Samir’s Mediterranean Grill
1316 NE 43rd St, Seattle, WA, 98105
Samir’s Mediterranean Grill Menu
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Address :
1316 NE 43rd St
Seattle, WA, 98105 - Phone (206) 633-1778
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 8:00pm
- Mon : 10:30 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Greek Cuisine
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.
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Val T.
Samir might be one of my favorite people in the entire world. I remember when he was first opening up his shop a few years back and he was still in the process from converting it from a sub shop to what he has now. He completely changed the layout and the floor plan, so you can even order your food from the window on a nice day. As the owner, he makes all of the food himself with the occasional help of his wife/sons. To me, he makes hands down makes the best falafel and chicken sandwiches I have ever had. He has fine-tuned and mastered the art of Mediterranean food and pita making and his Chicken and Gyro plates are simply to die for. I swear to god we would come here everyday back in the day and then when we moved at least once a week. I still stop by when I am on the Ave to visit and eat but wish I could come more. THE BEST FOUR DOLLARS YOU COULD EVER SPEND ON THE AVE. Its in caps for a reason, people.
(5)Eli G.
I love this place! They provide generous portions of healthy food, prepared briskly, and at student-friendly prices. You can tell that Samir loves his work. The service is authentic and warm-hearted; he always leaves you feeling welcomed. Once I came by to ask for a vegan lunch box for a long train trip the following day. Samir asked a few questions, and then assembled an off-menu collection of items, packed meticulously. And it was indeed delicious the next day. As a Jewish person, I also appreciate that I'm not surrounded by anti-Israeli political propaganda when I come here, unlike some other places on the Ave.
(5)calamity chang c.
I wish I were to have the pleasure of being the first. I don't go out much to eat lunch anymore, but I have been here twice now and I think it is where I will be going everytime I have $4 to burn. This used to be a sandwich shop, now it's the best place to get kebabs/falafals. My favorite is the kafka. Wow the lamb is stuffed with seasoning. Perfect portioning of vegis, sauce (garlic), and meat.
(5)Andrea H.
I love this place. The food is great and so is the owner. My favorite dish is the lamb sandwich. Also, I like this place because I can always count on great mango juice from here.
(4)Amy W.
Oh la, because I do love some Nancy C., I decided to take her recommendation and try Samir's. And, my, I do think it was the best falafal I've had since I've gotten since I came to Seattle. I had the falafal sandwich - wrapped in a thin bread, with tomato, parsley, and some delicious tahini sauce. My dining companion had some sort of lamb dish with rice - he said it was tasty, but complained of the grease. We went right before they closed, so maybe he got the dredges. I have no complaints though. Service was great, and I like the goofy mural on the wall. New fun place to eat in the U-District!
(4)Kurt F.
I've been eating Samir's excellent sandwiches served with a warm smile, and sincere appreciation for every customer as the 'boss' for over a decade on NE 43rd Street. He has only gotten better over time. I almost always get his gyros or shawarma, but I've tried some of the salata and other plates and they always educate me on the delicious things I've kept myself from discovering. His falafel is as unmatched as his hospitality and friendship with almost anyone he's ever met.
(5)Angela N.
You know what I love? Small restaurants with kitchens open enough for you to hear the sound of your food being freshly prepared. It's actually comforting to have to wait a few minutes for my food to come out. I got the gyros plate, which was probably the best version of its kind I've had so far in Seattle. Handsome Dining Partner got the shawarma plate, and it passed his Mediterranean-elitist tastes so you know it's at least "pretty freaking delicious" on the official food rating scale. That's where I'd put my plate, anyway. The price is right ($8ish) for a big pile of rice and meat and veggies + a deliciously fresh and flavorful side salad (the salad was my favorite part!) + some pita pieces. There was a sprinkling of cilantro on both plates which made me happy, but consider this a warning, all you crazy cilantro haters out there. Also, try the homemade tea -- it's a little spicy with something I can't quite place but really enjoy. It's not indian chai, but if you like chai you'd probably like the tea.
(4)Andrew S.
Come to Samir's for charm or for one of the more substantial platters. I recently came in for a gyro and was fairly dissapointed. Now, when I walked in, I ordered they Gyro and Fries 'special' for $6.50. After I sat down and looked at the menu I realized that the fries cost almost as much as the gyro!!! A gyro runs at $3.75 (or something in the upper $3's) and the total bill came to $7 and some change. Now, the gyro was decent. There was not as much meat as I thought there would be, the pita was a little tough/ chewy on the edges and the lettuce, which was the main ingredient, tasted like it hadn't been washed (it had a slight chemical taste). Besides that, it was prepared fresh and the fries were good although a seemingly small portion for $3.50. While I say I would not come back for a gyro, I will definitely be back for some of the other food on the menu. The pictures of the platters look amazing and I haven't had good baba ghanouj in too long. Samir was very inviting and friendly, so 3 starts to him!!!
(3)Richard F.
Love this cheap eatery!! Great tasting, inexpensive and HEALTHY food served fast by super-friendly Lebanese family. They treat you like an invited guest in their home kitchen. Nice to have a lunch option with friendly ambiance that doesn't leave you in a fat/salt/empty carb induced coma.
(4)Audrey I.
Great place for a casual lunch or early dinner. Vegetarian options were a little limited, but the falafel was easily some of the best I've ever had. Samir is an awesome, friendly guy and it's a wonderful family feel inside. Definitely nothing fancy, but its fun, cheap and delicious.
(4)beta m.
I go here for lunch about once a month. Samir is an awesome guy - very friendly and remembers his customers with pride. The prices are awesome and I had to use the restroom once and for a small place the restrooms were amazingly clean.
(5)Miki M.
Great home made food. Excellent service. The owner gives you the feeling as if he is having you over for dinner at his house - very warm experience.
(4)Erin S.
Samir is really friendly, the food comes fast, and it is very tastey and cheap. Great if you have a short break between classes.
(5)A. B.
it was the best falafel i'd eaten in Seattle until i ate at the first 3 places on my Falafel list. its still a good falafel if you're in UD & craving one, otherwise make the trek to Pike Place Market as Zaina is definitely worth it!
(4)Elbo W.
i was impressed with the falafel [option of spicy (i got spicy) and not spicy] wrap. i am interested to see how their gyro stacks up
(4)Benjamin W.
I have eaten at samir's for lunch most days over the last 2 years. Not only are his beef, chicken, stuffed bell pepper, and (awesome!) leg of lam plates delicious, they are nutricious (with salad) and Cheap! If you want to go cheaper ($4), get the sandwhiches, very tasty, personally i prefer the chicken with delicious sauce. Samir greets me warmly every time I come in, and often gives me free Baklava for dessert. There's no better place on the Ave for lunch.
(5)Ryan L.
Very light on meat and overdone fries.
(2)Cami G.
Needed food, so it did the trick. Nothing more, nothing less. P.S. The Baklava was at least three days old. Stay away.
(2)Rob D.
Eat here religiously if you are low on cash. The sandwiches are ludicrously cheap and the portion size is pretty large for the price. The falafel was super moist and definitely not made from a powder like most falafel joints. Totally gotta give him props for this. My only complaint was that I asked for "a little" hot sauce and ended up feeling like my mouth was on fire. But I'm almost full for less than $4 so I'm definitely not torn up about it. Samir is the nicest dude. He's covered the place in kind little notes and is super accommodating. I'd honestly pay just to see his smiling face.
(5)Justin B.
This place is family ran I'm assuming and it shows how much love and care they put in their product. Meal was delicious and at a great price. Super clean, especially when there's live music and thousands of people for the current street fair right outside. Highly impressed. Great job Samir's
(5)Keith S.
Love love love samirs. He is so friendly and the food always comes fast and delicious. A true university way institution. I get a falafel plate or sandwich each time I ho, and my wife will try other things on the menu. We have never been disappointed. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Kat T.
Recommended by a friend of south asian descent that the falafels are authentic so decided to give it a try! Was unimpressed by the falafel plate. I think the falefels were homemade but they were very salty and dry. Also very surprised we only got 3 falafels per plate for almost $9 - certainly didnt leave full and this was for lunch. I would give 1 star for the food. Samir himself seemed nice and the place has a nice friendly vibe, so +2 stars. I might go back for the sandwiches, since it seems like a good deal, but I wouls not recommend getting the plates if you want to feel full and/or not ripped off.
(3)Gabby K.
Samir is a gem. His garlic sauce is amazing on everything. The lamb shank tastes just as good the next day . He will even make gluten free falafel if you call ahead. He is always willing to make the customer feel happy, appreciated and most of all fed (if you don't like something, tell him and he will make you something else - simple as that). A true U-District establishment and always the best place when you want well cooked Mediterranean food. Nothing faked or fancy in this place - just decent people & yummy food .
(5)Heather R.
Samir's a bro and the foods good too. We got the feast for two and it was more than enough. Baklava for dessert is totally worth it.
(5)Bob B.
1st visit. Looking forward to many more. Portions were great and the personable Samir was just like other reviews had said. The temperature gauge he gave was just right for me. Good food and great atomphsere.
(4)Tom B.
Samir knows what's up with good cheap grub, especially garlic fries. It's aimed at students, and there's not a lot of parking. But if you're in the neighborhood, the grub here is great, and dirt cheap. We split a plate of garlic fries, which had dairy-free yogurt sauce, tons and tons of garlic, and fresh herbs. The fries themselves were very light and fluffy. Pretty amazing, and easy to demolish the whole thing in no time, especially for two big dudes. We had lamb and beef kebab plates as well. Great light fluffy rice, awesome fresh salad, tender and flavorful meat, decent pita. Add lemonade to that and the whole bill was still about $25 for a table full of lunch. Really hard to beat the value here--the food was very high quality for the price, and the staff is friendly. It's a small place with minimal seating, but they clearly crank out the to-go orders.
(4)Nath A.
Hadn't been here in a while. Some things haven't changed: Samir is still his usual cheerful self, and the prices are still suspiciously good. Unfortunately, I was less impressed with the food this time. The menu is pretty standard: gyros, various vegetarian mezze, salads, grilled meats. I got the grilled marinated chicken wrap (spicy). I wasn't sure whether to include this place in the SHAWARMAGEDDON tour, but the marinated beef is labeled as 'shawarma' on the menu, so I figure it's close enough. Given that the grilled chicken is not actually labeled as shawarma, I'm not going to complain about authenticity. The downgrade to three stars is for the food. The main problem is the assembly. The left half of the wrap was soggy shredded lettuce. I mean water-soggy, not sauce-soggy. The right half was boiled-tasting chicken. Three things saved the sandwich from being downright bad: 1. The meat was piping hot. It was a cold day. 2. The tahini sauce. 3. The hot sauce; not just heat, but a nice tang as well. As before, Samir was generous with the sauce. It did end up pooling at the bottom of the wrap, making a bit of a mess. But it was a tasty mess, so I'll allow it. Given the price, there's still some reason to come to Samir's. But with all the other Mediterranean food options in the area, I suspect it'll be a while before my next visit.
(3)Carly O.
Excellent food and super friendly service and atmosphere!
(5)Monty H.
Got a plate and meat was barely warm. Clearly not freshly cooked. Also sort of puzzled by all of the "huge portions" comments in prior reviews. A few hunks of meat, a cup of rice, 1/2 pita and a handful of romaine certainly didn't leave me stuffed. Will return, however, for his sunny greeting and to sample a $3.99 gyro.
(3)John P.
Best Mediterranean food on the ave, and that's saying something! Samirs is that rare combo great food with even better service. The prices are easy on the wallet and portions are big enough for anyone looking for leftovers. So stop reading this and head over to Samir's... and tell him John and Sky said hello! Cheers
(5)R H.
The key at Samir's is the felafel. There are some other good dishes, but the felafel is fairly consistently the best I've had in the Seattle area. The price for a sandwich/wrap is very reasonable (around $4.50 after tax) Important: Samir has two house-made hot sauces. If you ask for them, he is happy to add some to your meal, but the are not advertised explicitly. * The medium-hot sauce is a green pepper based, with a wonderful, but slightly bitter (in a good sense - a perfect match for felafel) flavor. * The super-hot sauce (and it is actually 5 stars hot) seems like a habanero based sauce, with a very light citrus flavor. The flavor isn't as strong as the green sauce, but it's good and adds a huge spice kick to your dish. As others have mentioned, Samir himself offers great service and if things aren't too busy offers some great conversation while you are waiting for a to-go order.
(5)Price H.
Staff is very friendly, but the quality of the food leaves a bit to be desired. Cannot compare with Cedars of Lebanon across the street.
(3)Nafees Z.
I ordered the beef and lamb gyro.Service was awesome but the gyro itself was ok. It didn't have much meat in it and was full of lettuce and tomato. Meat was dry and there was little to no tzatziki sauce. Overall, if you want to taste a real gyro go to nearby Aladdin or sultan gyro.its not worth it here.
(3)Kim C.
This place is amazing! Completely exceeded my expectations. They have been around for a long time, but I have steered away all these years because it looked sketchy (to me) from the outside. I finally went with some classmates yesterday for a quick lunch. I got the safe-bet gyros plate which was decent, but then my friends ordered lamb shanks which blew my mind! Super tasty. Must return for more. Samir and son's suggestion is to call ahead for the lamb shank (because it takes 20 minutes to prepare).
(4)Julie S.
Passing through Seattle, at any given time, we refuse to leave the area until we have stopped at Samir's Mediterranean Grill. The food is great, the prices are great, and you (really and truly) cannot beat the wonderful staff! The owner, his wife, and their sons, are some of the nicest people we have met. And WOW can dad cook! We usually share a platter of falafel (if my husband doesn't eat them all first). Hubby loves his shawarma plate (their rice is delicious- I wish I knew their secret...) and I usually get the vegetarian combo plate. A trip home is never complete without taking some baba ganoush home with us (and often tabbouleh, hummus, and baklava). If you are heading to Seattle (or through it) you have got to stop in the University District and have a bite with Samir and his crew. I promise it will be worth it :) Oh, and as a sidenote, my husband usually has Samir make him his extra special hot sauce. My husband is Indian and cooks so hot that other Indians cant even handle it. So when Samir brings him his special hot sauce and my husband breaks a sweat and starts panting? it's HOT. It is the ONLY hot sauce that has ever appealed to my husband. Beware of it lol
(5)Scott D.
Samir makes excellent food.
(4)Ruba A.
Gyros....excellent. Falafel...beautiful. ..and spicy sauce is seriously the best I have ever had! Owners are super friendly and service is quick. It's the perfect place for a sandwich on the go and if you have time....their main dishes are also tasty!
(5)Shanti M.
I was in a happy and grateful mood when I went here a few days ago, and the guy behind the counter (who surely must be the owner!) sure seemed to be in the same mood, himself. He seemed to really love his work. I sure wish I'd seen R.H.'s review before I went, as those hot sauces might have made this a 5 star review, but - now we'll never know! As it was, my food was good (I had the falafel plate), but not that exciting.
(4)Opal D.
We were looking for an early lunch and this was one of the few places open at 10:30am. The staff greeted us personally and were friendly. The lamb kabobs platter and gyro with fries were both very tasty. Definitely a mom-and-pop/hole-in-the-wall shop with tasty food. I recommend coming here for a quick bite!
(4)Ashley S.
This is my favorite place for falafel. The food is authentic and made with love. Try the garlic fries and make friends with Samir, he is such a sweetheart!
(5)Leonard P.
Samir's! How I love Samir's. It's a fixture -- one of the oldest Arabic food joints in the city -- and Samir is flat-out one of the friendliest guys you will ever meet. The food can be inconsistent, but it's usually very good, and most of all, it's super cheap: you can get a bag full of sandwiches or two huge plates of food for $20. There's always plenty of pally chatter going on, and Samir will tell you some great stories if you get him talking, which isn't hard. Any of the sandwiches are dandy if you eat 'em piping hot, and the garlic-tzadziki fries are a great accompaniment. This is the kind of place where you want to become a regular the first time you stop in.
(4)Doc V.
Food isn't made fresh, meat was on skimpy side, and it lacked flavor. I really wanted to like this place especially since the owners were so sweet.
(1)LA S.
This fabulous little family-owned hole-in-the-wall restaurant is hands-down the best choice for a quick, delicious lunch on the Ave. On a sunny day, step up to the walk-up window and order an amazing gyro sandwich to go and find a spot on campus to kick back & enjoy. If it's cold and rainy, just hope there's a table available and treat yourself to an amazingly tasty plate of falafel or wonderfully spiced meats served with a delicious salad, rice, and pita bread. As great as the food is at Samir's, the service is even better. The owner and his family make you feel welcome and cherished. They treat repeat customers like family and greet newbies just as warmly. This is my go-to spot for a tasty, filling, healthy lunch.
(5)Jim M.
Awesome food. Amazing service. I'm from the Mediterranean and this food trumps the other gyro places in the area!
(5)Kimberley D.
People find it unimaginable that I'm a vegetarian who doesn't like falafel. Every once in awhile I give it another try just to placate their insistence that maybe I've never had good falafel. I still don't like falafel. If I did, though, I'd probably like Samir's version. I can say that I liked the garlic fries a lot. I was expecting just some chunks of garlic on fries, but instead it was a delicious sauce. The hot spicy tea was tasty. The prices are very reasonable - $4 for a sandwich. As everyone else has commented, Samir is terribly nice. The place is wallpapered with photos of him and customers/friends/family.
(4)Kumiko M.
I decided to try this place after walking to class from work. Being a small, Lebanese-owned, Ave, hole-in-the-wall restaurant, I was warmly welcomed by the restaurant owner himself as he fixed me up a (halal, and he assured me it was halal) lamb and beef gyro with extra spicy sauce and no onions. It was nice to have gone back a second time a few days later, with the owner remembering what I liked to order. Since then, he has remembered my "regular" order. Shows off some of that good-old old-school personal customer servicemanship! Food is delicious, prices are broke-college-kid-friendly, and service is as personal and friendly as I would imagine one to find from a small town vendor in Lebanon.
(5)Connie C.
Not a fan. Tried three different dishes, the veggie combo platter, the gyro plate, and the beef schwarma plate. I guess I get spoiled eating at Mediterranean Kitchen, this place did not live up to that. The sauce on the meat was not tasty. The portions are large, but besides that, the flavor of everything was only ok. I've had much better mediterranean food elsewhere.
(2)Bobby N.
My friends and I came here for lunch/dinner. I wish I had come here 5 years ago doing my undergraduate career. This place has the best lamb and beef around for the price that you cannot beat. I ordered the $10 huge dinner Gyro plate and it was phenomenal!! The lamb and beef were so soft that I felt like it just melted in my mouth. My friends ordered the $5 sandwiches and loved it. I will absolutely come back here in the future for quick, cheap and YUMMY food. If you want to get your money's worth and are short on time, this is the place for you!! The service on the other hand was fair. We got our waters filled once when there were a total of 5 people all together in the restaurant. But the waiter was so funny I couldn't help but feel happy regardless.
(4)Miles S.
My lady had stopped by SAMIR'S when she was looking for a bite after shopping and came home raving about the Shawarma and falafel. Sooo, being a falafel fan I dropped by one day and found she was right. can't wait to try more. Also Samir the owner was really nice and took great care of us on both visits.
(4)John T.
Samir's rules! The place rules. The man rules. I asked him for a spicy falafel wrap and he asked me "if I wanted to dance?" Fantastic. Oh and the garlic fries were truly killer. Lastly, check out the ON promo pic. Best falafel joint.
(5)Calvin Y.
This is almost like the book "Like Water for Chocolate," however instead of Tita's tears in a wedding cake and making everybody cry involuntarily, its Samir's smiles in a gyro that makes everybody spontaneously happy. What sets this place apart from other gyro sandwich stores on the Ave is that Samir adds a secret ingredient to his food. It's... JOY. I always come out of this restaurant smiling because Samir has this positive energy about him that just uplifts your spirit (but of course the food helps a lot too cause I can be crabby when I'm hungry...) I highly recommend the Gyro Sandwich or the Shawarma Sandwich if you're grabbing it on the go, but if you have time to stick around then order the Baba Ghanoush or perhaps even upgrade your sandwich to a platter. Everything is good here especially since Samir will tailor your food to your liking by asking if you like onions, spices, and etc. Since he makes it front of you, it is guaranteed your food will always be piping hot. Samir takes very good care of you here and he makes sure that you are completely satisfied with your meal... he wouldn't have it otherwise. You can get a nice sandwich, a nice conversation with Samir, and a high dose of joy all for less than $5... hence why I keep coming back. P.S. He has the best shirt EVER.
(5)Chloe V.
I stood by their little "walk-up" window looking at the menu and the gentleman was quick to offer advice and eager to take my order. I loved the place before I had even tasted the food because he was so friendly! I had the chicken plate and it was super delicious. I'll definitely be returning! Only knocked down a star because $10 did seem a little much.
(4)Adrienne R.
For a welcome to the group, my colleagues and I went to Samir's for lunch a couple weeks ago. A member of my work group is a regular at Samir's. They greeted him like an old friend. I was a little surprised to see them essentially kick out two women from a table so they could collect it into a larger collection for our big group. It was nice for us, but I would not have wanted to be one of them. I had a gyro and fries. I've had a lot of gyros a lot of places. Seattle is chock-ful of Mediterranean and Greek restaurants. This is probably one of the worst ones I've had. I ordered it special and when it came not right, I asked for a correction to which I was told "It is how you ordered it." It was not. Seriously. Not an okay way to treat a customer. The fries were edible, but nothing special at all. Most of my colleagues seemed to enjoy their meal. I couldn't really say. I found the service awful, the food just edible. I'll go if I'm with a group of people who want to go there, but otherwise I'll pick one of the many other choices in Seattle (and even on that street.)
(1)Adrien Etienne S.
I have trouble saying anything bad about a place where I can get a solid lunch or a light dinner for about $4. I love their sandwiches, and I've always found the service to be friendly and efficient. I generally get the gyro sandwich, and there's a good amount of sauce, and the meat is tender and delicious. This is definitely one of the places that I stop in to grab food when I'm in the U District.
(5)Waves G.
Worst shawarma palte I ever had. I paid almost $10 for a plate of rice much more oily than my already very oily face, and a very small portion of beef shawarma, I mean very small portion. It was smaller than palm-size and it was tasteless. It looked like it was from yesterday and reheated. Some of the vegetables were wilted as well. Worse food I've ever had. I will not go back. I will not spend another $10 of my grad school stipend on this mediocre restaurant!!!!!
(1)Kyoni R.
With every bite of shawarma you will have to wipe your lips. Juicy meats, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and tahini. Is your mouth watering now?? The burst of flavors that explode in your mouth is your taste buds having a party. Great Cheap eats. My buddy chris likes to have dinner here. A whole Lamb Shank with the fixings is $10. It includes a salad and drink. samir tells us he slow cooks it for 6 hours . I tell you the meat just falls off the bone. In the summers we sit outside on the side walk and enjoy the weather. There is nothing like feasting on a leg of lamb looking like King Henry. Samir has been feeding the U-District for years. Stop by and have one of is handmade marvels. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
(4)Hai Yen N.
Samir, the man behind the name, is so incredibly nice and completely made my day! I came in and was greeted right away and told to take my time looking over the menu. I placed an order for a falafel sandwich and a lamb shish kebab sandwich. He proceeds to cook them himself and everything is freshly made to order on the grill. I had one of the nicest chats with him too when I was waiting for my food. He said he's been at this restaurant since he was 17 years old. And the food was delicious! The lamb was perfectly seasoned and so juicy. The veggies were fresh, the lettuce crisp and the pita warm and chewy. The falafel was crispy on the outside but I wished it was more tender inside. Still, so satisfying and such a great deal. I think it was a total of $9 for both. Awesome neighborhood spot for Lebanese food.
(4)Robert S.
Man I have been finding all these great places as of late and here is one more so I was up on the Ave I had to go and see if I could find a magazine, for my partner at bulldog and I was hungry, and I thinking a Shawarma sounded good but no I am at the wrong end of the Ave for that, but then as I am walking back to my motorcycle I see the sign for Samir's, not one is this place here but there is a second place right across the street so its kinda like Dueling Gyros so I had to try his Lamb Shawarma as see how he faired as that is quickly becoming my new favorite sammich, and he didn't fail me the sammich was wonderfully juicy and oh so full of flavor, I got a second one to go for my partner, and he has Orange Crush in a glass bottle that rocks
(4)Arnold W.
Falalfel and lamb sandwiches....so juicy! One of best and flavorful ones I've had! One man running the show. I
(5)G B.
The beef shawarma here is quite tasty, but really the entire experience was quite pleasant. An older gentleman (possibly Samir) greeted me as soon as I walked in, and immediately offered me a table and a drink. He spent the majority of my time there meticulously cleaning the front windows. Clearly a man who takes some serious pride in both his business and the customer experience. The place is nicely decorated on the inside, with plenty of photos and artwork and bright, welcome colors on the walls. You can't go wrong with this place.
(4)Stella Y.
Very nice owner. He seems like a really, really nice guy. However. I did not appreciate pulling a very long hair out of my shawarma. I had to rip the pita open down the middle to get it out. Kinda takes the enthusiasm out of eating my sandwich. If this wasn't my first visit (and first impression), I probably wouldn't have minded so much.
(2)Ana M.
I ate here last Spring during the U-District Street Fair and it was rather gross. I ordered a chicken gyro and had to go back three times to get the order right. In the end, I ended up throwing it away because I simply couldn't stomach the taste. The chicken tasted, well, not good and instead of a sauce, there was some sort of white water drizzled on top. Apart from the taste of the food, the lady helping customers was rude to me. I understand that they were busy due to the street fair, but I've never actually had to throw a gyro away before. The reviews below seem to suggest that Samir's has good food, but I felt it necessary to share my own experience. I sincerely hope that their food and service is better than what I encountered. I also hope that at this years street fair, they don't sacrifice quality for quantity.
(1)Emily A.
I've had felafel all over the world and honestly, this ranks right up there. It was very well seasoned, not mushy, crispy on the outside. It was a bit dense but NBD. I got the plate, so it came over a salad with just enough dressing. Service from Samir was quick and friendly.
(4)Dave D.
It's been a while since I last checked out Samir's, so I thought I'd stop by the walk-up "to go" window on a nice sunny day. I again ordered the standard gyro, but they've changed it up! No longer is it a "salad in a pita" like I said in my last review. Now, the gyro is a bit smaller, with softer pita bread and less "salad" to it. Much more balanced. It's smaller overall, but I can't tell if it's less meat or just a smaller serving pouch. The price has also dropped. A gyro with no sides or drink cost me a little over $4. In my book, the new pita style is probably the most "balanced" on the Ave.
(4)F.R. C.
Samir is the coolest and best, and makes the best Mediterranean sammies you will ever lay lips on. I always add feta and hummus onto mine, and there is a delicious mysterious bottle of root-beer I like to get on my skinnier days. I will never cheat on Samir, he has my loyalty! Not for Aladdin's, not for the other Aladdin's, not for the new Shawarma King, not for nobody. Samir IS the Falafel Master. Also they sell really cool t-shirts, ask for one!
(5)Beau R.
With as much time as I spend at the University, I don't eat much on the Ave. I was there picking up some graded finals and wanted something to eat. My littlest chose Samir's Mediterranean Grill. As much as I'd want to think it was because he loves hummus as much as his Dad, I think the proximity to the Haagen Dazs Shoppe was what really drew him in. The food is pretty cheap and good sized! We got two sandwiches (a falafel and a gyro) and a hummus appetizer and we were both full after eating. The can sodas are a little more expensive than elsewhere, though. There is a walk up window and sit down tables inside, which appear to have table service, even. I can imagine that the lines can get long at lunch time when school is in session. Samir was talking it up with every one! The guy who stopped at the window got a long chat, we got a long chat, but the service never seemed slow. In fact, he even gave my 6 year old a reminder to keep the bottom of the sandwich wrapper closed tight so the yummy tahini sauce didn't drip out and make a mess! Samir's is fast, cheap and good. If I'm in need of food on the Ave, Samir's rates high in my book.
(4)ShmoHaw K.
Samir is really friendly every time to anyone who visits this little side street restaurant. That's why this is four-star and not a three-star review. Their pitas are very cheap and not bad, unfortunately they're always a little heavy on the lettuce and light on the falafel or hummus. Good place for a cheap, friendly meal.
(4)Mae D.
When I use to live on 42nd and 8th, I use to walk by Samir's. I would occasionally stop by for a quick gyro ( soooooooooooooo yummy!!!). It was the best damn thing since sandwiches! His yogurt sauce is amazing, and everything else he serves. Samir and his employees are friendly and fast! I use to say good morning to him a lot when i was headed to school and would stop by the window for a quick lunch. Thanks Samir! :) I owe you a visit soon!!!
(5)Natalie W.
Quick, hearty, delicious, and cheap! I had my first falafel "sandwich" experience at Samir's. When you walk the first things you see in the menu on the wall. There are combo plates(all with pita), "sandwiches", sides, etc. I also noticed a few dessert- unadvertised- on the counter. There are more than a few places to sit, and the interior is decorated in a cozy Ave sort of hole in the wall way. The owner was the only one working and was very pleasant. He took my falafel order, with a laugh at my indecision when I walked in, and quickly got to work assembling the meal. It was under $4- if I wanted fries it would have been $6.50. My "sandwich" was actually a pita- wrapped burrito style- with fresh! lettuce shreds, tomato, a very light taziki dressing, and about 4+ large falafel balls. The balls were crisp on the outside, but the tasted freshly homemade. They also had a good spice and were quite addicting. Fyi's~ *$5 is enough to get quite a stomach full of food * The sandwiches are wrapped so that the sauce doesn't get all over- eat it like a wrapped burrito * They have pop, snapple, juice, and water for purchase * The falafel sandwich was really good!
(4)Agnus R.
Their sandwiches are delicious, and I have always liked going in here to grab one. Unfortunately, I ordered their Kings Plate as a take out for my husband and was REALLY disappointed with how it ended up being. Its supposed to be a mix of meats, rice, hummus and salad. And it ended up being mostly rice with 3 slivers of gyro meat, maybe a half breast of chicken and a small spoonful of hummus. I'll go back for the sandwiches, but I'm not paying $12 for a carton of rice again.
(3)Christopher J.
Once again, I am letdown by a highly rated restaurant without the food to substantiate the claims. I am going to have to preface every review the same!: I came here on a Saturday late afternoon (5:30PM ish), so maybe I just had a rare experience and caught Samir's at an off-time...(For the record, I don't know Samir, but I don't think he was working--just a woman and a teenage boy who appeared to be related.) On to the food... We started with a hummus appetizer, which my girlfriend and her sister really liked, but I thought was just so-so. Unfortunately, the pita bread was kind of stale, and that's a disappointment; it's one of a few ingredients in a really simple dish, so every bit counts. On the plus side, the olive oil was definitely flavorful. For dinner, I had the falafel plate, my girlfriend had a chicken plate, and her sister had a chicken gyro. Perhaps, for the first time in my life, I can't say that the falafel was bland--but "salty" isn't what I was really looking for. Overall, the falafel was decently crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, which is the right balance. If it wasn't for the spicing, these could have been quite good. My girlfriend's chicken was moist, but just wasn't anything special. Not bad, but not great. I didn't try the chicken gyro, but the feedback was similar to the chicken plate--not bad, but not great. Since this was my girlfriend's sister's last meal in Seattle, we decided to do things properly by ordering baklava and Turkish coffee. Since I'm a sweet fan, if a dessert is sweet, I can't call it bad. But the baklava, honestly, was almost bad. A good baklava should have light, crispy phyllo--I honestly couldn't cut Samir's version, no matter how hard I pressed down. In order to break it apart into edible pieces, I had to use my teeth. It was as if the sugar liquid had thoroughly soaked all the phyllo and been allowed time to set. Again, it was sweet, and the flavor was definitely close to what it should be, but those qualities can't overpower the problems. Would I eat at Samir's again? Well, given the price, it's not like I would avoid this place like the plague--you aren't going to miss a mortgage payment if you stop by for a full dinner. That being said, I would definitely try many other places before coming back.
(2)Cathy G.
I had the delight to have spare time on my hands waiting for a movie. I came here. So many delicious choices. All cuustomers eating, chatting happily. I chose a vegie lentil rice sandwich. I liked it . Lots of lettuce, an d a good amount of lettuce. I was offered to go yet decided to eat there. I chose to nto get fries with mine, that old diet thing, but next time I shall. They looked crisp, ok and plain old yummy.
(5)Linh H.
This place fulfills my gyro urges. There's nothing special about the food, but it's cheap and Samir is always friendly. The service is fast and convenient. The regular fries are a little skinny and dry. I like to call ahead and order when I'm in a hurry. They will say it takes 15 minutes on the phone, but my order was ready in 5 minutes when I got to the restaurant.
(4)Junior B.
There are so many places in the u district to get a falafel sandwich but this is my favorite for a couple of reasons.1. they dont use that same kind of pita bread that everyone else uses. Instead they have a flatter, tastier bread. 2. they wrap the sandwich in such a manner that it is possible to eat on the go without spilling all over the place. 3. they make their own baklava which is rare and it's friggin delicious. 4.the guy who I assume is the owner is crazy nice and always has a big smile on his face, but not in an annoying way. MOST IMPORTANTLY, this is one of the few places in Seattle and perhaps the only place in the U District where they MAKE THEIR OWN FALAFEL instead of using the falafel mix. You can certainly taste the difference.
(5)CJ B.
You cannot go wrong here. The place is uberfriendly, the food good and plentiful and the prices very reasonable for good, from scratch fare. This is not gourmet dining (the sald is simple romaine, not fatoush like the guys across the street) but it is well executed and presented with love. The highlight of the meal is when Samir puts it down in front of you and says emphatically "please enjoy EVERY bite".
(4)Riff L.
My wife and I stopped here whenever we get the chance. the food is excellent. My wife is lebanese and she tells me this is the closest to authentic lebanese as it gets and we have been to many restaraunts. Pros: Great food, so juicy and mouth watering Price is so so Great service from a great guy. Cons: well nothing go and eat there now!
(5)Eytan H.
Excellent food, excellent prices. The owner is a great guy and fun to talk with.
(5)Jordan Y.
I will give this place a Negative Ten Stars if I could.........Bad food, so bad that the four of us who ate there got sick and bad service. The meat was old and dry, the falafel was the type of mix you buy from the store and add water to, the hummus did not even taste like hummus, we left most of our food on the table, payid Samir for his bad food and bed service and left. We will never ever go back again. There are many great gyro places few blocks from this Samir guy and they are much better and the prices also are better.
(1)David C.
At 4 bucks definitely the cheapest gyro on the Ave. The owner is a good guy and this is a true mom and pop restaurant.
(5)Ian S.
Delightful food, Samir is a great guy, and the prices are fantastic. This is my favorite middle-eastern food spot in Seattle.
(4)Derrin T.
Fantastic gyros. One of the best in the area.
(5)Talisha L.
4 stars for the food- Hummus, kafta, falafel sharwarma, veggie combo plates are all delicious! Also, if you like spicy , order spicy, you will not be dissapointed. Get some baklava to go and let it sit for a day or two- it gets better over time. The iced tea is also kinda spicy and very refreshing. 1 extra star for Samir. It is obvious he enjoys what he does. His personality is awesome along with his service.
(5)Maria Y.
I don't know why I hadn't gone here before, but I finally stopped by. I had the falafel plate, which was quite good, and the owner was very friendly. I'll definitely be back to try more.
(4)Wesley W.
After reading all the positive reviews, I wanted to like this place. I really did. Maybe reading all these reviews raised a expectations a little, who knows. Anyways, I ordered the falafel plate (which is the falafel, pita and salad) and waited eagerly for my food. To my dismay, the falafel balls came from the batch that was made before I ordered the food. Now I don't expect them to prepare a fresh batch for every customer, but the falafels that came on my plate were not nearly as hot as I had hoped. Also, I believe I paid around $8 for my food, so I was understandably disappointed when my plate came with only 5 falafel balls. Good thing that they tasted OK at least. Then came the salad, which to be honest is nothing to write home about, it's your typical romaine salad. Finally there's the pita, which again is just your typical pita really. Overall, the food was OK (very forgettable salad and pita), the service is good (Samir really does love his job and interacting with customers), but it was all a bit of a let down.
(2)Tom H.
Had a lamb and beef gyro. Good prices, and the bread and sauce was good, as were the vegetables. The meat was rather bland and cheap-tasting though. Wouldn't reccomend it but it wasn't terrible either.
(2)Kira B.
What a cute place. Samir cooks right in front so you can see the "falafel master" at work. Food was delicious and really reasonably priced. I'll return next time I'm vintage shopping in the U-district.
(4)Ryan C.
As I was walking past Cedars on the Ave, I had a craving for some gyros. I happened to notice the audacious sign at Samir's Mediterranean Grill so I decided to go against my better judgement and try out the restaurant that had the audacity to open up right across the street from my beloved Cedars. I am instantly greeted by Samir who is the nicest restaurant owner I've met in a long time. He took my order, cooked my food and I came to find out that he and his brother used to own Cedars before selling it about 4 years ago. So I guess I don't feel so bad anymore. Anyways, I ordered the gyro which, among the other sandwich choices here, is one of the few things you can get to eat for under $4 these days. The pita bread was a little thinner than I have come to expect with a gyro and I could have used a bit more meat. I had some lentil soup which tasted like....lentil soup. Pretty standard fare but I can't complain for the price. I also sample the marinated chicken sandwich which was pretty good as well. Samir makes you feel at home and for the prices, I will definitely be a repeat customer.
(4)Henry L.
Very friendly cashier and waiter. Good selection of Mediterranean food on the menu. Very healthy variety of food.
(4)Elaine J.
I heart this place. I love it because it's conveniently located near campus but the food is great too. I always get a gyro but their garlic fries are soooo good (with extra feta cheese!). He always remembers me when I come in and get great service. Delicious! I'm not a huge fan of mediterranean food so I can't give too much feedback. But it's worth looking into.
(3)Evil W.
It's a hole in the wall, parking is a pain, and the food is fresh and reasonably priced and delicious and the people are polite and helpful. What are you waiting for? Aren't you hungry for a gyro now?
(5)Justin B.
I had a great gyro sandwich here. The sauces were excellent and had a good amount of spice. The guy was very friendly too!
(5)Corey W.
Four stars for the price....$3.50 for a falafal sandwich is freaking awesome. Bang for your broke-ass buck. Service is always excellent. Three stars for the taste. Like many of the places in the U-district, it's solid, cheap, but not great. There's an identical Mediterranean restaurant across the street with slightly better food. Same prices and nearly identical menu. Spy vs. Spy scenario...there can be only ONE!
(4)Angie K.
I had a gyro, side salad and can of soda for $7+$1 tip=$8. Eh, it was OK. The side salad was totally forgettable. The gyro was OK but there was not a lot of flavor. I couldn't get a side of hummus without ordering a ginormous hummus appetizer for about $5 or getting a hummus sandwich, which really does not qualify as a side of hummus. I'm not sure why all the Yelpers gave it such great reviews unless they have never had Mediterranean food before? Or maybe I should try some other items. People keep mentioning the price, but there is a Mediterranean place across the street with similar pricing that I like a little better.
(3)John K.
Super friendly service. Precise preparation. Good prices. Very casual but clean; a carefree date venue. I'm going here for all future Mediterranean on the Ave. Only 4 stars because (a) the taste wasn't "OMG you have to try this!" but it was good and (b) they're not open late at night, so I have to settle for Aladdin's during my studies.
(4)Brooke Q.
The gyros and falafels are fabulous. The walk up window is a nice perk.
(5)Jeremy C.
I stopped in this afternoon and had a kafta kebob pita sandwich. The lamb is infused with some green leafy herbs; I couldn't exactly pin point what spices they used, but MAN was IT good. I think I may slightly prefer the shawarma, but I could definitely go for another kafta when I'm ready to switch things up a bit.
(5)Anthony P.
Samir has NEVER failed me. I started coming to this restaurant way before it became Samirs. I started coming when it was a sub shop, then Samir converted it to his Mediterranean Grill in Spring of '06. I would say that his $3.50 sandwiches are the BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK. Not only are these things tasty, spicy, and fullfilling, but for $3.50 these things are damn near a steal. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Samir decides up the price for them soon. As far as the plates go, they are fullfilling yet light! I never thought I could eat a full meal, yet feel soo good about what I was eating. A nice salad, the right amount of rice and meat, side of pita bread, and you got yourself a meal. I absolutely love Samirs service. Always tells the server, to bring me a 7up(remember I'm a regular, or according to Samir, "Boss".) He is quick on the getting the food prepared, cooked, and ready to eat. If he isn't there, his sons and wife know how to pick up the slack and make sandwiches and plates just the way Samir does.:)
(5)Robin L.
Great lunch spot! I've been here a few times when grabbing lunch on my way between work sites and also when taking my sister shopping on the Ave. The gyro sandwiches are delicious (I'm a huge sucker for the shaved doner lamb kebab meat). The fries are crispy. The falafel sandwich is enormous and with falafel done right (these are not hockey pucks). The grilled veggie dish is surprisingly tasty and sprinkled with feta cheese. The prices are fair, the counter-folk are really nice, and I've had good food regardless of whether I took it to go or sat down to eat.
(4)S. Alicia S.
The colorful ambiance and smiling faces instantly made me admire Samir's Mediterranean Grill. It is a very modest place with ample seating inside and outside. Anything that can be found in a pita can be put on a platter. Happiness sold me to indulge in a falafel sandwich and slice of baklava for dinner.
(4)RJ J.
I work at the university and on my first day my colleagues brought me here. Since than I have been hooked not only is the food excellent. Samir is awesome as well, he is always friendly and happy . My favorite is the falafel sandwich but if you ask for it spicy. Samir puts this delicious green stuff on; i don't know what it is it but it is amazing. This is a great place hidden in the U-district. Also try the cauliflower and french fry sandwich it sounds weird but it is really good. Stop on by and treat yourself to a delicious meal.
(5)Adriano S.
It's a tiny place and, depending on the time, you might have to wait if you want to sit down and eat inside, but boy is it worth it. The food is great, fresh and made to order by possibly the friendliest cook in town. Samir's friendliness makes you feel like you've just popped into his home for a visit, and his food is arguably among the best middle-eastern fare in Seattle. I highly recommend the kafta kebab platter and the falafel sandwich.
(5)Jarrod L.
The falafel was some of the best I've ever had. The same goes for the baba ghanouj (though the baba ghanouj sandwich overall was a little too lettucey). The gyro was pretty bad; the meat itself was flavorful, but it was very dry along with the rest of the sandwich.
(3)Karen R.
Obviously there's something wrong with me and/or my taste buds 'coz while I absolutely love falafel I was rather disappointed with my sandwich today. I came here solely after reading the preceding awesome reviews. Hmmm... The people who worked this afternoon couldn't have been nicer. The lady apologized more then once for our wait - which really wasn't a big deal at all - we could see the crazy line before we were seated. In fact, we were quite pleased to see the line 'coz it meant people like them. My falafel ball was moist and yummy (not the best but better then I have had in awhile - I grew up with the best falafel in Toronto!) but the sandwich was very dry and bland! Where's the tahini!? It was more like a lettuce sandwich! Really, I'm not being difficult here. I was a very hungry camper and I would have been quite happy with just the hummus and pita (not warmed) appetizer... I'm also more used to falafel sandwiches with at least lettuce, tomatoes and onions - they lack the third (my favorite) and the taste of lettuce just kept getting more pronounced every bite :D Arrgh! Yes, I will be open minded and return one more time and update this review. But until then, I'm afraid it's a mere 2 stars for me for the very nice people who worked this afternoon.
(2)Carrie H.
One blustery day I was grouching around the Ave looking for a lunch that wasn't going to cost 8 dollars or give me the rootie tooties. A gust of wind blew me right up to Samir's takeout window, and the actual jolly and smiling Samir greeted me like a ray of sunshine. He fixed me up a falafel in no time and packed it in a cute little sack. Much is to be said for Samir's insanely cheap prices ($3.50 for a falafel), but much can also be said for the delightful personality of Samir himself. My interaction with him was minimal, but he truly turned my frown upside down. Your food is as good as the person who makes it, no? The falafel was tasty, filling, and caused no gastrointestinal whining. I confidently added Samir's to my Official Lunch List.
(5)Jaime H.
I've been enjoying Samir's cooking since 1979. At that time he was running Cedar's which is located across the street from his current location (I think one of Samir's relatives still runs Cedars but I'm not sure). Great food, lovely family, excellent prices!!! If you want to try his excellent tabouli you should give him a call before you visit the restaurant. He usually doesn't have it on hand because it does not stay fresh for long. But when it is available it is very good as is all the other food. Samir is also happy to make custom dishes. Each time I walk in the door he asks me if I'd like something special. He remembers the things I like and comes up with suggestions that are not on the menu. That said, I also like the standard menu items. I've never had better falafel in spite of having visited Lebanese restaurants throughout the country.
(5)Tyler H.
My second favorite falafel on the ave. Good prices and friendly guy behind the counter. I often wonder if he and the gyro-guy across the street are in some sort of battle for best walk-up window service gyros.
(4)Angela N.
You know what I love? Small restaurants with kitchens open enough for you to hear the sound of your food being freshly prepared. It's actually comforting to have to wait a few minutes for my food to come out. I got the gyros plate, which was probably the best version of its kind I've had so far in Seattle. Handsome Dining Partner got the shawarma plate, and it passed his Mediterranean-elitist tastes so you know it's at least "pretty freaking delicious" on the official food rating scale. That's where I'd put my plate, anyway. The price is right ($8ish) for a big pile of rice and meat and veggies + a deliciously fresh and flavorful side salad (the salad was my favorite part!) + some pita pieces. There was a sprinkling of cilantro on both plates which made me happy, but consider this a warning, all you crazy cilantro haters out there. Also, try the homemade tea -- it's a little spicy with something I can't quite place but really enjoy. It's not indian chai, but if you like chai you'd probably like the tea.
(4)Andrew S.
Come to Samir's for charm or for one of the more substantial platters. I recently came in for a gyro and was fairly dissapointed. Now, when I walked in, I ordered they Gyro and Fries 'special' for $6.50. After I sat down and looked at the menu I realized that the fries cost almost as much as the gyro!!! A gyro runs at $3.75 (or something in the upper $3's) and the total bill came to $7 and some change. Now, the gyro was decent. There was not as much meat as I thought there would be, the pita was a little tough/ chewy on the edges and the lettuce, which was the main ingredient, tasted like it hadn't been washed (it had a slight chemical taste). Besides that, it was prepared fresh and the fries were good although a seemingly small portion for $3.50. While I say I would not come back for a gyro, I will definitely be back for some of the other food on the menu. The pictures of the platters look amazing and I haven't had good baba ghanouj in too long. Samir was very inviting and friendly, so 3 starts to him!!!
(3)Richard F.
Love this cheap eatery!! Great tasting, inexpensive and HEALTHY food served fast by super-friendly Lebanese family. They treat you like an invited guest in their home kitchen. Nice to have a lunch option with friendly ambiance that doesn't leave you in a fat/salt/empty carb induced coma.
(4)Audrey I.
Great place for a casual lunch or early dinner. Vegetarian options were a little limited, but the falafel was easily some of the best I've ever had. Samir is an awesome, friendly guy and it's a wonderful family feel inside. Definitely nothing fancy, but its fun, cheap and delicious.
(4)beta m.
I go here for lunch about once a month. Samir is an awesome guy - very friendly and remembers his customers with pride. The prices are awesome and I had to use the restroom once and for a small place the restrooms were amazingly clean.
(5)Miki M.
Great home made food. Excellent service. The owner gives you the feeling as if he is having you over for dinner at his house - very warm experience.
(4)Erin S.
Samir is really friendly, the food comes fast, and it is very tastey and cheap. Great if you have a short break between classes.
(5)A. B.
it was the best falafel i'd eaten in Seattle until i ate at the first 3 places on my Falafel list. its still a good falafel if you're in UD & craving one, otherwise make the trek to Pike Place Market as Zaina is definitely worth it!
(4)Elbo W.
i was impressed with the falafel [option of spicy (i got spicy) and not spicy] wrap. i am interested to see how their gyro stacks up
(4)Benjamin W.
I have eaten at samir's for lunch most days over the last 2 years. Not only are his beef, chicken, stuffed bell pepper, and (awesome!) leg of lam plates delicious, they are nutricious (with salad) and Cheap! If you want to go cheaper ($4), get the sandwhiches, very tasty, personally i prefer the chicken with delicious sauce. Samir greets me warmly every time I come in, and often gives me free Baklava for dessert. There's no better place on the Ave for lunch.
(5)Keith S.
Love love love samirs. He is so friendly and the food always comes fast and delicious. A true university way institution. I get a falafel plate or sandwich each time I ho, and my wife will try other things on the menu. We have never been disappointed. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Kat T.
Recommended by a friend of south asian descent that the falafels are authentic so decided to give it a try! Was unimpressed by the falafel plate. I think the falefels were homemade but they were very salty and dry. Also very surprised we only got 3 falafels per plate for almost $9 - certainly didnt leave full and this was for lunch. I would give 1 star for the food. Samir himself seemed nice and the place has a nice friendly vibe, so +2 stars. I might go back for the sandwiches, since it seems like a good deal, but I wouls not recommend getting the plates if you want to feel full and/or not ripped off.
(3)Gabby K.
Samir is a gem. His garlic sauce is amazing on everything. The lamb shank tastes just as good the next day . He will even make gluten free falafel if you call ahead. He is always willing to make the customer feel happy, appreciated and most of all fed (if you don't like something, tell him and he will make you something else - simple as that). A true U-District establishment and always the best place when you want well cooked Mediterranean food. Nothing faked or fancy in this place - just decent people & yummy food .
(5)Seattlite A.
LOVE Samir and his delicious food, which is nourishing for the mind and body. Samir has been cooking up amazing delicious food for his lucky patrons since he was a young boy. Seeing his smile and tasting his delicious food warms and revives the spirit. It's a precious and wonderful family business that we should support! Miss seeing Samir as often now that I am traveling and cooking at home more. We loved him so much that we used to go almost every night for take-out dinner. So trust me - I speak from lots of experience eating almost everything on the menu :)
(5)Heather R.
Samir's a bro and the foods good too. We got the feast for two and it was more than enough. Baklava for dessert is totally worth it.
(5)Bob B.
1st visit. Looking forward to many more. Portions were great and the personable Samir was just like other reviews had said. The temperature gauge he gave was just right for me. Good food and great atomphsere.
(4)Tom B.
Samir knows what's up with good cheap grub, especially garlic fries. It's aimed at students, and there's not a lot of parking. But if you're in the neighborhood, the grub here is great, and dirt cheap. We split a plate of garlic fries, which had dairy-free yogurt sauce, tons and tons of garlic, and fresh herbs. The fries themselves were very light and fluffy. Pretty amazing, and easy to demolish the whole thing in no time, especially for two big dudes. We had lamb and beef kebab plates as well. Great light fluffy rice, awesome fresh salad, tender and flavorful meat, decent pita. Add lemonade to that and the whole bill was still about $25 for a table full of lunch. Really hard to beat the value here--the food was very high quality for the price, and the staff is friendly. It's a small place with minimal seating, but they clearly crank out the to-go orders.
(4)Nath A.
Hadn't been here in a while. Some things haven't changed: Samir is still his usual cheerful self, and the prices are still suspiciously good. Unfortunately, I was less impressed with the food this time. The menu is pretty standard: gyros, various vegetarian mezze, salads, grilled meats. I got the grilled marinated chicken wrap (spicy). I wasn't sure whether to include this place in the SHAWARMAGEDDON tour, but the marinated beef is labeled as 'shawarma' on the menu, so I figure it's close enough. Given that the grilled chicken is not actually labeled as shawarma, I'm not going to complain about authenticity. The downgrade to three stars is for the food. The main problem is the assembly. The left half of the wrap was soggy shredded lettuce. I mean water-soggy, not sauce-soggy. The right half was boiled-tasting chicken. Three things saved the sandwich from being downright bad: 1. The meat was piping hot. It was a cold day. 2. The tahini sauce. 3. The hot sauce; not just heat, but a nice tang as well. As before, Samir was generous with the sauce. It did end up pooling at the bottom of the wrap, making a bit of a mess. But it was a tasty mess, so I'll allow it. Given the price, there's still some reason to come to Samir's. But with all the other Mediterranean food options in the area, I suspect it'll be a while before my next visit.
(3)Carly O.
Excellent food and super friendly service and atmosphere!
(5)Monty H.
Got a plate and meat was barely warm. Clearly not freshly cooked. Also sort of puzzled by all of the "huge portions" comments in prior reviews. A few hunks of meat, a cup of rice, 1/2 pita and a handful of romaine certainly didn't leave me stuffed. Will return, however, for his sunny greeting and to sample a $3.99 gyro.
(3)John P.
Best Mediterranean food on the ave, and that's saying something! Samirs is that rare combo great food with even better service. The prices are easy on the wallet and portions are big enough for anyone looking for leftovers. So stop reading this and head over to Samir's... and tell him John and Sky said hello! Cheers
(5)Rob D.
Eat here religiously if you are low on cash. The sandwiches are ludicrously cheap and the portion size is pretty large for the price. The falafel was super moist and definitely not made from a powder like most falafel joints. Totally gotta give him props for this. My only complaint was that I asked for "a little" hot sauce and ended up feeling like my mouth was on fire. But I'm almost full for less than $4 so I'm definitely not torn up about it. Samir is the nicest dude. He's covered the place in kind little notes and is super accommodating. I'd honestly pay just to see his smiling face.
(5)Justin B.
This place is family ran I'm assuming and it shows how much love and care they put in their product. Meal was delicious and at a great price. Super clean, especially when there's live music and thousands of people for the current street fair right outside. Highly impressed. Great job Samir's
(5)R H.
The key at Samir's is the felafel. There are some other good dishes, but the felafel is fairly consistently the best I've had in the Seattle area. The price for a sandwich/wrap is very reasonable (around $4.50 after tax) Important: Samir has two house-made hot sauces. If you ask for them, he is happy to add some to your meal, but the are not advertised explicitly. * The medium-hot sauce is a green pepper based, with a wonderful, but slightly bitter (in a good sense - a perfect match for felafel) flavor. * The super-hot sauce (and it is actually 5 stars hot) seems like a habanero based sauce, with a very light citrus flavor. The flavor isn't as strong as the green sauce, but it's good and adds a huge spice kick to your dish. As others have mentioned, Samir himself offers great service and if things aren't too busy offers some great conversation while you are waiting for a to-go order.
(5)Price H.
Staff is very friendly, but the quality of the food leaves a bit to be desired. Cannot compare with Cedars of Lebanon across the street.
(3)Nafees Z.
I ordered the beef and lamb gyro.Service was awesome but the gyro itself was ok. It didn't have much meat in it and was full of lettuce and tomato. Meat was dry and there was little to no tzatziki sauce. Overall, if you want to taste a real gyro go to nearby Aladdin or sultan gyro.its not worth it here.
(3)Kim C.
This place is amazing! Completely exceeded my expectations. They have been around for a long time, but I have steered away all these years because it looked sketchy (to me) from the outside. I finally went with some classmates yesterday for a quick lunch. I got the safe-bet gyros plate which was decent, but then my friends ordered lamb shanks which blew my mind! Super tasty. Must return for more. Samir and son's suggestion is to call ahead for the lamb shank (because it takes 20 minutes to prepare).
(4)Julie S.
Passing through Seattle, at any given time, we refuse to leave the area until we have stopped at Samir's Mediterranean Grill. The food is great, the prices are great, and you (really and truly) cannot beat the wonderful staff! The owner, his wife, and their sons, are some of the nicest people we have met. And WOW can dad cook! We usually share a platter of falafel (if my husband doesn't eat them all first). Hubby loves his shawarma plate (their rice is delicious- I wish I knew their secret...) and I usually get the vegetarian combo plate. A trip home is never complete without taking some baba ganoush home with us (and often tabbouleh, hummus, and baklava). If you are heading to Seattle (or through it) you have got to stop in the University District and have a bite with Samir and his crew. I promise it will be worth it :) Oh, and as a sidenote, my husband usually has Samir make him his extra special hot sauce. My husband is Indian and cooks so hot that other Indians cant even handle it. So when Samir brings him his special hot sauce and my husband breaks a sweat and starts panting? it's HOT. It is the ONLY hot sauce that has ever appealed to my husband. Beware of it lol
(5)Scott D.
Samir makes excellent food.
(4)Ruba A.
Gyros....excellent. Falafel...beautiful. ..and spicy sauce is seriously the best I have ever had! Owners are super friendly and service is quick. It's the perfect place for a sandwich on the go and if you have time....their main dishes are also tasty!
(5)Shanti M.
I was in a happy and grateful mood when I went here a few days ago, and the guy behind the counter (who surely must be the owner!) sure seemed to be in the same mood, himself. He seemed to really love his work. I sure wish I'd seen R.H.'s review before I went, as those hot sauces might have made this a 5 star review, but - now we'll never know! As it was, my food was good (I had the falafel plate), but not that exciting.
(4)Opal D.
We were looking for an early lunch and this was one of the few places open at 10:30am. The staff greeted us personally and were friendly. The lamb kabobs platter and gyro with fries were both very tasty. Definitely a mom-and-pop/hole-in-the-wall shop with tasty food. I recommend coming here for a quick bite!
(4)Ashley S.
This is my favorite place for falafel. The food is authentic and made with love. Try the garlic fries and make friends with Samir, he is such a sweetheart!
(5)Leonard P.
Samir's! How I love Samir's. It's a fixture -- one of the oldest Arabic food joints in the city -- and Samir is flat-out one of the friendliest guys you will ever meet. The food can be inconsistent, but it's usually very good, and most of all, it's super cheap: you can get a bag full of sandwiches or two huge plates of food for $20. There's always plenty of pally chatter going on, and Samir will tell you some great stories if you get him talking, which isn't hard. Any of the sandwiches are dandy if you eat 'em piping hot, and the garlic-tzadziki fries are a great accompaniment. This is the kind of place where you want to become a regular the first time you stop in.
(4)LA S.
This fabulous little family-owned hole-in-the-wall restaurant is hands-down the best choice for a quick, delicious lunch on the Ave. On a sunny day, step up to the walk-up window and order an amazing gyro sandwich to go and find a spot on campus to kick back & enjoy. If it's cold and rainy, just hope there's a table available and treat yourself to an amazingly tasty plate of falafel or wonderfully spiced meats served with a delicious salad, rice, and pita bread. As great as the food is at Samir's, the service is even better. The owner and his family make you feel welcome and cherished. They treat repeat customers like family and greet newbies just as warmly. This is my go-to spot for a tasty, filling, healthy lunch.
(5)Doc V.
Food isn't made fresh, meat was on skimpy side, and it lacked flavor. I really wanted to like this place especially since the owners were so sweet.
(1)Ryan L.
Very light on meat and overdone fries.
(2)Jim M.
Awesome food. Amazing service. I'm from the Mediterranean and this food trumps the other gyro places in the area!
(5)Cami G.
Needed food, so it did the trick. Nothing more, nothing less. P.S. The Baklava was at least three days old. Stay away.
(2)Kimberley D.
People find it unimaginable that I'm a vegetarian who doesn't like falafel. Every once in awhile I give it another try just to placate their insistence that maybe I've never had good falafel. I still don't like falafel. If I did, though, I'd probably like Samir's version. I can say that I liked the garlic fries a lot. I was expecting just some chunks of garlic on fries, but instead it was a delicious sauce. The hot spicy tea was tasty. The prices are very reasonable - $4 for a sandwich. As everyone else has commented, Samir is terribly nice. The place is wallpapered with photos of him and customers/friends/family.
(4)Kumiko M.
I decided to try this place after walking to class from work. Being a small, Lebanese-owned, Ave, hole-in-the-wall restaurant, I was warmly welcomed by the restaurant owner himself as he fixed me up a (halal, and he assured me it was halal) lamb and beef gyro with extra spicy sauce and no onions. It was nice to have gone back a second time a few days later, with the owner remembering what I liked to order. Since then, he has remembered my "regular" order. Shows off some of that good-old old-school personal customer servicemanship! Food is delicious, prices are broke-college-kid-friendly, and service is as personal and friendly as I would imagine one to find from a small town vendor in Lebanon.
(5)Connie C.
Not a fan. Tried three different dishes, the veggie combo platter, the gyro plate, and the beef schwarma plate. I guess I get spoiled eating at Mediterranean Kitchen, this place did not live up to that. The sauce on the meat was not tasty. The portions are large, but besides that, the flavor of everything was only ok. I've had much better mediterranean food elsewhere.
(2)Bobby N.
My friends and I came here for lunch/dinner. I wish I had come here 5 years ago doing my undergraduate career. This place has the best lamb and beef around for the price that you cannot beat. I ordered the $10 huge dinner Gyro plate and it was phenomenal!! The lamb and beef were so soft that I felt like it just melted in my mouth. My friends ordered the $5 sandwiches and loved it. I will absolutely come back here in the future for quick, cheap and YUMMY food. If you want to get your money's worth and are short on time, this is the place for you!! The service on the other hand was fair. We got our waters filled once when there were a total of 5 people all together in the restaurant. But the waiter was so funny I couldn't help but feel happy regardless.
(4)Calvin Y.
This is almost like the book "Like Water for Chocolate," however instead of Tita's tears in a wedding cake and making everybody cry involuntarily, its Samir's smiles in a gyro that makes everybody spontaneously happy. What sets this place apart from other gyro sandwich stores on the Ave is that Samir adds a secret ingredient to his food. It's... JOY. I always come out of this restaurant smiling because Samir has this positive energy about him that just uplifts your spirit (but of course the food helps a lot too cause I can be crabby when I'm hungry...) I highly recommend the Gyro Sandwich or the Shawarma Sandwich if you're grabbing it on the go, but if you have time to stick around then order the Baba Ghanoush or perhaps even upgrade your sandwich to a platter. Everything is good here especially since Samir will tailor your food to your liking by asking if you like onions, spices, and etc. Since he makes it front of you, it is guaranteed your food will always be piping hot. Samir takes very good care of you here and he makes sure that you are completely satisfied with your meal... he wouldn't have it otherwise. You can get a nice sandwich, a nice conversation with Samir, and a high dose of joy all for less than $5... hence why I keep coming back. P.S. He has the best shirt EVER.
(5)Chloe V.
I stood by their little "walk-up" window looking at the menu and the gentleman was quick to offer advice and eager to take my order. I loved the place before I had even tasted the food because he was so friendly! I had the chicken plate and it was super delicious. I'll definitely be returning! Only knocked down a star because $10 did seem a little much.
(4)Adrienne R.
For a welcome to the group, my colleagues and I went to Samir's for lunch a couple weeks ago. A member of my work group is a regular at Samir's. They greeted him like an old friend. I was a little surprised to see them essentially kick out two women from a table so they could collect it into a larger collection for our big group. It was nice for us, but I would not have wanted to be one of them. I had a gyro and fries. I've had a lot of gyros a lot of places. Seattle is chock-ful of Mediterranean and Greek restaurants. This is probably one of the worst ones I've had. I ordered it special and when it came not right, I asked for a correction to which I was told "It is how you ordered it." It was not. Seriously. Not an okay way to treat a customer. The fries were edible, but nothing special at all. Most of my colleagues seemed to enjoy their meal. I couldn't really say. I found the service awful, the food just edible. I'll go if I'm with a group of people who want to go there, but otherwise I'll pick one of the many other choices in Seattle (and even on that street.)
(1)Adrien Etienne S.
I have trouble saying anything bad about a place where I can get a solid lunch or a light dinner for about $4. I love their sandwiches, and I've always found the service to be friendly and efficient. I generally get the gyro sandwich, and there's a good amount of sauce, and the meat is tender and delicious. This is definitely one of the places that I stop in to grab food when I'm in the U District.
(5)Miles S.
My lady had stopped by SAMIR'S when she was looking for a bite after shopping and came home raving about the Shawarma and falafel. Sooo, being a falafel fan I dropped by one day and found she was right. can't wait to try more. Also Samir the owner was really nice and took great care of us on both visits.
(4)John T.
Samir's rules! The place rules. The man rules. I asked him for a spicy falafel wrap and he asked me "if I wanted to dance?" Fantastic. Oh and the garlic fries were truly killer. Lastly, check out the ON promo pic. Best falafel joint.
(5)Waves G.
Worst shawarma palte I ever had. I paid almost $10 for a plate of rice much more oily than my already very oily face, and a very small portion of beef shawarma, I mean very small portion. It was smaller than palm-size and it was tasteless. It looked like it was from yesterday and reheated. Some of the vegetables were wilted as well. Worse food I've ever had. I will not go back. I will not spend another $10 of my grad school stipend on this mediocre restaurant!!!!!
(1)Kyoni R.
With every bite of shawarma you will have to wipe your lips. Juicy meats, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and tahini. Is your mouth watering now?? The burst of flavors that explode in your mouth is your taste buds having a party. Great Cheap eats. My buddy chris likes to have dinner here. A whole Lamb Shank with the fixings is $10. It includes a salad and drink. samir tells us he slow cooks it for 6 hours . I tell you the meat just falls off the bone. In the summers we sit outside on the side walk and enjoy the weather. There is nothing like feasting on a leg of lamb looking like King Henry. Samir has been feeding the U-District for years. Stop by and have one of is handmade marvels. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
(4)Hai Yen N.
Samir, the man behind the name, is so incredibly nice and completely made my day! I came in and was greeted right away and told to take my time looking over the menu. I placed an order for a falafel sandwich and a lamb shish kebab sandwich. He proceeds to cook them himself and everything is freshly made to order on the grill. I had one of the nicest chats with him too when I was waiting for my food. He said he's been at this restaurant since he was 17 years old. And the food was delicious! The lamb was perfectly seasoned and so juicy. The veggies were fresh, the lettuce crisp and the pita warm and chewy. The falafel was crispy on the outside but I wished it was more tender inside. Still, so satisfying and such a great deal. I think it was a total of $9 for both. Awesome neighborhood spot for Lebanese food.
(4)Robert S.
Man I have been finding all these great places as of late and here is one more so I was up on the Ave I had to go and see if I could find a magazine, for my partner at bulldog and I was hungry, and I thinking a Shawarma sounded good but no I am at the wrong end of the Ave for that, but then as I am walking back to my motorcycle I see the sign for Samir's, not one is this place here but there is a second place right across the street so its kinda like Dueling Gyros so I had to try his Lamb Shawarma as see how he faired as that is quickly becoming my new favorite sammich, and he didn't fail me the sammich was wonderfully juicy and oh so full of flavor, I got a second one to go for my partner, and he has Orange Crush in a glass bottle that rocks
(4)Arnold W.
Falalfel and lamb sandwiches....so juicy! One of best and flavorful ones I've had! One man running the show. I
(5)G B.
The beef shawarma here is quite tasty, but really the entire experience was quite pleasant. An older gentleman (possibly Samir) greeted me as soon as I walked in, and immediately offered me a table and a drink. He spent the majority of my time there meticulously cleaning the front windows. Clearly a man who takes some serious pride in both his business and the customer experience. The place is nicely decorated on the inside, with plenty of photos and artwork and bright, welcome colors on the walls. You can't go wrong with this place.
(4)Stella Y.
Very nice owner. He seems like a really, really nice guy. However. I did not appreciate pulling a very long hair out of my shawarma. I had to rip the pita open down the middle to get it out. Kinda takes the enthusiasm out of eating my sandwich. If this wasn't my first visit (and first impression), I probably wouldn't have minded so much.
(2)Ana M.
I ate here last Spring during the U-District Street Fair and it was rather gross. I ordered a chicken gyro and had to go back three times to get the order right. In the end, I ended up throwing it away because I simply couldn't stomach the taste. The chicken tasted, well, not good and instead of a sauce, there was some sort of white water drizzled on top. Apart from the taste of the food, the lady helping customers was rude to me. I understand that they were busy due to the street fair, but I've never actually had to throw a gyro away before. The reviews below seem to suggest that Samir's has good food, but I felt it necessary to share my own experience. I sincerely hope that their food and service is better than what I encountered. I also hope that at this years street fair, they don't sacrifice quality for quantity.
(1)Emily A.
I've had felafel all over the world and honestly, this ranks right up there. It was very well seasoned, not mushy, crispy on the outside. It was a bit dense but NBD. I got the plate, so it came over a salad with just enough dressing. Service from Samir was quick and friendly.
(4)Dave D.
It's been a while since I last checked out Samir's, so I thought I'd stop by the walk-up "to go" window on a nice sunny day. I again ordered the standard gyro, but they've changed it up! No longer is it a "salad in a pita" like I said in my last review. Now, the gyro is a bit smaller, with softer pita bread and less "salad" to it. Much more balanced. It's smaller overall, but I can't tell if it's less meat or just a smaller serving pouch. The price has also dropped. A gyro with no sides or drink cost me a little over $4. In my book, the new pita style is probably the most "balanced" on the Ave.
(4)F.R. C.
Samir is the coolest and best, and makes the best Mediterranean sammies you will ever lay lips on. I always add feta and hummus onto mine, and there is a delicious mysterious bottle of root-beer I like to get on my skinnier days. I will never cheat on Samir, he has my loyalty! Not for Aladdin's, not for the other Aladdin's, not for the new Shawarma King, not for nobody. Samir IS the Falafel Master. Also they sell really cool t-shirts, ask for one!
(5)Linh H.
This place fulfills my gyro urges. There's nothing special about the food, but it's cheap and Samir is always friendly. The service is fast and convenient. The regular fries are a little skinny and dry. I like to call ahead and order when I'm in a hurry. They will say it takes 15 minutes on the phone, but my order was ready in 5 minutes when I got to the restaurant.
(4)Beau R.
With as much time as I spend at the University, I don't eat much on the Ave. I was there picking up some graded finals and wanted something to eat. My littlest chose Samir's Mediterranean Grill. As much as I'd want to think it was because he loves hummus as much as his Dad, I think the proximity to the Haagen Dazs Shoppe was what really drew him in. The food is pretty cheap and good sized! We got two sandwiches (a falafel and a gyro) and a hummus appetizer and we were both full after eating. The can sodas are a little more expensive than elsewhere, though. There is a walk up window and sit down tables inside, which appear to have table service, even. I can imagine that the lines can get long at lunch time when school is in session. Samir was talking it up with every one! The guy who stopped at the window got a long chat, we got a long chat, but the service never seemed slow. In fact, he even gave my 6 year old a reminder to keep the bottom of the sandwich wrapper closed tight so the yummy tahini sauce didn't drip out and make a mess! Samir's is fast, cheap and good. If I'm in need of food on the Ave, Samir's rates high in my book.
(4)ShmoHaw K.
Samir is really friendly every time to anyone who visits this little side street restaurant. That's why this is four-star and not a three-star review. Their pitas are very cheap and not bad, unfortunately they're always a little heavy on the lettuce and light on the falafel or hummus. Good place for a cheap, friendly meal.
(4)Mae D.
When I use to live on 42nd and 8th, I use to walk by Samir's. I would occasionally stop by for a quick gyro ( soooooooooooooo yummy!!!). It was the best damn thing since sandwiches! His yogurt sauce is amazing, and everything else he serves. Samir and his employees are friendly and fast! I use to say good morning to him a lot when i was headed to school and would stop by the window for a quick lunch. Thanks Samir! :) I owe you a visit soon!!!
(5)Natalie W.
Quick, hearty, delicious, and cheap! I had my first falafel "sandwich" experience at Samir's. When you walk the first things you see in the menu on the wall. There are combo plates(all with pita), "sandwiches", sides, etc. I also noticed a few dessert- unadvertised- on the counter. There are more than a few places to sit, and the interior is decorated in a cozy Ave sort of hole in the wall way. The owner was the only one working and was very pleasant. He took my falafel order, with a laugh at my indecision when I walked in, and quickly got to work assembling the meal. It was under $4- if I wanted fries it would have been $6.50. My "sandwich" was actually a pita- wrapped burrito style- with fresh! lettuce shreds, tomato, a very light taziki dressing, and about 4+ large falafel balls. The balls were crisp on the outside, but the tasted freshly homemade. They also had a good spice and were quite addicting. Fyi's~ *$5 is enough to get quite a stomach full of food * The sandwiches are wrapped so that the sauce doesn't get all over- eat it like a wrapped burrito * They have pop, snapple, juice, and water for purchase * The falafel sandwich was really good!
(4)Christopher J.
Once again, I am letdown by a highly rated restaurant without the food to substantiate the claims. I am going to have to preface every review the same!: I came here on a Saturday late afternoon (5:30PM ish), so maybe I just had a rare experience and caught Samir's at an off-time...(For the record, I don't know Samir, but I don't think he was working--just a woman and a teenage boy who appeared to be related.) On to the food... We started with a hummus appetizer, which my girlfriend and her sister really liked, but I thought was just so-so. Unfortunately, the pita bread was kind of stale, and that's a disappointment; it's one of a few ingredients in a really simple dish, so every bit counts. On the plus side, the olive oil was definitely flavorful. For dinner, I had the falafel plate, my girlfriend had a chicken plate, and her sister had a chicken gyro. Perhaps, for the first time in my life, I can't say that the falafel was bland--but "salty" isn't what I was really looking for. Overall, the falafel was decently crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, which is the right balance. If it wasn't for the spicing, these could have been quite good. My girlfriend's chicken was moist, but just wasn't anything special. Not bad, but not great. I didn't try the chicken gyro, but the feedback was similar to the chicken plate--not bad, but not great. Since this was my girlfriend's sister's last meal in Seattle, we decided to do things properly by ordering baklava and Turkish coffee. Since I'm a sweet fan, if a dessert is sweet, I can't call it bad. But the baklava, honestly, was almost bad. A good baklava should have light, crispy phyllo--I honestly couldn't cut Samir's version, no matter how hard I pressed down. In order to break it apart into edible pieces, I had to use my teeth. It was as if the sugar liquid had thoroughly soaked all the phyllo and been allowed time to set. Again, it was sweet, and the flavor was definitely close to what it should be, but those qualities can't overpower the problems. Would I eat at Samir's again? Well, given the price, it's not like I would avoid this place like the plague--you aren't going to miss a mortgage payment if you stop by for a full dinner. That being said, I would definitely try many other places before coming back.
(2)Agnus R.
Their sandwiches are delicious, and I have always liked going in here to grab one. Unfortunately, I ordered their Kings Plate as a take out for my husband and was REALLY disappointed with how it ended up being. Its supposed to be a mix of meats, rice, hummus and salad. And it ended up being mostly rice with 3 slivers of gyro meat, maybe a half breast of chicken and a small spoonful of hummus. I'll go back for the sandwiches, but I'm not paying $12 for a carton of rice again.
(3)Cathy G.
I had the delight to have spare time on my hands waiting for a movie. I came here. So many delicious choices. All cuustomers eating, chatting happily. I chose a vegie lentil rice sandwich. I liked it . Lots of lettuce, an d a good amount of lettuce. I was offered to go yet decided to eat there. I chose to nto get fries with mine, that old diet thing, but next time I shall. They looked crisp, ok and plain old yummy.
(5)Junior B.
There are so many places in the u district to get a falafel sandwich but this is my favorite for a couple of reasons.1. they dont use that same kind of pita bread that everyone else uses. Instead they have a flatter, tastier bread. 2. they wrap the sandwich in such a manner that it is possible to eat on the go without spilling all over the place. 3. they make their own baklava which is rare and it's friggin delicious. 4.the guy who I assume is the owner is crazy nice and always has a big smile on his face, but not in an annoying way. MOST IMPORTANTLY, this is one of the few places in Seattle and perhaps the only place in the U District where they MAKE THEIR OWN FALAFEL instead of using the falafel mix. You can certainly taste the difference.
(5)CJ B.
You cannot go wrong here. The place is uberfriendly, the food good and plentiful and the prices very reasonable for good, from scratch fare. This is not gourmet dining (the sald is simple romaine, not fatoush like the guys across the street) but it is well executed and presented with love. The highlight of the meal is when Samir puts it down in front of you and says emphatically "please enjoy EVERY bite".
(4)Riff L.
My wife and I stopped here whenever we get the chance. the food is excellent. My wife is lebanese and she tells me this is the closest to authentic lebanese as it gets and we have been to many restaraunts. Pros: Great food, so juicy and mouth watering Price is so so Great service from a great guy. Cons: well nothing go and eat there now!
(5)Eytan H.
Excellent food, excellent prices. The owner is a great guy and fun to talk with.
(5)Jordan Y.
I will give this place a Negative Ten Stars if I could.........Bad food, so bad that the four of us who ate there got sick and bad service. The meat was old and dry, the falafel was the type of mix you buy from the store and add water to, the hummus did not even taste like hummus, we left most of our food on the table, payid Samir for his bad food and bed service and left. We will never ever go back again. There are many great gyro places few blocks from this Samir guy and they are much better and the prices also are better.
(1)David C.
At 4 bucks definitely the cheapest gyro on the Ave. The owner is a good guy and this is a true mom and pop restaurant.
(5)Ian S.
Delightful food, Samir is a great guy, and the prices are fantastic. This is my favorite middle-eastern food spot in Seattle.
(4)Derrin T.
Fantastic gyros. One of the best in the area.
(5)Talisha L.
4 stars for the food- Hummus, kafta, falafel sharwarma, veggie combo plates are all delicious! Also, if you like spicy , order spicy, you will not be dissapointed. Get some baklava to go and let it sit for a day or two- it gets better over time. The iced tea is also kinda spicy and very refreshing. 1 extra star for Samir. It is obvious he enjoys what he does. His personality is awesome along with his service.
(5)Maria Y.
I don't know why I hadn't gone here before, but I finally stopped by. I had the falafel plate, which was quite good, and the owner was very friendly. I'll definitely be back to try more.
(4)Wesley W.
After reading all the positive reviews, I wanted to like this place. I really did. Maybe reading all these reviews raised a expectations a little, who knows. Anyways, I ordered the falafel plate (which is the falafel, pita and salad) and waited eagerly for my food. To my dismay, the falafel balls came from the batch that was made before I ordered the food. Now I don't expect them to prepare a fresh batch for every customer, but the falafels that came on my plate were not nearly as hot as I had hoped. Also, I believe I paid around $8 for my food, so I was understandably disappointed when my plate came with only 5 falafel balls. Good thing that they tasted OK at least. Then came the salad, which to be honest is nothing to write home about, it's your typical romaine salad. Finally there's the pita, which again is just your typical pita really. Overall, the food was OK (very forgettable salad and pita), the service is good (Samir really does love his job and interacting with customers), but it was all a bit of a let down.
(2)Tom H.
Had a lamb and beef gyro. Good prices, and the bread and sauce was good, as were the vegetables. The meat was rather bland and cheap-tasting though. Wouldn't reccomend it but it wasn't terrible either.
(2)Kira B.
What a cute place. Samir cooks right in front so you can see the "falafel master" at work. Food was delicious and really reasonably priced. I'll return next time I'm vintage shopping in the U-district.
(4)Ryan C.
As I was walking past Cedars on the Ave, I had a craving for some gyros. I happened to notice the audacious sign at Samir's Mediterranean Grill so I decided to go against my better judgement and try out the restaurant that had the audacity to open up right across the street from my beloved Cedars. I am instantly greeted by Samir who is the nicest restaurant owner I've met in a long time. He took my order, cooked my food and I came to find out that he and his brother used to own Cedars before selling it about 4 years ago. So I guess I don't feel so bad anymore. Anyways, I ordered the gyro which, among the other sandwich choices here, is one of the few things you can get to eat for under $4 these days. The pita bread was a little thinner than I have come to expect with a gyro and I could have used a bit more meat. I had some lentil soup which tasted like....lentil soup. Pretty standard fare but I can't complain for the price. I also sample the marinated chicken sandwich which was pretty good as well. Samir makes you feel at home and for the prices, I will definitely be a repeat customer.
(4)Henry L.
Very friendly cashier and waiter. Good selection of Mediterranean food on the menu. Very healthy variety of food.
(4)Elaine J.
I heart this place. I love it because it's conveniently located near campus but the food is great too. I always get a gyro but their garlic fries are soooo good (with extra feta cheese!). He always remembers me when I come in and get great service. Delicious! I'm not a huge fan of mediterranean food so I can't give too much feedback. But it's worth looking into.
(3)Evil W.
It's a hole in the wall, parking is a pain, and the food is fresh and reasonably priced and delicious and the people are polite and helpful. What are you waiting for? Aren't you hungry for a gyro now?
(5)Justin B.
I had a great gyro sandwich here. The sauces were excellent and had a good amount of spice. The guy was very friendly too!
(5)Corey W.
Four stars for the price....$3.50 for a falafal sandwich is freaking awesome. Bang for your broke-ass buck. Service is always excellent. Three stars for the taste. Like many of the places in the U-district, it's solid, cheap, but not great. There's an identical Mediterranean restaurant across the street with slightly better food. Same prices and nearly identical menu. Spy vs. Spy scenario...there can be only ONE!
(4)Angie K.
I had a gyro, side salad and can of soda for $7+$1 tip=$8. Eh, it was OK. The side salad was totally forgettable. The gyro was OK but there was not a lot of flavor. I couldn't get a side of hummus without ordering a ginormous hummus appetizer for about $5 or getting a hummus sandwich, which really does not qualify as a side of hummus. I'm not sure why all the Yelpers gave it such great reviews unless they have never had Mediterranean food before? Or maybe I should try some other items. People keep mentioning the price, but there is a Mediterranean place across the street with similar pricing that I like a little better.
(3)John K.
Super friendly service. Precise preparation. Good prices. Very casual but clean; a carefree date venue. I'm going here for all future Mediterranean on the Ave. Only 4 stars because (a) the taste wasn't "OMG you have to try this!" but it was good and (b) they're not open late at night, so I have to settle for Aladdin's during my studies.
(4)Jeremy C.
I stopped in this afternoon and had a kafta kebob pita sandwich. The lamb is infused with some green leafy herbs; I couldn't exactly pin point what spices they used, but MAN was IT good. I think I may slightly prefer the shawarma, but I could definitely go for another kafta when I'm ready to switch things up a bit.
(5)Anthony P.
Samir has NEVER failed me. I started coming to this restaurant way before it became Samirs. I started coming when it was a sub shop, then Samir converted it to his Mediterranean Grill in Spring of '06. I would say that his $3.50 sandwiches are the BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK. Not only are these things tasty, spicy, and fullfilling, but for $3.50 these things are damn near a steal. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Samir decides up the price for them soon. As far as the plates go, they are fullfilling yet light! I never thought I could eat a full meal, yet feel soo good about what I was eating. A nice salad, the right amount of rice and meat, side of pita bread, and you got yourself a meal. I absolutely love Samirs service. Always tells the server, to bring me a 7up(remember I'm a regular, or according to Samir, "Boss".) He is quick on the getting the food prepared, cooked, and ready to eat. If he isn't there, his sons and wife know how to pick up the slack and make sandwiches and plates just the way Samir does.:)
(5)Robin L.
Great lunch spot! I've been here a few times when grabbing lunch on my way between work sites and also when taking my sister shopping on the Ave. The gyro sandwiches are delicious (I'm a huge sucker for the shaved doner lamb kebab meat). The fries are crispy. The falafel sandwich is enormous and with falafel done right (these are not hockey pucks). The grilled veggie dish is surprisingly tasty and sprinkled with feta cheese. The prices are fair, the counter-folk are really nice, and I've had good food regardless of whether I took it to go or sat down to eat.
(4)S. Alicia S.
The colorful ambiance and smiling faces instantly made me admire Samir's Mediterranean Grill. It is a very modest place with ample seating inside and outside. Anything that can be found in a pita can be put on a platter. Happiness sold me to indulge in a falafel sandwich and slice of baklava for dinner.
(4)RJ J.
I work at the university and on my first day my colleagues brought me here. Since than I have been hooked not only is the food excellent. Samir is awesome as well, he is always friendly and happy . My favorite is the falafel sandwich but if you ask for it spicy. Samir puts this delicious green stuff on; i don't know what it is it but it is amazing. This is a great place hidden in the U-district. Also try the cauliflower and french fry sandwich it sounds weird but it is really good. Stop on by and treat yourself to a delicious meal.
(5)Carrie H.
One blustery day I was grouching around the Ave looking for a lunch that wasn't going to cost 8 dollars or give me the rootie tooties. A gust of wind blew me right up to Samir's takeout window, and the actual jolly and smiling Samir greeted me like a ray of sunshine. He fixed me up a falafel in no time and packed it in a cute little sack. Much is to be said for Samir's insanely cheap prices ($3.50 for a falafel), but much can also be said for the delightful personality of Samir himself. My interaction with him was minimal, but he truly turned my frown upside down. Your food is as good as the person who makes it, no? The falafel was tasty, filling, and caused no gastrointestinal whining. I confidently added Samir's to my Official Lunch List.
(5)Karen R.
Obviously there's something wrong with me and/or my taste buds 'coz while I absolutely love falafel I was rather disappointed with my sandwich today. I came here solely after reading the preceding awesome reviews. Hmmm... The people who worked this afternoon couldn't have been nicer. The lady apologized more then once for our wait - which really wasn't a big deal at all - we could see the crazy line before we were seated. In fact, we were quite pleased to see the line 'coz it meant people like them. My falafel ball was moist and yummy (not the best but better then I have had in awhile - I grew up with the best falafel in Toronto!) but the sandwich was very dry and bland! Where's the tahini!? It was more like a lettuce sandwich! Really, I'm not being difficult here. I was a very hungry camper and I would have been quite happy with just the hummus and pita (not warmed) appetizer... I'm also more used to falafel sandwiches with at least lettuce, tomatoes and onions - they lack the third (my favorite) and the taste of lettuce just kept getting more pronounced every bite :D Arrgh! Yes, I will be open minded and return one more time and update this review. But until then, I'm afraid it's a mere 2 stars for me for the very nice people who worked this afternoon.
(2)Jaime H.
I've been enjoying Samir's cooking since 1979. At that time he was running Cedar's which is located across the street from his current location (I think one of Samir's relatives still runs Cedars but I'm not sure). Great food, lovely family, excellent prices!!! If you want to try his excellent tabouli you should give him a call before you visit the restaurant. He usually doesn't have it on hand because it does not stay fresh for long. But when it is available it is very good as is all the other food. Samir is also happy to make custom dishes. Each time I walk in the door he asks me if I'd like something special. He remembers the things I like and comes up with suggestions that are not on the menu. That said, I also like the standard menu items. I've never had better falafel in spite of having visited Lebanese restaurants throughout the country.
(5)Tyler H.
My second favorite falafel on the ave. Good prices and friendly guy behind the counter. I often wonder if he and the gyro-guy across the street are in some sort of battle for best walk-up window service gyros.
(4)Adriano S.
It's a tiny place and, depending on the time, you might have to wait if you want to sit down and eat inside, but boy is it worth it. The food is great, fresh and made to order by possibly the friendliest cook in town. Samir's friendliness makes you feel like you've just popped into his home for a visit, and his food is arguably among the best middle-eastern fare in Seattle. I highly recommend the kafta kebab platter and the falafel sandwich.
(5)Jarrod L.
The falafel was some of the best I've ever had. The same goes for the baba ghanouj (though the baba ghanouj sandwich overall was a little too lettucey). The gyro was pretty bad; the meat itself was flavorful, but it was very dry along with the rest of the sandwich.
(3)Brooke Q.
The gyros and falafels are fabulous. The walk up window is a nice perk.
(5)Eli G.
I love this place! They provide generous portions of healthy food, prepared briskly, and at student-friendly prices. You can tell that Samir loves his work. The service is authentic and warm-hearted; he always leaves you feeling welcomed. Once I came by to ask for a vegan lunch box for a long train trip the following day. Samir asked a few questions, and then assembled an off-menu collection of items, packed meticulously. And it was indeed delicious the next day. As a Jewish person, I also appreciate that I'm not surrounded by anti-Israeli political propaganda when I come here, unlike some other places on the Ave.
(5)Val T.
Samir might be one of my favorite people in the entire world. I remember when he was first opening up his shop a few years back and he was still in the process from converting it from a sub shop to what he has now. He completely changed the layout and the floor plan, so you can even order your food from the window on a nice day. As the owner, he makes all of the food himself with the occasional help of his wife/sons. To me, he makes hands down makes the best falafel and chicken sandwiches I have ever had. He has fine-tuned and mastered the art of Mediterranean food and pita making and his Chicken and Gyro plates are simply to die for. I swear to god we would come here everyday back in the day and then when we moved at least once a week. I still stop by when I am on the Ave to visit and eat but wish I could come more. THE BEST FOUR DOLLARS YOU COULD EVER SPEND ON THE AVE. Its in caps for a reason, people.
(5)calamity chang c.
I wish I were to have the pleasure of being the first. I don't go out much to eat lunch anymore, but I have been here twice now and I think it is where I will be going everytime I have $4 to burn. This used to be a sandwich shop, now it's the best place to get kebabs/falafals. My favorite is the kafka. Wow the lamb is stuffed with seasoning. Perfect portioning of vegis, sauce (garlic), and meat.
(5)Amy W.
Oh la, because I do love some Nancy C., I decided to take her recommendation and try Samir's. And, my, I do think it was the best falafal I've had since I've gotten since I came to Seattle. I had the falafal sandwich - wrapped in a thin bread, with tomato, parsley, and some delicious tahini sauce. My dining companion had some sort of lamb dish with rice - he said it was tasty, but complained of the grease. We went right before they closed, so maybe he got the dredges. I have no complaints though. Service was great, and I like the goofy mural on the wall. New fun place to eat in the U-District!
(4)Andrea H.
I love this place. The food is great and so is the owner. My favorite dish is the lamb sandwich. Also, I like this place because I can always count on great mango juice from here.
(4)Kurt F.
I've been eating Samir's excellent sandwiches served with a warm smile, and sincere appreciation for every customer as the 'boss' for over a decade on NE 43rd Street. He has only gotten better over time. I almost always get his gyros or shawarma, but I've tried some of the salata and other plates and they always educate me on the delicious things I've kept myself from discovering. His falafel is as unmatched as his hospitality and friendship with almost anyone he's ever met.
(5)