Petrino's Greek Restaurant (La Mesa)

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  Cathy is writing while Kirk is vacationing.

The Mister and I were sort of craving some Russian/Ukranian/Polish food (soup and beets, really) and headed back to the closest place we knew, which is now closed and is the current home of Petrino's Greek Restaurant, which had been located around the corner (next to the Liquor Store, same parking lot) since 2013, but moved here, next to the 7-11, in about February of 2022.  It is another family owned restaurant which survived Covid-19. Greek sounded good for lunch, too.
There's a menu above the cash register and on the wall to the right. Order and pay and your food is brought out in disposable/"To Go" containers.
 The walls from the former restaurant are still here; the furniture is new.
 Lentil soup with pita ($4.50) was an excellent Mediterranean version.  Cumin and turmeric flavors were primary and the broth not too thick with lentils or potato or carrot as other versions, but very deep with flavor.  I did not taste onion and salt/pepper were not needed. 
  A side of four pieces of falafel ($2.50) was a good choice.  The thin, crisp edges were perfect, leaving the inside fluffy.  The side of tzatziki sauce was refreshing with its yogurt and garlic base.
  Greek Mix Plate ($14.99).  1/2 chicken shawarma, 1/2 lamb gyro on top of yellow rice and pita along with a good sized side salad (served with a herb-infused vinegar dressing) was quite a lot of food to share.  The shawarma was not shaved, but instead chopped and grilled.   It had great flavor.  Indeed, it was lamb gyro and shaved, leaving each piece with a crisp side.  The rice, pita and salad made this a good size meal, enough to share. 
 Lemon and mint lemonade ($2.99) was excellent- fresh lemon juice, not too much sugar and dried mint gave this beverage two 'thumbs up' from us.  We'll be back to try more of the menu.

Petrino's Greek Restaurant 8302 Parkway Drive La Mesa 91942 (619) 741-7721 website Open Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Closed Sunday

 The stamped floor with animal footprints remains.

Comments

[kat]

the soup looked comforting

[Cathy]

We have had so much rain and there is a chill in the air, Kat. Soup has been a meal or part of a meal for the past few months.

[Soo]

Nice. Do they make their own falafel?

[Cathy]

I do think the falafel are made in house, Soo. It's not too fancy- I like the falafel from Crossroads Deli (only on Friday) and from Tahini (available daily), but this one from Petrinos is a solid third place based on the light crispness of the 'shell' and fluffy interior.