Mom and I arrived to find EG bustling during lunch (it was around 1:15 pm). There were around ten tables of different shapes and numbers of chairs. Our server Noreen was amiable and eager. She took our orders of water and left us to look at the menus. I didn't find the lamb entree Mom mentioned, and when I asked Noreen about it, she said that while it was only on the dinner menu, she could get the kitchen to cook it. Mom balked at the price ($18.95), so we stuck with the lunch menus. She wanted to try the Gyros (#6), which came with "Mom's Rice with toasted raisins and almonds, grilled bell peppers, onions and tomatoes." (No pic taken- sorry!) The menu also mentioned that fries came with the order, but Mom's entree came without it. I unfortunately did not know, or I would've asked Noreen about it. I ordered the Chicken lunch combo, which was a chicken pita and choice of side (salad or fries) and beverage for $7.95, as well as Mom's Favorite Appetizer Platter ("tabula, falafal, and potato cake"), $13.95.
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Mom enjoyed her meal! She ooh'ed and ahh'ed over the rice (which I tried in spite of a rice allergy, and yes it was good), as well as the pita that the lamb and beef slices were served on. She preferred it over the standard pita that came with the appetizer plate. When she mentioned to Noreen that her pita tasted better than the other pita we had on the table, Noreen kind of leaned in and said it was made in-house and that they cost a $1 a piece. I asked Mom to break off a tiny piece, and sure enough, it felt different (thicker, more doughy, and a bit greasy) and tasted fresh from the fryer, making the store-bought pita seem like cardboard. I didn't like the greasy aftertaste, though, but I did appreciate the flavor of butter in the beginning and the pita's textures.
I also enjoyed my chicken entree, which had juicy grilled chunks of chicken, strips of greens and tomato and onion slices (which I picked off before taking photos). http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/edens-grill-inn-phoenix?select=1o5oZXbNdAK7_YNDihQ0Vw#1o5oZXbNdAK7_YNDihQ0Vw The "white sauce" was a nice accompaniment, although the chicken didn't need it. Mom and I split the side salad- it was good, although I found the dressing to be too tart. I enjoyed- tremendously, I might add- the potato cakes that came in the appetizer plate... Wow! Am I glad I spotted that Yelper's tip to order them! They're basically button-shaped croquettes filled with seasoned and juicy ground beef. Definitely a must-try! I also enjoyed the falafel, even if they were a bit on the dry side, and a bit harder-to-the-touch than other falafel balls I've tried. The sauce it came with was too bitter. The tabula was too tart! I could only bear about three small forkfuls before walking to where Noreen was, standing behind a counter, to tell her about it, and that perhaps the kitchen should taste it and understand what I mean. She offered to replace it with "homous," and I took her up on it. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/edens-grill-inn-phoenix?select=E5NYPbb9moOZyX2VMl9kpg#E5NYPbb9moOZyX2VMl9kpg It had a pleasant mouth-feel, but again, I found it a bit sour. Noreen later came back to say that the I was right- the tabula was very sour, that it needed more parsley, and to thanked me for letting them know.
Mom agreed with Su-Shien's review I read to her about size portions-- they were generous, and Mom likes generous servings, especially when they taste as good as her entree! She wished she'd ask for more of the rice, instead of the homemade pita that we were sent home with, with an accompanying charge of $2. I told her we could always go back for more...
Last, but not least, we had some baklava, two pcs., $4. Mom and I split one- it was perfect! Loved the buttery, toasted, and flaky crust, and the rich, walnut filling. It was so good that I could've eaten the second piece in a heartbeat, but also so satisfying that I didn't feel the need to overdo it. A great way to end a good meal.
I'd return back just to have more of those potato cakes! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/edens-grill-inn-phoenix?select=6RVy7cQMG8RVosc6PvM3fQ#6RVy7cQMG8RVosc6PvM3fQ
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