Wow this was an amazing spot for lunch. Quick service, great people that had wonderful recommendations. The menu/BYO items were a little hard to follow but the staff was helpful with what was included and what was extra. Honestly wish there was one near me (we visited when we were in the southpark area), I would have it in a regular rotation! read more

If you're looking for some quick yet rich, tasty, light, and Mediterranean flavors-- YAFO is where you need to be! We love this place and especially love the patio! The build your own bowl is our jam and we really love the options for making your bowl. Think Chipotle but don't compare! The food is fresh, the chicken is so tender and the macaroni and cheese is so cheesy! I love the yogurt pieces in there that really make it creamy! The pita bread is also just, YUM! My husband and I believe this place serves the best falafel, EVER! The fresh drinks are also so yummy don't cheat yourself! read more

This place is my Roman Empire. I come for the BYO bowls and refuse to leave without their mac & cheese. I'm serious. it's not a side, it's arguably the best mac & cheese money can buy (and I'd know, because I've done the research). Food is always, and I do mean always, fresh. They are stingy with the bread (they literally will not give it to you unless you ask for it ((even though it's free)). So definitely don't forget to mention it if you go. Despite that, if Yafo ever closes, I will be leading the protest. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I was looking for a quality meal in the SouthPark area, and since this restaurant is part of the FS Food Group (I am a huge fan of Mama Ricotta's and Little Mama's), I was excited to try it. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The people who served us were very friendly. I ordered the Israeli hot chicken and a side of Brussels sprouts, and my wife got a bowl. The Brussels sprouts were very salty, and my wife said the Cajun rice they used was a bit too spicy to her liking, although my sandwich was excellent. Perhaps the biggest turn off was teh music was blasting so loud in I was looking for a quality meal in the SouthPark area, and since this restaurant is part of the FS Food Group (I am a huge fan of Mama Ricotta's and Little Mama's), I was excited to try it. restauarant we were unable to hold a decent conversation. So much for our lunch date!. I'm thinking about trying another location as I suspect this was a one-off! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Israeli Hot Chicken with a side of Brussels sprouts and Harissa sauce - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Clean quick service place like cava. Served fast and very friendly staff. The ingredients you can tell are fresh and seasoned like Mediterranean food and not bland. Tacos were delicious with it on pita and tender chicken with sauces. The bowls also had more options with Brussels and other veggies for a bowl which I will get next time. read more

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Love YAFO. Have been coming here for years. This visit tonight rubbed me & my husband the wrong way. It was 7:20. They don't close until 9:00 pm. As soon as I walked up the guy working the line put his pointer finger up and told me to "hold on" so that he could have a conversation with his coworker. Then he failed to acknowledge my husband and kept having a personal conversation w/ others instead of moving the line. Going down the line, the girl was rushing us and gave us 3 pieces of chicken each (no exaggeration). Closed my husband's bowl before he could even tell her the toppings he wanted. This location is going downhill for sure. It was rushed, bowl was skimp, food not as fresh as usual. Other YAFO locations are better if you're looking for a better ambiance and positive attitude. Not worth it. read more

OMG! Ordered a build your own bowl, on DoorDash and it was bursting with flavor! I went with the greens and grains base opting for the cumin jasmine rice and spinach & kale mix. My toppings included cucumber & tomato salad, purple cabbage slaw, Sumac onion, chickpea and roasted red pepper salad, Tunisian hummus and Shawarma chicken as my protein. As a sauce girlie I had to have the tzatziki, Lebanese garlic sauce and the Harrissa yogurt. All the flavors meshed together perfectly! I now have a new fav Mediterranean spot and will be adding Yafo to my weekly lunch line up. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Yafo Shawarma Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Absolutely fabulous food Our custom bowls had everything that's wonderful about Mediterranean food Falafel shawarma chicken perfect Plenty for tomorrow and healthy too read more

Did not taste authentic at all. Plenty of better options out there. Equivalent to fast food the McDonald's of Mediterranean food. My opinion. read more

The food was OK I ordered the odd version of spanakopita It was served reheated very very disappointed they re-cooked it, and it wasn't crispy, which is in the name. We also shared steak kebabs. They were very tasty cooked well delicious flavor. The mac & cheese was good. The noodles were actually done. It was tasty. The cauliflower was tasty, but the brussels sprouts were mushy.i was told by I think the manager to get fresh food I had to ask for it. I have never been told such a thing at a restaurant. If I eat there again, I guess I have to order fresh food at the beginning of the line. When the food is fresh fried and crispy, it is some of the best you can order also very disappointing when it's wrong over and over after having such good food read more

YAFO Kitchen - Overcooked leftover Spanakopita - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Amazing fast-casual Middle Eastern street food. One of my new favorite casual spots in Charlotte . It's just good ! Everything I tried was fresh and packed with flavor . I really love the fact it's fast food on the go but it's sooooo delicious . I don't know how they manage to be quick and efficient and still offer a quality food product . Just gooooo. The grilled steak kabobs are amazing !! As is the chicken shawarma bowl . Dont skip the sauces !! I tried five sauces and they were all amazing !! My mouth is watering just thinking about it ! I can't wait to go back . Highly recommend! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Clean, welcoming environment, comfortable seats, tables well positioned so you don't feel like in a cheap diner, beautiful outdoor area and most of all yummy, fresh and healthy food! We've been coming for 3.5 years now and will keep coming! Love you, Yafo kitchen! Please open more restaurant in Charlotte and in other cities in North/South Carolina so we can eat healthy when we travel as well! Thank you so much! read more

Cannot recommend enough! The portions are great, the food is ALWAYS fresh with good veggies, fresh meats, and fresh pita bread made right there in front of you. They are quick, clean, and always a go to when I don't want to feel sluggish and unhealthy. Have dined at South Park, dilworth, and Ballantyne - all are consistently great! read more

I love going there and I frequent all the locations. Growing up in the Middle East, you don't get a lot of food around here that's good and the prices are good. read more

I've had my hopes set high from the great things I've heard and seen about this place, and I was still impressed by the quality of their food and service. Since this was my first time, I had a lot of questions about the process of ordering my food. The workers were extremely friendly, helpful, and patient in answering those questions. The concept is similar to Cava, and they serve Mediterranean fare with Middle-Eastern flavors. I built a bowl, which comes with a choice of spread(s) and 8 cold toppings, but I only got 7 toppings; I wasn't too upset though because of how packed my bowl was already. Everything was so delicious, and my stomach was very satisfied by the end of my meal! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This restaurant is one of my favorite places to get a bowl! I love the Brussel sprouts in my bowl! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Chicken & Rice Bowl Brisket bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I forgot about this place! Came here to use a birthday reward coupon. The food is delicious and there are lots of options to choose from. good location & great patio. Please check this place out for a nice healthy lunch! read more

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For fast casual, this place Rocks! Great service and extensive offerings of middle eastern food. We chose the build your own bowl option. I enjoyed the cauliflower rice and super fresh veggies topped with shawarma chicken. With the endless variety offered, I could eat here every day! read more

This place has the best bowls I have ever had from any place EVER. You know that everyone loves a good bowl, mediterranean bowl especially, and there's a lot of restaurants that do it but I promise none are like YAFO. I am obsessed and my only complaint is that there aren't stores all across the state. The bowls come out to be a little pricier than most when adding all the good sides but I still think it is very worth it and they give you heaping portions. All the drinks and teas they have are amazing too and it's so hard to just try one. The service here was immaculate and everyone was so friendly and generous with portions. Their meat options include salmon, steak kebabs, chicken shawarma, etc. and vegetarian options include eggplant, mushrooms, falafel, etc. I have tried all and thoroughly enjoyed all. My usual is steak kebabs and mushrooms together. They have so many toppings and sauces you can choose from and also have premium sides which cost a little more but are SO good. The premium sides include turkish corn, yogurt mac & cheese, brussel sprouts with dates, and cauliflower with tahini. I literally can't live without their corn and mac. I get a big side of it every time. The bowl also comes with a fresh pita bread. This place is a 10/10 all across the board and all the food is super seasoned, flavorful, hot, and tastes fresh. I could eat here daily. read more

YAFO Kitchen - turkish corn, yogurt mac, salmon bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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First time trying the pulled beef and it was solid. The meat was super tender and had a tomato-based flavor that kind of surprised me, not in a bad way, just not what I expected. Definitely flavorful.What threw me a little was the mix of white rice and greens underneath, not your usual combo, but it worked. Chickpeas, kale, cucumbers, and everything tasted fresh like Yafo always does. Honestly, Yafo is one of my go-tos when I'm trying to eat as clean as I can without feeling like I'm sacrificing flavor. It always feels fresh, and this bowl was no exception. I'd get it again for sure read more

YAFO Kitchen - Beef Bowl from Yafo - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I really enjoy YAFO Kitchen's illustrious heritage and their middle eastern cuisine. I wanted to sample everything on the menu except the meats, so I opted for the Build Your Own (BYO) Bowl option. Kalamata olives, chickpeas, roasted red peppers, tzatziki, Tunisian hummus, quinoa salad with lemon and cranberries, and cauliflower rice were my cold selections. Macaroni and cheese, potatoes with garlic and oregano, and falafel were my hot selections. I paired it with granch, which is Greek yogurt, and Greek vinaigrette, which is a lemon herb dressing. There was a delightful, new flavor to every bite. According to my kid, the Brussels sprouts were just right. The costs were fair, and the extras didn't break the bank. The parking is terrifying, but the lines for orders are usually short. The meal and service were both excellent. In future visits to Charlotte, FAYO will be my first choice. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Group BYO Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This place was shockingly good. Never really had Mediterranean style fast food but if this place was close to my house it would be in the rotation. Haha We tried the avocado bowl and steak kabobs, freaking delicious. Anyway there's a lot of choices and the sides are great too. read more

We had their steak kebabs and the pita tacos. Both were fabulous and would try again. The interior was really nice as well and very casual and fun. They had some newbies as the register that didn't know what YAFO stood for, but now we both know read more

If only there was a Yafo closer to where I live! I really love this place, and I'm never disappointed when I go here! Portions are huge! You will not leave hungry! Bowls start at $11, and it is additional to add protein. But, it is well worth it. You could easily make a few meals out of it, depending on your level of hunger. There are quite a few other things on their menu, but I always just build my own ball. My kids got the kids meals, and they also left them! They are six dollars. They got the chicken and potato wedges, and the potato wedges are so delish!! There are plenty of seats, the staff is friendly, and there's also an outdoor space. Great for a quick meal! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Build your own bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Food was great and the staff very friendly and welcoming. I had the Avocados stuffed with chicken salad. Yum! Highly recommended!!

Be careful! It's easy to overload the plate. And then it's so good you end up eating more than you planned

I enjoyed this spot!!!! I love some good and healthy food choices. Tasty and the prices are fair. YAFO Kitchen doesn't owe me anything! I will be back read more

YAFO Kitchen - Chicken Spaniko Pita and Potato Wedges - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Amazing food, the food is so fresh. A must try is the Mac&cheese with Greek yogurt, delicious food especially the chicken salad curry read more

YAFO Kitchen - Make your own bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Food was good, it was my first time there so the amount of options was a little overwhelming for me personally, so I opted to get something off the menu rather than a build your own option. We went on the weekend around lunchtime and it was pretty busy, but we were still served quickly. They had lots of seating both indoor and outdoor. read more

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I'm a huge fan of Yafo Kitchen to get a filling, delicious, and fairly healthy meal. Their build your own bowls are awesome, and the portions are very generous! No child would have to be told to eat their vegetables if everything tasted like Yafo's veggies! My favorites are the stuffed grape leaves, cabbage slaw, and cauliflower, but they're all tasty if you don't have an aversion to a specific vegetable. Their chicken shawarma is decent and the lemon chicken is okay, but I wasn't as impressed with the meats when compared to the vegetable flavors. The spreads were also "just good" for me, although the Tunisian hummus stood out as especially smoky and flavorful. They're a bit slow at busy times, mainly because they receive so many takeout orders that slow them down, but still much faster than a sit down restaurant. The portions for the price are excellent, and I always leave stuffed. read more

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Yafo Kitchen can be a bit pricey, but the food is always fresh and delicious. I enjoy creating my own bowl with shawarma chicken as my protein, and the pickled onions are my favorite topping. read more

such a delicious and healthy meal every time. great space, great service, and delectable fast casual food like falafel, grilled chicken, roasted cauliflower, salad bowls, humid. all made with the freshest ingredients. my favorite charlotte gem. read more

Great food, lots of taste, very fresh and warm. The service was great, helpful suggestions on what to eat. I ordered the Build you own Bowl...so yummy with just what I wanted to eat. The restaurant is causal and clean. Helpful staff, and checked in with me. Lots of healthy choices. I will be back! read more

We were visiting family in the area for Christmas and I had to try this spot about which they raved. I live for and love a good street food spot, and Yafo is the pinnacle. The food is fresh, specialty, and delicious. You must try the Mac and cheese made with Greek yogurt and the Cauliflower which is often served with Tahini sauce. They have so many delicious offerings that you will not find at any other location. You will be pleased. Check them out for lunch and/dinner. read more

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Was in the area and needed a quick lunch on Saturday that wasn't fast food. I love Mediterranean so decided to try Yafo. There were so many options and combinations of things to get. I love spanakopita but have only had it the traditional way so I decided to give the chicken spanakopita a try. It was hot and fresh and extremely flavorful. The feta was rich and tasty. The Tzatziki sauce was also very good as a dip for the pita. Choosing a side was hard but I went with the Brussel sprouts and am happy I did. They are fresh and grilled perfectly. I like that they are grilled without a lot of extra add ins because the plain grill flavor is great. The staff was fast and efficient and everyone was nice and friendly especially while I looked over the menu to decide what I wanted. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Chicken spanakopita pita with taziki and Brussel sprouts - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We're new to the Charlotte area and kept seeing YAFO locations and hearing good things so we had to try it. We did two build-your-own bowls with shawarma chicken. We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of toppings options and the amazing amount of flavor. Where we used to live had Cava, this is the same vibe with (I think) more options! read more

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I used to enjoy Yafo, loved the lamb stew but they change to lamb chop meat which was tasty so I was okay with the change. Then they got rid of the lamb and now serve brisket. It adds an additional charge to the bill and, to be honest, it is not that good. I don't understand why restaurants change their menus, if it isn't broken, don't fix it. Anyway, if you do decide to eat here, don't get the brisket. read more

Great food. Fresh and healthy. I love this place. I've ordered multiple items and I haven't been disappointed.

Overall, Yafo is pretty good. The food is delicious and the variety and creativity of the menu is unmatched for any counter-serve restaurant in Charlotte and maybe anywhere. As a frequent diner, my personal favorites are the chicken schnitzel as well as any of their bowls. Unfortunately I have to deduct a star for a couple things. First issue, the pita. This is a place that sells Mediterranean bowls and dips, offering a half piece of pita to go with just doesn't cut it. Even worse, charging $1 for each additional half piece of pita is so stingy. I know they use Angel pita which is pricier than your average ($5 for a 5 piece package at Whole Foods btw) but there has to be a better way... Second, the consistency is a bit lacking. It seems like with every order, at least one item will have changed in portion and/or taste since the last time. Also specifically when I order bowls online, items that I've selected are frequently omitted. Despite the couple issues, Yafo has really good food, I recommend trying it out if you haven't. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Falafel Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Very filling. My significant other loved the baklava. We will definitely return. Next time, I'll try the chicken instead if the steak. Everything had good flavor read more