Small Business Spotlight: Hot Gyros
Hot Gyros: A Piece of
the Mediterranean in Downtown Mount Vernon
Hot Gyros Falafel Tacos seen on their Instagram
Story by: Julieta Larios
Tucked into Pine Square in Downtown Mount Vernon, Hot Gyros has become a go-to spot for locals craving generously-sized gyros and friendly interactions since opening this past winter. Owners Karim Jadou and Esteban Tenorio make you feel like you’re visiting a close friend every time you stop by.
Jadou and Tenorio’s laughter fills their cozy dining space as you wait for your meal. Their menu is Mediterranean-focused, reflecting Jadou’s heritage and family recipes. He is originally from Jerusalem and moved to the United States 10 years ago. There are a few Mexican-inspired dishes on the menu, like their beef and lamb quesadilla, honoring Tenorio’s Mexican background.
Hot Gyros is both Jadou and Tenorio’s first experience with owning a business. After meeting, they became fast friends, bonding over cultural similarities. “When you meet somebody that can relate to all the stuff that you went through, it's just super easy to get along with them and connect,” said Tenorio on their similar upbringings.
Jadou and Tenorio discovered that Arabic and Mexican cultures share many of the same values, both emphasizing taking care of people and fostering relationships. They try to bring these values into Hot Gyros, whether by giving out free baklava to kids and regulars or prioritizing quality over quantity with their food service.
Since opening, Jadou and Tenorio say it’s been impossible not to notice the overwhelming support and warm welcome from the Mount Vernon community. Due to the high demand, they’ve occasionally had to close early after selling out of certain items in order to maintain the quality of the dishes. They are happy to do so, because one of their main focuses is making people in the community happy through their food.
“We like to cook– to be honest with you, it's fun sometimes when you get a big rush,” Tenorio shared, explaining that they don’t mind busy days because their customers come first.
Their restaurant values are paying off as community support is loud across the board. Hot Gyros has five stars on Google, with words such as “exceptional,” “authentic,” and “friendly” thrown into the mix of over 400 positive reviews. One review reads: “This just might be the best Mediterranean food I've ever had. The people are extremely kind, the portions are generous, and the food is just out of this world.”
If you haven’t had a chance to check out downtown’s newest restaurant, Hot Gyros, now might be a great time to pay them a visit and discover their flavorful menu and warm atmosphere.
Visit Karim and Esteban at
Hot Gyros!
301 Pine St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Monday: 10 AM - 8 PM
Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday-Friday: 10 AM - 8 PM
Saturday-Sunday: 11 AM - 8 PM
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