A Bloomington institution known for its gyros and halal Mediterranean fare is back in business. Gyros Grill has reopened at 8417 Lyndale Ave. S, roughly a year after it closed, now serving gyros, Philly cheesesteaks, falafel, kufta kabobs and other halal dishes out of a larger location.
The reopening was first reported by Bring Me The News, which noted the restaurant had operated for 24 years before closing its previous Bloomington deli and market in 2025. Kareem Ansari, who co-owns Gyros Grill with his father Imad, told the outlet that the business’s popularity had grown even as kitchen, dining-area and parking limitations held it back at the old spot — prompting the search for a larger space near the original location to better serve the community.
From a Neighborhood Deli to a Mediterranean Staple
The roots of Gyros Grill stretch back to 2001, when Imad Ansari and Rand Ansari opened a small grocery store called Cedar Market and Deli at 1710 East Old Shakopee Road. According to the restaurant’s own account on gyrosgrillmn.com, the owners wanted to offer the community imported foods from the Middle East, building the shop around that specialty from the start.
Over time, the deli expanded its offerings and upgraded its kitchen, eventually shifting its focus toward halal Mediterranean dishes. That pivot is what turned Cedar Market and Deli into Gyros Grill, with the business’s website explaining that the gyro sandwiches became known for homemade tzatziki sauce, grilled-to-order meat and fresh-cut vegetables. After 25 years of serving the community from the Old Shakopee Road location, the business made the move to Lyndale Avenue South.
What’s on the Menu at the New Location
At its new Lyndale Avenue South home, Gyros Grill is open daily, serving its signature gyros alongside Philly cheesesteaks, falafel and kufta kabobs. The menu has also grown to include a cafe-style side, with pistachio lattes and Sweet Nia’s Dubai cookies and chocolates now on offer.
The restaurant has held onto part of its original identity as well. Gyros Grill continues to stock a grocery section with imported Middle Eastern foods, a nod to the market roots that started the whole operation back in 2001 as Cedar Market and Deli.
Dining and Cooking