Azar’s Mediterranean Specialties — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

I love Mediterranean food very much. Their peasant salad is one of my favorite things they have. The “my big fat Greek” burger is awesome. Their spices are usually spot on. The staff is very nice and they are quick on service. We have eaten here many times and as we go back we eat different items and test everything. There are two big drawbacks for me. One is definitely the gyro. I absolutely love gyros, but not from here. When I ordered just gyro meat, no pita no sides, they were confused. I really love that taste of the cooked lamb/beef combo and after they shave it off the huge “log” of meat. Most -98%- of Mediterranean restaurants I have ordered just the gyro meat have no problems. So when I ordered a double order of gyro meat and the girl on the phone was confused, then that’s when it should have been a red flag. Instead I told her exactly what I wanted 3 times and she put me on hold. Finally she came back and told me okay. When I went to go pick up our huge family order it was ready to go. I opened the box the meat was in and literally looked at it like I wasn’t even sure what it was. There were 8 pieces of cylindrical identical pieces of “meat” that was definitely not gyro meat. Where was the slight char and that amazing smell and texture? Instead I got floppy chewy pieces of “meat” that reminded me of the microwaveable versions sold in Walmart. So here’s my second issue, when I picked up the order I asked about the pricing of the meat because it seemed high. Now this place is on the higher end monetarily. The girls explanation was that they use fresh products that cost money. I definitely can’t argue with that. I happily paid. But what I got definitely wasn’t made by them or fresh. The spanakopita, which I have had from several places my whole like, including Greece, was a rip off. They charge an astronomical amount of money for a triangle piece that is maybe 3 inches by 1 inch. It’s tiny!!! And I hate to say this, but it almost tastes like the frozen ones you can get and put into your oven. And those would cost less and give you more food. So all in all, my family was very unsatisfied with this meal and sadly that was the last time we will be eating there. While I do love their chicken kabobs and their peasant salad, it’s not enough anymore. I won’t give this place only 1 Star because there is some good food there. But I can’t give it 5 because there are obvious huge...

This evening a friend and I decided to go for a quick dinner someplace locally. I really was feeling like having some beef shish kabob (which I have yet to enjoy since my Father's passing, 8 years ago). My friend is extremely fussy (a meat and potato kind of person, although she likes humus). I went onto the internet and pulled up the menu for this eatery and talked her into it (after all they did have hamburgers, pizza and humus and it rated well). We got lost going there as it is off of Bonney Road and set back, but as I am familiar with the area, we turned around and made the turn onto this dead end street. It was not crowded and when you walk in your are in a store front which sells their hummus, baklava, Mediterranean olives, honey's and the like. We went to the back side and were told to pick wherever we would like to sit. At his point I was telling my friend well it got a good rating and it says it is natural food so nothing ventured, nothing gained. I then spotted the plague designating the Restaurant as one of the Best of the Beach 2018. I ordered the beef shish kabob done with a pink inside which came with a skewer of fresh vegetables and either basmati rice or a choice of salads. I choose the house salad thinking it would be like a greek salad with feta (which they did have, but was not what I had ordered) also on the plate was a small scoop of the most delicious hummus I have ever tasted! When I tasted my fresh salad with the house dressing my dismay was instantly gone! The salad was fresh, plentiful, and the dressing was delicious. I saved my vegetables to last and they were perfect. The steak kabob was cooked perfectly and it was excellent beef. We then split a baklava which was spot on perfect (not too sweet or oily and filled with fresh walnuts and a small bit of drizzled honey. Why there was not a line outside the door has to be due to its inconspicuous location. Before leaving I bought 5 more pieces of baklava for myself and 2 for my friend. My friend bought there largest tub of hummus. This restaurant is a gem, and I hate to jinx myself but they should be doing a far greater business. I will be back for sure and yes, with a lot more friends. My highest compliments to the chef and the...

*FIRST : TRY THE HUMMUS! The deli hummus and Roasted Red Pepper hummus will absolutely change your life. I mean it’s so amazing the food distributor Sysco is being distributed to by Azar’s, I mean if you are distributing to the distributor, then that means your awesome sauce!! Greatest family owned restaurant in the world , and you’re darn right I’m biased! I might not be blood , but I’m still family and you have to appreciate people who treat you like that! But the food IS completely awesome, I mean if you do not already know the food is awesome then why are you still waiting to go try it out ??? I mean the only reason I can think of for why you do not know their food is awesome is that you don’t like to eat awesome food ?? I mean they even have peanut butter and jelly that is awesome!! AND they have different versions of food to accommodate all the people who are scared allergies to food, Everything on every diet because it’s just that awesome !! Anyways you have to go try there hummus , and try their amazing food

*try their hummus it’s the greatest ROASTED GARLIC Hummus in the world! And don’t forget to check out that Hot! Guy in the back who makes the hummus. Just think fabulous food, life changing hummus and the Hot guy in the back making it!!! Automatic 5. stars !

Stay great and...