Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe - Powell — Restaurant in Knoxville

⚡️ THE GODS ARE NOT PLEASED ⚡️

High hopes, but ultimately, my first and last visit…Check this out…

My girlfriend and I dropped in to Taziki’s for dinner. She’d eaten there before (and said it was really good), but I hadn’t, so I was excited to try something new.

To start on a positive note, the young lady taking orders at the counter was very friendly and professional. That’s much appreciated!

However, the food was so incredibly bland, that I felt like I was eating for someone with a stomach virus, or one of the early 2010s fad “cleanse” diets. (Eg. Egg whites and balsamic vinaigrette dressing on plain lettuce.) Blech!

The bread around my “chicken wrap” was burned black in places (with nasty emulsified chicken inside—you know; the kind that’s held together with its own fat versus a proper chicken breast.) There were Ruffles potato chips as a side, which was a very interesting choice. There was rice, which was the most decent thing of all but isn’t saying much as the dash of lemon juice saved it from being inedible.

My GF’s “seasoned” potatoes were so dry and so bland, she had to add salt. While eating her gyro, she said “this is the worst food I’ve ever had.” The look on her face only added to the disappointment. We both were raised (like many people) to not “waste” food, so for us to leave the restaurant with food still remaining on the plate rarely happens. It did this evening though…

I’ve had better frozen microwave food. Not kidding or exaggerating!

Portion size = insulting. See photo. There were four of the chicken “things” I ordered, approximately the size of a pack of Bubblicious bubble gum—you know the size.

Two “meals” were around $26 (with no drink) YIKES! The place was empty when we were there, yet it still took 20 minutes to receive our food; meanwhile, the cooks were standing around idle (talking) while our order somehow was being made. I guess the food is microwaved in the back?

My GF bought our dinner that night, and insisted that we just let it go and never come back. If I’d paid for it, the food would’ve went right back to the counter, we’d have gotten a refund and left.

Regardless, we left hungry and had to go eat elsewhere after. A $26 lesson well-learned.

Before you eat here and drop nearly $15 per person on nearly-inedible food, please consider our “experience.” It just may save you a ruined evening.

Restaurants used to try and make things right, but I expect I’ll receive a pre-written “lip service” reply to this review at very best. This is both disappointing, yet...

Ok so i needed a lot of time to think about how i will word this and i needed a lot of time to heal before writing this with no Cold Blood. I worked at Taziki’s for a year and a few months. I appreciate the opportunity Given to work with some of the amazing and powerful women there as well. I appreciate Ken Giving me the job as well But i will also hold him accountable for this as well. many months before my termination he berated my work ethics many times and comparing rare bad days to my primary work behavior which isnt a fair assumption considering we barely worked together at all. He shouldn’t have a say on who i am at work when he was never there. The most recent was in late 2023 Around October or so He mocked my Grandfathers death that day by Demeaning My Emotions of just finding out my grand papa’s passing that day by saying “well do you need to be at a funeral?” In a Joking way. (This is for you ken if you read this) Im sorry you have a family member going through a tough situation I understand your pain. But this does not give you an excuse to be an absolute monster to your coworkers, and that comment that day to my Beloved Grandpa Shattered me beyond anything I could ever feel and I personally don't know how you sleep at night after saying that. Overall, Taziki’s Taught me More about work environments and how to better understand them and i fully appreciate that to the fullest. I sincerely apologize to any customers who Faced my negativity unfairly and as such. All except “The before what lady” she can choke. Thanks to my girls for working with me and sharing your kindness and support...

This establishment rivals Holy Land. Not for the food, but for the experience. The moment my gyro entered my mouth, I was instantly transported to where that young lamb was sacrificed to provide us with its tender meat. I saw it’s mother, and broke down crying. I apologized for its child to be slain, only to end up in such a mediocre wrap. To die in vain. Upon looking at my alleged gyro, I was filled with disdain. Such a melancholic sight. Romaine lettuce, tzatziki sauce, and one slice of tomato. I braved through this sight in hopes of a hidden gem. A dance of flavor disguised by a concerning and hopeless sight. I was met with a memory the moment I took a bite. My eyes water once more as the taste reminds me of the day my childhood dog died. I did not know I could experience such sorrow again. To know the day would come, but hope it would not be this day.

The seasoned potatoes weren’t too bad, and the chips were chips. Perhaps they have other good stuff on the menu, I wouldn’t know as I got the alleged gyro. The dude that worked the register was cool, environment was cool.

If you wish for a proper gyro, traverse to Holy Land, Yassin’s, or even Cava. There you will experience flavor like remy did...