Z Garden Mediterranean Cuisine

Really solid food (although underwhelmed by chicken shawarma) -- big strike (at least for me) was the delivery time (waited an hour and twenty minutes, called them and they said it was on the way...finally got there about 30 minutes after the anticipated delivery time...pretty frustrating but at least the food was good). more

I've ordered from Z before and the food is good, so we decided to order again. NEVER EVER AGAIN. The ETA they gave us was 7pm. When it still hadn't showed by 7:30, I called and the incredibly rude woman on the phone told me that my food was still sitting in the restaurant! When it finally showed up, everything was ice cold and soggy. And just to put a capper on it, there was cigarette ash on the box at the top of the bag. CIGARETTE. ASH. ON MY FOOD. When I called to complain, the same girl told me again that they were "really busy". When I told her again about the cigarette ash, she told me to call GrubHub if I wanted a refund. She clearly did not give a crap over what is clearly a freaking health code violation. The food was still good once we heated it up (though we threw away the food in the cigarette box), but after that awful AWFUL service, there's no way I'll ever order from them again. 1 star for the food, and because I have to add one to post this. more

One of the worst restaurant experiences I've had in years, certainly the worst in Santa Monica. \r \r Came in with family of 3 around 6:45 for dinner. They seemed completely flummoxed by how to fit us, which was weird, considering there was an abundance of double tables that were completely open. The place was not busy at all. They said we could eat upstairs, and then proceeded to let us seat ourselves.\r \r After dropping off menus, the server didn't come by for 10 minutes. When he did, he asked us for drink orders. As we gave them, he turned around to leave us, without even asking if we were ready to order. We had to ask him to stop to place our order.\r \r We ordered beef shawarma, grape leaves, falafel, and rekakat. The food took an exceptionally long time to come, around 35+ minutes. Nobody ever checked on us during this time. Not once. \r \r Halfway through waiting, I realized we didn't even have silverware. After waiting for a long time, I decided to go downstairs to ask for silverware. Ask the guy at the register for silverware and get a very curt ""You'll have to wait sir"". No ""Right away"" or ""So sorry, we'll take care of that"". Nope. Note that he was not servicing other guests, just behind the counter. Finally the guy hands me some wrapped silverware, which I then took to my family. NO server, instead I got to do it myself. \r \r After 35+ minutes the food arrived. It was all MEDIOCRE to POOR. We've eaten at places like this in NYC, London, Paris, all exceptional. \r \r Zen Garden was SUBPAR which was completely surprising given that we're in Santa Monica, CA, where there's some exceptional restaurants and a culture of great dining service you come to expect by default in town. \r \r Incredibly disappointing. NOBODY ever checked in on us. Not once. The Server is NOWHERE to be found. \r \r Finally, after an hour in this place, I had to ask the server walking by for the check. Get to wait another 10 minutes...... waiting.... waiting. Finally the check arrives. I immediately handed him my credit card. By this time, even the most casual observer could tell we were ready to wrap this up and leave. \r \r But he didn't return with the check and card. Again, remember that this place was NOT busy at all. Lots of open tables.... \r \r After 5 minutes or so, I started running the timer on my phone, out of sick curiosity if the guy would ever come back. At around 12 minutes my wife insists that we leave and head on downstairs to ASK for my check and card. \r \r At that point, I deal with some schmuck behind the counter and he CAN'T FIND MY CHECK OR MY CARD. He's LOST IT. I kid you not. After insisting that they give me my card back, he calls over an older guy. That guy can't find it either. \r \r They apologized, but still can't find my bill or credit card. They then proceed to both text or call other people trying to find my bill.\r \r This process took easily another 10 minutes, at which point I told them I was ready to call the police. That seemed to work, because they found it shortly after that. Even then, the younger guy held onto it and had to BE TOLD by the older guy to hand it to me, despite my requests that he hand me card.\r \r The older guy offered to void the entire bill. I told him I couldn't care less whether I paid or it was free, I just wanted to be done with the entire affair and leave. \r \r I will never patronize this place ever again. Horrible service. Mediocre, overpriced food. \r \r \r more

I got the combo kabobs and they were all excellent... however I must say the beef kabobs were by far the best and I thought for sure it would have been the other way around with the lamb kabobs. I am definitely going to order food from here again, the lentil soup was really good with pita bread to dip in it. more

My food didn't show up. I'm not clear on what happened, but after a lot of back and forth, and tons of updated emails delaying the food ETA, they still couldn't deliver. Never had that experience with any other restaurant who uses GrubHub. more

I love the greek salad with chicken, It's so filling but very fresh and YUMMY!\r \r By the way call ahead if your in a rush(I do all the time)! more

Super quick delivery, fresh food, love the garlic paste. It's nice to have a "healthier" take out option. more

I came here last week looking to get a quick bite on the go and the food was amazing! I normally get chicken shawarma wherever I go but I have never had such juicy chicken in my life! Not only was the food great but it was very affordable! more

I ordered the chicken shawerma and tabouleh...and man was it good! It was large portion too I finished it all yummmm. but not too over bearing, the tabouleh was fresh and it was my first time . My girlfriend had ordered the beef steak kebab with humms rice and salad...the busbousa it,s so yummmm, I'll be sure to order that again next time. Overall great experience and the owner was very nice and attentive. Will go back! :] more

amazing food ! more

Food was good enough, But the delivery guy refused to actually bring it to my door, then was rude when I went to pick it up at the street. more