Zorba's Greek Cafe — Restaurant in Chandler

My wife and I just ate here for the second time this past Saturday, 20Apr2024. We'd eaten here previously about four years ago. The atmosphere was nice and simple / casual, being neither 4-star nor diner-style.

Our appetizers were excellent, we ordered the Calamari (which was cooked perfectly) and the Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves, the best we've ever had short of in Greece on our honeymoon). At this point, my wife, being very hungry, declared that Zorba's was her new favorite restaurant. But then our dinner entrees came.

My wife and I both ordered the Moussaka, which I personally regard as Greek Lasagna. I had first eaten Moussaka over 30 years ago during my wife's and my three-week honeymoon in Greece, during our 10-day Peloponnesian tour, during which we'd made a lunch stop at a restaurant in Sparta (whose Moussaka was fantastic). I love authentic Moussaka. I'd ordered it at Zorba's during our first visit here four years ago - it was good then, but missing a key flavor that the Moussaka in Sparta had, nutmeg. I mentioned this to our server this past weekend, and she looked at me with bewilderment, she then left to inquire about nutmeg with the cook. When she returned, she said they never heard of using nutmeg in Moussaka(???). We should have quit then.

A very short while later, the cook served us our entrees. He virtually dropped the plates on the end of our table, warning us that they were "very very hot." I carefully touched the broad rim of my plate, which to me only felt warm, certainly no where near hot enough to warrant dropping the dish on our table. The base of the dish was very hot, however.

Unlike our prior visit four years ago, this time their Moussaka was served in a shallow oblong boat sitting on top of the plate, not as a self-standing square or rectangular slab of Greek delightfulness. It came with lemon rice and a small assortment of mixed vegetables (four baby carrots, one cubed slice of zucchini, half of a red potato). Unlike during our first visit, the lemon rice this time was not lemony at all, but rather flavor-less yellow rice. The small shallow piece of "Moussaka" was very hot and extremely salty. It appeared to have no eggplant (a major ingredient). It did have a little ground meat and a few small pieces of sliced potato. There was a very shallow / thin top layer of what was supposed to be creamy béchamel sauce. I picked apart my entree, searching for the (missing) eggplant, but didn't find any. My wife's "Moussaka" was equally disappointing. We informed our server. She informed the cook.

The cook returned to our table, and attempted to assure us in very broken English that there was indeed eggplant in our "Moussaka." He explained that his daughter had prepared it, and she had ground up the chopped meat with the eggplant, rather than layering the eggplant. He literally swore to God the eggplant was in there, and he also offered to bring us more eggplant from the kitchen. I guess for us to layer it in ourselves...

In short, in addition to being very modestly-sized pieces, our "Moussaka" was not at all good. I ate barely a third of mine, my wife ate even less of hers. Inexplicably, my wife then ordered a slice of Cheesecake for dessert - it was a rather small slice, and not particularly good, either, IMHO.

During our meal, our server made a point to complain extensively to us about a departing patron couple, one of whom was angry about the surprisingly (to him) expensive dinner bill. Absolutely inappropriate on our server's part.

My wife and I should have sent our two $20 entrees back and asked for them to be deducted off of our bill, but rather foolishly, we did not. We took our bad entrees to go, paid our bill (which included a 4% service charge for paying with anything other than cash), and left. Then we threw out our terrible "Moussaka." We won't be dining at Zorba's Greek Cafe in Chandler again.

Two out of five stars due to wonderful appetizers. Not...

A nice place for a meal. I don't always have a chance for Greek food, but figured...sure why not. I decided to eat at this location in the mid afternoon. No lines, no other customers inside. So either assuming I made a risky choice or just not there peak time, I went for it as their rating would encourage me. The waitress - sweet kid. was a bit distracted. atire was better for a gym not a restaurant, c'est la vie. Not that I don't trust her memory, but a pad and pencil would just reassure my order wouldn't be at risk. Though all in all, she did a decent job considering, when she could be found, and when she wasn't busy chatting with the cook.

Now onto food - me and my wife obviously have different tastes I kept it simple with a Gyro (lamb & beef) with a side of fries and a drink. While my wife had a chicken Shawarma with some Greek fries and a tea. With a large piece of baclava for dessert. So first things first, the portion size was perfect for a man my size, giant. I was not expecting a large gyro and I definitely had a meal on my hands. That was great to see. The flavor was great, the meat didn't taste overly greasy and with the mix of cucumber, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki blend was perfect. The pita was soft and didn't taste dry at all, holds up nicely with the filling. The chicken Shawarma was flavorful and filling as well. The fries tasted crispy and fresh. It was a very good meal and then came the baclava. Now it was good, but for the price as compared to the food, the serving was a let down as well as knowing they make a good meal but serve a premade store bought desert that was almost smaller than an after dinner mint. Disappointing end, though still good, kinda wish they would make their own and give a generous serving.

All in all though I will definitely be back to eat here again, and hopefully get out quicker without having to struggle to find my waitress at the end to pay my bill. Maybe next time I'll try eating in...

Zorba's is the best Mediterranean restaurant in Arizona. We travel all the way from San Tan Valley to eat here and we visit frequently. The food is absolutely superb. Their tzatziki has amazing flavor, the lamb is cooked delightfully, and isn't your typical slices from a pre-made block. This is very authentic and well seasoned Greek food. The fettuccine alfredo is one of the best you will find, the cheese is of remarkable quality and does not separate from the oil in the sauce. Their salads are always fresh, crisp and perfectly balanced. The owner is a hard working man that waits on the tables himself and takes great pride and care in his restaurant. They have an impeccable history of A ratings from the health department all posted up in the window for their customers to see. The atmosphere is perfect for business meetings, or important conversations because it is never overly loud, or too warm inside to get comfortable. I often arrange meetings with my clients and vendors at Zorba's because of the comfortable and private setting. So many places nowadays are full of waiters, and waitresses in a hurry, glasses clanging, plates breaking, babies crying, and chairs scooting across the floor. The environment at Zorba's is much more mild and relaxed, while remaining upscale and professional.

Do not be discouraged by the less-than-desirable reviews here on Yelp, Zorba's is an amazing place to eat. Yes the service can be delayed at times, the owner is managing, cleaning, serving, making drinks behind the bar, and keeping up with inventory and all of the other responsibilities that come along with owning a restaurant of this caliber. I for one am always very impressed that he is not an absentee owner, but to the contrary greets every one of his guests personally.

I could not recommend the food and the...