Whitehall restaurant hosts celebration for its ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ debut

See coverage of Columbus’ previous recent feature on ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in the video player above.

WHITEHALL, Ohio ( WCMH ) — King Gyros Greek Restaurant is a familiar colorful sight for commuters down Hamilton Road, but Friday evening it will be seen by a much larger crowd.

King Gyros, at 400 S. Hamilton Road, is being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Friday at 9 p.m. The restaurant is hosting a viewing party, inviting fans to come watch and celebrate alongside staff.

The restaurant, online ordering and drive thru will be closed after 9 p.m., King Gyros announced Wednesday on social media. Instead, the episode will be played from a projector to a big screen on the front patio, with guests watching from the parking lot. Guests are asked to bring their own seating.

The event will also feature select food for guests and photo opportunities with staff. Although the food is unknown, the restaurant did tease a glimpse, posting a photo of watermelon squares topped with feta and balsamic.

“Guy and Yianni (the owner) cooked up some great recipes and dishes that will be featured on the Food Network,” a social media post read. “This episode is three months in the making, and it will be enjoyable.”

Born in Rhodes, Greece, and immigrating to the U.S. at 10 years old, Yianni Chalkias opened King Gyros in July of 1991. Chalkias owns and cooks at the restaurant, which specializes in a variety of Greek dishes from baklava to gyros. Yiayia’s dolmades, or the restaurant’s stuffed grape leaves, come from a family recipe and will be featured on the episode.

According to King Gyros, Guy Fieri visited the Greek restaurant on May 31. Fieri was born in Columbus, and this is his second return this summer after a recent visit to Katalina’s aired two weeks earlier.

The invitation is open to the public, but attendees are asked to RSVP so staff can prepare accordingly.

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