mezeh — Restaurant in Charlottesville

1- Love this restaurant. It’s a go to, normally. 2- Ordered, then put my credit card info in. Asked for grab and go and the site made me reorder and re- enter my credit card info. Missed adding the cranberries and pita crispy things the second time around. 3- No information at all about how grab and go works. When I arrived, no information posted about grab and go. Tried standing by the register to ask, but was ignored and the man helped other coming down the line. 4- Got in line. When the young woman got to me she would not respond when I repeatedly explained I’d ordered a grab and go. 5- Stood in line and when the next person on the line got to me he completely ignored me. I tried getting his attention and he grabbed a dish, I assumed was an internet or phone order, and began adding toppings. When he went for the next one I pretty much yelled to get his attention, “Are you going to help me? I’ve been waiting and asking you for help.” He finally does give me a container of the vinaigrette I asked for. There had not been an option when ordering for it. 6- I get to the register and offer to pay for the vinaigrette and he says I do not need to pay. So that was nice. However, then I ask for my food explaining I ordered a grab and go. He points to a rack. It took a moment or two. Had to ask if that’s what grab and go meant. Then I repeatedly shared there was nothing at all explaining what that is. He was completely unaffected. 7- Got to my hotel to eat. Open the 2nd protein of chicken- as you can see in the photo attached- and it was falafel (also in an attached photo). 8- Unfortunately, an all in all negative experience aside from the free side of vinaigrette. And that just cannot makeup for the rest. Maybe Cava next time.

Addition to original comments… 9- I forgot to mention that I Only received maybe two teaspoon of the hummus I ordered. There is usually a good deal more. Maybe 2 tablespoons or more. 10- Looking at the photos on other reviews, I was correct when I opened my food and felt the portions were much smaller than usual. The bowl was only a small bit past half full.

-Definitely an off night for Mezeh. It has been my favorite Mediterranean in Charlottesville. Will give it a break for now and...

For a chain, this food was really good! Even for a non-chain place, I'd be impressed. Mezeh is essentially the Chipotle for Mediterranean food. There are so many toppings to choose from. I decided on the bulgur with vegetable base, couscous topping, crunchy chickpeas, caramelized eggplant, tahini sauce, chickpea salad, shredded lamb, crumbled feta, Turkish yogurt dip, and chicken shawarma.

The bowl was super tasty, and not that expensive given the more than adequate portion and extremely high quality ingredients. You can taste and even see the freshness. The staff was super efficient as well, and the inside of the restaurant is quite nice.

The shredded lamb was the perfect texture and was extremely flavorful. I enjoyed the chicken shawarma as well (they also had a spicy variety). The Turkish yogurt dip was refreshing and didn't have an overpowering cucumber flavor. The eggplant was a bit sweet and almost creamy; definitely delicious. Chickpea salad was super fresh, and the crunchy chickpeas were also a great textural addition. Even the base had some carrots and raisins in it that contributed to the flavor. They even give you free pita with a bowl, and it was fluffy and perfect.

All in all, this is a great place to get lunch or dinner if you want some Mediterranean food. There are so many options to choose from, and the prices are quite reasonable. Everything is fresh...

Chipotle better watch out because this restaurant is a serious competitor. My wife and I frequently travel for appointments, providing us with the opportunity to try out various dining establishments. On one such occasion, we stumbled across a hidden gem offering either noodles or Mediterranean cuisine. Initially, I had a misconception that Mediterranean food tends to be dry, but this place shattered that belief. From the moment we walked through the door, the pleasant atmosphere and mouthwatering aromas enveloped us. Though I was a bit indecisive due to my lack of familiarity with the menu, I ultimately opted for a bowl instead of trying the wrap or pita. It was difficult to resist the temptation of an array of delectable options, so I didn't mind paying a little extra to try multiple dishes. The flavors were absolutely outstanding. My wife and I ended up swapping plates multiple times because each dish was unique and equally delicious. It's unfortunate that this restaurant is located far from our home, otherwise, we would become regular patrons. The quality of the food and the overall dining experience surpasses expectations, making it a must-visit establishment. As a tip, I highly recommend ordering extra sauces to enhance the already...