Amazing food, great service. Their chicken lemon soup is delicious! I usually order the chicken kabob plate and it's very flavorful. More than enough food. If the weather is nice, I recommend sitting outside. Shaks is a solid choice in downtown Vista. You can't go wrong. read more

I am surprised for the large number of times I have been to Shaks, I missed writing a review. Unfortunately this time my review is based on the poor service. The food is excellent. We arrived towards 7:45pm and were seated but not attended to because our server was too busy serving the table next to us because it was the servers mom dinning. As we waited, the server did not bother acknowledging us. After 10mins the server came back and asked us for drinks and then zipped off to attend the mother's table. Finally the server came back and gave us the drinks and before leaving again she said we'll give you time to select your food choices. We said no, we have been waiting for you and do not need another minute to order. We had to keep flagging the server down and eventually asked other help for assistance. The last straw was the server came back and asked do you need more pita bread, we said we never received any and yes, we would like some. Well, the server never came back with any pita. Nor did the server remember. There are just some servers that are not focused. You can tell the server is standing in front of you but not looking at you in an attentive manner. Somehow this server was looking past us, we are asking for things but the server did not compute in the brain. read more

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This is a really nice family run restaurant. we are regulars, always pay full price, not happy hour prices. We just want what we ordered. Of course that was not the case. To fix it, they just added On the items that were missing. It was not professional. Just these little plates of stuff. We really don't want anything, but we won't be back. They should have started over.... read more

SHAKS MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO, VISTA. What a lovely restaurant and rare to find a proper sit-down Mediterranean dining experience in the area. We chose to dine on the patio. The food was delicious and beautiful, nice sized portions, and fresh ingredients. The service was warm, welcoming, efficient, helpful, and responsive. We ordered the chicken shish kabob plate and the gyro plate. We didn't fancy the soup it comes with so had a couple spoonfuls and left the rest. We both had water and left nice and full without having dessert. Bill was $40+tax. We will be back! read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Chicken shish kebab plate and Gyro plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

Had to try the strawberry and Dubai chocolate waffles they only have available during the strawberry festival. My friends waited a whole year hyping them up and they were worth it. We did order some additional foods to share along with the waffles like the shaks fries and the muhammara which were fantastic. But the waffles. Those waffles changed my life. The drinks were good too, obviously we went for the spritz available for the strawberry festival and it was light and refreshing. We sat outside, as we had my friend's dog with us and it wasn't too bad, the weather was nice and there was a lot of space. They even brought a dog bowl for us. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Dubai chocolate waffle - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

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Can I just say how much I enjoyed Shaks? I still think about the strawberry spritz till this day (August) and I hope they make it a regular menu item. The protein was so so so tender and juicy! I've been burned many times over dry chicken, but this place definitely did it right! The service was quick, despite the busy strawberry festival day, and it's a nice place for a get together with friends and family. read more

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Sooo delicious!!! Falafel is perfect. I'd skip the French fries, not mind blowing Tahini is really good, I loved the lemon chicken soup sooo good, first time having it. I'll definitely be coming back Rice pilaf is really good. Pita is really good but not homemade Salad and veggies are good quality, and you can tell all the ingredients are fresh and it's very good flavor all around Definitely will be back to try other foods Thanks read more

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Loved this random find for date night, we sat upon arrival and were sat a great table. I wish I remembered our waiters name, he was lovely and really helped us navigate the menu- gave us tips on how to order and made sure we had plenty of pita bread for our dips, which were absolutely delicious. I think about the garlic hummus alotttt hahaha But overall the drinks were great, prices are fair and the portions are huge!! My love and I have placed this on our favorites list and we will be back soon!! read more

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I came here for dinner with my book club. This was my first time. The ambiance was very nice. The decor was very fitting for the style. It does feel a little high end but most people were dressed casual including myself. Our waitress's name was Alex. She was very friendly and nice. I dont have much experience with Greek food but I did my research on yelp beforehand and knew what I was gonna get right away. I ordered the flaming cheese for an appetizer and the gyro plate. Instead of the chicken lemon soup I substituted with fries. Little did I know, until I got the bill, that I was upcharged 2$ for the substitution. If I was informed beforehand, I would of just gotten the soup. My friend got a different plate and it came with the garlic dip and she did not like it at all and asked Alex if she could get a side of tzatziki sauce. Alex said sure and brought it right out but insisted on taking back the garlic dip that she had already dipped in. I'm not sure why Alex wanted to take it back. Wouldn't they just throw it away? Anyway, she found out, when we got the bill that she was charged 2$ for her side of tzatziki sauce. Again she was not told about this upcharge. She didn't like the garlic dip so shouldn't it be the restaurant to try to make the customer happy with their meal?? I wouldn't think there would of been an up charge for that. My other friend that dined with us ordered a side of sauce to go. Alex did mention the upcharge this time. She brought out the side of garlic dip and sai it was 2$. 2$ for a little ramiken? All in all the food was pretty good, but I wish that the up charges were mentioned beforehand. I will keep that in mind for future visits. read more

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First time and I like it. Thursday night at 6:30 and it was full inside. We sat outside and the heaters were very helpful in keeping us warm. In fact at one point we had to turn them down. Across the street at the winery they have music every night and you can hear it from the patio. There were six of us in the group. Four of us had pitas, one had a bowl and the other a plate. Everyone enjoyed their dish. Chicken, lamb and beef. The only complaint was that one person had chicken pita with the garlic and it was over powering and she could not finish it all. I had changed my chicken pita to tzatziki and so glad I did. Two of us had a glass of wine (Pinot Grigio Lagria and William Hill Chardonnay). Crisp and clean. Our server was upbeat. welcoming and gave recommendations. The host was friendly and willing to move us back inside if we found the outside to cold. Really fun night. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

Shaks was excellent in every way! I would heartily recommend. I went with my boyfriend on a Saturday night at 7:30pm. We didn't have a reservation but we added our name to the waitlist and were seated at 7:45pm. I'm really glad they were able to seat us so quickly, and their estimate for how long it would take was spot on. The environment felt super welcoming and while I saw a couple of people a little dressed up, I also saw plenty of casually dressed people. Food-wise, I got the falafel plate and it had a generous amount of everything. The plate is supposed to come with chicken lemon soup, but since I'm a pescatarian they offered me a choice of additional salad or additional rice. I'm super glad I chose the salad because I loved the dressing on it and that it included sumac. I did ask for olives to be excluded. The falafel and rice were delicious, too, but the salad was a surprise superstar for me. My boyfriend got the beef shawarma plate and was impressed with the serving size, too. We definitely both had leftovers, and we saw lots of other people leave with boxes as well. They also had their own (free) parking lot only for customers, which was convenient. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Falafel Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

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Beautifully decorated restaurant and bar with patio dining in the heart of Vista Village. They don't take reservations. Compact parking lot, plus free public parking about a block or so away. A coworker who frequents this restaurant highly recommended it, so we thought we'd try it before a show at nearby Moonlight Theater. Service was slow, taking about half-an-hour to receive our orders. Admittedly it was a busy Friday night, but when we arrived, most of the tables around us were empty. They were also busy with take-out orders. We started to do that thing where you check your watches and look around the restaurant in hope that your meals will arrive soon and disbelief that other tables that filled after you are eating. For example, the table next to us that arrived way after us started tucking in on individual appetizers while we sat waiting. I won't say the food wasn't good, it's just that none of us really enjoyed it. The salad was dry and extra dressing had to be asked for. The pita was extremely garlicky to the point where I could still taste the garlic the next morning. My husband didn't like the taste of the chicken. We're glad we tried it, but unfortunately, the experience didn't float our boat as much as it does for others. Helpul? read more

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Wow, is all I can say. This place has some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever eaten. I had the falafel plate with salad and rice pilaf. My husband had the gyro plate. Portions were generous; we both had leftovers to enjoy at home! Service was excellent. We were just passing through on our way home from Julian, otherwise I think we'd be regulars. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Falafel Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

our mission to celebrate multiple family birthdays with an evening of dining that led us to find Shaks. we were greeted immediately with a warm and welcoming manner, and asked if we wanted inside or outside seating. The outdoor patio was a great way to spend an evening with family. The menu and drink selection has variety for all. we chose the Masheweh Mezza option and the food was delicious. The staff was very attentive and ensured our needs were met. will be going back again. read more

The only spot in the area with delicious craft cocktails. We enjoyed Friday HH on our most recent visit. Bar area can fill up quickly. We took the last seats at the bar (5pm) but a few cafe tables and seating along the windows were still available. All seats were taken by 5:30p (with HH ending at 6p). I ordered the Snake Bite and the Sahara Sunset. Mezcal is not my jam but I was ok with it in the Snake Bite. I'd order it again. The mezcal was present but not overpowering. Sahara Sunset is good too though I prefer it as a summer cocktail. My husband had a couple of beers and a tasting of Shak's Private Barrel Bourbon. We were there just for the HH menu but it never fails that we end up ordering from the regular menu. After snacking on hummus, we shared the Chicken Shish Kabob Plate. It's plenty of food. Velvety chicken lemon soup followed by juicy seasoned chicken, flavorful rice, light and crisp salad, and that uber garlicky sauce. YUM! We still had enough for a little plate to graze on back at home. In addition to the delicious fare and craft cocktails, the staff is genuinely friendly. They're not just checking off the list of standard customer service to-dos. We look forward to our next dining experience here. read more

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WOW. Heard about this place from friends who said it was their favorite restaurant in the area... and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! As new parents we legitimately can't remember the last time we've been able to enjoy such a nice meal haha. And we're so glad we did it at a place that has their design/VIBES on point (such attention to detail!), AMAZING food (sooo delicious and beautifully plated), great portions, STELLAR service (shoutout to Alfonso!!!) - the staff is SO friendly, personable, and down-to-earth. Really makes you feel welcomed and comfortable. We will most definitely be back again... and again, and again! I think it's fair to say this is now also our new favorite "nicer" restaurants in the area, too! P.S. Don't sleep on their FRIES, omg. HOW do they make them SO GOOD?! They're perfection!!! read more

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It's been almost four years since my last amazing post and in between I felt the service and quality of the food dropped the two other times I've been to Shaks. Went there last night and our waitress was amazing and attentive and incredibly nice and the entrees were absolutely delicious. So flavorful, chicken was tender, gyro was so yummy! Don't know if they have a new recipe or chef but please keep it up! We can't wait to head back. read more

We have been fans of Shak's for years now and decided to drop in for dinner again last night. We were not disappointed!! We started with a couple of selections from their cocktail list - Baghdaddy (mezcal, bitters, rosemary) and Day of Rest (a light and fruity mocktail). Both were delicious, a great way to start the meal. We decided to share the Shak's Mezza so we could enjoy a lot of different flavors. Hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki, Kalamata olives, feta, some fresh warm pita and a few dolma. Everything was great, hard to pick a favorite but their falafel are the best I've had outside Tel Aviv. Service was friendly and attentive. They have a nice, bright dining room overlooking Main Street and plenty of outdoor seating. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Shak's Mezza - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

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Love this spot. I was reluctant to try it for years because I figured once you've had one Mediterranean place you've had them all. But Shaks is special. It's a very nice restaurant with excellent ambiance. The food is next level, and feels like someone's grandma made it. The staff is friendly and does a great job. I went for my birthday tonight because Shaks has my favorite cocktails... the "land of milk and honey" and "Tired Eyes" cocktails are amazing and unique. I would go here just for the cocktails. I even bought one of their store picked bourbons and it's spicy and excellent. I love this place. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Shaks store pick Makers Mark... 10/10 - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

Always have a great experience here! Super sweet family owned and very delicious! We love the happy hour and highlight suggest to everyone in the area to go! read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Snake bite - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

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Shaks has great food and a really cute ambiance. The falafel plate is delicious - they make them in little donut shapes vs balls so they're on the crispier side. I also love the spinach pies. The restaurant has a very cute date night feel at night. Dim, lanterns and fire pits and a really cute bar. The outdoor area is really cute and it's located in historic Vista on Main Street, which is really cute on the weekends. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - The Spinach Pie with Tzatziki Dip -- so good! - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

Excellent ! Will definitely be back! Large portions too! Service was good too considering they had a lot of guests prior to the moonlight theater show. read more

Superb Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of Vista, serving up delicious food, and friendly service. Their outside patio looked so cute and inviting, but it was a bit chilly outside so we opted to sit inside. The baba ganoush and hummus were both out of this world! I had the filet mignon kabob plate and thoroughly enjoyed putting the garlic dip on everything. My friend had the falafel plate and said it was one of the best she's ever had. A family owned business, we got to meet and talk to Mr Shak himself as we were leaving! Such a wonderful guy who obviously puts his heart and soul into his business! read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

Shaks is our absolute favorite spot in Vista. The food, the staff, and the cocktail program are all incredible! Highly recommend the plates (the soup is to die for) and the falafel! read more

STELLAR dining experience at the bar on Mother's Day. I've had decades of Mediterranean food and this was the BEST! The only downside was it took so long to get here as north county residents. The food was EXQUISITE and the craft cocktails were MAGNIFICENT. Especially impressed by the knowledge and care from our bartender and how kind and helpful the host was to everyone that walked in. Cannot wait to go back. Thank you for bringing your culture and giftings for us to experience. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - The best fucking food over ever had. - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

Have not eaten in, but have had take out there a couple of times - it's good food! I would recommend.

Shaks is one of my go to dinner spots. It is well decorated and definitely has a middle eastern look to it. I have tried most of the menu and haven't had anything I haven't liked. The portion sizes also are quite generous. The cocktail menu is fantastic and they have a lot of original cocktails. The service is amazing, the servers are very friendly and attentive and are very knowledgeable about the menu read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Shawarma beef plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

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Delicious mediterranean food! quite possibly the best one in north county! I ordered the Shawarma Beef plate and it was so good! I specifically like their garlic dip, finally a places that knows what garlic means! Ps: Get the turkish coffee! read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Shawarma Beef Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

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We've eaten alot of Greek/Armenian food but honestly this is the best. The flavors were amazing and different. For example, the fried cheese was something we've never seen elsewhere and very crispy and tasty. The specialty drinks were awesome! Dinner was a generous amount with fresh and well flavored beef and lamb chops! What amazed me most were the salad with the meal and the garlic yogurt! Salad besides being fresh had at least 10 ingredients with so many wonderful surprises! Scrunchies, Onions, pickled jicama, cheese, tomatoes, etc. The garlic yogurt is much more garlic than yogurt. More like a spread and fresh fresh fresh ground garlic that had a bite. It was super good but it was strong and cleared my sinuses. More than enough food to take home for another meal. Very family friendly, great outdoor seating with fireplaces. Superb service. read more

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Great food, really GREAT EVERYTHING. Outstanding service, more than you can eat, you probably will take some home for tomorrow. Drinks from the Bar are Great and delicious. I WILL BE BACK! read more

Overall food and ambiance were great. I ordered the gyro in pita. Excellent flavor. I also got the side Mediterranean salad. Lettuce looked a little worn but the flavor was there. Service was fine I do wish that you're told about the up charges though. $2 for a side of sauce that's maybe an ounce seems pretty steep. I'll just have to remember that next time. read more

Unfortunately this place was a miss for us. I got the filet mignon skewer plate and my husband got the beef plate. The garlic sauce was really gritty and weird for one thing, but the seasoning on the meat was just a hard NO for us. The filet mignon was coated with what tasted and looked like muddy grass. The beef also just tasted gritty with a weird texture. We really love Mediterranean food so it was just a disappointment. Three stars because the tzaziki appetizer and service was really good. We won't be coming back though unfortunately. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Not a fan of the seeded green paste on the filet mignon. Wouldn't order it again - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

Amazing food!!! Really great service and huge portions of food. Will definitely be back. Hummus was really good. Chicken was flavorful and moist. Authentic. read more

Great quality food. We are never disappointment with the food. Excellent service. We enjoy their happy hour. read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

If you're craving authentic (not like chain restaurant) Mediterranean/Lebanese flavors, Shak's does not disappoint. We started with a light lemon soup that was perfectly seasoned, followed by a fantastic appetizer plate of fresh dolmas (stuffed grape leaves). The main courses were the stars of the show. The gyro plate was generous, with tender, flavorful slices of gyro meat over fluffy rice, paired with a crisp, colorful salad topped with feta and chickpeas. The beef shawarma plate had amazing seasoning, juicy strips of beef with a smoky richness that paired beautifully with a garlic sauce. The portions are hearty, the presentation is clean, and you can taste how fresh everything is. Service was friendly, and the casual, laid-back vibe made it perfect for a weekend lunch. Must Try: Gyro plate & dolmas. Great for: Casual lunch, outdoor seating, and sharing plates with friends. Rating: 4.5/5 and highly recommend if you're in North County! read more

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The food at Shaks didn't taste very good They skimped off on the sauce and the rice was not flavorful either The staff however was very courteous read more

They truly know how to make a great cocktail. And the food? Easily some of the best in San Diego. The Filet Mignon Kabab is incredibly juicy, perfectly cooked, and the portions are generous. This has become our go-to spot whenever we're craving really good food. Highly recommend! read more

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Vista, California

Oh I love this place!! It's definitely better than most med places, esp Daphnes!! The falafel is my favorite here and the garlic dip has some bite!!! read more

My favorite spot for Mediterranean food! I love their Baba Ghannouj Dip. It's got a smokey flavor and it's a good portion. I always order extra pita bread to go with the dip. The pita bread comes out warm and tasty. I also love their chicken kabob plate. It's also a large portion and everything tastes amazing. The chicken is juicy and packed with flavor. When I feel like having an alcoholic beverage I will usually order the Moscow Mule. It's refreshing and tasty. The restaurant has a small parking lot that is usually full. There is street parking and a close by public parking lot that is a short walk. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Service is always friendly and on point. I highly recommend! read more

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One of the best places! There is nothing I wouldn't recommend. The food is all delicious. The service is proactive and friendly. Everything is beautiful. read more