Zaina

Now I love me a good Mediterranean spot complete with Gyros, falafels, schwarmas, etc., but this place is just right around «meh.»
We came in prior to a Sounders game to notice that things were pretty empty. I ordered a chicken schwarma and my wife had the Chicken kebab sandwich. Both sandwiches were a great size, EXTREMELY messy (not necessarily a bad thing), and were super spicy. Now, the heat was definitely there, but unfortunately my chicken was overcooked making it slightly dry. I also ordered a side of rice and it tasted relatively bland.
Probably won’t come back, I’d rather stick to my old trusty Mediterranean Mix down the street.

Good option for Middleeastern food for lunch in the downtown/​International District area. Not many options for this cuisine in downtown and this is one of the best. Pretty good prices and quick service. Not too fancy but it’s not supposed to be. Good falafel and chicken shwaramas, fresh ingredients, tasty sauce and optional hot sauce (and extra hot sauce on the table).

Ok, so they claim to have the best falafel in the world –not true, but it’s probably the most expensive. The truth is that the hummus and babganoush is RI-​DIC. So.GD.Good. The falafel plate, at a whopping $ 11.60 after tax is a pricy lunch, but worth the slurge once in a while because it has it all. Falafel, tabbouleh, pita, some beany salad business that’s yummy and a big scoop of both hummus and babganoush. I think it’s expensive cuz there’s crack in it.
Mmm yep, sampled each again. Outta this world. No question, the best hummus and babganoush ever. Case closed, going back to eating.

Delicious. The man was nice about my gawking at menu contemplating what I could eat, courteous and helpful to the extreme! Accidentally got my fave, gyro… lamb of course. Supposed to be gluten free. shh! Worth it. Way worth it. Spinach soup is sooo good as well. Found this gem on way to p square to eat from gym. Def return soon!

This place was a disappointment for the following reasons:
1. The quality of the meat of the Chicken Gyro seemed poor, and the sauce was wet and mediocre.
2. The music was too loud.
3. The guy behind the counter was initially stand offish.
4. The free water cups are very small, and they don’t offer ice.
5. The transition from handling money to handling food was made without washing hands.

This restaurant makes me want to dance when I walk in the door. Love that middle eastern music… so much fun!
I have the chicken gyro plate. Nom nom nom… so much food. Plenty of seating for the lunch crowd. I like sitting near the window so I can people watch. They have hookahs on the wall shelves for decoration. The guy at the counter is really nice too.
This restaurant is one of my favorite lunch spots.

A tasty falafel sandwich, stuffed with crumbled crispy chickpea-​fritter goodness, laced generously with tzatziki sauce, and full of crunchy fresh veggies, all wrapped in a fluffy pita. Yum!
Zaina’s falafel is just as good as some of the best I’ve ever had (in DC), and a big plus for the sandwich being far less messy than I expected. While there was plenty in there, it wasn’t overflowing and oozing out the top, defeating the point of it being a SANDWICH (which you can eat with your hands) as opposed to a loosely-​organized pile. So thank God for that!
Yes, the space is a little, um, downscale? Authentic Pioneer Square? Pre-​condo boom? Not a problem, if you mind that décor theme, because the Waterfall Park is only a few blocks away, and when it’s open you can sit outside at a nice little table to enjoy your lunch.

Greatest falafel ever? No.
Most underwhelming? Yes.
For $ 6, I had a bland, wet, and nondescript falafel sandwich. My companion was offered to have her sandwich spicy. She asked for medium, got mild. I wasn’t asked, but received mild as well. Other than unseasoned falafel and hummus, there was a «mediterranean mix» of lettuce (which in case anyone is wondering is just plain chopped romaine) and 3 chunks of watery tomatoes.
It wasn’t bad enough I wouldn’t eat it, but it was a sad sandwich. Save yourself the $ 6.