Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh — Restaurant in Ankeny

AVOID! AVOID! AVOID! AVOID! AVOID! I never write reviews (good or bad) but I couldn't let this one go. Simply Greek was SO much better, we used to go there often. And we live on the south side of Ankeny, so it's really not that convenient for us. Ordered 3 salads online for pick-up tonight. When I arrived I was told to choose another protein for one salad (because shrimp is no longer available... Then why is it an option on your website?). Waited another 5-10 minutes, then left with my order. Once home we unpacked the food and discovered that one salad had NO GYRO MEAT, none at all! And another salad had gyro, but was missing several toppings that we ordered on it (tomato, onion and olives)! What's a gyro salad without gyro meat or common gyro toppings?! It's just a $15 bowl of lettuce... Times 2! Actually, because of the shrimp situation, we had issues with all 3 of the salads that we ordered! I called them to see what could be done to fix the situation. I explained the issues and told her that I was also the lady with the shrimp issue earlier. I was offered a refund through door dash or a coupon mailed to me for another time. For that price, and considering how badly they screwed up my order, the "manager" should have hopped in her car and brought me 2 new, correct salads (Like we ordered) ASAP! Instead, I laughed and told her she could send me a coupon, but we won't be coming back...

This is difficult to give 2 stars but I have to. The food is good…and really it’s the only Mediterranean place in this area. I’ve eaten here multiple times in the last 3 years and I should have known better than to go back, but I love Mediterranean food. I’ve noticed subtle changes throughout the last year such as, smaller scoops/portions, up charges on basic ingredients like feta cheese, and overall increase in the base prices as a whole. A bowl starts out at $13…that’s a pretty steep price but okay. Let’s fill up this bowl…no. They give the SMALLEST portions and you have to constantly ask for more scoops…which they do for some things but other things cost more. Want steak? That’s an additional $2 and you only get about a tablespoon or 1/4 of a cup. This applies to all the meats…1/4 cup! No joke. I laughed when they scooped out the smallest amount!! A steak bowl was now up to $15. INSANE! Our bowls were not even full (see pictures).

I get it—“then don’t eat there if it’s too much.” That’s not the point! Why is it so dang expensive for what is basically a take-out place!?!?!? Why not give people what they are paying for!? I feel scammed. I DO NOT recommend this place if you’re hungry, want a decent portion for an adult, or want to feel like you’re paying for. Spend your money somewhere else and get a full meal and walk out feeling like that was...

Update! Today I decided to try Garbanzo to see if it was just a renamed Simple Greek, and it isn't! It's delicious. Back to soft pita and fresh ingredients! The fries are tasty and crisp (though they have a weird hint of cinnamon). Overall, it's very good, and I'm very happy!

We have enjoyed Simple Greek since its arrival in Ankeny. Yesterday we went for the first time in a couple of months, and it was not good at all. There has been a change -- not sure what it is -- but the result is a much less quality product. The pitas are now hard and taste store-bought. The vegetables are cut into tiny pieces. The French fries are loaded with oregano. None of it was good. And the prices have gone up. I'm so sad. This had been one of our go-to neighborhood restaurants, but now we won't...