The Olive Tree Lebanese & Mediterranean Cafe — Restaurant in Norwich Township

I never write bad reviews - especially about a small business. However, my family's experience was so bad, I need to share it.

TLDR - it took 1.5 hours to get only some of our food. I had to talk to the cook to get the final plate for our table and it was badly burnt and very dried out.

Details - We arrived at Olive Tree at around 6:15 yesterday and were promptly seated. The waiter didn't come back for our drink orders for about 10 minutes. Since they seemed short staffed, it was not a problem. The waiter even thanked us for being patient. Since it had taken so long, we put in our order for drinks, appetizer and food. This is where it began to fall apart. The waiter didn't check on us for about 20 minutes when he finally stopped back to check about refilling our drinks. We got our drinks refilled and I asked about the appetizer (Fire Fries) because we were all pretty hungry. The waiter said they had just pulled some fries and would get them right out and he did get them out to us right after that. He told us he would also bring us out some plates and silverware as well. However, bringing the plates and silverware took so long (10 minutes?), that by the time he brought them, we had finished the fries. Next came another long pause and the waiter brought out two salads. This was a little strange as we had ordered four salads. We assumed he was going back to get the other two, but he never came back. After 5-10 minutes, I asked the waiter if he could get one more salad as the final person decided they didn't really want it. He brought out the third salad. Next came another very, very long pause and I had finally had enough. At about 7:40, I very respectfully told our waiter we were just going to leave because it had been 90 minutes since we arrived. I did not make a scene or anything like that. He said I would have to talk to "her" who I assumed was the cook behind the grill. I went up to talk to her and explained the situation. She said our order was up and it would be right out. I took her word for it and sat back down. About 7 minutes later (not exactly right out), the waiter brought out two of four entrees. Again, I assumed he was just going to go back and get the other two dishes. Nope. I had finished my sandwich before the waiter brought out a third dish. Again, I hoped the the final dish was coming soon, but nope. After about another 5 minutes, I went back up to the cook and asked how much longer it would be for our final dish - a chicken schnitzel. It had been about 15 minutes since the first of us received our food! She looked surprised that we did not get it and walked over to the deep fryer and pulled out a piece of dark brown / burnt chicken (pic attached) that she had obviously forgotten about. I went back and sat down. She actually plated the burnt chicken and sent it out to us. It was bone dry and had a burnt taste to it. That was the final straw and why I decided to write the review. Sending that out was just wrong.

One other thing I would comment on - there were probably less than 10 occupied tables in the restaurant and two waiters. That seems reasonable to me. To me the issue is that it very much appeared they were cooking and sending out to go orders before the people in the dining room. That seems wrong to me. Feed the people that are there first - especially since, as I said, there were less than 10 tables occupied.

Obviously, we will never be...

Update: I’m sad to post this update, as I clearly loved this restaurant a few years ago. However- the service is just flat out terrible. This restaurant has always been slow to get food out, so I always plan accordingly. However the last few visits, I have received unacceptable service. For example- my husband and I ate there this evening, and we were only one of two tables. I thought oh, we might get our food faster than 45 minutes! WRONG. Our server (a young male) only paid attention to the other table, which was obviously his friends. The waiter didn’t come to our table, even though visibly looking at our empty glasses. I am not exaggerating- he came to our table legitimately 3 times the entire HOUR we were there. I had to literally yell across the restaurant for a refill (because he wouldn’t come near my table). Then, he very clearly forgot to put our order in- and when I asked him, he lied and told me that there were “numerous” orders ahead of us- keep in mind there was only one other party at the restaurant, and they had already eaten. Then the final straw? The waiter tells me there was a “malfunction” with the rice (???) and we could choose to have veggies or noodles instead. Why wasn’t this immediately told to us- not 30 minutes after ordering our meals?! Needless to say, there was no offer of a discount for this inconvenience- and I will not be dining here ever again.

Also- prepare to pay more than the price on the menu. My meal was .50 more than the posted price, and my husbands was .75 more.

Original review: I was recommended this restaurant by a friend, and I am very glad I tried it! I visited Greece this past Spring, and Olive Tree reminded me of their delicious cuisine! They serve very authentic Mediterranean food. I...

Visited the restaurant on a Sunday after reading reviews on google. This place missed the mark by a lot. The place was clean, little dated but clean. The people seemed very friendly and nice. The service and food is where it all fell apart. Even though our server was extremely nice and seemed pretty knowledgeable, the food came out at a very slow pace. When time came for entree dishes, we waited over an hr and half for things to start coming out. Granted we were a bigger group, but after waiting that long- not even all dishes came out back to back. We waited good 10-15 mins after to get everyone’s food, but one. That one didn’t come out until everyone was done eating and it was not even correct. They apologized for it and everything ( like I said the people seemed nice) Now if the food was mind blowing and fresh, we could have overlooked the service as a one off. But the food was extremely bland. An order off of their brunch menu ( Sujuk) had sausages that smelled stale. We were there to celebrate so we were not in the mood to fight over these things. However, when the bill came for over $240 and we were about to be done, they told us there will be a convenience fees on running the Credit Card!! If this was mentioned to us in the beginning we would probably not even had dined there. Debit or cash only - I had never come across a restaurant that charges a fee for using cc. Overall, a very disappointing experience here. There are so many decent cafes in the area, I was sorry to have chosen this place to spend a meal...