Boaz is a Lebanese fast food casual eatery in Ohio City. It's a concept dreamed up by the family who owns Aladdin's. Despite it being around for a while, I haven't been in until today. While in Ohio City, I developed a craving for something on a lighter/healthier side and quickly served. I'd normally grab quick eats from the Market but it was after hours. Boaz was an ideal match. AMBIANCE: Boaz has very interesting decor - vintage retro wallpaper and pops of yellow. Very funky and fun! The cafe has kind of an L type layout with quite a few tables. There's a serving station similar to Chipotle. You're welcome to takeout or eat in. FOOD: The menu is straightforward - rolled pitas, entrees, appetizers, salads, fresh juices and smoothies, desserts, soup and beverages. Very similar to Aladdin's. If you're in an especially creative mood, try to build your own salad, bowl or entree. There's a helpful sheet to guide you through your creation - base, protein, top off, color, and dress up. It's very helpful to see all the ingredients and feels like a more non-rushed ordering process. Prices for add-one are very clear and straightforward. I ordered Build My Own Bowl adding brown rice, beef shawarma, hummus, za'atar pita chips, shredded carrots, tabouli, pickled cucumbers, pickled turnips, tahini lemon, garlic sauce, and pita. The price was very reasonable - $8.99 for a bowl and $3.25 for beef shawarma. The only ingredient that they were out of was feta cheese but I wasn't especially craving it. Overall the bowl was pretty tasty especially za'atar pita chips. I didn't particularly like a few things. Meat was shredded too small and was dry. I also have the same criticism for Aladdin's. Sauce sides (tahini lemon and garlic sauce) weren't full. The meal achieved what I was craving - light and tasty. SERVICE: The service was very expeditious and welcoming. The menu was explained to me as the first timer and ordering was easy. The order was up in probably 3 minutes, quickest prep in all Ohio City. I was blown away! PARKING: Various parking options are available in the area. Some street parking is an option but not on peak busy times (weekends and nights). Paid parking lots are available at the West Side Market and by Market Street. You can pay with QR code via phone. I'd stop in at Boaz again when craving quick and easy eats. Next time I'll focus on desserts and smoothies. I'm especially intrigued by Rejuvinate smoothie. Many cafes in the city offer a smoothie with this name, and I'd love to experience/compare this one. read more

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A great fast healthy choice. Think local version of CAVA. I love getting their bowls they are overflowing with flavor. Service is fast and place is clean. A great quick lunch and dinner option. Pro tip: get the garlic sauce and boaz dressing. The hot sauce is great with the fries. read more

Boaz Cafe - Rice and salad on the bottom topped with cabbage, salata, chicken, carrots, and banana peppers. - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Cute spot with ample indoor seating. Staff was really kind helping the newbies navigate the menu. We got a variety of items (pictured). I really liked the bowl. The toppings were all really fresh, filling, and full of flavor. There is meter street parking and if you walk a few blocks you might find some free street parking. read more

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Great Lebanese fast food. I had their dinner portion of Kibbe and it was absolutely authentic and delicious. Servied with a side of tibuli and tahini for dipping it was absolutely perfect. Their schwarma sandwiches are absolutely amazing and of course, authentic. Their beef is good and it's made with just the right amount of spices. By the way, if you like real cane sugar in you your soda, try the blackberry soda! Just awesome. Frankly, not a fan of their baklava. It's very dry. Hardly any honey. Frankly, I'd avoid their desserts. Everything else, pretty good! read more

I've only been here twice I figured I would grab some lunch since I was near by and it was definitely satisfying because it's a lot different then grabbing a quick bite to eat say from a fast food spot I like that the flavor you can individually taste a lot of places seem to have almost one flavor as your eating so that's a plus it is very good the food was great and it wasn't very busy a few people dinning in but not noisy or loud so that's good and the girl that took my order was awesome very polite and helpful with the menu will definitely be back again. Highly recommend this spot. read more

Boaz Cafe - Build your own bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Tasty! I got the chicken pita and the beef shawarma with hummus. Great flavors and friendly staff. They are very law enforcement friendly and I believe if you go in uniform you get a discount!!! Place looked clean but I will have to sit inside next time!! I will be back. read more

The BEST falafel I've ever had, hands down. A date night centered around being close to Mitchell's turned into a night full of flavor and freshness! We decided to try somewhere new, saw Boaz and decided to give them a shot, and we are SO HAPPY we did! The food was fresh, nutritious and easy to order. They have everything VERY clearly marked with allergens, which is a huge deal for us since my fiancé has a dairy allergy. The space itself felt inviting with lots of wood and a modern take on some retro-feeling patterns. Usually I'm not a fan of yellow, but this place really made it work! The staff was kind, energetic, accommodating and knowledgeable, helping us decipher what would best options were. The food came out quick and did not disappoint! The entire experience was a masterclass in doing things simple and doing those simple things well. Can't leave here without mentioning that STELLAR falafel again. 11/10 will be back. Wish I could give more stars. read more

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In my search for a quick lunch, I came across Boaz near the Westside market. Interior was very clean and yellow, which I enjoyed. I was greeted by the cashier and he gave a quick run down of how things worked. Basically, you can order entrees or build your own bowl. I opted for a build your own and got grilled chicken, brown rice, baba ganoush, along with various toppings. I also got za'atar fries because again, french fries are a weakness. The bowl came out very colorful and well presented. Taste was great and I would say they were very clean. Flavors came out pronounced and not overly spiced or anything. The za'atar pita chips were def my favorite topping to add a bit of textural contrast and some pops of flavor. The fries themselves were also good and went well with the garlic sauce. Again, just a great build your own Lebanese bowl. I was able to share my meal with my partner and we both came away full! read more

Boaz Cafe - French Fries - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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We loved this place! Insanely flavorful Lebanese inspired casual food. The falafel with pickled turnip and garlic sauce topping was to die for. Food wss fresh and healthy (and portions are generous), and the service was quick. The perfect fast-casual dining (a million times better than any Chipotle or CAVA). 5/5 stars. read more

Want to have great Lebanese food with a choose your own adventure style a la Subway or Chipotle? Go no further than the doors of Boaz. You can create your own bowls or choose from their rolls or wraps. Their appetizers are fresh and delicious. The smoothies are refreshing and energizing. You can get an energy juice if that's more your speed. The bright, open atmosphere is conducive to relaxing and just enjoying the amazing, fresh food and the people are so helpful and attentive. They will bend over backwards to make sure you have the best time possible. I just wish they would expand their children's offerings as I have one VERY picky eater. Anytime I am at the Westside Market, I make it a point to stop in. You should, too! read more

Boaz Cafe - My son goes crazy for the strawberry smoothies! This is the grilled chicken and fries kid's bowl. - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Our family enjoyed a tasty dinner at Boaz Cafe in July 2023 during our 3-night stay in Cleveland. This location has a casual yet hip ambiance - but is very informal. You order what you wish to eat the front register, serve yourself drinks and and then choose a seat. The dishes will come to your table after 5-10 minutes. We enjoyed the spiced cauliflower (recommended appetizer) and had a mix of sandwiches (chicken shawarma) and a salad (beef tenderloin). Overall, it was satisfying and casual - but it felt a bit pricey (most restaurants seem to have raised their prices in 2022 and 2023 due to price inflation). The only blemish was that street parking can be challenging to find during peak times. We got lucky and found street parking about a block away. There's also a paid surface parking lot nearby if it's very crowded. I would come here again on our next trip to Cleveland's Ohio City district. read more

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So delicious! My husband kept recommending this place and I'm glad I went. Think of fresh healthy brassica meets chipotle style efficiency. The food is less seasoned than brassica but still so tasty. I actually like it a little better because it isn't as heavy. The owner and family who works there are also so polite and kind. Service is a big part of food industry and I would go just to support their business because they were so nice. The restaurant is very clean and you get a view into the cleanliness of the kitchen which is relieving. Highly recommend! The bowl portions are great for a meal without leaving you overly full (I got half leafy greens and half lentils and brown rice). Will be coming back to try their sides and other dishes! read more

Boaz Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Great customer service Great prices Build your own pita wrap or bowl Pick your 5 free toppings and 2 sauces Chill environment with a decent amount of seating They have a juicing station as well We had to wait for our chicken to be cooked which took a little longer than I expected but I know it's fresh The pita roll wasn't too big but the wrap is only $6.99 The wrap was good read more

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Let's start off with the shining star - I will say it ahead of everything else - this is hands-down THE BEST FALAFEL I have ever had. If you are eh on falafel and have only ever had mid falafel - you HAVE to come here, it was crispy on the outside, but soft on the inside - and not dry at all - it had the perfect texture on the inside - and the flavor was really great - especially paired with the other fresh flavors. This place serves REAL whole food. I'm not a huge fan of grape leaves but my boyfriend loves them and I will say - they are great as well - they had a bit of a tangy-pickle-y taste and had more flavor than other ones I've had before. The pita had a great texture. Overall, the entire food experience was SO top-notch, and fresh, and just straight up quality. 10/10. Service was great, you order at the front by the register and then they bring your food to you. We were helped by two very kind young women, when we complimented them on how great the falafel was, one of them said her mom made them. :) The restaurant seemed extremely clean and well kept as well, I didn't really notice a spot of anything anywhere. Pertaining to my dairy allergy, they were very accommodating and I experienced no bad reaction from eating there. For other dietary restrictions, items are clearly noted on the menu as "Contains Dairy" or "VG" or "Contains gluten" as well as "Contains peanut oil" so very clear labeling and I'm sure if you had other dietary restrictions and wanted to be sure you can always ask and they will help you. Also a note that the interior decorating was very yellow, which I don't see very often but worked really well here. A fun, bright interior. It worked well with the other brown tones on the wall and whatever kind of wood the tables were made of. This surely seems like THE place to become a regular at. I am sure I will be returning, time and time again. I wish I could give 6 stars because this place was just outstanding for me. read more

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This place is solid! It's like a Lebanese chipotle, but so much better, where you can build your own bowl with delicious Mediterranean ingredients and flavors. Everything tastes super fresh and light, so if you have a sensitive stomach like my fiancé you'll leave here happy. We each got a build-your-own bowl and both really liked it. Again, the flavors were great on both of them, and you can customize them to your heart's desire. My lone complaint is the locale. The entrance is so confusing!! There's floor to ceiling glass and the staff laughed at us (in a friendly way!) after we finally figured out how to get in. They said this happens all the time. The staff was absolutely lovely and helpful, seeing that we were able to maneuver our way through the menu given that it was clearly our first time there. Overall great experience, would definitely recommend! read more

Boaz Cafe - Build Your Own Bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I finally visited Boaz Lebanese Cafe with a friend sometime in late 2021; although, I've actually tried their food before at a private event in the Gordon Green building. I really enjoyed what I had for lunch at that private event (some chicken salad) so I was excited to stop in to their physical space to try something new. Unfortunately, what I ordered was not great. INSIDE -- The atmosphere is nice and has a cafe feeling. FOOD -- I ordered a bowl that had chicken and hummus in it but what I didn't know is that the hummus came overflowing in the bowl. Normally, hummus would come on the side but this time, the small pieces of chicken were almost swimming in the hummus. It was a large bowl filled with hummus. My lunch was just very hard to eat and it didn't taste great. I wish they would have told me that the hummus came inside the whole bowl. The chicken cubes were also not flavoured well. My lunch came with pita bread which wasn't fresh and was hard rather than soft. DRINKS -- They have soft drinks (soda/pop) and smoothies. I ordered some green juice but it didn't taste great. I can't remember the exact drink that I had which goes to show that it wasn't memorable. My rating was going to be a 3 but I honestly couldn't even eat my lunch so a 2/5 rating must suffice. I hate giving low ratings but my experience wasn't pleasant. **** - 26/150 total reviews in 2022 - 504 total overall Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 14 March 2022 read more

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Boaz is like a chipotle of Mediterranean food. I highly recommend getting a bowl and building it based on their menu of options. The flavors are DELICIOUS and the quality is extremely fresh. But beware!! The amount of food is very server dependent!! I got a generous amount of food in my bowl, but my boyfriend got 2/3 the amount of food I did.... And they forgot one of the toppings he wanted. The other few times we have gone the portion sizes have been relatively variable... Other notes: -base charge for bowls is 8.99 but will invariably will have added costs if you want any type of protein or falafel... -they do charge extra for pita -grape leaves 3/5 - expensive for 4 grape leaves and too oily imo -rolled pitas 4/5 - delicious but really not filling at all read more

Love Lebanese food. I had a bowl with lentils and rice. Grilled Chicken. Pickled parsnips. Shredded carrot. Diced tomatoes. Banana peppers. Baba Ghanoush was spiced to perfection. I had an oily sauce and a hot sauce. Authentic. Clean seating area. read more

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I had a rather large breakfast yesterday, so I just finished my leftovers today. Still tasted great the second day. Everyone on the menu was clearly labeled gluten free. A comparable spot would be Aladdins. The lebanese spices mixed with the vegetables and grilled chicken had a tawook feel and feel to it. I ordered the strawberry blast smoothie as well with it. Excellent blend of strawberries, pineapple and banana and was phenomenal. The food was kindly brought out to us. It didn't take that long after ordering. The restaurant didn't have much decor in it, it could have used more to brighten it up a bit. Overall, pretty good. read more

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Location Metered parking in ohio city. Bright decor. Went on a Monday night and ordered right away! Wait was a little long which I was surprised but the 20 minute or so wait was wellllll worth the food. I rarely eat Mediterranean food...and now I'm obsessed with this place!!! I ordered another order 1.5 weeks later because it was still in my mind. The portions are perfect and the hummus is delicious (better than many store ones you can buy probably). I ordered the spicy chicken and would do it again. They are also on uber eats!!! read more

Boaz Cafe - Build your own bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Good place to grab a quick bite and go. Nice coffee like atmosphere with good fresh ingredients and food that can hit the spot. Definitely much better places to have middle Eastern food in the city but if you just want something quick and healthy for lunch this will definitely hit the spot read more

Great service, they were patient and friendly. They gave me multiple containers of dressings when I was caught between several. The build your own food bowls were great. The pistachio baklava was also a nice little dessert. read more

Average Lebanese food. Not fantastic, but not bad for fast fresh food. I got a bowl with falafel, hummus, baba, and chicken shawarma. My favorite was the baba and the side of garlic sauce. The rest was okay... read more

This place is by far my favorite Mediterranean spot. From the minute you walk in, they greet you with so much love and respect. They take into consideration, and recognize love for the food. From the minute, you walk into the place you feel at home and at peace, and good to enjoy your food. The food is amazing and so is the ambience of the restaurant. Make a trip that you won't regret. read more

Boaz Cafe - The inside of Boaz - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Love this place, beautiful sunny interior. Good service and the food was delicious. We got chickens shawarma, which I really loved, baba with falafels and fries with smoothie. The falafels were good but little bit different then traditional. I definitely will be back for that juicy Shawarma. read more

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I only stopped in for baklava but was eyeballing their super fresh and fragrant food options. The staff were super helpful and genuinely kind. read more

Came by for a quick lunch on a Monday afternoon. Pretty empty early in the afternoon so we were served quickly and had no issue grabbing a table. First thing that caught my eye was how great of a value 7$ is for a Mediterranean fast casual bowl. Compared to most other similar spots I've been to the bowl is smaller, but for this price it's a phenomenal deal. The hummus and sauces on the side (lemon tahini and garlic sauce) were all fantastic. The chicken was a little on the dry side, but not so much to significantly detract from the meal. Other ingredients were nothing special, but again given the price I can't complain. Would certainly recommend if you're in the area looking for a cheap filling bite to eat! read more

Boaz Cafe - Bowl with brown rice, grilled chicken, quinoa, bean mix, hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Really great place for a quick lunch. Plenty of seating inside or can take your food to go. I went with the build your own bowl option. The falafel was crispy and delicious. For the toppings, I wish you could pick more than 5, but everything I got tasted fresh. The sauces were really creative - i got cilantro mango and lemon tahini, both flavorful and creamy. The bowl comes with pita, which makes the meal more filling. I also got The pomegranate green tea was super refreshing and went well with the rest of the meal. read more

Boaz Cafe - build your own bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I have to say I was quite disappointed the last time I went here. The bowl was quite small and did not come with much protien whicj you now have to pay extra for. So by the time a added meat and baba the bowl was like 14$. I would rather go to sit down middle eastern restaurant and order a full plate. I understand food costs are going up, but this defeats the build your own concept. read more

There's a reason Boaz Cafe made Yelp's list of the Top 50 Places to Eat in Cleveland for 2018. Yesterday, I had my second experience at this fast casual Middle Eastern eatery. To give you a taste, think build-your-own bowls with fillings like baba ganoush, tabouli, falafel, banana peppers, tahini style dressings and so on. The staff is very friendly and happy to lead you through the process. In addition to build-your-own bowls with light and healthy fillings, you'll also find fresh smoothies and juices on the menu. Dessert, anyone? Nab a baklava square and thank me later Boaz Cafe is an ideal spot for a quick lunch or carryout dinner. The space offers around a dozen tables and bright and cheery decor. Have I mentioned it's super budget friendly? The bowls start out at $7! It's hard to beat that price and variety of veggies in one bowl. The location in the heart of Ohio City makes it a fun stop in addition to the host of neighboring local shops. read more

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Fantastic food, easy parking, friendly service, comfortable and honey environment. Loved it, definitely recommend!!!

Food was fresh and tasty. I felt the chicken portion was a bit small but the other items were generous.

Lovin' the eats at this place right in the midst of the west side market area! Actually, this place is a triple threat. First of all, the food is excellent, really excellent. They are doing it all and making it daily and making it fresh. Secondly the restaurant is SO CLEAN... immaculate. The entrance to the restrooms are washed, shiny and great smelling. Third, The family and the staff is so kind. Big smiles, lovely conversation and an amazing attitude to make sure that your experience is top shelf. I truly felt that way down to the goodbye as I was leaving. So with all of that said, what will certainly bring me back is the baba ghanouj. I am a hummus "go to" guy but, their baba ghanouj is smoky, creamy and just plain delicious. I highly recommend that you grab a full order, some pita and just sit down to enjoy. My wife had spiced chicken bowl which was she called "a refreshing twist on salad/grilled food". Loved the lentil rice. The bowl is piled with fresh veggies and a nice portion of very delicious chicken. I had the falafel wrap after I found out that they are making their own recipe daily. It was spiced perfectly and I only wished that there was twice as much because it was so wonderful. Topping it off was the finger baklava cookies. Lightly sweet with big pistachio flavor. Loved it. Great experience! I cannot wait to try their fresh juice bar and the beef shawarma which I hear is also insanely delicious. read more

I went to this place when they opened and it was great! I got this door dashed during Covid it was great! But when we went last week it was lack luster. The people working there were super nice and the place is super cute. But the food was meh. The individual ingredients were good but together they didn't work. The veggies were cold, the meat was sort of warm and the rice was undercooked. Spicy cauliflower was steaming hot and delicious. Maybe I should have got hummus with my bowl, a binder. But it just wasn't amazing like in the past. I'll report back, I'm not giving up! read more

Boaz Cafe - Build Your Own Bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Clean, efficient with friendly employees. Their bowls are wonderful, and make you feel like you are eating something very healthy. I personally love their lamb rolled. And just about everything else on their menu! read more

Delicious authentic Lebanese food , flavored generously, fresh food , warm welcoming ambiance , service was amazing , one of the best Mediterranean cuisines in Cleveland and now one of my favorites . read more

My experience here, overall was pretty disappointing. The food is very average. They close the dining room early, but they let someone after us stay in the dining room because they were friends with the employee behind the counter. There is better Mediterranean food in the Cleveland area. I won't be returning. read more

Not a bad place and the food is great, but recently they started to increase prices and have smaller portions. Add to the fact that with my to go order I was charged for silverware kind of makes me a bit upset its gone downhill. If you are going to eat here go for the build your own bowl and the cauliflower as a side those are my favorite items. Still concerning in terms of the pricing, I didn't realize that when you asked if I needed silverware I would be charged for it. read more

Boaz Cafe - Inside - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Came here for lunch on recommendation of a local. The food is great. When you taste it, you know everything is freshly made and has some very nice flavor. The best part is they make falafel to order, unlike a lot of places where they pre make falafel and it gets super dry. But not here. It is perfectly soft on the inside and perfectly crunchy on the outside. I have only 1 complaint: if you were to make your own bowl, they only offer meat as the protein. For a vegetarian like me, it is not fair. They need to either add falafel or something else to the menu because I am paying the same amount as the meat eater who chooses between chicken or beef. I had to separately order the falafel appetizer. You gotta be fair to all your customers irrespective of their diets. Otherwise a great place to grab a quick healthy fresh lunch/dinner. read more

Boaz Cafe - lunch - Mediterranean Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Excellent food. Fresh ingredients. Good service. Healthy options a huge plus. Definitely recommend this place. Note it has limited seating, so you might keep that in mind during busy hours. read more