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Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna
Category: Restaurants Greek Greek [Edit]
1124 Davie StVancouver, BC V6E 1N1
Neighbourhood: West End
(604) 683-2555
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Touristy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
143 reviews for Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna
Review Highlights
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143 reviews in English
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Review from NY B.
Coquitlam, BC
Second time and still love it.
Came around 11:30 in the morning so it was quite empty and it was so nice to have a quiet atmosphere (but of course it got crowded after 12:15 as the best restaurants in town do).
Ordered roast lamb and a large chicken souvlaki. We stuffed ourselves so much we couldn't walk lol.
(And a side tip: I recently left a review for an AYCE place *cough*shabusen*cough*burrard*cough* which we paid $33 but came out unsatieted and unsatisfied.
If you really wanna get a bang for your buck, go to Stepho's--$27 including tip for stuffing two people--wow!)
The waiter was sooo nice, he even recognized us as Koreans and said thank you in Korean (gamsa-habnida) lolz
1. He gave us a nice spot, not so close to the door that you get chilly, not so close to the cashier or other tables that you can't chitchat freely.
2. Came back and forth frequently enough (but not intrudingly) to fill our cups and ask for what he could do.
3. Gave my bf an extra plate even tho he didn't ask for it--I mean, how did you know? We were so touched, sniff =')
The third point really won him his tip and the 5 stars.
Food still tastes great--I somehow love the rice (even tho that technically isn't the main thing) more than the souvlaki or lamb. But that's not to say the souvlaki or the lamb ain't good, they're amazing too.
Next time I'll order a small souvlaki instead because the large filled me up to my neck!
I love you Stepho's, I love you. -
Review from Brian M.
Surrey, BC
Why the line-up? I don't get it? If it's cheap ya want,Stepho's delivers.
Under done potato's, no evo,lemon,nothing.Bland & underseasoned. My lamb was overcooked and dry and my wife's chicken was the same. Service was apologetic but unattentive. We felt very rushed. ( post lunch around 4pm ) Pita bread was actually burnt but had a resemblance of flavour.Tsziki was awesome though. Shame about the rest of the meal. Table next to us left most of their meal behind. Stepho's needs to take their reputation more seriously. They used to be excellent.
Happy Noshin'
Brianm
Hollowleg restaurant reviews. -
Review from Mika M.
Vancouver, BC
We went to Stepho's for a late last minute dinner... There was no lineup (which was nice since it was freezing outside) yet we stood inside for about 5 minutes with not 1 member of staff to say hello, greet us, even look at us while stood there! We understand this restaurant gets busy and stays busy but there should be at least one person capable of making eye contact with us to tell us they will be right with us. Instead, we had 3 or 4 servers/hosts walk directly past us without saying a word and doing their best to ignore us.
Finally we grabbed a servers attention and asked if we could sit down for dinner and were seated right away.
We knew what we wanted (lamb dinner) and got it pretty quick as well. The food was pretty delicious and the service from that point was alright.
After we chomped down our food, (I hardly touch mine as the portions are massive - although I got to eat mine for lunch the next day) we got the bill and were on our merry way.
Good fast food, with greek god like portions. -
Review from Jane S.
Vancouver, BC
Love the food!
The prices are cheap and the services is usually friendly.
They get really busy and have long line ups, but it's totally worth the wait.
PS be aware: the portions are huge! :D -
Review from Mel T.
Vancouver, BC
Good food, good atmosphere, good service. My only complaints are that my potatoes were a bit overcooked/burnt the last time I was there, and not being able to find a table fast enough. They need to empty the tables faster.
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Review from Robin M.
Unlike the queue one might see if front of a shitty bar on a weekend, those that form in front of a food stand or restaurant are a direct signifier of something amazing going on. Some magical thing is being served here.
--disclaimer--
I'm not a fan of Westernized Greek food. Like at all. Some anemic looking tomatoes, a pile mile-high of dry rice and a couple of mealy potatoes served with some mystery meat? No.
/end disclaimer
After X number of years living in Vancouver and Y number living in the West End, I finally decided to see what the hype is all about. Why are you waiting in liiine, people?
Why? Salt. Portions. Price. Period. -
Review from Edward L.
Lining up at Stephos on a weeknight is one of those things you just have to do in Vancouver.
There is no parking here other than the street, so you may want to walk here.
If you have a party of 6 or more, you can make a reservation and effectively skip the lineup.
The place is old and beaten up, and smells funny. Almost like a dirty washcloth. The tables are cramped, and the tablecloths are sticky. It is also stuffy, and VERY loud. Oh, and it's BOILING inside. But you don't come here for the ambience. You come here to stuff your face.
I've tried many dishes here over the years, and the food is definitely up to snuff with any other respectable Greek place. The biggest difference? The price. How they sell lamb souvlaki for $11 (when every other place is more like $15-17) is beyond me. Mind you, they have the volume to support it.
I really like how every dish comes with a pickled pepper, like Quizno's. These feel good.
One last thing: it looks like there's actually outdoor seating in the back. The tables are all for 2 people though. So, if you have a hot date..
If you haven't been here, you haven't lived in Vancouver.Listed in: 2011 Cheap & Tasty, 2011 Ed's Picks
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Review from Stephene C.
Vancouver, BC
I've been coming here ever since I can remember and as always there is a long line outside, but it seems to move fairly quickly. I think I've pretty much tried everything on their menu over the years, so I can honestly say that my favorite dishes are the roast lamb and the cheese balls with beets appy. The lamb is super tender and falls off the bone, its smokey and tasty and seasoned well. Who know cheese went so well with beets!? But then again, what doesn't go well with cheese?
The prices here in my opinion are astronomically low, for the amount of food and quality you get, this place is such a deal. No wonder there is always a line up.
Of all the Greek restaurants I've tried, this one is definitely king!
St3Fin -
Review from dan k.
always a long line waiting to get in for dinner--- very tasty food here and reasonably priced -- service is good and the line moves quickly --
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Review from Willow L.
Vancouver, BC
Yum! Good tender meat...had the lamb souvlakia, awesome. Lots of food, enormous portions! Pita bread was good too. The rice was a bit boring and too much, would really prefer some more Greek salad on the plate! Potatoes were okay, a bit boring as well. Should have put some of the tzaziki sauce on it but was too hungry to care much. The place was packed, and the line was 40 min! Glad they had some heaters outside. Really dark, kinda hard to see my food...
Note: was there with six other people. Roast lamb plate was popular among the others. Quite a bit of a wait for food as well once we were seated. Service was alright, not obtrusive at all. I don't like clingy service, so it was great for me! -
Review from Annie W.
4* for the memories...
Have been coming here since I was a teeny-bopping 16yo. One summer my gf dated a waiter there who was "Like So Hot!" and a sexy older man (at the ripe old age of nineteen) who'd hook us up with extra Cheese Balls.
So while that relationship didn't last past the summer, us girls have been coming back year after year, ordering the same thing our 16yo selves did over a decade ago:
- Tiroboukes (Cheese Balls)
- Hummus w/ Pita
- Roast Lamb
- Lamb Chops
- Ek-Mek
The food thankfully hasn't changed much, all of the above listed items are solid "hits" in my books. What has changed is us - with age comes wisdom, and we now only go during off hours. -
Review from David S.
New Westminster, BC
We went to Stepho's late saturday night 9 pm. still had a short line up waited about 15 minutes for our table . Service can be hit or miss, Our server was ok could tell he was obviously tired from a long busy shift . Food is good and plentiful, prices are very reasonable for the portions you get. We go to Stepho's 3 or 4 times a year, Always enjoy the food , have too look past the hit and miss on the service ( tip accordingly ) the food makes it worth it .
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Review from Norah L.
Vancouver, BC
Love this place. The lineups are long but they're long for a reason! The portions are enormous, the prices are very reasonable, the service is friendly, and yes the food is delicious! The atmosphere reminds me of dining out when I went to Greece. The restaurant is stuffy, smoky (of kitchen aromas), hot, loud, and it's crowded. It's a great place for a night out with friends and the restaurant is also good for kids. I love the spanakopitas, veggie moussaka and the saganaki cheese. The carnivores in my group swear by the chicken souvlaki and roasted lamb.
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Review from Vanessa P.
Edmonton, AB
Being from Edmonton, Greek restaurant options are very limited. Apparently there are always people waiting in a long line just to eat here. At first, I thought it is completely insane to wait an 1-2 hours just to eat at a restaurant when there are plenty of open places beside it.
However, when I tried the food, I was blown away. So much flavor and food packed onto a plate for pretty cheap. I ordered the bbq chicken with rice pilaf. I usually don't finish the roasted potatoes that come with Greek dishes, but I devoured it like a vulture. The chicken was extremely juicy and was practically melting in my mouth.
We also ordered dolma. I love the tzatziki here, its cool and refreshing and perfectly compliments the spices and sour taste of the dolma.
Now when I think about it, I would definitely pop into a long line just to eat here again one day.
See you soon, Stephos!Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from patricia l.
Vancouver, BC
Year after year and night after night we see the massive line up at Stepho's head out the door. We stopped trying to actually dine-in at this establishment years ago because to be really honest the food is not fantastic enough to justify a 1-2 hour wait.
We just get take-out now and it's one of our favourite take-out places. The portions are huge and the food is good enough when you're feeling too lazy to cook after work.
For downtown folk, I can understand the attraction as the prices are more than reasonable for large portions. The service is really nice as well.
It's a few steps better than food-court Opa!, and while the food is tasty here, there ARE a lot of other better Greek restaurants in the city. If you want really decent souvlakis, they've got it here. If you want really decent roast lamb, mousaka and other Greek specialties then give the other Greek restaurants in Vancouver a try. -
Review from Ziyan C.
Great food, great prices!
Only complaint is the long wait.. for a table, for our server, for our bill, for pretty much everything... However the food was so great that it pretty much makes up for their seeming inability to handle a lot of customers (you'd think they'd get used to it as this was 9pm on a Wednesday night and still ridiculously packed).
Must haves: cheese balls!!
* Tiroboukes (Cheese balls) Stepho's Creations - w/ garlic dip $5.95: 5 stars
Love the slightly grainy, thicker breading. Good crunch, and within you find the wonderfully melty cheese. Have a bite with the garlic dip and you're in heaven.
* Roast lamb platter (w/ roast potatoes, rice pilaf, vege briami & greek salad) $9.95: 4 stars
The lamb was so tender it was falling off the bone. Delicious. The sides were fine, no standouts, except the potatoes which were great.
* BBQ chicken platter (charbroiled breast with BBQ sauce) $11.45: 3 stars
Chicken was tender, good quality, but a tiny bit on the dry side. Not the biggest BBQ fan here, but if you like BBQ you should get this. Sides were the same as the lamb.
* Pita bread: 5 stars
WOW loved this! Their pita bread was very thick, soft & fluffy, with a slightly crispy outer shell. It was buttery and wonderful. -
Review from Erin U.
Good place to walk to if you live in the neighbourhood, also good for dates although its a bit loud sometimes. Be prepared to leave insanely full, everything is large and filling with sides galore. I shared a plate with a friend the other night and it was more than enough. Yum wine and dinner, the servers are energetic and fun and Ive always enjoyed my visits here. not too mention I love tzasiki and theres is glorious! You cant live on Davie or in the neighborhood without giving it a try!!
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Review from Beverly W.
Vancouver, BC
I have been a long-time customer of Stepho's. The lamb slouvaki is to die for. My other favorites include the calamari dinner and the spanakopita dinner (not on the menu but you can order it). I usually get takeout or go during non-peak hours because there is usually a line-up.
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Review from Alice A.
I'm reading these reviews on the low hygiene standards for food preparation at Stephos and i'm wondering how they'll cook rice on the floor... but all I can say is, I've worked in a few food establishments and as a restaurant patron, I never want to think too much about how my food is prepared.
Anyway, we order take out almost every week and Stepho's almost always delivered 4 or 5 out of 5 stars for us. We've dined in twice and sure, service is dismal but the food made up for it.
Lamb is our go-to choice, falls of the bone tender and moist. Vegetable stew complements the greek salad (- average) and mountain of fluffy rice. Of the three carbs they serve, I like the rice best. My bf likes the potatoes and pita bread, so it works out well for us.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/7/2011
Davie Village is my 'hood. I walk by Stepho's all the time and there is always a lineup, rain or… Read more »
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1/7/2011
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Review from Michelle Y.
I guess...
maybe i gave an extra star because i felt like i achieved something by waiting in a line before being seated to eat here.
maybe it's because I particularly enjoyed my company at dinner.
Whatever the reason, the rice is too dry and flavorless, but salty. The chicken is much too dry and some burnt. The salads are good, but you can't really mess that up, right?
Anyway, I think what draws people to this place is the cheap pricing and the huge portions. Because I can't think of what else possibly could lure someone here--it's definitely not the food, service, or ambiance. -
Review from Irena L.
I don't understand why this place is so popular, probably because it's cheap. Staff is ok, atmosphere inside is cute, but food is really not good! You get a bunch of rice and potatoes with your protein, and it's all so over-salted that I got enough sodium for the next two weeks!
I tried it twice unfortunately.
There are much better Greek places in Vancouver.
If you are on a budget, then definitely try it, but if you want good food-don't go there! -
Review from alison t.
Mission, BC
I like the food here, not so much the line ups. The food is not substantially better than the greek place down the street, but it has name recognition, a good reputation and reasonably good service.
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Review from Jay J.
New Westminster, BC
I go to this place because IT`S CHEAP.
Their interior is okay..
The service is ... I don`t know .. some of their waitress (b*****) kinda become furious when I give 10% tip.
The food is on your luck. Sometimes their food is amazing and sometimes so bad (salty or burn).
Their house wine is generally good (sweet). -
Review from Joshua N.
There are a million reviews here, so I'll start with what I ate:
I had the bakaliaros, which is lightly battered fried cod. It's supposed to be salty (I was warned about this) but I found it delicious. It was served with the usual mountain of rice, greek salad, and potatoes, and there was a delicious garlic sauce on the side. $9.95 plus tax and tip (I left $13 total). Just goes to show that there's more to their menu than the roast lamb.
I can't get enough of this place. Enormous portions, mostly for around $10 per person. Friendly staff. There was a lineup, as usual (it was a Wednesday around 6:30pm), but even though it looked long we only waited about 20 minutes. Despite the lineup after us, we never felt like they were trying to rush us out.
I've been to Stephos a bunch of times and I will likely be back.Listed in: Davie Street's Eats
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Review from Yukonher s.
Whitehorse, YT
I don't live in Vancouver, but I go to Stepho's each time I'm in town. That's saying a lot from where I come from and there is a limited restaurant selection in the Yukon. I get there before 6 or after 8 and avoid the lineups. The food is very good, the portions even better and the price is the best. The lamb is spectacular and the best I've ever had. It is consistent and I've never had a problem with the service. It is one of our very favourites. Bonus: you can take teenage boys there and they are actually full when they leave.
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Review from Amanda L.
I have had many experiences at Stepho's and since I always get take out my opinion is not tainted by a 40 minute wait outside in order to get a table.
To this day I do not understand how people enjoy Stepho's soo much, I constantly have to battle my boyfriend to not have to eat their slop! If I MUST eat their I will only ever get the Vegetarion or Meat Lasagne's because everything else is a greasy mess, at least you sort of expect Lasagne to be greasy.
The value is good, lots of food for your money but rice and potatoes is mostly what you get and those are dirt cheap items so makes sense how they can offer such big portions. The food itself is comparable to Kraft dinner in my opinion, you eat it if you must but you won't be raving about it after. I have yest to receive any food from Stepho's that wasn't completely saturated in some sort of nasty grease, and I mean everything is just sopped in grease!
Overall Stepho's has yet to impress me...or even come close! -
Review from Adrian B.
Vancouver, BC
I am a fan of lamb or goat, i think they have a unique flavor compared to other kind of meat, and stephos satisfy my craving for a good piece of lamb everytime. I do agree with some of the reviews here that it might be a bit fatty but that works for me in so many different ways since i need that dose of lamb goodness. So almost everytime i eat stephos i always order their roast lamb. And i always leave with satisfaction of my lamb cravings. Ok, enough about their rich and righteous lamb.
The other stuff in their menu are also delightful, their calamari is awesome, the cheeseball OMG.... i think i need to kidnap their chef and interrogate him about the cheeseball and the garlic sauce...
The other condiments that come with their lamb roast is also good, i like the pilaf rice and their vegetable roast (very flavorful).
For the food that they offer and the price that they set, it is a very good deal and a very satisfying meal everytime. -
Review from d h.
Vancouver, BC
I LOOOOVEEEE stephos!
I always get a small chicken souvlaki and it only costs about 8 bucks AND each meal comes with pita bread, which is my favorite part. I last visited about two days ago and arrived around 8:30. The lineup was HUGE! but it always is so whatever. We waited about 45 minutes to be seated and served immediately when we sat down. Our food came within 10 minutes. It was sooooo good omg I can just taste it now. I don't expect the server to come back to check up on our table because they're just too busy, but honestly, our server was incredible, she came back twice to fill up our glasses, and another time to check how we were. I was surprised because we've never been treated so well before. We just got a good server? Very nice lady.
I just want more of that food. I try to cook like that but it never ever turns out the same.
It's definitely worth the wait and all the times I have been there the food always comes very quickly and the servers are either hot, fast, or nice.
EXCELLENT!
-Love you, Stepho's, never change! -
Review from Shawn G.
Lloydminster, SK
Came recommended from a friend.. a super-high quality meal, great atmosphere and affordable price.. can't say enough about this place.. taziki is perfect, calamari meal portion was over sized.. for ten dollars! yelping while enjoying an ouzo appartif..
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Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
Atmosphere: Busy, tight, cozy, home like feel, casual. If you`re into busy than is the place, however, not suitable for an intimate evening with the significant other and or friends. The music can be loud, therefore, don`t expect to have a conversation with the person sitting across from you, however, with the large portions and consistent line up, you`re not going to have time for conversation. Great place to have that obligation date since conversation will be kept to a bare min.
Price: cheap Greek food.
Menu: Typical Greek fair, however, was disappointed since they were out of the almond pudding. It is cheap, therefore, the quality and the ingredients are mediocre, however, well prepared.
Service: With the exception of the host who seemed to be stressed and treated the couple who came in after us as an inconvenience , our waiter was sociable and friendly.
Food: As mentioned, cheap but decent in terms of taste.
Side Notes: Don`t go hungry and expect to wait a min of 20 - 30 minutes. Don`t go with a date that is known to be grumpy when he or she doesn`t eat as blood sugar levels may go down during the waiting period. -
Review from Kim L.
Vancouver, BC
I hate lamb
But I'll eat Stepho's roasted lamb
It's not because it's $9.95,
comes with roasted potatoes, rice pilaf
and a greek salad that's big enough to share for two
It's because it's just fall off the bone yummy,
less the gamey taste I usually detest
By the way,
I also covet their pita bread, which is unlike any other
Grilled, warm and puffy -
Review from Wendy C.
West Vancouver, BC
I went here last night with 7 friends at around 9pm. Got a table in 15mins! Ordered the roast lamb with caesar salad and garlic sauce for the potatoes because I looooooove garlic. The portions of the roast lamb seem a little bit smaller than before, but it was still delicious and the meat still slides off the bones. The waitress was attentive and was always around to refill our water or remove dishes.
If you're super hungry, then maybe don't come here due to the line ups. But if you can stand waiting possibly 30mins then you will not be disappointed. -
Review from Sarah O.
Oh, Stephos what happened to you? Or rather, what did I ever see in you? In the beginning, I guess I allowed you in my life because your portions were big, the price was right, the drinks were damn strong and your food tasted pretty decent. But now... now that's all changed. This past visit was such a baffling disgrace I don't think I can ever go back here again. It was a windy and rainy day and we stepped into the near-empty Stephos. The two of us were seated right next to the door even though there were plenty of seating. After about 5 minutes, we asked to change tables, thinking it wouldn't be a problem. Why would it? Well, it was. The waitress insisted that we couldn't change seats because.. she already entered in in the computer. WTF? Can't you just manually change the table number with your pen? Is it that complicated? It's not like the restaurant was busy... but nope. Still can't. Fine.
The food came out, spanakopita which was rock hard and extra greeezy, and the kalamari, which tasted so strangely fishy that I felt like throwing up after I ate it. Why people line up in the rain to eat at this place seriously perplexes me. It doesn't even matter the fact that Stephos had a long history of unsanitary issues, including rat feces in the kitchen. I guess people will do anything to save a buck or two right?
This place has really gone downhill. It started out as just alright, and now, it's finally crashed and burned. -
Review from Cyrus G.
Vancouver, BC
It's not the best greek food in Vancouver, but it's definitely the best bang for your buck.
I've tried the chicken souvlaki and lamb -- I've never been disappointed. The staff is very pleasant tooListed in: My Favs
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Review from Kas D.
Vancouver, BC
This place if a very solid go-to place for tasty eats at a good price. The line can be ridiculous at times, but the portions are large, warm and cheap. The service is passable (I have a feeling they like to get you in and out as quick as possible to help the line-up issue).
Recommendations include the hummus (it's delicious) and the souvlaki. I used to order the kalamari dinner regularly, but it always gave me pretty terrible heartburn.
Overall, a solid thumbs up. -
Review from Vincci L.
Not worth the wait for extremely salty food.
We arrived here on a midday weekend afternoon and there was still a line up. Because we've never been here, we decided that today was the day we should go. Waited for about 15 minutes.
Water was brought as soon as we were seated. I got a calamari dinner and my friend for the prawn soulvaki.
The food arrived pretty quickly, given the restaurant was full. My portion was quite large, a big heaping of calamari, lots of rice, potatoes, and a small portion of salad.
One bite into my calamari: it was a bit dry, and VERY salty. It was almost they had drenched their batter with salt. My friend had a bite of her prawn, again, it was also very salty. Everything else on my plate was also very salty, the rice, potatoes, and even my salad. (It was a very salty piece of tomato.)
It was very difficult for us to finish our meal. We both didn't finish it, and felt like our mouth was covered in a layer of salt. We drank as much water as possible but still didn't feel too well.
Sorry Stephos, I gave you a chance and you disappointed me. I don't think I'll be back. -
Review from Sharas R.
Roast Lamb, go for it. You never go wrong when a big line of people waiting outside the restaurant. I loved the portion, price and taste.
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Review from Ted S.
Calgary, AB
I love the roast lamb at Stephos and the value for money is great - it's only about $10 for the lamb dish and it comes with a generous amount of rice and greek salad.
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Review from Kate W.
Vancouver, BC
Does it get any better? Heaping piles of tasty greek food for rock bottom prices! Yum. I always get the Vege Plate and sometimes start with the Feta and Olives or the hummus. Best to go for an early dinner/late lunch or late night to avoid the line!
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Review from Scott P.
Ok I do get it! This place is a classic. It has been there for sometime and the staff is pretty cool! I have been living in BC for about 6 weeks and came back to Vancouver from the island and thought I needed some Greek food. Stepho's here I come!
As I sit here and type this I can still taste the garlic from Hummus but boy was it great! Even better is the Pita bread they serve with it. Bring it on and on and on!
I really enjoyed it this time. I wanted something different that I experienced in San Francisco and realize it is not fair to compare. Stepho's has its own personality and style and I love it!
Yes I am a fan and can't believe only 73 people have reviewed this establishment. Apparently it doesn't matter because they still line up!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/12/2008
The first time I stayed in Vancouver about 3 months ago I remember walking down Davies and seeing a… Read more »
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12/12/2008
