I ordered a falafel sandwich today. It was the worst falafel sandwich I have ever had. There was no tahini, there were no cucumbers (they used green bell peppers instead). All of the falafel was in the upper half of the pita. The onions, tomatoes and green bell pepper was in the bottom half of the pita. Maybe their other offerings are good, but I don't plan on going back. read more

The portions are very small. Baba ghanoush was the worst I've ever had. Salad was gross. Don't know how this place got more than one star.

Good food, good portions. Not a big dining area and more suitable for take-out. I'll be back when I'm in the area. I also like the grocery next door where I got my Bulgarian dessert wine and Turkish delight. (Oh wait, that's another review.) read more

This place is great! I stopped in one day on my way home to grab a quick bite to eat, hoping to try something new that I had never had before. I ended up getting the Bosnia Burger, which is something I've never had before. The burger, while plain, was really good! The meat was juicy and perfectly cooked and the daily baked bread is UHMAYYYZING. I was tempted to buy a ton of the bread to take it home with me but I knew I'd just eat it all immediately and decided to hold myself back. The Adana Burger looked to be just like the Bosnia Burger but with a bit more toppings- I'll definitely be back to try that one! read more

Balkan Grill - Bosnia Burger - Mediterranean Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

This is a hidden gem! Everything on the menu is amazing! There fresh bread that they bake in house is to die for. I tried it once and now I'm a regular read more

The guy taking our order was nice, but the food was not good. They were not following proper COVID precautions, the gentleman was not covering his nose with his face mask. He was also not wearing a hairnet. Sure enough there was hair on my food. All the food was cold too. Would not recommend. I hate writing negative reviews, especially during COVID times when everyone is struggling in one way shape or form...I am sorry, but this was my experience. While I won't go back here again, I encourage everyone to see for themselves as I may just have had a one off bad experience. read more

Can't support this restaurant enough, I recommend for any meat lovers that have a craving for some delicious Mediterranean grub. Service is also very fast and staff is very friendly. I just wish it was closer by so I could go there more often! read more

Food here is solid, and the service is always friendly. I like the bread, fresh vegetables, and flavoring. The beef is really good, and this is coming from someone who isn't usually a beef fan. The Kofte burger is awesome, I highly recommend. They close early and the space, is small, but they are very nice and it's never super packed. If you do dine-in here they use real silverware and plates so a nice touch. They have a yogurt drink that my friend likes, I usually opt for a Greek salad..their homemade dressing is so good. I usually call ahead and order to-go. One of the better places to eat at in the area for quality food. read more

Just love this place, the Balkan good options are the best. The staff is always so friendly and they make you feel welcomed in the venue. Such a treat to enjoy all the tasty desserts and drinks, whenever I have time during the week I try to stop by and grab something. You must try the meat selection it is sooo worth the trip there! read more

Husband got the doner kabob sandwich which was cold , I got the steak shis kabobs and it was warm. My husband was not impressed with his sandwhich which was cold and what seemed like reheated meat.. I did taste it and my kabob seems very fresh beef compared to his meat was not the same quality read more

Absolutely delicious!!!!! So fresh and full of flavor. I felt like I got home cooking that was made with care. I will definitely order from here again read more

Great little restaurant connected to a deli. Fresh food, the rice is delicious. Very good authentic food. read more

Balkan Grill - Beef kabob plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Maybe I got the wrong thing but I would expect a Turkish place to make a nice Donner. Nope. Lots of meat but a bit dry and not tasty. Super bland. I'll givem another try if I'm in the area. At least the people were nice. Guy next to me had a fresh fish dish that looked awesome. read more

Was really hoping for a winner here. Maybe it's just impossible to find that magical doner sandwich in the US that seems to exist on every street corner in Europe from the English Channel to the Med.... Anyhow, I tried both the doner sandwich and platter praying for the miracle that never seems to materialize on American soil. It was ok.... So was the smallish chicken kabob portion.... Meh. read more

These guys are unorganized and the food is barely edible. Falafel was the worst ever. I saw another guy come in and take a few bites of a sandwich and then just frown and leave in disappointment . One of the guys realized he gave some of my food to another customer and he ran out to the parking lot to try and get it from them (they were already gone). This place is a clown show, I will not be returning. read more

Craving some kabobs and with Balkan so close with good ratings, we were hopeful. What we got were a couple pieces of bland chicken and tough steak on top of oily veggies (we subbed extra veggies for the rice). I feel like I paid $25 for a $10 meal for 2. read more

Balkan Grill - Look like a $25 meal to you? - Mediterranean Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon and the girlfriend and I were in need of lunch before running various errands. Not wanting to cook and looking for someplace we hadn't tried before, we consulted Yelp for nearby choices. Our search led us to Balkan Grill, which had received very positive reviews. Balkan Grill is a small, hole in the wall grill/kebab house (basically a counter to place your order, but with 5 bar stools to eat on a narrow ledge along the walls) specializing in cuisine from countries in/around the Balkan Peninsula...hence its name. It's located in nondescript strip mall off of N. Kings Hwy a short walk from the Huntington Metro station. Based on several of the menu items being Turkish, the owners may be from Turkey. However, based on the lone picture they have on the wall, perhaps the owners are from Croatia. Nevertheless, the menu is varied with regional appetizers, soups, kebabs, entrees, desserts, and even pizza to include Turkish Lahmacun and Pide. Unfortunately, the storm had knocked out their power so they had to throw out many of their appetizers that interested us. We split an order of Cheese Börek ($6), a generous-sized filo pastry stuffed with cheese (I'm guessing goat's milk). It was surprisingly light and nicely flavored. It only whetted our appetite for our main course. I had the Döner Kebab Sandwich ($8.50) made with a thick stack of thinly sliced, spit grilled beef served inside a house made pita bread with lettuce, tomato, green pepper, onions with a side of tzatziki. Our server/the guy behind the counter was very personable and, obviously, cared about good customer service. When he brought out our food to us, he asked if I liked it spicy. Of course, I said "yes", and he brought me a small cup of a flavorful, red pepper sauce, that was a perfect complement to what I'd arguably say is the best tasting (and best value) sandwich I've had in NoVA. The meat was moist, juicy, and nicely seasoned with Turkish spices. The pita was second to none. I was very impressed. I won't say that the Balkan Grill is Alexandria's best-kept food secret since there was a lot of customer traffic while we were there. But, it's nice to know that it's in the neighborhood. Needless to say, I think the Balkan Grill will be a regular stop in my food rotation. I'll certainly be back to try those menu items that weren't available this trip. read more

3.75 stars. The first time I saw the word "pljeskavica", I thought it was a travesty that foreign words are not in the Spelling Bee. And even though this mixed meat burger absolutely dripping with fat should have helped my inebriated state, it did not stop me from offering my shoes as a bribe to the cop that later pulled us over on the way back to Novi Sad, Serbia. That was two years ago, and it was just the first of many awesome moments in my journey to Eastern Europe. Sadly, after I left the Balkans, I had lost contact with three of my favorite foods: pljeskavica, cevapcici, and the infamous burek. Enter Balkan Grill. The mixed meat burger at Balkan Grill (known as the Bosnian Burger) can't quite recreate the goodness that you find back in Eastern Europe, but it's a noble substitute. The gargantuan thin patty appears to be made with veal and lamb (I couldn't pick up any pork flavor), is placed within a similarly sized bun and served with lettuce, onion, and a glacier of mayo on the side. If you've never tried pljeskavica, this is pretty much the only place in the DMV where it's going to happen for you. It will serve you well until you get to the Balkan states and enjoy the real deal. I absolutely fell in love with burek in Serbia. It is generally a flaky, oily pastry dripping with meat, cheese, or both items. I'm not sure there is a better flavor combination in my mind than crisp pastry and fatty meat. The Balkan Grill's version is not the "round" version you find in Serbia; rather, they make it in the Bosnian style. This spiral version pastry loses some of the flakiness and oiliness that I love in the Serbian version, but it is still quite appealing. My favorite item that the Balkan Grill carries in their version of cevapcici. These tiny sausages are plump and spicy and flavored very similarly to what you will find in Croatia. Combine it with the bread and the dipping sauce for an incredibly decadent treat. If the location in Alexandria, VA is simply too far away for you, they have a second location in Rockville, MD. The Alexandria location is metro accessible through the Huntington Line. Also, the Alexandria one is the original and the Turkish owner of the shop is very nice. So if you have to choose between the shops, perhaps this is your best bet. I'd also suggest take out because there is hardly any room to eat in the actual restaurant. Balkan food is delightful, but it's very difficult to come by and make properly in the States. Balkan Grill does an admirable job representing the region. read more

Just got back from a couple weeks in the Balkans for vacation, specifically in Bosnia for a week. The one thing I was worried I'd never find again was the Bosnian Burek, a phyllo dough stuffed pastry, usually filled cheese or meat. I had been out to Cosmopolitan Grill in Alexandria for Bosnian cevapis (sausages), and that place is excellent - but they require advance notice to prepare and bake their bureks. When I want a burek, I want it now! Planning is not a strong suit. Luckily, Yelp discovered Balkan Grill for me. Balkan Grill is not a full service restaurant like Cosmopolitan, it is just a small counter and an ordering window. I can vouch that their bureks are as good as I had anywhere in Sarajevo. They even have the Bosnian cream to serve with it. The cheese burek is stuffed with Bosnian farmhouse cheese, which is delightfully melty inside. The meat is filled with seasoned ground meat (beef I assume) and is just perfect. I also sampled the cevapis from Balkan Grill and can vouch they are quite tasty. I might prefer the bread at Cosmopolitan that goes with the cevapis, but the Balkan Grill bread is no slouch. It is clearly freshly baked on the premises. The sausages are good, not too fatty, and very fairly priced. For 20 bucks, I was able to bring home two bureks, 7 cevapi, bread and veggies for the cevapi. This is an incredibly filling meal, delicious, and well priced. Ignore the rundown strip center that it's located in, this is truly a slice of the Balkans. Plus, while you wait, you can browse the adjoining Euro Market next door for Balkan foodstuffs and frozen cevapis. read more

It seems this place exists to prove that P.T. Barnum was right. Having seen their döner kabab on the menu, I had to try it. After all, döner kababs and shawarma are one of the 5 major food groups. My girlfriend ordered a Greek salad, but what does she know? (It turned out she was right, as she usually is!) I was looking forward to it when they brought out what I thought was a gift from heaven. Then I bit into it. They had substituted some sort of compressed meat substance for the slices lamb or maybe beef. I looked at the menu, thinking I may have gotten the wrong order (maybe American gyro), but the only candidates for error were burgers and chicken. The döner kabab is specified as "thin sliced beef"; not some composite gasket material from the nearby auto parts store (and not "gyro meat"). My guess is they are using gyro meat, since the lowest price head gasket at the auto parts store is $22.75. Since gasket material typically tastes like cork, this would be a good candidate, but this particular döner kabab gasket included strange flavoring with aftertaste (maybe Permatex High-Tack sealer, which undoubtedly has the right essense of fake shawarma flavoring). More likely, they just purchased frozen gyro meat and "forgot" to change their menu to properly identify what they were actually serving. Folks, if you're going to substitute items on the menu, be open about it, disclose the ingredients (which are obviously not just "sliced beef" as on your menu, and don't scam your customers. read more

So I gave this place 5 stars, only because its the only one of its kind in the entire area. I have never eaten Croatian food nor Bosnian. They also have kabobs and Turkish food. Oh and the price, forget about it, this place is the next place to go to. It doesn't look like much from the outside, and really its more of a carry out place, they deliver, and the owner runs the shop. They have great baklava and a menu that has many dishes I have never tried. However, the two that I have had, they were excellent. The bread is baked fresh each day, and wow, just like being in Europe. Try this place, you won't regret it. It's right across the street from the Huntington Metro, if you know where Tippy's Taco is, its three doors down. read more

Based on the reviews, Balkan Grill sounds like it has really good food. Unfortunately, the staff/customer service made my visit here an epic fail. A group of 4 of us walked in on a Sunday afternoon for a late lunch. After taking 1 person's order, the cashier walked into the kitchen and didn't say a word to anyone for the next 15 minutes. We waited around hoping that he would come back and maybe take the rest of our orders, but all he did was walk halfway out to the register, stare at us for a bit, then turn around and walk back into the kitchen. Several other people in the restaurant were also waiting and didn't seem to know what was going on either. Finally we gave up, dropped some money on the counter for the soda that we got, and left. On our way out the door, the cashier finally decided to come out and try to explain something about their stove not working, but it being better now. Great, maybe you could have said something about it when we got in, or when you took an order, or when you saw us waiting around the register? We had had enough and decided to try somewhere else. I may give Balkan Grill another chance some day just because the food sounds so amazing. But it doesn't matter if a restaurant has the best food in the world if they don't get around to serving it. read more

After being referred to this place by a friend I decided to check it out on Yelp first. If you scroll through the pictures you might have the same reaction as I. Everything looks boring. The burger is just a thin patty and bun, tomatoes and onions and some mayonnaise looking condiment on the side, that couldn't seem more plain. Or plainer. However, you must remember this place is a bakery first and foremost. The bread was soft and fresh and added to the entire experience. The beef itself (however a bit dry) was spiced and flavorful. Reminiscent of a concoction my grandmother makes containing ground beef, cumin, cilantro, and some pepper. I also had the sausages and I'm fairly certain they were the same exact meat as the burger. All beef. Not complaining just noting. read more

A burger the size of my face. And I have a big(ger than average) face. It's not an American burger, but a Turkish/Mediterranean one, but flavorful and delicious and the size of a human face. The Adana burger is indeed quite spicy (not "American" spicy, but actually spicy), but very good - and comes with some buttery yogurt to tame your taste buds. The spinach borek is phenomenal. A meal in itself, plus it's made fresh on the spot. GET IT. The grocery store is a little scant, but they have some goodies there. But the restaurant (more take out, though they do have a window bar table) is an amazing find. read more

Balkan Grill was an exciting trip out of the expensive and mediocre food of Old Town Alexandria to what amounted to a little, well-kept hole in the wall. The prices are dirt cheap for what amounts to an enormous amount of food. The Pljeskavica (I can't pronounce it either but they call it the Bosnian Burger thankfully) is fantastic. It has the right amount of grease to go with the meat that is flavorful and well-seasoned. The yogurt sauce rather than mayo was a very pleasant experience and it gave the much needed illusion of eating healthy. The Borek is also fantastic. The meat borek is reminiscent of a poor man's Beef Wellington with a thicker-than-expected pastry shell and ground beef... but I will have to try the cheese variety sometime because I definitely overwhelmed myself with some meat with a side of meat. For the record, my friend got a sampler platter of the appetizers. The appetizers as a whole are okay, but listen to the reviews and stick to the meat dishes and you cannot go wrong. Friendly service and a great experience. I look forward to going back. read more

The Adana burger is the best! Full of flavor. You gotta order it. The spicy meat is made to perfection. On top of that, the combination with onions and tomatoes rounds out the taste. Definitely my favorite burger of all time! read more

Balkan Grill - Number 3.6. Diner kebab sandwich is awesome - Mediterranean Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Kind Turkish people run this joint. I think I intimidated the poor lady when I asked her - in a playful way - if her baklava was worth trying. "I've had some pretty weak baklava in my day," I told her. "Will I enjoy yours?" She was quite concerned with my experience with the food, to the point of making me feel like she was watching me eat. So I felt bad about that, but the food here is great, and the service is very kind and courteous. The Balkan burger is nuts and huge. Their doner is terrific. This is a little gem of a place if you are ever in the Huntington area. I'm definitely going back. read more

I must admit that I was a little nervous about this place too but it was great. The owner is from Turkey and she was extremely friendly. She recommended the Chicken Sandwich for me and the Lamb Sandwich for my boyfriend. I have never seen him so pleased...well...lol. He was amazed. He talked about that sandwich FOREVER! I would also recommend going to the mini grocery store next door. They have some great international products that World Market offers but at a much cheaper price. Definitely good for lunch anyday. read more

The cevapcici and adana kebab were really good

I have driven past this shopping center many times but this is the first time I ventured in and I am so glad I did! While I was waiting for my order, I enjoyed looking in their grocery store next door. I couldn't resist the chocolates, Armenian pomegranate wine, and getting the Ajvar (eggplant and tomato sauce) to try. Yelp didn't lead me astray and I knew what I wanted to order. On our way home, we couldn't wait to try the food so we scarfed down the burek stuffed with spinach. The dough was very good, but I think I would try the cheese next time (or a spinach and cheese mix would be perfect). My husband was in love with the adana burger and I also liked the hot spices on it. The pikata chicken schnitzel was huge and enough to feed 2-3 people. The quality of the food was all very good and you cannot beat the prices. I have to go back to try and the rice pudding, baklava, and the rest of their savory menu. read more

I stopped in to grab lunch after reading all the great yelp reviews and seeing the photos posted here. Most menu items were pictured on a board behind the register, sort of like a chinese carryout, so that made my decision easy. I ordered the Adana Burger which was seasoned and came with yogurt sauce, onion, and tomato. The service was polite enough and fast enough for me as there were only two other customers there. Once I received my Adana burger I was excited that it was just as pictured... a huge flat burger on freshly baked bread with fresh toppings. The bread and toppings tasted nice but I have to admit that overall the burger looked much better than it tasted. There was something about the meat that made me wonder if it was only beef or were there other types of meat or fillers in the patty. It definitely had a "processed" feel like the patty came to the restaurant pre-made rather than the people at Balkan making them in-house. I would probably go back again but to try some of the non-meat items on the menu. read more

Could not ask for better food! People who were raised on Mediterranean food will know what I'm talking about.. It's really hard to find that kind of food and that tastes so great and authentic! The amazingly delicious Burek, that retrieved my faith in feta cheese in the U.S., probably because it's not the horrible American/pretend-to-be-Greek feta cheese that you can find everywhere, but a true Balkan/Bulgarian style feta cheese. Both the cheese and potato Borek are great (and amazingly cheap for their size). The grilled fish was great too, along with the fresh salad and bread that were served next to it. Can't wait for my next visit/meal in Balkan Grill! (which will probably be very soon..) read more

This place is awesome. Great food, reasonable prices, nice staff. First time here, and was totally impressed. We ate there, but I'm sure we'll also be picking up lunch and dinner pretty regularly after our lunch today. Just go. So glad we did. So glad. read more

I don't give out 5 star reviews very often. However, this place deserves it... a perfect example of a place that picks a few unique items and executes on them exceptionally well, using fresh ingredients, attention to detail, and consistent execution. I wasn't sure what to make of this tiny place when I first found it, I had never eaten Bosnian food and, frankly, the "Bosnian Burger" sounded a bit intimidating. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I had my first meal. The prices are very low and the portions are very large and they offer a daily lunch special which comes with a drink. Burek - a filled pastry is an awesome starter (but very filling). The Burgers are amazing (go with the Adana if you want something with a nice spicy kick). The CEVAPCICI is also a delicious sandwich with tender little sausages and the wonderful kajmak sauce. The baked goods (which are used with many of the dishes) are amazing and always fresh. This a small place that does carryout and will additionally sell you uncooked items in bulk for your own home use. The small store that is attached also sells a large selection of regional specialties, meats, and sweets. I'm happy that this place is close to home for when I am craving something out of the ordinary to eat. read more

I love the Balkan Grill. I always go in to get borek. It's the Bosnian version of borek, so it's like an S shaped pastry with cheese. I wish I could find a place that makes su böreği but alas, I have yet to. I've never orderd anything else from there but that's probably because I cook my Turkish food at home. I will definitely try the cevapi someday. read more

Debating between a four and a five star review, my husband pointed out that it 'tasted like regular Bosnian street food.' Eventually we decided that was a five star compliment. The menu had a good amount of variation and the food was very authentic. Food came quickly and service was polite, unobtrusive. There are only four seats here, so it might be better for take out. We started with the hummus, which was a huge portion and very flavorful. The bread that came with it was hot and fresh. The kebab came with a small salad, which had tangy dressing and fresh veggies. The kebab meat portion wasn't exceptionally generous, but very well seasoned. I had the spicy burger - alena? The seasoning was delicious. I only managed half of it, but brought the rest home for later. Fries were hot, well salted and crispy. We had an appetizer, two entrees, fries and two sodas for under 30$. Nether of us was able to finish our meal, despite arriving very hungry. We will be back. Like I said, the food here is authentic. If you appreciate that, you'll like Balkan Grill. If you're looking for American food, keep the line shorter for the rest of us. OH: "I've never been here before. What do you recommend?" Owner: "Do you like meat?" Vegetarians may want to keep walking. :-) read more

Actually 3.5 stars. I like this place. They serve a mixture of Bosnian and Turkish cuisine. The food: Burek - this is the Bosnian version of it (more pita than the actual burek.) That said, I love it, especially the cheese version of it (they also have meat burek - good too.) Baklava - very good! Soft, juicy and sweeet! Cevapcici, pljeskavica, etc - not bad, not great. Like most of the places in the area, they only use beef, which is on the dryer side, and not the original recipe in any of the Balkans nations. Somun - the balkans bread! Awesome! Ties burek for the best item on the menue. Overall, a good fast food place and very affordable. read more

So we're new to the area. Every day we drive past the little strip mall that houses the Balkan Grill on my way to and from the Metro. So I pull up the trusty Yelp reviews and most seem to be in agreement. We check it out. First trip: falafel sandwich for the man, chicken sandwich for me. Bread is fantastic. Falafel is perfectly fried and seasoned nicely. Bread is fantastic (did I mention that?). Chicken was ... meh. It's probably just me, but it didn't seem to have any flavor. No spice, no pizzazz. It wasn't bad and I certainly don't know what I was expecting, but it needed something. Second trip: two falafel sandwiches, French fries for the man, hummus for me. Again, falafel is spot on. Fries were damn near perfect. Hummus the first day, good, but not exciting. Left over hummus for lunch the second day - yeah baby. All those flavors had time to ripen. Made for a great lunch with a green salad. Another great local business. read more

I have been coming here for years. The food never disapoints. Tasty delicious burgers, grilled meats, awesome salads. My favorite is the lentil soup and burek. If youre really hungry a combo of that will fill you up and give you a long lasting energy for the day. Just a good food spot! read more

The Adana Burger is nicely spiced. The fries were perfect too. I liked their interesting selection of sodas and juices. The food is more Arab/Turkish- less Euro-Balkan, but delicious either way. read more

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