Allendale Mediterranean Grill & Cafe — Restaurant in Allendale

I can't count how many times my chum and I looked around this restaurant in total confusion. Allendale Corner looks like a diner that decided within the last week that it wanted to be something else. They have the luncheonette counter and stool setup that you associate with coffee, eggs, bacon and other standard American diner breakfast staples, but there's a makeshift banner outside proclaiming it's a Mediterranean restaurant, and the menu is heavily influenced that way as well (the aforementioned breakfast staples are there, but I'd say more as a supporting character). Also hinting at an odd transition - there was a collection of four or five hookahs just hanging out on the side of the counter. Were they there as part of a random decorating scheme? Did the restaurant intend to circulate them amongst the customers later in the day? Unclear.

We stopped by for brunch on a nippy Saturday morning. True to its name, it's right on the corner of a quiet small town roundabout that I assume is much busier during the week, especially since it's a block away from the train station. They don't have a foyer or partition to separate the customers from the door outside, so it was still a little chilly at our table, despite being seated well into the restaurant - we kept our coats on throughout the meal.

I ordered the Deluxe Allendale Platter, which was comprised of two eggs (scrambled), white toast, home fries and turkey sausage. It was just okay; the sausage and eggs were average and the toast in my opinion was overdone and a little tough to bite into. They also didn't come with butter, and we had to hail down the waitress to get some onto our table. The real star though was the home fries, very nicely seasoned with a Cajon flavoring. Definitely the best item I had here. My chum had a cheesesteak wrap (also fine), with a side of fries that looked perfectly crispy. She was a fan of the fries, so apparently this place's wheelhouse is the almighty potato.

The service was okay (seeing a theme?). Our waitress was pretty solid and prompt in terms of obtaining our orders and stopping by to check on us, but it took a little longer than it should have for the food to arrive. Nothing we ordered was insanely complex, but I'd say it took about 35 minutes for the entrees to arrive. Not a big deal, but if you're coming here on a schedule, I'd take that under advisement. From my vantagepoint, it looked like the restaurant may have gotten quasi-slammed with takeout orders that would explain that, but I think a more experienced waitress would have apologized for and explained the wait and/or tried to expedite the orders with the kitchen. I got the impression that this was very much a family operation, with the waitress possibly the teenage daughter of the owner/guy in the kitchen, so the dynamic may have made that awkward. She was very nice though, and I certainly didn't think any of that was a dealbreaker.

The bathroom could definitely use some spiffing up - you shouldn't notice cleaning supplies before you notice any of the decorating schemes in there. Also as an aside, there's a weird sign on the inside of the door that I think was an awkward attempt at humor - one of those disclaimers not to flush the unflushable, but ended with a phrase like, "if you didn't eat it, it shouldn't be in the toilet bowl." Ew.

Neither of us tried the Mediterranean food, so it's entirely possible that we missed out on their biggest selling point. Even having not eaten it, I'd recommend trying that before the American diner food - there are a lot of places in the vicinities that have better options in...

Firstly, the food. I got a wrap and it was really mid, there was nothing too special about it and honestly just tasted like some chicken with some sauce in a tortilla wrap, however it cost me $15. However, the thing that really sets this wrap apart from typical wraps is that this one gave me food poisoning. My father got the moussaka which came without meat or potatoes, so it was essentially just a goofy eggplant salsa that cost $20. I don’t understand why all of this food was so expensive when I could go home and make the same thing for a tenth of the price and it would taste ten times better.

Secondly, the service. We were the only ones in this whole restaurant and it just felt like we were getting stared at the whole time by the waiters and kitchen staff. However, our server in the floral top and bejeweled headband was quite nice and sweet.

Thirdly, the atmosphere. The restaurant was so dark. It was clean but I wish that someone had turned on a light or something. Also I just didn’t like the ambiance. There was the bar from the old diner there but nobody was using it.

Final review: I actually used to love this place. The food used to be really good but still not a crazy price, however things have clearly gotten out of control. Maybe I’m just being hyper critical because I miss the old diner that used to be here, but I even miss the older rendition of the...

Last time (a year or so ago) the Mediterranean food wasn’t great. Stopped by for another try tonight.

MASSIVE TURN AROUND!

Ordered at the counter for take out. Falafel app, chicken shawarma wrap, Greek salad with chicken. Ended up talking with the staff while waiting (not long). “Shishi” was surprised that I live in town and that I haven’t tried HER food. Apparently, they bought the place nine months ago and didn’t change the name. Wish I knew that!!! She has a real passion for food. Explained the homemade sauces with pride. She generously gave me a taste of hummus and babaganouj to try at home.

Food was very solid. We usually drive to Ridgewood or Glen Rock for fast casual middle eastern / Greek. Now, we have a favorite right in town. Apps were very fresh. Falafel was really good. Hummus was creamy with good thickness. Babaganouj was tasty. Both had pretty and tasty garnish on top. Nice touch. Shawarma wrap was fine, bit exceptional. The fries aren’t really my favorite but were adequate. Hot sauce was great. Also tried garlic sauce and tahini. Nice garlicky flavors.

Decor is bright and sterile. Could do a bit more. But, food and staff superseded my expectations by a lot. Definitely eating here again soon. Might make the...