Mediterranean Cafe

Im suprised this place has more than 2 stars to be honest. Pretty sure my falafel AND my wrap was microwaved. I ordered 6 ate half of one falafel and threw the rest away. tasted old and like they just reheated it. the beef shwarma wrap I got was so questionable I couldnt take more than a few bites without grossing myself out. I threw that away as well.
Nothing seemed fresh seemed like it was all sitting in the back in tubs or something. The two owners are husband and wife im pretty sure and they couldn’t care less about the quality of their food. Its disgusting and seems like they just want to make a quick dollar selling their own left overs from home. They literally dont care at all about the garbage they serve.
I have never had microwaved falafel from a restaurant and I will never ever come back here even though its walking distance from my house and I LOVE Mediterranean food. Would give 0 stars if possible. dont eat here.

If you are near the beach and are hungry for Middle-​Eastern food, try the Mediterranean Café. We have had their falafel plates which were very tasty. On several occasions have had dolmas and baklava takeouts. Yum! My husband loves the Turkish coffee. The walls are decorated with city scenes painted by the owner. This is a comfortable spot with friendly service. However, they only accept cash, but have an ATM on the premises. Parking can be tricky, but the N Judah streetcar stops outside the door.

I’m writing this review as I eat. What have I done. You can’t microwave a falafel.
The first time I stopped by this Café, it took forever for the owner to even acknowledge that I was standing there, so I left. I should have taken that and the reviews on here as bad signs but I REALLY WANTED FALAFEL.
I went in and I was the only one there. Ordered a veggie plate, and felt instant regret when I heard a microwave turn on. It was too late. I got my food and it actually looked pretty good (see picture).
The falafel was sure enough microwaved. The pita WAS NOT PITA. I got tortilla instead. Why. This is a crime. The tomato salad was bland, but not awful. The babaganoush and hummus were both decent. All in all, I want my $ 11 back.
Sunrise Deli, please forgive me.

I love this place! this is homey, cozy, down to earth, thucked away peaceful little mom and pop restaurant that will do everything you want to make your food delicious. it is a home made style. the owners are really really nice people. I come here every time I want to feel at home and eat authentic tasting mediterranean dishes. I love the easy going ambience and it is right next the street car stop not too far from the beach. prices are more than resonable. I love it! they also make turkish cofee.

Ordered the beef shawarma. What a mess. First of all, it came in a tortilla. Why in the world is a Mediterranean restaurant using tortillas? The beef had the consistency of loosely shaped meatloaf cut into misshapen slabs. The tahini sauce was missing despite clear advertisement on the menu that it would be included. Terrible, plain and simple. Gave it 3 bites and then tossed the rest in the garbage. For future customers that plan to try this spot out despite all of the above, this disappointing and aggravating experience cost me $ 8.75 (price is not advertised on the menu).

Had the falafel sandwich — which was actually very good. This place isn’t the fanciest place but the service is pretty good and the food is delicious. Maybe they could improve the drink selection also.

People here are very friendly and the food is excellent also you have to try the Turkish coffee.

The food here is absolutely delicious and made with so much love. The owner, Bud is so friendly and down to earth. Great little restaurant when you are in the mood for Mediterranean food.

This place is in a convenient location on Judah Ave, near lots of other restaurants. It seems they have ample seating even though from the outside the business looks deceptively small. I ordered the Chicken Shawarma plate and the moment the waitress brought it out, which also seemed to be the co-​owner and wife of the other owner, there was a long hair on the plate, which I’m sure was hers. The chicken was slightly cold. The overall flavor was pretty good.
When I payed at the end, I noticed that they only accepted cash. The owner was unwilling to break a larger bill, which was slightly inconvenient although the only reason he suggested is because he saw I had smaller bills. Still, they are already being picky enough by accepting cash only. I thought the restaurant and owners intentions are good although the execution of the business feels lazy to me. That is what separates a mediocre hole in the wall restaurant, like this, from one that is legendary and customers can’t wait to eat there. I tried it because I was staying in the area, but don’t see a reason to come back.

Went with three others on a Saturday night. Although we were the only patrons, we were not dissuaded. We each tried a different dish – shawarma plates, falafel plate, and falafel sandwich. Raving reviews from all! The food was wonderful. The couple that run the place were super sweet and accommodating! Beautiful murals and paintings line the walls. Only recommendation is turn on some music to add to the ambiance :)

Great, little, hidden gem of a restaurant serving delicious Mediterranean food in the Outer Sunset. Had the falafel plate and baklava, both tasty and delicious, and will definitely be back again. Highly recommended.

So I went here last night… Drove right by it and the only indication it was open was the sign, It was so dark inside I thought they forgot to turn there light off on the open sign.
Once inside the guy working there was super nice… But the food… Left a lot to be desired ordered a falafel plate which has hummus in it and pickels and then a little tomato cucumber salad and of course the falafel balls.
I was a little worried when all I heard him using was the microwave. The falafel balls where meh mediocore at best. The hummus was ok but nothing special the kicker for me was that it did not come with Pita bread… I got home to eat it and opened the tin foil to find a FLOUR TORTILLA???/ Yes that’s right a tortilla.
Overall I would pass on this place and head over to sunrise deli for a real falafel experience.

Came here for lunch today. I’ve walked by many times, and decided I’d try it out.
Food was pretty bland. Everything was heavily seasoned with pepper. I had the chicken schwarma plate. The lady served us «flat bread», which honestly was tortillas cut into pieces.
Food seemed old. Wouldn’t eat here again.

Simply terrible. The good reviews of this place must be from people who have never eaten Mediterranean food before. The use of a microwave on falafel is criminal. If you are craving Mediterranean in the Sunset, go to Sunrise instead (and Sunrise isn’t even that great, but it’s far superior to this gross restaurant).

Freshly made, tasty, whole food near the beach. W/​plenty of options for dairy-​free vegetarians like me.
The prices are affordable. And there’s plenty of space to bring a big bunch of friends.
The hummus is among the best! Olive-​y, garlic-​y and a bit chunky. I brought some to a potluck I attended. A friend had brought hummus, too. We both swore that MC’s was much better. The difference was night and day. My friend’s was store-​bought, not made fresh.
The babaganoush is heavenly. And the variety plate actually fills me up.
I love food transparency, and that’s what I find at Med. Café. I can see the food being prepared, by the owners themselves. (They seem to work 24 – 7). And they answer every question I have about ingredients.
Wish they’d carry at least a few organic ingredients. Or at least non-​GMO. Starting w/​olive oil, since healthy fats are important to me. If more of us ask, maybe they will!
Music’s too loud at times. But the owners are eager to please, so ask them for what you need.
Wish they’d get wifi. I’d stop in more often, so I can work while I eat. :)
I’m getting hungry writing this. I’ll be back there soon!

Fantastic locally owned, family fresh food at super reasonable prices. The plates of kebob are huge and will fill you up with fresh salads and perfectly cooked meats. The hummus is home made with these unique pickle spears. Falafels? Fuggedhaboutit. Great spices, oven cooked and perfect with the hummus. All in all a favorite new Mediterranean spot in the outer sunset. Will be back for more soon.

Don’t be fooled by the shabby appearance of this place. The food is divine! The portions are generous and everything is homemade. It can take a minute to get your food, but that’s because they are cooking it fresh for you. Baklavah is the best I’ve tasted. This seems to be an under-​appreciated gem in our little burb called the outer-​sunset.
I’m not giving it five stars because of the atmosphere. It’s just fine for me, but you wouldn’t want to take a high-​maintenance hot date here or your parents who are already terrified that you are living in the city… and ladies, it’s best just not to use the bathroom. But if you aren’t high-​tone, this is the best food I’ve found in this section of Judah (and it’s never busy)!

This place is awesome. Great place on Judah to eat in for dinner or grab a quick lunch. The owner and his wife were there when I ordered lunch to go and were very accommodating and friendly.
Bottom line: great spot for middle eastern food in the area. Shawarma was delicious.

This hole-​in-​the-​wall restaurant was a pleasant change of scenery from my usual Mediterranean spots. It seemed run-​down yet cozy. The welcoming husband and wife pair lit up the otherwise dark and deserted restaurant on a Sunday night.
My best friend and I shared a $ 3.50 half-​dozen falafel appetizer and a $ 10.00 chicken kebob plate. I was left craving for crunchier falafels in lieu of the spongy ones they presented, but they were well-​seasoned with a subtle kick. They would have tasted better freshly fried.
The chicken kebob plate included an assortment of sides: yogurt cucumber salad, diced cucumber and tomato salad, roasted bell peppers and onions, raisin-​topped Israeli couscous, and hummus. I enjoyed the variety on our plate, though nothing in particular was exceptionally flavorful, including the chicken kebob. The hummus had a slightly grittier texture compared to the smoother consistencies I’m used to, but it tasted fine. It was disappointing they gave very little.
Cash only. They have an ATM inside.
I can tell the owners have a lot of heart from their friendliness and warmth towards customers. I’d love to see them apply more of that heart into their food for an even more satisfying meal experience!

Loved the cute signage and location, so decided to give it a try. I ordered the vegetarian plate with falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, rice, yogurt, etc (see photo) — super delicious, though it could’ve used a little more flavor. But it was genuinely a dish I enjoyed and would go back for. Plus the owner offered to swap out whatever I didn’t like for anything else on the menu. So sweet!
I’m docking a star for cleanliness — I understand it’s a mom-​and-​pop shop, and only the «pop» seemed to be there that day (he rang us up, prepared the food and served us). But there were a few dirty plates and used napkins littering the table that I would’ve preferred not eating around. Other than that, I always feel good about supporting family businesses, and they seem to have a good thing going!