Gyro House on KY 54 has seen a major boost in business after introducing Dubai chocolate, a rich, pistachio-filled treat that has quickly gone viral.
Owner Mena Mekaiel said they added the chocolate just a few weeks ago, and the response has been overwhelming.
“We sell like over 300 bars a day,” Mekaiel said. “It’s been busy, busy every day.”
The Dubai chocolate, which features a crunchy chocolate shell filled with pistachios and other ingredients, has drawn widespread attention thanks to TikTok and other social media platforms. Although similar sweets have been enjoyed in the Middle East for years, Mekaiel said this particular version is a newer creation.
“Growing up, we had stuff like it, but this is something new,” he said. “We saw a lot of people asking for it, so we decided to start making it.”
Mekaiel said the chocolate not only brings new customers through the door but also introduces many to the restaurant’s full Mediterranean menu. After trying the chocolate, he said many people stay to sample gyros, platters, wings, and more.
“It’s a lot of new people that we have never seen before,” Mekaiel said. “They come for the chocolate, then they look at the menu, try a sample of the food, and they’re like, ‘Wow.’ Then they end up coming back.”
Mekaiel estimates business has increased by about 40% since adding the Dubai chocolate, helping Gyro House rebound from slower months last year. Despite its location just off KY 54 near Dollar General, Mekaiel said some people still don’t realize how close it is.
“People say we’re too far, but it’s only 10 minutes from everywhere,” he said.
Gyro House, which opened in 2021 as an extension of Mekaiel’s Elizabethtown location, offers dine-in, carry-out, drive-thru, and delivery through DoorDash and Grubhub. The menu includes Mediterranean staples like lamb gyros, chicken platters, falafel, and a range of kid-friendly options.
The Dubai chocolate is available for purchase in-store and through delivery apps, and Mekaiel said it’s priced affordably so more people can try it without paying the high prices seen online.
“We sell it cheap because we make it ourselves,” Mekaiel said. “Sometimes people ask why it’s so cheap compared to online. I just tell them, ‘Come try it and see for yourself.’”
Looking ahead, Mekaiel said Gyro House is working on adding another viral favorite — a strawberry cup filled with chocolate — in response to customer demand.
“We’re always trying to offer more,” he said. “We want people to feel welcome and to keep coming back.”
Gyro House is located at 4551 Spring Hill Drive.
