Mediterranean Foods

Oh my gosh, just the friendliest guy working here. He is the best. I want to be his best friend. He is so genuine and nice, and I usually hate over-​the-​top service, but wow.
I’m not sure this is the best place for dining in, but the prices are great. About $ 5 bucks for a yummy chicken schwarma. Not the best I’ve ever had, but still good. Do yourself and this business a favor, and choose Mediterranean Foods over a $ 5 footlong.
I do have a complaint: I’ve come here during lunch hours several times, and it was closed! what? But its hours says it’s opened! What? I’ve seen others walk up to it at noon on a Thursday, and get upset because it’s closed. And that business goes elsewhere. I really wonder why a sandwich place would close up during prime lunch hours.

Great place. I came in here after a recent downpour and I was literally soaked to the bone. I was lucky to find a place that wasn’t particularly drafty and that keeps the thermostat at a reasonable level. One thing I have noticed is that since the financial collapse in 2008, every restaurant I go into seems to skimp on heating the place. One restauranteur I talked to in Atlanta (my second home) said to me, «An igloo can get up to 61 degrees heated with nothing but body heat.» I’m sorry, but what the heck is that supposed to mean? We’re not Eskimos people.
Also the falafel at this place is as good as any in the Middle East, I imagine. It’s nutty and garlicky and savory. They don’t use gimmicks, that’s for sure.

Here from out of town. Loved the food and atmosphere!

Awesome food. Limited menu. Can not go wrong with a gyro. The also have a couple of salads.

Very good falafel sandwich. The falafel is very good and is accompanied by fresh veggies. I would definitely recommend the Harissa sauce as it adds a nice touch of heat.
The restaurant is no nonsense, very simple but comfortable. I stopped by just before close and they were still very busy at that point.

I’ve walked past this place about 1568 times and, though I have been tempted to walk in for falafel, I never did… until a friend suggested we meet here for a pre-​movie dinner. Why did it take me so long???
Everything was made fresh and tasted delicious. Among us there was falafel, chicken shawama, artichoke pita, tabouli and all were happy. There is a seating area in the back with tables accommodating 4 – 6, but it seems their primary business is takeout. They also have a tempting dessert selection which I regrettably did not sample. Great experience, and will be added to my Ludlow rotation of restaurants.

I tried this place for the first time a couple weeks ago. I met a buddy of mine for a 12:00 lunch on a Thursday. My friend had never experienced Mediterranean food so it seemed appropriate since he was trying something new that I should try a new place as well.
I think I found Mediterranean heaven.
It’s a casual place that offers dine in or carry out. The guy helping us (owner/​cook/​server) was incredibly accommodating. Since my friend was unfamiliar with all the goodness that is Mediterranean, we asked for a «sampler» plate even though nothing like that is on the menu. We were served hummus, tabbouleh, falafel, lamb, pita, and dolmas. Now before I continue, let me say that I can be picky about what goes in my mouth. I love all food, but I love GOOD food. And this… this was incredible food!
The hummus was smooth and creamy with lovely flavor. The tabbouleh was the freshest, most yummy I’ve ever tasted. The falafel was moist, flavorful, and made me say mmm. I didn’t eat the lamb. The pita was fresh and warmed nicely-​still had some moisture to it. Dolmas are generally super greasy but these were perfect!
With a bill of about $ 11 for a huge sampler plate and two drinks, we left pretty happy.
I wanted to see if it was a fluke so I returned with another friend on Saturday. This time I got a falafel sandwich and, like other Unilocalers, was asked if I wanted it spicy. I am not usually a spicy food fan but Mr. «I can cook like a «bada**» assured me that I would like it. Wouldn’t you know, I loved it. This time, we got some baklava to share. And of course, I wish I wouldn’t have shared :)
Casual dining, great service, reasonably priced… what are you waiting for! 5 stars of awesomeness all the way.

Small menu. Excellent food.
Great for eating in or take out — quick and cheap
I got a falafel wrap that was out of this world — the falafel was moist, not dry like a lot of places. The sauces were great (get the red sauce it’s smokey and tangy)
I also got some baklava (not made there but still delicious… can baklava be anything other than delicious?)
I’ve heard a lot of other things are equally as delicious and I will be back to try more.

Chicken Schawarmas all around!
The best I’ve had in town. This is quickly becoming a favorite spot to stop for Mediterranean. This is a quaint place along Ludlow where delicious foods are made right before your eyes. You can have a seat here, or walk to one of the nearby parks to enjoy your meal.
Careful, this stuff is messy. The kind of messy that is oh-​so delicious… like a sloppy joe. I’ll be back very soon!

Just discovering all these cool Clifton restaurants now that I work nearby. Had lunch here a week or two ago and really enjoyed it. Considered the prices reasonable, too.
Not at all crowded, it’s more like a deli, but we ate in at one of the tables in the back. Recommend the grape leaves, gyro and whatever the spicy chicken version of a gyro is called! My son recommended that I pick up some grape leaves occasionally to bring home.

Don’t know how I’ve missed this place on Ludlow. Really fresh food at very reasonable prices. I’d like a little spicier sandwich, but that’s my only complaint.

Mediterranean Foods is good. It’s awesome that you can get a spicy gyro there. And their falafels are usually pretty good too. But it’s changed so much and passed through so many people that for awhile there every time I went it tasted different. They used to have shelves of mediterranean groceries and now they just have a little dining room setup — it definitely looks better but I miss the way it used to be. There was a time where I defended it as THE BEST place to get a gyro in Cincinnati, hands down. Now, not so much. Bummer.

I didn’t realize this was a restaurant until, well, I saw other people on here saying it was. And let me reiterate what they are telling you: This is DEFINITELY a restaurant.
I went there on a Saturday afternoon, feeling a little hungover from the night before, and their fare helped me a lot. I have read a ton about their gyros (my two friends got these and assured me they were superior to Chicago Gyro’s up the road), but I wanted to try something different. I opted for the Chicken Shawarma and O-​M-​G, it was delicious.
It resembled the gyro but had chicken on it that had a little kick. It was covered in fresh/​bright lettuce, onions, and tomatoes and had the perfect combination of heat and cooling elements for balance. It was fairly priced too. The service was very friendly too.
My only issue is there wasn’t a whole lot of culture. It was very appropriate for a quiet hangover recovery, but I could never really go there for fun. It was a little dull and quiet for that kind of experience.

Wow, this place is not what it used to be! Erase any of your pre-​2011 notions about Mediterranean Foods because they have converted from a grocery & goods store to a restaurant & Mediterranean deli. The food is fantastic and I always have fun joking around with the server. Who doesn’t love gyros and baklava? They also have grape leaves, tabbouleh, and pure tasty goodness. Prices are very fair. You can easily make a meal for two under $ 15. Give something new a try!

I work at UC and often pass by this restaurant, except. er…I never knew it was a restaurant. Somewhere along my many drive bys I got the impression, or saw a sign, that (I thought) referenced groceries. They do still sell things in containers and provide take out, but this is definitely NOT a grocery store. I only learned about this place as a restaurant from a friend who frequents it with his girlfriend. They raved about the falafel, and I’m always down for a fried chickpea ball, so one night after work we headed to check things out.
Mediterranean Foods is general in its name (the chef is Moroccan) and inconspicuous in its building. The night we were there it was quite diverse in clientele. I know there are international students around Clifton due to the university, but there was a group of about 20 men there who enjoyed a meal, spoke a language I was unfamiliar with (Arabic?), and unexpectedly took me to a place I’ve only experienced while traveling abroad, where I was in the minority and quite intrigued by what was going on.
I frequent a Greek restaurant on the west side, and honestly expected the same from Mediterranean Foods, but what I got felt like a truly global experience; I have never had Moroccan food. It was not all that different than other places in the same category, but the details (hot sauce and soups) were different enough that it was clear we weren’t eating Greek food. If I appear naïve or uncultured, I apologize, but that was part of the joy of this experience. Realizing that Mediterranean food can be done in many ways, as well as getting to see a community I never knew was in Clifton/​Cincinnati, interacting almost as if they were dining at home on a Sunday night, was pretty neat. I know that this might not be the scene I encounter on another visit, but the TV off in the corner, the thick accents and the hum of another language, cooks who were concerned about our quality and approval of their offerings (and that we leave full), along with people who did not look like the typical Cincinnati citizen, really made this experience special.
Adding to it, the food was awesome! While they were out of falafel, the schwarma and the lamb gyro hit the spot. We also had the Moroccan soup, harir, which was great on a winter night. It was put together at the counter in front of us and tasted fresh. We finished off the night with a kataifi (shreaded wheat, almonds, sweet and sticky goodness), and a special treat for me was that they carry Sasparilla– something I recall from my childhood. It was satisfying in ways a typical meal may not be because it felt like a cultural experience, but moreover it was solid (and reasonably priced) in hospitality and flavor. I think they offer that regardless of the company.
I give thanks to this place for filling my belly with good food, but also for challenging my perception of what I’d find inside. It was not a grocery, true, but it also hosted a community I wasn’t previously aware of in Cincinnati. Two cheers for more diversity (and always for finding new, good food). Go Moroccan!

My favorite Cincinnati gyro. The place just recently changed hands, and while the atmosphere used to be unwelcoming, Essam has really fixed up the place. He’s good for conversation, so I recommend sticking around and getting to know him. Oh, and I drove by the other day and a sign in the window says they now deliver.

Great gyros. I always walked by this place and never thought twice about it and now have been back twice in a week. They’re really fast and the owner is quite entertaining.

«Would you like the gyro spicy?»
When asked this question I paused long enough that the man taking my ordered assumed I did not hear him. On the contrary, I heard what he asked but, was it true? I have never heard or gone somewhere that offered a gyros with an «extra kick.» I insisted, how could I not?!
Once I got the gyros I unwrapped it and saw all the basics one would expect. I saw the red spice that had been added by my request. I took a bite and… Success! It was great. The spice was easily balanced out by the creamy tzatziki sauce so those that are hesitant fear not. I was very content with my decision.
Although I did not dine in, the facilities looked comfortable and appealing. Low key place to go and talk over some tasty food with friends.
I will definitely be going back to sample the chicken shawarma (I had originally gone in for this but they were out) along with the stuffed grape leaves.

Mediterranean Foods is a breath of fresh air among the dozen Indian restaurants on Ludlow, which I definitely appreciate! Being a huge fan of gyros, hummus, falafel, and other Mediterranean dishes so after hearing very positive reviews of Mediterranean Foods in Clifton, I figured it was a good choice for a quick bite on my walk to Esquire.
The owner is very friendly and the size of my gyro was very large for the $ 5 price tag. I’ve spent much more money on lesser-​stuffed gyros before, so I was very pleased.
However, when we arrived we nearly left because the vertical rotisseries that have the meat on them were empty! I said, «Oh, they must be out of gyro meat…» and proceeded to move towards the door, at which point the owner told us that he had some meat…
…to be warmed in the microwave.
It still tasted good, and again it was a very good value for the money, but it bothered me that it wasn’t freshly carved off of the hunk o’ meat.

In the diverse Ludlow shopping district this Mediterranean grocery offers both supplies and a quick lunch to the people walking by.
The shelves of grocery supplies are on the right wall when you walk into the establishment. They have spices, grains, olives, various oils, hummus, tahini. and other random imported delicacies. The selection isn’t great though. The wall is small and they just don’t have THAT much stuff.
The deli section is on the left and there is seating in the rear. It’s interesting that the front of the store seems somewhat run down and in need of decoration and the seating area in the back is super nice, has a nice paint job, and good lighting. They have a case with some pre-​made food and a menu of gyros, dolmas, falafel and other such lunchy foods.