Too much loud music within shop even hard to speak with person taking
Atmosphere: 2
Sarah B.
This was one of my favorite quick restaurants in Irvine. Greek salad's price was hiked $2. Won't be going back.
Jorge D.
First time having this place. Don't know if it's a consistent issue but would not recommend online order. Food was told to be ready by a certain time and when I walked in they had barely started making it making me wait near 20 minutes. However, the food was pretty good ! I got the filet mignon wrap and I would get it again. The grilled veggies wrap was also great.
This place started off great when they opened but now the quality/service is going down. Initially the owner would be there and was super friendly. But now the food isn't something I would crave, service is hectic, food takes time, and the order almost always doesn't come out right.A reason to go here would be because they have halal option.Chicken shawarma: the portion was small for the price. It was lunch portion but regular price. Chicken was good, but a little tough. I substituted hummus for baba ganoush, but didn't really love the taste. The garlic sauce is what makes the food come together. I wish the pita was a little warmer. The salad and rice were good. I wouldn't really crave this dish.Service: a little slow even at the end of lunch rush. The cashier typically forgets modifications so check before you leave. We saw multiple customers complaining about the wait time. We kept checking in for our food, and he said he would bring it out in a minute. Waited some time before I went in and found out that our food was just sitting there as he was cleaning. Ambience: nice sitting area inside, and there are shaded tables just outside. Parking: plenty in the plaza
Anne M.
Good basic Mediterranean food when you are craving some kebab or falafel or tabbouleh. Pretty decor in the restaurant.
Chris A.
The Olives Branch Express is a Mediterranean/kebab style fast food version of the Olives Branch restaurant. As a takeout restaurant, you expect a certain amount of speed and balanced quality. Unfortunately, my experience at this location was a less than brilliant one.In terms of workers, they were doing absolutely everything they could. They had a single worke manning the register and helping with food, prep and expediting, and a single cook. This is the biggest problem. They are severely understaffed for the quantity of business and the complexity of the dishes they are putting together. These guys worked tirelessly the entire time, but an order that should've taken five minutes took Well over 15 minutes.In terms of food quality, it is a 50-50. Everything is tasty enough and well seasoned. You receive a good quantity of food per order: I got the Shawarma plate, which included a small salad, hummus and the garlic dip, a pita, rice and the chicken. It was tasty enough. However, the salad is cut with very mixed sizes so they were huge chunks of onion, mixed in with strangely cut lettuce; the chicken was incredibly dry, and the pita was not good. Additionally, the staff is not Provided cups for water and is encouraged not to offer the standard refreshment cup to have water.The menu itself is a bit misleading, as well. A lot of options are clearly marked as gluten-free, which is great for someone like myself who is gluten free. However, they also include the pita, and upon asking, I was informed that the pita is not gluten-free, (which I expected), but it is not listed as a Gluten item or a separate item within the ordering menu. So that means if you're not really paying attention, and you are celiac or truly gluten allergic, you are receiving something in your meal that you believe you can eat because it's marked as allergy friendly on the menu, but that would actually make you unwell.Overall, this is not a place that I will be returning to for my mid work, lunch needs.
Jenean S.
Always messing up our order. We were supposed to hear from the manager. Our complaint was around 600 pm Aug. 31st. It is now October 4th. No call... the manager might want to check with his workers who were working on the evening of August 31.
Larry Angier
Not bad food from r this new place! Planning on going back next time I’m nearby and hungry for Greek food.
Great meditarean food with a great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Feb 7 2024Time 8:57Store closedHours don't match with what's on Google mapNever go somewhere where your time is wasted
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Very excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I always have a good experience when I come here, so I keep coming back. The food is amazing too, fresh and strong flavors that I love.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They were closed at 11:20
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Their food isn't fresh!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Vegetarian options: Their falafel was very good and moist. And the bean entree is never had before but would buy again. The grilled veggies were fire.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Perfectly Cooked Falafel, Falafel Wrap
Too much loud music within shop even hard to speak with person taking
Atmosphere: 2
This was one of my favorite quick restaurants in Irvine. Greek salad's price was hiked $2. Won't be going back.
First time having this place. Don't know if it's a consistent issue but would not recommend online order. Food was told to be ready by a certain time and when I walked in they had barely started making it making me wait near 20 minutes. However, the food was pretty good ! I got the filet mignon wrap and I would get it again. The grilled veggies wrap was also great.
Restaurantji Recommends
This place started off great when they opened but now the quality/service is going down. Initially the owner would be there and was super friendly. But now the food isn't something I would crave, service is hectic, food takes time, and the order almost always doesn't come out right.A reason to go here would be because they have halal option.Chicken shawarma: the portion was small for the price. It was lunch portion but regular price. Chicken was good, but a little tough. I substituted hummus for baba ganoush, but didn't really love the taste. The garlic sauce is what makes the food come together. I wish the pita was a little warmer. The salad and rice were good. I wouldn't really crave this dish.Service: a little slow even at the end of lunch rush. The cashier typically forgets modifications so check before you leave. We saw multiple customers complaining about the wait time. We kept checking in for our food, and he said he would bring it out in a minute. Waited some time before I went in and found out that our food was just sitting there as he was cleaning. Ambience: nice sitting area inside, and there are shaded tables just outside. Parking: plenty in the plaza
Good basic Mediterranean food when you are craving some kebab or falafel or tabbouleh. Pretty decor in the restaurant.
The Olives Branch Express is a Mediterranean/kebab style fast food version of the Olives Branch restaurant. As a takeout restaurant, you expect a certain amount of speed and balanced quality. Unfortunately, my experience at this location was a less than brilliant one.In terms of workers, they were doing absolutely everything they could. They had a single worke manning the register and helping with food, prep and expediting, and a single cook. This is the biggest problem. They are severely understaffed for the quantity of business and the complexity of the dishes they are putting together. These guys worked tirelessly the entire time, but an order that should've taken five minutes took Well over 15 minutes.In terms of food quality, it is a 50-50. Everything is tasty enough and well seasoned. You receive a good quantity of food per order: I got the Shawarma plate, which included a small salad, hummus and the garlic dip, a pita, rice and the chicken. It was tasty enough. However, the salad is cut with very mixed sizes so they were huge chunks of onion, mixed in with strangely cut lettuce; the chicken was incredibly dry, and the pita was not good. Additionally, the staff is not Provided cups for water and is encouraged not to offer the standard refreshment cup to have water.The menu itself is a bit misleading, as well. A lot of options are clearly marked as gluten-free, which is great for someone like myself who is gluten free. However, they also include the pita, and upon asking, I was informed that the pita is not gluten-free, (which I expected), but it is not listed as a Gluten item or a separate item within the ordering menu. So that means if you're not really paying attention, and you are celiac or truly gluten allergic, you are receiving something in your meal that you believe you can eat because it's marked as allergy friendly on the menu, but that would actually make you unwell.Overall, this is not a place that I will be returning to for my mid work, lunch needs.
Always messing up our order. We were supposed to hear from the manager. Our complaint was around 600 pm Aug. 31st. It is now October 4th. No call... the manager might want to check with his workers who were working on the evening of August 31.
Not bad food from r this new place! Planning on going back next time I’m nearby and hungry for Greek food.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Falafel Wrap