I came here today for a late lunch on the weekend with my husband. We had been here before and enjoyed it. Our order took about a half hour before it was ready and we were thoroughly disappointed when it arrived. The beef kabobs were so charred and tough we didn't finish them. Given there were so few people in the cafe at the time, I would have expected better quality food and preparation. I don't think we'll be returning here again. read more

Astor Mediterranean - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

RIP Astors. New ownership has ruined this icon. Disorganized, slow, no respect for the customers. We frequented Astors for their salmon. It is no longer seasoned in the same way and the portion is much smaller -- for the same price! Very sad day. read more

How have I never been here before. Delicious Mediterranean food! Atmosphere: Chill and laid back. Order, pick up, and clean up yourself. Food: Delicious!!!! We had the stuffed grape leaves, beet salad, steak & cheese wrap. I've gotten the falafel here before as well. Everything was excellent. I highly recommend getting the fries here - I don't know what they do here but it's extra crispy. Service: It's counter service but everyone was very friendly. Overall: 5/5 Lovely place to go - sit in the patio area! read more

This was a go to for so long, but unfortunately it has greatly regressed. The biggest issue is the wait time which can extend to 30 minutes or more for very basic food items. The salmon I ordered was then under cooked. They did offer a chicken kabob in its place to try to accommodate my experience. UPDATE: The chicken kabob was dry as a bone and the spicy chick peas were watery. Even the rice tasted like air. It's over. I'm not sure what happened to our favorite lunch spot, but I think Astor's time is limited as a Mediterranean restaurant of choice. read more

I used to come here every week, for well over a year. I spent a significant portion of my eating-out budget here. But NEVER AGAIN. The new owners turned a gem into something awful. Today I had the Greek salad with grilled chicken. The salad was awful--most of the red cabbage in my salad was the inedible white stalk part. Who willfully cuts this tough material into chunks, and then throws it into a salad, thinking someone can actually chew it? The "grilled" chicken in my salad was was completely charred. Half of it was so blackened that it was brittle. The other half was dry and gross. Their salmon recipe has changed to be overly salty. The rice was dry. The roasted vegetables were an odd mix of mushy and overdone. I don't understand why someone would buy a restaurant, keep the same menu items, but not understand--or appreciate--what made the restaurant so popular! We--the loyal customers--came because the recipes were good and the food was skillfully prepared. In short, why aren't the new owners (plus management and employees) paying attention to the DETAILS! Very sad. Hopefully the prior owner opens up a new restaurant in the area. She paid close attention to the recipe and food preparation. read more

Been there twice, had my order messed up twice. I do not intend to find out if they will mess it up a third time. Maybe it's on me for showing up with 30 minutes to go before they close. None of the food I wanted was available, which is fine because it was close to closing. But when you are paying a significant price for your food, you want everything you ordered. After asking the person if everything was in there, and specifically asking if one side was in there, his reassurances were reaffirming. I get home, and my side wasn't in there. I do not plan to go there again. I don't appreciate feeling like I am an inconvenience when I go and order food. read more

I've been craving Astor for the past week (it's our go-to Mediterranean spot) so I was so excited when we decided to order it tonight. I tried to order online like usual and found they have a new online ordering system...that doesn't work. Strike 1. So I called and an unhelpful woman took my order of the same 4 items that we always get, but hung up before I could even give her my name. When we went to pick up the order, guess what....they didn't have my order. So, we ignored strike 2 and placed the order again. Getting home and opening the containers, the food was a mess! It was packed differently and had shifted all around. I get the Vegetarian Sampler so that means that all of the items were now combined into one big blob. Strike 3. Finally we were eating and a few bites in the bf says to me "does yours taste the same"? NOPE! Every item in the Vegetarian Sampler was so bland, not he same at all. His Kufta Kabob tasted like dry stale meat and the yogurt garlic sauce was congealed and flavorless. We figured they either had a new chef or new owner, who apparently doesn't have tastebuds. Strike 4. So I got on Yelp and see that we're not the only ones. So sad! read more

My favorite Mediterranean location across the bridge. Great outdoor space & Dog Friendly. Great substitute for Sugar drinks is the new soda machine with a variety of natural flavors. read more

Astor Mediterranean - Lamb Shank W/ chickpeas and steamed veggies & Veggie Platter, - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

For the price and convenience, this place hits the spot! We ordered the eggplant wrap (7.95), which was nicely warmed and seasoned, and the vege platter, which had babagaboush, hummus, a pepper spread, tabouli, eggplant salad, chickpea stew, vine leave rice nugget (forget the actual term), falafel, beets, a spinach pastry, onion salad (all cold) and a side of pita (warmed). On their own, the salads were okay, but the variety and mix of flavors elevated the plate (10.95). I loved the eggplant wrap but as we split it between us, its messiness was exacerbated as we tried to slice it down the center. The two dishes filled us up nicely, were delivered quickly, and there was a range of seating indoors and outdoors to choose from. The service seemed to be "take care of yourself", with drink dispenser, cutlery station, and clean up station. It was a pleasant experience! read more

Astor Mediterranean - Food! - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

hallelujah! Astor is worth getting excited about and especially now that it has come to Arlington. Delicious and nutritious!!! What more could you ask? Oh yeah- great prices too. For those unfamiliar with the Adams Morgan location, this place is a casual Mediterranean restaurant. Good for takeout although you can eat onsite too. Advice: get the Astor Vegetarian. You will be satisfied even if you are a meat loving vegetable skeptic. The list of delicious options is long: baba ganoush, fava bean dip, hummus, spinach pie, lentil salad, falafel, tabouleh salad, beet salad, Egyptian salad, chickpea salad, eggplant moussaka. Yum yum. Go find your favorite today. read more

I was really craving a gyro one night and typed "best gyro in Arlington" into Yelp and Astor Mediterranean was the first "hit" that came up. I saw it was a mere six minutes away and had very positive reviews on Yelp so I was sold immediately on coming here for a quick take-out dinner. I was able to easily order and pay online which is always a convenient option when you're in a hurry. I was given a time estimate and, although I arrived about 10 minutes early, the staff made every effort to get my food to me quickly after they knew I had arrived. I waited maybe 5 minutes and still walked out before the original estimated pick up time. The short wait gave me a few minutes to peruse their other menu items which includes everything from pizza to kabobs to salads. Everything is priced very reasonably, for example, my gyro, which easily could have been two meals if I wasn't going out of town the next day, was only $6.50. There was so much lamb in the pita! And to top it off the lamb was beautifully seasoned and very tender! The feta was packed on generously as was the tzatsiki sauce. The pita was perfectly grilled and provided a sturdy pocket for the meat, sauce, and toppings. The gyro was absolutely amazing and I'm so glad Yelp steered me here! Other things to note: parking is free in back, beer and wine is available for purchase when dining in, and the dine-in area is spacious, clean, and welcoming. If you get that same hankering for a gyro that led me here, trust me, go here and you won't be disappointed! read more

Astor Mediterranean - Massive lamb gyro for $6.50 - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

The vegetarian platter is the way to go. $11 gets you a filling portion of healthy eats. Just to break it down for you: 2 small falafels, 1 dolmade, hummus, fava spread, baba ghanoush, roasted eggplants, tabouli, beet salad, chickpeas, lentils, chopped cucumber and tomato salad, plus a huge warm pita & spinach and feta stuffed puff pastry. All of it tasted good. Definitely met my olive oil quota for the week haha. I can't speak for the rest of the menu, which looked pretty generic. Gyros and fries seem popular here though so I'll have to remember that for next time. I really liked the vibe inside. Clean, plenty of seating, good middle eastern music, nice staff, and delicious aromas. I'm definitely adding Astro to my revisit list. read more

Astor Mediterranean - Vegetarian platter comes with a spinach phyllo cake and a huge pita. A healthy and filling way to spend $11. - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

How I heard of this place: Having made arrangements to meet up with a friend for lunch while my husband toiled away at work, she had very specific plans for what we were to eat as I entered her car. "Do you mind if we go to Virginia to eat?" Coming to pick me up in DC from Maryland, I wasn't about to argue, nor was I opposed to a plate of Mediterranean fare. Type of cuisine: "Mediterranean Food: Healthy, Fresh..and Fast!" The website continues, "For Mediterranean food, Adams Morgan and Alexandria insiders know: the best is at Astor Mediterranean. Our half-chicken dinners and platters make for a savory sit-down or takeout treat. Pair our Falafel Sandwich with a fluffy Baba Ghanooj or match our Lamb Kabob to an elegant Egyptian Salad. No matter the time of year, you can come to Astor for a bit of Mediterranean sunshine." Ambiance: A large, open space with warm toned walls, glass displays of prepared food, ready to take away, and a chef grilling vegetables at the open kitchen, the space (while large and clean) was reminiscent of our journeys throughout Greece and Turkey. What I ordered: At the recommendation of my dining companion, we each enjoyed a plate of the Chicken Kabob ($9.95 each), a full skewer of chicken breast cubes with grilled mixed vegetables served with rice and Egyptian salad of tomato, cucumber, red onion, & cilantro with olive oil & fresh herbs. She also surprised me with an order of Stuffed Grape Leaves ($4.50), vine leaves stuffed with rice & fresh herbs. What I loved: True to its word, the chicken was grilled to order, having been marinating for what may well have been days with its robust and fresh flavor. The kick of fresh lemon juice, the tender morsels of grilled meat melted in your mouth. Why I loved it: Tasty food, a cafeteria-esque setting, quiet and perfect for a three-hour catch-up lunch! Cost: Low to average ($4.50 - $13.95 per sandwich/plated entree) "Our clever prices mean you don't get back pennies - keeping your pockets as light as our Lentil Salad!" read more

I love Astor. Allot. Healthy, tasty, and well priced Mediterranean food, what more do i need to say. This is not a restaurant with waiter service, its more of a cafe style, as you oder your food and pick it up yourself. You also are suppose to put away your own dishes and trash. I found this place by accident, driving passed it on my way to a doctors appointment. Greatest discovery i have made in Arlington. I have eaten so many items here, the best by far is the lamb shank. Its so tender and cooked in stew style sauce. Im starting to drool just thinking about it. lamb shanks....awww....awhwhwhw.... The sides are great they include: lintels, hummus, beats, salad, rice, and other healthy selections. Vegetarian friendly location as well. I will always return here. read more

Astor Mediterranean - Chicken kabob - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Very delicious food! My husband enjoyed the spinach pie and the garden salad, and I had the chicken kabobs. I highly recommend the kababs as the chicken was cooked perfectly, the rice was exquisite, and the veggies were amazing. Very affordable and very good quality food. We will be back! read more

Astor Mediterranean - Food at outdoor seating - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

It's a simply furnished café where you'll have a good cheap priced meal. Big negative; NO WINE. The service is not particularly good, the café was a bit empty, and they wouldn't deliver the food, to us, although they did to the table beside us.. We had the spinach pie for an appetizer, the pastry part was fluffy yet crispy at the same time, and the spinach was good, but needed more cheese. We ordered the Mixed Kabob that came with Chicken, Lamb, Beef, and Kufta, which was enough for two people. The meats were pretty tasty, plus its healthy because all the meats are grilled. This plate comes with a very small side salad, and a bit of rice. I definitely do not recommend you order the Baklava, I have had WAY better. This place is overly sweet, was a real disappointment. Anyways, if I were in the neighborhood, I may come back because of the cheap prices. read more

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The best Mediterranean food we've had in the area! Wonderful service, inviting atmosphere, authentic and delicious food !! I recommend the hummus & pita to get things started! They offer combos, cook your food fresh and offer call ahead for pickup! But if you rather dine in, they have plenty of parking in the lot and some street parking available too! read more

Astor Mediterranean - Steak and cheese wrap combo - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I've been here a few times for takeout and it's pretty good. The proteins are flavorful, especially the gyro. The gyro does get soggy in transport and the kebab pieces were chewy. I paid extra for a side of spicy chickpeas and they weren't spiced at all. For $20 I got a combination kebab and side of chickpeas. I only got this because it was the closest I could get to halal cart (flavor wise) that was also easy to park at in the way from pentagon city. It was about the same amount of food as a cart but three times the price. I would be fine paying more if it tasted *that* much better but it didn't. read more

hummus. crunchy falafels. soft pita bread. So delicious and fresh. All of the flavors hit the spot and it was very filling. I got the falafel platter and my friend got the vegetarian platter- both delicious. Vegetarian comes with a bit more- a flakey spinach pie (which I ended up eating more than half of lol), some beet salad. This place is very low key on the inside is but looks like it has a nice outdoor area for the warmer months. Spacious parking lot in the back. read more

Astor Mediterranean - Falafal platter and vegetarian platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Astor had been on our list of neighborhood restaurants to try and we finally had the opportunity to come here the other day. There were a few tables occupied (like 4-5) and quite a steady stream of foot traffic doing pickup or takeout, which always bodes well for a restaurant. They have quite an extensive menu to choose from, but it being our first time, I settled in for a lamb gyro and some fries. We also ordered Mediterranean Chicken gyro and Eggplant Parmesan Panini. All the dishes were well made and the meat was tender and seasoned perfectly. The salt content in the meats was good too - I have been to quite a few gyro places where the meat and sauce has an excess amount of sauce in my opinion. The staff is friendly and nice too that makes the meal that much better! A definite local gem. Have to get back and give the other dishes a try :) read more

I drove past this place for years before trying it. Now my husband and I love it! It's also great they have there own parking behind the restaurant and fairly inexpensive prices. Most food in the Clarendon area is just mediocre and overly priced but this is a rare exception. The Mediterranean Gyro and Chicken Gyro were both really good. My aunt liked her pizza and my girlfriend enjoyed her kabobs and rice. You order at the counter and some items are premade like the pasta salads and stuffed grape leaves. It's a good place for kids since they have other options and large groups for something very low key. read more

Astor Mediterranean - Gyro and mediterranean chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Such great fresh food with tons of healthy options! Completely affordable and doesn't make you feel bad getting take out! Love this place

Solid little lunch spot with an $8.95 lunch combo - sandwich, fries and a drink. This place needs to invest in something other than ketchup packets, but they're off to a solid start with the food. read more

Astor Mediterranean - Not sure these are truly "benefits" but the $8.95 lunch combo is pretty legit! - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

A friend of mine suggested that we try this place to catch a bite. The place was very open and had the meat/salads out in the view so that you could make your choice. I ended up ordering the tilapia because the cashier suggested it and it was great (not on the menu). I loved the fact that the meat was made to order. Also the variety of food was pretty extensive. The cashier was very nice and she kept winking at me (insert side-eye). I would definitely go back to this place for lunch or dinner, anytime!!! read more

It was a feeling I just couldn't shake All I wanted was a juicy steak I could not find a place to get my prime filet So we decided to not delay We arrived at Astor expecting mediocrity Instead we found broccoli As a side to that lovely steak That got rid of my heartache read more

If Drake were singing about Astor's gyro meat, then he got it right- best I ever had! We walked into this place on a lazy Monday off, in search of something quick and satisfying to fulfill a post workout hankering for protein. We were not disappointed. The lamb gyro was a jumbo sized piece of heaven wrapped in pita. The gyro meat was well spiced, tender, and not too oily. The tzatziki was light and lemony. The cucumbers and tomatoes were well seasoned and added a refreshing crunch. The pita held up well and didn't get too soggy- a definitive A plus! Everything felt healthier and fresher, leaving you satisfied and feeling good about your meal. The baba ghanoush was a little sweet for my taste, I would have liked more kick. But still fresh and tasty, with very generous portions. The lamb shank was falling off the bone and tender. I ordered this with spicy chickpeas (not so spicy), and vegetables. The sides were well cooked and flavorful. Overall the shank did not leave as deep an impression as the gyro but it was well cooked. I added hot sauce for some extra zing. It's a lot of food, so beware! I just ate here for lunch 5 hours ago and I'm already daydreaming about returning for another gyro. Dinner maybe? Yum! read more

Astor Mediterranean - Lamb gyro! - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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This place is awesome! I went here over the weekend and came out stuffed and happy! Food was good and fresh, I ordered the Combo Kabob, my friends order a Gyro, a Steak and Cheese, and the Vegetarian platter. Food was done pretty fast, I say about 8-12 mins or so, which isnt bad place was super clean, the pretty smile behind the register with the blue eyes and brown hair was always walking around cleaning if she wasnt behind the register. place is nice and causal and ample parking space in the back lot. next time I go there I'm ordering the Lamb Shanks read more

Had a yummy lunch with my wife here today - both of us are fans. I like Mediterranean food and this Astor Med's is really good - terrific food, very reasonably priced, clean and my only suggestion is to offer freshly brewed ice tea. We both had pita-type sandwiches, beef souvlaki for me, chicken for my wife and for $2 extra, made it a "plate" which included french fries and a fountain soda. Gotta add that the fries rocked - hot, crispy and tasty. We saw someone pizza -- it looked terrific. We cannot wait to go back and try that! read more

looks like I had left a previous blank review of 4 stars... I have loved this place for a decade it seems. they must have changed hands in kitchen/ management/ owners because it's not what it used to be ... I've always favored the falafel platter. previously the falafel were darkish, crispy crust with moist but firm inside, and looked a little puck ish ... so while not a traditional shape the flavor and texture were right in line with what I've had in Israel and Jordan (though not quite as good ;) ). now, they're more traditionally shaped sort of like balls but they weren't crisp outside despite being "done" but inside they were a mushy paste of sloppiness... the hummus is almost the same but not quite, no stuffed grape leaf, no cucumber yogurt sauce, no going back ... i'm only in town from time to time, but not wasting another dc area meal here ... maybe with time they'll improve again, but someones going to work hard to get me to risk it. read more

Got a gyro and it was pretty good! The price is right and there was a wide variety of food. It is also nice to call ahead and then pick up.

When I first moved to the DC area, I was located within walking distance of Astor. This restaurant is located very close to downtown Clarendon. Their gyros have become my go-to whenever I go here. You can get it with fries, but the sandwich alone is a perfect portion. I highly recommend stopping by for lunch sometime if you're in the neighborhood. I often used to pick up a gyro before heading downtown for my afternoon church gig. So whether you're having a sit-down lunch with family or need something quickly in the middle of your busy day, I recommend Astor Mediterranean. read more

We were looking for good Mediterranean food so my stylist suggested that I try this place out. Husband and I ordered the vegetarian platter, gyro, kufta kabob, and the house soup. The clear champion was the kufta kabob and the vegetarian platter. Let me break it down though. Taste wise, the kufta was amazing. I will be back for another order of that, maybe not soon, but when I crave it. It was delicious! The problem with it though is that it wasn't prepared fresh, so as it sat on my plate while we were attacking the appetizers (the vegetarian platter) it had gone stale, tough and all. Totally unattractive. The vegetarian platter was the best dish that we had that night. All of these items on the plate were delicious. The only problem was that there wasn't enough of any of it! Seriously, this is highly recommended! The gyro was okay and the house soup (minestrone) was a little on the salty side. All in all, a decent dinner but nothing to write home about. Not too sure what the rage is about. $45 read more

Astor Mediterranean - Vegetarian platter!! All delicious!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Sure the food is good - but the change to only accepting cash and decrease in staffing has led to longer wait times and generally a worse customer experience. From 2010 to 2015, this was a go-to place for takeout in Adams Morgan. However, in the last year, the place has undergone both a staffing an formatting change. The took down their menu board, no longer accept credit cards, and now have fewer staff working the dinner rush. It now takes more time to receive the food *and* it costs more. Now that there are other solid options available around Columbia and 18th, choosing Astor becomes less palatable. read more

Incredible service and very tasty food. Size of the meal is really nice. I really recommend eating at Astory Mediterranean. I will come back to eat soon as I would love to try other great food they serve. read more

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Our favorite go-to for take out! The vegetarian platter is enough for two meals. We've tried a variety of the kabobs and sandwiches, and all have been tasty. Their side salads should never be dismissed. They are flavorful and packed with super yummy veggies. The only thing I wish they corrected was their website, which you can no longer order from. If they don't want to do online ordering anymore, that's fine, but then they should remove the "Order Now" function, and just list the menu. read more

This place is amazing - great gyros! However, I'm giving 4 stars out of 5 because they changed their fries . Used to be the BEST fries in the world - they breaded it and fried it perfectly. But I just came back recently and much to my chagrin, they STOPPED BREADING THE FRIES . Still really good food but can you PLEASE bring the breaded fries back???? read more

Updated review. Just got a few dishes that we have gotten MANY times in the past. They have switched from their yummy, warm, thick pita bread...to a dry, crusty, sorry excuse for pita bread. Sad, because it was one of my favorite things about Astor. It makes a huge difference. Also, the veggie platter is WAY more oily than it used to be. I don't feel healthy eating it anymore. read more

The food at Astor is absolutely amazing! They have a great selection, fresh specials, and it's all so yummy. The staff are also really friendly - two times I've had the same cashier who was just the sweetest girl ever. If you're a meat-eater, order the lamb shank. Not only does my fiance report that it tastes amazing, it has the added appeal of looking like caveman food. The only thing I don't love about it is the atmosphere. It's a bit cafeteria-like. The seating area is very plain and the tables and chairs rather generic. This isn't the place to impress a date but worth stopping in for a casual dinner of some amazing Mediterranean food. They've also made me very happy with takeout. read more

Astor Mediterranean - The lamb shank! - Mediterranean Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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The night we ate there was the first night of the COVID-19 ban on restaurant seating. We had tried a few other restaurants but wasn't able to take care of us. I walked into the Astor restaurant the staff was very nice and friendly. We ordered our order to go as no seating was available due to the regulations. The food was extremely tasty and warm. The pita bread, steak, and was was great. read more

I have been here twice. The first time I got a steak gryo which was OK quality and price ($6.50). The second time I got a chicken kabob off the grill section of the menu (bigger items). Here's where I became frustrated. Not only was the chicken kabob dish over-priced ($9.95 / $11.55 including tax), it wasn't even good. I got such a meager portion of food (looked like $8 max) that tasted okay at best. I could have gotten a quarter dark chicken with two sides from Super Pollo for $6.95 ($7.69 including tax [$4 CHEAPER]) and had more food at a higher quality. If you really want a bang for your buck, go to literally any other fast-casual restaurant like Chipotle, Super Pollo (my favorite) / El Pollo Rico, Jimmy Johns, and District Taco. read more