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    Wally's Cafe

    4.6 (73 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

    Wally's Cafe Photos

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    WALLY'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Wally's Cafe

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    Veggie sampler
    Maddy M.

    On Yelp's Top 100 for a reason! Wow, so impressed with Wally's Cafe. We ordered the chicken shawarma and the veggie sampler. The portions were huge! Love that both plates come with lentil soup. It was delicious and also was delivered to us still warm! The chicken was so flavorful and juicy. My favorite part of the plate surprisingly was the RICE! Holy Cow. It was so savory and buttery. I also loved the dips from the veggie sampler. The dolmas were not my favorite. The plates also came with little pieces of baklava and it was so flaky and perfectly sweet. 1000% recommend Wally's. Delivers super well!

    And they even give a discount
    Reanna C.

    AMAZING CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Erick was so helpful and genuinely happy to be of service!! The food was delicious. I personally ordered the pomegranate chicken and the quantity was more than enough for two people to share. FYI, there is no dining area, takeout only

    Baklava sample
    Angela B.

    Tzatziki is such a winner here! Chicken shawarma isn't bad, but tastes very good with the above sauce Baklava is bomb and easy to eat $30 for a chicken shawarma + tabbouleh, fed two adults Will come back for the beef! Falafel is deep fried ================== Lentil soup It's not bad, but it is easy to eat and it tasted homemade. It also comes with rice with carrots and lentils, can prolly ask for less rice next time. Tabbouleh a bit soggy, lacking some brightness/acidity than I'd like. There's less bulgar wheat loads of t. It was missing some texture from the greens even though you see them there lol Chicken shawarma isn't bad. It's a little on the small side, pita is soft and pliable. I really enjoyed it with the homemade tzatziki, which is a must add. Baklava is great. Ronny threw in a sample and theirs is more airy, wonderfully buttery, with pistachios and it is less saturated with the syrup which I'm ok with. I can eat 5 of these easy without feeling gross lol Service was very friendly and personable. I wasn't sure what to order and Ronny guided me through the popular items and answered any questions that I had.

    Hummus
    Mina T.

    First time tryin this place I the gyro beef and lamb meat is so tender and juicy . We got the gyro and chicken wraps . Those are a must get! The baba ganoush and hummus tasted so fresh . The rice was buttery and soft . The beef was kinda of dry though . They give you so much pita along With baklava and lentil soup. that was also delicious

    Sean Z.

    This place does not offer dine in, it's a take out only. The owner and coworkers are very friendly and welcoming. They make everything as ordered. The price maybe in the low 20s but the portion is good for 2 people, or 2 meals for one person. The taste and texture of the meat are one of the best I have had. The chicken meat was juicy and tender. The pomegranate flavoring really sunk into the meat. The salad was fresh too. The owner offered us some dessert to try. It was really nice of him. I really appreciate the gesture. I would rate this 4.9 out of 5. Please try this place out for your taste bud!

    Pomegranate chicken schwarma. I couldn't even finish the full container enough for 2 meals! They're so generous!

    I don't usually run to Yelp to write reviews, but Wally's deserves a whole love letter. This is hands down the best Mediterranean food I've had in all of Orange County -- honestly, low-key better than some of the Mediterranean food I've had in the actual Middle East. I ordered the chicken pomegranate shawarma plate, and I'm STILL in shock at how much food they give you. The portion size is massive in the best way possible -- they're so generous, it almost feels illegal. Everything was fresh, flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and genuinely memorable. If you love Mediterranean food (or even if you don't), this place will convert you. Easily the best in OC... probably Los Angeles too.

    Lamb kebabs
    Saadia P.

    Wally's Café is an absolute must if you're anywhere near Costa Mesa. We're visiting from Florida and stumbled on this little gem--and left feeling like we took a mini trip to Lebanon. Between the chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, lamb kebab, lentil soup, salad, and baklava, everything was packed with flavor. The meat was juicy, the rice was unreal (fluffy like a dream!), and the berry lemonade? Basically heaven in a glass. My husband & my son, are not light eaters--and even we couldn't finish everything. The portions are generous, and the prices are super fair. Plus, the staff was so kind, offering us soup samples and treating us like family. Don't let the size of the café fool you--Wally's is serving up BIG flavor and even bigger hospitality. 10/10 would recommend!

    Nikki A.

    Absolutely the best Mediterranean food out there. We used to go to the one in Emeryville before moving down to SoCal and can't believe it's down here now! The owner, Ronnie, is such a sweet guy, too. This is place is definitely going to blow up! We got the lentil soup, falafel wrap, garlic paste, and baklava ice cream. Everything was exactly how we remembered them. 10 out of 10!

    Chicken shwarma wrap and fries
    Carrie F.

    I'm always on the hunt for the perfect gyro.... And this might be the best one I've had in California. We had the chicken gyro and talk about mouth explosion of flavor with the pillowy bread and that tzakiki sauce was just WOW! We also had a side of hummus which was delicious too. And we were surprised with an added lentil soup which also best I've ever had! And they were so incredibly nice. Gave a sample of beef shwarma while we waited and that was so tender and juicy! And don't miss out on baklavah! Once again the best I've ever tasted. It's just a tiny kitchen in Costa Mesa so order ahead or prepare to wait! But it's worth the wait! Hoping they get a storefront soon- in ORANGE please! We need you guys close! But no matter we will drive for your "father-in-laws recipes" and all the food!

    Chicken pomegranate with garlic sauce and tzatziki

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    3 months ago

    Amazing place with SO MANY OPTIONS! Everything is yummy!! There are so many different kinds of food & it was hard to choose!

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    1 year ago

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    1 month ago

    Good portion size, and def way better than your average mediterranean spot! I was impressed forsure and will be back.

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    11 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Came here and had chicken shawarma wrap and lentol soup. Both were excellent. 4 stars do to no seating options.

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    10 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Friendly and delicious!! Everything was very fresh and perfect flavors. Still thinking about the lemonade and the babaganoush

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    5 months ago

    Great food and friendly staff. We ordered there to go which was easy and was was quick.

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

    Great food and service. Highly recommended. Very clean and delicious food. I'm certain you will enjoy it. Give it a go.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Wally's Cafe

    Is your meet is Hahal?

    Yes it is!

    Is the meat you use halal?

    Yes it is.

    Is it halal?

    Yes

    What about that garlic sauce? 😋

    Always need extra of it! 😍

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Bei Restaurant

    Bei Restaurant

    (322 reviews)

    $$

    The food is amazing and the service is great. My wife asked about a drink that wasn't on the menu…read moreand they didn't have it but our server mixed it up for her. Lebanese style falafels are the best and this place nails it. I commented to my wife how beautiful the chicken had come out, the colors, little black charred corners and edges from the fire, golden reflection on the glaze. It is not cheap but worth every penny. Our server was great and we can't wait to go back. The place is so unassuming from the outside and beautiful on the inside.

    This is a cozy and chic restaurant! Parking is a bit limited on the lot but you can park on the…read morestreet. The staff is friendly and interior is beautifully decorated. Started with a pomegranate margarita to drink. For entrees we got mixed shawarma and kofta kebab. Finished the meal with knafe. Pomegranate Margarita- The base is strong with a refreshing pomegranate flavor. It has just the right amount of sweetness with a hint of tartness. Mixed Shawarma- It comes with chicken and beef shawarma. Both are tender and flavorful. It comes with warm pita bread, fattoush salad, and garlic and tahini sauce. The salad offers a freshness that complements the rest of the items. The sauces are perfect on the meat. Kofta Kebab- You get ground beef kebab that is seasoned and cooked to perfection. Pairs well with basmati rice and fattoush salad. You get a tasty yoghurt sauce that ties the flavors together. Knefe- This is a delicious dessert that comes with gooey cheese on a shredded phyllo base that is nice and crunchy. Finished with a sweet honey and rosewater syrup and a sprinkle of crushes pistachios. Great experience overall!

    The Chicken Shop - IG: happyfoodieoc

    The Chicken Shop

    (553 reviews)

    $$

    If you're anywhere near The Chicken Shop, do yourself a favor and stop in -- this place is…read moresomething special. First off, the people. I genuinely don't think it's possible to find a friendlier, more welcoming staff. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with real smiles, real gratitude, and a level of care that's honestly rare these days. You can tell they take pride not just in their food, but in every single customer experience. Now here's what really sealed the deal for me. Not too long ago, I placed a to-go order for their half chicken with sides, but when I got home, it turned out to be one of their chicken wraps instead. And to be completely honest -- not even mad. Everything on their menu is so good that it was more of a surprise than a disappointment. Next time I came in, I casually mentioned it to Fred (the owner) while placing my order -- no complaints, no frustration, just a quick heads up. He immediately apologized, which honestly wasn't even necessary. Stuff happens, and when the food is that consistently good, it's hard to care. But here's the part that really speaks volumes: when I went to pay, Fred wouldn't let me. Insisted the meal was on the house. No hesitation. No questions. Just genuine ownership and appreciation. That kind of integrity and customer care is hard to come by. At the end of the day, this is a 5-star establishment with 10-star people behind it. The food is consistently incredible, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the experience is one you'll want to come back to again and again. I'll absolutely be returning -- not just because I know the food will hit every time, but because I know the experience will exceed expectations every single visit.

    Ordered the OG Wrap and it was immensely dry. I sad I paid $16 for an underwhelming wrap because it…read morebarely had any toum and it also had no pickles inside. So ..... I was just eating fries and dry chicken. Don't know if I'd come here again. Service was whatever.

    The Halal Guys

    The Halal Guys

    (3.6k reviews)

    $$

    ** this is from several months ago** t'was sitting in my drafts for a bit,…read more... Several beer pitchers in @ HACHI (just next door-shout out to them)-- for a celebration of a breakup, the end of midterms, or simply the triumph of continuing to exist (in THIS economy?? were all needing to praise ourselves for simply surviving) -- we found ourselves drawn, like moths to a fluorescently lit flame, to Halal Guys. Now listen. The food? Solid. Reliable. The kind of food that understands you are not here for nuance. You are here because life has punched you in the throat and you require a plate of rice, chicken, gyro meat, and mysterious white sauce to spiritually stabilize. I used to go to the OG one in NYC when i was getting punched in the throat there too. (PUNCHED IN THE THROAT BY ACADEMIA, FIGURATIVELY, y'all haver crazy imaginations outthere). BUT it;s the people... It's always the people... The staff. My siblings in falafel... it was 10 PM. You could feel the collective energy of "we have been serving drunk people since sunset and you are the 437th group tonight explaining your breakup story while pointing at the menu." Not judging, just warmth and the quiet aura of people who have seen things. Who have witnessed humanity at its lowest point: ordering extra hot sauce and then immediately regretting it. JC looked in my soul and I think he understood,,, everything. AND JESS! (my fairy wielding a spoon scooping the heavenly meat and talking to me like a therapist??) And they fed us. Efficiently. Respectfully. Would I return? hell ya i would. only to see if Jess and JC remembers me. JK the food is always reliable. y'all stay away from the hot saucres,

    Overall (1/5) This was easily my worst Halal Guys experience…read moreand honestly left me really disappointed. I came craving something familiar and left feeling like I wasted both time and money. First Impressions (1/5) When I walked in, there was only one person working, handling the fryer, the register, and assembling plates. I genuinely felt bad for her, especially considering the steady line forming. What We Got (2/5) I ordered a regular plate, which is what I usually get at Halal Guys. Nothing customized or complicated, just the standard order I have had many times before at other locations. Taste and Quality (0/5) The food was shockingly bad. The rice was raw and crunchy, which was hard to believe at first. The meat pieces were tiny and very chewy, and the pita bread was extremely soggy. On top of that, it was only around 4 pm and the usual spinning meat and grill were not even on, despite the line picking up. Service (2/5) The worker was clearly trying her best, but one person running everything in a busy location is not realistic. She was constantly running back and forth between the fryer and the line, which made the whole operation feel chaotic and slow. Space and Atmosphere (3/5) The space itself was fine and what you would expect from Halal Guys. Clean enough, but nothing stood out positively enough to offset the food experience. Was It Worth It (0/5) Not at all. As someone who is pretty frugal and almost always finishes their meals, I could not finish this plate. It genuinely felt like a waste of $18. Final Thoughts This location does not seem to be held to the same standards as other Halal Guys in the area. This experience was disappointing from start to finish.

    Wally's Cafe - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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