Jerusalem Café — Restaurant in Mobile

It’s been so long since I’ve been to Mobile and eaten at Jerusalem cafe, I was shocked to see they’d moved — last year! — from Airport Blvd to their current location on Old Shell Road. So, having gotten a chance to try it again, I figured it was best to delete the old review and start over. The good news is, while the building is new and super nice inside, the food is still just as good as it was at the old location.

One of my favorite things to get is the “Jerusalem Dinner Feast For Two” because it has a little bit of everything and is plenty to share. It starts with an appetizer of hummus & pita, stuffed grape leaves and falafel, with tahini for dipping. Their hummus is good quality, with a mild flavor. It’s kicked up with a red pepper purée that is surprisingly spicy! The grape leaves have a mint flavor but it’s kind of in the background; it’s a very good flavor profile but certainly not for everyone. These are small but seem to be more meat than rice inside. The falafel balls are could use a little more seasoning, as they are a touch on the bland side. You can also get either a lentil soup or a salad with Greek dressing. Either one is a winner in my book, whether you want the velvety creaminess of the warm lentil soup (filling!) or the crisp tang of the slightly sour dressing with feta, lettuce, carrot and olive in the salad (healthy…ish!)

The entrée features kebabs of lamb, chicken and kefta (spiced ground beef), along with a few slices of gyro meat, served with grilled vegetables, tzatziki sauce and saffron rice. (Note that the menu calls this “gyros, lamb, chicken kifta kebobs” but at least when I get it, it’s four things, not three.) The gyro is your standard loaf, not something assembled by hand and roasted on a spit on site, sadly. The chicken is very tender thigh meat, and the seasoning is light with a citrus-y note. The lamb is less tender — not unusual for lamb — but the most flavorful meat, at least in my opinion. It’s not heavily spiced so the lamb flavor is front and center. The kefta is also light on spice and could probably stand to be a little more bold and not so charred/overcooked.

The tzatziki sauce is not bad and has some coarse chunks of cucumber in it. I always get sweet tea with my Mediterranean food (because I’m hopelessly southern, y’all) and it’s always very good here, strong and sweet. There’s Lebanese and mint teas if you’re more adventurous.

The dessert served with the dinner feast is a little slice of baklava. It may be small but it packs a punch and is among the best I’ve had the pleasure of eating in Alabama. It appears to have finely crushed pistachios AND coarse walnuts in it? That’s different but I like the contrasting textures playing off the crispy phyllo dough and honey.

I know Mobile has quite a few Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurants, but this one has always been my go-to because it’s a good balance of quality, price and service. While the interior may have lost a little of the shabby charm it had in the old strip mall location, it is at least contemporary, airy and open inside now, and very light. I think it’s worth trying if you’re just looking for a change of pace, or also if you’re not a super adventurous eater but are curious about this kind of food. Either way, it’s a...

Jerusalem Café on Old Shell Road in Mobile, Alabama, offers an experience that is, in many respects, commendable, yet leaves one yearning for the vibrancy that typically defines Middle Eastern cuisine. This establishment, nestled in a city known for its Southern charm, presents itself with an inviting ambiance and a level of professionalism that is immediately apparent upon entering.

The staff at Jerusalem Café deserve high praise for their warm hospitality and attentive service. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were greeted with genuine smiles and a sense of welcome that set the tone for what we hoped would be a delightful culinary journey. The professionalism exhibited by the staff, combined with their willingness to ensure our comfort, was truly exemplary.

Equally impressive was the quality of the ingredients. It is clear that the café places a premium on freshness, with each dish boasting components that were vibrant and meticulously prepared. The presentation, too, was a feast for the eyes, with plates arriving at the table artfully arranged, promising an authentic and satisfying experience.

However, it is with a certain reluctance that we must address the food itself. As ardent enthusiasts of Middle Eastern cuisine, having had the pleasure of savoring it in various corners of the world, we approached our meal with eager anticipation. Yet, what we encountered was a surprising lack of the very elements that make this cuisine so beloved: the tang, the savor, the spice.

Middle Eastern food is celebrated for its bold flavors, its intricate blends of herbs and spices, and its ability to awaken the palate with every bite. Unfortunately, the offerings at Jerusalem Café, while visually appealing and made with evident care, fell short in this regard. The dishes, though prepared with fresh ingredients, lacked the zest and richness that one expects from such cuisine. The flavors were muted, almost subdued, leaving us with a sense of something essential missing.

In conclusion, Jerusalem Café excels in many areas, particularly in service, presentation, and the use of quality ingredients. The dining experience here is pleasant, and the atmosphere is inviting. However, for those who, like us, seek the full-bodied flavors that define Middle Eastern cuisine, the café may leave you wanting. It is our hope that with a more generous hand in the spice department, this promising establishment can rise to its full potential, offering not just a meal, but a true taste of the...

Jerusalem Cafe is one of the restaurants I’d been looking to go back to. It’s been a few years since my last visit. I don’t even remember what I had but I do remember I always wanted to return. This time I had a difficult choice choosing between two dishes. Those dishes were the gyro platter and the chicken pastry plate. Ultimately my decision came down to one factor. I had never had a chicken pastry. The chicken pastry plate was the only choice. I ordered the chicken pastry plate which came with rice and grilled carrots, zucchini, and squash. You also get a choice of a side salad or soup. I ordered the side salad. My order was ready when I arrived at the restaurant. There were a number of patrons dining while I picked up the food. The last time I went to Jerusalem Cafe it was at the Airport Boulevard location. The new building on Old Shell looks very nice. I will have to dine in the next time I go. When I opened the plate the food looked absolutely amazing. It smelled lovely as well. The salad was the first thing I tried. What delighted me about the salad was the green salad dressing. I’m sure the name of the dressing is on the menu somewhere but I didn’t look. Anyway, the dressing had a citrus flavor that really took it to a new level. My only complaint is that I wish it came with more olives. The chicken pastry plate was definitely the right choice. It came with a sauce that again I had no idea what it was called. I put the sauce on the rice, vegetables, and pastry. Although I said I never had a chicken pastry plate before, it was much like a chicken pot pie. Although the seasonings and structure were different the breading texture seemed consistent with a chicken pot pie. It was tremendously delicious. I definitely would recommend this to anyone who hasn’t tried it. Five stars for a great meal at...