ASTORIA – On Saturday, April 25, the trio behind the popular fast-casual Greek dining business in Manhattan, Gyro City, officially opened their second store in Astoria, on 37-06 30th Avenue.
The Grand Opening event kicked off from 12 PM, and saw customers lined up around the whole block, as they patiently waited to get their hands on an authentic Greek gyro.
The first 100 customers were also treated to a complimentary one, building the momentum behind the new opening.
The first Gyro City store was opened on January 17, at 99 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village by three friends, two Greeks and an Italian, George Karavias, Angelos Georgiadis, and Mario Costantini, who all shared the same values and passions for offering a fresh take on a Greek delicacy that focuses on authenticity, quality, and hospitality, which also fills a gap in New York’s fast-casual food scene.
People lined up inside Gyro City in Astoria. (Photo: Courtesy of Gyro City in Astoria)
In a comment made to The National Herald, Karavias, Georgiadism and Constantini expressed how it felt “incredible” to officially open their second store only months after they first launched the business.
“Astoria is a neighborhood with real character, strong community, and a deep appreciation for good food, so opening here means a lot to us,” the trio told TNH.
“One of our owners, Angelo, is from Astoria, so this opening is especially personal for him. There is a real pride in being able to bring something we built back to the neighborhood that helped shape him.”
“Gyro City was built around quality, hospitality, and bringing people something familiar, but done at a much higher level. Seeing the doors finally open and people walk in for the first time was a very proud moment for all of us.”
People were very excited to try out the gyro at the new Gyro City store in Astoria. (Photo: Courtesy of Gyro City)
Discussing the turnout at the Grand Opening, the Gyro City business partners described it as amazing, noting how from day one, the community showed them “a lot of love and support.”
“We’ve had locals, families, young professionals, and people coming from other neighborhoods just to try us. That kind of response tells us people were looking for something like this, fast casual, but with real quality behind it,” they shared.
As a business that opened just over three months ago in Manhattan, the team behind Gyro City expressed what initially drew them to bring their successful concept to Astoria, explaining how “Astoria made sense naturally.”
“It has a strong Greek presence, but it is also one of the most diverse and food-driven neighborhoods in New York,” they said.
“People here know good food and they appreciate authenticity. We wanted to be in a place where quality matters and where people would understand the difference in what we are doing.”
Some of the Grecian decor inside the new Gyro City store in Astoria. (Photo: Courtesy of Gyro City)
When asked about the overall response from the community towards Gyro City, the owners shared how ever since they first launched, the response has been very positive, particularly as they noted, “people immediately recognize the difference.”
“From the quality of the meat and produce to cooking our fries in beef tallow instead of seed oils, everything is intentional,” Karavias, Georgiadis, and Constantini shared.
“We are not trying to be just another gyro spot; we are trying to set a new standard. People respect that and they keep coming back.”
Gyro City puts an emphasis on clean eating with food made with thoughtfully sourced proteins, USDA organic produce, and time-honored preparation methods. (Photo: Courtesy of Gyro City)
Discussing their ultimate goal, they put it simply, by stating: “the goal is to build a brand that lasts. We want Gyro City to become known as the place for the best gyro experience, where quality is not an upgrade, it is the standard,” the Gyro City trio added.
“We want to scale it the right way, without ever sacrificing what makes it special: great ingredients, consistency, and genuine hospitality.”
A sign directing people to where Gyro City is in Astoria. (Photo: Courtesy of Gyro City)
As they continue to build a strong foundation, and ensure each of their locations delivers the same authentic experience and quality of food, the owners expressed how they hope in the long-run, to grow the business beyond Astoria.
In a final comment to TNH, the Gyro City owners further expressed their gratitude to all of their supporters from day one: “Opening a restaurant takes a lot of belief, a lot of risk, and a lot of work behind the scenes. The community embracing us the way they have means everything. This is only the beginning for Gyro City, and we are excited for what is next,” they added.
A gyro being seasoned at Gyro City. (Photo: Courtesy of Gyro City)
Gyro City is now open at 37-06 30th Avenue in Astoria from 11 AM to 10 PM, Monday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 11 AM to 12 AM, and on Sundays from 12 to 9 PM.
To find out more, visit www.gyrocitynyc.com, or follow them on Instagram @gyrocitynyc.
