If you love Mediterranean cuisine, make a beeline for downtown’s newest restaurant.
By Carter Seaton
HQ 125 | SPRING 2024
If you’ve been grieving the loss of Navarino Bay, the Greek restaurant located upstairs in The Market, or have the dates of the annual Greek Festival highlighted on your calendar because you love Mediterranean cuisine, you should run, not walk, to the new Gyro King restaurant. Located at 300 Eighth St., it’s the newest addition to The Market and is guaranteed to satisfy your craving for all things Mediterranean.
The affable owner, Moustapha Moussari, was born in Morocco but has been in this country for over 40 years. Throughout his career he has been a chef all over Europe — in Morocco, Greece, France, Brazil and Germany. After coming to the States, he operated restaurants in New York, Florida, California and Colorado. So, how does a man with such an impressive resume end up owning a small, but inviting, restaurant in Huntington?
While he was operating his Florida restaurant, Moussari visited a friend in Ohio who suggested he try Marietta as his next venture. He looked into it but ultimately set up shop in Parkersburg. Then, some of his customers who were from Huntington suggested he come here. Being a university town with a larger population was a huge draw. According to Philip Nelson, co-owner of The Market, Moussari called him and, as they say, the rest is history. Gyro King opened last summer after the move from Parkersburg.
Moussari’s wife is Greek, and so many of his dishes combine her family’s heirloom recipes with his own twist. After cooking American food for many years, he saw Mediterranean cuisine as a way to lose weight. Just chatting with Moussari makes it clear that he loves to cook, puts a strong emphasis on customer service and possesses an outgoing personality.
Moussari is proud of his current offerings, which range from a huge Greek salad to Gyro King’s signature baklava, but says he’ll be adding even more dishes in the next three months. Breakfast food may show up at some point as well. Currently, Gyro King offers appetizers including two styles of hummus, baba ganoush and grape leaves as well as a variety of entrees. While Moussari uses American main ingredients, it’s his unique sauces, Greek techniques and Moroccan spice combinations that make his dishes stand out. The entree portions are generous and the ingredients delightfully fresh.
Try the chicken or shrimp kabob; both are deliciously flavored and served with rice and a side salad. If you’re longing for a gyro, you’re in the right place. The Gyro King menu includes 15 different combos, including some sure to please any vegan or vegetarian. Depending on your tastes, sauces can be spiced up or down. And you can add extra meat, veggies or cheese.
Facebook raves include:
“Gyro King Huntington makes a great salad. They’ve mastered it.”
“The cuisine is absolutely amazing. I have had great service every time I have gone. The owner is so friendly. Great price and quality. My new lunch spot.”
Gyro King seats about 25 at either tables or the counter but offers carry-out as well. Best of all, the nearby 30-minute meters make pickup extremely easy. Gyro King is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. In the future, this may not be his only location in our area. He’s already actively looking for a new spot, probably in the East End. Meanwhile, go enjoy a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. You’ll probably have leftovers for another day, as well.
Follow Gyro King Huntington on Facebook and Instagram, or call 681-204-5693 to place your to-go order. You’ll be glad you did.
