So effin' good..! The falafel here, is in fact, the best I've had. Today, I had the pleasure of the grilled shrimp :-D My coworkers were telling me about the food here for months now; I shouldn't have waited so long to get in here myself!
(5)
Ashley B.
This looks like a hole in the wall place and as they advertise "hookah" from the outside, I was hesitant to enter for fear of smoke. There was no smoke however. It's a clean, plain-Jane, lil place. The good: The food is incredible. Tabbouleh is wonderful and full of fresh parsley and other herbs with just a bit of the cracked wheat. The hummus is smooth and just ever so slightly spicy with the after-taste. The falafels are dark on the outside with soft green (herbed) garbanzo filling. The potato salad has the slightest taste of mint and is very refreshing. The not so good: The pita left something to be desired, I think it's packaged out of a bag. I wish they served baba ganoush. The grape leaves are so-so. (This may be because I'm accustomed to having them served cold, but they heat them up here.)
(5)
Annie F.
Best fresh, fast delivery in San Marco! Never had a bad meal delivered which is hard to say for deliveries (nothing like soggy fries or cold pizza). The chicken shawarma wrap, lentil soup, hummus, tabouli, gyro wrap and French fries are all tasty! We'll continue to order delivery from here.
(5)
Anna-Marie W.
The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille sits south of downtown Jacksonville in the San Marco neighborhood. Chad had eaten here before and liked it enough to take me. We visited on a Friday afternoon, in between the lunch and dinner hour and they were still quite busy. Besides their normal menu there is a blackboard at the entrance with a list of daily specials. I went with the Veggie Platter with falafel, spinach pie, veggie grape leaves, hummus and two sides. I chose an extra side of hummus and the Mediterranean potato salad as my two sides. It was a little pricey at almost $13 but it was a lot of food. My favorite part was the Veggie Grape Leaves with its tangy rice and spicy lemon flavor. The Hummus was delicious as well. Creamy and spicy and served with a side of pita bread. The Mediterranean Potato Salad was good. The addition of mint and lemon made it "Mediterranean" and it was quite tasty. The potatoes weren't swimming in mayonnaise and it was seasoned very well. The Falafel was OK. They were slightly dry but the side of tahini sauce made them a little better. Chad had ordered the Falafel Pita Platter. Falafel was stuffed into pita bread and drizzled with a tahini sauce. He also ordered hummus as one of his sides, the other was Mediterranean rice. We liked The Olive Tree. It's nothing fancy. It is more like a casual Greek sandwich shop with Gyros, Kiftah and Tabouleh. This is the perfect place if you want something quick and authentic.
(4)
Jeniah J.
I went here with coworkers. It was OK. The food wasn't exceptional. It wasn't bad either.
(3)
Shawn M.
I literally, seriously it started annoying my son, said a small "Mmmm" after almost every bite. The falafel platter with hummus and tabouli was great. I also had the pita with the chunks of the flavorful ground meat, I forget what it's called. My son had the blackened basa fish over a bed of tabouli. He said the fish was fantastic. I will be back. The people were very nice.
(4)
David T.
Great good and EXCELLENT service from none other than the owner herself. The falafel was wonderful as was everything else. Highly recommended.
(5)
None T.
I've been back three (or more) times since my first review. Food is lackluster and lacking the specialness I think it had when they first opened. They're not paying attention or purposely ignoring the quality of their food preparation. The oil they use for frying always taste old. The soups are over salty. They've lost their way.lklk
(2)
John R.
Great food, friendly service, no frills. If you want fresh food, skip the expensive places and come to what I would call "the Middle Eastern family diner". They have all the foods the other places have: kibbeh, falafel, etc.. The exception is that it's cheap, fast, and hot. And the people who make it are friendly, another great plus. No gimmicks, no hookah, no belly dancers, just great food at great prices. My one request would be that they open a little later, as I have to drive across town to eat there. If you read my my other reviews, you'll see that I can get quite harsh. Not this time! We ate like kings! Give this little place a try.
(5)
Rhea P.
I don't understand all the hype about this place. I have had better falafel. Mine was a little too dry actually. Sure it's friendly and casual, and the prices are great. While it s filling, I can not say that it was mind blowing. There's a superb place on university I much rather prefer.
(3)
Steven N.
Super great food.. Good service,too. Prices are decent considering it's authentic Greek/Mediterranean food. I'd definitely eat there again..I got a gyro w a side of hummus and rice. All the food was pretty amazing:)
(5)
Kurtesi N.
Best Mediterranean food in town hands down . I had the falafel sandwich with a side of hummus and the Mediterranean rice . The falafel were really the best I have ever tasted you can taste the spices and it's served with a very nice home made sauce and they were fried perfectly , pita bread was nice and fresh also. I had them at a few local spots here in jax but nothing compares. The rice I could tell was made fresh and I also liked that there was vegetables in it . Hummus very tasty and excellent texture . What made me happy the most was the service I got ordering and when I got my food very friendly family that owns it and will make sure you are satisfied . It's a must that you check it out !
(5)
David B.
Hands down the best falafel in town. I love this place and eat here multiple times per week. The falafel, lentil soup, and grape leaves are what I usually get, but I've never had a bad meal there. The family who owns it are extremely friendly and helpful and go out of their way to make sure you get what you want for your meal. If you are looking for good, affordable mediterranean food look no further than this local gem.
(5)
J J.
Had the gyro platter which was rather bland overall. Also, the kibbeh appetizers were just okay. Overall, I'm not jumping at the bit to go back anytime soon.
(2)
Risa Y.
You must go!! I tried Falafel Wrap with the side of Potato Salad and it was delicious. Only $7 and I was really satisfied. Staff were friendly, informative, and service was quick! I will be a regular if I lived here!
(5)
Anna J.
The Olive Tree is across the street from our office and is definitely an office favorite! The food is fairly priced, delicious and authentic, and the employees are very friendly. The restaurant itself is very casual (not the ambience you would be looking for on a date or anything), but its perfect for the quick lunch spot. The falafel is absolutely unbeatable -- the best falafel I've ever had! Additionally, you can alter the meals without any hassle from the employees (the side greek salad with chicken is almost as big as the large!). As far as greek restaurants go, they are very welcoming - not abrasive or rushing.
(4)
Don R.
I have to say that my visit to day was a another lackluster one. Is the food cheap, no. Inexpensive? Yes. The restaurant has a foul odor...a musty smell throughout. I had the Mediterranean chicken pita with a side of hummus and fries. Let's discuss these items from good to worse. The french fries were hot and crispy with just the right amount of seasoning, so 5 stars on the fries. The hummos was a good texture but relatively bland. It was moist with some olive oil and the pita bread served with it was cold and dry, so 3 stars on the hummus. The chicken pita was full of moist chicken with a flavorful seasoning. Unfortunately, there was nothing else on the sandwich besides the seasoned chicken and the pita. If they were to add some traditional sauce, and maybe some mint, or lettuce and tomato, the sandwich would have been very good, but as it was served it's 2 plus stars for the moist chicken, bit total lack of cohesiveness as a sandwich. My husband loves taboulleh, hummus and grape leaves. Unfortunately, taboulleh is not considered a side item as "the cost of produce is up." This is unfortunate as it just makes it more difficult for the customer to eat what they want without feeling stressed about ordering. Still, he ordered the grape leaves which were served hot and "had an interesting texture" with a side of hummus that received the same review as mine above. I have to admit that my greatest disappointment is to find yet another Mediterranean restaurant that has gyros with the bastardized gyro meat that is far removed from the traditional meat cut off the rotating skewer; like cheap lunch meat making a horrible gyro. I did not order it this time, but had it on my first visit and confirmed they still serve this inferior product (which is why I did not order). This is defintely an okay diner that serves passable food for the most part. However, they could really be a little gem of San Marco if their food would reflect a little more passion and cohesiveness. I'm still hoping for this place, but I'm unlikely to return.
(3)
Abby A.
Amazing Mediterranean food! I absolutely hate garlic and often have a difficult time eating Mediterranean food because of it. This is the first place I've been that has minimal garlic. Everything tastes fresh and homemade. The falafel was delicious and super crispy! I got the Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich and I would definitely order it again.
(5)
Brentley S.
Need fresh, inexpensive, fast, (pretty) healthy food? Look no further - no really. An order of piping hot falafel, they literally make it in front of you, hummus and an order of grape leaves will run you under $10. You can't find that anywhere else, not to mention the people are friendly and will answer any questions you have about their food. Also, you can order just the right amount of food for you. If you'd like 4 falafels instead of 6, you got it! If you're going to a party and want an order of 20 you got it!
(5)
Michael C.
Basic sit down joint in the heart of San Marco. Loved the family that runs the place. Very clean. Wide variety of menu items. The homemade sauce was excellent, and my wife loved her falafel. I was only so-so with the shrimp I had, although my grape leaves were delicious.
(4)
Steven H.
I had the falafel, hummus, and gyro. I don't eat much Mediterranean (not because I don't like it) but this has to be the best I've had. Great inexpensive, healthy foods!
(5)
Emily V.
Super friendly, family run and operated, this is a low key joint. I went with my parents. I had the falafel sandwich, and though I liked the falafel, I wasn't crazy about the peppers, I think they were, that were on it. The pita wasn't great. It tasted right out of a package. The hummus was ok. Not that flavorful. I really liked the spinach pie, it was homemade and really delish. The baklava was great too. So, hit or miss. Service was friendly, though, so I would probably go back.
(3)
Ariel T.
This place is amazing! Best falafel and kifta ever! I'm a big fan of family owned restaurants. The owners are so sweet and friendly. All the food is made from scratch. You have got to try this place. If you like Mediterranean food then stop in for lunch or dinner. The grape leaves and spinach pies are so delicious and fresh. Prices are very reasonable. You won't be disappointed. Oh and they deliver to the local area! How convenient is that?! Home cooked meal right at your doorstep...
(5)
Mike C.
The food is quite good and worth the stop. This diner has little to no ambience and counter service only but the service is quite good, with good value, and good food. The Tabouleh and Falafel were out standing and the stuffed grape leaves and kibbeh were very good.
(4)
Dave W.
Great Falafel. Also very cheap. You get what you pay for in terms of ambience. As long as you stick to the Mediterranean fare, you should be well satisfied. I've had their grape leaves, spinach pies, kibbeh, tabouleh, and falafel, and they're all very good, the falafel being the best. Help this business out. It's sandwiched right between La Nopalera and Jimmy John's, and this particular space has seen quite a few restaurants come and go. Its worth your money, and you won't be disappointed with the food.
(4)
Jeffrey F.
Best falafel and tabbouleh I've ever had! The owners are extremely friendly and welcoming. Great restaurant for lunch or dinner! Caters well too!
(5)
CHRIS X.
No frills, solid basic Mediterranean fare. Quick service for lunch.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
CB D.
So effin' good..! The falafel here, is in fact, the best I've had. Today, I had the pleasure of the grilled shrimp :-D My coworkers were telling me about the food here for months now; I shouldn't have waited so long to get in here myself!
(5)Ashley B.
This looks like a hole in the wall place and as they advertise "hookah" from the outside, I was hesitant to enter for fear of smoke. There was no smoke however. It's a clean, plain-Jane, lil place. The good: The food is incredible. Tabbouleh is wonderful and full of fresh parsley and other herbs with just a bit of the cracked wheat. The hummus is smooth and just ever so slightly spicy with the after-taste. The falafels are dark on the outside with soft green (herbed) garbanzo filling. The potato salad has the slightest taste of mint and is very refreshing. The not so good: The pita left something to be desired, I think it's packaged out of a bag. I wish they served baba ganoush. The grape leaves are so-so. (This may be because I'm accustomed to having them served cold, but they heat them up here.)
(5)Annie F.
Best fresh, fast delivery in San Marco! Never had a bad meal delivered which is hard to say for deliveries (nothing like soggy fries or cold pizza). The chicken shawarma wrap, lentil soup, hummus, tabouli, gyro wrap and French fries are all tasty! We'll continue to order delivery from here.
(5)Anna-Marie W.
The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille sits south of downtown Jacksonville in the San Marco neighborhood. Chad had eaten here before and liked it enough to take me. We visited on a Friday afternoon, in between the lunch and dinner hour and they were still quite busy. Besides their normal menu there is a blackboard at the entrance with a list of daily specials. I went with the Veggie Platter with falafel, spinach pie, veggie grape leaves, hummus and two sides. I chose an extra side of hummus and the Mediterranean potato salad as my two sides. It was a little pricey at almost $13 but it was a lot of food. My favorite part was the Veggie Grape Leaves with its tangy rice and spicy lemon flavor. The Hummus was delicious as well. Creamy and spicy and served with a side of pita bread. The Mediterranean Potato Salad was good. The addition of mint and lemon made it "Mediterranean" and it was quite tasty. The potatoes weren't swimming in mayonnaise and it was seasoned very well. The Falafel was OK. They were slightly dry but the side of tahini sauce made them a little better. Chad had ordered the Falafel Pita Platter. Falafel was stuffed into pita bread and drizzled with a tahini sauce. He also ordered hummus as one of his sides, the other was Mediterranean rice. We liked The Olive Tree. It's nothing fancy. It is more like a casual Greek sandwich shop with Gyros, Kiftah and Tabouleh. This is the perfect place if you want something quick and authentic.
(4)Jeniah J.
I went here with coworkers. It was OK. The food wasn't exceptional. It wasn't bad either.
(3)Shawn M.
I literally, seriously it started annoying my son, said a small "Mmmm" after almost every bite. The falafel platter with hummus and tabouli was great. I also had the pita with the chunks of the flavorful ground meat, I forget what it's called. My son had the blackened basa fish over a bed of tabouli. He said the fish was fantastic. I will be back. The people were very nice.
(4)David T.
Great good and EXCELLENT service from none other than the owner herself. The falafel was wonderful as was everything else. Highly recommended.
(5)None T.
I've been back three (or more) times since my first review. Food is lackluster and lacking the specialness I think it had when they first opened. They're not paying attention or purposely ignoring the quality of their food preparation. The oil they use for frying always taste old. The soups are over salty. They've lost their way.lklk
(2)John R.
Great food, friendly service, no frills. If you want fresh food, skip the expensive places and come to what I would call "the Middle Eastern family diner". They have all the foods the other places have: kibbeh, falafel, etc.. The exception is that it's cheap, fast, and hot. And the people who make it are friendly, another great plus. No gimmicks, no hookah, no belly dancers, just great food at great prices. My one request would be that they open a little later, as I have to drive across town to eat there. If you read my my other reviews, you'll see that I can get quite harsh. Not this time! We ate like kings! Give this little place a try.
(5)Rhea P.
I don't understand all the hype about this place. I have had better falafel. Mine was a little too dry actually. Sure it's friendly and casual, and the prices are great. While it s filling, I can not say that it was mind blowing. There's a superb place on university I much rather prefer.
(3)Steven N.
Super great food.. Good service,too. Prices are decent considering it's authentic Greek/Mediterranean food. I'd definitely eat there again..I got a gyro w a side of hummus and rice. All the food was pretty amazing:)
(5)Kurtesi N.
Best Mediterranean food in town hands down . I had the falafel sandwich with a side of hummus and the Mediterranean rice . The falafel were really the best I have ever tasted you can taste the spices and it's served with a very nice home made sauce and they were fried perfectly , pita bread was nice and fresh also. I had them at a few local spots here in jax but nothing compares. The rice I could tell was made fresh and I also liked that there was vegetables in it . Hummus very tasty and excellent texture . What made me happy the most was the service I got ordering and when I got my food very friendly family that owns it and will make sure you are satisfied . It's a must that you check it out !
(5)David B.
Hands down the best falafel in town. I love this place and eat here multiple times per week. The falafel, lentil soup, and grape leaves are what I usually get, but I've never had a bad meal there. The family who owns it are extremely friendly and helpful and go out of their way to make sure you get what you want for your meal. If you are looking for good, affordable mediterranean food look no further than this local gem.
(5)J J.
Had the gyro platter which was rather bland overall. Also, the kibbeh appetizers were just okay. Overall, I'm not jumping at the bit to go back anytime soon.
(2)Risa Y.
You must go!! I tried Falafel Wrap with the side of Potato Salad and it was delicious. Only $7 and I was really satisfied. Staff were friendly, informative, and service was quick! I will be a regular if I lived here!
(5)Anna J.
The Olive Tree is across the street from our office and is definitely an office favorite! The food is fairly priced, delicious and authentic, and the employees are very friendly. The restaurant itself is very casual (not the ambience you would be looking for on a date or anything), but its perfect for the quick lunch spot. The falafel is absolutely unbeatable -- the best falafel I've ever had! Additionally, you can alter the meals without any hassle from the employees (the side greek salad with chicken is almost as big as the large!). As far as greek restaurants go, they are very welcoming - not abrasive or rushing.
(4)Don R.
I have to say that my visit to day was a another lackluster one. Is the food cheap, no. Inexpensive? Yes. The restaurant has a foul odor...a musty smell throughout. I had the Mediterranean chicken pita with a side of hummus and fries. Let's discuss these items from good to worse. The french fries were hot and crispy with just the right amount of seasoning, so 5 stars on the fries. The hummos was a good texture but relatively bland. It was moist with some olive oil and the pita bread served with it was cold and dry, so 3 stars on the hummus. The chicken pita was full of moist chicken with a flavorful seasoning. Unfortunately, there was nothing else on the sandwich besides the seasoned chicken and the pita. If they were to add some traditional sauce, and maybe some mint, or lettuce and tomato, the sandwich would have been very good, but as it was served it's 2 plus stars for the moist chicken, bit total lack of cohesiveness as a sandwich. My husband loves taboulleh, hummus and grape leaves. Unfortunately, taboulleh is not considered a side item as "the cost of produce is up." This is unfortunate as it just makes it more difficult for the customer to eat what they want without feeling stressed about ordering. Still, he ordered the grape leaves which were served hot and "had an interesting texture" with a side of hummus that received the same review as mine above. I have to admit that my greatest disappointment is to find yet another Mediterranean restaurant that has gyros with the bastardized gyro meat that is far removed from the traditional meat cut off the rotating skewer; like cheap lunch meat making a horrible gyro. I did not order it this time, but had it on my first visit and confirmed they still serve this inferior product (which is why I did not order). This is defintely an okay diner that serves passable food for the most part. However, they could really be a little gem of San Marco if their food would reflect a little more passion and cohesiveness. I'm still hoping for this place, but I'm unlikely to return.
(3)Abby A.
Amazing Mediterranean food! I absolutely hate garlic and often have a difficult time eating Mediterranean food because of it. This is the first place I've been that has minimal garlic. Everything tastes fresh and homemade. The falafel was delicious and super crispy! I got the Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich and I would definitely order it again.
(5)Brentley S.
Need fresh, inexpensive, fast, (pretty) healthy food? Look no further - no really. An order of piping hot falafel, they literally make it in front of you, hummus and an order of grape leaves will run you under $10. You can't find that anywhere else, not to mention the people are friendly and will answer any questions you have about their food. Also, you can order just the right amount of food for you. If you'd like 4 falafels instead of 6, you got it! If you're going to a party and want an order of 20 you got it!
(5)Michael C.
Basic sit down joint in the heart of San Marco. Loved the family that runs the place. Very clean. Wide variety of menu items. The homemade sauce was excellent, and my wife loved her falafel. I was only so-so with the shrimp I had, although my grape leaves were delicious.
(4)Steven H.
I had the falafel, hummus, and gyro. I don't eat much Mediterranean (not because I don't like it) but this has to be the best I've had. Great inexpensive, healthy foods!
(5)Emily V.
Super friendly, family run and operated, this is a low key joint. I went with my parents. I had the falafel sandwich, and though I liked the falafel, I wasn't crazy about the peppers, I think they were, that were on it. The pita wasn't great. It tasted right out of a package. The hummus was ok. Not that flavorful. I really liked the spinach pie, it was homemade and really delish. The baklava was great too. So, hit or miss. Service was friendly, though, so I would probably go back.
(3)Ariel T.
This place is amazing! Best falafel and kifta ever! I'm a big fan of family owned restaurants. The owners are so sweet and friendly. All the food is made from scratch. You have got to try this place. If you like Mediterranean food then stop in for lunch or dinner. The grape leaves and spinach pies are so delicious and fresh. Prices are very reasonable. You won't be disappointed. Oh and they deliver to the local area! How convenient is that?! Home cooked meal right at your doorstep...
(5)Mike C.
The food is quite good and worth the stop. This diner has little to no ambience and counter service only but the service is quite good, with good value, and good food. The Tabouleh and Falafel were out standing and the stuffed grape leaves and kibbeh were very good.
(4)Dave W.
Great Falafel. Also very cheap. You get what you pay for in terms of ambience. As long as you stick to the Mediterranean fare, you should be well satisfied. I've had their grape leaves, spinach pies, kibbeh, tabouleh, and falafel, and they're all very good, the falafel being the best. Help this business out. It's sandwiched right between La Nopalera and Jimmy John's, and this particular space has seen quite a few restaurants come and go. Its worth your money, and you won't be disappointed with the food.
(4)Jeffrey F.
Best falafel and tabbouleh I've ever had! The owners are extremely friendly and welcoming. Great restaurant for lunch or dinner! Caters well too!
(5)CHRIS X.
No frills, solid basic Mediterranean fare. Quick service for lunch.
(4)