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Kafe Neo
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
21108 Hwy 99Edmonds, WA 98026
(425) 672-3476
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
94 reviews for Kafe Neo
Review Highlights
"My gyro of choice is the Neo Chicken."
(in 46 reviews)
"Started with avgolemono soup, which was super delicious."
(in 9 reviews)
"i have to say, the tzatziki sauce is top notch."
(in 10 reviews)
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94 reviews in English
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Review from Jill E.
Seattle, WA
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I LOVE Kafe Neo. I get the same thing every time I visit: Falafel Gyro with Tatziki *and* Hummus, with a side of Greek Fries (with extra sauce) and a diet soda. Their falafel is the best in the Greater Seattle area. Their lettuce doesn't taste like it came out of a plastic bag (you know that lettuce- the crap that tastes like sour dirt). The ambience is very warm and friendly.
Note: Remember to ask the waitress for silverware because they don't automatically give it to you. -
Review from Becca F.
Seattle, WA
12/30/2011
Amazing! Enough said right there, but let me break it down for you a but more...
Service: fantastic and friendly. Knowledgeable about the menu and didn't bat an eye or scoff at me with my horrid attempt to speak Greek (which is no easy feat mind you)!
Food: amazing! Their pitas are like crack, not that I know what crack is like, but I'm assuming it's about as addicting as these buttery and fluffy pillows of pure goodness. Their gyros are plentiful and so good! I went with the shrimp and my friend had the vegetarian one with Brie, avocado and tzaitki sauce (I realize I can't pronounce it or spell it).
Do yourself a favor and don't skip out in a sweet treat! I won't even attempt to butcher it, but the orange pudding with phyllo dough is awesome and you can never go wrong with baklava! -
Review from Michael B.
Edmonds, WA
Updated - 12/10/2011
We still like the food a lot but I think they've increased their prices recently. Our family of 4 used to eat there for ~$45, with tax and tip (2 kids meals, 2 adult meals, no drinks or desserts). Same order today, and the price was $59. That's nearly a 30% increase, with no increase in the order/quantity/food.
At $45, it was great. At $60, not so much.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/20/2008
This place is in our family's regular dinner rotation, and we really enjoy it. Our girls always get… Read more »
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Review from Ty S.
Seattle, WA
1/13/2012
Tried a few different things and they were good. Got the moussaka and gyros, both were good. The gyros were unique, not sure I prefer them to the standard, but not bad. Moussaka was fantastic, would recommend this to anyone.
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Review from Diane J.
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
meaty, yogurty gyro goodness.
Perfectly cooked gyros on a fresh warm pita. served with a pile of fresh hot french fries. -
Review from Karim V.
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
My coolio co-peep introduced me to Kafe Neo (shout out to Lana!).
I've been to the one in Mill Creek a few times, so it made sense to check out the location on hwy 99. I usually get the Athenian chicken gyro, but this time I tried the Loukaniko gyro which is charbroiled Greek sausage with a hint of orange zest, romaine lettuce, tomato, onion, feta and tzatziki sauce.
I LOVE the Athenian, but wasn't as much of a fan of the Loukaniko. The sausage was a bit dry, but the veggies and sauce covered it up well. The flavor was good, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
On the bright side, I will always come back and try something new and I also know that the Athenian is an awesome gyro. The chicken breast is juicy and the hummus is yummy (hummus is easy to screw up and Kafe Neo knows how to make some mean hummus). The veggies in the gyro are always fresh and crisp and it can get a bit messy which is okay with me.
Next up on the to-try list will be the spanakopita or a lamb dish. If it's your first time and you are not sure what to get, the Athenian is a safe choice...and a wise one! =) -
Review from Linsi M.
Seattle, WA
1/3/2012
Two major bonuses with this place - Catering and the Gyros! If you love Greek, you will love this place. The portions are fantastic and they are great for catering large groups. The garlic is spectacular in all their dishes and their gyros are packed! It's no clean meal, and worth all 10 napkins needed. It's a great location just down the street from Edmonds Community College where I work. It's nice having it near by for a quick lunch by myself or with a friend.
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Review from Jane D.
11/2/2011
This restaurant is on my way home so I stopped in to get something to go. It was a Tuesday night and pretty busy--a good sign.
I ordered 2 gyros, lamb with greek fries and soda. This is a menu choice. It's $10--A little pricey I thought. Didn't really want the soda but they had soda water on their fountain (self-serve) so that was ok.
The fries are great but hardly any meat on the gyro!
I also ordered a large greek salad that was also $10. Came with only 3 olives? All iceberg lettuce and hardly any feta---for $10. WOW you have to work hard to screw up a greek salad.
So I spent $30 ($35 with tip) and was a little disappointed. I will try it for lunch as per some of the other Yelper's recommendations and give it a 2nd chance.
I hope I just hit them on an off night... -
Review from Crystal D.
Seattle, WA
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
$2.50 desserts and a plethora of gyros. Large variety of spreads for great prices too! Try their lemon based soup! All their food is delicious and the variety of gyros is really nice. I love going here because of all the flavors. An even better part is that this place have the most beautiful and tasty, yet affordable desserts. The owner is really nice too!
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Review from Heather K.
Seattle, WA
10/8/2011
Fantastic. Love this place.
Everything they make tastes wonderful. I usually stick to the plain veggie gyro but my family has experimented from typical beef or lamb to the "chicken fajitas." They have loved them all. My boyfriend says their calamari gyro is the best gyro he's ever had.
Greek fries and fry sauce is the best!! Def splurge.
Better at lunch, a little quieter and a little cheaper.
I think it's around $10 at dinner.
The atmosphere is wonderful and they have outside seating (although its not very scenic). -
Review from Mike I.
Seattle, WA
8/24/2011
We have been going here for a few years and the food is always consistent.
Suffice to say we keep it simple, gyros and basic plates, but what we get is always excellent.
We'll continue to come back and recommend this place to anyone looking for fast/casual Greek in the area.
For an example on price, we ordered 2 gyros, Greek fries and a salad last night for about $20. Very fair price for a great and easy dinner. -
Review from Aaron W.
Oak Harbor, WA
7/19/2011
My favorite place to get a gyro in the Seattle area. Lots of gyro options, including some very unique combinations. Delicious, and I mean DELICIOUS, Greek fries that would be keep me coming back even if the gyros were subpar. But they aren't. They are fresh and tasty and wonderful. I personally love the idea of lettuce in my gyro and now find ones lacking it to be less than impressive. The tzatiki sauce here is also very good, light and flavorful.
I like ordering at the counter and having my food brought to my table. It gives the place an in-between fast food and restaurant kind of vibe. I'm also a fan of the portion size and never leave hungry. You can also call ahead and pickup your order to go if you'd like.
All in all the best in the area that I've had so far. This place turned my kids into gyro lovers, as well, and for that I am eternally grateful. Check them out and you won't be disappointed. -
Review from David W.
Bainbridge Island, WA
11/8/2011
This was my first time being in despite driving past them on a weekly basis. The food was good, I would say slightly above average but not amazing. For the price and quality though, I will for sure be back. The atmosphere was nice, they had a little live music going, and friendly staff. A good spot for a tasty gyro.
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Review from Tamsen G.
8/14/2011
Until I stopped in at Kafe Neo, I had no idea there were so many gyro options in the Seattle area. Win!
Restaurant is clean, fast, and friendly. Also FTW. There is a small outside eating area through the restaurant you can use to enjoy the sunshine, but you can't take your dog on the patio, so just an fyi. Not their fault, health codes. -
Review from isabel p.
Seattle, WA
10/10/2011
I don't normally give one star but cleanliness has a huge impact on my rating scale. The food was great but there was rat or mouse droppings on the windows edge next to our table. When i said something the girl SWEPT IT OFF WITH A TOWEL ON TO OUR TABLE. Gross! If they have a problem they should close for a week and deal with it.
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Review from Kimberly S.
Everett, WA
6/18/2011
My fave! We have been coming to this place for years, and I am ashamed that I am just now getting around to giving a stellar review. The food at Kafe Neo is consistently good. Whether there for lunch or dinner and even when busy, the food is fantastic every time.
Recently, we have been getting our food to-go. I actually have the phone number saved in my phone and we call on the way. Our order is ready for pickup when we arrive - even when we get there early on a busy Friday night - and always exactly what we ordered.
The food itself is top-notch. The ingredients are fresh and flavorful, the portion sizes are price appropriate and I can't think of a better gyro in town!
The only downside to Kafe Neo is the parking. If you go on a busy night, you will have a hard time getting a spot, as the lot isn't very big. I've had nights where I've given up going because I waited so long for a spot. With that being said, I don't think that the lack of parking deserves a downgrade in stars because the food is THAT good! -
Review from Cascade C.
Lynnwood, WA
3/15/2011
I've been Yelping for going on four years now and this is only the second one-star rating I have ever given. (Ironically, the other is for a horrendous Chinese restaurant right down the street from this place... maybe it's something in the local water.)
I am going to tell you right off the bat that the food here is absolutely fine, the place is clean, and the interior décor is vibrant and bright (the exterior likewise, for that matter).
So why the one-star rating?
Because it is indeed possible for one event to completely nullify all the good, hard work that goes into promoting an environment people want to experience again.
My friend and his buddy, who used to be regulars, got their usual lunchtime gyro plates and while they were trying to eat, somebody was hammering away at the booth behind them (the place was undergoing renovation at the time). Since it's rather intensely annoying to eat lunch while you're being jackhammered from behind, he complained to the manager, who apparently had words with the hammer-wielding person, as the work stopped for the duration of their lunch.
On their way out, said hammer-wielder gave them the stink-eye something fierce, perhaps for getting her into trouble or whatever, and they thought nothing of it -- until she got aggressive with them in the parking lot with her vehicle.
Sorry, but nuh-uh. If that's the way these people roll, forget it. Based on that incident, I would give the place a negative star if I could.
We will never set foot in that place again under any circumstances. -
Review from David O.
Edmonds, WA
8/11/2011
We're done. Long time regulars through the years here but our last trip was simply the last straw. One thing I've found very consistent about Kafe Neo. If the owners are around, the food and service is excellent. If they aren't to be found, forget it.
Our last trip was highlighted by my daughter being served the rack of lamb and it was absolutely - raw. I mean were talking Gordon Ramsay would be having a fit, how dare you serve this to a child, don't you have any shame, raw.
The solution? Why cut down the raw pieces into lolly pop lamb chops and refire it until they were cooked to death. Seriously? This was the solution. When we complained further told basically tough, then offered a free mini dessert for the trouble. By the time her very poorly redone refire came out everyone else was done eating.
I get a piece of lamb is expensive, but talk about a what were you thinking are you kidding me easy way out.
Couple this with the declining overall quality of the food over the last 12 to 24 months and I just have to say, eek, stay away - or just stay with the most basics of basics like to go gyros. -
Review from Pamela U.
Seattle, WA
4/19/2011
I have been obsessed with the gyros here for the last few weeks, making all sorts of excuses to visit. Love the yummy tender gyro meat, the yummy sauce, lettuce, feta and toms, and the pita itself. I've been here three times for lunch in less than 10 days. I admit it I have a problem.
We've done take out once (was a 10 min wait tops for our food) and eaten in twice. The restaurant is clean, colorful and there are ample booths. We've yet to be disappointed in the service. I think it would be a delightful place for a date, but it's casual enough for a family with kids to feel comfortable too.
I've yet to branch out. I get the traditional gyro each time because I can't help myself. There are a lot of choices though, some vegetarian options and a kid's menu as well. My kids like the mizithra noodles and the kid's plate (chicken, rice pilaf and pita). My son digs the Fanta soda. They've also just had the pita bread and the Tzatziki sauce and were happy with that. Fries with feta are crisp and enough for the four of us to share without stuffing ourselves.
If you're looking for a great lunch spot and craving something yummy, it's worth the trip up Aurora to try this spot. Plus you can check out all the cars and Harvey's Lounge next door and be thankful and count your lucky stars that you are not compelled to be there in broad daylight like those sad fellows. -
Review from Robert H.
Edmonds, WA
2/6/2011
Two Stars. Two Reasons.
1) The Gyro's come with a side of pita bread (Great!). Dipping sauce (Tzatziki) costs an extra $1.64. At least they don't charge for ketchup...
2) Really shocked that my fries were the same frozen fries you get at Safeway. Assumed that Greek fries would be the norm. Must be a special request and I'm sure it will cost you. -
Review from Dutch H.
Edmonds, WA
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Use to be good. Now too much staff, hardly any meat in the gyro, expensive. Go to 196th for a much better value.
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Review from Katsura K.
Seattle, WA
6/8/2011
Yummers! A friend wanted to go to this place for lunch, and I was not disappointed, it was delicious!
The staff was friendly and nicely informed us that before 4:30pm you order at the counter but they will still bring your food out and after 4:30pm it's a sit down cafe. But be prepared as lunch time gets very busy very quickly. but they handled it with ease and enthusiasm.
Food came out super fast and looked so fresh really it was was ready in about 5 minutes.
This place is great. I had a chicken plate which had alot of chicken, pita, salad, and rice with a side of tzatiki.
My friend had a salmon gyro which she said is absolutely amazing.
Try this place, you won't be disappointed. The deck outside looks cute, I can't wait to go back and tr -
Review from Sonya L.
2/17/2011
YUM. Last night I decided to get take-out. I ordered the traditional gyro and Greek fries. I was not disappointed! Loved the delicious gyro meat and huge amount of veggies packed into the pita.
The Greek fries were good, but I wasn't able to finish them - just too much food overall! Looking forward to eating the rest of them tonight.
The staff was friendly and I was shocked that my food was ready 5 minutes (or less!) after I'd placed the to-go order.
My only complaint is that the gyro was too heavy on the tzatziki - there needed to be about half as much as there was.
Prices on the to-go menu were great. They are much higher on the sit-down menu, so I'd definitely recommend the to-go one instead.
You know it's a good sign when I am craving another gyro just writing this review. I will definitely be back here.Listed in: Excellent Edmonds
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Review from Cabryn T.
Edmonds, WA
12/7/2010
LOVE, love, LOVE Kafe Neo.
This place is great. I love the traditional gyro. But sometimes I gotta go outside the box, and have never been disappointed. LOVE their hummus.
The kids get the cheese "sandwich", which is pita and cheese. It's good, it's usually served too hot, but once cooled down, the kids go nuts.
Before 5p, you order at the counter and get a number, you're food will be brought out to you. After 5p, it turns into a sit-down dinner type place. Great service anytime of day.
Parent note: they have the best booster seats for kids! trust me. -
Review from Amanda H.
Everett, WA
9/13/2011
I may or may not (may) be addicted to these gyros! They are so good. Try the steak gyro, you will not be mad, I promise. Annnnd you can get them on a whole wheat pita! Which means all of a sudden, it's healthy ;) Win/Win.
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Review from Doug M.
5/28/2011
I think of Kafé Neo as a place for people who don't really like the strong flavors of Greek food, but somehow want an approximation. You order from a counter, from disinterested staff. Your food eventually arrives delivered by someone who will never return to ask if it is satisfactory. The food itself is bland. However, lots of locals love bland food and the place is usually crowded. I've had a few dishes there. The Chicago style gyro was fair. The lamb dishes are oddly seasoned and unlike any other Greek lamb that I have had. If you want Greek food that tastes like Greek food drive a little further to Time Out Burgers in Mountlake Terrace.
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Review from Kate L.
Edmonds, WA
4/29/2011
First off, service is bad. The servers are rude and incompetent, mainly rude. They would rather gossip amongst themselves than take care of a customer. I can forgive cruddy service if the food is good but it's not. I never thought someone could mess up a gyro but apparently I was wrong.
The traditional gyro is overcooked and stringy and they try to hide that fact by stuffing waaaay too much lettuce into a gyro (do gyros even come with lettuce?). The gyro itself is pretty skimpy and not very filling and the tzatiki sauce is basically plain yogurt with no flavor. The fries are gross. They're just frozen grocery store shoestring fries that get cold by the time they come to your table.
The only good news I have is that there are two quality restaurants that sell gyros very nearby. Take yourself to Time Out Burger and Gyros in Mountlake Terrace or Gyro Delight on 196th in Lynnwood. This place is not worth the time of day and obviously doesn't care about quality or customers. -
Review from J R R.
Seattle, WA
4/19/2011
I darted in for a bite of lunch today on my way home from work. I ordered a lamb gyro with a side of dolmathes, The dolmathes were delicious. The sauce they were served in was very tasty.... But the lamb gyro? The meat was completly overcooked and very stringy, there were no tomato, no perchini, the pita was soft and under grilled... it really needed a little bit more time on the grill. Tzatiki and the feta, were both an upcharge. But what I found most perplexing, was that the gyro I was served was pretty skimpy. There are better Greek restaurants all over town. JR
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Review from Raina D.
1/23/2011
Not the best greek food to be certain, but it is pretty cheap and nearby. I love the greek fries though....mmmmm.
I wouldn't recommend the falafel, they are really thin so they are just hard little dried out pucks instead of being crispy on the outside and moist and fluffy on the inside. -
Review from Alicia R.
Lynnwood, WA
10/11/2010
Greek food has never been my passion. However, I will say during my short stint as a vegan - Falafels were my obsession!
I learned of Kafe Neo from my gf, who kept telling me that someday she'd take me there. Then, at The Taste of Edmonds I noticed nearly every person walking around with a Gyro in their hands. It wasn't until I passed by a huge line blocking most of the walkway that I realized it was Kafe Neo, and while I desperately wanted to try their food the gf told me to be patient; we'd go someday.
Not long after that, following a long day of car shopping, my day finally came - and it was WELL worth the wait.
Their Tzatziki was superb - creamy and delicious. The flat bread they served with it was so soft that it had me frantically browsing the aisles at Trader Joe's for the perfect flat bread. (I finally found it, but that's another review all together). After our appetizer of Tzatziki and Flatbread we ordered Gyros. I had the FALAFEL GYRO 8.75 : falafel, tomato, onion, lettuce w/Hummus instead of the Tzatziki - which was my only mistake. The texture of the Falafel with the texture of the hummus made the Gyro dry.
My dinner choice was flavorful and refreshing. The lettuce was crisp all the way through, not soggy, and the falafels were, for lack of a better word, palatable beyond belief! I was not a fan of the hummus, for texture alone. I feel like it could have been processed longer, making it more whipped than chunky! Tzatziki next time, definitely. And the gf had the traditional gyro filled with the lamb which was juicy - not dry at all. (And not salty as some lamb can be!)
The atmosphere is nothing to write home about - a couple seated next to us dressed in the their Sunday's best - boat shoes and Gucci scarves, sat across from another couple wearing their sweats, shorts and sandles (with socks).
You don't have to be decked out in your finest to dine here, but in order to feel like you're on a date - I suggest you at least stay clear of sweats.
Enjoy! -
Review from Michelle S.
Lynnwood, WA
9/6/2010
They have the best chicken caesar salad gyros, greek fries and their chocoloate cookies are the BEST!
The only problem I have with this place is how overpriced the gyros are. Also, last time I was there the girl who sat my friend and I down was not too delightful. She was short in conversation and rude.
In any case, if you got the moolah and want a good gyro, I would put this down as an OPTION. -
Review from Amanda Y.
3/24/2010
Look, I've never been to Greece, so who am I to claim that the food here is anything authentic or amazing? All I know; is that it's good, and I like to put it in my mouth and feel it slide in to my tummy.
Is this a fancy place? hell no. Do I feel okay dining in in jeans and a hoodie? hell yes. Do I keep coming back here? Often.
Dine-in, take-out, easy, convenient and fast. Just like this girl. -
Review from erza s.
Lynnwood, WA
11/5/2011
Went here to get my greek fix 5 times. Ive done both takeout and dine in. Even though the price is a bit steep, the real problem i have is the cleanliness. I found a fly in my greek salad. sick to my stomach, i waved down the waitress and she apologized. The next time i ordered take out, there was a hair in my salad. What is going on with their salads?! I going to go try other greek places from now on.
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Review from Tom B.
9/9/2010 2 photos
Value plays a major component in giving this place five stars.
You don't necessarily expect a heck of a lot from a place on highway 99 that sits next to a roadhouse with a big neon rabbit sign. Not that places should get dinged for their neighbors' aesthetic sensibilities--moreso that it's just not a stretch of commercial venues that inspires a lot of optimistic curiosity.
Kafe Neo rocks though. Evidently, they were maybe a little hesitant to embrace a full sit-down model after succeeding in the rather different approach of their first store. Their first store is counter service, and is, rumor has it, always packed. This store has a host station and table service, but also has big deli cases and a coffee bar. It's a cool corner restaurant in the old community tradition, with all the amenities. And it doesn't look dated at all. In fact, it looks quite modern.
The staff is nice, and I'd be willing to bet that coffee is good, though I haven't tried it, so I am only speculating. And the desserts looked pretty awesome. But what really stood out was the meal. Great spreads with the pita points as an appetizer. Fantastic chicken, and awesome dolmades. Everything was beautifully prepared, everything showed up hot with no sign of dryness, all the veggies had snap to them.
Everything about the experience from the people through to the price has made this a permanent part of my dining-out regimen. I especially love that it's close to my place...south snohomish county isn't quite the food wasteland I had feared when I moved here, but every truly great place is precious. -
Review from Marcy N.
9/6/2010
This is my favorite greek place. The gyro platter is delicious and the portions are very large. I used to eat lunch her 1-2 times a week before moving away to Seattle. I haven't been back recently so I'm long overdue for a visit.
Each time I've been here to eat in the service has been excellent. Carryout can be tricky. I've eaten here dozens of times but 2-3 times I've been here for carryout and called my order in ahead of time. When I've arrived my food was not ready and after waiting for some extended period of time I'd ask again and find that my food has been sitting behind the counter unnoticed. This has only happened at the dinner hour.
The restaurant remodeled a few years back and it's quite delightful. I enjoy sitting outside on the private patio during the summer. -
Review from Theresa D.
Edmonds, WA
3/13/2008
Kafe Neo is fannnnnnnnntastic!!
I've only recently discovered it, as I've never been a huge gyro eater before, but a visit to Vancouver BC made my boyfriend an addict, therefore we needed to make a local discovery.
The gyro's are pretty filling, one will make you full if you like a simple meal, two will stuff you to capacity, especially if you're on a budget. Their website (http://www.kafeneo.net) says the gyro's run around from $8.95 to 9.75, but in reality they start at $4.95 to 8.95. Tops. Not bad for really fresh tasting food, at fast food prices. My gyro of choice is the Neo Chicken. It has plenty of tzatziki sauce (sometimes a little much for my taste), avocado, red onion and grilled chicken. All my favorite flavors stuffed into the fluffiest pita I have ever had. If you go, definitely try the greek fries.. While the fries are nothing special, they are tossed with feta, lemon, and oregano, and get served with their "Greek Fry sauce" which is a layering of ketchup, tzatziki sauce, and feta. TAAAAASTY! -
Review from Christy G.
Redmond, WA
7/23/2007
Five of us went there the other night, and we all found the food excellent, cooked perfectly, and all of us would go back. We had appetizers, wine and several different entrees.
Compared to some of the Greek places in Seattle, I think this food was cooked in a 'lighter' style, with not as much oil. So if you are looking for that, I would try Kafe Neo. The remodel has made it much more airy and pleasant.
We plan to go back on a sunny day so that we can sit outside on the patio, where there is a nice fountain and tables.
The only things we didn't enjoy there were the fact that it was absolutely freezing inside, and that they tried repeatedly to push us out after we were done eating- although the restaurant was not closing soon, and was half empty. -
Review from Megan E.
Edmonds, WA
2/28/2009
I called up ahead of time and phoned in my order, like I've done before. They placed me on hold for a good 5 minutes, but hey, it's Saturday at lunch time, so I forgave them. They said it'd be 20 minutes for my food to be ready. No problem.
When I arrived about 15 minutes later, the young woman who checked me in said my food wasn't quite ready. I paid in the mean time and took a seat. A few minutes turned into a few more, and soon it had been almost 40 minutes since I had called in my order. The server finally asked me what I was waiting for, and I let him know my order.
I watched as he went over to the cashier station. My food had been sitting on the counter, in a plastic bag, ready to go. He brought it over to me with a smile.
"How long has my food been sitting over there?" I asked. He wasn't sure. I tried a fry. It was cold. I tried a bit of meat. Room temperature.
I sent all the food back. I was very frustrated that I had been patiently waiting for my food, and meanwhile it had been sitting behind their counter, getting cold. The employees refused to give me a straight answer on how long my food had been there for. I told them I was frustrated about the situtation, and neither of the young women that were helping me apologized for took responsibility (even the one who checked me in.) I believe the owner needs to better train their staff on customer service.
The food was good once I got my new order, as usual. It's pricey, but the ingredients are high quality.
This place would get 5 stars easily if the staff was friendly and efficient. -
Review from Steve H.
Seattle, WA
3/4/2011
I have been enjoying Cafe Neo since before the great remodel when they were a lunch bar and a couple of postage stamp sized tables. My wife and I were there last night for one of the most wonderful dinners. The atmosphere and ambiance is fair, clean and cheerful, but not overly fancy. The attire is mixed leaning toward casual, and the food is OUTSTANDING! We started with a calamari appetizer that featured some of the freshest, most tender and perfectly cooked calamari that I think I have ever had - covered with just a hint of lightly crisp "breading". I put that in quotes because if you think that this is your typical thick armor coat of bread-like stuff, you couldn't be further from the truth, it was light, just a touch of crisp and delightful. Stepping away from the Gyros for a change, I had the braised pork with fennel potatoes and veggies. This started with my avgolemono soup, which was very light and refreshing with just a touch of lemon rather than the thick gloppy stuff that is all too common. My wife's Greek salad also was very fresh with crisp veggies and a very nice fresh feta dressing.
My pork dinner was presented as nicely as any "Fancy" restaurant I have ever been in! The fresh hot veggies seasoned with herbs and a touch of olive oil, crisply tender, not over cooked and still hot. (I cook a lot, and this is not easy to do...) The fennel potatoes were heaven - not overpowering and a perfect compliment to the tender succulent pork. This was served with a dipping sauce made from the pan juices and a bit of bleu cheese. The whole plate was lightly drizzled with a thick and rich aged balsamic syrup that tied everything together beautifully. My wife had the Chicken Souvlaki dinner with the same effect - fresh, perfectly seasoned and cooked, artistically presented at perfect serving temperatures. We have lived in New York and L.A., we both love to cook and love to eat out and have adventures with food and restaurants. You will have to go far and work hard to beat a meal like we had and for $50 including appetizer, coffee and "just right" sized "just a touch of sweet" deserts, Cafe Neo puts a lot of the more "exclusive" dining spots in the Seattle area to shame. When you combine this with the cheerful and skilled service that we received from our waitress Livia, it adds up to an absolutely delightful experience that I VERY highly recommend. -
Review from Sharon K.
Long Island City, Queens, NY
1/7/2009
I haven't had Greek food in a long time so I was excited and I got what I came for!
The pita (which they served right away) so soooo warm, soft and felt as if it was melting away in my mouth. They weren't stingy with the portion so that was nice. Then they also gave us our salads which was a variety of veggies and feta cheese.
I got the original gyro and got Greek fries. The meat in the gyro was tasty, not too chewy and all the veggies in it complemented it very well. I added hot sauce to it, which at first I didn't like but then as I got deeper into the gyro, it was good. The hot sauce reminds me of KFC's hot sauce haha
My friend recommended the Greek fries and I'm glad she did b/c it was great! The dip is a mix of ketchup, mayo (I'm guessing) and sprinkled with feta cheese. YUM.
The service was good-the servers were very polite, cordial (always smiling!) and refilled our drinks before we even had to ask.
Definitely will be back.
