Restaurant owner, Ash Mikhail, and his son, Andrew, work side-by-side in the kitchen each day.

Naturally, Gyro Tabouli, as its name implies, offers gyro meat (the increasingly popular beef and lamb mixture now found at many diners across the U.S), and tabouli (a salad of Middle Eastern origin).

But restaurant owner Ash Mikhail wants the people of Murfreesboro to know that his establishment offers much more beyond that, many of the dishes and platters being totally vegetarian.

Murfreesboro vegetarians can sometimes complain of the scarcity of local eateries that offer quick but filling meals.

They should try Gyro Tabouli, then, and perhaps the falafel.

“Falafel is a veggie burger,” Mikhail explained, as he patted out some of the chickpea-based burgers in preparation for cooking.

The result is a delicious, flavorful, crabcake-like patty, made primarily out of bean paste and seasoned with cilantro, onion, garlic, pepper and parsley.

Try them with some rice and tabouli, perhaps.

“Our tabouli salad, nobody else knows how to do it like we do,” Mikhail said, hinting that mint is often included in the salad, also heavy on parsley and onion.

Falafel with hummus and tabouli salad

The grape leaves are another veggie dish offered at Gyro Tabouli, as part of its quest to bring a Greek/Middle Eastern fusion to the ‘Boro.

The grape leaves platter is an all-veggie affair served with tabouli, rice, bread and other veggies if you so choose. Flavor up and color this or other plates with olives, tomatoes, pepper varieties and other veggies of choice.

The grape leaves, stuffed with rice and seasonings, have a distinct pickled-vinegar twang to them, if you are into that sort of thing.

Of course, Gyro Tabouli offers hummus as well. As with falafel, the primary ingredient in hummus is the chickpea (or garbanzo bean), and this is perfectly seasoned with garlic, lemon, olive oil and tahini. As Mikhail points out, it is gluten free.

Grape leaves platter

“Some vegetarian people come once a week, or more,” the restaurateur continued.

“We create the hummus and falafel from scratch,” Mikhail explained. The whole process, starting with hard beans, is time consuming, but the professional quality result is worth it, he added.

If you’d like to add another item to a hummus plate, the restaurant offers various hummus platters; one can get a hummus platter with gyro meat or chicken for $7.20.

Ash’s son Andrew touts the health benefits of the high-quality, protein-packed garbanzo, as well as the chicken and gyro. Father and son point out that some bodybuilders, along with those who are even casually concerned with health and fitness, regularly patronize Gyro Tabouli, hungry for its lean protein and veggies.

Can’t decide on one of the many platters on the Gyro Tabouli menu? Ash will make a customized plate for a customer with samples of various dishes.

Sweet, flaky baklava

So whether you are a vegan or a carnivore, looking for an affordable lunch for one (grab a sandwich and a side for $5.59), something quick to bring home for dinner (one pound of gyro meat is available for $7.99, and rice, hummus and more are available in various quantities), or catering for a large party or group (“We have two weddings coming up,” noted Ash), check out Gyro Tabouli, 2706 Old Fort Parkway.

And remember, every now and then, it’s OK to splurge a little and polish off a meal with a heavenly, sticky-sweet and flaky baklava.

IF YOU GO:

Gyro Tabouli
2706 Old Fort Pkwy., Suite B
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(615) 895-1276
Mixed Grill Plate: $6.99; Grape Leaves Platter: $6.79; Baklava: $1.79