I really loved the Lamb Gyro with Saffron rice! It had tons of sauce in it which brought all of the ingredients together nicely. Pretty much a middle eastern burrito :-) If you are hankering for some middle eastern good check this place out!
(4)
Matt T.
The second best Mediterranean restaurant in Corvallis. Stopped in here on a whim and ordered the Shawarma and was pleasantly impressed. The prices are great, the staff is great. It's definitely the place to go if I'm near campus.
(4)
Fish H.
The food here is very very good, probably my favorite place near campus. However be aware that service is sloooooow, almost as if they don't care if they have customers (they don't even have a takeout menu). Don't ever go here if you are in a hurry.
(4)
Himmad K.
Granted I didn't try the raved about gyros or falafel I didn't have a good experience here. I speak good English and had the hardest time communicating with the cashier. I am just visiting this town and found this place on yelp so I had questions about the menu that the cashier was unable to answer. Seems like a good guy but how can you run a business and not have someone speak good English at the counter to adequately answer your questions. I had ordered the lamb shank with a salad. The lamb shank was nice and tender but the salad was a joke. If you don't have an on site bathroom the least you can have is some hand sanitizer. I'll give them a extra star for being halal.
(2)
Coral C.
The wait? Long. The food? Just okay. We waited nearly 20 minutes for our food to come out, and considering there was only one couple ahead of us (and the restaurant was empty), I was wondering what took so long. The food? The flavors were pretty good, but they DRENCH everything with sauce. I like the sauce, but dang, way too much of it. Next time I know to ask for it on the side. My chicken was a little grissly, but loved my husbands falafel. And the hummus? Bland. Bland. Bland. it literally tasted like nothing. It could use a healthy dose of salt or sriracha or something. There are lots of good things on the menu, so I will definitely give it another try, and yep, the portions are HUGE. A good deal for sure. We took home the equivalent of one meal. I really want to try the Halloumi sandwich now. MMMMMM Love me some Halloumi.
(3)
Chris M.
The best Gyro I've had since I left Chicago!! Thank You!!
(5)
Tyson N.
While pita pit is right next door everyone is missing out on authentic Greek and Mediterranean at crystals. Their sandwiches-gyros are priced right and taste great. The workers are always friendly, and food is always good.
(5)
Jason F.
Really good food, but painfully slow service. The cashier moves at a glacial pace (it's really quite amazing to watch), and so does the kitchen.
(4)
Curtis B.
Saw the reviews on yelp, Tummy was hungry for grub, Luckily users were a help, Had a gyro and fell in love. Seriously a giant gyro for $4.50 what a steal! Granted it was during the short window of happy hour, but still. Without the prices during happy hour I would give crystals 4 stars. The cheap evening menu makes it hard to pass this place up. The greatest shock is how uncrowded this place is. Like other users said it's kind of a place that's always walked by. Next time your in this area, especially if headed for pita pit, try this place our instead.
(5)
Jon W.
I think this is the best place serving gyro/Shawarma in town. The only thing is it's a little more than what you're paying at Jebal or Alley Gyros. On the other hand the Pita Pit is right next door and I think you're a damned fool if you go get their "gyro" instead of stopping in here.
(4)
Evie K.
I didn't find this place all that great. I was craving a Gyro( in my mind a crisp greasy, salty, taziki sand served on a thick pita) We both had the Lamb Gyro but you couldn't taste anything but Miracle Whip?? and iceberg lettuce. The taziki had no cucumber or yogurt flavor. I never have had rice in my Gyro and I asked them to leave it off and they still put it on there. No big deal but "Where's the Beef?". It was a giant lettuce/rice sandwich for seven bucks. The hummus was weird (bitter) tasting as well as a lack of lemon or garlic. I know everyone's hummus tastes different but this stuff was bland and oily. The atmosphere has an over all dingy feel but it has a nice view of the campus park. Upon leaving 20 bucks down and yucked out, I saw the Pita Pit had Gyros and wished we had gone there, but I wanted to try the little guy...we gave it a shot
(2)
Lorelei C.
We originally went down monroe to go to the Pho place thats right next to Pita Pit, but after discovering it closed early (2pm?!) we peeked into Crystal's and it looked delicious. I got a falafel and it was pretty much the most amazing thing I'd tasted in a long time. It was HUGE which completely justified the price (around six bucks)... My boyfriend got a Gyro, which was equally as massive and tasted just as delicious. Why go to Pita Pit when you have this place right next door for basically the same price? It seems like one of those hidden treasures that people just walk past. Take a step in the door and give something on the menu a try. It ALL looked good. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Michael H.
Come here! Get the shawarma!! (chicken or beef) Add the rice too it! And be happy!!! I still don't understand how Pita Pit gets so much business when this place is less than 20 feet way?? I guess some people just don't like authentic, flavorful, amazingly delicious food!! Best gyros I've had outside of Eastern Europe!
(5)
Jason B.
Stopped by Local Boyz and the line was out the door, so I headed down to Crystals instead. Boy am I glad that I did, because my lamb shwerma was awesome! It's pretty big, and full of flavor! I've also heard a lot of good things about their felafel, so I'll try that on my next trip. Definitely going back to Crystals!
(4)
Jason H.
A very decent Mediterranean casual restaurant which has better food than the last time I went to Oasis, but not quite as good as when Oasis was at the top of its game. The hummus was very tasty but I was slightly disappointed with the baklava; i'm not sure if its made on-site or not. Nice sized portions and some happy hour deals, although I have never gone during this time of day. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Ally D.
Crystal's is... fine. They're known for their falafel which is not the best I've had (and I love falafel). The last time I visited, it took absurdly long (ahem 20 minutes) for a falafel pita (you dump little chickpea croquettes into a deep fryer for about 2-3 minutes and stuff it in a pita with veggies and tahini... c'mon folks). And, frankly, the falafel was poorly executed. It wasn't very crisy and tasted a bit stale, as did the pita. And it cost $7. FOR A FALAFEL PITA. Maybe I'm spoiled because my heavy falafel consumption was from Mamoun's in NYC and Munjed's in Syracuse (GO THERE IF YOU ARE IN SYRACUSE, NY), but this place is sub-par at best.
(2)
Beth J.
If you like falafel, gyros, dolmas, baklava, etc... Come here! So good. Don't get felafel at pita pit. It is like a million times better here. They make everything fresh here, have traditional music, and are family owned. #shoutout
(5)
Jhonatan P.
PLACE - Subpar. Very weird and grungy. There wasn't a lot of people. FOOD - Pretty appetizing actually. No complains. Straight forward greek. SERVICE - Weird. Took a while to get noticed that we wanted to order. PRICE - Resonable. Good amount of food for price. GO BACK? - If you like greek and reasonable prices. Yes. Weird service though.
(4)
Crystal J.
Every time my husband and I would walk by this place our mouths would water; it smelled amazing. We were usually on our way to another restaurant in the area so we would always promise to try this place next. We attempted to go here to find it was closed on numerous occasions. But finally we caught them one night when they were open. We ordered the chicken schwarma, a gyro, and falafel. It was significantly different than the Mediterranean food we would get back in AZ, but still really good. I loved how they added the rice into the gyro and schwarma wrap. The food has lots of unique flavors and they all come together really well. I am happy to have such yummy food close, and we will absolutely be back again.
(4)
Patrick F.
Best gyros I've ever had, say yes to the saffron rice. Each dish is crafted, they don't rush.
(4)
Everett B.
This place is exceptional. Although the wait is a little long for the food, when it does arrive it is delicious. I ordered a grilled chicken pita and would definitely order it again. The bread was chewy, the chicken was grilled nicely and the greens and rice were seasoned exquisitely. The staff is also super friendly. If you have never had this type of food before this is a great place to pop your cherry.
(5)
Omar A.
Best shawarma in town. But still doesn't stand a chance in front of a real shawarma. I'm a shawarma enthusiast. And I approve of this place. The sauce is good, but heavy and saturated inside the chicken. Good mixture of tomato and lettuce. And overall very good bread. One thing is, this shawarma is super, but not all the time. Sometimes I feel the chicken isn't cooked enough, I might be too picky, but that's what I have experienced. They also have an awesome super tasty Avocado smoothie. Best smoothie I've had. Just so good. Guy working here is a delight, he always has a smile on his face and ready to take your orders. Waiting time is a bit long, averaging 8-10 minutes. But yet again you're getting fresh and healthy food, so it's worth the wait.
(3)
I E.
For some odd reason this place is never crowded. Most times I'm the only person in the place. Why? I'm not sure? Perhaps I should simply consider Crystals as one of the few hidden gems of Corvallis. First (as it's most important), the food. It's great! In particular I recommend the shawarma. Not only is it cooked and seasoned well, but the portions are huge, and reasonably priced (for what you get). Really, everything I've tried is better than average to outstanding. But a warning.....if you are accustomed to Oregon-ized WASPy, versions of foreign cuisines, you might not like the food. It has authentic spices and lots of them. I'm not sure why some have complained about the decor? It's a food establishment next to a college.......what were you expecting? White linen table cloths and marble floors? And to those who complained about the slow service. It takes time to cook good fresh food. I'll happily wait 15-20 minutes if that's what it takes. If you must have fast service there are both a Burger King and a McDonalds down the street.
(5)
Nick G.
8/21/14 Ordered a lamb gyro, a gyro plate and the falafel plate. The gyro was big and full of lettuce. I read the other reviews so I asked for the rice on the side. Since they were lacking on the meat they really made up with the huge serving of rice. The falafel plate looked delicious, and probably is. But I ordered it for my daughter and none of us ended up liking falafel. So, this dirty dirty little local dive cost me $31, only this once. Won't return, won't recommend.
(2)
Danny K.
Hit and miss Decent Mediterranean food... Don't let the atmosphere fool you. Here is my vegan/vegetarian run down: Falafel salad and hummus very good Baklava fair Lenti soup miss-pass Staff is friendly Portions good size and very reasonable price
(4)
Donna K.
This is a hidden gem in Corvallis where you will find the best gyro sandwiches!! The must order is a chicken shwarma with saffron rice in a sandwich form with their house hot sauce on the side! It's most delicious and will certainly have you crawling back for more! The falafel is also pretty good! Service is a little slow but well worth the wait for a bite of the juicy, tender chicken with warm and soft saffron rice! I would contemplate on making the drive to my rival team college just to eat at the home of the falafel king!
(4)
Jami L.
If you want Mediterranean in Corvallis, this is the place to be. The chicken shawarma pita is amazing and adding the saffron rice is a must. Honestly, why anyone would go next door to Pita Pit is beyond me.
(4)
Jason K.
I hit this place up for lunch today, having a beef gyro with saffron rice. Very tasty and topped with lettuce and tomato as well. Along with that was an unidentifiable spice of some kind. Sort of peppery with a little heat. Whatever it was, it was good. Portion size was pretty enormous. I'm a healthy eater and it was almost too much. I would have gave it a solid five but the loud middle-eastern technopop they were playing was just as annoying as the american technopop other places play.
(4)
Nate O.
Is it Crystal's or Crystals? No matter which, I love their huge pita sandwiches, especially the schwarma. I have never diversified my ordering much, because I just can't make myself order anything other than the chicken schwarma sandwich. The perfect solution for anything that ails you?
(4)
Jennifer E.
The food was pretty good and portions were very generous, which works out well for me since my husband and i usually split an entree! The balaclava we tried though was disappointing, it had a very strong rose water flavor, but I would go back. The other other think I feel I should mention is that they've never had ice available for their soft drinks.
(4)
a. d. a.
It just seems so expensive for what you get. The food tastes good though.
(2)
Meg C.
This place has extremely good falafel and gyros. I would definitely say the best falafel in Corvallis! They are quick and good for to go orders, but it is also is a cool place to sit down and eat. It is the perfect location for students (it is basically on campus). There is sometimes a bit of a language barrier for some of the staff, but I don't think it would ever be an issue if you speak good English.
(4)
Alex M.
I recently went to Crystals and ordered the lamb gyro pita. It was reasonably priced around $7, and it came out relatively fast. Seating is limited here, so if you have a large party, you should be ok with splitting into smaller groups. Overall the food is great, reasonable and tends to be open during lunch and dinner throughout the year. I would recommend Crystals if you're looking for some great middle eastern/Mediterranean cuisine.
(4)
Denise R.
I stumbled across this hole-in-the-wall cafe one day and found one of those classic hidden gems with character. I've been back a few times and am working my way through the menu. Hummus is flavorful and delicious. Gyros are tasty. Falafel is some of the best in town. I love Middle Eastern food so I love that small town Corvallis has more than one Middle Eastern option. Prices are reasonable. They take orders up front then you find your seat in this small cafe. Most of the meals are very take-out friendly.
(4)
Lainey D.
The 2nd and 3rd time I tried this place I couldn't even finish my food. Gross!
(1)
Mark N.
THE hidden gem in Corvallis. The lamb gyro WITH saffron rice is one of the best meals on Earth. My go to for several years. Don't leave OSU without trying it at least once. Don't be turned off by its looks, this place is a real treat.
(5)
Jennie M.
The best babaganoush I've had in years. A great place. A lot of food for a low price. Freshly prepared.
(4)
Victor D.
Its decent.. It a goto place if you craving middle eastern food.... The place does not get as crowded as you would think, so dine-in is definitely an option.
(3)
Ian T.
I've been coming here since around 2004 and I've always enjoyed thefood. The kitchen staff and register clerk haven't changed, it's always the same folks providing the consistent service a quality eats. I love the falafel, lamb gyros, and homemade baklava. Be prepared for a little bit of a wait for your food; that's the cost for the quality.
(4)
Megan W.
Best Greek food I've ever had! I'm not a big fan of the restaurants in Corvallis overall, but this place is amazing. I got the falafel and my boyfriend got a gyro, and we were both raving about our meals for days. The food is super flavorful and cooked just right, and you get a lot of it for fairly cheap. They also have a bunch of different kinds of baklava for dessert if you have any room afterwards. I don't know why anyone would go to Pita Pit with this place right next door. Excellent food, friendly staff, quick service, cheap prices... love it!
(5)
Alex J.
Thought I'd give a try after reading some of the reviews. The place looks thrown together inside but don't let that fool you... the food is crazy good. The shawarma chicken pita was outrageous and really big. You HAVE to get the saffron rice!!! The shawarma reflects the look of the place in that the pita looks a little out of control but then surprises by tasting great. Get some napkins as it can be a touch messy. It's family run and the father is really nice. Nothing feels better than handing your cash over to a guy working hard to run a small biz...
(4)
Joshua G.
Love their gyros! This place is right next door to Pita Pit and for a dollar or two more you can get something that is twice as good. It's always empty every time I've gone in but it shouldn't be.
(4)
Anne W.
My husband and I were looking for some good gyros down in this area after finding a great place up in Beaverton. We were not disappointed by Crystals. The food is very good and the price is right. We would definitely eat here again.
(4)
Dawn N.
I was drawn into this place by the fantastic smell wafting out onto the sidewalk. I glanced at the menu from outside and thought it looked good, but was a little pricy. I came back a few seconds later after reasoning that I would pay just as much at the Pita Pit. So I went in and ordered a falafel sandwich. So many things can go wrong with falafel, but this was amazing. The pita was nice and soft, the falafel itself was prepared perfectly. So often you get little rock-hard balls, but these were big, fluffy masterpieces. I would say they were almost cake-like. Complemented by the sauce, this sandwich had an absurd amount of flavor and just the right amount of spice and heat. Fast and friendly service, too.
(5)
Kirsten S.
LOVE THIS PLACE! The chicken shwarma is amazing, and it's only a fraction of the price you'd pay at other restaurants. It's nothing too fancy, but they really know what their doing when it comes to the food, which is the most important thing.
(5)
Meggie W.
Crystal's Lebanese cusine has been a staple of my diet ever since they opened up several years ago. Since I've moved from Corvallis I'm only able to go there over breaks from school, so I'm unsure as to how busy it gets while OSU is in session. But busy or not, Crystal's is definitely worth stopping in at. Sure, the decor leaves a little to be desired (okay, a lot to be desired), but the food and the prices definitely make up for it. Crystal's claims to be the "King of Falafel", but I would recommend that any meat eaters try a shawerma sandwich (either chicken or beef). At $5.49, it really can't be beat. All of Crystal's sandwiches are made with amazing, huge pieces of pita bread, onion, tomato and lettuce. For another $.50 or so, they'll add saffron rice into the sandwich, which is definitely a nice addition. For the vegetarians, I have heard from several reliable sources that "King of Falafel" is a fairly accurate name for what they offer here, but I've never had it myself. Their hummus is also delicious, although perhaps not as good of a deal as the sandwiches. If you get the hummus, I'd recommend asking for it in a to-go container, and be sure to get an extra pita or two. The service is always fast and incredibly friendly. It's definitely one of my favorite places in town to eat at.
(4)
Norman H.
Wow... great place. Ate here because we can't find a lot of great food in Albany where we have family. We both had combo plates and it was authentic, delicious and very, very filling. It does seem on the spendy side (especially located so close to OSU) but frankly, it wouldn't stop me from coming back over and over. I had the dolma combo (stuff grape leaves). My wife had the falafel, which was excellent. The salad is a standard yogurt sauce dressing (which I thought was excellent) and the hummus was also very good. We'll come back.
(5)
Nicole W.
WOW! I love Middle Eastern food - I have had alot of good, alot of okay and alot of Bad thru the years I was really craving some good stuff so a friend and I googled some choices and ended up here. She had never had real hummus or grape leaf rolls or any middle eastern food so we had the owner just make us a bunch of stuff and it was great - soooooo much better than I expected for being in a small college town. The owner was very nice and wanted to make sure we enjoyed it all. Even added in some extra goodies. Good Food and Nice people - I think that defines a great lunch! #corvsmb
(5)
Derek J.
Atmosphere/service: the place is a bit grungy looking, and the staff doesn't speak english all that well, but the dude that helped me couldn't have been nicer. service was nice and speedy, and it located a stones throw from the Rx school, which is a huge plus for me. Food: this chicken shwarma is hitting the spot so hard right now. added hummus, wheat pita, light feta and easy on the sauce. its not the best one I've ever had, but its working for me right now, to say the least. Ill be coming back here for sure.
(4)
Kristin K.
I had a chicken shawarma in a whole wheat pita with the saffron rice in it. It is excellent. My dad likes the amount of sauce that Crystals' puts on it. He likes Crystals' chicken shawarma better than that at Corvallis Mediterranean Cafe. The clerk is friendly. There is a fairly long wait.
(5)
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Address :1425 NW Monroe Ave,Ste E
Corvallis, OR, 97330
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
Jenn M.
I really loved the Lamb Gyro with Saffron rice! It had tons of sauce in it which brought all of the ingredients together nicely. Pretty much a middle eastern burrito :-) If you are hankering for some middle eastern good check this place out!
(4)Matt T.
The second best Mediterranean restaurant in Corvallis. Stopped in here on a whim and ordered the Shawarma and was pleasantly impressed. The prices are great, the staff is great. It's definitely the place to go if I'm near campus.
(4)Fish H.
The food here is very very good, probably my favorite place near campus. However be aware that service is sloooooow, almost as if they don't care if they have customers (they don't even have a takeout menu). Don't ever go here if you are in a hurry.
(4)Himmad K.
Granted I didn't try the raved about gyros or falafel I didn't have a good experience here. I speak good English and had the hardest time communicating with the cashier. I am just visiting this town and found this place on yelp so I had questions about the menu that the cashier was unable to answer. Seems like a good guy but how can you run a business and not have someone speak good English at the counter to adequately answer your questions. I had ordered the lamb shank with a salad. The lamb shank was nice and tender but the salad was a joke. If you don't have an on site bathroom the least you can have is some hand sanitizer. I'll give them a extra star for being halal.
(2)Coral C.
The wait? Long. The food? Just okay. We waited nearly 20 minutes for our food to come out, and considering there was only one couple ahead of us (and the restaurant was empty), I was wondering what took so long. The food? The flavors were pretty good, but they DRENCH everything with sauce. I like the sauce, but dang, way too much of it. Next time I know to ask for it on the side. My chicken was a little grissly, but loved my husbands falafel. And the hummus? Bland. Bland. Bland. it literally tasted like nothing. It could use a healthy dose of salt or sriracha or something. There are lots of good things on the menu, so I will definitely give it another try, and yep, the portions are HUGE. A good deal for sure. We took home the equivalent of one meal. I really want to try the Halloumi sandwich now. MMMMMM Love me some Halloumi.
(3)Chris M.
The best Gyro I've had since I left Chicago!! Thank You!!
(5)Tyson N.
While pita pit is right next door everyone is missing out on authentic Greek and Mediterranean at crystals. Their sandwiches-gyros are priced right and taste great. The workers are always friendly, and food is always good.
(5)Jason F.
Really good food, but painfully slow service. The cashier moves at a glacial pace (it's really quite amazing to watch), and so does the kitchen.
(4)Curtis B.
Saw the reviews on yelp, Tummy was hungry for grub, Luckily users were a help, Had a gyro and fell in love. Seriously a giant gyro for $4.50 what a steal! Granted it was during the short window of happy hour, but still. Without the prices during happy hour I would give crystals 4 stars. The cheap evening menu makes it hard to pass this place up. The greatest shock is how uncrowded this place is. Like other users said it's kind of a place that's always walked by. Next time your in this area, especially if headed for pita pit, try this place our instead.
(5)Jon W.
I think this is the best place serving gyro/Shawarma in town. The only thing is it's a little more than what you're paying at Jebal or Alley Gyros. On the other hand the Pita Pit is right next door and I think you're a damned fool if you go get their "gyro" instead of stopping in here.
(4)Evie K.
I didn't find this place all that great. I was craving a Gyro( in my mind a crisp greasy, salty, taziki sand served on a thick pita) We both had the Lamb Gyro but you couldn't taste anything but Miracle Whip?? and iceberg lettuce. The taziki had no cucumber or yogurt flavor. I never have had rice in my Gyro and I asked them to leave it off and they still put it on there. No big deal but "Where's the Beef?". It was a giant lettuce/rice sandwich for seven bucks. The hummus was weird (bitter) tasting as well as a lack of lemon or garlic. I know everyone's hummus tastes different but this stuff was bland and oily. The atmosphere has an over all dingy feel but it has a nice view of the campus park. Upon leaving 20 bucks down and yucked out, I saw the Pita Pit had Gyros and wished we had gone there, but I wanted to try the little guy...we gave it a shot
(2)Lorelei C.
We originally went down monroe to go to the Pho place thats right next to Pita Pit, but after discovering it closed early (2pm?!) we peeked into Crystal's and it looked delicious. I got a falafel and it was pretty much the most amazing thing I'd tasted in a long time. It was HUGE which completely justified the price (around six bucks)... My boyfriend got a Gyro, which was equally as massive and tasted just as delicious. Why go to Pita Pit when you have this place right next door for basically the same price? It seems like one of those hidden treasures that people just walk past. Take a step in the door and give something on the menu a try. It ALL looked good. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Michael H.
Come here! Get the shawarma!! (chicken or beef) Add the rice too it! And be happy!!! I still don't understand how Pita Pit gets so much business when this place is less than 20 feet way?? I guess some people just don't like authentic, flavorful, amazingly delicious food!! Best gyros I've had outside of Eastern Europe!
(5)Jason B.
Stopped by Local Boyz and the line was out the door, so I headed down to Crystals instead. Boy am I glad that I did, because my lamb shwerma was awesome! It's pretty big, and full of flavor! I've also heard a lot of good things about their felafel, so I'll try that on my next trip. Definitely going back to Crystals!
(4)Jason H.
A very decent Mediterranean casual restaurant which has better food than the last time I went to Oasis, but not quite as good as when Oasis was at the top of its game. The hummus was very tasty but I was slightly disappointed with the baklava; i'm not sure if its made on-site or not. Nice sized portions and some happy hour deals, although I have never gone during this time of day. Will definitely be back.
(4)Ally D.
Crystal's is... fine. They're known for their falafel which is not the best I've had (and I love falafel). The last time I visited, it took absurdly long (ahem 20 minutes) for a falafel pita (you dump little chickpea croquettes into a deep fryer for about 2-3 minutes and stuff it in a pita with veggies and tahini... c'mon folks). And, frankly, the falafel was poorly executed. It wasn't very crisy and tasted a bit stale, as did the pita. And it cost $7. FOR A FALAFEL PITA. Maybe I'm spoiled because my heavy falafel consumption was from Mamoun's in NYC and Munjed's in Syracuse (GO THERE IF YOU ARE IN SYRACUSE, NY), but this place is sub-par at best.
(2)Beth J.
If you like falafel, gyros, dolmas, baklava, etc... Come here! So good. Don't get felafel at pita pit. It is like a million times better here. They make everything fresh here, have traditional music, and are family owned. #shoutout
(5)Jhonatan P.
PLACE - Subpar. Very weird and grungy. There wasn't a lot of people. FOOD - Pretty appetizing actually. No complains. Straight forward greek. SERVICE - Weird. Took a while to get noticed that we wanted to order. PRICE - Resonable. Good amount of food for price. GO BACK? - If you like greek and reasonable prices. Yes. Weird service though.
(4)Crystal J.
Every time my husband and I would walk by this place our mouths would water; it smelled amazing. We were usually on our way to another restaurant in the area so we would always promise to try this place next. We attempted to go here to find it was closed on numerous occasions. But finally we caught them one night when they were open. We ordered the chicken schwarma, a gyro, and falafel. It was significantly different than the Mediterranean food we would get back in AZ, but still really good. I loved how they added the rice into the gyro and schwarma wrap. The food has lots of unique flavors and they all come together really well. I am happy to have such yummy food close, and we will absolutely be back again.
(4)Patrick F.
Best gyros I've ever had, say yes to the saffron rice. Each dish is crafted, they don't rush.
(4)Everett B.
This place is exceptional. Although the wait is a little long for the food, when it does arrive it is delicious. I ordered a grilled chicken pita and would definitely order it again. The bread was chewy, the chicken was grilled nicely and the greens and rice were seasoned exquisitely. The staff is also super friendly. If you have never had this type of food before this is a great place to pop your cherry.
(5)Omar A.
Best shawarma in town. But still doesn't stand a chance in front of a real shawarma. I'm a shawarma enthusiast. And I approve of this place. The sauce is good, but heavy and saturated inside the chicken. Good mixture of tomato and lettuce. And overall very good bread. One thing is, this shawarma is super, but not all the time. Sometimes I feel the chicken isn't cooked enough, I might be too picky, but that's what I have experienced. They also have an awesome super tasty Avocado smoothie. Best smoothie I've had. Just so good. Guy working here is a delight, he always has a smile on his face and ready to take your orders. Waiting time is a bit long, averaging 8-10 minutes. But yet again you're getting fresh and healthy food, so it's worth the wait.
(3)I E.
For some odd reason this place is never crowded. Most times I'm the only person in the place. Why? I'm not sure? Perhaps I should simply consider Crystals as one of the few hidden gems of Corvallis. First (as it's most important), the food. It's great! In particular I recommend the shawarma. Not only is it cooked and seasoned well, but the portions are huge, and reasonably priced (for what you get). Really, everything I've tried is better than average to outstanding. But a warning.....if you are accustomed to Oregon-ized WASPy, versions of foreign cuisines, you might not like the food. It has authentic spices and lots of them. I'm not sure why some have complained about the decor? It's a food establishment next to a college.......what were you expecting? White linen table cloths and marble floors? And to those who complained about the slow service. It takes time to cook good fresh food. I'll happily wait 15-20 minutes if that's what it takes. If you must have fast service there are both a Burger King and a McDonalds down the street.
(5)Nick G.
8/21/14 Ordered a lamb gyro, a gyro plate and the falafel plate. The gyro was big and full of lettuce. I read the other reviews so I asked for the rice on the side. Since they were lacking on the meat they really made up with the huge serving of rice. The falafel plate looked delicious, and probably is. But I ordered it for my daughter and none of us ended up liking falafel. So, this dirty dirty little local dive cost me $31, only this once. Won't return, won't recommend.
(2)Danny K.
Hit and miss Decent Mediterranean food... Don't let the atmosphere fool you. Here is my vegan/vegetarian run down: Falafel salad and hummus very good Baklava fair Lenti soup miss-pass Staff is friendly Portions good size and very reasonable price
(4)Donna K.
This is a hidden gem in Corvallis where you will find the best gyro sandwiches!! The must order is a chicken shwarma with saffron rice in a sandwich form with their house hot sauce on the side! It's most delicious and will certainly have you crawling back for more! The falafel is also pretty good! Service is a little slow but well worth the wait for a bite of the juicy, tender chicken with warm and soft saffron rice! I would contemplate on making the drive to my rival team college just to eat at the home of the falafel king!
(4)Jami L.
If you want Mediterranean in Corvallis, this is the place to be. The chicken shawarma pita is amazing and adding the saffron rice is a must. Honestly, why anyone would go next door to Pita Pit is beyond me.
(4)Jason K.
I hit this place up for lunch today, having a beef gyro with saffron rice. Very tasty and topped with lettuce and tomato as well. Along with that was an unidentifiable spice of some kind. Sort of peppery with a little heat. Whatever it was, it was good. Portion size was pretty enormous. I'm a healthy eater and it was almost too much. I would have gave it a solid five but the loud middle-eastern technopop they were playing was just as annoying as the american technopop other places play.
(4)Nate O.
Is it Crystal's or Crystals? No matter which, I love their huge pita sandwiches, especially the schwarma. I have never diversified my ordering much, because I just can't make myself order anything other than the chicken schwarma sandwich. The perfect solution for anything that ails you?
(4)Jennifer E.
The food was pretty good and portions were very generous, which works out well for me since my husband and i usually split an entree! The balaclava we tried though was disappointing, it had a very strong rose water flavor, but I would go back. The other other think I feel I should mention is that they've never had ice available for their soft drinks.
(4)a. d. a.
It just seems so expensive for what you get. The food tastes good though.
(2)Meg C.
This place has extremely good falafel and gyros. I would definitely say the best falafel in Corvallis! They are quick and good for to go orders, but it is also is a cool place to sit down and eat. It is the perfect location for students (it is basically on campus). There is sometimes a bit of a language barrier for some of the staff, but I don't think it would ever be an issue if you speak good English.
(4)Alex M.
I recently went to Crystals and ordered the lamb gyro pita. It was reasonably priced around $7, and it came out relatively fast. Seating is limited here, so if you have a large party, you should be ok with splitting into smaller groups. Overall the food is great, reasonable and tends to be open during lunch and dinner throughout the year. I would recommend Crystals if you're looking for some great middle eastern/Mediterranean cuisine.
(4)Denise R.
I stumbled across this hole-in-the-wall cafe one day and found one of those classic hidden gems with character. I've been back a few times and am working my way through the menu. Hummus is flavorful and delicious. Gyros are tasty. Falafel is some of the best in town. I love Middle Eastern food so I love that small town Corvallis has more than one Middle Eastern option. Prices are reasonable. They take orders up front then you find your seat in this small cafe. Most of the meals are very take-out friendly.
(4)Lainey D.
The 2nd and 3rd time I tried this place I couldn't even finish my food. Gross!
(1)Mark N.
THE hidden gem in Corvallis. The lamb gyro WITH saffron rice is one of the best meals on Earth. My go to for several years. Don't leave OSU without trying it at least once. Don't be turned off by its looks, this place is a real treat.
(5)Jennie M.
The best babaganoush I've had in years. A great place. A lot of food for a low price. Freshly prepared.
(4)Victor D.
Its decent.. It a goto place if you craving middle eastern food.... The place does not get as crowded as you would think, so dine-in is definitely an option.
(3)Ian T.
I've been coming here since around 2004 and I've always enjoyed thefood. The kitchen staff and register clerk haven't changed, it's always the same folks providing the consistent service a quality eats. I love the falafel, lamb gyros, and homemade baklava. Be prepared for a little bit of a wait for your food; that's the cost for the quality.
(4)Megan W.
Best Greek food I've ever had! I'm not a big fan of the restaurants in Corvallis overall, but this place is amazing. I got the falafel and my boyfriend got a gyro, and we were both raving about our meals for days. The food is super flavorful and cooked just right, and you get a lot of it for fairly cheap. They also have a bunch of different kinds of baklava for dessert if you have any room afterwards. I don't know why anyone would go to Pita Pit with this place right next door. Excellent food, friendly staff, quick service, cheap prices... love it!
(5)Alex J.
Thought I'd give a try after reading some of the reviews. The place looks thrown together inside but don't let that fool you... the food is crazy good. The shawarma chicken pita was outrageous and really big. You HAVE to get the saffron rice!!! The shawarma reflects the look of the place in that the pita looks a little out of control but then surprises by tasting great. Get some napkins as it can be a touch messy. It's family run and the father is really nice. Nothing feels better than handing your cash over to a guy working hard to run a small biz...
(4)Joshua G.
Love their gyros! This place is right next door to Pita Pit and for a dollar or two more you can get something that is twice as good. It's always empty every time I've gone in but it shouldn't be.
(4)Anne W.
My husband and I were looking for some good gyros down in this area after finding a great place up in Beaverton. We were not disappointed by Crystals. The food is very good and the price is right. We would definitely eat here again.
(4)Dawn N.
I was drawn into this place by the fantastic smell wafting out onto the sidewalk. I glanced at the menu from outside and thought it looked good, but was a little pricy. I came back a few seconds later after reasoning that I would pay just as much at the Pita Pit. So I went in and ordered a falafel sandwich. So many things can go wrong with falafel, but this was amazing. The pita was nice and soft, the falafel itself was prepared perfectly. So often you get little rock-hard balls, but these were big, fluffy masterpieces. I would say they were almost cake-like. Complemented by the sauce, this sandwich had an absurd amount of flavor and just the right amount of spice and heat. Fast and friendly service, too.
(5)Kirsten S.
LOVE THIS PLACE! The chicken shwarma is amazing, and it's only a fraction of the price you'd pay at other restaurants. It's nothing too fancy, but they really know what their doing when it comes to the food, which is the most important thing.
(5)Meggie W.
Crystal's Lebanese cusine has been a staple of my diet ever since they opened up several years ago. Since I've moved from Corvallis I'm only able to go there over breaks from school, so I'm unsure as to how busy it gets while OSU is in session. But busy or not, Crystal's is definitely worth stopping in at. Sure, the decor leaves a little to be desired (okay, a lot to be desired), but the food and the prices definitely make up for it. Crystal's claims to be the "King of Falafel", but I would recommend that any meat eaters try a shawerma sandwich (either chicken or beef). At $5.49, it really can't be beat. All of Crystal's sandwiches are made with amazing, huge pieces of pita bread, onion, tomato and lettuce. For another $.50 or so, they'll add saffron rice into the sandwich, which is definitely a nice addition. For the vegetarians, I have heard from several reliable sources that "King of Falafel" is a fairly accurate name for what they offer here, but I've never had it myself. Their hummus is also delicious, although perhaps not as good of a deal as the sandwiches. If you get the hummus, I'd recommend asking for it in a to-go container, and be sure to get an extra pita or two. The service is always fast and incredibly friendly. It's definitely one of my favorite places in town to eat at.
(4)Norman H.
Wow... great place. Ate here because we can't find a lot of great food in Albany where we have family. We both had combo plates and it was authentic, delicious and very, very filling. It does seem on the spendy side (especially located so close to OSU) but frankly, it wouldn't stop me from coming back over and over. I had the dolma combo (stuff grape leaves). My wife had the falafel, which was excellent. The salad is a standard yogurt sauce dressing (which I thought was excellent) and the hummus was also very good. We'll come back.
(5)Nicole W.
WOW! I love Middle Eastern food - I have had alot of good, alot of okay and alot of Bad thru the years I was really craving some good stuff so a friend and I googled some choices and ended up here. She had never had real hummus or grape leaf rolls or any middle eastern food so we had the owner just make us a bunch of stuff and it was great - soooooo much better than I expected for being in a small college town. The owner was very nice and wanted to make sure we enjoyed it all. Even added in some extra goodies. Good Food and Nice people - I think that defines a great lunch! #corvsmb
(5)Derek J.
Atmosphere/service: the place is a bit grungy looking, and the staff doesn't speak english all that well, but the dude that helped me couldn't have been nicer. service was nice and speedy, and it located a stones throw from the Rx school, which is a huge plus for me. Food: this chicken shwarma is hitting the spot so hard right now. added hummus, wheat pita, light feta and easy on the sauce. its not the best one I've ever had, but its working for me right now, to say the least. Ill be coming back here for sure.
(4)Kristin K.
I had a chicken shawarma in a whole wheat pita with the saffron rice in it. It is excellent. My dad likes the amount of sauce that Crystals' puts on it. He likes Crystals' chicken shawarma better than that at Corvallis Mediterranean Cafe. The clerk is friendly. There is a fairly long wait.
(5)