Hands down, best Mediterranean food in SoCal! Hidden gem. My fav is the chicken kabob plate. So delicious and flavorful

Elias is the OG of Middle Eastern food near UCR. This place is an institution. After bugging one of the employees for suggestions, I was informed that the beef- Shawarma and Kofta are must-haves. Sadly, they were out of both , so we went with the 3rd Place option: the chicken Shawarma. The dude behind the register suggested I try it with spicy garlic sauce & regular garlic sauce inside my sandwich. It was an absolute game changer. Please order the chicken sandwich with the spicy garlic sauce. Also, you get a free drink if you check in. The environment is homey, like your favorite neighborhood kebab shop. Also, you can't argue with service that need you to better food suggestions. read more

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I ordered a few different items: salad, fries, falafel, baklava. The baklava was really bad. Overall, The food was okay! I definitely would not return just based on the service alone. read more

Was honestly very skeptical about this place the area is pretty run down for riverside standards. But let me tell you don't judge a book by its cover the chicken shawarma was actually very very good yes they took a little while to make the but then again good food takes time if I wanted to eat some fast food junk I would have went to like McDonald's or Jack in the box. Food was well worth the wait chicken had great flavor the garlic sauce was amazing. Would definitely go back when I'm in the area! read more

Food is the focus here. Fantastic Middle Eastern chow. Their shwarma is never a disappointment and my favorite is the falafel wrap. Service is friendly and spot on. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Don't come for ambience, it clean but simple.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Do better! The food is consistently good but the service is consistently SHIT. Elias Pita is a flavorful rollercoaster - the food, a solid 10/10, keeps me coming back despite a frustrating 2/10 for service. Once, pre-ordering over an hour before closing led to them not even starting my order and when I arrived (before closing) they said the grill was off, refused to make the food, leaving me hungry with just a refund. Oddly, online and phone orders only kick off when you show up, even in seemingly empty times. On my last visit, they "forgot" our phone order, tacking on an extra 25-minute wait. They was no one there but the guy was too distracted by his phone that he couldn't remember to make an order that he had just taken on the phone. Elias Pita, your food is a taste sensation, but the service could seriously use an upgrade. read more

Excellent food and excellent service. I recommend it highly. Reasonable prices too, I think.

delicious, great menu, love the food amazing. i can't express enough how great the food was. j always get the chicken kabob wrap

We tried this location w couple of weeks ago... fresh and delicious!! My son enjoyed the baklava. Def will return!

It's amazing, their shawarma fries were incredible and the employees are so kind and respectful. They give you a discount if you are ucr student too. Very affordable. I 100% recommend it for anyone at any age read more

I have loved Elias Pita for many years but lately the gyro plates are way too salty? like both the meat itself and the rice are too much? love their lil salad that comes with the plates and love the hummus. but yeah, don't know what to do about the salt and for that reason I don't come as often read more

I always get this whenever I'm in Riverside. We initially got the combo plate and gyro wrap but, now, we usually get chicken kabob plate and hummus. The staff are pretty cool. I suggest you call your order ahead so you can go in and out. The parking area is kinda sketch because of the homeless people hanging out. read more

Kebob Lovers A generous portion of salad, hummus, pita and a plate of rice with kubideh, chicken and steak kebob. I gave this 4 stars as the meats are not as tender and juicy as times past. Also I found the steak was seasoned with chili pepper not a traditional sumac seasoning. read more

Got the chicken plate comes with Chicken, rice, hummus, dill salsa. Tasted great. 8/10. A bit pricey for $18. But I'd recommend trying. read more

Delicious! My first year moving to Riverside, Elias Pita gave dinners out to the community during Ramadan. It was a blessing. From then on, I have ate here and told people about Elias Pita several of times. The servings are big, I always have leftovers. Reasonably priced also. The staff is kind too. read more

Worst customer service ever. We bought 3 sandwiches and they don't give any sauces with it. They said, "You need to buy it separately." And we waited for about 30 minutes. read more

The best Mediterranean food in Riverside. Customer service is always great. My favorite is the greek salad. Must try! read more

Elias Pita - Greek Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

So I drove here thinking that they'll be opened. On Yelp and even on their door, they were supposed to be open until 9 pm and I just walked in at 4:08 pm. I'm here trying support a local business, but got turned away. Doubt I'll drive out this was here to be turned away again. Sorry you just lost a customer now and in the future. read more

Elias Pita - Store hours - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

Upon entering, you are welcomed and greeted with a smile. The inside of the restaurant is clean and tidy. Everyone is very accommodating. They correctly prepared my order to go. They have fresh, homemade desserts, which I had to try. The inside of the restaurant smells clean, and the foods fill the air with the aromatic spices you'd expect from Mediterranean kitchens. I highly recommend this eatery. read more

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Overall: great place in the area for Greek/Mediterranean food; will come back! Specific points from me: - We were essentially ignored walking in; no greeting or anything, and there were 4 people. (TBH I don't think they acknowledged anyone until the customer came up to counter and started ordering.) One lady (cook) was, however, super helpful and accommodating in packing our food. - They use more authentic pita bread so it's thicker than the ones I like. - SUPER good rice tbh; lamb and gyro were also fantastic - little overpriced for similar places and similar quantities read more

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Gave this place a try for the first time, I would say it is less than mediocre at best. Got the falafel it was so crunchy and not in a good way (waaayy overcooked). They were out of some ingredients which is a bit annoying and when asked if we can add a little extra of another veggie we were told NO. The customer service also sucked and the worst part is that for place named "elias pita".. they have the worst pita ever!! Dry, stale, not fresh at all. Just some basic store bought, probably from 99 cent store. Would highly NOT recommend this place. read more

Truly one of the best mediterranean places to eat in Riverside! My go to order is a chicken plate and everything from the salad to the garlic butter is just amazing! Their portions are pretty generous as well! I'm able to have it for two meals and I get pretty full from both meals I would recommend to call ahead and order for pickup because it usually takes them about 25 minutes! Warning: the garlic butter will linger for HOURS so maybe don't get this before a first date or a networking event read more

Well, Regrettably I couldn't give this place more than this one star base to my unpleasant meal tonight. I tried this place about 3 or 4 years ago and it was good. Tonight I was in the area , I changed my route , skipped many restaurants on my way . I was craving a fresh & a warm Mediterranean plate .stopped here for dinner. I've ordered a chicken kebob plate ( price was around $14.00 and some coins . I waited patiently until the food came ( to go). As a Mediterranean man , I'm sorry to say The chicken kebob was one of the worst that I've ever had in my entire life .. The chicken pieces were messy chopped , Super salty and heavily seasoned with spices ( tasted like a curry spices which it not normally used for chicken Mediterranean kebob - called also Shish Tawook in the middle east ) and the worst part the Chicken pieces were kinda cooked and some burned from outside and still uncooked inside .( They were still raw and chewing inside ) -Coloring the chicken with yellow color by using spices or whatever doesn't make them cooked or good to eat, yet that can be really dangerous and super risky ! Guess they were about to close and they prepared my meal quickly. However , Even I was really hungry after a long working day. I couldn't eat the meal and I had to throw it away. If I have to say something good about today's experience, That will be the gentle lady behind the counter . She was friendly. Improvement is terribly required ! read more

Elias Pita - Yellow color doesn't makes them cooked ! - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

Let me just say I'm so happy to have found a good Mediterranean restaurant near UCR! This place is a great casual spot on University Avenue, not too far from campus. The food quality is exquisite, and everything seems to be made fresh to order. The vibes here are very laid back and I would say this could be a nice place to grab lunch or dinner after a long day of school or work, and not to mention at a great price. I got the vegetarian plate, I wish it came with at least two pieces of pita, however I was full and did not even finish all of the main dish anyways. The falafel is cooked to perfection and not dry, and I love the babaghanoosh. Everything is very fresh! The wait time may be a while if you go in at peak hours due to it being a rather small place. Overall a great spot! read more

Elias Pita - Vegetarian Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

Me and my family are craving for Mediterranean food today so we tryouts them and we love it. Love garlic butter and pita with meat combinations. Dessert for Baklava and turkeysh coffee is fantastic read more

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This place is one of my favorite Mediterranean places to go to. I work around here and I sometimes crave something not too heavy. The amount of food they give me lasts me 2 meals, 3 if each meal I'm not feeling too hungry. (It doesn't take too much to get me full) I usually get the chicken shawarma plate. The chicken is tender and nicely seasoned so each bite has a nice balance of flavor mixed in with the rice. They also give you naan and garlic sauce on the side. I've tried this place and fufus and this one is waaaaay better. Better portions, better taste, quicker, and cheaper too. read more

Food and service was amazing! Hummus was delicious and the chicken kabab. The shawarma fries were really good. read more

Although I like this resturant, I ordered this for a pickup and was for a sick person. Once I open the plate I was chocked to see all burnt food. Sandwitch was not wrapped well too. I hope.managment review this and see who.is responsible. Please get back to me. I do not want to stop visiting resturant but I hope it goes back to its good quality I am used to. My order was Minday May 17 at 11 15 or so , name Eman read more

Elias Pita - I.opened the plate found burnt food that should have.never been out. Plz review this and get back to me. My name is Eman - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

Delicious..from the fresh gyro meat, which is perfectly seasoned & juicy, to the shwarma. The Coke is sweet to compliment the food. And the baklava....it has crushed/minced pistachios on top and oozes honey....a homemade labor of love...the best I have consumed in my life anywhere! The family who owns & operates Elias' is very hospitable and kind. It is clear these people know how to cook and season the food with love & care for their customers! read more

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This place was great! Very generous serving sizes for very good prices! Food came out fast and was very delicious! Had the 12 piece falafel, beef shawarma plate, and the gyro plate. Best was the gyro plate-the meat was so tender! read more

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Clean place, quick service and nice people. I got the free drink from the Yelp check in and I would say the food is worth it. The order comes with two pieces of bread but they could add some more bread. Food quality wasn't the best. The rice is not like the middle eastern rice and the taste is very bland. It just comes with rice meat and small hummus. The kofta kabab didn't taste good nor the chicken kabob. The only one that was good was the lamb kabob. I don't think I will be ordering from this place again. They need to improve their food and I didn't find it a good quality for the price it costs. It ended up in the fridge and I didn't even finish it because it didn't taste good. read more

Food was ok, I have had better. Very surprised that the only water they offered was bottled water for sale. Not a place I would go back to. read more

Elias Pita - Falafel wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

I really wish I tried Elias Pita sooner! The food here is SO good and the service is very friendly. I came to order the Beef Shawarma wrap and it was better than most Beef Shwarmas I've eaten. It had a bunch of spices and flavors that lingered in your mouth. The meat had a good balance of lean and fatty meats. They put the wrap underneath a panini press and it had a nice slight crunch to it. I got the garlic butter hummus, the tzatziki, an the tahini sauce. My favorite was definitely the garlic butter. Make sure you dont go to a job interview after eating it!!! Your breath will STINK! It is soooo good though. The Tzatziki is a more cool and refreshing sauce. As for the Falafel I ordered, it was nice and well seasoned but it was definitely more dry than most of the other falafels I've eaten. Other than that, I have no other complaints. I'll be back!! read more

Elias Pita - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

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We were in town for a hockey tournament and a dad offered to pick this up for a few of us. SOOOO good. Very fresh-tasting ingredients. We ordered a Chicken Schwarma Salad, gyro, Dolmas, and Falafel. Highly recommend! Great because it has something for everyone. read more

I absolutely love coming here for lunch. All their menu options are tasty and made to order. They provide excellent, friendly customer service and it's always a pleasure to dine in or takeout. For first timers I would recommend the combo plate. read more

We ordered the Combination plate. So much flavor! Shish Kabab was our favorite meat. Everything we ate was amazing. read more

Elias Pita - We ordered the Combination. So much flavor! Shish Kabab is a must. - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

My go to are the chciken shawarma fries and the chicken shawarma protein salad. Yummy

It was my first time here and I loved it. They are very friendly and welcoming. The food was so flavorful! The meats were tender. It was my bf's first time trying Mediterranean food and he is in love. We will definitely be coming back! read more

Elias Pita - Combination Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

Good food! Got the chicken shawarma plate and very delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I went here a long time ago, and they've updated the inside, looks nicer![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Dude! Quite possibly the best fast Middle-eastern food I have had outside of the Middle East. I've tried several of their menu items but the beef schwarma is my favorite. The hummus is perfect and the falafel is made fresh to order....YUM! The meals are hearty, full of flavor, and man do they give you large portions. My plate will almost always mean I've got two meals! Wrap up your meal with some amazing baklava- the perfect amount of honey and pistachio. The restarting is clean, they are practicing all pandemic safety protocols, and their staff is always working hard to prepare orders fresh. I love supporting small business! read more

Elias Pita - Beef Shawarma Plate with that awesome hummus and a salad, complete with fresh pita bread. - Mediterranean Near Me - Riverside, California

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