The Fresh Green Olive HB — Restaurant in Huntington Beach

I’m going to help you out here because I’ve tried everything on the menu over the last several months. I know taste is subjective but this place is horrible in some ways because there are a few dishes that aren’t seasoned with middle eastern spices which you’d expect (they may have salt but really that’s it and it’s so frustrating). Essentially you’re paying quite a bit for bland, tasteless food. The three worst foods here (because they lack any middle eastern seasoning) are the veggie skewer and roasted chicken. No seasoning, besides maybe salt, on either of these is wrong and confusing.

On the other hand, they have great customer service although they do mess up orders quite a bit. There have been times I’ve asked for a side and gotten an entire plate which is a lot more expensive (about $10 more) and that is aggravating. I don’t like having to pay so more than I planned to and also having so. much. food. that I’m grossed out. They should tell you the total when you order si you can avoid overspending. It’s not a good look and you can never be sure if they’re purposely charging for an entire combo when you wanted a single item to squeeze more money out of you than r if it’s an honest mistake. And, just as an aside, they charge $1 for small substitutions which is pretty steep.

Another good thing is they have generous portion sizes and I’d say their best items are all the sauces (garlic, tzatziki, green sauce, tahini), gyro (but it tastes very similar to Trader Joe’s version if you want to save money), rice (which is rich and fluffy), tabouli, baba ghanoush, baklava and salad (love the freshness and dressing). Some food, especially the gyro, can be a touch greasy. The dolmas is a good size and has a decent flavor. The falafel is pretty good and has a unique color and flavor.. I’m not sure what the dominant spice is but it’s warm and similar to clove, nutmeg and cinnamon so if you don’t like those flavors it’s very strongly spiced. The most popular dish, the creamy chicken, was average and I suspect is just a mixture of the green sauce and possibly the garlic sauce and/or their white salad dressing. I DO NOT like the schwarma or hummus (it tastes watered down and bland) and was surprised that these wouldn’t be better items since they are standard middle eastern dishes.

Yes this post is long but in this economy (recession?) for most people every dollar counts and if you’re going to spend money eating out it might as well taste good right? Whether I can afford it or not it’s annoying and wasteful to spend money on subpar food. Luckily I live close enough to Little Arabia with comparable food and prices so I don’t think I’ll go back here. I know some of you will still try the foods I don’t recommend but don’t say I...

The Fresh Green Olive is our favorite Greek Mediterranean restaurant in the area for their incredible selection of fresh, grass-fed & humanely-sourced meats (grass-fed lamb chops, filet mignon, kabobs, gyro), fresh hummus, spicy potatoes, salads & so much more! Their dedication to authentic, high-quality cuisine and unparalleled hospitality makes every visit a memorable experience. We feel so fortunate to have discovered this phenomenal restaurant near my workplace, and we are forever grateful for the countless unforgettable meals they’ve provided. For the record, this review is Long overdue as we have been loyal customers since April 2023.

The menu at The Fresh Green Olive is a feast for the senses. The grilled grass-fed New Zealand lamb chops are perfectly cooked, bursting with flavor, and can be customized to your preference—I love mine very well done and crispy, and they always get it just right. The grilled filet mignon kabob, grilled shrimp, and grilled lamb kabob are all expertly seasoned and succulent. Their gyro is simply the best, packed with tender, flavorful meat and wrapped in the most delightful, freshly baked pita bread.

A few of the standout elements at The Fresh Green Olive are their homemade hummus, spic green sauce, spicy (yet crispy) potatoes, all prepared fresh daily and full of vibrant, authentic taste. Their salads and rice dishes complement every meal, adding a refreshing and satisfying touch. To top it all off, their homemade baklava is the perfect dessert—flaky, not too sweet, and absolutely irresistible.

What truly sets The Fresh Green Olive apart is their attention to detail and the exceptional care they take with dietary preferences and allergies. As someone who suffers from allergies, I deeply appreciate how accommodating and thoughtful they are. The team’s professionalism, kindness, and attentiveness to every detail ensure a consistently stellar experience.

A heartfelt thank you to The Fresh Green Olive for their boundless hospitality, kindness, and dedication to excellence. They are undoubtedly the best Greek Mediterranean family restaurant in OC, and my loved ones and I recommend them...

Excellent food. Clean restaurant. Good customer service. If you’re not in a hurry and willing to wait for fresh, delicious, home-cooked style food, this is your go-to stop for Mediterranean food in the OC. The kabobs plate are all incredibly tasty and come with generous portions of rice and veggies. I stopped here in my last review but feel I need to add more to do this restaurant justice.

The BREAD. The standard kabob plate comes with this beautifully delicious, hot-out-of-oven pita bread. Except this is not your run-of-the-mill pita bread. It has the consistency of a freshly made flour tortilla. Have you ever warmed a flour tortilla on a gas stove and watch it inflate like a balloon? Same thing with this pita bread. They literally rush it to your table, hot and in an inflated state, except it’s about twice the size of a standard flavor tortilla and oval shaped. It’s so big, I usually wind of bringing half of it home and it warms up nicely.

The GREEN SAUCE & GARLIC BUTTER. The Green Sauce is slightly spicy and tangy at the same time. Delicious with either the kabobs or salads. The Garlic Butter I like to spread on my bread or use as a dip for my chicken. The sauces, while incredibly delicious, are dolled out sparingly. There are times when they don’t include the green sauce unless you specifically ask for one and then, if you dare ask for one, you might get the “stink-eye” from the staff. Otherwise, they’re as nice as can be. Also, anything beyond the initial sauces, you’re...