Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering — Restaurant in Chapel Hill

Mediterranean Deli is exactly what it says it is, but it is so much more than that. Glass cases house an impressive selection of salads, sides, and apps (including five different kinds of hummus), yet that is barely scratching the surface. Other glass cases store bars, baklava, and cakes, including several gluten free options. There are also paninis, platters (shawerma, souvlaki, gyro, etc.), and fatayers (boat shaped Middle-Eastern pizzas), as well as rotating specials. The sheer abundance of options can be intimidating and make decisions difficult, but that is about the worst that can be said for this place.

Once we got past the “everything looks good” phase, my wife and I decided on a lamb and beef gyro and a four-side sampler. Portions were rather generous: the gyro came wrapped in a large, thin pita, and the sampler definitely could work as a meal unto itself. Add to that the complimentary condiment bar (olives, tahini, tabouli, tzatziki, and more), and you will not be left hungry here. Of course, it also helps that everything was delicious. The gyro meat was seasoned well, the harissa hummus add a nice bit of spice without overpowering the palate, the curry apple orzo did the same for sweetness, the sautéed cauliflower would make a convert of even the most stridently anti-vegetable child, and the Israeli couscous simply defies description. Admittedly, the desserts here aren’t quite on the same level, but pistachio nammora and cheesecake bars were still plenty tasty.

Given the quality, quantity, and location, one would expect Mediterranean Deli’s prices to run high, but this was not the case. The gyro was $7 and the four-side sampler was $9.75. Depending on your selections, you can walk away here full and happy for under $10 per person. Counter staff were adept at keeping lines moving, wait times for food left no complaints, and there was plenty of seating.

It would be somewhat maniacal to try to sample everything Mediterranean Deli has to offer, yet chances are you’ll at least feel that temptation. With an enormous selection of tasty food at its disposal, this is a place that will keep you...

I wish I could give this place 0 star. We catered food from them for my daughter's rehearsal dinner on May 26th for 65 people. I really don't know where to start writing this review. The scheduled delivery time that we talked to them was 6pm and the food was delivered and set up at 5 in our absence. (we were told so by the venue owner). When we arrived at the venue some of the food items that we ordered like falafel, jerk chicken and tofu was getting overcooked and drying and by the time it was served to the guests these items were not even worth eating. Upon our arrival we were shocked to see the amount of desserts and Spanakopita that were brought. It was barely not enough to serve 40 people. Some of the adult family members who arrived with us unanimously agreed on that. We panicked to see such less quantity. We had ordered baklava and lemon bars and when we placed the order we were told that each guest will get one of each. When later after the event I called to complain I was told that the quantity was one and a half piece per guest. DOES THAT MEAN WE SHOULD HAVE PUT A SIGN TELLING THE GUESTS TAKE ONE AND BREAK THE OTHER IN HALF AND ONLY TAKE ONE HALF. How ridiculous!!! One of the guest on our dinner table pulled out a hair that went in her mouth from falafel. It was the most embarrassing moments of my life. Future customers Beware of their business tactics. At the time of food tasting they show generosity in order to lure you into signing the contract but when the catered food arrives it is a whole different story. A lifelong...

UPDATE FEB, 2019: Gone way way WAY downhill in the last year. They've expanded to a 2nd store, plus they have a massive presence on UNC's campus for which they turn out hundreds if not thousands of items daily, and they are now overextended. The quality of food and the service are both headed downhill RAPIDLY. The "help" at the store is barely old enough to work, and they are quite incompetent, but because they have too much going on, they're forced to hire cheap labor. They don't know the items on their own menu, and they get confused at words like 'gyro' and 'on the side'. The items are put together, well, pretty much like a 16 year old would, which is a shame because the people who used to make this food cared about it. Also, the counter staff are at best mostly unfriendly and at worst, rude as hell, especially when you point out something is wrong, such as lack of Tzadziki sauce. ("I don't know what to tell you" is what she said. I have an idea - how about you apologize and fix the problem?) Also, you probably didn't notice but they are now putting artificial ingredients in their food - the prepackaged items at UNC contain MSG, disodium phosphate, modified food starch, and other things I know are not food and have not previously been in Med Deli food. All in all, it is a stunning disappointment to see this place fall from grace only months after expanding, and I predict problems for them if they don't sort out their own affairs. My long-time customer status is...