Crave Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Glendale

After a long day, we were excited to try Crave, expecting an authentic Mediterranean meal. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of our expectations.

When we arrived, there was no one managing the door, and a few other guests were also waiting. After asking to be seated, I was directed to a manager who simply told us to wait. A short while later, he mistook us for a DoorDash order, despite having spoken to me minutes before.

Once seated, we noticed the plates and utensils were dirty, with what appeared to be hummus residue on them. After requesting clean replacements, the second set had the same issue—it seemed like they were quickly wiped down in a rush.

As for the food, I ordered the beef kabob (tenderloin pieces) but was not asked how I wanted it cooked. Our table also ordered falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, and a chicken sandwich. The falafel was especially disappointing—clearly undercooked, frozen or raw in the middle. Even after sending it back, the replacement was no better. We ended up taking it home and cooking it ourselves for five more minutes to make it edible. The beef was just okay, though one piece was chewy, and certainly not worth $30.

The tabbouleh was neither fresh nor authentic. It tasted bland, and the dressing appeared to have been carelessly tossed in, pooling at the bottom of the bowl. Overall, the salad lacked the crisp, vibrant flavors that one would expect from a Mediterranean dish.

When we mentioned the undercooked falafel to the management, they dismissed our concerns, claiming that it was how customers preferred it and that they were too busy to prepare it differently. Rather than offer a solution, we were met with excuses.

Given the pricing, this level of quality and service is unacceptable. For both taste and health, I cannot recommend Crave.

Edit: The restaurant responded, and their tone speaks for itself. Instead of addressing the core concerns about unclean dishes, undercooked food, and poor service, their response is filled with accusations and defensiveness.

I’ve been to countless restaurants and left over 800 reviews, and this experience stands out for all the wrong reasons. We gave them an opportunity to correct the issues we experienced, but their focus on accusations rather than the actual problems says a lot about how they handle feedback.

As you read this review and their response, focus on the facts: do the falafel in the picture look properly cooked, or do they appear unthawed from frozen? The image...

This restaurant serves up some of the best simple Greek dishes around, but don’t expect fast or consistent service because it just doesn’t exist at this location. Busy place at lunch, after the Greek Fest was an absolute bomb (overpriced fare and you’d have to wait 2hrs for it). Can not beat the shawarma or the gyro lunch at this Crave, sides are extra. All the appetizers are great too and the menu is relatively small and simple so the cooks have all the items down and all are good, if you receive them. When our party of four arrived it was still pretty slow for lunch and we sat after a few minutes. Took way longer to get water, took even longer to order - a lot of to-go orders seemed to have precedence over dine-in guests. We didn’t receive one item and one item was wrong but since we couldn’t get our waiters attention for ten minutes we just moved on. Not once were we offered drinks besides water and those waters sat empty for the entirety of the meal. This place lacks hospitality completely, and seemingly anyone (including ownership) who pays attention to such things. Bad look all around. Service matters as much as the food, but severely lacking today. As the place got much busier we waited well after our meal for a check and dessert was never offered. Since one paid the check and another tipped the waiter received a 30% tip even though he was lousy across the board. Maybe take-out is the way to go here. Prices are good too. Try the Ka-bab platter with pita, awesome for a group! 3.5 stars...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Crave for the first time, and I’m already hooked! The staff, especially Renée, was incredibly efficient, attentive, and detail-oriented, making the experience truly exceptional. The owners deserve a huge congratulations for their consistent hard work and dedication to quality, which is evident in every aspect of the restaurant.

The combo for two is truly impressive; I couldn't believe how much food you get for such a great price. The lamb kabobs were tender and bursting with flavor, and the chicken kebobs were juicy and perfectly seasoned. The Kafta kebobs and the gyro were equally delightful. Everything came with saffron basmati rice, fresh salads, and the most amazing hummus we've ever had. The freshly baked pita bread was simply bomb.

Our waitress suggested adding lamb chops to our combo, and I must say, they were beyond tasteful. The homey and vibrant atmosphere was welcoming and it was quite busy for a Tuesday night, which speaks volumes about the restaurant’s popularity.

We ended our meal with the cheese kenafe for dessert. It was our first time trying it, and it tasted like a delightful Middle Eastern take on cheesecake—absolutely delicious.

A big thank you to the owners for their dedication to quality and consistency. It's easy to see why this place is always bustling. I can’t wait to come...