Baba's Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Portland

Friendly staff, marginal food.

Having recently returned from Eastern Europe where the Mediterranean restaurants were outstanding, I thought I'd try something closer to home to try to find a local favorite.

I saw Baba's on Google maps for Cascade Station and gave it a shot. I ordered the rice bowl with chicken and spicy pork topped with carrot and cabbage slaw, pickled onions and chipotle tahini sauce.

I watched as the bowl was assembled at a cafeteria style steam table. First, a layer of hummus was swirled around the bottom sides of the bowl and then a yellow colored thin grain rice was added. The rice was stuck in clumps in the vessel on the steam table and had to be broken up repeatedly to spread around the bowl. The two meat portions appeared to be the last remnants of a previous shaving from the spit as there wasn't much in the containers and it was very much dried out.

The cabbage/carrot slaw had huge slices of cabbage with some as long as four-five inches. Difficult to eat to be sure. The onions didn't have much pickled flavor and the flavor of the tahini sauce was almost undetectable.

By the time I began to eat the dish, the rice and meat were only luke warm and the rice was still clumped up.

On top of it all, their largest fountain drink was only 20 ounces and was a bit spendy at $2.57. The bowl cost 10.27.

I would rate this meal among the poorest of the dozens of Mediterranean restaurants I have tried all over the world. It wasn't good enough to warrant a...

Service four star, would be five if they waited on the tables. Five star also not deserved because their rotisserie meat was available only from steam table and not freshly cut as my spouse asked about. The tiny bits didn't conjure up the best gyros meat. I wish it had been better because my spouse says it will be a while before we visit again. Sad for me, as Rebecca who was delightful and charming, said it was all gluten free meat. That's a rare benefit and one I didn't expect. I loved my salad, but his pita bread was disappointing.

Atmosphere was bright, airy & quiet probably due to high ceilings. I loved the hanging art that spoke to our common dreams. I imagined it was quite lovely at night. Tables and chairs comfortable and attractive. Nice design for a walk up cafe.

Signage needs work as menus are not at all readable with the bright teal blue with white letters. Even sitting at table it was impossible to focus in on the words. If we hadn't had Rebecca to help we'd never had been able to order anything. It's especially difficult to read when wearing eyeglasses.

Perhaps when we return the meat will be available off the rotisserie and less cooked in the steam table. A nice paper menu would be nice if the signs can't change easily. Nice to find a place that doesn't offer mostly meals with wheat base. My grandmother always said wheat in your meat dish was filler and cheapened the meal. Awesome to find a place...

We were in the area and hungry so I thought I'd try it since I am a fan of both Shawarma and falafel. I ordered the Pork Shawarma and some falafel on the side. The staff was very friendly and helpful and offered me recommendations for the best toppings to put on my bowl since I was new to the experience - in the past, when I'd go to a mediterranean restaurant, they'd bring me a plate of shawarma. Here, you can choose the way you want your bowl prepared and everything is put together right in front of you.

So much flavor and textures to one bowl! The creamy hummus, the rice, the spicy pork is tender and spicy and there are parts that are slightly charred and crunchy - the veggie toppings were nice and fresh! I love the pickled red onion - this together with the spicy pork packs a powerful flavor punch to the palate.

The food is very tasty and satisfying - I went in hungry & I was full before I could finish the food. The establishment was clean, the food was good and prepared quickly but also with great care and the price was right. I will definitely be back because I think I can quickly develop a...