I've only been inside to eat once but lately post Covid-19 I've been grabbing takeout regularly. You get a lot here for your money. The food is always fresh and service fast. You can always change it up adding otems to your bowl making your meal different every time. If you want fresh foos fast this is it. read more

The food is good and the portions are worth the price. My main problem with Garlic N Lemons is that it's WAY overhyped. 1) My Shawarma Platter was simply not worth the one hour wait it took to get it. I could have gotten the same thing, for cheaper, at Azama Grill. 2) TWO hours before closing, they ran out of both spicy beef and spicy chicken. Surely, some planning could go into meal prep in the morning to prevent this from happening. Overall, I enjoyed by beef platter with tabouleh, spicy potatoes, rice pilaf, hummus/garlic, and pita...but will not be coming back until they do something about the food shortages. PRO-TIP: Going "half and half" here is common. That could mean half chicken/half beef, half rice/half potatoes, and/or half hummus/half garlic - which I like. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Beef Shawarma Platter with tabouleh, rice, spicy potatoes, garlic/hummus, and pita bread. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great place! There are lots of options and the spicy beef was very yummy. The portions are generous and I couldn't even finish my plate. The staff are very sweet and there are plenty of tables to sit at. Overall, this was a nice place for authentic food and I would definitely come back. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I don't know why I never reviewed Garlic 'n Lemons but I will now! After having dealt with another restaurant for catering, Garlic 'n Lemons deserves this review. (The other place left me hanging for two days before I gave up on them. Ugh!) I ordered catering for a party a few years ago from Garlic 'n Lemons; and, again, this past weekend. There is a reasonable delivery fee because we were way out of their delivery area. I totally get it! We're far. I-93 traffic is awful. It was easy - tell them the # of people, what menu option you want and then, pay over the phone. Done. Plates, utensils, napkins and serving utensils all came with order. Food trays were all labeled - no guessing games here! There was plenty of food leftover. And, no complaints from even the pickiest eaters in my family. read more

Pretty good Mediterranean food in Allston, a neighborhood filled with asian cuisine. The portions might not look very big but it is very filling. A little expensive, but what isn't nowadays? Overall, it was very yummy. read more

3 stars because of how things are now with their service. I've been coming here since college and it's always been really good to me and my friends. But they definitely have skimped on how much food they give out now a days. With the smaller to go box plates, charging for extra sauce, and restricting on the toppings you are allowed to substitute for. I'll still give it 4 stars for the food but service can always ruin a shop. For the price and extra charges of this place I would think they would be a little more generous and not sacrifice on quantity. I never had to look for another Mediterranean spot because I never would second guess them but they are definitely past their "Hay" days. I hope they take this review in consideration and hopefully get back to who they use to be or close to it. The people will always love you guys for what you bring to Allston, just don't forget about us. read more

I am a loyal GNL customer for past 7 years out of which 4 years, I used to eat there 3 times a week. Quality was consistent until this past year. I agree with all the recent reviews. 1. Portion sizes have gone down significantly. The takeout container holds 50% less now. They don't put the sauce on the meat now as they used to. They give one sauce container. So if you want spicy sauce and tahini, you will have to pay extra vthsy never used to happen before. So $17 plate only comes with one tiny container of one type of sauce. 2. Prices have gone up significantly. Two plates and one wrap costed me $45 last week. Its a take out. Casual dining place, it shouldn't cost this much 3. Freshness of food is now gone out the window. Shawerma meat is now precut in the containers. Who knows how long that has been sitting there. It was part of the experience to get fresh meat of the skewer thing and the price reflected that. If they want to give food which is pre-made and precut, they should lower their prices to match the quality. Why am I paying $16-$17 a plate for food which is sitting out in containers and not hot, warm, or fresh? I gave them maybe 10-15 chances in the past year but they have gotten worse and worse. Too bad because we used to love their food and would travel far to get there. End of an era. read more

[4.04/5] I think it's about time I've reviewed Garlic 'n Lemons. I've been coming here for years. I'm pretty routine when it comes to food and I find myself at Garlic 'n Lemons when I'm in the need for something tasty, quick, cheap, and somewhat healthy. Does this place hit those areas? Let's find out. Review #050 Restaurant Type: Casual Dining. Food (65%) Taste to price 4/5 Quality to price 4/5 Portion to price 4.5/5 Average = 4.17 Service (20%) Friendliness 3.5/5 Promptness 5/5 Average = 4.25 Cleanliness (15%) Bathroom 3/5 Dining area 3.5/5 Kitchen area 3/5 Average = 3.17 Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)] = [2.71]+[0.85]+[0.48] = 4.04 The Pluses... + VALUE, VALUE, VALUE. Garlic 'n Lemons is the value pick here. This place is like a factory for SHAWARMA and KEBOBS. They just crank them out like nobody's business. + ROTISSERIES laid out right in front of you to pick your meat with lots of variety between Beef, Spicy Beef, Chicken, and Spicy Chicken. + Speedy and accurate. Their setup is similar to a Chipotle or Subways assembly line. You pick and choose what you want. + Great PORTION size especially for the price at $12.50 for a plate of shawarma. + I love the MAGIC SAUCE. I can't find it anywhere else and it goes so well with the BEEF SHAWARMA. + Spacious dining area. Tables are spread apart at a reasonable length, and not too loud. + Great sides. Lots of options to choose from. The ingredients are all there for you to pick. You can customize your plate however you like it. I like that they have different salads, veggies, and some Mediterranean staples like Grape leaves and Falafel. + Very VEGETARIAN friendly. + The municipal parking behind their building is a huge convenience if you like to drive into Allston. The Negs... - The SHAWARMA meat can be a little dry at times. The Neutrals... o I have to confess the portion size is so good, sometimes my girlfriend and I would split a shawarma plate order. We would do the extra meat, add another side, and it would come out under $20. Not bad at all if you're on a budget. In Conclusion... After having a bad experience somewhere else, I've come to appreciate them more than ever before. There's not much not to like about this place. They deliver in the areas of quality, speediness, and prices. What I like most about them is Garlic n Lemons knows exactly what they are and it shows the moment you walk in making this a worthwhile repeat for me over and over again. #ChowYouLater **If you enjoyed my review and need help with the Boston area, follow or add me as a friend. I have tons of reviews like this. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Extra protein Shawarma Plate, half eaten pita, and Magic Sauce - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Another decent middle eastern choice that will leave you full and satisfied. This is on the pricier side but you get large portions and great quality food. The place is spacious and the staff is friendly. You cant go wrong with any of their plates. I could not make up my mind but I know I needed meat! My beef kebabs were great and all the sides just really enhanced my meal! Definitely worth trying. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

OMG! The portion sizes are epic, the choices are abundant and the garlic sauce is a true masterpiece. We ordered from here two shawarma plates and the best decision we ever made was each get our own garlic sauce and then order a large side of hummus. I can't stop raving as to how epic the meal was and if you have never had spicy potatoes with shawarma.....DO IT! read more

A very average Mediterranean spot. Nothing we ordered was bad, per se, but the food felt very passionless and perfunctory. Also, because they prepare the salads beforehand the pre-cut tomatoes had that funny taste they get when they've been sitting too long. The spicy potatoes were all boiled instead of baked or fried (aka no crispy edges). The wraps were very dry (no tahini or hot sauce or garlic sauce). Again, not bad, but I probably won't go there again. read more

Falafel pita roll up - 4 I liked the pita, which was thin and very soft. I prefer these over the traditional thick pita breads I've had. I was pleasantly surprised by the picked vegetables they had in the wrap (pickled beets and pickled cucumbers). They added a nice crunch and kick to to wrap. The other vegetables in the wrap (tomatoes, lettuce) was otherwise has a soft and mushy texture. lso vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes in the wrap. The falafel itself was okay - it very very crumbly and seemed overly fried. I like my falafels more intact but the ones in this pita were very much broken apart. It was very oily and the outside was too dark - might have been in the fryer for too long. Although the falafel was very flavorful, it seemed dry. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Falafel pita roll up - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Very mediocre falafel. Dried out falafels; watered down tahini and not great veggies. For north of $13.

Per my friends recommendation: Shawarma Plate. Spicy Chicken Shawarma, Mix of Garlic sauce and Hummus, Tabouleh, pita on the side, extra hot and magic sauce. I would take some magic sauce home to put on all my food quite frankly. Rinse, Repeat, Enjoy. Fast, Delicious, Large portions. You'll probably want to take a nap afterwards. read more

Nice place and realllyyy good food. Lots of options, love the falafel. Friendly staff. Located close to a bunch of shops as well.

I used to come here when I lived in allston almost 10 years ago. I was back in the area for the first time in a while and thought I'd retrace some of my footsteps and try some of the good eats I look back on fondly. I got the spicy chicken shawarma wrap and it hit a spot like you wouldn't believe. It was saucy, great toppings, juicy chicken and delicious overall. Lots of places that are around for a while just raise their prices and decline in quality, but this is exactly as good as I remember it, if not better. And it's under $10, which is such a treat these days. read more

Garlic N' Lemons is a staple around the Allston area. There's always a steady flow of customers and for the amount of food (and prices), it can't be beat! The first time I tried Garlic N' Lemons, I ordered one of their platters with chicken swarma. The chicken was seasoned perfectly and was still moist (not dried out like some swarma places). They are generous with their portions and I paid for a meal that could easily have feed 2-3 people. On my most recent trip to Garlic N' Lemons I opted for a falafel wrap. I love falafel and am constantly searching for the best falafel in Boston (shout out to Amsterdam Falafelshop), so I wasn't as impressed with the falafel I found at Garlic N' Lemons. But all-in-all, their falafel was decent. Their hummus is good and their veggies are always cooked well. Service is fast and friendly and there's plenty of seating. So next time you're in Allston and craving some Mediterranean flare, stop by Garlic N' Lemons. read more

I came here because I'd heard a lot of great things about this place. Food is fine, not great and expensive for what it is. The spicy chicken is decent, the beef is dry, tough, and bland. The salad tastes store bought. For $16 a plate, I definitely expected more. They forgot about my order, and were extremely rude when I asked about it. I waited 40 minutes past the estimated ETA, which is terrible considering the food just needs to be assembled. I will not be coming back and would not recommend. read more

Yum! I love good Mediterranean food, and this spot does not disappoint. The spicy chicken shawarma is what I get (and it's not TOO spicy, since I have an unfortunately average tolerance for spice) on saj bread, which is similar to pita, but thin. It allows more of the flavors to come out. Like any typical place, you can pick your toppings and sauces. The sides are good, but they run out quickly. The spicy potatoes were oily yet flavorful. The only reason it's knocked down a star is because the service is slow. Perhaps they're understaffed, but it takes a while. I contemplated ordering it to-go from my phone while in line, since it was moving at a snail's pace. There is a section with a little market too, so you can stock up on spices, spreads and breads, or take desserts to eat there or to go. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Outside - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I love this place. The shawarma plate is amazing. The people were amazing and I loved the feel too.

My Dad introduced me to Garlic n' Lemons and I must say, it is phenomenal. The food is quality as are the prices. I had a chicken kebab plate with salad, hummus, & rice pilaf. The portions were generous and everything tasted fantastic. I will definitely be back! read more

Garlic 'n Lemons You are dishonest! I abhor dishonesty. You never offered to drive to "Saugus" to see the worm. Instead, your "manager" gave me a personal e-mail address to send pictures of the worm, to which,multiple were sent. Also, your manager explained that your eggplant comes from a can! So, here is your worm! Oh, and finding a worm in your food, is dramatic and tramatic. Instead of Yelping about it, I should have called the Board of Health. read more

HOT SPOT to get great authentic food, real late for real cheap!! They close at 12 M-W and 3AM Th-Sa!! And if you're an awesome customer like me, the guys there will even make you laugh! If this is your first time eating Mediterranean food or your first time trying this place, I recommend their falafel for starters and then their spicy chicken saj roll up! Absolute CRACK. The falafel is CRISP and FRESH and delicious with the tangy sauce, even at 1 in the morning. The spicy chicken is packed well with seasoning, enough to compliment the chicken and roll-up, to savor all the different flavors (-- and they don't skimp on the chicken!! --) This is the best place I've come across for Mediterranean food since living in Europe and eating food from Moroccans. Definitely a go to spot for a late night snack and chill spot with its cool settings. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Falafel was SOOO good! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Excellent and tasty food! I like the ambience this spot has ,and the staff members were very welcoming. I will definitely eat here again. Thank you guys!! read more

I used to enjoy going there. However, this time I was waiting and the worker are very busy doing or preparing online orders. They even did not talk or sorry keep me waiting. After a while a guy asked me what do I want, and I found out they do not have regular chicken shawarma???? Very bad service read more

Best bang for your buck if you're feeling like Meditteranean. Here's what you need to get: Spicy chicken/chicken shawarma plate. You get Greek, tabouleh, or fatoush salad. Rice Pilaf. Hummus or garlic. Pita bread. Party in my mouth! But if you're like me and super indecisive, you can get EVERYTHING. I got half Greek/tabouleh salad, rice, and hummus AND garlic. Spicy chicken really isn't spicy, so don't be scared unless you really don't like spicy things. Also, get the sauce on top of your meat. It is heaven - like an ethnic thousand island with a little kick. You will have leftovers (my fave) or be really full, so come hungry for a $11 meal! *UPDATE: The pita bread is really sad. I think they buy the bread from Costco or some wholesaler and just take it out of the bag to serve it. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Spicy chicken shawarma plate - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This place isn't always perfect but I'm always leaving satisfy. I usually always get the Spicy Chicken Shawerma on Saj, since I find that the Saj is much thinner - allowing maximum shawerma-ness. I had tried the beef once and I didn't like it as much. The chicken is definitely more carefully seasoned and juicier as the beef was a bit salty and dry. Sidenote- OBSESS with that pickled onion in there Beside that I sometime go there for lunch and get one of those daily special. Which include a meat, rice and some type of salad. Sometime it's super delicious and sometime it's not very exciting as the special change daily. Spicy potato side-dish is usually very good, some days the seasoning isn't perfect and I'm left disappointed. My favorite thing though: Kanafeh. It actually have many ways of spelling but anyways: My true love. For a time I've save up my change and would come here every 3-4 days just to get this. It's so sweet and the texture is just a perfect combination of soft and crunchy. Sometime the cashier, depends on who, would give me extra rose water making it even tastier. Such nice and affordable food, definitely a good place for a quick meal. read more

Best shawarma I've ever had. This place is tucked into Allston near all the Korean restaurants, but it does really well for being the odd one out in the area. This place has drastically expanded its seating capacity, which makes it better for groups. Food wise, I've read that the spicy chicken shawarma is great, but I personally find their spicy beef to be the best (and I don't think I'm the only one because when I come at night for dinner, there's always barely any left!). I normally get the plate combo, which comes with the protein choice, rice or potatoes, a side of your choosing (could be a salad or some other veggie), and garlic or hummus spread (I personally like the hummus more). When I get the shawarma I always make sure to ask for extra tahini sauce because it just elevates the dish! Portion wise, you get A LOT of food--if you're really hungry you might be able to finish it in one sitting (and you'll be stuffed), but if not then it'll probably be another meal for you. I also tried the falafel and I was not a fan of the taste, but that might be just me, Overall, a great place to get some legit shawarma,..go spicy beef! read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Mm so much shawarma! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I am not going to pretend that the Shawafel I ate was healthy, but it was freaking amazing... spicy chicken shawarma and falafel on a large wheat wrap, all sorts of crunchy fresh and tangy veggies, and some wonderful dressings, all for $5.00 with the tax included. The service was efficient and friendly, and there were enough tables for the 8-9 people who were there for lunch. Nothing fancy, but a really great deal for a delicious meal. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - 4.65 spicy chicken shawafal - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Eww. Gross! First and last time--just received my order and tossed whole thing in trash after 4 bites. To begin with, they screwed our order. The food was stone cold. I ordered a five veggie dinner plate and it was all terrible. The falafel was dry and crunchy, the tabouli salad was slimy and wilted, the baba ganoush was kinda chunky, and, omg, the "spicy potatoes" were actually breakfast potatoes DOUSED in hot sauce!? That's all you could taste or smell. In a word, inedible. read more

I stopped by this place again post-run for some refueling and it was completely packed on a Thursday at 9pm! I was shocked, but definitely it's worth waiting in line for the food. I got something similar to the last time I was here. We were going to get falafel on the side, but completely forgot about it since we were too hungry just looking at them load the plates. I got the shawarma spicy chicken wrap in saj with a side of the spicy potatoes. YESSS. I love the roll ups.. Especially with the saj because the saj is just so light and fluffy. And I love the pickled veggies in the rollup-- so fresh and crunchy. The spicy potatoes were deliciously spicy. Not to the point where I felt like my mouth was going to burn off, but just a slight kick. Great seasoning. Roll up also comes with a drink. My boyfriend got the shawarma plate with 2 meats. The beef and spicy chicken. Beef was a little dry for my taste, but still good. He got the tabbouleh salad on the side with hummus and the rice. And of course, the spicy garlic sauce on the side in addition to the pita bread. If you're hungry, definitely get the shawarma plate. It comes with loads of food and they are so generous with giving you a lot!! Come hungry and leave full :) This is a must try if you haven't! You'll only leave full, but definitely won't feel bad that you ate all that food. I'm definitely excited for when I come back -- it's time for me to try something new on the menu. But the go-to's are definitely the plate or the Rollup! read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Spicy chicken shawarma with side of spicy potatoes - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Mediterranean food is one of my favorite cuisines, so I've been meaning to stop by this place for awhile. Glad I did! I got the Greek salad with spicy chicken, with magic sauce on the side. A few of the reviews mentioned how dry and flavorless with chicken was, but I didn't find that to be the case (probably because I'm so used to how I cook chicken: overcooked and most definitely dry lol). The magic sauce definitely makes a huge difference though. The Greek salad is cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta tossed in olive oil. Like the platters, you could split the salad in two, or even three meals! Also, for some reason, falafel is an option for a roll up and plate, but not a salad? With the exception one guy, the staff here seem super bored and indifferent. I almost felt bad asking for my sauce on the side. read more

After passing by so often, I finally gave Garlic n' Lemons a try, and I'm extremely happy I did. As soon as you step foot into this hot spot, you are met with the aromas of all the Mediterranean food, separated by a glass wall. Big slabs of Shawerma meat are constantly being roasted right before your eyes (regular and spicy chicken, as well as regular and spicy beef), accompanied with a variation of salads (Greek, Fatoush, Tabouli, Couscous), sauces (humus and garlic), and assorted other goodies (falafel, grape leaves, french fries, and potatoes). Garlic N' Lemons' motto is to produce homemade Mediterranean food, fresh and fast; they definitely deliver. We ended up ordering one Mixed Shawerma Plate with Fatoush salad, rice pilaf, garlic sauce, topped with a mixture of spicy chicken and spicy beef at around $12.50. At the end, they top the dish with additional garlic sauce and Tahini and are given some pita as a vehicle to deliver the goodness to your mouth. The staff serving and carving the food were helpful in describing what certain food items were, as I am new to the Mediterranean food scene. Even better? The portions that the staff give you are massive. We decided to take some of the food to go because we couldn't finish it shared between two people. Definitely get the spicy chicken in ANYTHING because it is bomb dot com with a ton of flavor. It's not really even all that spicy, rather it just has a cute kick. Also, I'm pretty sure you can drizzle that spicy garlic sauce and Tahini on anything to make it taste amazing. It's open late, parking can be found in the Blanchards City Lot or on the street, and you get a ton of food with a ton of flavor, fast. Can't beat it, I'll be back! read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Two meat shawarma, spicy chicken and beef combo with garlic sauce, rice pilaf, and fatoush $12.95 - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Food quality = great Service and care of employees = poor Takes wayyyy too long to get food. They try to charge you extra as well. read more

In my opinion this place deserves a very very solid 3.5. It's good but not amazing. This is one of those places in Boston that gets hyped because unfortunately there are no good options for Mediterranean. With that said this would probably, by default, qualify as the best Mediterranean restaurant in the area. I got the spicy chicken shwarma plate with rice, salad and hummus. I got the spicy mayo sauce with a little bit of hot sauce. The rice is well made and a perfect supplement to the chicken. The chicken itself was a little on the dryer side but wasn't so bad because of the salad and hummus. I would recommend you always get the to go plate because it is definitely more food than the eat in plate. Without a drink my plate came out to a little over $12 which isn't amazing but a reasonable price for sure. If I were craving Mediterranean though this is definitely the place I would go to. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Spicy chicken with rice, salad, hummus topped with spicy mayo and a bit of hot sauce ~$12.50 - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This place was very authentic and it is worth every penny. the spicy chicken was my favorite but the spicy beef was also good if you are into very processed meat. The spicy potatoes were a total hit and I think everyone should try those if you are okay with spicy foods. I really was not crazy about the grape leaves though and ended up leaving mine. They still get five stars overall because I left feeling very satisfied and would come back to try other things or at least get another spicy chicken shawarma and spicy potatoes. Yum! read more

Really don't know what took me so long to write this review considering I drive out of my way at least once a week to eat here!! This place is balls to the walls AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!! The food never disappoints!! No words to describe the garlic sauce and hummus. I could literally put that *ish on everything!!! The hummus is luxuriously smooth. Really can't find anything else like it. Chicken is so flavorful and moist! I could go on and on. My go to is a shawarma plate but have also had the haloumi wrap which was also delicious! Service is hit or miss but ALWAYS spot on when my boy with the nice eyebrows and beautiful smile is there (always forget his name). He is just the best. Small critique- wish they would go back to the original containers. The new ones are smaller and much less sturdy. Still one of the best places to eat in Allston!! read more

FINALLY. Suck it Mashawi Grill, this is a true Lebanese joint that will give you your shawarma (and many other) fixes when the cravings come. Shawarma plus a side and a drink was roughly $10 (if I remember correctly). This place actually gives you a decently sized side, unlike Mashawi which charges $5 for a spoonful of tabouli. Authentic, fresh, quick service, and fair prices make this a go to spot. I would definitely come back here for another meal, or ten! read more

Honestly one of the best middle eastern food in Boston! Factors: Price Portion Taste read more

3.5 stars. Unfortunately, I had a very average experience here. I got spicy beef with spicy potatoes, hummus, and tabouli salad. I had my meal in the restaurant, and the portion was tiny! From photos and looking around in the restaurant, I think you should get a to-go box regardless of whether or not you are dining in. The food itself was pretty good, but it was expensive for what we got. We paid ~$12 without grabbing extra sauce or hummus! The spicy beef wasn't at all dry, and had nice flavor to it, but it was rather greasy. The potatoes, hummus and salad were fresh and flavorful. The service was really lacking that day. I had to wait nearly fifteen minutes for my food to be ready, which was unexpected. Maybe it was an off day? I will be back to try the chicken and give this place another shot. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Spicy beef with spicy potatoes, hummus and tabouli salad - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts