I love the staff and owner, but the food is just alright. As others have mentioned, a bit overpriced for the portions. Apparently the owner shops at Albertsons so is paying full retail price for all the ingredients. And I love my mediterranean food.. the pita bread needs a complete rework, it is flat and bland. Pita should be FLUFFY in my opinion.
Princess P.
Disgusting!! I've ate there twice and both times I got food poisoning. It's disgusting meat and chicken that's cook on a skillet, not real shawarma. It's dirty and terrible meat. They had another business there with a different name, same food and they went out of business, now they opened under new owners and different name, but same disgusting food. The kitchen is super dirty, the cooks don't wear gloves, it's nasty and gross don't buy anything there
Akira H.
I've eaten here a few times and liked the food. However, the last few times I've passed by, the doors have been closed. When I try to call to place an order, I get a Verizon message saying that the call cannot be completed. Sadly, I think they've shut down. It's a bad location with minimal traffic - maybe they'll try to reopen in a better location.
Shirin I.
They are Closed every time you come there. I wonder if they are permanently closed, because for two weeks it's been closed. No. Business can survive this ma y days not working.
John U.
Place shows as open on Sunday until 8. I placed an order online, Money was deducted from my bank account but the restaurant was closed when I arrived at 630.
David S.
Really nice food. Very nice ownership. Love the gyros, the falafel, all the kebabs, and the pastries.
Jen D.
I ordered online during business hours. Around 5pm. Came at 5:45 and they were closed even though their website says they are open until 8:15pm. If you change your business hours you need to update your website. There is no way to email you that I can see in order to get a refund. I really wanted to try this place and was so excited to see there was a Mediterranean restaurant in San Clemente. Such a bummer. I would like my refund of course.
Drew Lichty
Amazing food and service!!! I met the owner while he was shopping at my Albertsons Butcher Counter. He graciously introduced himself and bought quality meat for his business. He has since come back week after week insisting on buying only the freshest quality beef and chicken. He had also asked me to come and try his food. Tonight I ate at Cafe Mint and tasted the beautiful flavors of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. My meal was custom, designed and made by the owner himself. From food to customer service this was a great experience.He first brought an appetizer of homemade hummus and chips, next two large dishes of chicken, beef, rice, and a salad. The beef had a great flavor, indescribable by me. The chicken had medium spice complimented by a refreshing salad. Pita bread was also provided with a homemade garlic sauce.Then came the final main course (his preferred dish). A delightfully moist and tender chicken dish served with rice and a salad. He spoke about his quest to find the right chicken for this dish; halal certified chicken in this case.My experience here at Cafe Mint was great! It is conveniently located in Talega, San Clemente with both indoor and outdoor dining. The staff is both friendly and knowledgeable about how the food is prepared and made. I give Cafe Mint 6/5 stars for an excellent dinner out. I’ll be referring my friends and family and I’ll certainly be coming back myself.
John F.
Very good food at this family run middle eastern food. Amazing value, too! The husband runs front of house and the wife cooks some amazing food. Very clean, friendly service. We grew up in OC but we're back in town got a wedding. So glad we stopped in here for a late dinner. Fave dishes: grape leaves, babaganoush and the kebbih.
Sherry S.
We've been ordering food from here since they opened, and it's always been good....Falafel, Hummus, gyro, baklava all delicious...but today the Bakalava was out of this world!
I honestly wasn’t expecting anything when I placed an order to pick up here, I just wanted some hummus and falafel. I was so pleasantly surprised with my experience and had I expected anything, i would not have been disappointed. Mike and Suel (Sue) are such generous and kind people and take pride in the food they make. They aren’t kidding when they say the falafel is a must try… it’s freshly made everyday (with FRESH ingredients) and you can taste the cilantro and jalapeño in each fluffy delicious bite. I don’t even typically care for baba ghanoush, but it was so perfectly blended and those beautiful pomegranates on top are the perfect addition. Everything was amazing, service was wonderful and from good people, I will definitely be back to get more of everything i had tonight and to try other things too!
Tim Schenkenberger
A BIG thank you! Mike the owner was incredible by giving us his recommendations and even treated us to some appetizers. Thank you Mike for being so welcoming and for the amazing food.
Kylie Holliday
Amazing food and great hospitality! Owners are super sweet and welcoming! Please go and support them!
Oscar Miranda
Great Service and delicious food. The lamb Kebab tastes great with the creamy hummus.
Paul J.
This place is closed. The last few times I have tried to call for my normal order, their phone has rung continuously or was busy. I figured they were just getting too many calls to answer. So I saw their website had online ordering ability. I ordered, it charged my credit card, and then it said the time for pick up was pending. I waited a half an hour with no change in order status before I decided to just drive over there. The place is closed! See picture with help wanted sign on Sunday at 5pm. The doors were locked and the place was dark but I listened and heard the phone ringing continuously. Horrible ownership for not having any message for callers or on their website, and to take orders and charge people's credit card when the restaurant is closed.
I love the staff and owner, but the food is just alright. As others have mentioned, a bit overpriced for the portions. Apparently the owner shops at Albertsons so is paying full retail price for all the ingredients. And I love my mediterranean food.. the pita bread needs a complete rework, it is flat and bland. Pita should be FLUFFY in my opinion.
Disgusting!! I've ate there twice and both times I got food poisoning. It's disgusting meat and chicken that's cook on a skillet, not real shawarma. It's dirty and terrible meat. They had another business there with a different name, same food and they went out of business, now they opened under new owners and different name, but same disgusting food. The kitchen is super dirty, the cooks don't wear gloves, it's nasty and gross don't buy anything there
I've eaten here a few times and liked the food. However, the last few times I've passed by, the doors have been closed. When I try to call to place an order, I get a Verizon message saying that the call cannot be completed. Sadly, I think they've shut down. It's a bad location with minimal traffic - maybe they'll try to reopen in a better location.
They are Closed every time you come there. I wonder if they are permanently closed, because for two weeks it's been closed. No. Business can survive this ma y days not working.
Place shows as open on Sunday until 8. I placed an order online, Money was deducted from my bank account but the restaurant was closed when I arrived at 630.
Really nice food. Very nice ownership. Love the gyros, the falafel, all the kebabs, and the pastries.
I ordered online during business hours. Around 5pm. Came at 5:45 and they were closed even though their website says they are open until 8:15pm. If you change your business hours you need to update your website. There is no way to email you that I can see in order to get a refund. I really wanted to try this place and was so excited to see there was a Mediterranean restaurant in San Clemente. Such a bummer. I would like my refund of course.
Amazing food and service!!! I met the owner while he was shopping at my Albertsons Butcher Counter. He graciously introduced himself and bought quality meat for his business. He has since come back week after week insisting on buying only the freshest quality beef and chicken. He had also asked me to come and try his food. Tonight I ate at Cafe Mint and tasted the beautiful flavors of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. My meal was custom, designed and made by the owner himself. From food to customer service this was a great experience.He first brought an appetizer of homemade hummus and chips, next two large dishes of chicken, beef, rice, and a salad. The beef had a great flavor, indescribable by me. The chicken had medium spice complimented by a refreshing salad. Pita bread was also provided with a homemade garlic sauce.Then came the final main course (his preferred dish). A delightfully moist and tender chicken dish served with rice and a salad. He spoke about his quest to find the right chicken for this dish; halal certified chicken in this case.My experience here at Cafe Mint was great! It is conveniently located in Talega, San Clemente with both indoor and outdoor dining. The staff is both friendly and knowledgeable about how the food is prepared and made. I give Cafe Mint 6/5 stars for an excellent dinner out. I’ll be referring my friends and family and I’ll certainly be coming back myself.
Very good food at this family run middle eastern food. Amazing value, too! The husband runs front of house and the wife cooks some amazing food. Very clean, friendly service. We grew up in OC but we're back in town got a wedding. So glad we stopped in here for a late dinner. Fave dishes: grape leaves, babaganoush and the kebbih.
We've been ordering food from here since they opened, and it's always been good....Falafel, Hummus, gyro, baklava all delicious...but today the Bakalava was out of this world!
Restaurantji Recommends
I honestly wasn’t expecting anything when I placed an order to pick up here, I just wanted some hummus and falafel. I was so pleasantly surprised with my experience and had I expected anything, i would not have been disappointed. Mike and Suel (Sue) are such generous and kind people and take pride in the food they make. They aren’t kidding when they say the falafel is a must try… it’s freshly made everyday (with FRESH ingredients) and you can taste the cilantro and jalapeño in each fluffy delicious bite. I don’t even typically care for baba ghanoush, but it was so perfectly blended and those beautiful pomegranates on top are the perfect addition. Everything was amazing, service was wonderful and from good people, I will definitely be back to get more of everything i had tonight and to try other things too!
A BIG thank you! Mike the owner was incredible by giving us his recommendations and even treated us to some appetizers. Thank you Mike for being so welcoming and for the amazing food.
Amazing food and great hospitality! Owners are super sweet and welcoming! Please go and support them!
Great Service and delicious food. The lamb Kebab tastes great with the creamy hummus.
This place is closed. The last few times I have tried to call for my normal order, their phone has rung continuously or was busy. I figured they were just getting too many calls to answer. So I saw their website had online ordering ability. I ordered, it charged my credit card, and then it said the time for pick up was pending. I waited a half an hour with no change in order status before I decided to just drive over there. The place is closed! See picture with help wanted sign on Sunday at 5pm. The doors were locked and the place was dark but I listened and heard the phone ringing continuously. Horrible ownership for not having any message for callers or on their website, and to take orders and charge people's credit card when the restaurant is closed.