Mandaloun
9862 Old Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32256
Mandaloun Menu
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Address :
9862 Old Baymeadows Rd
Jacksonville, FL, 32256 - Phone (904) 646-1881
- Website https://www.mandalounjax.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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George I.
My first time dining here was a delight. Both, my mother and brother, enjoyed this restaurant, as well. The service was exceptional, the food was remarkable! It has a fancy feel to it, a restaurant where you would have dinner and show at. We ordered the hummus, which was warmed up and served with pita (which our server kept refilling every 5 minutes)! It tasted a bit better than the hummus I usually purchase at Publix. Then we moved onto the main course. We ordered the mixed grill and beef and chicken shawarma. The mixed grill comes with 3 meats: beef, chicken, and lamb. We chose the seasoned potatoes on the side, which turned out to be exquisite. The meats in the shawarmas were excellently cooked and seasoned. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's a nice setting, excellent food, and you'll be thinking about it long after the meal is over.
(5)Ryan S.
We dined here tonight on the recomendation of my sister in law and I have to say all the food is great. I will get to the 2 star rating after the food portion its a doozy. We started with the grand mezze and the fattaya. All was amazing but the baba ganoush was the star of the plate one of the best Ive had Then went on to the mixed grill and 2 of the lamb kabob plates (cant remember their names one with chili spices one with eggplant) all were amazing. Now the desert the baklava was good but would have liked more nuts and the doozy was in the nammoura while very taaty like a honeyed corbread I chomped down and a huge chunk of a broken plate or dish baked into my cake amd cracked a tooth. To which I was told the were sorry and took 8% off my check didnt even cover the cost of the dessert that was the culprit. hardly gonna cover dentist cost due to their neglagence. I understand mistakes happen but really on top of it all was impossiable to get our watter refilled the whole evening except by another waitor named z he was pretty awesome. But our waitor was prettt bad had to remind him of everything even food to go boxes checks multiple times. Due to the service and a cracked tooth is the 2 star review. What started out to be a great dinner went seriously downhill.
(1)Michael A.
My first time at Mandaloun Mediterranean Cuisine was an overall positive experience. You really can't judge a book by the cover is the motto that I would use with this place. The outside appearance of the strip mall where this restaurant is located is deceiving because the inside decor is really well put together. The inside was very clean and nicely arranged. The ambiance created by red walls (#50shadesofgrey) mixed in with the fresh flowers at the table and slightly dimmed lights give a nice ROMANTIC vibe. I would really recommend this place for a date! The service that I experienced wasn't as pleasant as other reviewers may have experienced. My date and I went there around 8pm, and the restaurant wasn't too busy. But, I believe our waiter was maybe new or maybe they were short staffed at that time because the wait to get our order placed was pretty excessive (~20mins). There was also times where my glass of water stayed emptied for a period of time. HOWEVER, when the waiters were there, they were super friendly and nice. I would HIGHLY recommend the MIXED GRILL! Each one of the grilled meats were very TENDER and very well SPICED! If you are unsure of what to order, I would recommend this plate too because it gives you variety of different meats just in case you don't like one! I doubt that you wouldn't like any of them ;) The appetizer that I recommend is the COMBO PLATTER. You get to select different types of dips and items to use with your pita bread. I picked the Hummus ( very good! made from fresh chickpeas), Tabbouleh (very delicious-It was my favorite!!!), Labneh (tasted very fresh and it was some of the best that I've tasted), and Fatayer. I went on a Friday, so we got to enjoy a belly dancing show. The dancer was very good and interactive with the customers. She didn't seem to bother anyone by being able to see what customers wanted to interact with her. Very professional and good show. HANDS DOWN... YOU MUST TRY THE BAKLAVA!!! IT IS AMAZING!! I am not for sure if they make it freshly there, but it was the best tasting Baklava that I have EVER tasted!! I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
(4)Angelo K.
Food is good. Server smells like a bottle of VODKA Never stop by to the table HORRIBLE. Giving 2 stars beacuse of the Food. If they will fix the service this place will rock n roll!!!
(2)Alyssa P.
We dined in around 4:30 or so think we were the only table there. Ordered the hummus, calamari, and Chicken Kabob. Hummus - was ok; definitely not the best. The pita was really good and tasted homemade. Calamari - my daughter liked it a lot bc she said the batter tasted like mozzarella stick batter. I agree on the batter taste. Texture was chewy and sauce tasted like salsa, not marinara. For nearly $10, I expected it to taste better with more pieces. Shish Taouk (Chicken Kabob) - Dish was colorful, veggies cooked perfectly. Chicken pieces very tender and flavorful. They also removed the pieces from the skewers which made it effortless to eat. I can make very similar kabobs at home so for almost $15 I feel it's over priced and besides it's just chicken. The dish price is comparable with an entrée that contains seafood. Service was fine lol since we were the only table there.
(3)Sonia T.
The food was great! I wasn't excited about the falafel but at least I can say I tried it. The hummus was the best hummus I've ever had. I was hoping the Fatayer was similar to a Spanikopita but it wasn't. It was ok. The service was superb and the main entree was perfection. The ambiance inside of the restaurant is very relaxing and welcoming. There were multiple door stop delivery people picking up orders there so I knew the food had to be worth it. The salmon was full of flavor and not overcooked. The vegetables and potatoes were perfect. The yellow rice had a lot of flavor but I like the potatoes over the rice. The mixed grill was tender but next time I'll order two chicken kabobs instead of the lamb. We usually love lamb but the minced lamb wasn't my favorite. The next time we're hoping to try a dessert.
(4)Jenna G.
They have the best hummus ever. It's a good Lebanese restaurant, not the best I've ever been but it's very good, especially for Jacksonville. Very child friendly which is great for my husband and I.
(4)Steve G.
My wife and I have been here several time in the last few months.... for both dinner and the lunch buffet. It is my Top 5 list of favorite restaurants in JAX. We almost always get the Grand Mezze... it's $60 for 2.... but OMG.... so much GOOD food... there is plenty to take home. And all the things you get in the Grand Mezze are great as left overs. The food is ALWAYS fresh.... you can tell. And the owner Pierre is ALWAYS walking the room making you feel so welcome. Service is great. The prices are good for what you get. One dish I tried on our last visits was their version of moussaka.... and they make it in a Lebanese tradition, which is different than what you will normally fin d at a Greek restaurant. It was amazing! Pierre will "custom" make pretty much make whatever you ask. For instance, my daughter is Glutton Free... and he made several 'refinements' to a dish she wanted to try... all with glutton free ingredients. He even had half way decent glutton free bread he served in a separate basket. Please do not let the (what I think) unattractive exterior of the building deter you from giving Pierre and the Mandaloun restaurant a try. You will be happy you did. As a side note... I like to walk next door and get a cup of after dinner coffee from the little cafe to the left of Mandaloun. Great coffee drinks, and its small and independently owned.
(5)Michael C.
Located in a busy but non descript shopping center, this is an authentic Mediterranean spot in the middle of suburban hell. Lunch time offers a substantial buffet with several main entrees along with plenty of side dishes and a few deserts. The menu, which is available for lunch and dinner, runs the gamut of expected meals and of the several we tried, all were good. Service was friendly and competent and the owner came out to great several tables which we felt was a nice touch.
(4)Vanessa T.
Went here for dinner, we have been a few times and I really love the food, actually the whole experience. Its tucked into a strip mall off Baymeadows the inside is decorated nicely. The owner is always there walking around talking to people, making sure you like everything. I think on fri and sat nights they have a belly dancer also. Now to the food.........its all so good! We started with an appetizer of the combo plate where you could pick 4 different apps.......there are alot of options in the appetizer area, cold, hot, baked, salads, they have names that are probably unfamiliar also so best bet is to ask server to help in this area, but the combo plates are great to sample a few things.....we got meat pies, cheese/spinach pie, kibbe, and Fatoosh.....WOW everything soooooo good! I really love the Fatoosh Salad, its a salad with toasted pita mixed in, its just so good....my husband who is a picky eater really liked all the apps. The entrees: we got Mixed Grill, which is three kabobs (lamb, beef, and chicken) and a side ( rice, potato, veggies)....the meat was marinated and cooked perfect. Just perfect!! We also got the grouper which was in a lemon butter sauce...we both didnt really like this too much, too lemony for our taste. We left stuffed and happy!
(5)Tammera S.
A Greek restaurant, Indian undertones.( not surprised, it's in a area that had about 4 Indian groceries stores and several Indian restaurants). I had Hummus...very good. Stuffed grape leaves, good. A spinach stuffed pie, thinking it would be Spanakopita like...was a spinach stuffed samosa. Actually good. And then we had potatoes with jalapenos and oil...good. service was ok. Waitress was very pleasant, but seemed very distracted. Would walk away in the middle of my talking to her. ( not rude tho...) odd. All in all good. I'm in Jacksonville at least once a month, ..uhhh...I wouldn't go back. Not terrible at all.....just not great.
(3)Brian S.
It is hard to write a review about this place without writing something as long as War and Peace, so I will try to keep it brief. I came in thanks to Groupon, and was blown away by this place! It is a great date spot (and one that I have in my arsenal to use soon), or just for a casual dinner. Their wine selection was okay, but the food is the star. Tabbouleh, homemade hummus, and/or grape leaves are the way to start, and everything after that is guaranteed to be a winner. They even have non-Mediterranean dishes (like Chicken Cordon Bleu) for those who are not excited by exotic/delicious food. Stop in and prepare to be impressed!
(4)Anna H.
Wow what a knock out time we had last night at Mandaloun. The usual suspects (9 of us) assembled to test out the food flavors from Lebanon. I can assure everyone this is far and beyond the usual " Mediterranean" food I have found in Jacksonville. After we were seated our person of the night Casey served us water and quickly brought us Pita with dipping oil for the table. The bread was fresh, warm and the oil light and salty on the tongue. Just about that time Chief Pierre introduced himself to us, inquired if we had any questions about the menu and suggested we may allow him to put together a combination of many items family style for the group. I found this a brilliant move since many of the diners had never experienced this cuisine before but it was voted down. There are so many wonderful choices on the menu I was willing to let him decide. I started with the Foul Madames a delightful combination of Fava beans specially prepared with garlic olive oil and lemon juice. This warm dish brought out all the flavors of the Fava beans @ $8.50 there was enough for everyone to taste test and still have extra. Others on the line up for Mezz were the Falafel (6 pieces) Crispy deep fried of ground chickpeas, broad beans, herbs, spices and tomato. Served with 1 side of tahini. Again perfect in every way and we shared. Hummus, Tabbouleh, Baba Ghanoush. and Grape Leaves we were all in, the the dishes were flying around the table to groans of delight. When it came time for the entrees one of the owners assisted us in our decision, pronouncing the dish as it should be, explaining the heat, taste and flavors of what we were selecting. This made life easy, what was not easy was the actual decision. But here we go. I am not going to bore you with all the ingredients, that way if this review sparks you go and try it. Just know that nothing was left, there were 9 separate dishes and several converts to this particular restaurant if not the food. Outstand dishes the Lamb, Veggies grilled, Beef Shawarma, and Mixed Grill. Rice served with the entrees was probably the best tasting rice in any restaurant I have tried here. Pierre continued to check on us through out the meal, which is pretty extraordinary. Some brave souls ordered dessert to go. I did ask it they could put together a small sampling of the dessert menu for us to share and they accommodated us immediately. This type of service is common in Europe and the Middle East not so much here in Jacksonville, so another 5 stars. We were presented with 2 plates of traditional food stuff, Baklava, Maamoul, Rice Pudding made with Rose Water, what a new taste treat and Layally Beirut. I was happy they did not serve the Tiramisu. Is that on every menu in the world? This is definitely a go back to restaurant. Look at the website, get a group of good friends together and set off to be impressed.
(5)Danielle S.
Great Greek middle eastern feel. I had the gyro and it left me disappointed on the flavor aspect. My husband had some sausage type thing that was delicious. The service was excellent and the place was very clean. I guess I just ordered the wrong thing.
(4)Lolo C.
Another great meal at Mandaloun. We took friends who had never eaten there and they loved it. Fresh, plentiful and reasonable. Pierre, the owner-chef, greets everyone and is most pleasant. Just a great place for Lebanese food in Jacksonville. We don't love the belly dancer but kids and some guys seem to love it.
(5)Fina L.
I asked the lady server if they have mussels and she walked off stating "I don't know' Yes the service sucks, 6 king prawns medium size are ok but not worth $18...I finished my prawns with pieces of carrots & zucchini ...they forgot to serve my salad, they must serve salad as Dessert...would not recommend!!!
(1)Maggie O.
Hummus is great and the wait staff was amazing. Didn't care for the sauce on the chicken Schwarma though. Nice quiet atmosphere.
(4)Sheldon M.
The food was great. The ambience was nice. The evening entertainment (belly dancer) was a pleasant surprise. This is my first time there and had a great time with friends as I celebrated my birthday. Great experience and recommend for a couples date night or a small group gathering.
(4)Henry H.
The chicken shawarma wrapped pita was very delicious. I would come back just to eat it. The chicken soup tasted okay. The Fattoush salad was very unique and good. I would want to come back to try another type of salad to see what else I would like.
(4)Erika B.
My husband and I went here for date night because I scored a $25 restaurant.com giftcard for $3. We were a little confused as we were walking in because it appeared that there was a DJ set up at the end of the sidewalk near the end of the building. Um, club Baymeadows anyone? We went in around 8:30pm, seated immediately but had to wait about 10 minutes before we were acknowledged for a drink order. After that, our service was vastly improved. We had two appetizers, the grape leaves and the spicy lamb sausage. Both were amazing. I opted for the mixed grill and my husband went with the fried fish. Both dishes came out fresh and extremely tasty. It was a fabulous atmosphere for a date night and we will definitely be returning! (Although, still extremely confused by the DJ and young kids all hanging out in front)
(4)Feema F.
I eat at this place every time I am in JAX. The food is pretty authentic. As usual they hold back on some of the spices to please the american audience. Having leb heritage I can tell you this is as close as you are going to get in JAX. Owner is a super guy. I like the lamb kabobs.
(5)Juan G.
Excelent quality of food, service is outstanding , decoration according to the style, good prices. Higly recomended. My family became frecuent custumers since the first day. We have been to many middle eastern reataurants all over the world and is one of the best. The cheff is from Lebanon.
(5)Shayla G.
This spot NEVER let's me down!! The food is always spectacular! Always fresh and flavorful. It has a nice ambiance and wonderful cuatomer servixe. I love the fact, the chef comes out often to see how you're enjoying the food.This is a must stop for me each time I visit home.
(5)Krishna S.
Have been here few times and will continue to go, this place is just awesome the food is too good, specially if you prefer veggies this is the best on south side of jax. The main chef is a friendly cook and visits the table often to know food choice and preference!!
(5)Paul C.
We eat here at least once everytime we come to Jacksonville. The food & service has always been excellent except for this time. The food was very good on 11/26/14, but the service really slipped from our previous visits. Only one other table occupied when we arrived yet we waited 10 minutes for the server to come & take our drink orders. Then it took another's 10 minutes for him to bring the drinks & another 10 minutes for him to come back to take our food orders. I had the vegetarian platter which was very good. My wife had the red snapper which was also very good. The others in our group also enjoyed their food, but not the service. With many choices in that area we will try another Middle Eastern restaurant on our next visit.
(3)G Race B.
Hidden gem! Tucked behind BOwl of Pho in the Publix plaza, on the corner of Old Baymeadows Rd and Southside Blvd. Service -two thumbs up for all of the 3x I've dined here. Food is excellent. Everything that came out to our table seems to have been made freshly made. You gotta try the Tabouleh Salad! The Fattoush Salad was even Better!!!! OMG! lol. Fridays and Saturdays, they have a belly dancer every hour from 7-9pm. Pretty Cool Owner was VERY friendly and accommodating!!! If you haven't tried them.. you've got to!
(4)Tiffany R.
My mom always wants to come here because she likes the hummus and it's close by. I think the hummus is one of the only good things about this place. I almost always leave disappointed. The service is always slow and they're never very welcoming or helpful. The Last time we went I got steak kabobs and they were extremely over cooked, when I told the server he looked at me like I was crazy.
(3)Lynn P.
We walked in with great music and belly dancer. Not the greatest service. We waited for a while for someone to come and give us water and took our orders. We waited a while for them to come and take our order for desserts so we decided not to get any. The food was edible. We got grape leaves and we were not able to eat it. Not sure how it was suppose to taste but I was so sour we couldn't take another bite. I got the beef kabob and it tasted like any other beef. Nothing really special about this dish. My friend got chicken kabob and it was ok. We did however enjoyed the culture music and dancing.
(2)John R.
This was a wonderful experience to be able to treat my wife to. The food was delicious and the staff was top notch. The waiting staff were friendly and made our dining experience something special. It was well decorated and very clean. My wife and I look forward to dining here again in the future.
(4)Summer S.
OMG, checked in to a hotel and came straight here! Loved the music, the friendly hosts and the food is delish!!! We had the baba ghanoush (I love when you can taste the smokiness), sambusek meat filled, mixed grill! The chicken was completely succulent, ask for the lamb as medium since they will assume well done, ground beef kabob with Roasted veggies. And the iced tea is perfecto. I love it when it's ethnic Bc so much more flavorful than just fountain or Lipton iced tea. I think while we are in the neighborhood we will be frequenting this place often! Sahtain!! :)
(5)Shankara K.
Review for the Southside location. DO NOT ORDER ONLINE. They claim that the website listed on Yelp (and that even has their address on it ( mandaloun.com/florida.htm ) is not their own! I made my order over the phone looking at their menu but was charged more than $10 more (order total a little over $35). When I came home and checked their prices and called them back, she asked me to go to another website where their prices are listed. And she was very very blunt in answering (and hung up saying "whatever!" in spite of having a cordial conversation). I wouldn't even consider dining in if this is their standard for treating customers! Deception at it's peak! YELP - You have the website wrong. The lady at the counter said that their correct website is mandalounjax.com
(1)Tom T.
My wife and I have been to Mandaloun many times, though not as many as we would like. We have also been to many of the other Mediterranean restaurants in Jacksonville. Mandaloun is the best by far. My favorite is the sampler platter. My wife like the fetush salad. You will not go wrong or be dissatisfied with Mandaloun.
(5)Ersula O.
delish delish delish delish delish....the end
(4)Robert S.
7 of us went for dinner April lst. We had an excellent waiter, the owner's son. He suggested food and we took him up on it. There was nothing we didn't like; even 2 kids liked it. Loved the tablecloths and decorations. We had never seen the pipe smokers on the patio. It was very interesting. Everything about this place was a positive experience.........want to go again, all the way from NE GA....YES, YES.
(5)Marcus P.
The absolute best! Amazing food and exquisite service! The chef even came out to answer a question we had about how the garlic spread was made. I'll be back on a regular basis!
(5)Jase H.
I have been here a few times and the food is okay, a bit salty. The lunch buffet is worth trying to get a sense of the food. Liquid Smoke is used in the baba ghanoush. And, the cooks are very heavy handed with the salt. The pita bread is NOT made in-house. The servers are very helpful and friendly. The owners, however, are not that courteous. Be aware of their Groupon promotions. They add 18% to your bill before they take the discount. Also, their Restaurant.com gift cards are not allowed to be used on take out orders even though it does not state it. Same with the Groupon. You would think the owners would clarify their discounts. Adding 18% to your bill when using a Groupon is pretty shady.
(2)Valerie C.
very authentic. lots of dishes I've never seen before. service was good. portions weren't the best for the price. the hummus was some of the best we've ever had. they gave us no problem with our gift certificate. I would totally return.
(4)Brenda M.
My husband and I are always looking for new places to try and he happened to stumble across this one while browsing the internet. We had lunch there the food was absolutely phenomenal. At first, the service was a bit slow, but then they were very attentive. My husband is Egyptian and I am Armenian/Italian and this place had the best Mediterranean food we have eaten here in Jacksonville and the prices were very reasonable. My husband had the buffet and everything on it was great. He raved about how fresh the fish was. I had the Chicken Shawarma which came with this garlic spread that was to die for!!!! I even ordered an extra container of it so I could use it at home. This is my new favorite place. We will DEFINITELY be back!!!!!!
(5)Aarthii K.
Went during the closing time of the day, yet very satisfied with the service. The chef was around seeing you how you liked the food. We had chicken kebab and kids menu. Everything was yummm.We didn't like the desert that we ordered and surprisingly the chef got us another coconut dessert. It was a real good find.
(4)Christopher W.
Delicious! Matter of fact, the saffron rice was my favorite part! Service was a bit slow though, so I dropped the 4 stars to 3.
(3)Kathleen C.
Delish!! Fresh food, great atmosphere....server a little slow, but hey it was a good time so I can overlook that. Highly recommend!!
(5)Carrie Anne T.
My boyfriend and I went out to dinner here tonight for the first time and we were very impressed. We got the mixed mezze, shorba soup, and rice pudding. The mixed mezze included 6 mezzes. They were all delicious, the falafels were my favorite. I was excited to try the rice pudding, because I love rice pudding. However, I was a bit surprised when it came out cold. I've always eaten rice pudding warm. I still enjoyed it though, it was just a new experience for me. We definitely are planning on coming back again to try more entrees, but our first impression was very good.
(4)A D.
Great 5 star food. The service was not as great. The chef was nice and stopped by to chit-chat which was nice. The rice pudding was awesome. Some vegetarian main course items would have been nice.
(4)Robert C.
Went here based on yelp reviews. Was a little tricky to find, you need to go to the middle of the mini mall or drive around to the Winn Dixie parkling lot. Was a little pricey for what I got, but it was very good. I did order take out, so maybe the presentation was off a little. Would go back again to sample other items from the menu.
(4)Caron S.
Four solid stars. Three of us went for the lunch buffet and our verdict? It is DELICIOUS. Previously I loved Hala's lunch buffet (on University) but this seemed fresher and more flavorful. The hummus...oh, the hummus, it was thick and creamy (DREAMY is more like it). The baba ganoush was equally thick and delicious. Loved the tabouli, and I've had tabouli all around town (Karam's is my favorite, but Zaitoon's was great, and it's good at Pinegrove Deli, Whiteway Deli, Akel's Deli downtown, Zodiac Grill downtown, and the list goes on). The lentil soup was great and the garlicky fava beans were packed with flavor. There were a few meat dishes, which I didn't sample, and a rice pudding type dessert. The only area for improvement would have been the pita wedges. They were a bit dry. Service was a bit odd, as we had three separate people come over throughout the lunch. The atmosphere is cozy, and the location convenient with ample parking. Definitely recommend.
(4)Aubrey M.
Everything was perfection. The service was genuinely nice and helpful. The food was deeelishhh. I couldn't pronounce the names of the entrees and they were so nice about it, even helped me learn a bit of Greek. I ordered the red snapper and my guest ordered lamb. Hummus was amazing. Everything was amazing!
(5)René T.
this is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in jax! every time i get to eat here, it is a treat. my grandfather is from lebanon, and whenever he visits he always asks if we can go to mandaloun. it has become a tradition for my family to eat here when we are all in town together, and we have never had a bad experience. the atmosphere is nice and the food is amazing. we usually order a variety of appetizers to eat family style - hummus, tabbouleh, grape leaves, lebneh, falafel, and kibbeh nayyeh. these, along with the endless pita bread, are enough to fill us up for the night. i also love that the owner is always out walking around and talking to patrons. this extra personal touch really completes the experience.
(5)Blanca H.
This is by far THE BEST lebanese food we've ever had in the US. THEY HAVE A GROUPON!!! We were very pleased with their sampler platter and the pita bread. Will definately become regulars. Thank you for putting so much effort in making fresh and authentic mediterranean food.
(5)W. H.
AMAZING!! Wonderful, made from scratch, delicious, outstanding entrees! The only thing better than the food was the service.. from the owner, to chef, to waiters they were absolutely terrific. This restaurant is a must try. Definitely going back for more.
(5)Kevin C.
Service and food were great! Prices were reasonable for the amount of food. Both servers were great and helpful. The perfect touch was the owner/chef even visited our table. I highly recommend it.
(5)Stephen S.
The food is good, especially the hummus. The service is not always good, but the owner is always working and he's really nice.
(4)Adam K.
Flavor Country! The kabob trio and rice was delicious. Wife enjoyed her mix of apps as well, humus, babaganoush.... Owner made sure all patrons were satisfied. Give it a try!
(4)Gizelle A.
Updated review after many visits: Changing my score to absolute 5 stars! The restaurant is awesome on all fronts- atmosphere, food, and service! After that one first visit when I was impressed and my husband was still upset there were not gyros on the menu, we went back with the clear understanding that this is a Lebanese restaurant and not a gyro joint. Now that we accepted that, we looked at the menu from a very different angle. The service we get there is exceptional! The water is poured in the glasses before we even sit down. Plates and food is hot and delicious. Everyone is really kind! It's absolutely a top choice for us! ____________ Original review after 1 visit: Solid 4 stars, to incorporate my husband's opinion (mine would be 5 stars). After our favorite Zaitoon closed and we had that one bad experience at Istanbul Grill, we have been on the hunt for a new Mediterranean favorite, so when I saw the Groupon for this one, it was perfect to try it. We were hesitant at first that it may be too low key/casual for us (we like the more fancy type places), but when we walked in a few weeks ago, we were very impressed! The environment is so cozy and authentic, clean and inviting. Unfortunately, that night they were reserved for an event, so we had to come back the next week...and that we did! Walking in, we were greeted by awesome smells from the grill cooking and some loud music and belly dancing - which ended up being perfectly nice and fun, given it was for 10 minutes (we are those weirdos who run away from live music..yeah..odd, I know). The dancer was very graceful, very tastefully done and it was really authentic. And then went back to quieter, still very nice, music after that. We are really particular about seating, but as soon as we walked in, I spotted a perfect table in the corner - loved that! We were seated right away AND brought water right awat, which is typically a pet peeve of mine (being left without water). I was already familiar with the menu - got the Spinach pastries appetizer (amazing!), the Greek salad (just as it should be), and Lamb Shish Kebab with pita breads to share. We were basically after wrapping our own gyros (have been missing those), which I realize isn't exactly a Lebanese thing and isn't exactly on the menu. So through our very own decision, we tried to change up the food from Lebanese to Greek :) Everything was absolutely delicious! We had a small challenge with getting the plates as super hot as we want them and had to ask for re-heating, but that was done promptly. I know the Mediterranean cuisine and I know this was authentic and well prepared food. My husband was looking for something that had a sauce and had some very specific ideas that just weren't on the menu - likely because what he had in mind was Greek and we were in a Lebanese restaurant. That was his only point of discontent - absolutely no reflection on the restaurant, just his own preference - menu variety for things with sauce. I guess we are still on the hunt for an actual Greek place with gyros, but I would definitely go back to Mandaloun. The service, food and environment were great at a very reasonable price. Well done, Mandaloun (and we are really picky..)!!!
(5)Ebby P.
This place is absolutly the best! the pasta salad all the way to the tabouleh! it is the best! Its a nice and clean place! i will always give them my business.
(5)Marlon U.
I subscribe to various "coupon" web sites so that I can try new places at a discounted cost. Thus, my reason for trying to Mandaloun, along with other positive Yelp reviews. I went there for lunch today with a coworker who, along with me, was looking for a little change of pace for lunch. Mandaloun is now on both of our "return to" lists! It was a nice experience! We decided to try the lunch buffet since we weren't exactly sure what to order off the menu. I've had Mediterranean food before, but not enough to remember the dishes themselves, much less the names of the dishes. Getting the buffet was an opportunity to try several dishes. We were not disappointed at all. All the dishes appeared (and tasted) to be prepared fresh. Sometimes buffet food seems to have been sitting out for a while, but not here. The salad/appetizer offerings were very tasty (hummus, baba ganoush, fattoush, tabbouleh, moussaka, and make-your-own greek salad). The main meat dishes were also fresh-tasting and well-seasoned (chicken shawarma, chicken wings, kafta meatballs and stuffed grape leaves). There was only one dessert item (like a rice pudding), but it was good too! And oh, I didn't realize there was a soup on the buffet so I went back at the end and tried it --- Lentil soup was very, very good. I overheard a customer at the table next to us say that she orders the lentil soup to go on the way home from work sometimes. The service was just ok. But maybe that's because with a buffet we essentially served ourselves. The bright spot was when the owner/chef came back and talked to every table to ensure that things were well. With the Restaurant.com coupon ($10 off), this was a meal that was well worth it. I will definitely be back to try some items off the menu that were not part of the buffet.
(4)Claire L.
This place was amazing! We went based on recommendations made by Folio weekly. We had a sampling of their most popular dishes including hummus, baba ganoush, chicken, beef and lamb. I'm a bit of a picky eater and I loved everything! I couldn't believe it! They use the freshest ingredients and keep things simple so the flavors are spot on. They had a wonderful belly dancer that entertained us through dinner. The owner checked in on us several times. Overall, great experience. We will definitely be back to this spot! #fwbiteclub
(5)Shaun M.
The most beautiful part of dining at Mandaloun is the food. Chef Pierre understands quality and consistency. It's all in the details. The cook on the vegetables and proteins was ideal (nothing was overcooked or dry...chicken/lamb/beef), and the subtle blended flavors of the smoky baba ghanoush and silky hummus were delicious (served with fresh, lightly toasted pita). We also had perfectly crispy falafel and the same experience with kibbe. The grape leaves were balanced (some people get crazy with lemon/tomato and they're too acidic), and the leaves weren't mushy or dripping oil. I'm proud to have a chef in the city with this level of skill/understanding cooking lebanese food. This is now my go-to spot when in the mood for this type of fare. My only criticism would be the service. It can be erratic.
(4)Maria V.
Authentic and yumm! The combo mezze platter is a must. Good portion sizes. Service is prompt and friendly. Menu is easy to read--especially if new to Middle Eastern food. Staff is knowledgable about the food and welcomes questions--especially novice.
(5)Meredith R.
If you've been wanting to try an ethnic restaurant but are afraid of taking 'the plunge,' consider Mandaloun. The menu has something for everyone. The owner is a hands-on gentleman, clearly involved in all aspects of his business. He very genially went from table to table, offering suggestions. Having lived by Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn -- an established middle eastern community -- I'm familiar with the cuisine, and zeroed in on what I wanted. My husband and I started with a combo platter mezze: stuffed grape leaves, a superb baba ghanoush, kebbe (which I didn't like, but T did) and falaffel. The appetizers were served with fresh and warm pita. As an entree I chose chicken schwarma, which was nicely seasoned and quite good. (I emptied the chicken from the pita pocket and mixed it with my accompanying greens, for a tasty salad.) T ordered filet mignon which was cooked exactly as ordered: medium rare. Mandaloun is a lovely local restaurant. We'll certainly come back.
(4)Hector G.
Thank you Chef Pierre for a great meal and many thanks to your waiters as well. Great food great atmosphere. I will return to have another meal!
(5)George H.
Went for lunch because of the ratings. We were very disappointed. Babaganoush was decent, but pita did not seem homemade, which I would have expected. Side salad was ok, really not bad. Falafel wrap was very dry. Kafti wrap was also dry, and not particularly appealing. Moussaka came out barely warm. When brought to the server's attention, it was taken back and heated. It was just ok. I'd give the service a C minus, especially considering that it wasn't crowded when we arrived, and was pretty slow.
(2)Devan H.
Absolutely amazing! Great service, the food is delicious. I recommend it to anyone! We love this place! Great hummus and great kebabs!
(5)JL R.
Mandaloun is a great Middle Eastern spot. I had the baba ghanoush and the beef shawarma. Both were excellent. The service was friendly and prompt. I even got extra pita bread for my to go box! Highly recommended if you're in the area.
(5)Nicole M.
I tried this restaurant on a Travelzoo promotion. I could not have been more happy with the service, and the food. While it is owned by Lebanese owners, the balance between Middle Eastern, and American food was wonderful. Our kebbe was fantastic, and our strip steaks were the best I I have had in a long time. We will be returning!
(5)Stacy P.
Stopped in for a quick bite to eat before my commute home. The staff were very friendly and on top of everything. I ordered a chicken shawarma gyro and side salad to go. While I waited for my order I drank a glass of wine and the chef & owner (Pierre) came out in full professional chef attire (with dress shoes to boot!) to make sure I wanted chicken shawarma and not chicken sliced. My meal and the environment was so delightful I decided to eat it there instead of to go. Wait staff was very attentive and friendly. Great place and I will definitely be back for their infamous lunch buffet!
(5)Sarah M.
We visited Madaloun in December 2012. My parents, my husband, and I went to Jacksonville for the day from Ocala and found this place via YELP. My father is Lebanese and since tiny Ocala has NO cultural diversity, he is always on the hunt for a taste of home where ever he travels. Mandaloun NAILED it! This is by far the best middle eastern restaurant we have ever found in Florida. The atmosphere was terrific and the food was even better. We especially loved the dressing used on the Tabbouleh. The owner is very friendly and goes around to all the tables to make sure you are taken care of...great customer service! The only thing I do not like is that there isn't a Mandaloun in Ocala or Miami where we live! Try this place! You will not be sorry.
(5)Leanne P.
I LOVE this place!! Not only is the food consistently delicious but you know it is made with love. How do I know? Because the chef, who is also the owner, comes out and speaks to you about the menu items and shows his passion for the culture and cuisine. You can see in how he speaks to you about the food that this is his passion. He wants to show you a view to his culture through the amazing food. I have had the Mixed Grill (chicken, steak and lamb kebabs) and loved it. The meat is so tender and tasty. The accompanying roasted potatoes are divine. The fish dishes are fantastic too. You just can't go wrong. Try Mandaloun, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Clinton C.
An absolutely wonderful dining experience! As a vegetarian I find it difficult sometimes to go to a restaurant and find more than the one token item on a menu but this place is superb! From the soups (I suggest the lentil soup), the appetizers (who can have enough fatayer spinach pie?) to the falafel this place is delicious! DO NOT MISS OUT!
(5)Clark L.
Food was OK+,but it was a fun evening.Owner/staff/dancer were tremendous.No way you couldn't have a good time there. Go there!
(4)Heather P.
The best baba ganoush I have ever had. Buffett is amazing, owner very friendly and welcoming. Will be back!
(5)Mike B.
Went here on Sat night, the food was good. I had the chicken shwarma, which came out fast and hot. The only complaint I have with the place was the service could have been a little better. We often were forced to wait for water and drinks. If they could pick up on that I would happily give them 5 stars.
(4)Barbara C.
Delicious, fresh and authentic! Nice atmosphere. The hummous is delicious. Pierre, the chef, is a great guy! Will definitely return!
(5)Carmela N.
Mandaloun is a nicely decorated restaurant. I especially enjoyed the little touches such as the fresh rose on the table. The fresh pita and parsley/sesame dipping oil are delicious, as are the falafel, hummus, babaa ghanoush, and fattoush. The fattoush has interesting sweet, tangy, and herby flavors. It's one of the best-tasting salads I have ever had. The owner came to our table and explained every appetizer in great detail. He and his team were very pleasant. It was my first visit and will not be my last!
(5)John S.
Really surprising find in Jax. The location in a strip mall is camouflage, nothing lets on that this is authentic chow from the Med region. Great service and a table visit from the owner/chef. Everything was prepared well and we had a great time. Enjoy!
(5)William K.
Great food, and with my groupon. Excellent deal. Will be back
(4)Inez W.
Last night we visited Mandaloun for the second time in about 2 months and I have to say I really like this place. It's tucked away beside a fountain area in a mega-strip mall between Baymeadows and Old Baymeadows Roads. There are lots of other choices around, but why go anywhere else when this one is so friendly and the food is fresh and wonderfully prepared? Last night began with an hot appetizer of Foul Madames - fava beans cooked with garlic, olive oil and a hint of lemon served with warm pita bread. We were also served a small dish of olive oil and zatar which we used to drip pieces of the bread. It was just the thing to melt away the cares of the day. Rich and hearty beans topped with chopped tomatoes and very fresh parsley. For my entree I chose the Mossakaa, a food that I've mostly had to give up since embracing a plant-based diet. However, this Mossakaa is made without cheese or dairy of any kind. There's no heavy cream sauce to cover the flavor and the eggplant absolutely shines through in all it's creamy goodness. There was also garlic, tomato, and a few chickpea that compliment, but don't overwhelm the dish. Even though the owner told me they first fry the eggplant, the dish was not greasy at all. I finished every single bite. Last time I dined here, I had the Veggie Kebab - skewers of mushrooms, eggplant, onion, and tomato served with salad (but you could choose rice instead). I remember that dish to be impressive as well. For a vegetarian and even for a vegan, there are a lot of choices here which is unusual in Jacksonville. After a bout of food poisoning almost 4 years ago, I'm not big on hummus or falafel, but there are plenty of other appetizers that suit me, including baba ghanoush (mashed eggplant, lemon, ans sesame), fattoush (salad with crispy pita strips), tabbouleh, and batata harra (potatoes, onions, chilis, and peppers). The appetizers are fairly large, so a perfectly good meal could be made from ordering one, two or, if one is super hungry, three of these - maybe one hot and one cold. DC (the meat-eater) had the Mixed Grill and said the lamb and chicken were best. I think he would have preferred more rice and less meat. For dessert he had Halawet El Jeben (sweet cheese rolls with syrup and powdered pistachios) and I had the Baklava which was not soaked in a heavy honey syrup, but did have a little swirl of it on top. It was not as sweet as most baklava, including my own, but I found it just right. The pastry was both crisp and fresh more like pie crust which balanced the flavor of the nuts perfectly. The wait staff is friendly and attentive (we were brought more bread than we could eat!). The place was about half full on a Friday night which was wonderful because we didn't have to wait to be seated or served. We both had the "perfect check" (2 drinks, an appetizer, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts) for just about $50. The atmosphere is wonderful - you can dine inside or outside most of the year. The outside dining is in full view of the fountain and not next to the parking lot either. All in all I highly recommend this place! A hidden jewel in Jacksonville.
(4)Catalina M.
A nice locally owned business. The staff is very friendly and the food is good.
(3)Ariel T.
Delicious! Mandaloun is one of the top middle-eastern restaurants in Jacksonville. If you are looking for grape leaves, kafta, falafel, etc, this is the place to go. The Fattoush and Lentil soup is amazing! The staff is super friendly and its a nice place on the inside. They have outside seating as well which is nice. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. My lebanese boyfriend's mother cooks for us all the time so I have first hand experience of how traditional lebanese food is supposed to taste and Mandaloun is amazing!
(5)Rafaella D.
I have been dancing and eating here for years. best Mediterranean food in N. FL!
(5)Susan H.
Found by dining at off hour. Tucked away in a shopping plaza. The ambiance is a bit formal and romantic. My first visit at 4pm prompted a dinner menu. The prices were high, for my needs. I ordered the fava bean app and a dinner. The meal was so exceptional I could not take it all in on my dinner hour. The waiter told me the place has buffet during lunch. I went back within weeks and tried the buffet. I am SO glad I did. I have never had, but perhaps once in my life, such a well prepared buffet lunch. It is pricy from my experience of buffet ($12.95, I believe). Once you taste the quality of the food, and see the variety, you may agree with me it is exceptionally priced. The cook IS a chef, a talented gift to the public. I have not been for 3 months, but if the quality is the same, you will not be disappointed. The wait staff has an air of flightyness but service is good enough. The chef has always circulated on each of my visits. He seems to really care that your dining experience is at its best.
(5)Eryn S.
Food was great. Very good. Everything I had was superb. The falafel was the best I've ever had. However, the service was some of the worst I'd ever had. One waitress didn't speak English. She tried to take drink orders And then told us she didn't speak English. After that we had about 3 more servers. It was all very tag team like. One of us ordered a beer and then it took so long he just went up to the bar to get it. The atmosphere is great. I really like the setup of the tables and the lighting but the service killed it for me.
(3)Mariah D.
Save your money. Thank goodness I had a Groupon on this one. We dined in last night for the first time at this place. When we walked in we did not get greeted. There were only 2 other tables so they werent that busy. There were fruit flies all over the place. I had to keep swatting at the them the whole time I was there. The service was horrible. We sat with empty water glasses the entire time. The food was disgusting. The grape leaves were flattened like a pancake and tasted like pure vinegar. We barely finished our meal and left. We will never return. Your are better off going to Hala.
(2)Leo Y.
A wonderful Mediterranean restaurant. Some of the best kabobs that I've had.
(5)Jenny S.
This was the best Mediterranean food we have ever had. The owner and both servers were very friendly. We had beef shwarma. It was tender and delicious. The hummus was great and the baba ganoush, tabooleh and fatoosh were excellent. Wish we had this restaurant where we live!
(5)Kathy C.
Husband and I finally tried this place and had a really wonderful time. The staff was so friendly. We ordered Grand Mezze for 2 and it was so much food. There are a few we didn't really care for (mostly the fried stuff), but most everything was really tasty. We were surprised at how tender the grilled chicken kabob was. The hummus and tabbouleh were delicious as well. Overall, really pleasant experience.
(4)Joel P.
Amazing food good atmosphere. The humus is the best in town. Wait staff is very friendly and helpful.
(5)L.Marie D.
Food was amazing! We went on a hectic night and the owner was our server. He is friendly and helpful! Had fantastic calamari and fatoush. The dessert was amazing. The belly dancer was a complement to the experience. We will definitely go again!
(5)Matt A.
UPDATE: After second visit, I tried to substitute like I suggested below. I was told there would be a $2 extra charge to make the change. So now it's $18 for a plate of vegetables? It's too expensive to start with for veg food. Downgraded to 3 stars. I will not recommend this place to others and I won't be back unless the prices change. The food is tasty, but when I know that I can get the same dish for $8.99 at PIta Inn in Chicago, it makes it too hard to swallow. Wow. Amazing. For a vegan treat, try the veg platter and substitute baba ghanouj for fatayer. Superb.
(3)Ahmed A.
This review is regarding the Shawerma and only the Shawerma, I'm really sorry to say the worst Shawerma I've ever had. it shouldn't be called a shawerma, they just cut down chicken breast, add some Shawerma spices they buy ready from a store and some tomatoes. there is nothing other than chicken in the pitta bread, no garlic, no cabbage, nothing... And the price, sorry but waaaaaaaaaaay to much for a sandwich that sorry doesn't cost more than $5-$6, they joke by putting some Satay carrots and zucchini which doesn't go with the whole meal in the first place.... Anyways if your looking for a SHAWERMA to eat, this isn't the right place at all
(2)Carlos R.
Great food and hospitality! Would definitely go back.
(4)Jax G.
Visit 7/28/12 The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is due to the service and although the service had lots of room for improvement, the food was EXCELLENT! We started off with a mezze combo of hummus, tabbouleh, grape leaves, and baba ghanoush. I wasn't a big fan of the grape leaves, that's just me, but the tabbouleh and baba ghanoush were some of the best I've had. For an entree I chose the shish taouk (chicken kabob). They were cooked perfectly and served with a good sized portion of rice and sautéed veggies. We also enjoyed the complimentary bread and dipping oil served before the mezze. The dancer was entertaining and a nice touch but the music a little too loud for the size crowd, making it almost impossible to talk for the 10 min or so she was on the floor.
(4)Jacqueline R.
Great lunch
(4)Chase C.
Although it's a little bit pricier for dinner ($15-$20 entree), there are plenty of options and it's well worth it. Everything is great and the hummus is excellent. The owner is very friendly and goes out of his way to ensure you are enjoying yourself.
(5)Hunter B.
Mandaloun gets a strong four-star review. Finally got around to visiting for dinner and it was another what-took-us-so-long moment. The food is Mediterranean (Lebanese). Mandaloun is right in the heart of ethnic cuisine alley, aka Baymeadows. It's also easy to miss because it's tucked away in the strip mall that's wedged between Baymeadows and Old Baymeadows, not far from Koja II. We enjoyed our food immensely. Highlights: The hummus is our new second favorite, right behind 13Gypsies. The falafel was also among the best we've had. Other mezze were also tasty. I'm not sure why the grape leaves were so small compared to other dolmas/dolmades/dolmathes I've had, but maybe it's a Lebanese thing. They were still good, but I was expecting something more. The mixed grill featuring three meats, kabob style (beef cubes, beef minced, chicken) was excellent -- spiced and cooked just right. LDC loved her lentil soup and tomato and onion salad. The service was first-rate. Interior is nice yet casual and the music is lively. There was also a damn fine belly-dancer who performed during our visit. We thought that was a nice touch. When it comes to local Mediterranean restaurants, Zaitoon is still our favorite. But Mandaloun is now a close second, plus it's a bit more casual and less expensive, which isn't a bad thing at all. Highly recommended.
(4)Cheryl C.
My husband & I have eaten there a few times. We just love the atmosphere and the service. We went on a weekend and watched the bellydancer perform. The owner had no problem telling us the items on the menu and the ingredients of those items. The waiters and waitresses were very attentive. Cannot wait to go there again!!
(5)Melanie D.
Very friendly, great food. Our 7 year old loved it too!!
(4)Eugene P.
I didn't realize this restaurant was there until I saw Hunter's review for Mediterranean food. It use to be an Italian place which we almost saw no one in there previously. It is a bit hard to find, but it right next to Kaluby Dance Studio (their sign is hard to miss). I'm pretty sure they kept a lot of the decor from the previous place. A nice rustic theme which I suppose could pass for a Lebanese theme. They have a bar with TV and plenty of tables to hold large parties. We went for lunch and only ate the mezzes just to try the restaurant out. The other tables that were ordering entrees (like kabobs and shawarma) looked very very appetizing. We ordered the mixed mezze (which came with hummus, grilled eggplant, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, kebbe, spinach pie, and tabbouleh) and the vegetarian mezze (which came with hummus, tabbouleh, falafel, fatayer, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, and moussakaa). Both were $12.95. They seemed to use lemon in a lot of their food, which made the tabbouleh, eggplant, and grape leaves a little bit sour. The falafel and kebbe were very good, but then again those are hard to mess up. The spinach pie and fatayer were decent. The service was great.... very attentive, prompt and ALWAYS responded with a smile regardless of who it was. The owner even asked if everything was ok. I must admit that we still like Farrah down on Southside, but next time we are going to try the meshwe and shawarma during lunch and give another review of our findings. Till then, stay tuned.
(3)Erin B.
My husband and I love this place, Lebanese being one of my fave cuisines. The service is great, the owner stopping by your table and making sure that all is good at least once during the meal. My husband always gets the lamb skewers which is a huge portion for little price! I like the kibbee and tabouli here, usually with a side of grape leaves. I def would recommend supporting a local biz and try Mandaloun, do not leave without a piece of Baklava either.
(5)Amber M.
Got the felafel wrap. Cheap for lunch and tasty.
(4)Tanu P.
We visited Mandaloun with our friend who is Lebanese/Armenian.She instantly clicked with the owner who started a conversation in Arabic. The owner is always around welcoming guests and moving around tables to make sure everything is alright. We ordered vegetarian starters which included Hummus, falafel, tabbouleh,batata harra,baba gannouj. All of them were yummy! We loved it. And this was not the first time that i was eating at a Mediterranean restaurant. I have spent 3 years of my life in the middle east so i pretty much know how this kind of food tastes. We also loved the pita bread and zaatar on the side. Our main course comprised of Samek Al Harra and another fish which were equally tasty. Overall it was a great experience. And if you are a vegetarian you still have a lot of options to choose from! Will surely visit again and recommend to friends.
(4)Tammy B.
So, I am by no means an aficionado of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food. But I have had sooooooo much better! We walked in and the person who sat us (I assume he was owner or part owner) was so manic that he was spinning around and flitting through the dining room pointing at tables and saying something like, "You can seat here, or seat there, anywhere you like! Pick a seat, any seat that you like." I just grabbed the nearest chair and we sat at that table because I was beginning to feel like I was on a Merry-Go-Round! We get some water (no ice, weird) and then I also get the Diet Coke I requested. We ask a few questions about the menu and discover that is a MISTAKE! The guy goes off on these tangents and we can only understand every few words anyway and I'm pretty sure he was answering questions other than the ones we asked, not sure who he was actually talking to. I ordered the combination plate and my coworker ordered the gyro, chicken. Well, my plate came out pretty quickly and I couldn't believe how small the falafel were! There was nothing on my plate that added up to $8.75, nothing I tell you! My coworker had to wait an additional 10 minutes or so and send back 2 plates because they kept making him beef gyro, he ordered chicken. His food was ok, but nothing worth ordering again he said. My grape leaves were so tangy that I gagged just trying to swallow it, and I LOVE this kind of food! The pita bread was entirely too thick, it was not toasted or warmed, tasted like flour and was a total disappointment to me. I LOVE dipping the pita bread in the hummus and sauce! Basically, neither of us will be eating there again and I will NOT be recommending this restaurant to anyone either. I have had AMAZING greek and lebanese food back home, but as of yet I have not had any in the Jacksonville area that even comes close to comparing. VERY DISAPPOINTED!
(2)E F.
Great food and service. The owner and staff make you feel special. One of my favorites. Lots of wonderful dishes. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)sovia l.
This restaurant had a Living Social coupon and so we went. I'd seen reviews online about it but hadn't gone. So I was excited when there was a coupon. We went on a weekday nite and it was dead - so we were a little nervous if the food would be any good. They had a couple playing music which was nice. For our appetizer, we got the combo platter so that we could try a little of everything. It was really tasty. The Fattoush was outstanding! I got the Mixed Grill as my entree and that was so good too. Highly recommend this platter b/c you get a little of everything as far as the meats go. My fiance got the Samkeh Harra which was Red Snapper but mine was way better and he ended up eating half! If the prices weren't so high I'd give this place 5 stars. I definitely want to go back (perhaps for a special occasion or date night) and get the Fattoush and Mixed Grill! Just thinking about it is making my mouth water...I hope they release another Living Social coupon soon!
(4)Melanie M.
MAAAAAN! I love this restaurant! We were Mediterranean virgins, but we've finally popped our cherries. The food and service were excellent. Not sure how other Mediterranean joints compare to this one, but I'm not sure that I want to try any others, since we had such a great experience at this one. I'm sure my spelling of the food we ate will be all wrong, but here goes.. the Fatouche (fuh-toosh) salad is hands down.. not only the best salad in Jacksonville(like the waiter said)but the best salad we've ever eaten. The pomegranate vinaigrette was so refreshing, and the toasted pita chips within are way better than any kind of crouton! If you go, please please please try the beef kabobs. I've been craving those kabobs this whole week!!! The rice and veggies that came with the kabobs were the perfect sides!!! The portions are pretty big too. I cannot wait to head back! Careful not to fill up on pita bread prior to you getting your apps and entrees! The waitress kept coming back with fresh pita bread, and it was addicting. FIVE STARS.
(5)Chris G.
One of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Jacksonville. Went here with the wife today after we found the Thai place was closed for lunch on the weekend. The atmosphere was pleasant, the service was excellent and the food was AWESOME! The tabouleh salad was the best I have had in 20 years. The lunch menu was reasonably priced and delicious. Our waiter was the owner, and he showed a real passion for the food and customer service. We will definitely return for more. I can't wait to try thr lamb...
(4)Joseph R.
Pure excellence, especially for the relative value. Load up on appetizers, split an entre, and enjoy truly healthy dining. Please note, although the atmosphere is not bad, one should not go to this restaurant for the atmosphere. However, the service is excellent. It's all about the Mediterranean / Lebanese style of dining. Some love it; some hate it. If you don't know, it's worth trying. If you like this style of food, you will love this place. Highly recommended.
(5)