Hello dear
Welcome To The Big Greek Cafe Ijamsville
The Big Greek Cafe Ijamsville, located at 3290 Bennett Creek Ave Unit C, is a delightful fast-casual dining experience specializing in authentic Greek cuisine. Owned by brothers Nikos and Simos, this cafe brings Mama Marmaras' cherished recipes to the suburbs, ensuring quick service without sacrificing flavor. Diners rave about the outstanding gyros, featuring fresh shaved beef and lamb, alongside the satisfying falafel pita and delicious Spanakopita platter. With a clean, friendly atmosphere and convenient self-service ordering, it's an ideal stop for Greek food enthusiasts. Open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, The Big Greek Cafe offers an inviting taste of Greece to the Ijamsville community.
Taste the best
Discover Our Menu
TZATZIKI
US$6.50FRENCH FRIES
US$5.50CHICKEN
US$13.75
FALAFEL
US$13.75SHRIMP
US$16.75SALMON
US$17.75
HOT DOG
US$8.95GRILLED CHEESE PITA
US$8.95CRISPY CHICKEN STRIPS
US$8.95 About
The Big Greek Cafe Ijamsville
Welcome to The Big Greek Cafe Ijamsville, a delightful addition to the culinary landscape of Ijamsville, Maryland. Nestled at 3290 Bennett Creek Ave Unit C, this vibrant eatery is a testament to authentic Greek cuisine, driven by passion and tradition. Established by brothers Nikos and Simos Marmaras, the cafe continues the legacy of their beloved mother, Greek Mama Marmaras, bringing her cherished recipes to life since its first location opened in Silver Spring in 2009. With over ten thriving locations throughout Maryland and expansions into Virginia on the horizon, The Big Greek Cafe is rapidly becoming a local favorite.
The ambiance strikes a balance between casual and inviting, making it perfect for a quick bite or a laid-back meal with friends. With operating hours from 11 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week, your next Greek feast is always just around the corner. As you approach the counter, you are greeted with a menu displayed prominently behind it, showcasing a varied selection of dishes that promise to delight.
Visitors rave about standout items like the Spanakopita platter, where fresh spinach and creamy feta are embraced by a perfectly flaky phyllo dough. Another crowd favorite is the famous Gyro on Pita, made from succulent shaved beef and lamb, served with a side of Greek salad and crispy Nikos fries. This fast-casual gem offers a dining experience that is both quick and satisfying, ensuring that your food is prepared promptly without compromising taste.
The reviews speak for themselves: patrons express delight in both the quality of the food and the exceptional service. One frequent visitor describes the cafe as a "family" experience, commending the friendly staff who go above and beyond, making you feel welcome from the moment you step inside. The condensed seating area adds to the charm, fostering a cozy atmosphere where every meal feels special.
Every bite at The Big Greek Cafe Ijamsville evokes the warmth of Greek hospitality, creating a culinary journey that is accessible to everyone. If you find yourself navigating the streets of Ijamsville, do not miss the opportunity to indulge in authentic Greek dishes that are guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. From the inviting vibe to the mouthwatering flavors, this cafe is a true celebration of Greek cuisine that has successfully found its place outside the beltway.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ January 29, 2025 - To be clear, this is a very good “fast food experience” . . . with quick service & delicious Greek food. Greek Mama Marmaras would be very proud of her two sons ( current owners) Nikos & Simos ! They opened their 1st Big Greek Cafe in Silver Spring, Maryland ( 2009) . . . Now there’s over 10 locations in MD, with another 4 locations opening soon in Virginia! Stop in, their hours are 7 days a week, 11am to 9 pm ! The menus are posted on the wall behind the counter. You walk up and order! My wife tried the Spanakopita platter, fresh spinach & feta cheese wrapped in phyllo dough, with side of rice! She said, “ delicious, with a flakey dough”! I ordered the Wednesday special Gyro on Pita for 7 ! I added a side Greek salad, and Greek fries , the shaved beef & lamb was perfect, and delicious! We sat down, 5 minutes later a server brought our food to our table, wow There aren’t many Greek food establishments outside the beltway, serving those in the suburbs. Nice to have a Greek place out in Urbana/Ijamsville. It’s great Greek food, quick service, clean restaurant, so a Big Thank you to Nikos & Simos for sharing Mama’s Greek recipes with us in the suburbs! PS Any who loves Gyros, find the fresh shaved beef & lamb meat. . . not the frozen stuff ! Big Greek Cafe has the REAL Greek Gyro meat! ”
“ I recently had a falafel pita sandwich and found it to be absolutely delightful. The flavors were well-balanced and satisfying. If you're a fan of flavorful, hearty sandwiches, I highly recommend trying it out. It's a delicious option that's sure to please your taste buds! ”
“ One of my favorite restaurants in Urbana to get food from! I love their Nikos fries (pictured) and Papou's Gyro Salad (not pictured)! I’ve ordered food from here several times and it’s always delicious! ”
“ The food was great and the workers were friendly! Second time we’ve been and everyone has liked their meals. I am happy they are back open after closing for repairs due to a car running right on into the front of it! Just a heads up for new patrons dining in: You order/pay at the register, seat yourself and they bring the food out to you. Servers do not come back to your table after delivering your food. If you want any of the desserts or drinks (non fountain) on the counter you can just bring them to the register when you order. The workers give you the fountain drink cups. Napkins, utensils, and condiments are next to the soda fountain. If you need bags or to-go containers/lids when dining in you have to go up to the register and ask for them. They do have a tip jar next to the register. Also, it is very small inside so I went with the thought I’d eat somewhere in the same plaza if there was no available seating. Photos of Greek fries, tzatziki, gyro (pronounced ”yero” and rhymes with hero), and baklava. My Dad knows the authentic stuff and he says the food is really good for fast dining. ”
“ Delicious food and amazing people!! I’ve been coming here since they opened, and they’ve treated me like family since day 1. The entire staff is kind, courteous, and eager to provide a great experience. The food is always spot on, tasty, and quick!!! My go to is the gyro salad, but the chicken, salmon, calamari, etc is all cooked to perfection. You can’t miss, give it a shot if you’re in the area. ”
“ Customer service here first of all is Everything! The combo meals that they serve here are such good portions and the prices are great! To hey have one combo where you get gyro filled with meat, if you purchase an extra pita, you can make two, then another pita with 4 more kabobs and 2 sides for 27.95 , that's cheaper than making it at home and would definitely feed 3 people. ”
“ This was our first time. The restaurant was super clean. The staff was patient with us as we looked over the menu to order. The food was delicious. And Bonus, our food (nut) allergy companion enjoyed eating the fries . The calamari was flavorful it was devoured in minutes. Now that we know it's a safe restaurant to eat for the food allergies, we will def comeback. ”
“ The Gyro was 127% meat by volume! It's their Grand Opening and they're going all out. I will be making this a regular stop when I have to eat on the fly. ”