What happens when Greek street food meets an LA-style crunch wrap?
You get something like the Gyro Crunch Wrap at Yasu Guys, a Van Nuys restaurant putting its own modern spin on Greek and Mediterranean street food.
Located near the corner of Vanowen Street and Hazeltine Avenue in Van Nuys, Yasu Guys has created a menu that blends the flavors of Greece with ideas inspired by Los Angeles food culture. From its signature gyro crunch wraps to garlic Parmesan fries and baklava cheesecake, this is the kind of local food spot that gives San Fernando Valley diners something different to try.
We recently stopped by Yasu Guys to learn more about the story behind the restaurant and taste some of its most talked-about dishes.
From Greece to Van Nuys
The story behind Yasu Guys starts in Greece.
Ed, the owner, traveled to Greece and ended up staying there for several years because of the lockdown. During his time there, he developed a deeper appreciation for Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and spent time working on his culinary skills.
One of the foods that stood out to him was the gyro.
He describes it as something comparable to the taco culture of Los Angeles. In Greece, gyros are an everyday street-food experience, something people can grab after a night out or while walking around town.
When Ed returned to Los Angeles, he found himself craving the gyros he had experienced in Greece. Instead of simply searching for a restaurant that could satisfy that craving, he decided to start making his own.
That eventually led to a ghost kitchen, a few fryers, a gyro machine, plenty of practice, and ultimately the beginning of Yasu Guys.
Why Yasu Guys Takes a Different Approach
The goal initially was to create a traditional Greek restaurant.
But Ed quickly discovered that the traditional Greek gyro did not necessarily match what every Los Angeles customer was looking for.
Traditional gyros can be relatively simple, often built around pork, onions, tomatoes, and fries. After several months of trying to introduce the concept, Ed decided to combine his Greek experience with his Los Angeles background.
That became the foundation of Yasu Guys.
Instead of choosing between Greek food and LA food culture, the restaurant brings the two together.
The result is a menu that feels familiar while still being different from the traditional Greek restaurants you might already know.
The Gyro Crunch Wrap
The star of the visit was the Gyro Crunch Wrap.
This isn’t your standard gyro.
Yasu Guys takes the concept of an LA-style crunch wrap and fills it with Greek-inspired ingredients. The version we tried featured beef and lamb, onions, homemade tzatziki sauce, peppers, and chipotle aioli, all wrapped together with a crispy tortilla and crunchy tostada-style center.
The texture is a major part of the experience.
You get the crispiness and char from the tortilla, followed by the juicy beef and lamb, fresh onion, peppers, spicy chipotle aioli, and cool homemade tzatziki.
It’s a lot happening in one bite, but that’s part of what makes the dish so interesting.
The combination of crunchy, juicy, creamy, spicy, and fresh flavors gives the Gyro Crunch Wrap a distinctly LA-meets-Greece personality.
It’s also completely handheld, making it feel like the kind of street food that is meant to be eaten without overthinking it.
Garlic Parmesan Fries
The Gyro Crunch Wrap wasn’t the only standout.
Yasu Guys’ Garlic Parmesan Fries were another favorite during the visit.
The fries are coated with garlic Parmesan flavor without becoming overwhelmingly heavy or oily. They still maintain their crispiness, which is important with a loaded or flavored fry.
The garlic flavor is noticeable without completely taking over.
For garlic lovers, these fries are an easy addition to a meal, especially if you’re ordering something like a Gyro Crunch Wrap and want something to share.
Baklava Cheesecake: Two Desserts in One
Then there is the dessert.
If you like both baklava and cheesecake, Yasu Guys has a combination worth trying: baklava cheesecake.
The dessert brings together the familiar flavors and textures of baklava with a cheesecake base.
One of the things that stood out during the tasting was that it wasn’t overwhelmingly sweet. The cheesecake provides a creamy base while the baklava-inspired topping adds another layer of texture and flavor.
It’s an unexpected way to finish a Greek-inspired meal, especially if you’re already familiar with traditional baklava.
Greek Street Food With an LA Personality
What makes Yasu Guys interesting isn’t simply one menu item.
It’s the idea behind the restaurant.
Ed started with an appreciation for authentic Greek food and the street-food culture he experienced in Greece. But rather than trying to recreate that experience exactly as it was, he brought his own Los Angeles perspective into it.
That’s how dishes like the Gyro Crunch Wrap came to life.
It’s Greek-inspired street food, but with an unmistakable LA influence.
For the San Fernando Valley, that kind of creativity is part of what makes exploring local restaurants so much fun. You can find traditional dishes, fusion concepts, family-owned spots, and restaurants that are creating something completely their own.
Where to Find Yasu Guys in Van Nuys
Yasu Guys is located in Van Nuys at the southeast corner of Vanowen Street and Hazeltine Avenue, inside a strip mall.
If you’re looking for somewhere to try Greek street food with a modern LA twist, Yasu Guys is a local spot to put on your San Fernando Valley food list.
Whether you start with the Gyro Crunch Wrap, add the Garlic Parmesan Fries, or save room for the Baklava Cheesecake, there is plenty here for anyone who enjoys trying something beyond the usual restaurant options.
Supporting Local San Fernando Valley Restaurants
One of the best parts of exploring the San Fernando Valley food scene is discovering restaurants that are doing something different.
Yasu Guys is a great example of that.
Its story starts with Greek food, continues through Ed’s experience in Greece, and ultimately becomes something uniquely connected to Los Angeles.
The next time you’re exploring Van Nuys and looking for a local food experience, consider giving Yasu Guys a try.
Want to See the Food for Yourself?
Watch the Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley video below for a closer look at Yasu Guys, the story behind the restaurant, the Gyro Crunch Wrap, Garlic Parmesan Fries, and Baklava Cheesecake.
And if you enjoy discovering local restaurants and hidden food spots throughout the San Fernando Valley, keep exploring. There is always another local favorite waiting to be found.