For my most recent coworker dining adventure of the week, a group of us headed down to Nick’s Food To Go, also known as Nick’s Greek Corner. This joint has character, y’all. It’s a standalone building that’s clearly seen better days, though there is still a lot of evidence that someone cares. Next to the gravel parking lot, an outdoor dining area is bordered by tires full of flowers. That side of the building has a mural of Greece and some graffiti to decorate it.

There is a small ordering and waiting area with a handwritten menu, some older press pieces, and photos of Greece cut out from old calendars. The man himself is there, taking orders, cooking, and occasionally directing the F-bomb at someone who interrupts the eatery’s rhythm of order-pay-cook-deliver-repeat.

While I was there, the slightest bit of confusion as to which bag of food was whose earned the retreating back of the offending customer a “If you don’t like the cold, get the f— out!” – as if the temperature outside was somehow related to the misunderstanding. It was quirky to be sure, but it didn’t upset or offend me.

After ordering, Anish, Anthony, Jaimyn and myself settled down outside to eat our grub.

I had a lamb gyro ($6.50), fried okra ($3.00), and a baklava ($1.50). I thought the gyro was pretty large – or at least larger than I expected to receive. There was certainly a lot of fried okra. I didn’t even come close to finishing it all, even after pawning off at least a dozen pieces on my compatriots. I think the breading overwhelmed the okra flavor/texture and the breading itself wasn’t good enough on its own to compensate for it. I think I’ll try the spanakopita next time.

The baklava was good, and I am thinking it may have even been made in-house. Some greek places do, but it seems like most in Atlanta just order from the International Bakery on Cheshire Bridge. Maybe I’m imagining it, but the recipe tasted different to me. It was quite good. I’m very glad I put the brakes on my fried okra consumption to spare the stomach space!

Everyone got the gyro – the sign does say “Greek Corner” after all – but we did have some other sides, including fries and spanakopita. Since greek fries are a listed order, and regular fries aren’t, I thought the fries that came with Jaimyn’s combo would also be greek fries. Not so. The plain fries weren’t a big hit, especially not with Jaimyn. He also didn’t like that they don’t take plastic, but he says he’ll still come back, and gives it 4 stars. I tried the fries myself, and thought that they were very plain and “blah.”

Anish had the spanaokpita, and says this of it: “The crust on it was really good and crispy, though it could have had a bit more filling. I’m not sure what the traditional way of serving the dish is but it would probably would have been better if it was warm instead of room temperature.” About Nick’s Food To Go in general he says, “Nick’s gets a solid 4 stars from me. All the ingredients within the lamb gyro were good. The pita was nice and soft and the lamb had a good char on it from the grill yet remained moist. My only knock would be that the tzatziki was a bit too garlicky for me but that is likely more of a personal problem then a true knock on Nick’s.”

Anthony was the least impressed, saying: “I would give Nick’s a 3 out of 5. The potential for cool summer nights is there if you are on that side of town. The fries were excellent and the okra was well-seasoned. I could pop those all night sitting with a few friends shooting the breeze. I wouldn’t, however, go out of my way to be there. It’s not worth the traffic.”

I think Nick’s is nice if you don’t mind sitting outside in all kinds of weather. And if you don’t mind random cursing. Bring cash, or prepare to meet the $10 minimum purchase to use your debit card. No credit accepted.

I thought the gyro was very good, and large for the price. I enjoyed the garlicky tzatziki immensely, and was pleasantly surprised by the baklava. The prices are reasonable, and the novel character of the dining experience is high. 4 stars from me, for 4 stars overall.

Nick’s Food To Go
240 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30312