Garlic Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Santa Clara

May have been the first seafood dish I've had from a Mediterranean restaurant aside from a calamari side. The seasoning gave it a new twist to salmon that I could definitely try, again. I didn't intend to dine here and ended up here from being too lazy for the longer drive to the Cupertino location.

Shorting this Santa Clara location a star for two reasons:

Some guy apparently preparing the sweets for the massive display or assortments up front looked at me as I walked in as their only customer at the time (approximately 7:30pm) and said nothing, acting as if I wasn't there. After staring at their menu for a few minutes, another older man greeted me as if to call me over to his direction to order from there. I eventually walked over after deciding on my order. $20, no drink, minimum tip. Though I did enjoy the meal, that guy's vibe was off putting. He gave another visiting party a very welcoming greeting after me. Acquainted or not, no restaurant should greet a customer - especially a new one - with cold silence. I'd downgrade this rating to three stars just for him, but that would be petty.

Second reason for downgrade: tables that smell like sweat. That smell of a dirty rag they use to wipe down every table to make them look clean enough to be presentable, when they're really just spreading residue from table to table. I moved to another table (again, because I was the only customer at the time), and the smell was there too. Acclimated by the time my meal arrived, but could have done without the anti-appetizer.

This four star rating is for the brand. I know the quality of this chain(?)'s food is commendable based on their Cupertino location. I can't rate them any lower because of that, but I also can't return to this Santa...

I do not go again to a restaurant where food does not have great taste, no matter how hungry i am, or how cheap the restaurant is. So far the only items i found here to meet my criteria of taste and authentic taste are:

Lahmacun. Yes, it is tasty and has good ingredients and is fresh. Though, I ask them to make it crispy (not soft). I do not think, in Türkiye, Lahmacun comes w green salad. At this place it comes w that, and i think that is good.

Baklava. Very tasty, so much so that i asked where you get it, they said directly from turkey. Yes, and the young waitress warms it just right. Wrong way to warm would be microwave, then it becomes soggy.

Turkish Tea and Ayran.

I order these items when ever i go. Some time ago i tried their kebab, donner, did not like, had zero taste.In future will try again to see if improvement. As it depends on cook. And w change of cook (usta) one may see better or worst meal.

Before writing i read many comments. In other comments mentioned about cook or owner that is rude. I can attest to that, i think he probably is uneducated from remote eastern part of Turkey, hence need some polishing.

Recent waitress is caring and polite. Restaurant is difficult and requires lots of hard work and still $ margins very are thin. Appropriate tip is recommended, and in a low volume restaurant as this, a good tip probably is never...

I always ordered delivery and food was great but what happened today is a nightmare and at least partially restaurants responsibility.

Doordash proposed 50% discount on pick up so I tried. The app provides the address and set Google Maps directions. I arrived to Mountain View. No Garlic there. Then I realized its listed as W El Camino Real in Doordash (should be no “W”) so Google Maps got the wrong address from Doordash and guided me to Mountain View instead of Santa Clara. I called Dordash support and they sent their delivery to pickup my already cold meal. Guess what? In 40 minutes they called and told the restaurant is already closed!! I check Google Maps and their hours are “open till 9pm” but it’s still 8:47. I called them but nobody picked up. So who ruined my evening? Why I’m hungry?????? Doordash has wrong address. Garlic not aware? But then Doordash sends a driver and restaurant is closed. Another Doordash fault? But why Google Maps lists their hours “till 9pm”. May he the venue should at least keep their hours accurate? If you work with any delivery service you should check they have correct data. And you should have correct hours at Google Maps. How we can support you by orders if you don’t care...