I stopped by Zatar + Olive in Davison shortly after they opened, and the first thing you notice when you walk in is the smell. The whole place smells like garlic and spices in the best way possible, and everything looked very clean. The staff were friendly and even took time to explain what za'atar seasoning is for people who might not know. The food itself was really good. The chicken shawarma was creamy, smoky, crunchy and flavorful, especially with the tahini added, and the pickled turnips gave it a great crunch and tang. The tabbouleh was very finely chopped with a fresh, bright flavor. The real standout for me though was the falafel. Instead of the usual dense ball of chickpeas, theirs was shaped almost like a donut with a hole in the center. It was really crunchy on the outside and almost creamy inside, which made it easily the best thing I tried. The za'atar fries and large pita chips were also good, and overall the prices were very reasonable. That said, the ordering process felt really disorganized. Someone was taking orders by hand (very kind man literally writing in pen and paper), writing them on a note and handing them to the cook. It seemed like nobody quite knew who was doing what, and several finished orders were sitting while staff tried to figure out whose food they belonged to. Two orders who came in after me actually got their orders before me before the staff realized but it did not deter it from happening multiple times while I sat there. Everyone was friendly, but clearly a little overwhelmed and confused as they tried to confirm which orders were done and who they belonged to and what food I was already packed and what was still outstanding. The layout also adds to the confusion. When you walk in the door you're immediately at the cashier counter, which actually ends up being the end of the line, so you have to walk all the way through to the other side or "front" to start ordering. A lot of people were standing there trying to figure out where the line even started. Seating is very limited inside. There are maybe six small tables where people can sit while waiting for food, but it wouldn't be comfortable for dining in. I'd plan on this being more of a takeout spot. There is an outside patio, and parking is plentiful once you find the entrance. It looks like you should be able to enter the lot from M-15 or State Street, but you actually have to turn onto 3rd Street and come in from the back. They were busy when I went but that was not the reason it took an additional 23 minutes after placing my order before I walked out with my food; this was due to murky processes and disorganization and confusion. That said, for a restaurant that just opened a week or two ago, some growing pains are expected. Overall, Zatar + Olive feels like a promising addition to Davison. The food is flavorful, the prices are fair, and once they get the ordering process and flow figured out, I think it could become a really popular spot. read more

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Tried Zatar & Olive today and sadly it didn't live up to the hype for me. The food itself was good, but nothing particularly special -- especially with Pita Way just around the corner. The topping options for wraps and bows felt pretty limited- which aren't listed nor can you see behind the counter so you have to ask specifically what's available. I asked if I could add cheese and was told the only option was feta, which was confusing since the menu also has a cheese bread with mozzarella on it. The pricing structure also didn't make much sense. You could add rice or fries inside a pita for $0.99, but a side of rice was $6.99. There's also a combo with fries and a drink for $3.99 extra, but no option to swap fries for rice. Really wasn't trying to spend an extra $7 for a side of rice when my sandwich was $11. The .99 rice inside my pita easily should've been available to be on the side.. A kids menu would also be a nice addition. I know they're a newer business, so maybe they're still figuring things out. The food was good, just not something that stood out enough to make me choose it over other nearby options. read more

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Was not expecting to find a decent Mediterranean place in Davison if all places, but the food was delicious! Had their zaatar bread which brought back delightful memories of when we sneak out a little early from work at Wayne State and drive to Dearborn for it. The wait staff was very pleasant and helpful, even when we accidentally spilled some food. Not a ton of seating. We were traveling, but I think most people do carry out. read more

Their food is delicious! And, they don't burn your meat like Pita Way, which isn't even a fair comparison because this place is family owned. Pita Way hires teenagers who don't care. There's always carcinogenic burnt bits on the meat there. Here, I've never had an issue even during the week when maybe the A team isn't working. Food has tasted consistently good. The BEST thing about this place is that they use OLIVE OIL instead of inflammatory seed oils in their hummus and garlic sauce! THANK YOU for using good oils. Service has always been great. They're always accomodating. Their chicken and beef is tender and juicy. I love that you can adjust how much rice is in your rice bowl and have more salad instead if you want. The menu description is a bit deceiving because you can actually choose your own toppings when you're there so you can choose from cucumber, tomatoes, pickled vegetables, garlic sauce, hummus, and either salad options to add to any bowl. The fries were too salty for us. I do not know what oil they use in the fryer, I would assume it's a cheaper seed oil but do not know. I hope they add more dishes to their menu. It would be AWESOME if they have some more variety and maybe a lamb dish or 2 because mediterranean lamb is delicious! read more

Great service good food! I just wish they had gluten free option when it comes to the rice bowls.

DELISH!!! So excited to have some delicious authentic Middle Eastern food right here in Davison. It's not fast food.....it is delish, healthy, authentic. All made fresh right in front of you. They don't have a freezer! Everything is made fresh everyday. It's clean and smells FANTASTIC!!!! Cooks are nice and accommmodating to all your unique request. There is not 50 things on the menu. REAL FOOD!!! YUMMMMMMMMMM. We need something good these days. Thank you for bringing this to our little town. read more