Food Adventure to Ayola, SF (New Montgomery)
- ElegantTrout
- Jul 6, 2016
- 5 min read
Another trip down memory lane for me.
Straight up, Ayola is a great lunch spot to eat at if you're ever around it. Located at 118 New Montgomery street, it's an ideal spot for all things Greek or Mediterranean if you ever get that craving. I just so happen to get that craving somewhat frequently. With that said, I'll get into my past experiences with the place and what I've had throughout my visits.
Back when I was working around the area, lunch time filled me with a void. Not the hunger type of void. I mean, I needed something more than just food. I wanted something different. Something that isn't like what I have often.
Not even a stone-throw away from my former work place is Ayola. I walked by, looked inside. Stopped, looked at it a bit harder. Hey, it's Greek food! I used to get falafel and gyros every Saturday at my local Farmer's Market. Might as well go inside to broaden my horizons, experience the Mediterranean stuff here. See what it's all about. No one really accompanied me during my lunch breaks so I was free to try out any restaurant I felt like. I feel like everyone else wanted burgers, sandwiches, or some shakes at McDonalds.
Nah. I ain't about that life.
I'm about that tzatziki. First things first, what am I familiar with? What do I feel comfortable ordering? My eyes peer through the menu, quickly finding my answer. I know gyros, I know falafel, I know french fries, and I know baklava. That's what I'm ordering.
While waiting, I noticed a few things. There is another sauce offered that seems to be free, but I shy away from it in favor of tzatziki on the account that I can't handle spicy stuff too well. If you're looking for some spice, you'll be glad to know that they offer a spicy sauce. It's a really small restaurant, so you probably won't be able to get seats during the lunch rush, and lines easily go past through the doors. Once again, chalk it up to how it is in SF. Despite the small size of the restaurant, ordering goes by really quickly and the food comes out fast. It's impressive how fast they process things. Well-trained staff, all of them.
The lamb and beef gyro was really tasty. I've probably ordered that the most during my visits there. Along with tzatziki sauce, it comes with what's expected: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions. In terms of flavor, it's really all there. In fact, I'm starting to get hungry just thinking about it. My only qualm with the gyros in general is that, well, if you're not eating it properly, some of the dry bits can really irritate the throat. Maybe it's just me, but I found myself coughing whenever the gyro pita gets a bit too far back without being chewed well. I digress, it does taste really great though. It's enticing. It's mouthwatering. The combination of meats just go so well together. Extra tzatziki is good, but optional.
The chicken gyro, on the other hand, I wasn't feeling. I gave it a few shots. Sure, it's mostly the same things along with some herbs, but the flavor was severely lacking. I feel like the bold flavors and fitting textures of lamb and beef suit pita much more than lean chicken. If the flavors lacking, that ain't what I'm packing.
A chicken dish that I did end up liking during my later visits was the Sparta Salad. Yeah, I know, it's a salad, but it's Greek salad with roasted chicken and pita. If you're looking for greens and leans, that'd be a good thing to keep in mind. The Troy Salad is tempting too, as it's Greek salad with gyro meat (lamb and beef). You know how I feel about that, I'm sure.
You can order falafel as a side. Four pieces for about four dollars, which is a bit steep. If you're going to get it, make sure to use dip. It's not like a lot of the falafel that I'm familiar with, this stuff is stiffer than getting a dead leg from Brock Lesnar. It's almost uncomfortably crunchy and dry, but... I guess sauce makes up for it? I don't know. It's a bit far from ideal for me, but perhaps this is one of the traditional ways that they did it.
French fries are surprisingly great. For less than three dollars, a serving of fries that are just so well seasoned. It also helps that it's has the right balance to it. You know, the decently crispy outer layer and the soft, contrasting inside. With the seasoning, ketchup almost seems optional. But hey, let's be honest, you'll probably want to try it with ketchup (unless you've got gastritis like me and have to watch out). Side order of hummus or tzatziki comes with pita, and it tastes how you'd expect it to. Though, it could be a good alternative to fries or a meal if you're feeling like you wanna carb out.
Finally, another thing notable that I tried was the baklava. Like the falafel, I feel it's a bit pricey. Baklava is about $2.25 a piece here, but hey, it tastes great. The pastry is always a delight to have, and I don't think I've ever had less-than-good baklava.
On second thought, I have, but that was this one time in Union City. But I digress.
The baklava here is good. It's got good texture with the whole flakiness of it, the crumble of the filo, and the nice bit of moisture from whatever's making it sweet. Is it syrup? Honey? I can't be too sure and I'm no fan of guessing. At the price that it's at, probably best to get a one-of if you're feeling like desserts along with a dish. Another reason to get it is if you haven't tried it before.
Next time I go, I'll definitely have to try something I haven't had yet. I know I've been avoiding the Hortopita Pita Sandwich, the one with the roasted eggplant, but I've heard some encouraging things from a friend of mine. He's got me all hyped for eggplant. What a weird thing to type. Along with that, I might as well try out that other dessert that I haven't had, the spanakopita. It's spinach pie. Hmm... I'll have to channel my inner Popeye for that one.
Anyways, it's a good spot. I won't knock it just because I have some minor qualms with it other than the falafel, which is pretty disappointing considering I love falafel. Still, I really do enjoy the place for what it is. If you're feeling Greek like a Portokalos, come by and order some gyros and fries. It'll be good. I promise.
Stuff I Like:
- Gyros Pita Sandwich. Lamb and beef go so well together that you might get cravings
- Sparta Salad is great for a lighter meal
- They say they've got the best fries in the area. I'd have to agree
- Fast service. You won't wait terribly long for your food
Middling Stuff:
- Baklava. It's great, just a bit more costly than I'd think it would be
- Hummus and pita is a safe pick with nothing exciting or adventurous
Stuff I Don't Like:
- I regret to say that I just can't get behind the falafel. Might make for good bulletproof armor though
- Severe lack of space makes it almost impossible to get seating during popular times. Might as well always order to-go
Recommended For:
Anyone interested in meaty, Greek dishes. If you enjoy lamb or beef in particular, you'll think of it as a sanctuary. Good place for different styles of salads too. Most of the things are well worth it's cost, save for a select few items -- but that's practicality in SF, which is usually hard to come by.
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