Cairo Grille
2410 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL, 32606
Cairo Grille Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Gainesville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2410 NW 43rd St
Gainesville, FL, 32606 - Phone (352) 727-7071
- Website https://www.cairogrille.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Mike W.
See my original review for more details but a brief update on them: The food has, if anything, even improved and they've started doing more specials to round out a menu which is not so extensive. So that's welcome news. Cairo is getting better and better. The staff are super-nice, as are the owners. My only complaint is, they really don't make good baklava. Many places order baklava from bakers in Jacksonville or elsewhere and there's a reason why: it's hard to make, goes stale quickly, and is demanding of labor. I'm not impressed with Cairo's baklava, but fortunately I'm impressed with most everything else.
(4)Helene H.
I tried Cairo Grille because the name intrigued me. I decided to order take-outs. My order was prepared fast. The hardest for me was to chose which dessert I wanted: they all looked delicious. The prices are very reasonable and the food is pretty good. Is the best food I've ever had? No. But for the price it's really good and they have quite a lot of options to choose from. I will definitely go back to satisfy my kebab cravings.
(4)Michelle G.
Came in for dinner. The boyfriend and I shared a vegetarian combo and a kabob combo. We opted for the lamb kefta, beef kabob and grilled chicken and the Turkish salad (counter employee said we could alter the preset combo to our liking- a plus). Both were excellent! The chicken was tender and juicy (a little more charred than I prefer but good nonetheless). The lamb and beef were flavorful and up to standards of what you would expect at any good Middle Eastern restaurant. Veg combo also had huge side of hummus and pita chips, I particularly enjoyed! Finally, baklava to end the meal. Not my favorite variation but my boyfriend really liked it.. With excellent pricing and good portions I will most definitely be headed back to 'eat like an Egyptian'!
(5)Ed W.
I have been to Cairo, and while the food here is quite a bit different, that doesn't mean it is bad. I was looking for a falafel, and the one I got there was really good. The fried egg plant was ok, but not the way that I like it prepared. I prefer it to be battered and deep fried, not pan fried. The tea was really good. I forget the name of it, but it was awesome. The highlight was the homemade baklava. I mean, this was the best I have had since Mollyvou in NYC. It was really well done.
(4)Adrian F.
Delicious meats and perfect rice. Generous portions sure to satisfy. The only negative I can think of for this well kept restaurant with a friendly staff is that the tahini sauce is a little underwhelming. Enjoy your meal here
(4)FoodGirl G.
Tasty! Simple and fresh food. New cafe in a good old location. The place is so much nicer, it looks really fresh and clean - light blue walls and new fittings and furniture. I had a vegetarian platter with falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, salad and brown rice. Delicious! The falafel are light and green with parsley, crunchy and not greasy. Hummus is really wonderful, and store bought hummus won't be the same. I'll be back for the food and the friendly service. Update: Went back and tried some kabobs. They were not very flavorful, they were quite bland although cooked well and not dry. I prefer the vegetarian food.
(3)Dina L.
Cairo grille offers something that is lacking in Gainesville: a solidly good middle eastern influenced restaurant. Pros: restaurant is clean and the prices are reasonable. The hummus is the best I've ever had so far in the states, so that's saying something. The pita is also really good with the hummus since its crunchy. I ordered the chicken entree. The chicken was delicious, as was the tahini dressing on the salad. My husband got the combination platter and was a fan of some meats but not others, so it can be hit or miss. The spices they use on the food are really good so you get a very flavorful bite. Cons: I would have preferred more veggies over the giant portion of rice. Some meats were well done and others were not too great. Overall, the food is good though. If you're looking for a change in your dining routine, this would definitely be the place. Plus, they have baklava!
(4)James J.
This boy from Nowhere, FL wasn't even aware of Mediterranean cuisine until escaping the farm for college, and that might admittedly add to my overall favor for Cairo Grill. From fresh and tasty to zesty and savory, I keep finding excuses to trek out to Cairo for a quick lunch or take-out. The Space A hop, skip, and jump from UF, you can find Cairo over in the Thornebrook area. If not for their unique, blue signage from the street you can believe you'd never know about this place, as it sits sunken behind a plant nursery by its lonesome. The property is very, very large considering: a) the nearby population and b) the amount of customers I've witnessed on any given hummus run. Walk in, order at the counter, and find yourself a seat in the sea of options. I'd paint a picture of "any time is a good time to bring a party of 8". It's considerably clean, and outdoor seating on the deck is relaxing when the weather plays nice. The Service I'm sure with their above-average rating and my handful of visits, they must have peak hours sometimes. That said, put my money on getting fantastic service sheerly for lack of patrons and ordering at the front for food. I've come both with parties of 6 and just one friend, each experience being spot-on. They will bring out your meal and after that you're on your own, but that can be kinda nice for a lunch meetup. The Food Plenty of chances for switching things up at Cairo, especially with their platter options and the price-point. Between sides and meals you'll share and try a ton of different items, which I am a big fan of. The Veggie Combo plate clocks in at a whooping $8.95 and comes with: -Hummus (B): Ask for the Red Pepper version (not spicy), though it can run on the oily side especially with the fried pita chips -Falafel (B): Crispy, savory, but a bit dry without some tahini -Dolmas (C+): A nice change from fryer food, but hit or miss on freshness -Egyptian Salad (B): Simple, zesty, and bright flavor to slice through the density of everything else Final Thoughts By and large the food feels pretty fresh, it's a steal when it comes to value, and the lack of competition in the area, as well as in Gainesville, make Cairo a solid option for quick dip-ins for literally dipping yourself into a bowl of hummus. It would be nice to have a bit more energy in the place than just staff + my party, but rather than complain I see this spot as the chill, any-afternoon lunch option in the area.
(4)Mel B.
An awesome lunch spot in the Millhopper area. When the weather is great out, I like to grab one of their fresh teas and sit on the wrap around porch. The menu is simple & inexpensive, and everything is made from fresh ingredients. It's a nice treat for people used to consuming grocery store hummus or paying an arm & a leg for lamb. Also, they're pretty good about vegetarian options (which is smart, especially in Gainesville)
(5)Isabel S.
I came to Egypt Grille with my boyfriend for lunch. We ordered the hummus without a chips, steak kefta kabob sandwich, and their chicken falafel. The food was very affordable and was brought out to us very quickly!
(4)J. S.
BLAND, I was excited to find this place, and the reviews looked awesome. Do not be fooled. I had the lamb Kefta and foule. Both were bland and served with doughy, probably store bought, pita bread. I'm pretty sure the foule is just bland Mexican re-fried beans with a drizzle of tahini oil. Very disappointed.
(1)Cassie R.
I am a fan. My favorite items are the kebabs--both the lamb and the chicken, in sandwich form and on rice. Fresh and delicious every time! The fresh teas and lemonade are a great accompaniment and dessert seems to rotate every so often. I've enjoyed both the baklava and an orange spice cake that were equally satisfying. Short but sweet menu done right.
(5)Abbi R.
Great new restaurant! Best falafel I've found in Gainesville and the hummus was AMAZING! Everything is so fresh and cooked right to order. Affordable and clean- definitely recommend!
(5)Arthur L.
We had an amazing experience. I have a daughter with severe dairy and food allergies and I don't mean lactose intolerant. The nice guy taking our order and the kitchen were so great in checking everything we asked about. The food was awesome and no allergic reactions which can happen even when people are careful from cross contamination. We ordered half the menu and my girls 8, 10, 12 devoured the food...along with me and my wife of course. The chef and the owner were very friendly and you could tell they took a lot of pride in their work. We will definitely be back...maybe tomorrow.
(5)Barbara B.
Our new favorite place!!!! ALL of the food is amazing, top notch!!! The service feels like your being hosted personally in Ali's home. Beautiful porch to dine and relax on. Please go! Support this local yumminess!!
(5)Brian K.
I stop in frequently for takeout. I think their babaganoush is the best I've ever eaten - the eggplant has a wonderful smoky flavor. Their red pepper hummus is also excellent, as are their stuffed grape leaves. I prefer the pita to the chips. Their falafel is just OK but we still order it every time. We haven't tried any of the entrees yet because we enjoy the appetizers so much.
(4)Chris R.
I am in love with this place. I came when they first opened and liked it but hadn't had a chance to return. This time I ordered the Kebab combination. All were good and the lamb was so to die for. Service is fantastic bc the lady who runs the front is a gem. I am always trying to find a place that has a balance between flavor and healthiness that doesn't break the bank. Today I found that and I will be coming here often!
(4)Scott T.
The lamb curry was very good and they started you out with a basket of lentil chips and 2 chutneys.
(4)Jessica S.
Really great food and service! I ordered the baba ghannoug and lamb kabob sandwich, both had great seasoning, and the lamb was really tender. I do wish the sandwich had some sauce on it though. I also ordered a pastry that had literally just come out of the oven, so it was still warm, and very tasty! Will definitely be back.
(4)C W.
I really really wanted to like the Cairo Grill, but I probably won't return. I love Levantine-type food, but unfortunately, this experience fell very flat. It smelled great walking in the dining room, and I wanted to try as much as I could, so my order was a kebab combo plate, which was a Shish Kebab, a Kefta Kebab, Chicken Kebab, and Falafel, with rice and a small lettuce and tomato salad. I also ordered some hummus, because, of course you have to check out the hummus. The service was great, with a friendly cashier to take our order, and when we missed our order being called out ready, another employee came looking for us to bring our food. The old Buddha interior has had a fresh coat of paint, and seems so much cleaner and brighter- and the AC was set for a good temperature, unlike the sweltering former Buddha. So far, so good. All of the Kebabs had a good char on them, which adds a nice facet, but there was not much flavor other than a very mild...lemon? I think? Perhaps from a marinade. The Shish Kebab was tender, but the Chicken was very dry, which made me question whether there was a marinade after all. Kefta kebab was also lacking in flavor. No sauce for falafel, tahini, cucumber, or otherwise. The rice was plain, missing another opportunity spice it up a little with butter or parsley. Salad had a miserly drizzle of tahini, which helped a bit, but wasn't enough. The portions were otherwise of good size. And finally.. the hummus. oh, my hummus. Nothing special at all, no personality, no kick, no nothing that would make me say "Ah, this is Cairo's hummus." No... unfortunately the hummus had the bland, non-committal homogeneity that I've come to console myself with from the supermarket hummus. As in, it's ok, but I can get something mighty similar from the deli section. Oh, and it was served with Chips! Pita Chips! What gives with that? I don't want a chip, I want warm, tasty delicious homemade (let me pretend) pita to tear up and scoop that hummus up with! I know Gainesville is lacking in good Levantine food with easy parking, but as much as I wanted Cairo Grill to be my new best thing, I just can't see myself going back. The flavors are so faint, so mild, I feel like this is something I can do at home- which is not why I go out to eat. I go out for the exotic, for the spice combinations that don't suggest themselves to my American-raised palate. The intensity of flavor that I've come to expect from this style of food just wasn't there. Sorry Cairo. I wanted it to work out. But it's not me, it's you.
(2)Deb D.
This was the 2nd time we dined there. The first time was good, we at in the dining room which is lacking in comfort and personality. Dining on the porch was no option as the heat index was 105*. Nice portions, friendly staff. This time we grabbed hummus and pita chips for take out. We ordered an additional order of pita chips to have later. The container was a clear small one, with about 7 pita chips in it. The extra order was the same size. The previous time they were in a bag, that was full! The portion size decreased by at least 80%, and thats being generous. So, great hummus, portions are a joke. Wont be visiting again anytime soon.
(3)Pedram B.
Simple place but freakin good food. I ordered the Koufta kabab and you can get it as beef or lamb. Since I'm a 'varied is the spice of life' type of guy I asked if I could get 1/2 lamb & 1/2 beef. They obliged which made me happy. Both were plenty good, but the lamb was Aaaaaa-Mazing! If I still lived here it's the kind of place I'd eat a couple times a week.
(5)Vicci M.
Having grown up in a major metro city with tons of authentic and fresh food options, I am often underwhelmed by the lack of food options here in Gainesville. Little did I know everyday for the past couple months I have been driving past this hidden nugget of a restaurant. The food is all made in house, including the desserts. I made it a point after taking a bite of my own to also sample a bite from all my friends plates. Needless to say, I got a pretty good variety of every flavor and offering on the menu and not one thing disappointed. For example, the beef, lamb and chicken had so much flavor and remained tender because it's seasoned correctly with spices and not because it's loaded down with butter. That and I don't know what they do to make their grilled veggies so darn good but I stole a bunch off of my friends plates because I wanted more ( and this is coming from a girl who avoids vegetables at all costs ).
(5)Alba H.
We stopped by Cairo Grill today, and had a fabulous meal. We shared the Kabob combination plate, that consists of shish kabob, kefta kabob, chicken and falafel with rice, pita, lettuce and tomatoes. The lamb was delicious as well as the falafel. The wholeplate was very good, I just wished it would have had a little more tahini sauce. The price for this plate $9.95, good service, great prices. My only complaint not food related is that it was a beautiful day and wanted to sit outside, but the lawn people were cutting grass, blowing leaves all over the place and the smell of gas was overpowering. Overall we had a great meal.
(4)Andy F.
If you're looking for something a little different this is good place to have a unique meal. Lots of good vegetarian options, which though we are not ourselves we do appreciate the option. My wife and I stopped in around 7 on Valentine's Day, lucky for us most other couples weren't as adventurous for the day. You order at the counter then they bring the food to your table. We were both pleased that hot tea was an option with a selection of tea bags and hot water since due to the time of year our sinuses were relieved to enjoy some hot tea. We ordered appetizers of Fried Eggplant (seasoned with garlic & vinegar, served with pita bread slices) and Baba Ghannoug with pita chips. Needless to say we like eggplant, and if you do also then this is a good way to start a meal. My wife ordered the Bechamel, which I now refer to as Egyptian lasagna. I ordered the Kabob Combination Plate, which was quite a plate. Overall the portions are good and the prices are better. For $30 we both leave here happy and full. Yet what is the kicker is everything was fairly healthy so it isn't the bloated kind of full. We would both highly recommend this unique spot when you are hungry and just want to try something different.
(4)Allen F.
Food was okay, but very small portions for the price. Customer service was poor. This place won't be in business very long.
(1)Diana O.
After waiting 30 minutes for carry out. I ordered the potato soup & a falafel sandwich. The potato soup was uncomfortably over seasoned, and by seasoned I mean TOO MUCH BLACK PEPPER. I think the shaker fell in the pot or something. They were out of falafel on my first visit so I wanted to try it. It was burnt, dry, bitter yet bland, and tasted like oregano. Tomatoes were sparse the piece I did find was more of a chunk like it had been ripped off by hand. I had plenty of scrap lettuce. (Gee thanks!). The kitchen had American cooks if you could call them cooks. How authentic can it really be? I called the number on my receipt to complain about the inedible soup and it went to someone's personal phone that had never heard of Cairo Grille. I told the owner it was wrong and when I read it to her she thought it was right. You should know your number even if it's likely no one will be using it after they close down permanently.
(1)Terry H.
My family of four rather enjoyed our visit in January. The pepper hummus was great with the bread and our shish kabobs were great. I asked for a side of tahini sauce as another Yelper suggested it necessary because of the lack of flavor. No one in our party needed it as all of our orders were seasoned nicely. I recommend and will go back.
(4)Kendra S.
Great food and service every time I come. The lamb kabob combination platter is awesome.
(5)George W.
I am giving this five stars. This is good Egyptian food. In fact, this is just plain good food. I have been to Egypt many times and this is as good as can be found there. I had the kushari, another in our party had a selection of appetizers and another had a kabob dish. We all agreed that this will be on our regular rotation. I am looking forward to our next visit to try some of the other dishes. Also, it is located in a lovely setting and sitting on the porch when the weather is nice is very pleasant. We are fortunate that the owner chose Gainesville to open his restaurant.
(5)Alex H.
Cairo grill was good. The food was cheap in price but rich in flavor. My boyfriend and I ate with an appetizer for under $20.
(4)Mohamed F.
Fresh ingredients, tasty genuine Mediterranean cuisine, friendly staff, Baklava is beyond excellent!! Will definitely go again!
(5)Luis A.
I recently went back with some work colleagues for a lunch here and had a better experience. We came in pretty much right when the place opened on a weekday. The food was better than my last visit and I noticed the owner was actually present in the kitchen. My last trip was on a weekend right around 4pm and I did not see the owner on that visit. I'll chalk the first experience up to consistency problems which isn't unusual for a new place. If I were the owner though, I'd make sure I don't take my eyes off the kitchen for a second. Whoever cooked my food the first time butchered it. If this trip wasn't due to a work function I never would've come back. I can only assume that on my first visit, the owner stepped out since it was during an off-peak time. This time I had a falafel sandwich that was very nice and the date balls which were also enjoyable. The meats ordered by my coworkers looked to be nice and juicy unlike my last visit. While I still don't think the recipes are anything to write home about, if they can keep the food consistent to what it was on this visit this place should do fine. The price point is definitely more than fair for what you get.
(3)Talia A.
An amazing experience to say the least! Coming from a Persian family, good Middle Eastern food is VERY hard to find in a small town like Gainesville. I went in the other day with a friend for the first time with the expectation that I'd really like it. My expectations were exceeded and I loved it! I got the chicken kebob platter and my friend got the combo. All the meats were cooked to perfection. No heavy seasoning or loading on salt. The rice it comes with is amazing as well and has a little bit of a hard texture which I really like. I got the Jerusalem salad as well and I was shocked at how perfect they did it (having much Israeli family as well) Despite our bellies being happily full, my friend and I both ordered some dessert. The lemon cake and date balls will rock your world! After being so pleased with absolutely everything, I decided to have catered food from here for my graduation party. Needless to say, it was a hit! People were raving about it. The veggie platter with stuffed grape leaves and felafel was heavenly, honest. And the pita chips and hummus are on point! The owner, Ali was super helpful throughout the process and he genuinely cares about his customers. I highly recommended Cairo Grille. Anything you order you're guaranteed to love. A hidden gem I will be making my way over to much more often:)
(5)Michael T.
Let me preface this with an admission: I am not an expert on Middle Eastern food. While I've had it before, it hasn't been many times. That said, my wife and I had a perfectly pleasant meal tonight at Cairo Grill. I had the Kabob Combination; she had the Bechamel, kind of mac 'n' cheese without the cheese but with ground beef. We also had the Roasted Red Pepper Humus, which was pretty decent. I think I can judge that, having made the exact thing at home several times. You can get pita bread with the humus instead of the chips if you request, Everything was well-prepared, the servings were more than adequate, and service was efficient. Several reviewers have described the food as tasteless, we did not find it so. While the spicing certainly was not assertive, the food was tasty, with lemon being the dominant undertone. My chicken was appropriately cooked, and the lamb was tender. All had a distinct and pleasant taste of the grill. Background music was Middle Eastern when we arrived, but switched to Big Band about halfway through the meal. Neither was obtrusive. It was a pleasant evening so we sat outside. As noted, Middle Eastern restaurants are few and far between in Gainesville, so even a three-star one is worth having. We will return.
(3)Tiffany A.
Cairo Grille is a refreshing change from your everyday meals. I went there during it's opening week. The food was quite delicious. The hummus and pita chips tasted very fresh and authentic. I had the beschamel and could not get enough of it. It was very warm, creamy and tender which sort of reminded me of southern comfort food. My boyfriend works just down the road from their restaurant and is a frequent customer there. He raves about their kabobs. The staff is super friendly and the owner is very receptive to the customers' comments and criticisms. I look forward to going back and trying more :)
(4)Emely E.
The food was fresh and the prices were reasonable. Everything was absolutely delicious.
(5)Ed K.
My friend and I had lunch there recently. My fallafel wrap and her chicken wrap were tasty, fresh, and inexpensive. The owner showed us the brand new kitchen and other repairs to the aging physical plant. Service was quick and friendly.
(4)Gregg S.
I ordered the kefta kabob (lamb) platter. This was $7.95 and served over a bed of rice with lettuce and tomato. I asked for no tomato and they listened. Unfortunately, they left out the lettuce too. For $8, I got some lamb over rice which was disappointing. The lamb was decent but the rice was hard in parts. The portions are small too as they gave me a medium-sized plate, of which the food only took up two-thirds of it. I won't be back.
(2)Keith S.
Fun place for lunch. Hope they make it. Nice to have an alternative lunch spot other than burgers (though I do love 5 Guys right across the street). Started out with a combo platter and a large hummus. We split between to people. Hummus comes with chips instead of pita, so if your a pita fan, ask to substitute.
(4)