 3. Buscuits & Gravy 4. Sausage links 5. Bacon 6. French Toast 7. mini-danishes 8. Coffee or tea included with the buffet price. Sound good? It is! The staff I find to be hit or miss. They're either under or over attentive. Believe it or not, you can be overzealous, especially with trying to get someone to check out in a hurry. It's a buffet. It's brunch, you should be able to relax.
(3)Keren G.
We LOVE this place for Saturday/Sunday BRUNCH buffet! From 8am to 1pm Ari's has a made to order omelet bar! I always get the veggie and feta omelet. If you prefer scrambled eggs they have those with and without cheese, biscuits & gravy, sausage & bacon, French toast sticks with syrup & jelly or preserves for the biscuits! Of course they have a fruit salad and Danishes as well! It includes iced tea or coffee to all for $6.95 as of this post date. (5/21/12) You can beat if for an inexpensive and FAST breakfast/brunch! If you beat the church rush that is! It is still worth the wait if you have got time!
(5)Lynn S.
I really have tried to like this tiny restaurant only because my son knows the family. I have never left here feeling satisfied. I have only ordered Greek but, IMHO. they just keep missing the mark. The gyros are so so, Greek salads are so so BUT the service is very good!
(3)Jennifer D.
Our favorite Gyro place in Saint Louis was closed on Sunday, so we decided to venture out to try a new Greek restaurant. This was a risk for us since the last place we tried was absolutely HORRID and we were worried we'd run into the same problems as this supposedly "best" Greek restaurant in STL...I'm going to be nice and not name the place. For now :) We were pleasantly surprised with our trip to Ari's Restaurant and Bar. The food was very good considering it's an Americanized version of Greek cuisine. We started off with the hummus which was a bit on the bland side but was delicious when you added in the Kalamata olives and olive oil that was lightly drizzled on top. It was served with warm pita bread which they kindly refilled for us when we demolished the first plateful. We also tried the buffalo wings, but that's the Captains territory and a review for another day. C.W. had the open faced Gyro plate, which is a generous serving of meat and all the typical gyro fixings with the pita bread off to the side. The meat looked perfectly cooked and smelled great! I was a bit jealous since it looked so good, and apparently it was pretty tasty. Not the best Gyro he's ever had, but a pretty darn good substitute that satisfied his craving for some kebab and tzatziki. I decided to go all out and ordered the Greek combo platter, which came with Pastitsio, Moussaka, and Dolmathes (click the links for descriptions) with a side of roasted greek potatoes. When my plate arrived I was so ravenous that I plunged right in, tackling the Pastitsio and Dolmathes. The Pastitsio was pretty good, a bit on the dry side but the Beschemel sauce that it was swimming in was delish. The dolmathes were pretty tasty too, a very strongly spiced yet savory meat mixture encased in grape leaves that were perfectly cooked. I love, love, love Moussaka and was saving this for last, and when I was ready to dig my fork in I noticed that...it was another slice of Pastitsio! I was thoroughly disappointed but had already wolfed down half of my plate and felt bad sending it back, so no Moussaka for me. I'm sure it was just a plating mistake and the Beschamel sauce drenches both dishes, so it was hard to tell at first. I will definitely have to let this mistake go and try it the next time we visit. In addition to typical Greek style dishes like Greek Chicken, Greek salad and Baklava they also serve up some American fare like burgers and sandwiches. They had a fully stocked bar, so drinks are no problemo. We didn't try the dessert so I can't say for sure if the Baklava is up to snuff but it was tempting and is a must try if we ever dine at Ari's again. They also provide a breakfast buffet for $6.95 on Saturdays and Sundays. That in itself might be worth a trip back! The atmosphere was lacking the typical over the top Grecian style that you see at most Greek restaurants, but it was cozy and made you feel welcome. They have a decent sized indoor dining room as well as outdoor seating. The waitstaff was pleasant and service was reasonable, a bit on the slow side but probably due to being shorthanded. Pricing was decent. I felt my combo platter was a bit overpriced for the amount of food I got but everything else seemed reasonable, about $7-$16 depending on what you order. My only complaint besides my missing Moussaka which I really hate having to report was the owner/manager...not sure what he was... who was gruff and hard on his employees in front of customers. This is one of my biggest pet peeves when dining out and I am thankful it happened at the end of our meal or this review might have went a little differently! I understand how frustrating it can be when you are short handed and running behind on place settings or prep work, but seriously, berate your employees somewhere else other than the dining room floor. Our servers were pleasant and worked hard under obvious pressure, so give them the courtesy of not embarrassing them in front of your paying customers. It reflects poorly on a business and is my only hesitation in returning to Ari's. Would we eat here again? Hmmm.... probably. It's not hard-core authentic Greek food but it's pretty darn close and with the exception of the management issue it was an enjoyable and tasty meal. I highly recommend it over that horribly over-rated and service impaired Olympia Kabob House on Mccausland Avenue. Yep, I said it! =) Eating STL, A Chicago Perspective eatingstl.blogspot.com
(3)Laura L.
We went here on a weeknight. We expected more of a Greek feel, but the place seemed to want to be everything to everyone. Pizza and pasta due to the Hill being nearby, and for some reason, steak, in addition to gyros and hummus. The hummus was kind of blah, and the pasta, while ok, was nothing to write home about. Service wasn't bad, however. Still, I doubt we'll come back again.
(2)Em T.
We ordered dinner To-Go and it was fabulous! We got the Gyro Plate and there was so much food for the price - it was so fast too! My only suggestion would be to have a larger size to-go cup for drinks, with that much food you need more than a very small size drink. I think I will be back many times!
(4)Nick M.
This is a GREAT place, and let me tell you why: (warning, long story) My brother got me and my wife a gift certificate to Ari's, because he loves the place. My wife and I go in, never having been there before, and the waitress was terrible, the food was mediocre, and the atmosphere was awful. I subsequently reported this to my brother. He then, on his next trip in, off-handedly told the waiter what happened when I came in. The waiter returned to his table with a new gift card on the house to give to me and asked my brother to have me reconsider! So, several months later, my wife and I decide to give it another go, and boy are we glad we did. I think the problem with the first night was the waitress, and she tainted our visit from the start (*This particular waitress was fired, btw*) The food there is great, with interesting and dazzling specials every night. Try the gyros, the rissoto, the salad, the lamb... you really can't go wrong with anything. Oh... and the Sangria is AMAZING! My wife and I now love Ari's, and go as often as we can.
(5)Jae K.
Not bad, but not good either. The service is friendly and the waitresses do a great job. The food is just mediocre though. There isn't any clear way to explain it other than that. However, take my advice with a grain of salt because it seems that plenty of others love this place.
(3)Emily T.
Service was good at Ari's. Very personable server. He provided us with lots of information. I was going for gluten-free and he suggested the kabobs with rice. Delicious. Ambiance was a little off, but overall, a good dinner.
(3)Team Pfeiste X.
I think that people are being way too generous with their stars. Or no one's a vegetarian. It's just rich, hole-in-the-wall restaurant food. With meat sauce. Or fish. In white sauce. Yuck- no options. And very small. Service was good, though.
(2)Randy V.
This place is a gem. The portions are huge, the food is great, the prices are reasonable, and the service impeccable. Our server, Richard, was full of personality, very attentive and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. He really made the entire experience so enjoyable for our family. We will definitely return soon!
(5)jordan c.
Great gyros and great service. A hole in the wall that you should check out.
(5)Mary E.
The weekend brunch is fabulous. For only $7, you get a full, delicious buffet (omelette bar, French toast, fruit salad, pastries, bacon, sausage - the works!) plus your choice of coffee, tea, or juice - truly one of the best brunch deals in the city. Great food, unbeatable price.
(4)Christie S.
I frequent the Ari's breakfast buffet every other month or so. You can't beat it! For $6.95 you're looking at an all-you-can eat buffet of scrambled eggs (plain and w/ cheese), bacon, sausage links, breakfast potatoes, an omelet station, biscuits and gravy, French toast sticks, fruit and danishes. What more do you want for $6.95? On top of that, the coffee's good and the service is always fantastic. What's best is you can throw on your warm-up pants and head on over with your hot mess hair and makeup from the previous night's debauchery. No one cares!
(4)Patt C.
Office birthday lunch celebration, AND we had a coupon for 20% off our meal that we printed from Ari's website. You cannot miss this place. It's BLUE inside and out. We were welcomed warmly and seated near the front picture window. The place looks pretty small. We all got the gyro plate -- an open-faced version of a gyro. The website says that gives you more meal, but I'm not so sure. Choices of potatoes were fries or Greek potatoes. Two got the Greek potatoes, which were jazzed up with red and yellow peppers, and kalamata olives. I got the fries, which were quite good. We all enjoyed the open-faced gyro. It was tasty with appropriately proportioned ingredients. The pita was cut into triangles, so you could use it as a scoop. That worked quite well. The birthday girl got a surprise dessert: Galaktobureko -- a lemon custard pie with phyllo dough crust drizzled with honey. Man, was that piece of pie huge!! And she said it was good. Service was extremely attentive, albeit a bit slow, but I think it was the kitchen that was the hold-up.
(4)Valerie L.
Went there for dinner, food was average. Seems to be family friendly (lots of kids there around 6:30 on a Saturday night). It didn't start great when we waited by the door at what looked like an obvious hostess spot, yet no one sat us for a minute or two. Servers kept walking by and said nothing. Menu is large, all things looked great. I had the shrimp Alfredo. Save $5 and just get fettucini Alfredo. It's a good sauce, but they only added about six shrimp to it, and they still had the tails. So in order to eat I had to detail a very saucy shrimp. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was nice and responsive. A woman sat down next to me and ordered something to go, and she smelled awful. She just reeked, and while I know this is unrelated to Ari's service and quality, it spoiled my dinner. So I boxed up more than half my meal and ate it at home.
(3)Sarah S.
Solid CHEAP brunch spot! I actually had bookmarked it awhile ago, and was lucky to join the Baron, Steven B, for his brunch UYE. For under $7, you can get an all you can eat buffet, which includes: eggs, bacon, home fries, french toast, biscuits and gravy, fruit, pastries, and made to order omelets. The food was solid, and as a vegetarian, I was satisfied. The best part? The mimosas! They are only $5 and delicious! Service was friendly and you can tell this place has a lot of regulars. I'd definitely come back!
(3)