Quite average. Definitely chipotle style. I ordered a plate and got a LITTLE bit of everything including the meat. Maybe I'm not all that familiar w/ mediterranean food but why do I need the same size scoop of pickle slices as my rice and chicken? At least at chipotle they load you up. Nothing spectacular but edible.
(3)
Michele S.
I went there with a friend of mine who had a Groupon , it was a good deal. He had the greek salad w/Gyro meat, I choose the plate so I could try a little of everything. The falafel was okay, pre cooked and sitting for a little bit served cool, not a lot of spices but okay. The hummus was okay not very good but edible, again fell flat on flavor. The baba ganoush was the worst I have ever had, took one bite and it definitely was not fresh and tasted terrible. The Tabbouleh was okay and was much better than the hummus or the baba ganoush. The rice was good but again on the cold side. I prefer my food to be a little fresher, everything tasted like it had been sitting awhile and store-bought. My friend had the Greek Salad with the Gyro meat, the Gyro meat appeared to be from a package and thrown on the rill for about 2 to 3 mins. very thing, looked like processed food. he got maybe 2 slices, it was okay. nothing special. Granted it was fast food, every that being said it is still expensive for a fast food joint with the quality of food not there and cold pitas out of the box. Staff was nice. I probably would not go there again as I much rather go to other places like Pita Jungle at Happy hour and get better quality of food for about the same price. There is also a place in phoenix off of 7th street that makes their own falafel and it is fantastic, nice spices and fresh for about the same price. You did get a lot for your money but again I would prefer quality over quantity.
(2)
Stacy L.
I love the idea. Yes I've had better but the staff was super friendly. Not annoying friendly, actual friendly. I liked the rice, hummus, and sauces. Chicken was ok. I might try something else but I will come back.
(4)
Tammi T.
Tasty fast food with options for Vegetarians and Vegans. Just moved to the Paradise Valley area and this is hands down my favorite place for a healthier quick meal option. They are not stingy with the portions and I always leave slightly stuffed. So far I've had the build your own plate which I could barely finish and today the gyro. Both chock full of flavorful goodness. Bonus: my to-go bag read: "Live Bait" which is funnier than they know because there are some unscrupulous people at my office who like to steal other people's food. Way to throw 'em off the scent, Garbanzo. Hope you guys are here to stay...
(4)
Rochelle C.
The food is authentic and amazingly fresh. The plate looks just like the menu. I was very pleased. I will come back and bring friends and family.
(5)
Torrey R.
A couple of my friends came to eat here after an event--we were so surprised at the awesomeness! We all play roller derby, so we're always looking for places to eat that are relatively healthy. We were floored that a "Mediterranean Chipotle" exists! The food was awesome, the service was great. They got excited that we were so excited! We literally asked for everything on our plates. I'm a vegetarian, and there were more than plenty of options (good options, not just dinky salad options) for me. And they practiced good glove hygiene! Not to mention all the vegetarian stuff either had tongs or scoops! All-in-all, we had a wonderful experience here and will definitely be frequent customers!
(5)
Nic C.
Super friendly staff and great service. Came in just after the lunch rush (around 12:45)- no wait. Ordered The Greek salad with gyro. Veggies were fresh and full of flavor. Best of all, freshly brewed green and black tea. Two of us with drinks was around $22. Noticed they have a deal after 4pm for $25 that serves 4 people. Will definitely be back again.
(4)
Dee M.
My husband and I had the pleasure of having lunch here today. A salesperson at REI recommended it as we were looking for a healthy lunch in the area. Super fresh and very tasty food. We both had a custom made gyros and we both enjoyed them completely. Very satisfying yet the food felt light to eat (no heavy bloated feeling afterwards.) We highly recommend and will make a point of going there when we're in the PV area.
(5)
Aaryn M.
I know when younger looking people go in places, people don't really bother to work there best considering they're there peers but my visit was one of the worst visits I've had at your store... Pretty upsetting on how terrible the customer service was when I only ordered 1 thing but 4 other people r allowed to pass me in line. Completely unacceptable, wasn't even offered a beverage an didn't get to complete my Oder how I wanted it. That'll be the last visit there for me, an I'll be encouraging others to do the same. I'd highly consider a talk with your employes on professionalism an just flat out courtesy to your guests.
(1)
Alicia F.
This is not the place to go for Mediterranean food..The gyros were awful. The hummus was so disgusting. The person in front of me ordered one of their chicken plates... They put the chicken on the grill for less then two mins.. Which means it had to be precooked.. And they pull out a cold pita out of a container bin. I can say I am not impressed with the quality it can't even be compared to a chipotle.. It's that awful...
(2)
Deborah B.
Four stars for the falafel alone. My partner got extra and I ate them later on that night for a snack. Everything else was great--a nice play on the Chipotle business model. But, oh, falafel....
(4)
James S.
First visit to Garbanzo's. Was not impressed. Food looked like it was sitting for quite a while. They try to play it as "healthy" but there are so many Med restaurants in the area that just absolutely clean their clock. The use "non-hydrogenated" oil (canola) to deep fry. But when you look at the ingredients for their salad dressings and sauces, they have "hydrogenated soybean oil" in just about everything. Not healthy, not fresh, and not impressed. Everything looks like it comes right out of a plastic bag from some corporate office. Definitely not a Chipolte!
(1)
Drew E.
Food = very good. Service = very nice. Definitely will be back. My suggestion/complaint is that the website and the Yelp profile says "Delivery: Yes." No, that's not correct. They only deliver for orders of $100 or more.
(4)
Gidget S.
This is the Mediterranean version of a Chipotle in the sense that you pick out what you want each step of the way. All of the ingredients were very fresh. I had a wrap with some tabbouleh and fresh red cabbage. The chicken was a little chewy, but everything else was delicious. My favorite part was the vegetable salad they put in my wrap. It had fresh cucumber in it and it was a perfect lunch on a hot day. The service was very quick and the restaurant was comfortable.
(4)
Guy H.
Hey everyone, I just recently discovered this great spot! I have been coming in for lunch as much as I can now that I tried it. The first thing I noticed was that they were busy, but they got my order and food fast which is important to my limited time for lunches during the week. The staff was super friendly explaining the menu and how I can custom order, very helpful for my first time there. The food is great! Very fresh and healthy. I haven't been able to pick a favorite of mine yet, but I can tell you that I haven't been able to find anything that I wouldn't order again which is nice because at other places I normally find one or two things that I stick with and end up getting burnt out on them. It's nice to love everything that i have tried so far, means I'll be able to come here for a long time! Not sure what else I can say other than you should check them out, you won't be disappointed! It was also an added bonus that it only took them a few times seeing me that they remembered my name. Strong work to everyone at Garbanzos on Cactus. See you guys on my lunch break!
(5)
N M.
Best falafel and hummus in Phoenix. Fast clean and yummy. Definitely a repeat offender. Cactus location seems a little better run than Desert Ridge but both are delicious. It's definitely a great choice for vegetarian like me.
(5)
Heather M.
I love this place! The food is amazing and the staff is so friendly that I love going here to eat. My friend and I went here for lunch. We eat completely different diets, but were both able to have a delicious, healthy and inexpensive lunch. I chose the plate lunch with grilled portobello mushrooms. Excellent! I thought the falafal with the cilantro sauce was delicious! I didn't have the pita so I can't comment on it. The staff was friendly, smiling the whole time and patient while I perused the variety of options. Close to work, I'll definitely be back.
(5)
David T.
I asked for a laffa and got a totilla wrap, staff are clueless, pita bread was not soft and just crumbled. My son ordered a pita pocket, with just salad and hummus, $8.00. Not worth the money. Dont see this place lasting very long. Will not go back. Falafel is from frozen. I lived in Israel for many years, and this is an embarrasment to Israeli food. I am so disappointed.
(1)
Joe T.
Staff was great, food not so much, everything tasted off. The worst gyro meat I had in my life.
(1)
Herbie H.
Rice was greasy. Overall food is good but fell flat in quantity. Serving size should be worked on.
(3)
Michelle W.
Update: 3/8/15: I still love garbanzo! They have added gyro to their menu and it's great! I love getting a gyro pita sandwich as they make it fresh in house throughout the day! Definitely ask for a fresh, hot pita when you go! It's one of my favorite parts! This new place is awesome! I got a pita with steak and a tomato soup-- it was all very fresh and tasty! The employees were very friendly and let me try a couple of sauces. The Mediterranean garlic was my favorite! I will definitely be back soon! Thank you for a new healthy fast casual restaurant!
(5)
Tamika J.
You go through the line like Chipotle or Subway and pick your ingredients. Some of the items weren't really fresh. Falafel was room temperature. Other items were cold, so basically I had a cold falafel pita sandwich thing. It shouldn't be a cold sandwich.
(3)
Rick B.
This is our first trip to Garbanzos. Lets start with the good points. The babaganoush was really good and so were the mushrooms. That's all the good things I can say. The taboulli tasted very bland, I don't think there was any lemon on it all all. The steak did not taste very good, like almost every thing we tried it was under seasoned. I was hoping for new place to go but we won't be back.
(2)
Vivian P.
I'm having my kitchen remodeled and ordered 3 steak kabaob platters and a greek salad with falafel, totaling more than $40. Disappointing is the best I've got...dry, salty overfried falafel, soggy greek salad, crunchy overseasoned rice, and steak so over cooked and chewy, my dogs looked at me in disgust when I put in their bowls. I don't have a problem spending $40 bucks for "higher end takeout", but I really feel ripped off here. Next time, I'll spend a little more at Eden Grill and feel that I've been fed instead of screwed.
(1)
jeff y.
Went to the Desert Ridge location.They have the frozen slices of gyros that they throw on the grill, not the 'real' gyros on a spit. Why bother? So I had the steak gyros... bad decision. Very tough, barely edible. Wife had the chicken gyros, said it was pretty bad, tasted frozen. My first and last time eating here.
I went their last night for dinner after reading the review here on Yelp. They mailed a "buy on; get one free" coupon to my house which how I learned about them. I was really looking forward to it because there aren't any Gyro places in my area. My friend is from Turkey and loves Gyro. They offered us a free Falafel tasting while we were standing in line to order. I'd read an unfavorable rating about their Falafel so was looking forward to trying it for myself. We both agreed it was dry, overcooked and tasteless; actually terrible. With that we decided we'd both order a standard Gyro sandwich. It was the worst Gyro either of us ever had. They have a nice concept of healthy ingredients but unfortunately they don't have their recipe right. It was tasteless and for us worse, a bad taste. We frequent Mediterranean, Middle East and Israeli restaurants frequently and have both traveled the world extensively. We understand they make their own pita, it was OK but not pita as we know it. We didn't like the sauce. Their gyro at least wasn't the standard prepackage frozen gyro we've received at many places here in the valley. It was our last time their. With this introduction, we wouldn't even risk a second visit. BTW, there staff and service were wonderful. However when my friend began asking question it was obvious they didn't have any knowledge about "true" Mediterranean food. This is more of a fast food American version of a tasteless "American" version. I was disappointed because it's conveniently located near my house. We came home and made Turkish coffee just to get the bad taste out of our mouths.
(1)
Layne S.
The guys behind the counter are very helpful and spent plenty of time explaining how to order. They are generous with portions, the hunks of chicken on the kabobs are huge and there are so many vegetarian options as well. The falafel and hummus was delicious as we're the sauces. And it's healthy!!!
(5)
Melissa S.
Lemongrass ginger green tea is fabulous! I got a plate with a little bit of everything! The vegetable salad and hummus were particularly delicious. Very friendly service from Jon! I'll be back!
(4)
Jenny S.
The service was excellent and the food was yummy. I'm excited to come back and try more things.
(4)
Marc G.
I find myself in here every other weekend. They do a great job with the falafel, salads and chicken and lamb. The food is fresh and quickly served. Do not miss the mint lemonade, a real find.
(4)
Daniel E.
Love your restaurant but please get rid of the cheap sriracha sauce from china. I won't eat anything from china. Use the real red rooster sriracha sauce please. Anything else is cheap looking and it doesn't match your restaurant.
(4)
Karla C.
Good choice for the healthy either. I wish there should be more around. A plate or salad is a good choice.
(5)
Erica G.
Great place for lunch! Quick. Reasonably priced. Decent food. Try it. You'll like it.
(3)
Jim K.
Place was nice and clean. Large family order in front of us from group so it was a wait for us to move through the line. Employees were not that polite as maybe they were training. I had the steak gyro which ended up being cold and chewy, but overall ok taste. My guest had one chicken and one steak kabob which they thought tasted good. For the overall experience, it was just like other gyro places at the same price point. If I had to make a choice, I would pick the non chain gryo place where I get more quantity and better quality in my opinon. For a family outing with kids with the kids menu this would be a great choice.
(3)
Patricia B.
Either something is wrong with me or Garbanzo has the best stuffed grape leaves ever... I love them Awesome customer service. You can tell great customer service is a pillar in their business model. I loved the chicken lemon soup too.
(4)
Amy C.
I liked the concept, but it just fell flat for me. The food wasn't very flavorful, the falafel was overdone and the chicken was not breast meat. The staff was really nice, but I don't think i would go back.
(3)
Meg G.
Wanted to try something new. Came in and I was greeting right away and all of my questions were answered and I had a terrific meal! I got the plate with the falafel. So good! I got alittle of everything to try it out. The customer service was outstanding and everyone was smiling and happy, and the food was terrific. The establishment was very clean, even the restrooms. Stephanie was just great and was really helpful. She gave me some of the best customer service I have had in a long time and she was very knowledgable.
(5)
Scott S.
If you're into McDonald's or Burger King, Garbanzo might not be the place for you. But, if you care about eating healthy, love fresh ingredients and appreciate a friendly staff that has actual knowledge of the food they are serving you, you will LOVE Garbanzo! The Falafel Pita with Babaganoush, and a Greek Salad are my go-tos. And, they have gluten free items. Try it. You'll Love It!
(5)
Nathan P.
If you are searching for Mediterranean food, steer clear. The Humus was horrible. The Gyros were dry and tasteless. This can not be cut off a spit. If it is they are doing it wrong. Was disappointed in this place. It had the potential to be great!! but fell WAY short of the goal. Not returning.
(2)
Jennifer H.
Healthy, fast, lots of choices. The good was great, I had a healthy salad. Would ask for half dressing half taziki next time. The gyro meat was a little dried out. Falafel was really good.
(4)
Georgie M.
Fabulous find. We were leaving Macy's and I asked "where do you want to go for lunch?" We remembered there was a Habit Burger across the street, so off we went. So here we are walking past Garbanzo. It was very dark inside with their tinted windows and the signs on the window said "Space Available." So I thought "Wow" that was fast, didn't they just open? Well, another Phoenix business has closed. We get to Habit and the line is out onto the sidewalk. D'oh! But just then, someone leaves Garbanzo and the lights inside tell a different story. Yes, they're open. It turns out the sign "Space Available", was for another store. So the heck with burgers, let's eat Greek/Middle Eastern. Sorry Habit! Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is like the Chipotle's for the Gryos and hummus crowd. It's actually more of a fast food version of Pita Jungle. The food is really good and fresh! Lunch ran us under $20 and we left very impressed. Enjoy!
(4)
Roz A.
Good, affordable, healthy, fast without being "fast food" - love their gyro and their pita sandwiches. And their homemade mint lemonade is to die for. I'm becoming a regular while running errands in the Cactus & Tatum area.
(4)
Paula M.
Tons of awesome choices! Fresh and seasoned perfectly. Fresh and fast. Crunchy and seasoned well.
(5)
Brad W.
Not a place I will be spending any time or money. They are supposed to offer you a sample of falafel upon entrance, but nobody ever did. I asked myself and was given an overcooked, burnt falafel ball. It was horribly dry and decrepit and not fit for human consumption. Was then thinking about getting a chicken wrap, but no white meat available. So you have a white meat kabob, but not white meat anything else? Strange, but props to employee who corrected another employee on the white meat situation. After that, no reasons left to stay, so out the door.
(1)
Therese S.
Horrible. Chicken was dry. They were out of pitas. Hummus not good. Out of 6 of us, most of what was ordered could not be eaten. Would not go back
(1)
Shakira E.
Tonight Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill was on point, the counter person offered me a free falafel and it was on from there. I asked about the portobello mushrooms and he told me that they could do a half portobello and falafel option. That's all I needed to hear I immediately said make me a platter with Falafel & Portobello Mushrooms, hummus, baba ganoush, seasoned rice, tabouli, Greek salad, red cabbage, pickles and olives. Pretty awesome meal and with tax it was only $7.57. To keep it vegan ask for the pita they use for the gyros or skip the pita. They whole dish was packed with flavor hence the extra star this time. This place is close to home and I am kicking myself for not coming here more often. Next time I will add some roasted eggplant soup and try their house made chips.
(5)
Amy C.
I had a traditional Gyro. It was SO fresh and the Cilantro sauce was like nothing I've tasted before. Clean environment and friendly staff. Gave great recommendations to our whole party.
(5)
Halle R.
Two words: On point! Drove by and noticed a "Now Open" sign and thought I'd try it. This is an incredible take on the make your own plate philosophy. The chicken and steak were wonderful, and each side they have is created with fresh ingredients! You have the choice of loading your plate with any sides or toppings you want. It is such a great place to get your veggies in. They also have a portobello option for protein. I hope that Garbanzo takes flight and multiplies throughout the Valley! Not to mention, they also have great service. Someone came by to make sure I had everything I needed. Thanks Garbanzo!
(5)
Evan B.
You had me when I was offered to try a falafel when I walked in. So you may know I am a falfel junkie, and this place is not helping. They have falfel, and other items like chicken and beef but veg me just gets the flafel. The next choice is the format, Plate, Pita or wrap. The plate is by far the best value and great if you have a problem deciding. You get to pick what "salads" you want Hummus, babaganush, cucumber tomato, cabbage and more, just get them all. Then sauces Tahnini spicy scug get them on the side. and don't forget that comes with a pita. One key is to get the falafel fresh, you want it stright from the fryer and not sitting in the line for 20-30 min as it looses the crunch.
(4)
Anna B.
It's a fine place but both times I have been there I have been underwhelmed by the quality and flavor. I go a pita the first time and they did not mix the ingredients but piled them on so that I would have one bite of all meat, then one of all veggies, and ended with a mound of hummus at the bottom.
(2)
Shane T.
I have had lunch here twice, but our office has had their catering option a few times. Lunch was spot on and very good. Portion sizes are great and you can tell they make the food fresh. The catering is the best deal, for sure, though. We ordered for about 15 people, but there was a nice amount of left overs I had the next day, too. The catering presentation is great and they come and set-up and label everything. I would recommend them for lunch and highly recommend the catering options. It's a nice break from all the other fast casual places out there. Oh, and the cookies are awesome, too! Fresh, hot out of the oven when I got them.
(5)
Vanessa P.
Love love love this place! They closed them all in Maryland so when we moved to AZ I was so excited to come here again! Great staff at this location as well!!!!!
(5)
Erin P.
I didn't mind the taste of the food and it was super quick, but when I found a cockroach in my meal, it was game over. I will not be going back.
(1)
Ashley P.
I really was not so impressed with this "Mediterranean" restaurant. Yes, it had hummus. Yes, it had dolmades. Yes, it had gyro. But it was the most inauthentic tasting Mediterranean food I've had. I got the chicken pita and it was incredibly plain; no seasonings or anything. We were offered a sample of the falafel which was a mistake because it was fried waaay too long. Not a good impression. The dolmades were decent, but not worth saving this place.
(2)
Ashley D.
With today's food brands locked in (I.e. Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald's) starting up a new restaurant can be tricky. I'm not sure why I waited so long to try this place, but I'm hooked!! It's EXACTLY like Chipotle but for Mediterranean food! Fresh ingredients, flavorful and surprisingly authentic! The rice tastes exactly like my mom makes! I was overjoyed, surprised, and I may just pick up a second job just to eat here everyday forever!
(5)
Savage T.
Love this place. Always very clean, and the staff is cheerful and friendly. Food is awesome, can't get enough of the skewers and cilantro sauce. I have also used them for catering many times, and everyone is always impressed with the quality of the food.
(5)
Nicki F.
I love this place! Super fresh ingredients and the food is spot on every time. I would highly recommend!
(5)
Nick N.
I swung into Garbanzos last week early afternoon and was extremely impressed by the friendliness of all the employees. As soon as I walked in, they offered me a couple different tastes to help me decide what to order as this was my first time there. I ordered a chicken/rice/hummus plate for my son and the gyro for me. Extremely fresh and flavorful! Had a great lunch and so much better than your typical fast food.
(5)
Alpha B.
The food is garbage - fast food Mediterranean at best. This place thinks its the Mediterranean Chipotle but doesn't come close to executing and the food quality isn't good at all. The food quality is poor on both quality and taste. If you're expecting all white meat chicken, you'' be disappointed. And fresh pitas? Nope, pulled straight out of a packaged bag right in front of you. There are definitely better alternatives available and there is no way I'll be going back to this place. Very disappointing.
(1)
Trent P.
This place is a Greek fast-food, chain restaurant. I wasn't overly impressed. I had the gyro which could have used a second dose of gyro meat, although the veggies were fresh. The falafel was over cooked. The restaurant was completely empty on a Monday at lunch time, sad. We had such high hopes too. I will go to Saba's or My Big Fat Greek for my gyros from now on.
This place was great. Much like the Chipotle format only Greek. A nice healthy option for those of us who are looking for that.
(4)
John D.
Not a huge on franchise/chains. Having said that the food was good. If you are looking for a quick healthy meal, you can get it here.
(3)
Leslie M.
This place is basically a Greek Chipotle. It's new. It's clean. It's fast. It's reasonably priced. It's fresh. The food is....okay. If you want a quick lunch and prefer something better than a fast food yuck burger then this place is a great option. If your wanting flavorful, authentic Mediterranean food this isn't it.
(3)
Ulysses A.
I went here a few weeks back and I was not impressed at all! This joint is like a knock off of Greek restaurants. The food was simple and with no flavor. The staff was decent.
(2)
David P.
I really love the wraps. I can have chicken or beef when I want it or even go veggie with portabella. Change it up each time. I get some falafel in it too! Always lots of flavor and I don't leave hungry. I love the fresh made potato chips, too.
(5)
Kim S.
This is my second time eating Garbanzos this week! We just love it. The meal in the restaurant was fresh and delicious with incredible customer service. The owners are so nice and genuinely want to make sure you are happy with your food. The gyros with tzadiki is delicious! We had lunch catered at my work today. Not only did they deliver but the set up was so nice. Everything was clearly labeled and the variety is incredible. Definitely an affordable and great catering option.
(5)
Dave N.
Really great 'fast' food - healthy and quick but everything was just SO flavorful! I got a veggie wrap and the flavors of everything worked so well - hummus, pickles, cabbage, rice, lettuce - the tahini dressing was amazing and the Greek vinaigrette finished it off nicely! I almost went back for another one! My husband got the steak wrap with hummus, lettuce, tabbouleh, tzatziki, and rice and he said he was really good as well. We also got the season chips which were great as well. This place is basically a Mediterranean Chipotle
(5)
Meg G.
Wanted to try something new. Came in and I was greeting right away and all of my questions were answered and I had a terrific meal! I got the plate with the falafel. So good! I got alittle of everything to try it out. The customer service was outstanding and everyone was smiling and happy, and the food was terrific. The establishment was very clean, even the restrooms. Stephanie was just great and was really helpful. She gave me some of the best customer service I have had in a long time and she was very knowledgable.
(5)
Scott S.
If you're into McDonald's or Burger King, Garbanzo might not be the place for you. But, if you care about eating healthy, love fresh ingredients and appreciate a friendly staff that has actual knowledge of the food they are serving you, you will LOVE Garbanzo! The Falafel Pita with Babaganoush, and a Greek Salad are my go-tos. And, they have gluten free items. Try it. You'll Love It!
(5)
Nathan P.
If you are searching for Mediterranean food, steer clear. The Humus was horrible. The Gyros were dry and tasteless. This can not be cut off a spit. If it is they are doing it wrong. Was disappointed in this place. It had the potential to be great!! but fell WAY short of the goal. Not returning.
(2)
Jennifer H.
Healthy, fast, lots of choices. The good was great, I had a healthy salad. Would ask for half dressing half taziki next time. The gyro meat was a little dried out. Falafel was really good.
(4)
Nic C.
Super friendly staff and great service. Came in just after the lunch rush (around 12:45)- no wait. Ordered The Greek salad with gyro. Veggies were fresh and full of flavor. Best of all, freshly brewed green and black tea. Two of us with drinks was around $22. Noticed they have a deal after 4pm for $25 that serves 4 people. Will definitely be back again.
(4)
Dee M.
My husband and I had the pleasure of having lunch here today. A salesperson at REI recommended it as we were looking for a healthy lunch in the area. Super fresh and very tasty food. We both had a custom made gyros and we both enjoyed them completely. Very satisfying yet the food felt light to eat (no heavy bloated feeling afterwards.) We highly recommend and will make a point of going there when we're in the PV area.
(5)
Aaryn M.
I know when younger looking people go in places, people don't really bother to work there best considering they're there peers but my visit was one of the worst visits I've had at your store... Pretty upsetting on how terrible the customer service was when I only ordered 1 thing but 4 other people r allowed to pass me in line. Completely unacceptable, wasn't even offered a beverage an didn't get to complete my Oder how I wanted it. That'll be the last visit there for me, an I'll be encouraging others to do the same. I'd highly consider a talk with your employes on professionalism an just flat out courtesy to your guests.
(1)
Alicia F.
This is not the place to go for Mediterranean food..The gyros were awful. The hummus was so disgusting. The person in front of me ordered one of their chicken plates... They put the chicken on the grill for less then two mins.. Which means it had to be precooked.. And they pull out a cold pita out of a container bin. I can say I am not impressed with the quality it can't even be compared to a chipotle.. It's that awful...
(2)
Deborah B.
Four stars for the falafel alone. My partner got extra and I ate them later on that night for a snack. Everything else was great--a nice play on the Chipotle business model. But, oh, falafel....
(4)
James S.
First visit to Garbanzo's. Was not impressed. Food looked like it was sitting for quite a while. They try to play it as "healthy" but there are so many Med restaurants in the area that just absolutely clean their clock. The use "non-hydrogenated" oil (canola) to deep fry. But when you look at the ingredients for their salad dressings and sauces, they have "hydrogenated soybean oil" in just about everything. Not healthy, not fresh, and not impressed. Everything looks like it comes right out of a plastic bag from some corporate office. Definitely not a Chipolte!
(1)
Drew E.
Food = very good. Service = very nice. Definitely will be back. My suggestion/complaint is that the website and the Yelp profile says "Delivery: Yes." No, that's not correct. They only deliver for orders of $100 or more.
(4)
Georgie M.
Fabulous find. We were leaving Macy's and I asked "where do you want to go for lunch?" We remembered there was a Habit Burger across the street, so off we went. So here we are walking past Garbanzo. It was very dark inside with their tinted windows and the signs on the window said "Space Available." So I thought "Wow" that was fast, didn't they just open? Well, another Phoenix business has closed. We get to Habit and the line is out onto the sidewalk. D'oh! But just then, someone leaves Garbanzo and the lights inside tell a different story. Yes, they're open. It turns out the sign "Space Available", was for another store. So the heck with burgers, let's eat Greek/Middle Eastern. Sorry Habit! Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is like the Chipotle's for the Gryos and hummus crowd. It's actually more of a fast food version of Pita Jungle. The food is really good and fresh! Lunch ran us under $20 and we left very impressed. Enjoy!
(4)
Roz A.
Good, affordable, healthy, fast without being "fast food" - love their gyro and their pita sandwiches. And their homemade mint lemonade is to die for. I'm becoming a regular while running errands in the Cactus & Tatum area.
(4)
Paula M.
Tons of awesome choices! Fresh and seasoned perfectly. Fresh and fast. Crunchy and seasoned well.
(5)
Brad W.
Not a place I will be spending any time or money. They are supposed to offer you a sample of falafel upon entrance, but nobody ever did. I asked myself and was given an overcooked, burnt falafel ball. It was horribly dry and decrepit and not fit for human consumption. Was then thinking about getting a chicken wrap, but no white meat available. So you have a white meat kabob, but not white meat anything else? Strange, but props to employee who corrected another employee on the white meat situation. After that, no reasons left to stay, so out the door.
(1)
Therese S.
Horrible. Chicken was dry. They were out of pitas. Hummus not good. Out of 6 of us, most of what was ordered could not be eaten. Would not go back
(1)
Shakira E.
Tonight Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill was on point, the counter person offered me a free falafel and it was on from there. I asked about the portobello mushrooms and he told me that they could do a half portobello and falafel option. That's all I needed to hear I immediately said make me a platter with Falafel & Portobello Mushrooms, hummus, baba ganoush, seasoned rice, tabouli, Greek salad, red cabbage, pickles and olives. Pretty awesome meal and with tax it was only $7.57. To keep it vegan ask for the pita they use for the gyros or skip the pita. They whole dish was packed with flavor hence the extra star this time. This place is close to home and I am kicking myself for not coming here more often. Next time I will add some roasted eggplant soup and try their house made chips.
(5)
Amy C.
I had a traditional Gyro. It was SO fresh and the Cilantro sauce was like nothing I've tasted before. Clean environment and friendly staff. Gave great recommendations to our whole party.
(5)
Jim K.
Place was nice and clean. Large family order in front of us from group so it was a wait for us to move through the line. Employees were not that polite as maybe they were training. I had the steak gyro which ended up being cold and chewy, but overall ok taste. My guest had one chicken and one steak kabob which they thought tasted good. For the overall experience, it was just like other gyro places at the same price point. If I had to make a choice, I would pick the non chain gryo place where I get more quantity and better quality in my opinon. For a family outing with kids with the kids menu this would be a great choice.
(3)
Patricia B.
Either something is wrong with me or Garbanzo has the best stuffed grape leaves ever... I love them Awesome customer service. You can tell great customer service is a pillar in their business model. I loved the chicken lemon soup too.
(4)
Amy C.
I liked the concept, but it just fell flat for me. The food wasn't very flavorful, the falafel was overdone and the chicken was not breast meat. The staff was really nice, but I don't think i would go back.
Two words: On point! Drove by and noticed a "Now Open" sign and thought I'd try it. This is an incredible take on the make your own plate philosophy. The chicken and steak were wonderful, and each side they have is created with fresh ingredients! You have the choice of loading your plate with any sides or toppings you want. It is such a great place to get your veggies in. They also have a portobello option for protein. I hope that Garbanzo takes flight and multiplies throughout the Valley! Not to mention, they also have great service. Someone came by to make sure I had everything I needed. Thanks Garbanzo!
(5)
Evan B.
You had me when I was offered to try a falafel when I walked in. So you may know I am a falfel junkie, and this place is not helping. They have falfel, and other items like chicken and beef but veg me just gets the flafel. The next choice is the format, Plate, Pita or wrap. The plate is by far the best value and great if you have a problem deciding. You get to pick what "salads" you want Hummus, babaganush, cucumber tomato, cabbage and more, just get them all. Then sauces Tahnini spicy scug get them on the side. and don't forget that comes with a pita. One key is to get the falafel fresh, you want it stright from the fryer and not sitting in the line for 20-30 min as it looses the crunch.
(4)
Anna B.
It's a fine place but both times I have been there I have been underwhelmed by the quality and flavor. I go a pita the first time and they did not mix the ingredients but piled them on so that I would have one bite of all meat, then one of all veggies, and ended with a mound of hummus at the bottom.
(2)
Shane T.
I have had lunch here twice, but our office has had their catering option a few times. Lunch was spot on and very good. Portion sizes are great and you can tell they make the food fresh. The catering is the best deal, for sure, though. We ordered for about 15 people, but there was a nice amount of left overs I had the next day, too. The catering presentation is great and they come and set-up and label everything. I would recommend them for lunch and highly recommend the catering options. It's a nice break from all the other fast casual places out there. Oh, and the cookies are awesome, too! Fresh, hot out of the oven when I got them.
(5)
Vanessa P.
Love love love this place! They closed them all in Maryland so when we moved to AZ I was so excited to come here again! Great staff at this location as well!!!!!
(5)
Erin P.
I didn't mind the taste of the food and it was super quick, but when I found a cockroach in my meal, it was game over. I will not be going back.
(1)
Ashley P.
I really was not so impressed with this "Mediterranean" restaurant. Yes, it had hummus. Yes, it had dolmades. Yes, it had gyro. But it was the most inauthentic tasting Mediterranean food I've had. I got the chicken pita and it was incredibly plain; no seasonings or anything. We were offered a sample of the falafel which was a mistake because it was fried waaay too long. Not a good impression. The dolmades were decent, but not worth saving this place.
(2)
Ashley D.
With today's food brands locked in (I.e. Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald's) starting up a new restaurant can be tricky. I'm not sure why I waited so long to try this place, but I'm hooked!! It's EXACTLY like Chipotle but for Mediterranean food! Fresh ingredients, flavorful and surprisingly authentic! The rice tastes exactly like my mom makes! I was overjoyed, surprised, and I may just pick up a second job just to eat here everyday forever!
(5)
Savage T.
Love this place. Always very clean, and the staff is cheerful and friendly. Food is awesome, can't get enough of the skewers and cilantro sauce. I have also used them for catering many times, and everyone is always impressed with the quality of the food.
(5)
Nicki F.
I love this place! Super fresh ingredients and the food is spot on every time. I would highly recommend!
(5)
Nick N.
I swung into Garbanzos last week early afternoon and was extremely impressed by the friendliness of all the employees. As soon as I walked in, they offered me a couple different tastes to help me decide what to order as this was my first time there. I ordered a chicken/rice/hummus plate for my son and the gyro for me. Extremely fresh and flavorful! Had a great lunch and so much better than your typical fast food.
(5)
Alpha B.
The food is garbage - fast food Mediterranean at best. This place thinks its the Mediterranean Chipotle but doesn't come close to executing and the food quality isn't good at all. The food quality is poor on both quality and taste. If you're expecting all white meat chicken, you'' be disappointed. And fresh pitas? Nope, pulled straight out of a packaged bag right in front of you. There are definitely better alternatives available and there is no way I'll be going back to this place. Very disappointing.
(1)
Trent P.
This place is a Greek fast-food, chain restaurant. I wasn't overly impressed. I had the gyro which could have used a second dose of gyro meat, although the veggies were fresh. The falafel was over cooked. The restaurant was completely empty on a Monday at lunch time, sad. We had such high hopes too. I will go to Saba's or My Big Fat Greek for my gyros from now on.
This place was great. Much like the Chipotle format only Greek. A nice healthy option for those of us who are looking for that.
(4)
John D.
Not a huge on franchise/chains. Having said that the food was good. If you are looking for a quick healthy meal, you can get it here.
(3)
Leslie M.
This place is basically a Greek Chipotle. It's new. It's clean. It's fast. It's reasonably priced. It's fresh. The food is....okay. If you want a quick lunch and prefer something better than a fast food yuck burger then this place is a great option. If your wanting flavorful, authentic Mediterranean food this isn't it.
(3)
Ulysses A.
I went here a few weeks back and I was not impressed at all! This joint is like a knock off of Greek restaurants. The food was simple and with no flavor. The staff was decent.
(2)
David P.
I really love the wraps. I can have chicken or beef when I want it or even go veggie with portabella. Change it up each time. I get some falafel in it too! Always lots of flavor and I don't leave hungry. I love the fresh made potato chips, too.
(5)
Kim S.
This is my second time eating Garbanzos this week! We just love it. The meal in the restaurant was fresh and delicious with incredible customer service. The owners are so nice and genuinely want to make sure you are happy with your food. The gyros with tzadiki is delicious! We had lunch catered at my work today. Not only did they deliver but the set up was so nice. Everything was clearly labeled and the variety is incredible. Definitely an affordable and great catering option.
(5)
Dave N.
Really great 'fast' food - healthy and quick but everything was just SO flavorful! I got a veggie wrap and the flavors of everything worked so well - hummus, pickles, cabbage, rice, lettuce - the tahini dressing was amazing and the Greek vinaigrette finished it off nicely! I almost went back for another one! My husband got the steak wrap with hummus, lettuce, tabbouleh, tzatziki, and rice and he said he was really good as well. We also got the season chips which were great as well. This place is basically a Mediterranean Chipotle
(5)
Tammi T.
Tasty fast food with options for Vegetarians and Vegans. Just moved to the Paradise Valley area and this is hands down my favorite place for a healthier quick meal option. They are not stingy with the portions and I always leave slightly stuffed. So far I've had the build your own plate which I could barely finish and today the gyro. Both chock full of flavorful goodness. Bonus: my to-go bag read: "Live Bait" which is funnier than they know because there are some unscrupulous people at my office who like to steal other people's food. Way to throw 'em off the scent, Garbanzo. Hope you guys are here to stay...
(4)
Rochelle C.
The food is authentic and amazingly fresh. The plate looks just like the menu. I was very pleased. I will come back and bring friends and family.
(5)
Torrey R.
A couple of my friends came to eat here after an event--we were so surprised at the awesomeness! We all play roller derby, so we're always looking for places to eat that are relatively healthy. We were floored that a "Mediterranean Chipotle" exists! The food was awesome, the service was great. They got excited that we were so excited! We literally asked for everything on our plates. I'm a vegetarian, and there were more than plenty of options (good options, not just dinky salad options) for me. And they practiced good glove hygiene! Not to mention all the vegetarian stuff either had tongs or scoops! All-in-all, we had a wonderful experience here and will definitely be frequent customers!
(5)
Gidget S.
This is the Mediterranean version of a Chipotle in the sense that you pick out what you want each step of the way. All of the ingredients were very fresh. I had a wrap with some tabbouleh and fresh red cabbage. The chicken was a little chewy, but everything else was delicious. My favorite part was the vegetable salad they put in my wrap. It had fresh cucumber in it and it was a perfect lunch on a hot day. The service was very quick and the restaurant was comfortable.
(4)
Guy H.
Hey everyone, I just recently discovered this great spot! I have been coming in for lunch as much as I can now that I tried it. The first thing I noticed was that they were busy, but they got my order and food fast which is important to my limited time for lunches during the week. The staff was super friendly explaining the menu and how I can custom order, very helpful for my first time there. The food is great! Very fresh and healthy. I haven't been able to pick a favorite of mine yet, but I can tell you that I haven't been able to find anything that I wouldn't order again which is nice because at other places I normally find one or two things that I stick with and end up getting burnt out on them. It's nice to love everything that i have tried so far, means I'll be able to come here for a long time! Not sure what else I can say other than you should check them out, you won't be disappointed! It was also an added bonus that it only took them a few times seeing me that they remembered my name. Strong work to everyone at Garbanzos on Cactus. See you guys on my lunch break!
(5)
N M.
Best falafel and hummus in Phoenix. Fast clean and yummy. Definitely a repeat offender. Cactus location seems a little better run than Desert Ridge but both are delicious. It's definitely a great choice for vegetarian like me.
(5)
Heather M.
I love this place! The food is amazing and the staff is so friendly that I love going here to eat. My friend and I went here for lunch. We eat completely different diets, but were both able to have a delicious, healthy and inexpensive lunch. I chose the plate lunch with grilled portobello mushrooms. Excellent! I thought the falafal with the cilantro sauce was delicious! I didn't have the pita so I can't comment on it. The staff was friendly, smiling the whole time and patient while I perused the variety of options. Close to work, I'll definitely be back.
(5)
David T.
I asked for a laffa and got a totilla wrap, staff are clueless, pita bread was not soft and just crumbled. My son ordered a pita pocket, with just salad and hummus, $8.00. Not worth the money. Dont see this place lasting very long. Will not go back. Falafel is from frozen. I lived in Israel for many years, and this is an embarrasment to Israeli food. I am so disappointed.
(1)
Joe T.
Staff was great, food not so much, everything tasted off. The worst gyro meat I had in my life.
(1)
Herbie H.
Rice was greasy. Overall food is good but fell flat in quantity. Serving size should be worked on.
(3)
Michelle W.
Update: 3/8/15: I still love garbanzo! They have added gyro to their menu and it's great! I love getting a gyro pita sandwich as they make it fresh in house throughout the day! Definitely ask for a fresh, hot pita when you go! It's one of my favorite parts! This new place is awesome! I got a pita with steak and a tomato soup-- it was all very fresh and tasty! The employees were very friendly and let me try a couple of sauces. The Mediterranean garlic was my favorite! I will definitely be back soon! Thank you for a new healthy fast casual restaurant!
(5)
Tamika J.
You go through the line like Chipotle or Subway and pick your ingredients. Some of the items weren't really fresh. Falafel was room temperature. Other items were cold, so basically I had a cold falafel pita sandwich thing. It shouldn't be a cold sandwich.
(3)
Tim S.
I went their last night for dinner after reading the review here on Yelp. They mailed a "buy on; get one free" coupon to my house which how I learned about them. I was really looking forward to it because there aren't any Gyro places in my area. My friend is from Turkey and loves Gyro. They offered us a free Falafel tasting while we were standing in line to order. I'd read an unfavorable rating about their Falafel so was looking forward to trying it for myself. We both agreed it was dry, overcooked and tasteless; actually terrible. With that we decided we'd both order a standard Gyro sandwich. It was the worst Gyro either of us ever had. They have a nice concept of healthy ingredients but unfortunately they don't have their recipe right. It was tasteless and for us worse, a bad taste. We frequent Mediterranean, Middle East and Israeli restaurants frequently and have both traveled the world extensively. We understand they make their own pita, it was OK but not pita as we know it. We didn't like the sauce. Their gyro at least wasn't the standard prepackage frozen gyro we've received at many places here in the valley. It was our last time their. With this introduction, we wouldn't even risk a second visit. BTW, there staff and service were wonderful. However when my friend began asking question it was obvious they didn't have any knowledge about "true" Mediterranean food. This is more of a fast food American version of a tasteless "American" version. I was disappointed because it's conveniently located near my house. We came home and made Turkish coffee just to get the bad taste out of our mouths.
(1)
Layne S.
The guys behind the counter are very helpful and spent plenty of time explaining how to order. They are generous with portions, the hunks of chicken on the kabobs are huge and there are so many vegetarian options as well. The falafel and hummus was delicious as we're the sauces. And it's healthy!!!
(5)
Melissa S.
Lemongrass ginger green tea is fabulous! I got a plate with a little bit of everything! The vegetable salad and hummus were particularly delicious. Very friendly service from Jon! I'll be back!
(4)
Jenny S.
The service was excellent and the food was yummy. I'm excited to come back and try more things.
(4)
Marc G.
I find myself in here every other weekend. They do a great job with the falafel, salads and chicken and lamb. The food is fresh and quickly served. Do not miss the mint lemonade, a real find.
(4)
Daniel E.
Love your restaurant but please get rid of the cheap sriracha sauce from china. I won't eat anything from china. Use the real red rooster sriracha sauce please. Anything else is cheap looking and it doesn't match your restaurant.
(4)
Karla C.
Good choice for the healthy either. I wish there should be more around. A plate or salad is a good choice.
(5)
Erica G.
Great place for lunch! Quick. Reasonably priced. Decent food. Try it. You'll like it.
(3)
Rick B.
This is our first trip to Garbanzos. Lets start with the good points. The babaganoush was really good and so were the mushrooms. That's all the good things I can say. The taboulli tasted very bland, I don't think there was any lemon on it all all. The steak did not taste very good, like almost every thing we tried it was under seasoned. I was hoping for new place to go but we won't be back.
(2)
Vivian P.
I'm having my kitchen remodeled and ordered 3 steak kabaob platters and a greek salad with falafel, totaling more than $40. Disappointing is the best I've got...dry, salty overfried falafel, soggy greek salad, crunchy overseasoned rice, and steak so over cooked and chewy, my dogs looked at me in disgust when I put in their bowls. I don't have a problem spending $40 bucks for "higher end takeout", but I really feel ripped off here. Next time, I'll spend a little more at Eden Grill and feel that I've been fed instead of screwed.
(1)
jeff y.
Went to the Desert Ridge location.They have the frozen slices of gyros that they throw on the grill, not the 'real' gyros on a spit. Why bother? So I had the steak gyros... bad decision. Very tough, barely edible. Wife had the chicken gyros, said it was pretty bad, tasted frozen. My first and last time eating here.
(1)
Kimberlee C.
Quite average. Definitely chipotle style. I ordered a plate and got a LITTLE bit of everything including the meat. Maybe I'm not all that familiar w/ mediterranean food but why do I need the same size scoop of pickle slices as my rice and chicken? At least at chipotle they load you up. Nothing spectacular but edible.
(3)
Michele S.
I went there with a friend of mine who had a Groupon , it was a good deal. He had the greek salad w/Gyro meat, I choose the plate so I could try a little of everything. The falafel was okay, pre cooked and sitting for a little bit served cool, not a lot of spices but okay. The hummus was okay not very good but edible, again fell flat on flavor. The baba ganoush was the worst I have ever had, took one bite and it definitely was not fresh and tasted terrible. The Tabbouleh was okay and was much better than the hummus or the baba ganoush. The rice was good but again on the cold side. I prefer my food to be a little fresher, everything tasted like it had been sitting awhile and store-bought. My friend had the Greek Salad with the Gyro meat, the Gyro meat appeared to be from a package and thrown on the rill for about 2 to 3 mins. very thing, looked like processed food. he got maybe 2 slices, it was okay. nothing special. Granted it was fast food, every that being said it is still expensive for a fast food joint with the quality of food not there and cold pitas out of the box. Staff was nice. I probably would not go there again as I much rather go to other places like Pita Jungle at Happy hour and get better quality of food for about the same price. There is also a place in phoenix off of 7th street that makes their own falafel and it is fantastic, nice spices and fresh for about the same price. You did get a lot for your money but again I would prefer quality over quantity.
(2)
Stacy L.
I love the idea. Yes I've had better but the staff was super friendly. Not annoying friendly, actual friendly. I liked the rice, hummus, and sauces. Chicken was ok. I might try something else but I will come back.
(4)
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Address :4575 E Cactus Rd,Ste 140
Phoenix, AZ, 85032
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Kimberlee C.
Quite average. Definitely chipotle style. I ordered a plate and got a LITTLE bit of everything including the meat. Maybe I'm not all that familiar w/ mediterranean food but why do I need the same size scoop of pickle slices as my rice and chicken? At least at chipotle they load you up. Nothing spectacular but edible.
(3)Michele S.
I went there with a friend of mine who had a Groupon , it was a good deal. He had the greek salad w/Gyro meat, I choose the plate so I could try a little of everything. The falafel was okay, pre cooked and sitting for a little bit served cool, not a lot of spices but okay. The hummus was okay not very good but edible, again fell flat on flavor. The baba ganoush was the worst I have ever had, took one bite and it definitely was not fresh and tasted terrible. The Tabbouleh was okay and was much better than the hummus or the baba ganoush. The rice was good but again on the cold side. I prefer my food to be a little fresher, everything tasted like it had been sitting awhile and store-bought. My friend had the Greek Salad with the Gyro meat, the Gyro meat appeared to be from a package and thrown on the rill for about 2 to 3 mins. very thing, looked like processed food. he got maybe 2 slices, it was okay. nothing special. Granted it was fast food, every that being said it is still expensive for a fast food joint with the quality of food not there and cold pitas out of the box. Staff was nice. I probably would not go there again as I much rather go to other places like Pita Jungle at Happy hour and get better quality of food for about the same price. There is also a place in phoenix off of 7th street that makes their own falafel and it is fantastic, nice spices and fresh for about the same price. You did get a lot for your money but again I would prefer quality over quantity.
(2)Stacy L.
I love the idea. Yes I've had better but the staff was super friendly. Not annoying friendly, actual friendly. I liked the rice, hummus, and sauces. Chicken was ok. I might try something else but I will come back.
(4)Tammi T.
Tasty fast food with options for Vegetarians and Vegans. Just moved to the Paradise Valley area and this is hands down my favorite place for a healthier quick meal option. They are not stingy with the portions and I always leave slightly stuffed. So far I've had the build your own plate which I could barely finish and today the gyro. Both chock full of flavorful goodness. Bonus: my to-go bag read: "Live Bait" which is funnier than they know because there are some unscrupulous people at my office who like to steal other people's food. Way to throw 'em off the scent, Garbanzo. Hope you guys are here to stay...
(4)Rochelle C.
The food is authentic and amazingly fresh. The plate looks just like the menu. I was very pleased. I will come back and bring friends and family.
(5)Torrey R.
A couple of my friends came to eat here after an event--we were so surprised at the awesomeness! We all play roller derby, so we're always looking for places to eat that are relatively healthy. We were floored that a "Mediterranean Chipotle" exists! The food was awesome, the service was great. They got excited that we were so excited! We literally asked for everything on our plates. I'm a vegetarian, and there were more than plenty of options (good options, not just dinky salad options) for me. And they practiced good glove hygiene! Not to mention all the vegetarian stuff either had tongs or scoops! All-in-all, we had a wonderful experience here and will definitely be frequent customers!
(5)Nic C.
Super friendly staff and great service. Came in just after the lunch rush (around 12:45)- no wait. Ordered The Greek salad with gyro. Veggies were fresh and full of flavor. Best of all, freshly brewed green and black tea. Two of us with drinks was around $22. Noticed they have a deal after 4pm for $25 that serves 4 people. Will definitely be back again.
(4)Dee M.
My husband and I had the pleasure of having lunch here today. A salesperson at REI recommended it as we were looking for a healthy lunch in the area. Super fresh and very tasty food. We both had a custom made gyros and we both enjoyed them completely. Very satisfying yet the food felt light to eat (no heavy bloated feeling afterwards.) We highly recommend and will make a point of going there when we're in the PV area.
(5)Aaryn M.
I know when younger looking people go in places, people don't really bother to work there best considering they're there peers but my visit was one of the worst visits I've had at your store... Pretty upsetting on how terrible the customer service was when I only ordered 1 thing but 4 other people r allowed to pass me in line. Completely unacceptable, wasn't even offered a beverage an didn't get to complete my Oder how I wanted it. That'll be the last visit there for me, an I'll be encouraging others to do the same. I'd highly consider a talk with your employes on professionalism an just flat out courtesy to your guests.
(1)Alicia F.
This is not the place to go for Mediterranean food..The gyros were awful. The hummus was so disgusting. The person in front of me ordered one of their chicken plates... They put the chicken on the grill for less then two mins.. Which means it had to be precooked.. And they pull out a cold pita out of a container bin. I can say I am not impressed with the quality it can't even be compared to a chipotle.. It's that awful...
(2)Deborah B.
Four stars for the falafel alone. My partner got extra and I ate them later on that night for a snack. Everything else was great--a nice play on the Chipotle business model. But, oh, falafel....
(4)James S.
First visit to Garbanzo's. Was not impressed. Food looked like it was sitting for quite a while. They try to play it as "healthy" but there are so many Med restaurants in the area that just absolutely clean their clock. The use "non-hydrogenated" oil (canola) to deep fry. But when you look at the ingredients for their salad dressings and sauces, they have "hydrogenated soybean oil" in just about everything. Not healthy, not fresh, and not impressed. Everything looks like it comes right out of a plastic bag from some corporate office. Definitely not a Chipolte!
(1)Drew E.
Food = very good. Service = very nice. Definitely will be back. My suggestion/complaint is that the website and the Yelp profile says "Delivery: Yes." No, that's not correct. They only deliver for orders of $100 or more.
(4)Gidget S.
This is the Mediterranean version of a Chipotle in the sense that you pick out what you want each step of the way. All of the ingredients were very fresh. I had a wrap with some tabbouleh and fresh red cabbage. The chicken was a little chewy, but everything else was delicious. My favorite part was the vegetable salad they put in my wrap. It had fresh cucumber in it and it was a perfect lunch on a hot day. The service was very quick and the restaurant was comfortable.
(4)Guy H.
Hey everyone, I just recently discovered this great spot! I have been coming in for lunch as much as I can now that I tried it. The first thing I noticed was that they were busy, but they got my order and food fast which is important to my limited time for lunches during the week. The staff was super friendly explaining the menu and how I can custom order, very helpful for my first time there. The food is great! Very fresh and healthy. I haven't been able to pick a favorite of mine yet, but I can tell you that I haven't been able to find anything that I wouldn't order again which is nice because at other places I normally find one or two things that I stick with and end up getting burnt out on them. It's nice to love everything that i have tried so far, means I'll be able to come here for a long time! Not sure what else I can say other than you should check them out, you won't be disappointed! It was also an added bonus that it only took them a few times seeing me that they remembered my name. Strong work to everyone at Garbanzos on Cactus. See you guys on my lunch break!
(5)N M.
Best falafel and hummus in Phoenix. Fast clean and yummy. Definitely a repeat offender. Cactus location seems a little better run than Desert Ridge but both are delicious. It's definitely a great choice for vegetarian like me.
(5)Heather M.
I love this place! The food is amazing and the staff is so friendly that I love going here to eat. My friend and I went here for lunch. We eat completely different diets, but were both able to have a delicious, healthy and inexpensive lunch. I chose the plate lunch with grilled portobello mushrooms. Excellent! I thought the falafal with the cilantro sauce was delicious! I didn't have the pita so I can't comment on it. The staff was friendly, smiling the whole time and patient while I perused the variety of options. Close to work, I'll definitely be back.
(5)David T.
I asked for a laffa and got a totilla wrap, staff are clueless, pita bread was not soft and just crumbled. My son ordered a pita pocket, with just salad and hummus, $8.00. Not worth the money. Dont see this place lasting very long. Will not go back. Falafel is from frozen. I lived in Israel for many years, and this is an embarrasment to Israeli food. I am so disappointed.
(1)Joe T.
Staff was great, food not so much, everything tasted off. The worst gyro meat I had in my life.
(1)Herbie H.
Rice was greasy. Overall food is good but fell flat in quantity. Serving size should be worked on.
(3)Michelle W.
Update: 3/8/15: I still love garbanzo! They have added gyro to their menu and it's great! I love getting a gyro pita sandwich as they make it fresh in house throughout the day! Definitely ask for a fresh, hot pita when you go! It's one of my favorite parts! This new place is awesome! I got a pita with steak and a tomato soup-- it was all very fresh and tasty! The employees were very friendly and let me try a couple of sauces. The Mediterranean garlic was my favorite! I will definitely be back soon! Thank you for a new healthy fast casual restaurant!
(5)Tamika J.
You go through the line like Chipotle or Subway and pick your ingredients. Some of the items weren't really fresh. Falafel was room temperature. Other items were cold, so basically I had a cold falafel pita sandwich thing. It shouldn't be a cold sandwich.
(3)Rick B.
This is our first trip to Garbanzos. Lets start with the good points. The babaganoush was really good and so were the mushrooms. That's all the good things I can say. The taboulli tasted very bland, I don't think there was any lemon on it all all. The steak did not taste very good, like almost every thing we tried it was under seasoned. I was hoping for new place to go but we won't be back.
(2)Vivian P.
I'm having my kitchen remodeled and ordered 3 steak kabaob platters and a greek salad with falafel, totaling more than $40. Disappointing is the best I've got...dry, salty overfried falafel, soggy greek salad, crunchy overseasoned rice, and steak so over cooked and chewy, my dogs looked at me in disgust when I put in their bowls. I don't have a problem spending $40 bucks for "higher end takeout", but I really feel ripped off here. Next time, I'll spend a little more at Eden Grill and feel that I've been fed instead of screwed.
(1)jeff y.
Went to the Desert Ridge location.They have the frozen slices of gyros that they throw on the grill, not the 'real' gyros on a spit. Why bother? So I had the steak gyros... bad decision. Very tough, barely edible. Wife had the chicken gyros, said it was pretty bad, tasted frozen. My first and last time eating here.
(1)Paige A.
I love this place. It's always quiet and clean. Food is To-Die-For. Yum Yum! I did have a bad experience there a couple weeks ago where my fiancé and I ate something bad and the food caused us to be quite nauseous for a few hours... But I'd been there at least a dozen times before then and everything was wonderful. You should come here if you're in the mood for Mediterranean food (hummus, pita, tzatziki, gyros, etc).
(4)Tim S.
I went their last night for dinner after reading the review here on Yelp. They mailed a "buy on; get one free" coupon to my house which how I learned about them. I was really looking forward to it because there aren't any Gyro places in my area. My friend is from Turkey and loves Gyro. They offered us a free Falafel tasting while we were standing in line to order. I'd read an unfavorable rating about their Falafel so was looking forward to trying it for myself. We both agreed it was dry, overcooked and tasteless; actually terrible. With that we decided we'd both order a standard Gyro sandwich. It was the worst Gyro either of us ever had. They have a nice concept of healthy ingredients but unfortunately they don't have their recipe right. It was tasteless and for us worse, a bad taste. We frequent Mediterranean, Middle East and Israeli restaurants frequently and have both traveled the world extensively. We understand they make their own pita, it was OK but not pita as we know it. We didn't like the sauce. Their gyro at least wasn't the standard prepackage frozen gyro we've received at many places here in the valley. It was our last time their. With this introduction, we wouldn't even risk a second visit. BTW, there staff and service were wonderful. However when my friend began asking question it was obvious they didn't have any knowledge about "true" Mediterranean food. This is more of a fast food American version of a tasteless "American" version. I was disappointed because it's conveniently located near my house. We came home and made Turkish coffee just to get the bad taste out of our mouths.
(1)Layne S.
The guys behind the counter are very helpful and spent plenty of time explaining how to order. They are generous with portions, the hunks of chicken on the kabobs are huge and there are so many vegetarian options as well. The falafel and hummus was delicious as we're the sauces. And it's healthy!!!
(5)Melissa S.
Lemongrass ginger green tea is fabulous! I got a plate with a little bit of everything! The vegetable salad and hummus were particularly delicious. Very friendly service from Jon! I'll be back!
(4)Jenny S.
The service was excellent and the food was yummy. I'm excited to come back and try more things.
(4)Marc G.
I find myself in here every other weekend. They do a great job with the falafel, salads and chicken and lamb. The food is fresh and quickly served. Do not miss the mint lemonade, a real find.
(4)Daniel E.
Love your restaurant but please get rid of the cheap sriracha sauce from china. I won't eat anything from china. Use the real red rooster sriracha sauce please. Anything else is cheap looking and it doesn't match your restaurant.
(4)Karla C.
Good choice for the healthy either. I wish there should be more around. A plate or salad is a good choice.
(5)Erica G.
Great place for lunch! Quick. Reasonably priced. Decent food. Try it. You'll like it.
(3)Jim K.
Place was nice and clean. Large family order in front of us from group so it was a wait for us to move through the line. Employees were not that polite as maybe they were training. I had the steak gyro which ended up being cold and chewy, but overall ok taste. My guest had one chicken and one steak kabob which they thought tasted good. For the overall experience, it was just like other gyro places at the same price point. If I had to make a choice, I would pick the non chain gryo place where I get more quantity and better quality in my opinon. For a family outing with kids with the kids menu this would be a great choice.
(3)Patricia B.
Either something is wrong with me or Garbanzo has the best stuffed grape leaves ever... I love them Awesome customer service. You can tell great customer service is a pillar in their business model. I loved the chicken lemon soup too.
(4)Amy C.
I liked the concept, but it just fell flat for me. The food wasn't very flavorful, the falafel was overdone and the chicken was not breast meat. The staff was really nice, but I don't think i would go back.
(3)Meg G.
Wanted to try something new. Came in and I was greeting right away and all of my questions were answered and I had a terrific meal! I got the plate with the falafel. So good! I got alittle of everything to try it out. The customer service was outstanding and everyone was smiling and happy, and the food was terrific. The establishment was very clean, even the restrooms. Stephanie was just great and was really helpful. She gave me some of the best customer service I have had in a long time and she was very knowledgable.
(5)Scott S.
If you're into McDonald's or Burger King, Garbanzo might not be the place for you. But, if you care about eating healthy, love fresh ingredients and appreciate a friendly staff that has actual knowledge of the food they are serving you, you will LOVE Garbanzo! The Falafel Pita with Babaganoush, and a Greek Salad are my go-tos. And, they have gluten free items. Try it. You'll Love It!
(5)Nathan P.
If you are searching for Mediterranean food, steer clear. The Humus was horrible. The Gyros were dry and tasteless. This can not be cut off a spit. If it is they are doing it wrong. Was disappointed in this place. It had the potential to be great!! but fell WAY short of the goal. Not returning.
(2)Jennifer H.
Healthy, fast, lots of choices. The good was great, I had a healthy salad. Would ask for half dressing half taziki next time. The gyro meat was a little dried out. Falafel was really good.
(4)Georgie M.
Fabulous find. We were leaving Macy's and I asked "where do you want to go for lunch?" We remembered there was a Habit Burger across the street, so off we went. So here we are walking past Garbanzo. It was very dark inside with their tinted windows and the signs on the window said "Space Available." So I thought "Wow" that was fast, didn't they just open? Well, another Phoenix business has closed. We get to Habit and the line is out onto the sidewalk. D'oh! But just then, someone leaves Garbanzo and the lights inside tell a different story. Yes, they're open. It turns out the sign "Space Available", was for another store. So the heck with burgers, let's eat Greek/Middle Eastern. Sorry Habit! Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is like the Chipotle's for the Gryos and hummus crowd. It's actually more of a fast food version of Pita Jungle. The food is really good and fresh! Lunch ran us under $20 and we left very impressed. Enjoy!
(4)Roz A.
Good, affordable, healthy, fast without being "fast food" - love their gyro and their pita sandwiches. And their homemade mint lemonade is to die for. I'm becoming a regular while running errands in the Cactus & Tatum area.
(4)Paula M.
Tons of awesome choices! Fresh and seasoned perfectly. Fresh and fast. Crunchy and seasoned well.
(5)Brad W.
Not a place I will be spending any time or money. They are supposed to offer you a sample of falafel upon entrance, but nobody ever did. I asked myself and was given an overcooked, burnt falafel ball. It was horribly dry and decrepit and not fit for human consumption. Was then thinking about getting a chicken wrap, but no white meat available. So you have a white meat kabob, but not white meat anything else? Strange, but props to employee who corrected another employee on the white meat situation. After that, no reasons left to stay, so out the door.
(1)Therese S.
Horrible. Chicken was dry. They were out of pitas. Hummus not good. Out of 6 of us, most of what was ordered could not be eaten. Would not go back
(1)Shakira E.
Tonight Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill was on point, the counter person offered me a free falafel and it was on from there. I asked about the portobello mushrooms and he told me that they could do a half portobello and falafel option. That's all I needed to hear I immediately said make me a platter with Falafel & Portobello Mushrooms, hummus, baba ganoush, seasoned rice, tabouli, Greek salad, red cabbage, pickles and olives. Pretty awesome meal and with tax it was only $7.57. To keep it vegan ask for the pita they use for the gyros or skip the pita. They whole dish was packed with flavor hence the extra star this time. This place is close to home and I am kicking myself for not coming here more often. Next time I will add some roasted eggplant soup and try their house made chips.
(5)Amy C.
I had a traditional Gyro. It was SO fresh and the Cilantro sauce was like nothing I've tasted before. Clean environment and friendly staff. Gave great recommendations to our whole party.
(5)Halle R.
Two words: On point! Drove by and noticed a "Now Open" sign and thought I'd try it. This is an incredible take on the make your own plate philosophy. The chicken and steak were wonderful, and each side they have is created with fresh ingredients! You have the choice of loading your plate with any sides or toppings you want. It is such a great place to get your veggies in. They also have a portobello option for protein. I hope that Garbanzo takes flight and multiplies throughout the Valley! Not to mention, they also have great service. Someone came by to make sure I had everything I needed. Thanks Garbanzo!
(5)Evan B.
You had me when I was offered to try a falafel when I walked in. So you may know I am a falfel junkie, and this place is not helping. They have falfel, and other items like chicken and beef but veg me just gets the flafel. The next choice is the format, Plate, Pita or wrap. The plate is by far the best value and great if you have a problem deciding. You get to pick what "salads" you want Hummus, babaganush, cucumber tomato, cabbage and more, just get them all. Then sauces Tahnini spicy scug get them on the side. and don't forget that comes with a pita. One key is to get the falafel fresh, you want it stright from the fryer and not sitting in the line for 20-30 min as it looses the crunch.
(4)Anna B.
It's a fine place but both times I have been there I have been underwhelmed by the quality and flavor. I go a pita the first time and they did not mix the ingredients but piled them on so that I would have one bite of all meat, then one of all veggies, and ended with a mound of hummus at the bottom.
(2)Shane T.
I have had lunch here twice, but our office has had their catering option a few times. Lunch was spot on and very good. Portion sizes are great and you can tell they make the food fresh. The catering is the best deal, for sure, though. We ordered for about 15 people, but there was a nice amount of left overs I had the next day, too. The catering presentation is great and they come and set-up and label everything. I would recommend them for lunch and highly recommend the catering options. It's a nice break from all the other fast casual places out there. Oh, and the cookies are awesome, too! Fresh, hot out of the oven when I got them.
(5)Vanessa P.
Love love love this place! They closed them all in Maryland so when we moved to AZ I was so excited to come here again! Great staff at this location as well!!!!!
(5)Erin P.
I didn't mind the taste of the food and it was super quick, but when I found a cockroach in my meal, it was game over. I will not be going back.
(1)Ashley P.
I really was not so impressed with this "Mediterranean" restaurant. Yes, it had hummus. Yes, it had dolmades. Yes, it had gyro. But it was the most inauthentic tasting Mediterranean food I've had. I got the chicken pita and it was incredibly plain; no seasonings or anything. We were offered a sample of the falafel which was a mistake because it was fried waaay too long. Not a good impression. The dolmades were decent, but not worth saving this place.
(2)Ashley D.
With today's food brands locked in (I.e. Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald's) starting up a new restaurant can be tricky. I'm not sure why I waited so long to try this place, but I'm hooked!! It's EXACTLY like Chipotle but for Mediterranean food! Fresh ingredients, flavorful and surprisingly authentic! The rice tastes exactly like my mom makes! I was overjoyed, surprised, and I may just pick up a second job just to eat here everyday forever!
(5)Savage T.
Love this place. Always very clean, and the staff is cheerful and friendly. Food is awesome, can't get enough of the skewers and cilantro sauce. I have also used them for catering many times, and everyone is always impressed with the quality of the food.
(5)Nicki F.
I love this place! Super fresh ingredients and the food is spot on every time. I would highly recommend!
(5)Nick N.
I swung into Garbanzos last week early afternoon and was extremely impressed by the friendliness of all the employees. As soon as I walked in, they offered me a couple different tastes to help me decide what to order as this was my first time there. I ordered a chicken/rice/hummus plate for my son and the gyro for me. Extremely fresh and flavorful! Had a great lunch and so much better than your typical fast food.
(5)Alpha B.
The food is garbage - fast food Mediterranean at best. This place thinks its the Mediterranean Chipotle but doesn't come close to executing and the food quality isn't good at all. The food quality is poor on both quality and taste. If you're expecting all white meat chicken, you'' be disappointed. And fresh pitas? Nope, pulled straight out of a packaged bag right in front of you. There are definitely better alternatives available and there is no way I'll be going back to this place. Very disappointing.
(1)Trent P.
This place is a Greek fast-food, chain restaurant. I wasn't overly impressed. I had the gyro which could have used a second dose of gyro meat, although the veggies were fresh. The falafel was over cooked. The restaurant was completely empty on a Monday at lunch time, sad. We had such high hopes too. I will go to Saba's or My Big Fat Greek for my gyros from now on.
(3)Devin H.
Absolutely terrible Gyros. The meat is overcooked and bland, the hummus is bland, all of their sauces taste like sugar. The rice is coated in a thick sludge of grease, the steak is no better. My wife and I paid $17 for two entrées, ate three bites and threw it away. I don't EVER throw food away. If I paid money for it, I am going to eat it. But I threw this away. That's how bad it was. This food is a waste of time effort and money and calories. Avoid it.
(1)Geraldo M.
This place was great. Much like the Chipotle format only Greek. A nice healthy option for those of us who are looking for that.
(4)John D.
Not a huge on franchise/chains. Having said that the food was good. If you are looking for a quick healthy meal, you can get it here.
(3)Leslie M.
This place is basically a Greek Chipotle. It's new. It's clean. It's fast. It's reasonably priced. It's fresh. The food is....okay. If you want a quick lunch and prefer something better than a fast food yuck burger then this place is a great option. If your wanting flavorful, authentic Mediterranean food this isn't it.
(3)Ulysses A.
I went here a few weeks back and I was not impressed at all! This joint is like a knock off of Greek restaurants. The food was simple and with no flavor. The staff was decent.
(2)David P.
I really love the wraps. I can have chicken or beef when I want it or even go veggie with portabella. Change it up each time. I get some falafel in it too! Always lots of flavor and I don't leave hungry. I love the fresh made potato chips, too.
(5)Kim S.
This is my second time eating Garbanzos this week! We just love it. The meal in the restaurant was fresh and delicious with incredible customer service. The owners are so nice and genuinely want to make sure you are happy with your food. The gyros with tzadiki is delicious! We had lunch catered at my work today. Not only did they deliver but the set up was so nice. Everything was clearly labeled and the variety is incredible. Definitely an affordable and great catering option.
(5)Dave N.
Really great 'fast' food - healthy and quick but everything was just SO flavorful! I got a veggie wrap and the flavors of everything worked so well - hummus, pickles, cabbage, rice, lettuce - the tahini dressing was amazing and the Greek vinaigrette finished it off nicely! I almost went back for another one! My husband got the steak wrap with hummus, lettuce, tabbouleh, tzatziki, and rice and he said he was really good as well. We also got the season chips which were great as well. This place is basically a Mediterranean Chipotle
(5)Meg G.
Wanted to try something new. Came in and I was greeting right away and all of my questions were answered and I had a terrific meal! I got the plate with the falafel. So good! I got alittle of everything to try it out. The customer service was outstanding and everyone was smiling and happy, and the food was terrific. The establishment was very clean, even the restrooms. Stephanie was just great and was really helpful. She gave me some of the best customer service I have had in a long time and she was very knowledgable.
(5)Scott S.
If you're into McDonald's or Burger King, Garbanzo might not be the place for you. But, if you care about eating healthy, love fresh ingredients and appreciate a friendly staff that has actual knowledge of the food they are serving you, you will LOVE Garbanzo! The Falafel Pita with Babaganoush, and a Greek Salad are my go-tos. And, they have gluten free items. Try it. You'll Love It!
(5)Nathan P.
If you are searching for Mediterranean food, steer clear. The Humus was horrible. The Gyros were dry and tasteless. This can not be cut off a spit. If it is they are doing it wrong. Was disappointed in this place. It had the potential to be great!! but fell WAY short of the goal. Not returning.
(2)Jennifer H.
Healthy, fast, lots of choices. The good was great, I had a healthy salad. Would ask for half dressing half taziki next time. The gyro meat was a little dried out. Falafel was really good.
(4)Nic C.
Super friendly staff and great service. Came in just after the lunch rush (around 12:45)- no wait. Ordered The Greek salad with gyro. Veggies were fresh and full of flavor. Best of all, freshly brewed green and black tea. Two of us with drinks was around $22. Noticed they have a deal after 4pm for $25 that serves 4 people. Will definitely be back again.
(4)Dee M.
My husband and I had the pleasure of having lunch here today. A salesperson at REI recommended it as we were looking for a healthy lunch in the area. Super fresh and very tasty food. We both had a custom made gyros and we both enjoyed them completely. Very satisfying yet the food felt light to eat (no heavy bloated feeling afterwards.) We highly recommend and will make a point of going there when we're in the PV area.
(5)Aaryn M.
I know when younger looking people go in places, people don't really bother to work there best considering they're there peers but my visit was one of the worst visits I've had at your store... Pretty upsetting on how terrible the customer service was when I only ordered 1 thing but 4 other people r allowed to pass me in line. Completely unacceptable, wasn't even offered a beverage an didn't get to complete my Oder how I wanted it. That'll be the last visit there for me, an I'll be encouraging others to do the same. I'd highly consider a talk with your employes on professionalism an just flat out courtesy to your guests.
(1)Alicia F.
This is not the place to go for Mediterranean food..The gyros were awful. The hummus was so disgusting. The person in front of me ordered one of their chicken plates... They put the chicken on the grill for less then two mins.. Which means it had to be precooked.. And they pull out a cold pita out of a container bin. I can say I am not impressed with the quality it can't even be compared to a chipotle.. It's that awful...
(2)Deborah B.
Four stars for the falafel alone. My partner got extra and I ate them later on that night for a snack. Everything else was great--a nice play on the Chipotle business model. But, oh, falafel....
(4)James S.
First visit to Garbanzo's. Was not impressed. Food looked like it was sitting for quite a while. They try to play it as "healthy" but there are so many Med restaurants in the area that just absolutely clean their clock. The use "non-hydrogenated" oil (canola) to deep fry. But when you look at the ingredients for their salad dressings and sauces, they have "hydrogenated soybean oil" in just about everything. Not healthy, not fresh, and not impressed. Everything looks like it comes right out of a plastic bag from some corporate office. Definitely not a Chipolte!
(1)Drew E.
Food = very good. Service = very nice. Definitely will be back. My suggestion/complaint is that the website and the Yelp profile says "Delivery: Yes." No, that's not correct. They only deliver for orders of $100 or more.
(4)Georgie M.
Fabulous find. We were leaving Macy's and I asked "where do you want to go for lunch?" We remembered there was a Habit Burger across the street, so off we went. So here we are walking past Garbanzo. It was very dark inside with their tinted windows and the signs on the window said "Space Available." So I thought "Wow" that was fast, didn't they just open? Well, another Phoenix business has closed. We get to Habit and the line is out onto the sidewalk. D'oh! But just then, someone leaves Garbanzo and the lights inside tell a different story. Yes, they're open. It turns out the sign "Space Available", was for another store. So the heck with burgers, let's eat Greek/Middle Eastern. Sorry Habit! Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is like the Chipotle's for the Gryos and hummus crowd. It's actually more of a fast food version of Pita Jungle. The food is really good and fresh! Lunch ran us under $20 and we left very impressed. Enjoy!
(4)Roz A.
Good, affordable, healthy, fast without being "fast food" - love their gyro and their pita sandwiches. And their homemade mint lemonade is to die for. I'm becoming a regular while running errands in the Cactus & Tatum area.
(4)Paula M.
Tons of awesome choices! Fresh and seasoned perfectly. Fresh and fast. Crunchy and seasoned well.
(5)Brad W.
Not a place I will be spending any time or money. They are supposed to offer you a sample of falafel upon entrance, but nobody ever did. I asked myself and was given an overcooked, burnt falafel ball. It was horribly dry and decrepit and not fit for human consumption. Was then thinking about getting a chicken wrap, but no white meat available. So you have a white meat kabob, but not white meat anything else? Strange, but props to employee who corrected another employee on the white meat situation. After that, no reasons left to stay, so out the door.
(1)Therese S.
Horrible. Chicken was dry. They were out of pitas. Hummus not good. Out of 6 of us, most of what was ordered could not be eaten. Would not go back
(1)Shakira E.
Tonight Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill was on point, the counter person offered me a free falafel and it was on from there. I asked about the portobello mushrooms and he told me that they could do a half portobello and falafel option. That's all I needed to hear I immediately said make me a platter with Falafel & Portobello Mushrooms, hummus, baba ganoush, seasoned rice, tabouli, Greek salad, red cabbage, pickles and olives. Pretty awesome meal and with tax it was only $7.57. To keep it vegan ask for the pita they use for the gyros or skip the pita. They whole dish was packed with flavor hence the extra star this time. This place is close to home and I am kicking myself for not coming here more often. Next time I will add some roasted eggplant soup and try their house made chips.
(5)Amy C.
I had a traditional Gyro. It was SO fresh and the Cilantro sauce was like nothing I've tasted before. Clean environment and friendly staff. Gave great recommendations to our whole party.
(5)Jim K.
Place was nice and clean. Large family order in front of us from group so it was a wait for us to move through the line. Employees were not that polite as maybe they were training. I had the steak gyro which ended up being cold and chewy, but overall ok taste. My guest had one chicken and one steak kabob which they thought tasted good. For the overall experience, it was just like other gyro places at the same price point. If I had to make a choice, I would pick the non chain gryo place where I get more quantity and better quality in my opinon. For a family outing with kids with the kids menu this would be a great choice.
(3)Patricia B.
Either something is wrong with me or Garbanzo has the best stuffed grape leaves ever... I love them Awesome customer service. You can tell great customer service is a pillar in their business model. I loved the chicken lemon soup too.
(4)Amy C.
I liked the concept, but it just fell flat for me. The food wasn't very flavorful, the falafel was overdone and the chicken was not breast meat. The staff was really nice, but I don't think i would go back.
(3)Paige A.
I love this place. It's always quiet and clean. Food is To-Die-For. Yum Yum! I did have a bad experience there a couple weeks ago where my fiancé and I ate something bad and the food caused us to be quite nauseous for a few hours... But I'd been there at least a dozen times before then and everything was wonderful. You should come here if you're in the mood for Mediterranean food (hummus, pita, tzatziki, gyros, etc).
(4)Halle R.
Two words: On point! Drove by and noticed a "Now Open" sign and thought I'd try it. This is an incredible take on the make your own plate philosophy. The chicken and steak were wonderful, and each side they have is created with fresh ingredients! You have the choice of loading your plate with any sides or toppings you want. It is such a great place to get your veggies in. They also have a portobello option for protein. I hope that Garbanzo takes flight and multiplies throughout the Valley! Not to mention, they also have great service. Someone came by to make sure I had everything I needed. Thanks Garbanzo!
(5)Evan B.
You had me when I was offered to try a falafel when I walked in. So you may know I am a falfel junkie, and this place is not helping. They have falfel, and other items like chicken and beef but veg me just gets the flafel. The next choice is the format, Plate, Pita or wrap. The plate is by far the best value and great if you have a problem deciding. You get to pick what "salads" you want Hummus, babaganush, cucumber tomato, cabbage and more, just get them all. Then sauces Tahnini spicy scug get them on the side. and don't forget that comes with a pita. One key is to get the falafel fresh, you want it stright from the fryer and not sitting in the line for 20-30 min as it looses the crunch.
(4)Anna B.
It's a fine place but both times I have been there I have been underwhelmed by the quality and flavor. I go a pita the first time and they did not mix the ingredients but piled them on so that I would have one bite of all meat, then one of all veggies, and ended with a mound of hummus at the bottom.
(2)Shane T.
I have had lunch here twice, but our office has had their catering option a few times. Lunch was spot on and very good. Portion sizes are great and you can tell they make the food fresh. The catering is the best deal, for sure, though. We ordered for about 15 people, but there was a nice amount of left overs I had the next day, too. The catering presentation is great and they come and set-up and label everything. I would recommend them for lunch and highly recommend the catering options. It's a nice break from all the other fast casual places out there. Oh, and the cookies are awesome, too! Fresh, hot out of the oven when I got them.
(5)Vanessa P.
Love love love this place! They closed them all in Maryland so when we moved to AZ I was so excited to come here again! Great staff at this location as well!!!!!
(5)Erin P.
I didn't mind the taste of the food and it was super quick, but when I found a cockroach in my meal, it was game over. I will not be going back.
(1)Ashley P.
I really was not so impressed with this "Mediterranean" restaurant. Yes, it had hummus. Yes, it had dolmades. Yes, it had gyro. But it was the most inauthentic tasting Mediterranean food I've had. I got the chicken pita and it was incredibly plain; no seasonings or anything. We were offered a sample of the falafel which was a mistake because it was fried waaay too long. Not a good impression. The dolmades were decent, but not worth saving this place.
(2)Ashley D.
With today's food brands locked in (I.e. Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald's) starting up a new restaurant can be tricky. I'm not sure why I waited so long to try this place, but I'm hooked!! It's EXACTLY like Chipotle but for Mediterranean food! Fresh ingredients, flavorful and surprisingly authentic! The rice tastes exactly like my mom makes! I was overjoyed, surprised, and I may just pick up a second job just to eat here everyday forever!
(5)Savage T.
Love this place. Always very clean, and the staff is cheerful and friendly. Food is awesome, can't get enough of the skewers and cilantro sauce. I have also used them for catering many times, and everyone is always impressed with the quality of the food.
(5)Nicki F.
I love this place! Super fresh ingredients and the food is spot on every time. I would highly recommend!
(5)Nick N.
I swung into Garbanzos last week early afternoon and was extremely impressed by the friendliness of all the employees. As soon as I walked in, they offered me a couple different tastes to help me decide what to order as this was my first time there. I ordered a chicken/rice/hummus plate for my son and the gyro for me. Extremely fresh and flavorful! Had a great lunch and so much better than your typical fast food.
(5)Alpha B.
The food is garbage - fast food Mediterranean at best. This place thinks its the Mediterranean Chipotle but doesn't come close to executing and the food quality isn't good at all. The food quality is poor on both quality and taste. If you're expecting all white meat chicken, you'' be disappointed. And fresh pitas? Nope, pulled straight out of a packaged bag right in front of you. There are definitely better alternatives available and there is no way I'll be going back to this place. Very disappointing.
(1)Trent P.
This place is a Greek fast-food, chain restaurant. I wasn't overly impressed. I had the gyro which could have used a second dose of gyro meat, although the veggies were fresh. The falafel was over cooked. The restaurant was completely empty on a Monday at lunch time, sad. We had such high hopes too. I will go to Saba's or My Big Fat Greek for my gyros from now on.
(3)Devin H.
Absolutely terrible Gyros. The meat is overcooked and bland, the hummus is bland, all of their sauces taste like sugar. The rice is coated in a thick sludge of grease, the steak is no better. My wife and I paid $17 for two entrées, ate three bites and threw it away. I don't EVER throw food away. If I paid money for it, I am going to eat it. But I threw this away. That's how bad it was. This food is a waste of time effort and money and calories. Avoid it.
(1)Geraldo M.
This place was great. Much like the Chipotle format only Greek. A nice healthy option for those of us who are looking for that.
(4)John D.
Not a huge on franchise/chains. Having said that the food was good. If you are looking for a quick healthy meal, you can get it here.
(3)Leslie M.
This place is basically a Greek Chipotle. It's new. It's clean. It's fast. It's reasonably priced. It's fresh. The food is....okay. If you want a quick lunch and prefer something better than a fast food yuck burger then this place is a great option. If your wanting flavorful, authentic Mediterranean food this isn't it.
(3)Ulysses A.
I went here a few weeks back and I was not impressed at all! This joint is like a knock off of Greek restaurants. The food was simple and with no flavor. The staff was decent.
(2)David P.
I really love the wraps. I can have chicken or beef when I want it or even go veggie with portabella. Change it up each time. I get some falafel in it too! Always lots of flavor and I don't leave hungry. I love the fresh made potato chips, too.
(5)Kim S.
This is my second time eating Garbanzos this week! We just love it. The meal in the restaurant was fresh and delicious with incredible customer service. The owners are so nice and genuinely want to make sure you are happy with your food. The gyros with tzadiki is delicious! We had lunch catered at my work today. Not only did they deliver but the set up was so nice. Everything was clearly labeled and the variety is incredible. Definitely an affordable and great catering option.
(5)Dave N.
Really great 'fast' food - healthy and quick but everything was just SO flavorful! I got a veggie wrap and the flavors of everything worked so well - hummus, pickles, cabbage, rice, lettuce - the tahini dressing was amazing and the Greek vinaigrette finished it off nicely! I almost went back for another one! My husband got the steak wrap with hummus, lettuce, tabbouleh, tzatziki, and rice and he said he was really good as well. We also got the season chips which were great as well. This place is basically a Mediterranean Chipotle
(5)Tammi T.
Tasty fast food with options for Vegetarians and Vegans. Just moved to the Paradise Valley area and this is hands down my favorite place for a healthier quick meal option. They are not stingy with the portions and I always leave slightly stuffed. So far I've had the build your own plate which I could barely finish and today the gyro. Both chock full of flavorful goodness. Bonus: my to-go bag read: "Live Bait" which is funnier than they know because there are some unscrupulous people at my office who like to steal other people's food. Way to throw 'em off the scent, Garbanzo. Hope you guys are here to stay...
(4)Rochelle C.
The food is authentic and amazingly fresh. The plate looks just like the menu. I was very pleased. I will come back and bring friends and family.
(5)Torrey R.
A couple of my friends came to eat here after an event--we were so surprised at the awesomeness! We all play roller derby, so we're always looking for places to eat that are relatively healthy. We were floored that a "Mediterranean Chipotle" exists! The food was awesome, the service was great. They got excited that we were so excited! We literally asked for everything on our plates. I'm a vegetarian, and there were more than plenty of options (good options, not just dinky salad options) for me. And they practiced good glove hygiene! Not to mention all the vegetarian stuff either had tongs or scoops! All-in-all, we had a wonderful experience here and will definitely be frequent customers!
(5)Gidget S.
This is the Mediterranean version of a Chipotle in the sense that you pick out what you want each step of the way. All of the ingredients were very fresh. I had a wrap with some tabbouleh and fresh red cabbage. The chicken was a little chewy, but everything else was delicious. My favorite part was the vegetable salad they put in my wrap. It had fresh cucumber in it and it was a perfect lunch on a hot day. The service was very quick and the restaurant was comfortable.
(4)Guy H.
Hey everyone, I just recently discovered this great spot! I have been coming in for lunch as much as I can now that I tried it. The first thing I noticed was that they were busy, but they got my order and food fast which is important to my limited time for lunches during the week. The staff was super friendly explaining the menu and how I can custom order, very helpful for my first time there. The food is great! Very fresh and healthy. I haven't been able to pick a favorite of mine yet, but I can tell you that I haven't been able to find anything that I wouldn't order again which is nice because at other places I normally find one or two things that I stick with and end up getting burnt out on them. It's nice to love everything that i have tried so far, means I'll be able to come here for a long time! Not sure what else I can say other than you should check them out, you won't be disappointed! It was also an added bonus that it only took them a few times seeing me that they remembered my name. Strong work to everyone at Garbanzos on Cactus. See you guys on my lunch break!
(5)N M.
Best falafel and hummus in Phoenix. Fast clean and yummy. Definitely a repeat offender. Cactus location seems a little better run than Desert Ridge but both are delicious. It's definitely a great choice for vegetarian like me.
(5)Heather M.
I love this place! The food is amazing and the staff is so friendly that I love going here to eat. My friend and I went here for lunch. We eat completely different diets, but were both able to have a delicious, healthy and inexpensive lunch. I chose the plate lunch with grilled portobello mushrooms. Excellent! I thought the falafal with the cilantro sauce was delicious! I didn't have the pita so I can't comment on it. The staff was friendly, smiling the whole time and patient while I perused the variety of options. Close to work, I'll definitely be back.
(5)David T.
I asked for a laffa and got a totilla wrap, staff are clueless, pita bread was not soft and just crumbled. My son ordered a pita pocket, with just salad and hummus, $8.00. Not worth the money. Dont see this place lasting very long. Will not go back. Falafel is from frozen. I lived in Israel for many years, and this is an embarrasment to Israeli food. I am so disappointed.
(1)Joe T.
Staff was great, food not so much, everything tasted off. The worst gyro meat I had in my life.
(1)Herbie H.
Rice was greasy. Overall food is good but fell flat in quantity. Serving size should be worked on.
(3)Michelle W.
Update: 3/8/15: I still love garbanzo! They have added gyro to their menu and it's great! I love getting a gyro pita sandwich as they make it fresh in house throughout the day! Definitely ask for a fresh, hot pita when you go! It's one of my favorite parts! This new place is awesome! I got a pita with steak and a tomato soup-- it was all very fresh and tasty! The employees were very friendly and let me try a couple of sauces. The Mediterranean garlic was my favorite! I will definitely be back soon! Thank you for a new healthy fast casual restaurant!
(5)Tamika J.
You go through the line like Chipotle or Subway and pick your ingredients. Some of the items weren't really fresh. Falafel was room temperature. Other items were cold, so basically I had a cold falafel pita sandwich thing. It shouldn't be a cold sandwich.
(3)Tim S.
I went their last night for dinner after reading the review here on Yelp. They mailed a "buy on; get one free" coupon to my house which how I learned about them. I was really looking forward to it because there aren't any Gyro places in my area. My friend is from Turkey and loves Gyro. They offered us a free Falafel tasting while we were standing in line to order. I'd read an unfavorable rating about their Falafel so was looking forward to trying it for myself. We both agreed it was dry, overcooked and tasteless; actually terrible. With that we decided we'd both order a standard Gyro sandwich. It was the worst Gyro either of us ever had. They have a nice concept of healthy ingredients but unfortunately they don't have their recipe right. It was tasteless and for us worse, a bad taste. We frequent Mediterranean, Middle East and Israeli restaurants frequently and have both traveled the world extensively. We understand they make their own pita, it was OK but not pita as we know it. We didn't like the sauce. Their gyro at least wasn't the standard prepackage frozen gyro we've received at many places here in the valley. It was our last time their. With this introduction, we wouldn't even risk a second visit. BTW, there staff and service were wonderful. However when my friend began asking question it was obvious they didn't have any knowledge about "true" Mediterranean food. This is more of a fast food American version of a tasteless "American" version. I was disappointed because it's conveniently located near my house. We came home and made Turkish coffee just to get the bad taste out of our mouths.
(1)Layne S.
The guys behind the counter are very helpful and spent plenty of time explaining how to order. They are generous with portions, the hunks of chicken on the kabobs are huge and there are so many vegetarian options as well. The falafel and hummus was delicious as we're the sauces. And it's healthy!!!
(5)Melissa S.
Lemongrass ginger green tea is fabulous! I got a plate with a little bit of everything! The vegetable salad and hummus were particularly delicious. Very friendly service from Jon! I'll be back!
(4)Jenny S.
The service was excellent and the food was yummy. I'm excited to come back and try more things.
(4)Marc G.
I find myself in here every other weekend. They do a great job with the falafel, salads and chicken and lamb. The food is fresh and quickly served. Do not miss the mint lemonade, a real find.
(4)Daniel E.
Love your restaurant but please get rid of the cheap sriracha sauce from china. I won't eat anything from china. Use the real red rooster sriracha sauce please. Anything else is cheap looking and it doesn't match your restaurant.
(4)Karla C.
Good choice for the healthy either. I wish there should be more around. A plate or salad is a good choice.
(5)Erica G.
Great place for lunch! Quick. Reasonably priced. Decent food. Try it. You'll like it.
(3)Rick B.
This is our first trip to Garbanzos. Lets start with the good points. The babaganoush was really good and so were the mushrooms. That's all the good things I can say. The taboulli tasted very bland, I don't think there was any lemon on it all all. The steak did not taste very good, like almost every thing we tried it was under seasoned. I was hoping for new place to go but we won't be back.
(2)Vivian P.
I'm having my kitchen remodeled and ordered 3 steak kabaob platters and a greek salad with falafel, totaling more than $40. Disappointing is the best I've got...dry, salty overfried falafel, soggy greek salad, crunchy overseasoned rice, and steak so over cooked and chewy, my dogs looked at me in disgust when I put in their bowls. I don't have a problem spending $40 bucks for "higher end takeout", but I really feel ripped off here. Next time, I'll spend a little more at Eden Grill and feel that I've been fed instead of screwed.
(1)jeff y.
Went to the Desert Ridge location.They have the frozen slices of gyros that they throw on the grill, not the 'real' gyros on a spit. Why bother? So I had the steak gyros... bad decision. Very tough, barely edible. Wife had the chicken gyros, said it was pretty bad, tasted frozen. My first and last time eating here.
(1)Kimberlee C.
Quite average. Definitely chipotle style. I ordered a plate and got a LITTLE bit of everything including the meat. Maybe I'm not all that familiar w/ mediterranean food but why do I need the same size scoop of pickle slices as my rice and chicken? At least at chipotle they load you up. Nothing spectacular but edible.
(3)Michele S.
I went there with a friend of mine who had a Groupon , it was a good deal. He had the greek salad w/Gyro meat, I choose the plate so I could try a little of everything. The falafel was okay, pre cooked and sitting for a little bit served cool, not a lot of spices but okay. The hummus was okay not very good but edible, again fell flat on flavor. The baba ganoush was the worst I have ever had, took one bite and it definitely was not fresh and tasted terrible. The Tabbouleh was okay and was much better than the hummus or the baba ganoush. The rice was good but again on the cold side. I prefer my food to be a little fresher, everything tasted like it had been sitting awhile and store-bought. My friend had the Greek Salad with the Gyro meat, the Gyro meat appeared to be from a package and thrown on the rill for about 2 to 3 mins. very thing, looked like processed food. he got maybe 2 slices, it was okay. nothing special. Granted it was fast food, every that being said it is still expensive for a fast food joint with the quality of food not there and cold pitas out of the box. Staff was nice. I probably would not go there again as I much rather go to other places like Pita Jungle at Happy hour and get better quality of food for about the same price. There is also a place in phoenix off of 7th street that makes their own falafel and it is fantastic, nice spices and fresh for about the same price. You did get a lot for your money but again I would prefer quality over quantity.
(2)Stacy L.
I love the idea. Yes I've had better but the staff was super friendly. Not annoying friendly, actual friendly. I liked the rice, hummus, and sauces. Chicken was ok. I might try something else but I will come back.
(4)