Garlic 'n Lemons
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This unassuming place on the busiest street in Allston is easy to be overlooked. However, if you are curious enough to prove how this mediocre-looking shop survived and thrived in the pandemic, enter through their glass vestibule and you’ll realize there’s nothing mediocre here. This Mediterranean place is friendly, down to earth, and generous in serving portions. The owner Mardig greets every guest personally and walks them through the line patiently. The amount he scoops and packs into the bowl/plate usually takes me two meals to finish. Yet when you pay at the cashier, you’ll discover with amazement that almost 2-pound bowl only costs $15 including tax. Places like Garlic ‘n Lemons in the post-pandemic Allston is a rare find. Allston, for anyone who knows it, is a neighborhood crowded with crazy rich kids unconcerned about money who inadvertently helped foster a flock of overpriced restaurants. Yet this Mediterranean restaurant can hold its integrity, continues to serve fresh, big-portioned food and charges only a very reasonable price. This place is a noble contrarian to the hedonistic environment it’s located in. I applaud Mardig for maintaining his principles as a business owner and encourage anyone who ever stops by Allston to give his place a try. (The pictures don’t serve this place justice, probably because their food is made to please the stomach, not the cameras.)
Zhixing FeiZhixing Fei
00
Real foodie here. I’m going to be 100% honest. FOOD IS WACK, BLAND, LACKING FLAVOR. The college kids and tourists might like it… but real authentic mediterrean food doesn't taste like this. I regularly eat gyros and pita wraps/rollups. Heard so many good reviews from people that I need to try this spot. It’s cheap, only $13 for the spicy chicken shawarma wrap… very disappointing. No flavor/seasoning at all. The chicken just tastes grilled and the only flavors you get are from the sauces and whatever else you add on to it. I personally added the garlic sauce and tahini, still very bland. You don’t get that authentic taste and flavor of shawarma. Once again, I guess it appeals to the college kids in the area or something but I personally cannot buy from here again. If I do, maybe I’ll try the beef and see if it’s any better. The staff are nice & kind, but that doesn’t make up for what I just had to eat. Service is good, food is wack. Honest opinion from a foodie!
Allen FAllen F
00
Decent option for Mediterranean fast food in Allston. Took a couple of visits while looking for a quick meal in the area. The restaurant was mostly empty during my visits, so it was somewhat disappointing to find out that they used pre-carved meats for the Shawarma plate. The kebab plate was served with a made-to-order grilled chicken, so it seemed like the vertical spits, adorned with stacks of beef and chicken, were just there as decorations. While limited in numbers, their sides and salad options were great, but the meats were generally on the drier end. In terms of pricing, Garlic N Lemons positions itself at the higher end compared to other kebab joints in the city, such as Aceituna. However, the quality of the food, particularly the meats, doesn't notably surpass its competitors. While it may be a solid option in Allston, I’m not sure if I would return.
Jea KimJea Kim
00
A solid choice for fast mediterranean food in Allston! Food: The food was really good - we tried one plate and one wrap. The tastes were there, the veggies tasted fresh and the sauces/dips were really tasty as well (especially the spicy garlic one). My personal preference was spicy beef, as the chicken was not as great, but that might just be a question of preference. Still, although the meat was precut and loaded to plates from the tray (a little disappointment), it still tasted pretty good. Service: Communication was a little messy, since the place was almost empty, but it was fast. Ambiance: It's nothing special. Everytime I pass it by it's half empty, so I assume many people order take out. It's definitely not a place for a date, but for what it is - it's great!
Marek MichalakMarek Michalak
00
Friendly staff, clean and pretty fresh ingredients. Bathroom was also clean. Typical options of a Mediterranean restaurant, but I wish I could get a better sense of what I'm getting from the menu and the final dish will look like cuz there were no pictures. They serve you on a plate with food piled on top of rice/base or in a bowl for a bowl if you are dining in. Ordered Original Beef Shawrma and Protein Bowl with falafel. The amount of food was good, enough for 3 people from the 2 dish, and I loved how it was not greasy or salty. Pretty healthy. Atmosphere-wise maybe it was the particular time of the day but I found the store rather empty. I was roomy though and I could enjoy the conversation with my party even with the background music. Overall decent place.
Chan Mi LeeChan Mi Lee
00
I had heard nothing but great things about this place so I had to try. It lived up to the hype! Firstly it's a nice and clean little place with some very friendly and helpful staff. The prices are reasonable for the portions and there is a nice variety of meats, sides, and salads. The food was to die for! I had both chicken and beef shawarma with a both of the sauces and from the first bite to the last it was juicy and flavorful. I also tried the lamb kabob which was tender and nicely seasoned. The grape leaves and falafel were also well seasoned and fresh. No complaints whatsoever and I am definitely going back next chance I get!
NilsNils
00
Nearby Attractions Of Garlic 'n Lemons
Tutuland Boston
Hong Kong Supermarket
Brighton Music Hall
T.J. Maxx
Michael's Moving & Storage
The Farrington Inn
Easy Fix LLC
Bazaar on Cambridge
Allston Car Wash
MG Hair Artistic Salon - Boston
Tutuland Boston
5.0
(646)Click for details
Hong Kong Supermarket
4.0
(795)Click for details
Brighton Music Hall
4.5
(731)Click for details
T.J. Maxx
4.3
(670)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Garlic 'n Lemons
Shabu-Zen
Bonchon Allston
Lulu's Allston
Mirchi Nation-Indian Kitchen
Habibi's Lounge
Hopewell Bar & Kitchen
Cafe Weekend
Turkish Lazuri Cafe
Kaju Korean Cuisine — Allston
Kupel's Bakery
Shabu-Zen
4.5
(750)Click for details
Bonchon Allston
4.3
(744)Click for details
Lulu's Allston
4.4
(680)Click for details
Mirchi Nation-Indian Kitchen
4.6
(560)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
133 Harvard Ave, Boston, MA 02134
Map
Phone
(617) 783-8100
Call
Website
garliclemons.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.4
(577 reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Small, bare-bones Middle Eastern counter serve featuring shawarma & falafel wraps & plates.
attractions: Tutuland Boston, Hong Kong Supermarket, Brighton Music Hall, T.J. Maxx, Michael's Moving & Storage, The Farrington Inn, Easy Fix LLC, Bazaar on Cambridge, Allston Car Wash, MG Hair Artistic Salon - Boston, restaurants: Shabu-Zen, Bonchon Allston, Lulu's Allston, Mirchi Nation-Indian Kitchen, Habibi's Lounge, Hopewell Bar & Kitchen, Cafe Weekend, Turkish Lazuri Cafe, Kaju Korean Cuisine — Allston, Kupel's Bakery
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