Gastro Mania SW Portland 1 Southwest Columbia Street, Portland, OR 97258

"Great little Greek spot. It looks so easy walking distance from the Marriott Waterfront. I asked for a recommendation for lunch and was pointed to the stroganoff. It did not disappoint. The team working there were very helpful and a delight. I absolutely recommend Gastro Mania if you are near the waterfront and looking for great Greek food!"

"If you’re in the area and hungry while reading this, I had the Beef Brisket Sandwich. My experience was well beyond worth it for the price I paid. Trust me - I love good food. If you’re reading this to get more details about the Gastro Mania experience, let’s go. I was leaving the Multnomah County Court House and it was well beyond the time I normally break my fast. I asked some of the officers at the entrance where they like to eat good food that’s nearby (police know all the good spots). One of them immediately said Gastro’s and the others chimed in supporting her claim. Okay, Gastro’s it was. As I approached the door, I noticed the hours of operation showed 3pm as the closing time - it was 2:37pm. I’ve worked in restaurants and I know how annoying it can be when someone strolls in 20 minutes before closing. Normally I would find somewhere else to go, but today I was starving. Upon entering the establishment, I quickly scanned for cleanliness as I walked toward the counter to order. While the relief of the passing of the cleanliness test hit me, I was politely greeted. I returned the politeness then proceeded to apologetically explain that I was aware of the closing time and understood if it was too late to provide service. I asked if there was somewhere else she could recommend. The polite lady smiled and said, “The lamb is really good.” Right as she said that, the chef walked in and she asked him, “Are we still open?” In hindsight, I think she did this to prove a point. He was just as polite as her and was even excited to prepare a meal. I would now be able to have a meal and not feel the least bit guilty about it. Let’s take a look at the menu. The menu was quite robust, from what I could gather with a quick scan. Let’s just say it was Mediterranean with some slight twists here and there (my apologies to the chef if this is too far off the mark). I noticed something that I did not expect and with excitement in my voice I declared, “You guys even have a brisket sandwich.” There was a patron wearing shooting-range yellow aviators still eating at a table behind me (your shades were awesome). He responded to my declaration before they could: “Yes! And it is amazing!” It was settled - I would try the Beef Brisket Sandwich. I added fries, paid for it, poured some water, found a place to sit and eagerly waited for my brisket sandwich to arrive. Maybe five minutes later the chef himself served the sandwich and fries. I thanked him and took a moment to admire the craftsmanship - there was also a nice-looking salad on the plate. If you’ve read this far, you must not be hungry…that changes now. Imagine that the last time you ate was more than 24 hours and your next meal just appeared in front of you. You can smell the freshness of the ingredients. You smell warm bread, slow roasted brisket, grilled onions and grilled mushrooms. When I experienced these scents, my mouth immediately began to water. Which is better: the first bite or the final bite? I don’t know, but biting into this sandwich I swear it all just melted after a few chews. The bread was warm, soft and had just enough texture to counter yet fuse with the perfectly melted cheese. A little further into the bite came the grilled onions and mushrooms. That slightly zesty, slightly sweet onion flavor merged with the charred nuttiness of grilled mushroom served as the bridge to the brisket - oh my, oh my that brisket. I’ve only ever had smoked brisket, but this brisket had no smoke whatsoever. It didn’t matter. I could tell it was slowly cooked by the way it melted. The flavor of beef and fat married to the rest of the flavors is the best way I can describe it. It was all deliciously balanced. I’ve never had an official Philly Cheesesteak, but I’ve eaten some amazing cheesesteak sandwiches. Gastro Mania’s Beef Brisket Sandwich has a feint resemblance to an amazing cheesesteak sandwich, but it stands head and shoulders above any I’ve ever had. I will be back to try more of the menu."

"Gastro Mania has delicious food that is both elegant in its taste and ingredients, yet doesn’t break the bank. Their Porchetta Sandwich and Salmon salad are so flavorful and really leaves a lasting impression. Luckily I live close by so I can visit often to get my fix but I cannot stress enough how tasty and affordable their food is."

"The BEST Mediterranean food hands down! The lamb was extremely flavorful and nicely paired with the yellow rice and tzatziki sauce. Great portion sizes for the cost. Definitely must check them out if you're Portland!"

"This was a great lunch experience. I ordered the chef's special to get a taste of the different seafood options and it did not disappoint. My favorite was the tuna, but everything was great and cooked to perfection. We sat outside which was very nice. Service was fast and friendly. This is a great place to meet up with a friend at lunch or take a customer. My only complaint is that they aren't open for dinner so I can't go back tonight! Will definitely return!"