Episode Ten/Week 2- Daphne’s

mmm-yoso is on vacation.  The part usually played by Kirk will be played by Cathy in the interim.

So, as I am getting hungry (again) and looking for something relatively inexpensive, I check my email (because in September, The Mister and I share birthdays seven days apart and I let everyone at my spam email address know this) and there are a few e-coupons with some good deals:
Rubios sent me a coupon for a free chips and guacamole with purchase (worth $1.99)
Sammys Woodfired sent me a coupon for a free "Messy Sundae" (worth $7.95, which I would never pay that much for, but we ate it anyhow)
Pat and Oscars sent some sort of two for one coupon, have until Oct 15 to use..
and then there was Daphne’s;Daphne5_1

Yes, it is a chain. They call it  "contemporary, casual, delicious Greek food".  The owner, George Katakalidis, is a former San Diego Socker who also played for other Professional Indoor Soccer teams and also was the Captain of the National Youth Team of Canada. He was born in Greece and adapted the foods for Daphne’s to be Greek, but also consistent throughout the chain.  There are presently 65 locations throughout  California and Arizona. This is a photo of the one in Santee, next to the trolley station.

So, when you sign up on the Daphne’s website to be a VIP member of their e Club, you get a few benefits…one of those benefits is a monthly coupon for something…This month it was for the gyros pita, fries and beverage for $5.49 which is $6.99 as a lunch special or the sandwich by itself is regular $5.29.  This is incentive for us to go. Daphne3 (No, I did not get any coupon for my birthday).

The pita is fresh, the gyros meat is moist, tender, sliced thin and plentiful.  It comes with lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce, which is made with yogurt, cucumber and dill. It is a good, filling sandwich.

Daphne1 The menu is simple, also on the website and prices are consistent throughout the chain.

I usually get the vegetarian platter which has a nice spanakopita, falafel, dolmas and hummus and is served with a Greek salad, rice pilaf, tzatziki and pita bread.  Daphne4 ($8.29)

Today the Mister wanted the Greek chicken salad with avgolemono soup ($6.49 at lunch). Daphne2

The soup is creamy, rich with chicken stock and rice and with a good lemon overtone.

The salad is a plentiful Greek salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, pepperocini, feta cheese, kalmata olives and a home made Greek dressing.  The marinated chicken placed on top is warm.  It is served with more tzatziki and warm pita.

Daphne’s offers a "Fire Feta­®" cheese, which we have tried.  It costs 79¢ more and it just isn’t that thrilling and doesn’t add anything for either the Mister or I..but I see lots of people buying it.

You can always add rice pilaf to any salad for no extra charge here and it is good.

The eclub has its benefits in addition to the monthly coupons.  You register with Daphne’s and can either get a card or give them your phone number each time you order and after you have ordered $200 of food, you get a coupon/gift card for $25.  This is a good deal if maybe you are ordering a lot or go there regularly, maybe for an office. 

Yes, it is a chain.  Yes, you have probably seen it. Go and try it.  The food is not bad and always fresh.

Daphne’s- 65 locations in California and Arizona

Check the  website for specific locations.