CRAVE Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Rancho San Diego

We haven't had Middle Eastern or Mediterranean cuisine for a while, and yes, we also do enjoy the food from this region. There are numerous restaurants near our area, especially in El Cajon, California. Cuisine from different middle Eastern countries such as Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.

Tonight, we decided to try a restaurant called Crave Mediterranean Grill. This was a pleasant surprise, and we enjoyed our dining experience. Upon entering, we were greeted by a friendly hello and smile and the smell of delicious food. The staff member asked if we had dined there before. Of course, we said no, then she proceeded to tell us about the menu items. This was great, and I especially liked her helpfulness and great attitude.

The food was delicious and they offered different sauces for your meal. With both opted for plates. The beef Shawarma was delicious. The beef was tender, flavorful, and well seasoned. The hummus was delicious, light, and creamy. The salad was wonderful, and salad dressing was delicious. The other dishes were the chicken Shawarma, and the chicken was moist and flavorful. We also ordered some falafel, which were moist and had a great flavor. It's probably one of the best we have had in this area.

We were pleasantly surprised to receive an additional item from the restaurant. The gentleman at the counter gave us some free desserts, which was a Baklava cheesecake, which was delicious and the perfect ending to a terrific meal. This just shows that the owners and staff care about the customer experience.

The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but there is additional seating outside. It was very clean.

Overall, we had a fantastic dinner with excellent service. You can't ask for anything more. To the restaurant, thank you for the wonderful experience, and we will be back

What we ordered

Beef Shawarma Plate

Chicken Shawarma Plate

Complimentary Backlava...

Crave Mediterranean has recently taken over Wagyu Shawarma Grill at this location.

I had the chicken tikka wrap and a protein sampler plate. Unbeknown to me, when I ordered the chicken tikka wrap, I was not informed that I could add ingredients to the wrap, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado etc.

As a result, the warp was quite skinny for the for the $13.50 price tag. Being able to add more ingredients from a list inside the wrap makes the cost of the wrap more plausible, and it doesn't hurt that it's is quite delicious.

The chicken tika was very tasty, tender, and juicy. I really liked the sauce it came with, and the wrap flat bread wrap was very good, too. I like the way it soaked up the juice from the chicken and sauce.

The protein plate came with a beef Kabob, chicken and beef shawarma, cream chop or fried chicken, falafels, and a piece of pita. My favorite was the beef Kabob, which was outstanding in flavor, texture, and appearance. Both Shawarmas were very good. They were both seasoned well and tender. I really like the cream chop. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The falafels are made in-house, and they are quite crispy and tasty.

The place offers inside and outside seating. The owner is...

Today, we stumbled upon Crave, and to our delight, they were offering a fantastic 50% off promotion. Intrigued, we decided to give it a try and ordered three bowls, including Chicken Tikka and Chicken Shawarma.

The Chicken Tikka was perfectly spiced, with tender pieces of chicken that were bursting with flavor. The Chicken Shawarma was equally impressive, with juicy, well-seasoned meat and fresh, crisp vegetables. Each bowl was a hearty portion, making it an excellent value even before the discount.

The highlight of our visit was the owner’s hospitality. He personally came out to greet us and brought along a complimentary serving of potato chips, which he mentioned would soon be added to the menu. The chips were crispy and flavorful, a perfect addition to their offerings.

Overall, our experience at Crave was exceptional. The food was delicious, the service was top-notch, and the welcoming atmosphere made us feel right at home. We will definitely be back to try more of their menu and to enjoy the warm hospitality once again. Highly...