Delicious Mediterranean food run by a very nice guy. Support local food! We got the hummus to start. Delicious! The hummus was flavorful and seasoned with some oils and spices. I got the fattoush salad with grilled chicken. It came with homemade fried strips and all the makings of a perfect fattoush. My husband got the chicken shawarma which was equally delicious. We are definitely going back! Tip: open Monday- Friday until 9 but call before you go because if it's a slow night he closes early (usually Monday and Tuesday). Also open the last Saturday of the month for the Main Street cruise.
(5)
Samantha K.
I really wanted to love this place and give it a higher rating, but "just okay" is my final perception of wafaa and mike's cafe. I'll start with the good. I ordered the falafel platter for lunch ($10.99) with a side of Greek salad and stuffed grape leaves. It came with pita and tzatziki as well. The best part was definitely the falafel. They were delicious! The staff was also quite friendly. But, on to the not so great part of things. For the price, the size of the side portions was on the smaller side, particularly the salad. Then, there are certain expectations of Greek/Mediterranean food that I have. For instance, canned black olives (which were what was on my salad) are not right by me--gotta be kalamatas. Also, tzatziki that is thin rather than thick and creamy and not very flavorful is definitely problematic. To top it off, I had a hard time eating their pita bread. It was very thin and hard to take a bite out of. The stuffed grape leaves were ok but nothing to write home about. Unfortunately, I probably won't be going out of my way to stop by there again.
(3)
Brian S.
This place is a gem, and in the Top 5 on my search for my "usual" spot for Friday lunches. I had a gyro with baba ganoush and was blown away by yet-another hole-in-the-wall with amazing food. Picking up the tab for my colleagues was an easy choice with their affordable prices. It is a definite must!
(5)
B D.
I wish I could agree with most of the other reviewers, but I just can't. I have eaten at A LOT of middle eastern restaurants. The kibbe was flavorful but it was cold in the middle and doughy. The tabouli did not taste fresh and visually the tomatoes looked and tasted old. Since many reviewers were raving about the falafel I had to order it. I had the falafel wrap. The falafels themselves were tasty but unfortunately, I encountered the mushy, not fresh tomatoes on a larger scale. The lack of veggie freshness forced me to remove the falafels from the wrap and eat them without any accompaniments. On the bright side, I had a lovely server.
(3)
Michael F.
Best gyro platter in all of Jacksonville! The owners and wait staff are some of the friendliest people and everything they serve is extremely fresh.
(5)
Dalton T.
Kibbie wrap for $7.50 was amazing! I will certainly be recommending this place to my friends & family. The inside is clean, spacious and the staff is super friendly. I will be back!!
(5)
Erick L.
Great food. Atmosphere isn't much to talk about. Staff was mediocre. Prices are a bit high for what you get. gyro platter was 12.99 then drink was extra. I didn't leave hungry but I wasn't overly stuffed either.
(4)
Kathy P.
I am so glad I found this place. Where else can you drop your car off for an oil change and sit down to a fantastic meal. The food is always fresh and never greasy. The staff is friendly and welcoming .
(4)
Ka N.
Shwarma wrap with pickled beets, so delicious. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Sometimes they closes early, so call first if you're going late in the evening. Opens every 4th Saturday of the month.
(5)
Kristy A.
I really like this place. Authentic food. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are good sized. It is a little run down. Parking is also a little bit of an issue.
(4)
Lori F.
So we were so lucky to end up here at lunch time. This place is fantastic! The atmosphere is adorable and quirky. The server was as sweet as can be. The food is authentic and made inhouse. We ordered the combo platter and fattouch. It was enough for three hungry women. They have the best falafel I've ever tasted. The chef is friendly and easy on the eyes. We parked right in front on a week day at lunch time. Waffa N Mike, please move to Los Angeles!
(5)
Adelaide C.
Wafaa and Mike's has the BEST falafel wrap I've EVER had (and I've eaten a lot of falafel wraps). Super fresh vegetables & yummy falafel on traditional thin pita would be good on its own, but then they add pickled turnips and mint... amazing. Trust me it's addictive. They staff & owners are also very friendly and welcoming & I've had good service every time I've been. Delicious, authentic Middle Eastern food -highly recommend!
(5)
Shuraih L.
Clean, nice and friendly place. Food was amazing and fresh. I ordered the beef shawarma platter, meat was tender and juicy and the salad was full of flavor!
(5)
Dan N.
Mediterranean Soul food made with love. While you get your car some love, get your taste buds some love at the neighboring restaurant. Seriously delicious vegan options - falafel, hummus, veggie wrap.
(5)
Bob S.
Great food and good value. Service can be a little spotty, but never unfriendly. Tabouleh is always bright, both in color, and taste, and the hummus... yummus.
(4)
Stealth N.
Got the falafel platter. I showed up around closing so I got it to go. As last customer the food was freshly made, tasted good, and was reasonably priced. This is my first Mediterranean place in jax. So far so good. :) definitely worth a revisit. Revisited- Sat down this time and ordered the same thing as last time just to see the consistency of quality. Fries were more fresh and the rest of the meal was just as good. We've marked this spot as a good Mediterranean spot near downtown. :-D
(4)
Deepan M.
From the outside might not want to eat here. Inside is very nice and clean with great food. Best Arabic food I have had in Jacksonville.
(5)
Jolene L.
Excellent food! Visited today and enjoyed both the chiken (that's how they spell it) and kafta kabab platters. Kababs were served atop a fresh salad with seasoned vegetables. Neither of us could finish because the portions were so generous. Arabic coffee was amazing! Try this place!!!
(5)
Don R.
Average Mediterranean food at Ponte Vedra prices and little service Enjoy watching the employees watching TV instead of working...favorite place until I experienced random closures, no improvement in business practices and the recent huge price hike! If you want a quiet place to eat, this is it as customers are hard to find!
(2)
L. D.
Actual visits 3/4 & 3/7/13. Philly cheese steak and fries 1st visit. Falafel wrap n fries 2nd visit. Mediterranean food is usually not on my to do list, hence the Philly steak order. My co-workers raved about the other food so I had to give the Falafel a try on visit 2. Everything was very good and I would go back.
(4)
David K.
Not much in the way of ambience, but the food is good and the service is friendly. A couple of guys were chopping vegetables in back when I was there, which suggests freshness -- as opposed to the boil-in-a-bag cuisine of the chain restaurants. This is important. Also, the prices are right. This place is within walking distance of my house and I like to support good neighborhood businesses as much as possible. I'll be back.
(4)
Food I.
The best Mediterranean food in jacksonville. Only here will you find fresh mint leaves in place of romaine lettuce in a pita!!!
(5)
Kelly C.
This is a great gem of a place! Definitely the best falafel I've had, their hummus was yum, and the taboule was perfect. You get a lot of food and it's cooked to perfection. Had the Arabic coffee... Not my cup of tea but my bf loved it. It's owned by the mechanic next door, who happens to be the best mechanic in all of Jax :) Will definitely be coming here again! Highly recommend if you're in the Springfield/downtown area!
(5)
None T.
The service can be off putting at times. The main guy behind the counter is super nice but his mannerisms may make you feel like you aren't welcome. You are, though! They are really happy to serve...you just may never know it. The food is always good. The stand out in this restaurant are the wraps. Specifically, the hummus and tabouli wraps. They use fresh herbs and some kind of pickled vegetable in the wrap that makes it amazing. Their falafels are equally good and were the best in town until The Olive Tree came around. They need some work on cooking meats. The chicken platter I ordered was decent, fresh but slightly overcooked. The chicken could be flavored better. It wasn't bland but needed that special something. But, it is a huge plate of food. Either, the cook was being nice to me or that is how it is served. Not sure which.
(3)
Jeff S.
Went on Dec 14, 2012 in the evening. Gyros were amazing and the server was extremely nice and very friendly. I can't wait to go back to Jacksonville and eat there again!
(5)
Joey M.
Waffa and Mike's Mediterranean serves quality, home-cooked food for a great price. It's a great addition to the Springfield neighborhood that's clean with friendly employees. I ordered the combination dinner which includes grape leaves, greek salad, hummus, tabouli, kibbeh, lamb and pita bread. It was plenty of food for me, my wife and my 3-year old, we even had leftovers. My favorite things about Waffa and Mike's are the pita and hummus. The hummus is not blended smooth like most hummus. There are still small chunks of chickpeas that add texture and character to the dish. The pita was not like most store-bought pita, fluffy and bread-like, it was much more flat. We had so much pita bread I was still eating two days later. The only complaint I had was the grape leaves were falling apart. Like they were made too early in the day and had just deteriorated by 6pm. The restaurant was clean and inviting with bench seats and tables. The bench seats are large enough for groups of 8, so they are nice to spread out in. There is no outdoor seating at the moment, but there are plans in the works to offer outdoor seating in the back of the restaurant. No beer, wine or alcohol is served at Waffa and Mike's. Mike, one of the owners, decided not to serve beer or wine to keep the environment family friendly. I respect that, but I'd love to have a Heineken with my hummus.
(4)
Matt A.
UPDATE: Went back and was not impressed with the lack of service. I actually left without eating. What can I say? Maybe I hit them on a bad day or a bad hour?
(3)
Oly C.
I love, love, love Waffaa's!
(5)
Yolanda T.
Wafaa and Mike's is such a find I cannot help but gush over it. It is very low key, not fancy at all but clean. Staff is friendly, like a neighborhood joint should be. I have been going to this place for at least a year now, and I have brought in family and friends, who are just as pleased as I am. Food quality is consistently good, and the servings are generous, generous, generous. Hummus to die for, tabouleh always fresh, the shawarma platter is my particular favorite. 5 stars and well deserved.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Caitlyn J.
Delicious Mediterranean food run by a very nice guy. Support local food! We got the hummus to start. Delicious! The hummus was flavorful and seasoned with some oils and spices. I got the fattoush salad with grilled chicken. It came with homemade fried strips and all the makings of a perfect fattoush. My husband got the chicken shawarma which was equally delicious. We are definitely going back! Tip: open Monday- Friday until 9 but call before you go because if it's a slow night he closes early (usually Monday and Tuesday). Also open the last Saturday of the month for the Main Street cruise.
(5)Samantha K.
I really wanted to love this place and give it a higher rating, but "just okay" is my final perception of wafaa and mike's cafe. I'll start with the good. I ordered the falafel platter for lunch ($10.99) with a side of Greek salad and stuffed grape leaves. It came with pita and tzatziki as well. The best part was definitely the falafel. They were delicious! The staff was also quite friendly. But, on to the not so great part of things. For the price, the size of the side portions was on the smaller side, particularly the salad. Then, there are certain expectations of Greek/Mediterranean food that I have. For instance, canned black olives (which were what was on my salad) are not right by me--gotta be kalamatas. Also, tzatziki that is thin rather than thick and creamy and not very flavorful is definitely problematic. To top it off, I had a hard time eating their pita bread. It was very thin and hard to take a bite out of. The stuffed grape leaves were ok but nothing to write home about. Unfortunately, I probably won't be going out of my way to stop by there again.
(3)Brian S.
This place is a gem, and in the Top 5 on my search for my "usual" spot for Friday lunches. I had a gyro with baba ganoush and was blown away by yet-another hole-in-the-wall with amazing food. Picking up the tab for my colleagues was an easy choice with their affordable prices. It is a definite must!
(5)B D.
I wish I could agree with most of the other reviewers, but I just can't. I have eaten at A LOT of middle eastern restaurants. The kibbe was flavorful but it was cold in the middle and doughy. The tabouli did not taste fresh and visually the tomatoes looked and tasted old. Since many reviewers were raving about the falafel I had to order it. I had the falafel wrap. The falafels themselves were tasty but unfortunately, I encountered the mushy, not fresh tomatoes on a larger scale. The lack of veggie freshness forced me to remove the falafels from the wrap and eat them without any accompaniments. On the bright side, I had a lovely server.
(3)Michael F.
Best gyro platter in all of Jacksonville! The owners and wait staff are some of the friendliest people and everything they serve is extremely fresh.
(5)Dalton T.
Kibbie wrap for $7.50 was amazing! I will certainly be recommending this place to my friends & family. The inside is clean, spacious and the staff is super friendly. I will be back!!
(5)Erick L.
Great food. Atmosphere isn't much to talk about. Staff was mediocre. Prices are a bit high for what you get. gyro platter was 12.99 then drink was extra. I didn't leave hungry but I wasn't overly stuffed either.
(4)Kathy P.
I am so glad I found this place. Where else can you drop your car off for an oil change and sit down to a fantastic meal. The food is always fresh and never greasy. The staff is friendly and welcoming .
(4)Ka N.
Shwarma wrap with pickled beets, so delicious. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Sometimes they closes early, so call first if you're going late in the evening. Opens every 4th Saturday of the month.
(5)Kristy A.
I really like this place. Authentic food. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are good sized. It is a little run down. Parking is also a little bit of an issue.
(4)Lori F.
So we were so lucky to end up here at lunch time. This place is fantastic! The atmosphere is adorable and quirky. The server was as sweet as can be. The food is authentic and made inhouse. We ordered the combo platter and fattouch. It was enough for three hungry women. They have the best falafel I've ever tasted. The chef is friendly and easy on the eyes. We parked right in front on a week day at lunch time. Waffa N Mike, please move to Los Angeles!
(5)Adelaide C.
Wafaa and Mike's has the BEST falafel wrap I've EVER had (and I've eaten a lot of falafel wraps). Super fresh vegetables & yummy falafel on traditional thin pita would be good on its own, but then they add pickled turnips and mint... amazing. Trust me it's addictive. They staff & owners are also very friendly and welcoming & I've had good service every time I've been. Delicious, authentic Middle Eastern food -highly recommend!
(5)Shuraih L.
Clean, nice and friendly place. Food was amazing and fresh. I ordered the beef shawarma platter, meat was tender and juicy and the salad was full of flavor!
(5)Dan N.
Mediterranean Soul food made with love. While you get your car some love, get your taste buds some love at the neighboring restaurant. Seriously delicious vegan options - falafel, hummus, veggie wrap.
(5)Bob S.
Great food and good value. Service can be a little spotty, but never unfriendly. Tabouleh is always bright, both in color, and taste, and the hummus... yummus.
(4)Stealth N.
Got the falafel platter. I showed up around closing so I got it to go. As last customer the food was freshly made, tasted good, and was reasonably priced. This is my first Mediterranean place in jax. So far so good. :) definitely worth a revisit. Revisited- Sat down this time and ordered the same thing as last time just to see the consistency of quality. Fries were more fresh and the rest of the meal was just as good. We've marked this spot as a good Mediterranean spot near downtown. :-D
(4)Deepan M.
From the outside might not want to eat here. Inside is very nice and clean with great food. Best Arabic food I have had in Jacksonville.
(5)Jolene L.
Excellent food! Visited today and enjoyed both the chiken (that's how they spell it) and kafta kabab platters. Kababs were served atop a fresh salad with seasoned vegetables. Neither of us could finish because the portions were so generous. Arabic coffee was amazing! Try this place!!!
(5)Don R.
Average Mediterranean food at Ponte Vedra prices and little service Enjoy watching the employees watching TV instead of working...favorite place until I experienced random closures, no improvement in business practices and the recent huge price hike! If you want a quiet place to eat, this is it as customers are hard to find!
(2)L. D.
Actual visits 3/4 & 3/7/13. Philly cheese steak and fries 1st visit. Falafel wrap n fries 2nd visit. Mediterranean food is usually not on my to do list, hence the Philly steak order. My co-workers raved about the other food so I had to give the Falafel a try on visit 2. Everything was very good and I would go back.
(4)David K.
Not much in the way of ambience, but the food is good and the service is friendly. A couple of guys were chopping vegetables in back when I was there, which suggests freshness -- as opposed to the boil-in-a-bag cuisine of the chain restaurants. This is important. Also, the prices are right. This place is within walking distance of my house and I like to support good neighborhood businesses as much as possible. I'll be back.
(4)Food I.
The best Mediterranean food in jacksonville. Only here will you find fresh mint leaves in place of romaine lettuce in a pita!!!
(5)Kelly C.
This is a great gem of a place! Definitely the best falafel I've had, their hummus was yum, and the taboule was perfect. You get a lot of food and it's cooked to perfection. Had the Arabic coffee... Not my cup of tea but my bf loved it. It's owned by the mechanic next door, who happens to be the best mechanic in all of Jax :) Will definitely be coming here again! Highly recommend if you're in the Springfield/downtown area!
(5)None T.
The service can be off putting at times. The main guy behind the counter is super nice but his mannerisms may make you feel like you aren't welcome. You are, though! They are really happy to serve...you just may never know it. The food is always good. The stand out in this restaurant are the wraps. Specifically, the hummus and tabouli wraps. They use fresh herbs and some kind of pickled vegetable in the wrap that makes it amazing. Their falafels are equally good and were the best in town until The Olive Tree came around. They need some work on cooking meats. The chicken platter I ordered was decent, fresh but slightly overcooked. The chicken could be flavored better. It wasn't bland but needed that special something. But, it is a huge plate of food. Either, the cook was being nice to me or that is how it is served. Not sure which.
(3)Jeff S.
Went on Dec 14, 2012 in the evening. Gyros were amazing and the server was extremely nice and very friendly. I can't wait to go back to Jacksonville and eat there again!
(5)Joey M.
Waffa and Mike's Mediterranean serves quality, home-cooked food for a great price. It's a great addition to the Springfield neighborhood that's clean with friendly employees. I ordered the combination dinner which includes grape leaves, greek salad, hummus, tabouli, kibbeh, lamb and pita bread. It was plenty of food for me, my wife and my 3-year old, we even had leftovers. My favorite things about Waffa and Mike's are the pita and hummus. The hummus is not blended smooth like most hummus. There are still small chunks of chickpeas that add texture and character to the dish. The pita was not like most store-bought pita, fluffy and bread-like, it was much more flat. We had so much pita bread I was still eating two days later. The only complaint I had was the grape leaves were falling apart. Like they were made too early in the day and had just deteriorated by 6pm. The restaurant was clean and inviting with bench seats and tables. The bench seats are large enough for groups of 8, so they are nice to spread out in. There is no outdoor seating at the moment, but there are plans in the works to offer outdoor seating in the back of the restaurant. No beer, wine or alcohol is served at Waffa and Mike's. Mike, one of the owners, decided not to serve beer or wine to keep the environment family friendly. I respect that, but I'd love to have a Heineken with my hummus.
(4)Matt A.
UPDATE: Went back and was not impressed with the lack of service. I actually left without eating. What can I say? Maybe I hit them on a bad day or a bad hour?
(3)Oly C.
I love, love, love Waffaa's!
(5)Yolanda T.
Wafaa and Mike's is such a find I cannot help but gush over it. It is very low key, not fancy at all but clean. Staff is friendly, like a neighborhood joint should be. I have been going to this place for at least a year now, and I have brought in family and friends, who are just as pleased as I am. Food quality is consistently good, and the servings are generous, generous, generous. Hummus to die for, tabouleh always fresh, the shawarma platter is my particular favorite. 5 stars and well deserved.
(5)