Mardini's Deli Cafe — Restaurant in Menlo Park

The only reason i came in was i know they have beer. it's in the Mediterranean Cafe a little overpriced I've always wanted to try the food but every time I've ever driven by it's always empty inside and from past experiences when a place that serves food is empty a lot usually means there is a big problem and you probably shouldn't go there Google reviews have them rated pretty good which is very surprising. I ordered a metre nyan chicken wrap , it had tahini sauce which I love as I was waiting for my order I noticed that the beer was barely cold maybe lukewarm in all due respect if you have a bunch of fridges with wine and beer. the temperature is too warm it should be cold around 38° I got a space dust and usually beers with 7% or higher do not taste good when they're warm or hot so that was a little disappointing when they where preparing my food I could hear the guy slammed on microwave door just so you know no kitchen in this whole world should ever have a microwave on its line microwave only belongs in your house or in a service room nowhere near where cooks are making the food so it made me worried. When I got my wrap it looks pretty delicious the first bite I noticed that the sauce was runny almost water consistency which is really not good cuz it's really hard to taste the flavor and it gets all over plus the chicken tasted very overcooked and very hot like it just came out of the microwave and everybody knows microwaves heat up the food too hot and dry all the juice out very disappointed to get food put in a microwave when I can just do that at home if I chose to they have a grill, flat top ,a deep fryer, and I was very surprised they didn't just make a fresh piece of chicken breast especially when there's barely any customers inside and the prices aren't expensive but they're not cheap so I was expecting everything to be fresh a little disappointed I only go back for the beer I take it togo to put it in my fridge to get it to actual cold temperature i really wish that place was a lot better than it seems to be on...

To anyone writing a review about the speed (aka occasional slowness), I thought I'd comment on this because this 'issue' as it can be interpreted is actually one of the reasons I first recommended this place. Our main man, Chef Mardini (? I'm guessing?) puts real TLC into every single dish I've seen him prepare and how I've seen him in the back showing his trainees. 'Mardini' has often brought an authentic side dish to nibble on and test out if our order is taking a min. longer - again another + in my book despite that I barely can handle more than a morsel of 'ethnic' food, it's the thought that counts.

This isn't something you see very often these days - an eatery where every detail is important. Of course I can't say this and expect that others won't catch an off day, but that was my first, second, and third impression which is what kept me coming back. And all I order is a basic BLT or BLTA. But it's excellent and consistent. Pitty I had to move and am no longer down the street.

I like to show all the support I can because I'm not sure if this level of quality / attention to detail is a sustainable business model given the costs of putting that kind of time into everything. I call ahead.

ps. To another comment I saw about the condition of the place - I was startled on my second visit too when I saw that they completely gutted what was there before and remodeled the dining area. It is much nicer than the original and obviously phenomenally better than a...

I eat here once or more a month and I almost always bring new people with me and every single person has cone back without me.

The food: Always great! My favorite dish is the chicken shwarma plate or wrap. The plate comes with home made hummus, salad, saffron rice and a heap of tasty chicken shwarma. They have different side dishes and goodies available in the cooler by the register so always look there to see what is there that day. My absolute favorite is the carrot salad that is there sometimes.

The service: Every once in a while when they are slammed it might be a little slow but it is usually fast and they are ALWAYS pleasant and great to interact with. The owner recognizes me now and makes it a point to chat and say hi personally. Even if the food was just "OK", I would still come back for the service alone. This is a family owned business so the husband, wife and sons all work there.

Parking: This can be difficult as they have a small parking lot and there is some side street parking as well though.

The drive lately has been hectic because there has been road work on Willow happening so the traffic at lunch can be a mess right now.

If you are in the mood for some Mediterranean food, definitely check them out and you will...