This place is usually empty for a reason. Like the 3 other restaurants adjacent, it is dated and unattractive. That would be fine though, if the food was any good. It's not. The meat (lamb) was dry and stringy; overcooked and with a texture like cotton. The bread is meh. The fries? From frozen, and they're no good either. A waste of my time (took a while for my order to be ready) and money. To top it all off, service is abysmal. The owner, who is probably the only employee, is cold and withdrawn, speaking little to no words, even when taking your order. This is not a comfortable place to eat, and the food doesn't help. read more

This is my favorite place in C-U for a quick, cheap lunch. I always get the falafel sandwich combo ($6), which isn't anything mind-blowing but also never disappoints. Atmosphere is very relaxed and the restaurant is never too crowded -- I am always comfortable here. The guy at the counter is pretty stony-faced, but he's always polite. When you order he'll give you a number that (as far as I can tell) is totally random. I wonder if there's some kind of secret pattern to them... read more

The heart and soul of Mediterranean is falafil, which was mediocre in that place. The baba Ghanouj was very bad! It tasted bland like frank raw materials mixed together without any salt/seasoning. The guy behind the counter was a bit angry, I don't know why. I'm not coming to this place again. I hope they can read this so that they improve. read more

Great food and good specials! I recommend the lunch plate - it's a ton of food for $7! The spiced tea (hot or cold) is delicious, too.

The ingredients are very fresh, and the food is tasty and healthy. Price is very reasonable. I go here almost daily. read more

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Just awesome.... vegetarian plate is great,cheap and healthy

Great food, great place to get together with friends, great prices! Don't be intimidated by the owner... He might come off as anti-social but he is a nice guy once you get to know him. Give the place a shot... You won't regret it! I personally love the falafal! read more

Very good food! The one guy that works there and takes the orders does a good job at cooking it all too. I always get the steak shawarma! He closes pretty early for dinner, so be sure to not get there within the last 15 or 20 minutes because he will only let you order it to-go. read more

Ordered the grape leaves appetizer + lamb/beef shawarma plate with rice and vegetables (the other option was pita/hummus). The plate came with a side choice of soup or salad - we went with lentil soup. After tax the total was $16 something. A bit on the pricey side compared to places like this in the northern suburbs of Chicago but the food was tasty and the crowd was diverse. I would have preferred everything to be a little less salty. For 2 people that was enough food. We left very full, satisfied, and thirsty. I would come back to try their sandwiches. read more

I'm surprised by some of the positive reviews this place has received. The food is horrible, and having lived near Jerusalem, let me tell you - the food here has nothing to do with Jerusalem. Just not worth going! read more

I really like this place. It's inexpensive, quick, and always very filling. It's not the very best Middle Eastern food that I've ever had, but it's definitely up there. I usually order the lamb shawarma sandwich and a side of falafel. There are two men who work there, and both are pretty serious, but it doesn't bother me. read more

This place should have 4 stars. Honestly there are better Mediterranean places out there in bigger cities with more ethnic people but this one's the best/only(?) legit place in Champaign. Food tastes solid and fresh. There's only one guy who works there and I have to give him props for running the entire place. The price is really worth for a filling meal. Only negative is that your food takes awhile to come out, but this is understandable. I'll definitely be back. read more

This is my new favorite restaurant in Chambana! I've now tried the falafal, shawarma and lamb kebab sandwiches and they're all some of the best I've ever had. The falafal is very fresh and moist. Not your typical dried out American falafal. The yogurt salad is homemade and the perfect side for any of their sandwiches. Also, the samosas are lightly fried and delicately delicious. This place is also incredibly cheap. Really too cheap, I don't know how they stay in business with these prices. The actual physical space is modestly decorated with middle eastern art and photos. It's sort of subtly charming. It's a casual and comfortable place to sit and it's nice and cool during the summer. Give this restaurant a try, it rivals the best middle eastern food I've had in New York and Chicago and even the middle east itself! read more

Love the tea here. You will not want to go back to Panera tea after you've had the brewed mint tea. Iced tea is just as good. I don't know what he does or puts in it but this man knows his tea. The food is simple, a little plain but good. Never gotten fries here but the hummus is smooth and has a nice flavor with good quality olive oil, the pitas are warm and fresh (and you get two so they will fill you up) and I actually like the kufta here better than Layalina's which is saying something because I love that place (but am not a fan of their kufta). Lentil soup is also tasty and filling. The falafel does leave something to be desired. I also don't mind the guy behind the counter. If you absolutely must be kowtowed to with fake enthusiasm and mock-pleasure to serve you this is not your place. This guy smiles at you its genuine. read more

kwoky doesn't know what he's talking about. This places falafel sandwiches are delicious and unless you know what a dish is supposed to taste like you really can't comment on it. I eat here at least once a week. Everything I have tried is delicious and cheap. The only reason I don't eat here more often is because of cravings next door. read more

The quality of the food is inconsistent. I used to love their falafel, but the last time I had it, it was so bitter it wasn't edible. The guy who works there seems very stressed and angry. He doesn't ever smile. The prices are good and when the food is good, it is decent. read more

Alright, the owner really tries. The tea here is excellent and the falafel has improved greatly.

Chicken shwarma was ok -- the chicken was cooked remarkably well (super tender), but the seasoning was fairly bland.

Pros: Shawarma sandwich was decent. Kefta Kabob meat was not bad (ordered Kefta Kabob plate). Cons: Ambiance. Plate of the day was not that great (the day I went in at least). Rest of food being mediocre. Passed by this place every day, went in to check it out at the suggestion of a friend. Though I had friends who went there often, I didn't go back, and don't really plan to. read more

I created a Yelp account just now to write this review. I've been to this restaurant many times and generally enjoyed the food. Today I went over my lunch break. I waited over an hour, all the while making eye contact with the cashier. When the people that came in long after I ordered were served, I left with no food, and well over the half hour I was supposed to be gone from work. I'm baffled how they could see me, the only person in the restaurant, waiting for so long without even saying anything. I will not be coming back. read more

Honestly, my expectations couldn't have been faltered this much. My first and last time. Overpriced for a small portion and bland.

The food was INCREDIBLY good, I highly recommend the chicken kabob sandwhich. You come in here and don't expect much, but the food is phenomenol. Going to come here more often, and the prices are great too. Great food for a great price! Chicken is cooked to a perfection! Came here for a quick eat and left with a new appreciation for middle Eastern food! Daily specials get you full with less than $10. read more

This restaurant serves very healthy food. Love the plate of the day. Best option for vegetarians in Champaign-Urbana.

My favorite place to eat in Urbana-Champaign. (+) extraTASTY; healthy; both the owner and the cook are very nice; calm and quiet environment (-) sometimes slow; The best deal is probably the plate of the day. For $7 you get a share-sized (or after-workout-sized) meal consisting of various sides (rice, cooked veggies, legumes, hummus, salad, pita bread) and your choice of meat. When I come alone, I usually get something smaller. Most often: 1. falafel sandwich ($4) Delicious!!! 2. rice and veggies (small for $3) 3. lentil soup (small for $2.75) Dolmeh (Stuffed Grape Leaves) is great too, but rather expensive. Their tea (especially the cold mint tea in the summer) is excellent and is included in the plate of the day. read more

Amazing falafel, hot and fresh! and their chicken shawarma​ with tahini is good and healthy​.

The food is quite good and reasonable. It can get busy at lunch and the owner does seem a bit frustrated at times, but he is always very kind and gracious. I love giving him the business and I love the taste of his food! I give it 4 stars because service can be hit or miss. read more

Great place if you're looking for healthy food. My favorite here is their okra curry and their hummus.

the food is just about as authentic as you can possibly get at a very fair and reasonable price point

This place was way worse than what I expected. There's only one grumpy person running the whole place, so it took forever for the food to get ready. He doesn't talk or even smile. Servings are small for the price ($14 for my meal), and the food was not fresh. Falafels were like subway's and I think they were frozen (no spice or taste at all). No silverware or glassware whatsoever; everything was disposable. We ended up paying $45 for 3 people without any drinks. He has shawerma but no gyros machine, all I saw was shredded pieces of meat that he heats up. I'm never coming back to this place. read more

Jerusalem was my favorite place to eat the 4 years I was there. Amazing, fresh and healthy food that is prepared in a no nonsense sort of way. Hameed the guy who works there does everything and does a remarkable job of running the place. If you go often enough he is kind enough to give you a little something extra with every meal order. The fish is excellent with the lunch special. read more

Inexpensive, solid falafel and fries. Good mint tea. Nice to have a place with solid cheap eats in the middle of campus town.

Being unfamiliar with Middle Eastern food, I was slightly intimidated by the place when I first entered. But, I had tried dolmas before, and knew that should be a safe choice. I ordered the appetizer portion, and was pleasantly surprised when my order came with a sample portion of potatoes and a cucumber-mint salad. All of it was delicious! This week I returned, and decided to try something else. After examining the descriptions in the menu I settled on tabouli and a samosa. Both exceeded my expectations. I am now hooked on tabouli, and am a fan of this restaurant. I intend to make it a weekly lunch-time stop. As for the owner, he seems quiet, but was very patient and pleasant with me. He also seemed approving of the selections I made on my second visit. It does take a while for the orders to come out, but I'm usually not in a big hurry when I go to a sit-down restaurant anyway. I enjoy the place and the people, and don't mind being there, in the calm, listening to NPR. It's a nice change of pace. read more