I'm not sure if management has changed or if there is a new owner but I'm sorry to say the food was just not the same. Keep in mind I held this place in the highest regard when I lived in Winthrop to the point where we didn't mind driving all the way from our new place in Bridgewater to Alliston on a Saturday afternoon. The spicy beef is alarmingly red now, very dry, rice wasn't fresh and the garlic sauce is just mayonnaise, asked for well done fries and got soggy ones, and the Osmaliya dessert was dry and tasteless. I really tried hard to like it for nostalgia's sake but I just couldn't. read more

Tasty and great value. We had a shwarma plate and a veggie plate. Try the rice pudding for dessert.

I've been eating garlic n lemons for the last 4 years both as catering and individual meals. They have become increasingly stingy with their sauces and portion sizes. They also have become reluctant to allow you to add rice into your roll ups, something they have allowed me to do for years. Rice is the cheapest filler they have! The logic escapes me. I get it. Covid restrictions and fewer customers makes business hard, but why not make an effort to keep your loyal regulars coming back?? However, all that aside, I wouldn't bother writing this review, except I watched their newest employee take my roll up off the buffet counter and turn around to roll it on a back counter. As he did so, about 8 pieces of chicken and sauce and pickles went flying from the roll. He proceeded to brush the food onto the floor and continue rolling the wrap as if he didn't just dump 1/4 of my meal on the ground. With the updated expense of the food compounded by the stinginess in adding ingredients, I hate to say I'll have to start looking somewhere else for shawarma read more

The food is good but sometimes it's fresh sometimes it tastes old. The meat is good the last time he came the spicy meat was gross

What a disappointment! I used to love this place but today I walked in and ordered a Shawafel. The guy behind the counter said "we don't have that today" but wouldn't explain what that even meant. Upon questioning he told me "it's a special so we don't have it." They had all the ingredients sitting there he was basically just refusing to make it. Considering the fact that this place used to be a nice local,"mom and son" restaurant it's disappointing to see how far away they have moved from making the customer happy. I always make a point of coming here when I'm back in Boston but I won't be coming back and wouldn't recommend others to visit either with the level of service I experienced this time. read more

Used to be my fav, but they reduce the quantity by at least 60 percent AND increased the prices. I know its hard time for them but I haven't seen other places increasing the price during these times. I would rather go to Azama across the block. read more

Oh my goodness. I ordered the combo plate with garlic sauce and Greek salad with the mixed shawarma consisting of spicy beef and original chicken. The amount of food you get for about $13 is ridiculous. I had them add turnips and onions which cost extra so I spent like $16 dollars. I didn't like the fact that they charged that much for some extra veggies but it was delicious nonetheless. I got a pita and a side of the spicy garlic sauce to go alone with it which was great. I had ordered to go and I totally regret it because the food smelled so good it tainted me till I got home. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - I had already started eating as you can see. For the amount of onions and turnips I got, I don't think they should have charged that much - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Place looks clean, portions are big, variety is quite rich, food is good and affordable

A decent place to grab a quick bite in Allston. On my visit their pita (used in the wraps and on the side) was pretty stale, but the fillings of the falafel wrap tasted fresh and hit the spot. Their baba ganoush was very tasty and they give you quite a large helping for a side order. read more

Fantastic food for a great price. If you need a solid Mediterranean meal, I would suggest Garlic 'n Lemons.

Small fast fresh Lebanese food. Really good! The spicy chicken Shawarma was excellent. The hummus very creamy. Definitely will go back.

Omg best food ever! I go here weekly just for a taste at least! Best Greek salad and best hummus around!

Really really good and tasty shawarma. Got their spicy chicken shawarma plate and the falafel veggie plate. Its a stomach filling meal. Pro tip add fries to your shawarma roll it tastes amazing. Get garlic sauce and hummus on the side. Try the yogurt drink its really nice for the summers. read more

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

See all

Garlic and lemons the good thing about coming here, it wasn't a struggle to find parking behind the building. Walking in to this place which wasn't busy but why was it so filthy, ya reviews are great about the food, no excuses, unclean tables, bathroom what a joke. The food, spicy chicken wasn't spicy, ordered the beef shawarma on sage bread that was good. Service not bad even though they messed up our order. Overall ok. Will I be back not at all. read more

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

See all

Apparently it is too challenging to update your hours to let customers know you are closed during your regular hours for the holidays. Just wasted my time driving here for food read more

My friends and I tried to go to Azama the other night. It was crowded, so I suggested that we head here instead. (I saw a review recently that said it was just as good) "It doesn't matter to me" my friend said. "I just hope I find some Orangina" We headed to Garlic 'n Lemons, placed our order, and made our way to the Refrigerator case to get our drinks... And there it was... like a beacon shining forth onto this lovely little hole in the wall on Harvard Ave. Our beloved carbonated citrus beverage. "I love this place already!" my friend said. I had a falafel wrap, which included some of the best tahini I've ever tasted. I ordered a side of baba ganoush, not realizing that I'd have to order pita bread seperately. I added some of the baba ganoush to my wrap, and snagged a piece of pita bread from one of my friends. The wrap, baba ganoush and drink came to a total of $8. Not a bad deal! The people were nice, the food was good, and they had Orangina. Nicely done, Garlic 'n Lemons! read more

This restaurant absolutely sucks. Let me explain why, oh wait here a few weeks ago with my friends and none of the staff knew how to take orders certain people were just walking back-and-forth, my chicken was freezing cold, there was no manager on duty, and the food did not taste that good. I don't think this restaurant has any competition in the area which is why people think the food is good, but the food sucks it does not look pretty the service is horrible, horrible and the set up of the restaurant is OK I would never eat at this restaurant again. I was really looking forward to having a Mediterranean dish, which is why I asked my two friends to join me and we went here, but it's sucked read more

Finallyyyyyy People. I have been waiting and waiting for great Lebanese food. I have been going there since the day they opened. The Soujik Shawarma on Saj bread is the best mmmmm Yummy. I entered so many restaurants in the Allston, Brighton and Brookline area and it is the cleanest place of ALL. I definitely recommend it. read more

My go-to spot in Allston for sharwarma. They give you generous portions and the food always tastes super fresh. The spicy potatoes and hummus are some of my personal favorite items but the highlight is their spicy garlic sauce which is great on just about everything! read more

This was good find on the way home from BIDMC. We were pleased upon reading menu that great vegetarian options were available. It wasn't busy on our visit, but evening traffic was increasing. Nonetheless, it was a good experience and the food was acceptable and tasty. We'll try a new dish next time. read more

Great food, cheap, fast, unique, friendly, easy. You know a place is good when you've been their multiple times and have only tried one thing. My combo gets me a falafel rollup, soda and a side (grape leaves, feta salad, or all sorts of other stuff) for about $7 and change. This spot has turned into my friday night pregame go to. read more

This place is so fantastic I felt compelled to create a yelp account so I could spread the word. The food is incredible, and extremely well priced. Every time I come in I ask the guys to recommend a different side order to me, and I've loved everything I've tasted. The falafel on saj roll up is among the best I've ever had. My favorite thing is that even though I leave stuffed, I have a good feeling in my stomach. The staff is friendly and remembers what you like to order. More so they hang out around the neighborhood and say hi when they see you. Customers are more than just wallets. Seriously...the food is here is going to become a staple of your diet. read more

The food is outstanding! The staff is attentive, and genuinely concerned with offering you the freshest food and they aim to please. Shawarma is fantastic and the veggies fresh. Every time I eat here I leave full and satisfied - unlike some other local spots that leave me wondering if I may have contracted a food-born illness. I look forward to returning. read more

I've walked past this place so many times without giving it a second thought but I am so glad we wandered in on a Sunday morning. Garlic 'n Lemons has refreshing, filling, reasonably priced, and delicious Mediterranean wraps and plates for everybody! I got a shawerma plate, which comes with a meat of your choice (chicken, spicy chicken, beef, spicy beef, or mixed meat for an extra $1), a salad (tabouleh, greek, and fattoush salad), hummus, and rice. I got the spicy chicken, which was not spicy at all, and so so delicious and tender. As a hummus-o-phile, the hummus was to die for and plentiful. I ended up getting the greek salad because I was overwhelmed with the choices (Although they were certainly patient with me!), and the cucumbers and feta were fresh and yummy. Overall, the meal was filling but didn't leave me with a gross feeling that typically happens when I eat, for example, Indian food or a pot of mac and cheese. I had enough for an entire second meal afterwards, all for less than $10. The family run staff were great and obliging with all my needs. read more

One of the best shawarma's that I have ever had came from Garlic n Lemons. I've had plenty of versions, from Israel, the UK, etc, and this one is top notch. They sort of put their own stamp on it. You can get a few different types, though I went with the spicy chicken in a saj (not pita), which is sort of like lebanese lafa bread. They load up your wrap and for just a couple bucks more you can get a very large side of your choice and a drink. So for about $11, you get quite a meal. I'm saving my tabouleh for later, as it's that much food. The staff is super friendly and there is plenty of room inside to eat at a table, or enjoy yours as home. I'd suggest not trying to eat it in the car or you'll have a mess on your hands. read more

Saj bread - yummy. Tahini sauce - perfect. Falafel - heavenly. Vegetables - fresh. Francesca - repeat customer. I will miss you, Garlic 'n Lemons, when I move out of Allston in a few weeks. Service is friendly and fast, prices are cheap, and the food is delicious. xo read more

This place offers really fresh and delicious middle eastern food with impressive portion sizes. The meat as quite fresh and you can get a choice of many sauces. The falafel we got was medicore and a bit dry, but the meat plates is definitely substantial, sharable and delicious. This place has plenty of seating but it often fills up during dinner time. Will definitely visit again read more

See all

Would have loved to get some take out today. Unfortunately two major problems: 1. Their website doesn't work. 2. They don't pick up the phone. AND the automated messages says that you need to order FIVE items for a take out order. Have heard great things so I'm really disappointed. Better luck to those who dare to try! read more

When it comes to Garlic 'n Lemons, my feelings are very neutral. The food here isn't really that bad but it's not that great either.....For me, this is usually one of those places that I go to when I am not craving anything and I just want to get some food that will fill me up. With that being said, I do want to make it clear that the service is great and although it is a bit pricey, you do get a good amount of portion. With recent expansion of their restaurant, you can always find an open table to sit in and enjoy your food. Out of my limited interaction with this place, I really enjoyed their lamb. I went towards their closing time so the meat was kind of cold, but I didn't mind it at all. I usually get the plate combination but if you prefer wraps, they also have that option for you as well. If you visit this place often, please message me or email me and let me know what I should try on their menu. Maybe my neutral feelings about this place are due to the fact that I haven't tried their specialties! read more

I'm kicking myself for not having tried this place sooner! It's delicious! I got takeout of spicy chicken plate over rice, beef kebab plate, falafel on the side and reg chicken greek salad and all came with a couple Lebanese pita pockets. First the portions are pretty good size so you will be very very satisfied. My friends loved the beef kebab which was med rare. All I can say is GARLIC SAUCE, GARLIC SAUCE, GARLIC SAUCE. Everything by itself is good but the sauce makes it so much gooder! The greek salad was pretty straight forward. I don't know if its already tossed with dressing before hand but I think next time I'd get dressing on the side. The falafel was good and the spicy chicken wasn't all that spicy but it came with a spicy sauce that made up for it. As of 8/15/2014 they were expanding but it didn't seem to affect its current business or seating. read more

I got the special and my partner got some hummus + salad. Overall, very nice. Food is super fast (fast food, cafeteria style), TV showing sports (minor disturbance). We also got the Jallah (grape molasses drink with rose water -- not a fan). The food was very good. We've had lots of Lebanese/Medit food (used to live near Edgware Road area in London), and this is definitely comparable. Got LOADS of food. Can't comment on the kabobs cuz 1. I'm not a fan, and 2. didn't have any. Will definitely go back for the specials to try. read more

I had a great falafel sandwich. The price was good at $4.50 but the portion was too small, which created a conundrum. If I got two it would be too expensive for a quick dinner. So, I guess I need to figure out a way to work with the menu. Maybe a falafel with a spinach pie next time. Everything in the bay marie looked immaculate. Clean and fresh. I would eat anything they make. read more

I just happened to be passing by during lunchtime, and the name caught my eye. I absolutely love garlic and I eat lemons almost daily, so I must see what this place is all about. The guy dishing out the food wasn't very helpful. I kindly told him (with a nervous smile ) " I've never been here before and don't know how to order. He points to the sign above his head. Duh. I did see that. But... What comes with what! He then waves his hand over the large array of steaming dishes in front of him. You'd think I was on price is right and he was one of the lovely models, making the prizes look good . Lol I ended up ordering the number 1 lunch special. I added just make it "regular" he then rolled is eyes at me and dissapeared into the back. I prayed that I liked what i just ordered, Since sign language isn't my first or second language. It ended up being the spicy chicken flaflatel (however it's spelled). Thank God I was happy with my selection. I will say the girl on the register was much nicer and made me feel at ease while I Waited for my surprise lunch to be prepared. All that being said, I will go back and spin the wheel again. read more

4 stars/4 reasons: 1) Spicy Chicken Schwarma Saj(or rollup, just as good) with hot sauce on the side=awesome. 2) The woman who works here (I think she might be the owner/head cook) is very nice, as are the other people working the line/register. 3) All the sides I've tried are really good (except the grape leaves... they're just not for me, from here or anywhere else, so my judgement on those doesn't matter). How is it that the best fries in allston come from a place that serves this type of fare? 4) pretty cheap; competitive to other cheap Allston eateries. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons makes some of the best Middle Eastern food you can find in Allston. The food is fresh, homemade and the portions are quite generous. This is worth a try whether you're into a simple shawarma wrap or a whole plate of sides. The staff is friendly and will help explain what each item is. The garlic sauce itself, and what I imagine they're famous for, is a bit bland but still worth getting a side of. read more

My go to in this area for Mediterranean/Lebanese. Consistently good and my favorite hummus. The first time it can be hard to order but they are pretty patient and nice. All the veggie options are amazing. read more

I love the spicy chicken rollup - the purple pickled stuff balances out the heat perfectly! I also appreciate that the staff doesn't judge me (that much) when I order things like "that stuff with tomatoes" or "that green thing with cucumbers." Quick, well priced, delicious lunch/dinner option. read more

I can't wait to come back here. We just moved to Allston, and I was already missing my standby Mediterranean food source in Cambridge... low and behold, Garlic n' Lemons blew that out of the water! The food is fresh and flavorful, and the staff members are super-attentive. The dining area is clean and comfortable. I can't remember the last time I had such good stuffed grape leaves. The tabouli is lemon-y and moist, which makes a huge difference. Great falafel, etc... I felt great after lunch (if a bit over-stuffed- we got plenty of food for two, for $18). Oh, and they give you a real plate with real cutlery. I can't stand it when similarly-priced take-out/counter service style places give you "to go" plastic automatically- it's such an incredible waste! So it's nice to have the option to be a bit more environmental. read more

I had a dream last night telling me to review this restaurant after eating there. Now maybe it was just heartburn, but I really think that a voice from on high told me to review it. So here it is: I got the 5-item veg plate. Selections: falafel garlic potatoes eggplant stew tabouleh dolmades I heartily recommend all. Very delicious. So says the voice in my head. read more

Most authentic middle eastern food I've had in Boston. Originally, being from the Detroit area we have a ton of great Iraqi cuisine due to the Dearborn area. Garlic and lemons is the only place I tried out of many in Boston that comes anywhere close. Shawarma is customized to your liking with all the authentic toppings. Go for the saj wrap to maximize the flavor! read more