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What a delightful combination... authentic Greek cuisine, along with American "comfort food" and diner classics. Dining in the motherload doesn't get any better... We're talking about Yianni's Grill, located in downtown Sonora, CA. As with all of reviews that I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's late in the afternoon, Saturday, June 20, 2026, and I've arrived at Yianni's Grill, located in downtown, Sonora, CA, for a taste of Greece in Tuolumne County. Yianni's Grill is fairly new to the Sonora dining scene, having opened their doors back in February, 2023.
Photo: As you enter the restaurant, you'll be greeted by friendly staff and seated at any open table of your choice. Specials are posted at the counter, including the "Fish Fry Friday," which happens every Friday. Oh, how I regret that today is Saturday!
Photo: The dining room is open, very attractive, and furnished with comfortable tables. There is a small counter, along with a beer and wine bar, with several beers on tap, and more in bottles or cans. The owner of the restaurant, Yianni is behind the counter, taking care of business.
Photo: The restaurant is open six days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here's one page of the lunch/dinner menu with a category that caught my eye: "Burgers." Yianni mentioned American-style hamburgers are very popular in Greece, and there is a local version, known as a "bifteki." I settled on the "Big Fat Greek Burger," which is a large burger with a very Greek heritage. Naturally, I had to order "Greek Fries" to accompany my burger.
Photo: After placing my order, I had the chance to walk around, chit chat with the friendly staff, and watch them perform their magic. You can take a peek into the kitchen, which is in the background behind the counter.
Photo: Meet Michael, my amazingly friendly waiter, who brought my burger and fries to me with a friendly smile. Michael and I enjoyed pleasant conversation, as like me, he's a die-hard "foodie." He certainly is in the right occupation!
Photo: I toast Michael and the friendly staff at Yianni's Grill with a mug of Coors beer. I sat at the window, so I could look out onto Washington Street as I enjoyed my scrumptious burger and fries. Cheers!
Photo: From the "Burgers" section of the menu, I went with a "Big Fat Greek Burger," along with a side of "Greek Fries." The Coors beer served as my not-so-Greek appetizer. The menu describes this Greek-style hamburger as, "Housemade fresh Angus beef patty seasoned with onions, parsley and Greek spices, topped with gyro strips, feta cheese, lettuce, tomato and onions served on a toasted bun with Yianni's special sauce." Sides are additional, and there are several to choose from, but I simply HAD to go with a side of "Greek Fries," to pair perfectly with this delicious Greek-influenced burger. Don't you love the small Greek flag that trims the burger? The burger starts out with a large, fresh, juicy, seasoned Angus beef patty, grilled to a perfect medium. The large meat patty was topped with strips of gyro meat, creamy, melted feta cheese, and Yianni's special sauce. Under the meat was a layer of shredded lettuce, diced tomato and onion. The "Big Fat Greek Burger" is appropriately named, as it's a handful! My super friendly waiter, Michael, had the foresight to bring plenty of napkins, as this burger is both big and juicy! My first bite... was I really in Sonora? ... it tasted of Athens... delicious! The beef was perfectly grilled, seasoned with Greek seasoning to perfection, juicy, tender and delicious. The gyro meat added an exotic taste, along with the creamy, salty, tangy feta cheese, balanced out by the slightly sweet sauce. The lettuce, onion and tomato all contributed to make this a burger to remember. Wow! Today was a new experience for me, as this was the first time in my life that I'd had the chance to enjoy a Greek-style cheeseburger, so to make the experience complete, I went with a side of "Greek Fries." The menu describes the fries as, "Tossed with feta cheese, Greek seasonings and garnished with onions and parsley." The fries were lightly battered, deep fried to a perfect golden brown on the outside, with just the right amount of "crunch," with the inside tender and white. These weren't your diner style fries, as the fries were topped with crumbled feta cheese, diced parsley and seasoned with Greek seasonings. Simply delicious! Yianni stopped by to check on me, and I asked him about the hamburger scene in Greece. He explained that Greece has a thriving American-style hamburger scene, but there is a local burger, called a "bifteki," that blends seasoned ground beef with Mediterranean ingredients, grilled using smash burger techniques. I never knew... Athens meets Sonora at Yianni's Grill... the "Big Fat Greek Burger," and the "Greek Fries" are an amazing combination that will put a smile on the face of burger lovers, especially when you want to take a walk on the exotic side of the burger life. Afto einai pentanostimo!
Photo: I cut my "Big Fat Greek Burger" in half, so I could see all the layers of goodness this amazing burger showcases. Simply delicious! Look at those fries... aren't they a work of art? Lightly battered and deep fried to perfection. Yianni's Grill has made a believer out of me.
Photo: Meet super friendly Yianni, and his charming wife Karen, as they bring dessert to me with a smile. I seldom order dessert, but I simply couldn't resist, as it looked and smelled delicious. I suppose I owe it to myself to indulge every so often.
Photo: For dessert, I went with a slice of "Baklava," along with a small cup of "Greek Espresso." I rarely order dessert, and I never order espresso, but after enjoying my "Big Fat Greek Burger," dessert seemed like the right way to end the evening on a sweet note. Baklava is a popular dessert in the Mediterranean region, and is the quintessential dessert of Greece. I loved the rich, buttery pastry, made from thin slices of dough, baked crispy, topped with chopped pistachios and walnuts, layered and topped with honey. Oh my! Tonight was my first time to enjoy a cup of "Greek Espresso," and I must say, it's not your typical mall or chain store variety, as like the rest of the restaurant, the espresso is Greek! The taste was on the strong side, but super flavorful, and tempered with a rich sweetness - honey? - which made for one of the best cups of espresso that I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. What a great, sweet note to end an amazing Greek/American dinner!
Photo: I hold my cup of "Greek Espresso" before taking a sip, and admire the beauty before I take my first taste. It was love at first sip! I've enjoyed baklava before, so I knew the treat that was to come. The scrumptious "Big Fat Greek Burger," along with the side of "Greek Fries" made my dinner, and the dessert of "Greek Baklava" and the espresso added a sweet touch, which made my Saturday evening complete. The burger, fries and dessert were out-of-this-world delicious, and Yianni and his friendly staff treated me like a rock star. What more could you ask for, to make a memorable and delicious dining experience? You don't have to travel to Athens to enjoy delicious Greek cuisine... as you'll enjoy all of your Greek favorites, along with classic "Americana" cuisine at Yianni's Grill, located in beautiful downtown Sonora, CA. Fine gold country dining! Yianni's Grill Copyright(c) 2026 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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