Olive U Mediterranean Grill Uptown — Restaurant in Florida

I’m going to write a book here but its very well deserved. This was our 6th visit to this location. Decided to bring our young kids with us this time who were in the, “I don’t want this, I don’t want that” kind of mood. The place was clean and pristine as always. The staff is happy, friendly and courteous as always. The food is always fresh and consistent. The meat is always cooked to order. The prices are more than fair. The portions are filling. They don’t chintz out on the food. The food is healthy. (great when your too tired to cook, you don’t mind going out to eat because you have a healthy option). Bonus… The food is customizable the way you want it. I asked for the hummus to be spread directly on the pita instead of on top of my sandwich. The staff member seemed to understand why without necessary explanation. The staff is very attentive to the customers. Would you like a lid? A bag to go? Do you want this on the side, Etc. Not only is the food always fantastic but the staff is absolutely amazing. They do a great job and there is always a positive and upbeat energy in there. The team members were also very patient with my children who kept changing their order. They wanted lettuce, then no lettuce, then lettuce on the side. They changed it happily. It didn’t seem to bother them at all. They were very friendly and understanding the whole time even though I was ready to lose my cool. Nor did they let it hold up the line for anyone else. Another team member quickly jumped in to help the people that were behind us immediately without having to be asked. After everything settled down and crowd was gone we saw a young man cleaning the windows, tables etc. We invited him to a quick conversation as the crowd was gone to ask him a few questions about the restaurant. His name was Michael, and turns out he is the manger. I was amazed that the manger was cleaning tables. He didn’t mind at all. He was such a positive, interesting and enthusiastic young man and so pleasant. Micheal and David do an amazing job at running this place. We have had 5 star treatment very time. The owner should be so proud to have such an amazing crew. I own several business and I can tell you Michael and David are really a dime a dozen. Bravo to these wonderful, positive and fantastic young men doing an amazing job! It was a pleasure speaking to Michael. What an amazing and...

If you're a fan of reheated food, this place might just be your culinary haven. The offerings are often presented with that nostalgic, slightly soggy vibe that comes with items made in advance and then reheated for your convenience. Whether it’s the chicken, the falafel, or the rice dishes, you’ll find the comfort of flavors that have mellowed and merged through the magic of time and heat. For those who love the taste of leftovers, you’re in for a treat!

However, I do have a notable gripe – the falafel. Unfortunately, the falafel balls here fall short of the mark due to their unfortunate reincarnation in the fryer. These little chickpea or fava bean delights should never see a second dip in the oil. Refrying them results in a tough, overly greasy exterior that masks the delicately spiced, fluffy interior. The proper way to make falafel is to fry them just once, to achieve that perfect crispy outside and tender, airy inside.

Authentic falafel should be made fresh from a mixture of soaked (not fried twice) chickpeas, herbs, spices, and a touch of onion and garlic. After forming the mixture into small balls or patties, they should be fried until golden and crisp, but only once, allowing the inside to remain moist and flavorful without the excess oil that comes from reheating. So while the reheated dishes might hit the spot for those nostalgic for leftovers, the falafel definitely deserves more attention to detail, and should never be reheated or refried.

If you're on the hunt for perfect falafel, you might need to look elsewhere, but if you're all about that reheated, comfort food lifestyle, this place...

I was very disappointed with their lack of managing cross-contamination around food items they say are gluten-free. I wrote chain management as soon as I came home (over 2 weeks ago) and have yet to hear. That said, the restaurant itself is very pleasant... clean and staff is friendly but not overbearing. The food items on the line looked fresh and appealing. Prices are reasonable.

Per the owners reply to my review: I watched them put the tofu on the griddle where the pita had been. They put the tofu right in the same spot where the pita had just been warming. The same problem, just so you are aware, will happen on the meat side of your griddle because I know this that one of your meat items are not gluten free. You might consider changing your protocol to use the second griddle to cook the gluten-free meat on one side of it, and the tofu on the other side of it. The meat that is not gluten free could be heated on the griddle with the tofu. You could also consider heating the tofu in a pan that is kept on a portion of the griddle, and only using that pan for tofu. The staff would just need to know to be sure to use a dedicated tofu spatula to avoid cross contamination from the pita.

Sadly, as someone who has celiac disease, I will not be able to return to your restaurants unless...