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Mediterranean Express
Categories: Restaurants Mediterranean Restaurants Middle Eastern Event Planning & Services Caterers Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Caterers [Edit]
1417 Broadway(between Union St & Pike St)
Seattle, WA 98122
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
(206) 860-3989
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Validated
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
88 reviews for Mediterranean Express
Review Highlights
"Greek fries are also sinfully good."
(in 11 reviews)
"The red lentil soup is tasty too."
(in 7 reviews)
"...on the side) or the chicken shwarma, which with some hot..."
(in 4 reviews)
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88 reviews in English
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Review from Andy F.
9/25/2011
I like Mediterranean Express for big lunches and take-out dinners. The food is always bursting with flavor and although this isn't the cheapest lunch in the area, it's a good value and I've never been disappointed.
The folks who work the register and manage the orders are always friendly and the cooks take their time and get the food right. I have waited fifteen or twenty minutes for take-out, which can seem like a long time. But I appreciate that all of the food is prepared to order (and that just takes a bit longer to get right).
Mediterranean Express offers student discounts and is really pushing the whole social media thing - with lots of signage encouraging customers to check in and 'friend' the place. Why not?Listed in: Eats
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Review from Jackie K.
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have been to MedEx on 2 separate occasions, and while there are some good things, there are some fundamental not-so-good things so I was torn between 2 and 3 stars.
First: I really really expect my Gyro to be moist and delicious. But it was dry. Not just the pita, but the meat too. Dry enough I had to get extra sauce, and then sometimes I had to put water in my mouth with the bite. You know that physical challenge from Nickelodeon where you have to eat saltine crackers and try to whistle? Well just imagine that with meat. That was some sadness.
But Second: hellooo Baklavah! Loaded with pistachios and so tender and flaky! Also, the schwarma was really yummy and tender (though again, dry pita! What gives?!?) My friend's soup looked tasty (she said it was, but I didn't try it)
And Thirdly: The people working there were really really nice and friendly. Both times!
Sometimes you want a separate rating for the people vs. the food. This is one of those times. -
Review from Julie H.
9/30/2011
Some say bursting with flavor... I say bursting with salt. Salt salt salt!
Don't get me wrong, I am a major fan of salt, and this wasn't even beyond the limits of the salt that I can take, but the only flavor I can remember from this meal was salt. Where is the garlic Mr Mediterranean?
I was actually meaning to go to the QFC upstairs to peruse their lacking raw foods section, but I thought this would be a better use of my money. While it wasn't terrible it wasn't great either. It did take way too long. I ordered the Mediterranean Chicken Salad to-go (because I had to get back to work) and prepared to be delighted. 17 minutes and counting and I'm still standing there waiting. Standing, because I don't want to be the person that takes a seat when it's not necessary; waiting, because I am freaking starving!
All in all, it's passable in a pinch, but I probably won't go back when there are way better choices and I won't be telling my friends to check it out. -
Review from Elizabeth R.
Seattle, WA
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had never had a gyro before and this was the place my boyfriend decided to take me after work for my first one (since we were planning to go to Yogurtland right after).
I honestly had no idea what to order, so I just had my boyfriend order for me. We both ended up getting the gyro platters with some salad. The salad was great! As for the platter, it was a bit on the bland side for me. I had to add some hot sauce just to have some flavor. I believe it was a mix of chicken, beef, pork, and lamb. It was my first time having lamb as well. But overall, it was a good first time. I just wish they'd give more than one pita. -
Review from Katy H.
4/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow, with all of the great reviews and the Yelp Check-In Deal, how could I not want to stop in and eat here?
Right next to (super awesome) Tidbit Bistro and conveniently located near my house, Mediterranean Express came in handy last night when I wanted some tasty and cheap Greek food.
Just 20 mins before closing I popped in and asked for a few suggestions. The gyro platter, the gyro salad, lentil soup and fries was what we ordered for take out. (The woman behind the register made sure we felt bad that we were coming in 20 mins to closing so she actually asked us to order our food to go.) Of course I would have rather eaten at home anyway, but found it a little strange that she would complain about serving food to people before the restaurant was closed.
To add to it all, the woman behind the counter didn't realize that lots of people in this country speak Spanish. After living in Mexico half of my life and being totally fluent, I felt a pit in my stomach when I heard her telling one of the cooks, "No. Throw that out. Don't put that on there, just throw it out. No...THROW IT OUT!"
All I could think was... "Umm.. throw WHAT out?" And whatever "IT" was, he tossed it. (There is a tall counter so I couldn't actually see what was going on.) I didn't make a stink because he did in fact throw something out and I just hoped that whatever was actually packaged in my order wasn't rotten or bad or covered in bugs.
Oddly, after a less than great experience here I'll probably still go back. At least once more. The food was more than decent and so was the price...I'll just come earlier in the day next time. -
Review from Karina V.
Seattle, WA
6/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Came in for lunch ordered the gyro plate. Yummy came w/ your choice of a salad or soup. Picked the salad- tangy and yummy. I have to say the food is really filling and you get what you paid for. Must try the fries- yum yum, yum.
I would have given this place 4 stars- but there was a young lady bedhind the counter who was quite rude when we were ordering. Either she was having a bad day or so did not want to be there. . I've never seen someone roll their eyes so much in the 1/2 hr i was there. . .
Definitely come for the food! -
Review from katya l.
4/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Popped in here to grab some takeout because I was craving gyros very, very desperately. I ordered the gyro plate to go - spiced lamb and beef over seasoned rice, topped with tzaziki sauce, with hummus and a warm pita and a side of soup or salad.
The soup was good, tangy and of a good consistency. Nothing outstanding, but it got the job done, which was to warm me up after I slogged home in the rain, cradling my to-go bag. The hummus was decent as well, lemony and smooth. I really liked the main entree - the meat was tender and perfectly seasoned, and the rice was well cooked. It could have used more tzaziki sauce, though! The portion was huge - I got two meals out of it. Definitely a good option for a quick, cheap and filling meal if you're craving a gyro. -
Review from Megan D.
Boston, MA
5/28/2011
The Gyro salad: tender delicious meat, crisp romaine lettuce, salty feta cheese, and good dressing. I also had a bite of the Greek fries, and those were amazing. My friend had the chicken kebab and she said it was "delicious".
My only complaint is that the juice I bought from there had HFCS in it. -
Review from Rebecca S.
Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
I had a $1 for $9 dealpop coupon for Mediterranean Express, so Todd and I went there on Tuesday.
I ordered the chicken skewer wrap and Todd had the falafel. The sandwiches are normally priced at about $6, which is more than what their website says, and apparently they have specials with a sandwich, drink and fries but you have to be in the know and I wasn't.
We ordered the food, took a seat and about fifteen minutes later we were handed our wraps. They were easy to eat - not too messy or huge, and they were decent. Just wasn't anything memorable.
In short: Meditteranean Express is a cheap and fast lunch or dinner spot, but don't expect much.Listed in: I love Capitol Hill, Cheap Eats
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Review from Rrr V.
Seattle, WA
6/20/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Hostess: n/a
Cashier/waiter: 4.0
Food-taste, presentation: 4.0
Property-stlye, decor, ambiance: 3.0
Tasty, tasty, tasty!!! -
Review from Sheila L.
9/18/2010
Discovered this place due to a dealpop coupon that I had bought which was an awesome deal that I couldn't pass up. Even without the deal, the prices here are still great. Both my fiance and I ordered the lamb kabob and lamb shawarma. We shared just to get a taste of each. We both agreed that the lamb kabob tasted better but the shawarma still had good flavor. Each dish came with a choice of lentil soup or salad with a garlicky lemon dressing. Both tasted good. And for dessert, I ordered the baklava which was tasty but I've had better.
We do plan on going back to try other dishes. :) -
Review from Brian L.
11/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
Pass the mediterranean hot sauce! what? this place has no sauce?!I Ok I've been here a few times now and almost every time I wish they made a house hot sauce. It would go so well with the kabobs and the shwarmas. Mediterranean Express, if you're reading, you guys gotta work on a sauce, pronto!
Sauce or not, this place isn't messin around. Highly recommend the chicken kabob combo (fresh and warm pita bread, fantasmal rice, grilled chicken made to order, and flavorful hummus on the side) or the chicken shwarma, which with some hot sauce might be 5 star worthy ;)
Ps parking is validated up to 90 minutes if you park in the QFC parking lot. Pretty convenient for Cap Hill. -
Review from Keriche C.
Seattle, WA
5/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yummy! I came here with a friend for lunch and ordered the chicken kabob. The chicken was juicy and there were no chewy or foreign parts in the mix. Love it! I'll be back soon.
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Review from Andrew T.
7/27/2010 2 Check-ins Here
We noticed this place on the walk back to the hotel, and decided to make a stop, being fans of the Mediterranean food.
I ordered the lamb shawarma, something I don't see very often. It came as a dinner, with rice, a salad, and a little serving of hummus. We also had some falafel, just to sample. The lamb was very good - fairly tender, marinated in a good lemony marinade, and with the nice touch of some hot veggies - rather than cold and crisp a la I Dream of Falafel in Chicago, the tomatoes were warmed and softened, as was some julienned red cabbage. Nice touch. The hummus was standard, the rice normal. My side salad was just a standard salad with some almost Italian or Greek dressing - next time I would try the soup. The falafel are good, nice crisp outside and soft warm inside, less coriander than IDoF, my current fave, with what I think was a little cinnamon. certainly a new flavor I'm not used to in falafel. I did get a pita with the meal - but it was...I'm going to say bad. Naf Naf, it ain't.
I'll be back. It's close to the hotel (at least, this week and next), quick, and tasty. -
Review from Bryan R.
5/12/2010
Walked in there today for a lunch with some colleagues who had recommended it. It was pretty busy, and the food took a while to get served to us, which is expected. They were training a new person there, so perhaps that's the reason, but I had ordered the Chicken Shwarma, but when our food came we were just given chicken gyros. We explained to the guy who brought them that this was not what we ordered, but he kind of shrugged and walked away--not in a rude way, but more in an uncomfortable you're-speaking-English-too-fast-and-I-have-to-get -back-to-cooking kind of way.
The chicken gyro was good, and pretty standard (which is to say tasty) but I was sad to not try the item we'd ordered. -
Review from Jamie J.
3/28/2010
Solid four stars...
1. Get great portions for a very affordable price.
2. Customary, yet modern spin, on classic greek food.
3. Quick service!
4. Cute vibe.
Their menu is pretty typical for greek food, but there are a few things that are a little atypical in a very cool way. Their shoestring garlic feta fries, with the amazing sauce they put on everything, rock! They are served as an appetizer - huge freakin plate too. You'll be happy you tried them.
Their main dishes are pretty customary. I like how they add their sauce to everything too... literally everything. The rice was very flavorful and cooked well. Happy. Their chicken dish that I tried was also very tasty, BUT, a tad overcooked in a few bites. When that bite entered my mouth, my 5th star flew out the window. Sorry, I'm a chicken snob?
Other highlights, the pita's were thin and good. Not used to the less doughy version... but I kinda liked them. The hummus, also served with all the dishes, is tangy and smooth. A nice delight.
I would definitely recommend this place for a quick meal, that will leave you with left overs and change in your pockets.
Island Eats with A City beat. -
Review from Lindi C.
Portland, OR
6/23/2007
LAAAAAAASSIE???? OOOOHHH LAAAAAAASSIE?
I mean, GAAAAAAAARLIC??? OOOOHHHH GAAAAAAAARLIC?
Missing: Garlic
Missing from: Mediterranean Express
Missing since: June 2007
(What happened to their garlic? I did not taste one tiny little delicious bit of it in my dinner. Usually their salad is ALMOST unpalatable because there is TOO much garlic.)
Please help bring garlic back.
If found, please return immediately for a delicious reward. -
Review from Elvis R.
Seattle, WA
5/11/2009
There once was a man from Nan...
-- No! Stop! Begin again! --
For good shawarma I'll forever be looking
In this Mediterranean-less town so sucking
Because what I've discovered thus far
Has been crap to sub-par
A sentiment MedEx is not ducking
The feta cheese, garlic mayo smothered greek fries were ok. But they were french fries smothered with garlic mayo and feta cheese. Fucking that up would be like fucking up bacon, or chocolate or whisky... or whiskey-bacon-chocolate ice-cream... possible but unlikely.
The tomatoes in the shawarma -- at least I think / hope it had tomatoes in it -- were cooked to mush, leaving only the stringy-worm skins to pick out from the sandwich and from in between your teeth. The lamb and the tahini (hey, at least this shawarma had tahini in it, unlike the last one I got from some other would be Mediterranean joint, that had, inexplicably, tzatziki in it) almost got a shoulder shrug out of me, but then I took another bite and couldn't be bothered.
See this is what happens when you break one of your life's rules... Do not patronize food places w/ Express in the name. Dumbass. -
Review from Joel H.
San Jose, CA
10/9/2006
If I eat something from Mediterranean Kitchen, I'm eating it *all day*. Every burp, every hiccough, a little bit of garlic or onion comes back to say hello.
This isn't to say the food is bad; it's not, it's actually quite nice going down the first time. I love gyros and falafel and souvlaki. I love the lamb. I love tabouli salad. It just repeats more often than a kid on a cross country trip "Are we there yet, are we there yet...."
Good enough prices, and decent menu. No ambience -- get takeout! -
Review from Jolene N.
Seattle, WA
3/20/2006 ROTD 3/21/2006
We love their Mediterranean Chicken salad. Chicken is prepared in the same manner as the lovely Shish Tawook. Simply delightful, great spices, mixed in a cream topping. Cream isn't quite the right word, neither is sauce. Spiced with just right. The chicken tops salad greens with a nice garlic sauce.
The full meals, such as Shish Tawook and Chicken Shwarma are a delight as well and come with a nice soup or salad (same greens as the Chicken salad). These fuller meals are served with rice and spice and topped with hummus that rocks. Garlic lovers, this is your heaven. -
Review from ben b.
Seattle, WA
7/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Gyro plates are good enough that of the 3 or 4 times I've come here I haven't been able to order something else instead. The red lentil soup is tasty too. Service has always been good for me.
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Review from David G.
Needham, MA
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Service was great. Food was served quickly. Quality dishes, especially for the price.
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Review from Silvia A.
Seattle, WA
10/11/2007
Good food at good prices.
I find that the gyro plate, which - in addition to a gyro - comes with rice and other odds and ends, is not worth the extra $4. Everything delicious about a gyro comes with the gyro and all the other stuff on the plate is just filler. Their brown lentil soup is quite tasty and has tons of lemon flavor.
In addition to that, the proprietor seems like a very sweet man. My roommate ordered take out last week and it got mixed up somehow, and he personally checked that we got it in the end.
The only thing that could make this place better is delivery and a vast variety of yogurts and drinks in foreign languages to compliment your meal. -
Review from David H.
Seattle, WA
2/18/2007
Consistently good food at fair prices.
Boring on the inside, so don't expect flash, just a good meal. -
Review from Dianne B.
Bellevue, WA
3/31/2007
After hearing about the wonders of a dish called schwarma from my boyfriend I finally had a chance to try it. at Mediterranean Express. It made my mouth sing (I am only half kidding.) Just to make sure, I brought the above mentioned boyfriend in for a taste test. He had sampled different schwarma recipes all over Saudi Arabia during his time in the military. Yes, this is the real thing. I always get the lamb schwarma. It's pungent and full of flavor, The rice, hummus and a tangy spicy salad round out the meal.
It's a friendly, casual place where you order at the counter and seat yourself. They bring the food out to you. It's not expensive. The service is great. The restroom is immaculate. The atmosphere is pleasant with updated decor better than most eat-in/take out places. We eat here about every other week now.Listed in: Mediterranean
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Review from Narnia P.
Seattle, WA
7/9/2010
One of my favorite places to eat on Capitol Hill. The gyros plate and mediterranean prawns are the best items on the menu. All of the ingredients taste great and I have always left full and happy.
The ambiance is cute, nothing fancy. Just a great place to stop for some inexpensive tasty food. -
Review from Joyce J.
San Jose, CA
6/13/2010
I have been on a gyros hunt lately. Out of the four gyros places that I have tried so far, this place has the cheapest lunch special; you can add a salad or soup for $1.99 to sandwiches. The portions are very generous. The service was really friendly and fast. The place is spotless in terms of cleanness. One can sit comfortably in the store and have meal with friends.
So why the two stars? Well, I have become less forgiving about poor gyros since I have had gyros at Zaina and saw that there is quality gyros in Seattle. My pita was not warm and it was really hard. The gyros slices and the vegetables didn't quite go together. The gyros just didn't taste right even though the vegetables appeared fresh. I may come back and give the place another chance, because of the place has the various good qualities I have listed. Before then, 2 stars it is. -
Review from Alfa Alyssa E.
Renton, WA
12/16/2008
We used to make trips to Seattle just to eat at this place. It was kind of a big deal. The food was so good, the parking for Seattle, was really simple. The guys who work here were the nicest most friendliest guys. It's been some time since I've made it there so I'm not sure if they still work there.
It's a pretty small restaurant and very casual. The food is so so good though. I always get the Farmer's wings which are the most tastiest chicken wings you may ever have..
Mmmm.. can't wait to go back. -
Review from Jarrod L.
3/7/2010
The gyro sandwich is fine; it's perfectly mediocre. I don't want to go to a mediocre gyro place, I want to go to a good gyro place. It was interesting that it was perfectly mediocre though, so if you care about my gyro reviews, it give a good mid-line.
The baba ghanoush is pretty good; I think they don't add any sweetener at all and put enough tahini in it. Many places have overly sweet baba ghanoush. -
Review from Matthew H.
Seattle, WA
5/11/2011
Good price for good gyro. Nice chunks of lamb, not too much sauce, friendly service, and quickly prepared.
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Review from Han O.
12/9/2006
All I can really offer is that their rice was REALLY good. it was nicely infused with flavor and deliciously moist but not sticky.
The guy who suggested the place told us to get the chicken shawarma...or something. They had since renamed the dish so I opted for the combo plate. It had a generous hunk each of seasoned lamb, ground beef, and lamb. It was tasty. The rice was [see above] and the hummus was tangy and good.
Sitting arrangements were a bit cramped or oddly placed. It didn't exactly make you want to sit down anywhere. Definitely not Feng Shui. We chose one of the tables *not* directly in front of the bathroom.
My fiance says their gyro was "alright". I guess that's why I'm the review writer. -
Review from Benjamin J.
Tacoma, WA
1/1/2008
With a name like Mediterranean Kitchen Express (shortened to the heinously vague Mediterranean Express in the window), you'd think this is another average gyro emporium. Not so. This restaurant is affiliated with the Mediterranean Expresses in Lower Queen Anne and downtown Bellevue which serve up delicious, albeit expensive fare.
The Express version is anything but expensive. A turkish coffee, a soda, a schwarma sandwich and a salad all come out to about $10. And the food is plentiful. The salad that Mediterranean Kitchen (the full version) eliminated from their menu is available here, with the garlicky sauce that I'd kill for in a bottle. The sandwiches are also delicious, and service is speedy and friendly.
One of my favorite places in Seattle. Food that would fit in a high-end restaurant at ridiculously low prices. What's not to love?
And, by the way, not enough garlic? Dayum. I'm a garlic fiend, and this place is near my maximum.Listed in: Sandwichgasm: Seattle
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Review from Shannon W.
Seattle, WA
1/26/2009
My favorite Mediterranean place. Definitely not a fancy establishment but it's just right. The food is high quality and the price is always right.
I always get the chicken shawarma sandwich, sometimes a gyro, but definitely always greek fries as well. Those greek fries seem to have come from a mouthwatering dream... I've tried to recreate them at home but they never taste as good...
One time I walked over to the med express at lunch and got a shawarma and greek fries and I almost ran back to work because I was so anxious to dig in. I ended up with tzatziki all over myself. It looked like a delicious crime scene when I was done. It was worth it.Listed in: Feed me!
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Review from Kyle K.
Seattle, WA
6/13/2011
You've got to come here for a meal that doesn't make you unable to pay rent and also fills your stomach for hours! This restaurant saves money and lives. The staff is really friendly and knows the menu well. I told the girl who took my order a flavor and feeling I wanted and she put an order in for me. It was like magic! For the full sit-down aesthetic, I suggest going earlier. They're required to close at the time displayed, so don't be annoying. I'm sure you like to go home at closing time too =]
As a vegetarian I really appreciate hummus and bread. Their greek fries are to die for (much better than the fast food alternative, eh??)! I recommend the vegetarian platter for fellow veg-heads. For the carnivores, the meat smells so good but I couldn't give you much of a personal suggestion...just be creative! -
Review from Cyndi C.
2/1/2008 2 Check-ins Here
I love and crave this food often! Always Fast friendly service! A rarity of nice service on the Hill.
Pros:
- By far the BEST baba ganoush I have ever had. Try it on a sandwich.
- The house garlic dressing for the side salad is the bomb! This is my favorite dressing I crave it.
- Excellent gyros! hot and crunchy 'the real deal' on a spit not the fake deli kind. Great chicken schwarma.. It's all yummy.
- Free parking in the QFC lot.
- Great prices for the food.
Cons:
- The pita, I guess they are so busy making amazing dishes the pita is an afterthought.. It's a tougher kind.. maybe on purpose to hold all the yummy fixins in the sandwich? To me just is a lil tastless when used as a 'dippin' pita for hummus or buba. Too cardboard like.
- The seating and dining area.. yeah it's "Express" hence the name.. I guess I shouldn't say a con per say.. Express is just what it is. -
Review from Chelsy C.
5/11/2008 3 Check-ins Here
I love this place!
The furnishings are spartan, but you're here for the food. For a dinner I usually rock the chicken shawarma with baba ganoush, but for lunch a falafel sandwich is plenty and maybe I'll split the Greek fries and get some mint tea. The prices are spot on and if your driving they validate the QFC parking lot. A great place to get your garlic fix on First Hill. -
Review from Celeste T.
Seattle, WA
3/25/2010
Mediterranean Express has good hummous, excellently crisp falafel, and other great middle-eastern things. Their portions are large, and they aren't too expensive.
I have been going here for years upon years, and they never fail to satisfy me. -
Review from Jody N.
Seattle, WA
1/5/2009
When searching for a place to fill my grumbling stomach, my boyfriend and I passed by Mediterranean Express. We were contemplating going in, as it appeared to be just another mediocre fill up station. To my surprise the food was really fresh, and filled with flavor. I got the garlic chicken - huge portions, and included humus, large piece of warmed pita bread and rice.
If you're ever looking for a quality place with yummy food on Broadway, I would recommend this place! -
Review from Victoria T.
Seattle, WA
1/5/2008
Best Gyros Ever.
Seating can be difficult. Order your gyro to go. -
Review from Beau R.
Sammamish, WA
4/11/2010
The food was acceptable at Mediterranean Express. Nothing more than good - the food was bland, but the portions were good sized.
I would have appreciated more cucumbers and vegetables in my gyro sandwhich. The rice that came with the meals seemed like it had been in the warming tray for a little too long.
Nothing special here, keep on moving.
