I have had Yalla 5-6 times now and they have won me over. The chicken shawarma is flavorful and the pita bread is soft and yummy. Love that they use fresh herbs. Yalla fries with feta ranch dip is a must. The staff was friendly and offered recommendations.
(5)
Dawn V.
Wow, nothing tasted good. Got falafel and veggie salads. They were all terrible. Salads were watery or no flavor or undercooked. Falafel tasted weird and had bad texture. So unappetizing couldn't finish the meal. Would never come back here. Fortunately, the falafel place down the street is fresh and good. Hard to believe some people prefer this!!!!!
(1)
Roya J.
I got the Shalafel plate. The chicken was yum but not sure what the falafel was! The humus is thicker than what you usually get in Mediterranean cusine. And the tabouli was lacking a lot of parsley. A LOT of parsley. Makes me doubt if the cook is Mediterranean! ! But the frozen yogurt and baklava topping is a killer. So good!! The place is also really nice. The repurporsed wood they have incorporated into their decor, the fresh veggies on display. It's all so refreshing and earth friendly!
(4)
Valerie A.
I frequented Daphne's in the past and loved it. Decided to give Yalla a try so I picked some up on my way to classes. The curtains and containers are horrible because none of the lids fit. The drink cup lid didn't fit, the small plastic container holding the sauce didn't fit, the carton holding my chicken salad didn't close... Which resulted in the bag getting saturated and everything leaking into the upholstery of my car. What I did eat of the food was good. I had the chicken salad with the potato, eggplant, and tabouli sides. I don't know if I will be back though since I mostly order out and their containers are not very portable at all.
(3)
Yezdi D.
Don't get scared by the Chipotle reference made by others. If you like food then come here & eat. The food is phenom & the lemonade was something out of this world. On first look the portion seems small but don't get fooled by it. It's sure to fill you up.
(5)
Sasha B.
Yum!! And I don't say that lightly. Fresh and flavorful. Brand new location with cool atmosphere!
(5)
Chris B.
Chipotle meets Mediterranean. The cumin-carrot salad is worth going back for alone. Though they did not have the free frozen yogurt, everything they did have surpassed their competition.
(4)
Carmen M.
My daughter told me about this new place near the theater. So i tried it out with some of my friends and wow it was really good! I had the lamb and beef with rice ,egg plant, and two other sides. The lamb was very tender and full of flavor. the prices were reasonable and the service was also great. I definitely will be coming back!
(5)
Jon S.
We have another iteration of the Chipotle theme- fast, relatively healthy food at a reasonable price. Yalla a is a combination of many Mediterranean cuisines, ranging from Turkish to Greek. Basically you choose a protein, add whole grains and potato variations and enjoy! Proteins are cooked over an open grill at 1000 degrees, leading to moist, fresh food. Our table had chicken variations and salads. The salads include cabbage and various greens. Entrees top off around $10, and portions are generous. We talked to the owner, who is Greek, and he comped us the Greek frozen yoghurt over baklava. This turned out to be a "don"t miss". We certainly will return and hope the concept is very successful! BTW, yalla means "hurry up" in Arabic.
(5)
Ira C.
Epitome of flavors. Great concept for fresh, healthy meal. My wife's new fave. Michael & his new staff (only opened a little more than a week ago) made it a welcoming event. Their chicken was hormone/antibiotic free and the salmon was wild. Great salads & sides. You will enjoy everything, we did!
(5)
Dan B.
Came here after playing ultimate in walnut creek. We asked if the rest of the group who went to get chipotle could join us on the patio. The owner said, "sure, as long as I can try to convert them." Which he proceeded to do. He brought out tastes of the vegetable sides, the carrot salad and the beet-arugula salad were delicious. Then he brought out the kofta kabobs, sirloin, and chicken shawarma. The chicken shawarma blew everyone away. One of the guys who got chipotle said, "I made a huge mistake." Had to go back inside to get some beer, 21st amendment and lagunitas, next time I'll try the wine on tap. I guess he was worried we weren't convinced, cause to top it off, he brought out Greek yogurt topped with baklava. That's right, baklava topping. it was incredible, the yogurt is rich and the sweetness of the honey and pastry was awesome in contrast. Wish I didn't live in Oakland so I could come back here more often.
(5)
James F.
I would like to give my highest recommendation to the best podiatrist available, in my opinion. Dr. Ambrosino, I would like to thank him for the professional job that he did in taking care of this "diabetic's feet" . I had ulcers for several years and because of the attention given to me by Dr. Ambrosino, I am ulcer free. Please! oh please! if you are a diabetic please contact this man for the best professional help available for your feet. Even if you aren't a diabetic and you are having any type of problems with your feet, you must contact him. He truly rates more than a five star rating.
(5)
Nar 1.
Got the salad bowl with mix of falafel and chicken. The falafel and chicken were really tasty. Good mix with the salad. Got a side of hummus but the texture wasn't quite good. A bit gummy. Eggplant side was large chunks and not creamy like I expect for the Middle Eastern style. Need to work on the hummus and eggplant but overall pretty good.
(4)
Peggy M.
What a disappointment. The rice and lentils were cold, the falafel was over-cooked, no spices, very bland food. Biggest disappointment was cold roasted eggplant and no feta!! I won't be going back.
(1)
Bradley W.
Let me just say it's amazing I can't get enough of their fries all of there meats have been prepped well and there are so many options for sides. Their pita bread is a little too thick for my taste, but everything else is amazing. It's my go to place for lunch especially because I work next door.
(5)
Matt H.
Excellent food and service. They have some similarities to a competitive spot just down the street, however, they are different. The feta-ranch is great! Larger menu selections and more side dish options, most of which are good, though my wife much prefers the eggplant down the street. On both my visits the owner was walking around and engaging customers in a very welcoming and pleasant way. I hope this continues longer term. This will definitely go into the rotation and be among the best spots in downtown Pleasant Hill.
(5)
Mark S.
Yalla's is great food, fantastic flavor, something for everyone and very healthy. Tony came to our table and made sure we were happy with our dinners. What a nice guy. I recommend giving Yalla's a must do for trying some delicious Mediterranean food. Thank you Tony for your hospitality.
(5)
Cindy T.
I went for lunch yesterday and was very impressed with the food and the service. This is great food, value, and great addition to the area. I will recommend and go back many times. Keep up the good work.
(5)
Mary O.
My friend claudia took me to Yalla last night. I can't help but think this is the beginning of a new and exciting era in fast food. The flavors were fabulous, the food exquisitely fresh and the price more than reasonable. In fact, this food is so labor-intensive i don't know how they can make a profit with prices so reasonable - considering labor costs. I was a quart low so I was delight to see they had Lagunitas IPA, another socially responsible company you gotta love. Mediterannean food is just about my favorite cuisine. I've been cooking with Paula Wolfert's "Cooking of Morocco" for years and years. The little conveyor belt that moves the meat skewers along is pure genius! Who invented that??? High heat cooks the food perfectly as it rotates. You've gotta see this. The eggplant salad is simply delicious. All the sides are. Colorful, healthy, fresh. I cannot think of anything negative to say about this place. Just go there. You'll love it.
(5)
AJ M.
I was very impressed with this little place. I ordered the pita with kefta and it was fantastic. The sides were all great as well, and the employees were friendly and personable. The owner happened to be there and chatted politely with my family and I for a few minutes and brought us dessert on the house. Although not entirely related to the dining experience, the utensils and plates were all biodegradable; it was clear the establishment was environmentally friendly. We will definitely be visiting again.
(5)
Jennifer N.
This is a great addition to Downtown Pleasant Hill and, I think, what is sure to become a new favorite spot for me. As others have mentioned, it's a build your own meal concept, Meditteranean style. The interior is simple but cozy with bright blue trim throughout. There's a combination of rustic wall planters, repurposed wood counters in the entrance and sleek, modern seating. The owner welcomed everyone as they came in and made recommendations and explained how it all works. On a chilly night like tonight, the falafel plate with lentils seemed like the way to go. Their lentils were absolutely superb and I could honestly just have those over rice and leave happy. As for my three sides (whether you get a plate, salad, wrap or pita, each comes with three sides) I choose the Morrocan Carrot salad, tabouli and green pea mint salad. Everything was fresh, full of flavor and a nice light accompaniment to the rice, lentils and falafel. As for the falafels themselves, they were seasoned and nice & crisp on the outside. They were smaller in size, which was perfect, because you get four and lets face it-the plate is A LOT of food. After eating too many sweets and heavier holiday foods over the last two days, this was a fresh and healthy option that was quite satisfying. My boyfriend got the salmon wrap and it seemed to be a generous portion of salmon, along with his selected toppings-they offer tahini, feta, cucumbers and other fresh looking veggies and sauces to add to wraps and pitas. He enjoyed his meal as well. For his sides, he opted for the fries, hummus and Greek potato salad as his sides. I tasted the potato salad and it was very flavorful as well. I'd love for them to open a location in Walnut Creek-there are a few shopping plazas away from downtown WC that are lacking in interesting food options. I they think Yalla could do well there. Friendly service, excellent food and super reasonable prices (our two meals and two drinks came to $23)-not bad for a Friday night dinner!
(5)
Amanda Y.
It's like Mediterranean Chipolte. Place looked a little worse for the wear, but I assume it was because they had just gotten out of a long dinner rush. Food wise it's pretty decent. I had the steak on a salad, dressing was good, although definitely would ask for it on the side.
(3)
Meme J.
Really great, but they need to offer much better wines. If they did, I would be there more often for dinner.
(4)
Patrizia C.
I'm so happy I found this place! Love that on their menu they specify which foods are gluten free, dairy free and vegan. The good is so tasty, healthy and at a really, really good price. Will be back for sure!! P.S. Their plates, utensils, cups and even straws are compostable!!!
(5)
Michelle W.
Took the family there for lunch for Father's Day. Let me tell you... it's so good! Hubby and I had the special wrap. The potato salad, fries and Tabouli Salad were fresh and delish! The 8 year old had the kids salmon over rice with potato salad and fries. The 4 year old at his brother's fries. ;-) The restaurant was packed and had a long line, but it moved fast. We sat outside and enjoyed the plaza. Wish I had room for dessert, but will have to try it next time. You know that the place is a hit when an 8 year old asked when we can go back.
(5)
Terri N.
What a great little place! We visited Yalla for lunch on their 4th day in business and the moment we walked in the door, we felt like welcome guests! The owner/manager, seeing us studying the menu to get an idea of how the place worked, called to us to come up and he would explain the menu to us. So polite and wonderfully helpful, he broke it all down for us, and was also training his staff at the same time on the proper assembly and amounts of each item. We were all learning together, I thought that was pretty nifty! As others have said, this is Mediterranean Chipotle - you choose bowl, salad, wrap or pita, choose your protein and toppings, then you select 3 sides. I opted for the Shalafel wrap, a classic Greek style wrap filled with grilled spiced chicken and falafel balls. Per the owner's suggestion, I topped my wrap with hummus, tomato and cucumber salad, pickled cabbage and tahini sauce. Watching it all be made right in front of you, including the meat fresh off the grill, is quite fabulous - so rarely do we get to see our meals come together before our eyes! I was at first a bit overwhelmed by the next step - choose THREE sides?? The sandwich was sizeable enough! But ok, let's do this - first gotta get those fresh french fries topped with a feta sauce, and I tried to round it all out a bit with the tabouli salad, and the mint & pea salad. To my delight, portions of sides are quite small, so the variety is now a true treat. All this food for $8 and change, unbelievable! The sandwich was very tasty, I especially enjoyed the heavy spices on the grilled chicken. No surprise of course that those feta fries were BOMB, they're gonna become famous in the area for that killer side. The tabouli was bright and fresh, and the mint and pea salad was very refreshing. All the flavors were subtle and built up slowly on the palate, a sure sign of food made with love and care, not rushed or processed. Another MAJOR highlight - all plates, silverware and cups are 100% recycleable. I will most definitely be back! I hope with time the quality of the service and the freshness of the food doesn't waver, but only time will tell. As of today, Day 4, they have definitely earned a loyal customer. They most definitely beat the pants off Gotta Eatta Pita a few doors down.
(4)
Natasha M.
Great deal.. delicious food. I love the chicken. Ordered the salmon twice and was disappointed both times.
(4)
Jessica F.
Really delicious! I'm always looking for a good Mediterranean place and I think I've found it. I've been twice and ordered the yalla plate both times, once falafel and one shalafel. The yalla plate, I think, is your best bet because you get so much for what you pay for. I always end up so full after I eat here! I also live how you get to pick three sides and from the ones I've had they all are delicious. The place itself is also very nicely decorated and I appreciate that they encourage separating your trash when your done into recyclables and compostable material. The staff is also always super friendly. Would recommend to others and will for sure be back.
(5)
Rich P.
Try the chicken skewer! Or the chicken shawarma. The fattoush was awesome, as was the potato salad. Their hummus and tzatziki were great too. Everyone was very helpful and friendly, although at times it looked like some employees were a bit lost.
(4)
Jonathan R.
Yalla combines the style of dining that Chipotle is known for but adds a mediterranean twist. In four easy steps you get to make your personalized mediterranean meal. Plus with the manager on the line training the new employees the experience was made that much easier. Step 1: Choose your style. You get four to choose from. Stuffed pita, salad, wrap or the yalla plate. All pretty self explanatory. Step 2. Pick your protein. They have multiple skewers to pick from including kefta, salmon, steak and chicken. Chiicken shwarma, falafel or the famous shalafel. Step 3. Pick your sauces and toppings. They thave the typical mediterranean spreads including hummus, spicy hummus, tahini and tzatziki. Some of the fresh ingredients include olives, cucumbers, pickled cabbage, feta, tomatoes and many more. Step 4. Choose up to three Yalla sides. Hands down, a must have are the Yalla fries. Also available: Pea and mint salad, tabouli salad, Greek potato salad, arugula and beet salad plus a few others. My order consited of a shalafel wrap with spicy hummus, tomato and cucumber salad and pickled cabbage. As was expected, the wrap tasted amazing. The chicken shwarma and falafel are both flavored with excellence. The freshness from the tomato and cucumber salad brings a refreshig balance and the pickled cabbage brings the perfect amount of accidity. A true harmony in flavor. My three sides consisted of: Yalla fries (a must have), Greek potato salad and the arugula and beet salad. The yalla fries are fried perfectly and topped with a creamy feta ranch. Delicious is an understatement when it comes to describing the taste. The Greek potato salad was great and not to covered in mayo like most potato salads. It actually tasted like potatoes. The arugula and beet salad was good and like the pickled cababge in my wrap, it brought the perfect amount of accidity needed. I hope Yalla's stays around for quite a while. A restaurant with both amazing food and service is hard to find.
(5)
Jane M.
Came here with my teenage son on a weekday, 20 minutes before they were closing. We LOVEd Daphneys, so we decided to give this place a shot. And we are glad we did! Very nice decor, sharp and clean. You can see the kitchen,- always great to see how your food is being handled. The staff,- Super!!! Every person who helped us was very friendly and helpful! Will we go back?- yes, in a heartbeat! What can be improved? - I think this place is missing a TIP Jar!
(5)
Miss H.
5 star food and 5 star customer service. I love all the healthy options and efficiency this place offers. Friendly, fast, and affordable are hard to come by. The sides are all really delicious. I originally used this place for catering and when I came to pick it up everything looked to good I got myself some extra to take home. They have wrap options and plate options with chicken, salmon, or veggies only. They also have an eggplant side, hummus (a spicy option too), a couple salads like cous cous or tabouli. Their sauces are my favorite and they will let you try them on the side. There was a mix up with the tip I left on the card I paid with. As soon as I called it in, Tammy and Richard had the issue resolved by the end of that business day. There was no run around and the people were helpful and truly listened and cared. I will definitely be back! Try their catering, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Rebecca P.
So good! The shalafel is awesome- get it street style! The falafel is chickpeas and fol. Yummy!
(5)
Kimberly F.
After having been disappointed for a while by the food I first tried at Yalla in the Walnut Creek location, I decided to give it another shot at the Pleasant Hill location with my boyfriend. Disclaimer: the locations aren't different when it comes to the food. It wasn't the location that changed my mind. I tried some of the same things I got the first time but without falafel and opted for the salmon skewers instead. I also went without adding some of the sauces they suggested to add at the walnut creek location. My boyfriend got pretty much the same thing he did at first but without falafel. After having ordered everything, I realized that feta fries are an option when it comes to the 3 sides you get with your plate so I brought it to their attention. Ready to pay for it, I waited as they gathered up some fries with the sauce for me. They added it to the side of my plate and told me it was complimentary this time. Very kind of them. I had this plate packed with goodies and upon taking my first few bites, I felt a completely different experience compared to my first time trying Yalla. Even my boyfriend said the same thing. The rice, lentils, and veggies underneath your choice of protein or meat mashed so well. The beets didn't disappoint. The fries weren't anything out of this world but they were super nice with the creamy feta dip (tasted much like ranch but better) to have at a Mediterranean place along side all this great food. Super kid friendly too, might I add. :) Hummus is always great to pair with your meal, especially since you're getting a complimentary pita (awesome) with your plate. Also, their spicy sauce (I forget the name) has just the right amount of kick and the flavor is great. It all tasted so fresh and flavorful. The customer service at this location was also on point. They did a good job of employing those individuals.. Very welcoming and personable. They each had a good sense of humor as well! Ha! I'm so close to this place so I'll definitely be back! Might end up cheating on GEP a bit more! Hehe
(4)
Jeannine C.
Found this restaurant through yelp and I'm so glad I trusted the reviewers. You walk in and notice it's a new feel and great way to order. You select and build your entree. If you are like me and you're very particular then this place is awesome. I talked the staff into letting me try small samples of each side. Everything was fresh fresh and delicious. I had the salmon which was grilled perfectly. The best part is the packaging at this place was so earth friendly. The decor was hip and thoughtful. If your reading this review and debating if you should go to this restaurant, GO. Make sure you check in for the special surprise. I got a free frozen yogurt which was insanely good. More restaurants should be like this. One final note, the staff was funny, cheerful and they all were so willing to let me have smaller samples. Great attitude by the manager which is always good for restaurants as it trickles down to the staff. We will return!
(5)
Dylan S.
Good quality food. A tad pricey but completely worth it. Very quick. I've been back several times. We need more quality food like this place and less Five Guys.
(5)
Elsa T.
Love the concept and the execution. Fresh modern place with vibrant sides. A new lunch favorite.
(5)
Matthew W.
Came in looking for some great falafel + shawarma, but was mostly left with a big "meh" after experiencing my local fave (Gotta Eatta Pita... you know it was going to come up somewhere in this review, it's basically next door). So I ordered the shalafel pita bread, but it didn't come with much on it. Only 2 falafel. Oh well. At least I get 3 sides... but after downing my shalafel three different cold veggies just weren't very appetizing. I guess I could try to fit some of them on the pita bread, but it's folded so there isn't much space. This place is also a bit pricier. Shwarma was great and overall everything was okay, but it's just not the way I expect / enjoy. I would prefer to have a giant stuffed pita bread with everything in it. I'm relatively new to Mediterranean, but if this was the first place I went to I would have hesistated to try it again.
(2)
Gus B.
This has easily become my new favorite spot to eat. Everything tastes so fresh and awesomely good! Fast and efficient service, personable staff . They take time to explain to you what's what if you are unfamiliar with your order. The place is super clean and nice touch with the repurposed wood they use to decorate the place. The tatziki sauce is to die for. Oh! And the beet and kale side salad, A-Maziiing!!! All the flavors are subtle and sure to please your palate if you are craving Mediterranean food (I hope I spelled that right, lol). If you are in town or just merely driving through this part of the east bay... This place is a must stop and eat. Enjoy!!!
(5)
maria v.
My first time coming here I was walking around when they were just getting ready to open this place and they had there menu outside so people can see what kind of food they would be serving. The food is really good and full of all kinds of flavors.I had the salmon skewer with rice and lentil.yummmy
(5)
Gina T.
Great replacement for Daphne's! We have been to this location and the one on Ygnacio in WC, and this one is by far more spacious and lively. Really enjoyed the chicken skewers - although it would be great to have more protein in the meal without having to pay more. The three "sides" are generally pretty good. I like the beets, potatoes, and fries. My husband likes the carrot salad and slaw, which basically covers almost all the sides. They also serve a small pita which is warm and chewy...just the right amount for the meal. Great stop for something quick and light, but not exactly a bargain considering the scant protein they serve.
(4)
Denise F.
The salmon skewers are awesome.. The people are really nice and the food is really good! It took my a while to figure out what to order, and everyone was really patient & helpful! I'd never been to a skewer place before, but everything my friend & I had was really good & we would definitely come here again! I love the herb garden on the wall with the chalkboard sayings! Makes me wanna do that inside my house too!
(5)
Denise J.
I found out about this place after they liked one of my obligatory healthy food post on Instagram, HA! I was in the area and decided to see what they're all about. For the price you get A LOT of food. What I ordered: Kefta skewer with sides Moroccan carrot salad, Greek eggplant salad, and arugula and beet salad Chicken shawarma plate with the same sides Both meats were delicious! The beet salad, well it's a beet salad so nothing crazy. The carrot and eggplant salad were the side winners. Not the most amazing Mediterranean food, but for the quality of the food, amount that you receive and price I will come back. Since it was my first time here I was hoping that the employee working would be able to give me a little more information on how to order and recommendations, but she seemed really stressed and I had to ask questions to figure it out. It seemed a big unorganized when I was there, but I am not going to mark them down for this. It is clear that they are still in the process of training new employees.
(5)
Venus S.
I came in today because I've been having the craving for their Kefta and mint salad. This review isn't about the food but the service I got from their staff. I ordered a couple of Kefta wraps. I am not familiar with how they serve their food, and did not have the time nor patience to read their board. To make he story short, the young girl looked so unhappy and very short with patience with me. I asked for the fixings and I thought it was lacking, so I asked for a bit more. She grabbed three little cutting of lettuce.. Yes 3! They had sauce or dressings, and so I asked what they were. One of her lady co worker asked her and she just ignored. I wish that Yalla would train their employees to be be better with their customer service. I am not pleased at all. I was so annoyed to even enjoy my meal. I am having second thought about taking my family to eat here again.
(2)
Peter N.
We'd come here during the Yelp Elite Event, and service was awesome. I did have some corcerns about the food end, but it wasn't a big deal. However, it does feel like the quality has done down. I shared a plate with my girlfriend and tried her vege items. I honestly couldn't stomach any of it. Everything has a bitterness to it that I just can't get past - the 3 sides and the rice. At the elite event, there was an awesome jasmine rice, but this was something else. And the sides I just wouldn't be able to finish. Maybe my palette is sensitive, I don't know (I can't eat raw onions or beets), but it was disappointing. The best part though - with the $5 coupon and Yelp checkin for a free frozen yogurt the whole deal was only $4. But I'd have a hard time justifying coming back.
(3)
David B.
How does this place have such great reviews? I was sadly disappointed. Pita was awful it was like a hamburger bun Hummus had very little flavor and was a small portion (which was ok in this case) Rice - plain Lentils - plain Side salads - plain (except beet and kale salad) Steak was very good and fresh and the beets in the beet and kale salad were nice but otherwise completely disappointing experience.
(1)
Katherine W.
Delicious food, amazing service, and cheery modern atmosphere. Yalla (which means "hurry up" / "let's get going") is a brand-new concept by Daphne's California Greek chain. I'd say it's proving to be a great success. The set up is an assembly line, and you get your choice of meats or falafel, prepared as a pita wrap, plate, or salad. There are various toppings and sauces, and you also get to choose 3 sides. The staff is unusually and impressively kind, patient, and cheerful. They are happy to explain everything and let you taste samples The portions are generous! I have a large appetite and this definitely satisfies. My boyfriend has a ginormous appetite (the kind everyone comments on) so he always orders an extra side of meat -- and that's the perfect amount of food for him. Still, save room for dessert, because the frozen Greek yogurt is amazing with their specialty toppings, especially the crumbled honey baklava. Yalla as a whole is a very happy place, thanks in part to the enthusiastic staff. The deep sky blue and lemon yellow colors of the decor somehow enhance the cheery modern vibe. For CILANTRO HATERS -- here's some advice on eating at Yalla: -- These sides are safe: Greek potato salad, Moroccan carrot salad, Yalla fries, and Greek eggplant salad. Some of those contain parsley, but NOT cilantro. -- These sides are not: pea and mint salad, Turkish cabbage slaw, and tabouli salad. -- If you're ordering a Yalla plate, you're safe with the lentils and grilled vegetables, BUT stay away from the rice pilaf (it contains cilantro) and ask for pita instead.
(4)
rita N.
Ok the food is yummy and the concept is good, however, while dining at this place yesterday I overheard many people confused as to the type of cuisine this place serves (It's Greek, It's Moroccan, etc.) I would say Middle Eastern/Mediterranean is accurate since much of the food is shared amongst many cultures and countries in the region - Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, Morocco, Syria, Iraq and all of the rest of the Arab states. BUT when you look at the website and see how they define Yalla as meaning "Let's Go" in many Mediterranean languages, I would say this is disingenuous as Yalla only means "Let's go" in one language - Arabic! As a Middle Easterner myself who speaks Arabic, this particular point was getting on my nerves as if admitting to Yalla's association with anything Arab would be a bad thing. However, moving beyond this point of contention I did think the food was fresh tasting and the side salads yummy and plentiful. The steak was so-so but I'm game to go back and try the other main entrees such as chicken, falafel and salmon which all looked good. Personally, I love the choose your own concept and the affordability of Yalla and would definitely recommend. Now if only they could be a little clearer about their origins... If they wanted to be more Greek or Turkish they could have called it "Páme" or "Haydi Gidelim!"
(4)
Diogo F.
I just came back from there and really didn't understand all the hype. The food is ok, nothing special. I understand the idea of cooking to order, but when I received my protein all the aides were cold. The food portion was on the small size for me. The protein is almost nothing!!! Mine was super dry btw. The fries wee simple fries, just added a feta ranch that was good ( the next flavor of the meal).
(3)
Amy Z.
I'm not often in this area, but we attended the Elite event when the restaurant opened and it was by far the best Elite event I've ever been to. The owners really rolled out all the stops and went above and beyond in making everyone happy. I love the decor, probably the best decor of any franchise or chain that I've seen. It's really bright and drives home the sentiment that Mediterranean cuisine is very natural. Large amount of staff running the joint, and they seem like they are organized. In terms of food, I think the amount of food as it relates to the price is a really good value. Both times I've been here, I've had the kefta and it's been pleasing on all levels. However, the flavor of the sides is underwhelming to me. The positive is that the range can cover virtually any diet, which is important for a restaurant to do these days. Without trying the other chains in the plaza, I would have to say that this is the best food option especially for outdoor dining.
(3)
Gabriel D.
I would give this place 6 stars out of 5 if I could. This establishment earns my highest praise. I highly highly recommend eating here if you're ever in the area. You will not regret it. The portion size is just right. All the workers are very friendly. The owner seems like a nice and jolly guy who cares about making sure his customers have the best experience possible. And the pita bread. We asked for more, twice, and they happily gave us more after I asked. Service is top notch, the chicken shawarma I ordered was very flavorful. Everything was great. If you're outside debating on going inside to try this place out, stop reading this review and head on in! You won't regret it. Gabe 2/6/2015 6:50PM
(5)
Suzi F.
Falafel burnt, bread not warm. Salads okay. This restaurant started out good but it has definitely slid downward on my scale.
(3)
Josh O.
We've been going from day one since they opened. At first food wasn't very consistent. At times it was great and seasoned well and at others it was bland and overcooked. If you noticed this as well and stopped going I suggest you give it another shot! Yalla has made strides in getting their food consistent and tasting great. The last few times I've gone I cleared my plate completely. I love their pea and mint side as well as their potato salad. Rather than getting lentils or grilled veggies try a mix of both, they go really well together. The staff is friendly and their place is always super clean. All this talk about Yalla makes me hungry. I think we'll be heading there tomorrow.
(4)
Daniel H.
This place replaced Daphne's Greek Food, and definitely for the better. Based on the credit card statement, I think they are still owned by the same company, but I could be wrong about that. This place has some really neat and fresh looking items. I got the falafel and shawarma salad with a side of the beet salad. It was really good, and I ate the whole thing. They have a slough of other options, and I need to get back there to give them a try. If you're in the area, I would highly recommend giving it a try!
(4)
Kitty T.
Yalla Mediterranean is a very good addition to the Pleasant Hill restaurant scene. It is fast, friendly, and the food is reasonable. What I like about this restaurant (casual fast food) is you can see the different food items upfront - like a Build your own Salad type. (Similar to Suway and Chipotle). There are a lot of options to choose from - plate dish, sandwich/wrap or salad. I always get the salad version with falafel and I experiment with the different salad dressings (tzatziki, blue cheese, etc) and toppings (cabbage coleslaw, carrot, eggplant, peas, and others). They serve their food with a slice of pita bread and you can ask for hummus too! You can also ask for the red harissa and green sauce. They have purified tap water. I tried their yogurt with baklava - heavenly. Clean restroom, mall parking, and quick service. I truly enjoy it when the owner is around because he let's me try the different toppings and dressings generously and he explains the cultural significance of each. ;-) Look for him. He always visits everyone as well. Excellent customer service.
(5)
Adriana A.
My first time going to Yalla, the food was really good! The set up is similar to chipotle or Piology, you walk in there is a greeter and you start your order and work your way down. So we I walked in and grabbed a menu which were right in front but was quickly greeted with a friendly Hello and welcome. She asked if I had been there before and I replied with no so she explained how it worked; first you pick a protein I got the steak skewers (very full of flavor, and well done although I prefer my steak to be medium rare. But still good) then you choose how you would like your food on a rice place, pita, or salad. I chose rice plate with veggies (the other option is lentils) then you get three sides (I got the fries with sauce on the side, Greek potato salad and a refreshing couscous type salad) everything was really yummy! So for the food and a drink it was a little under $12. Staff was friendly, food was yummy and I will be coming back. Although it was a chilly day and it was lunch time so the inside was kind of full, we ate outside and the heaters were off which would have made the dining experience better if they were on. All and all great experience.
(4)
Dave Q.
Back again because this place ROCKS! Such good food, quality is amazing. Service is great
(5)
Seanbria T.
We absolutely love this place! We got here at least four or five times a month. The food is extremely fresh and flavorful. As vegetarians, we order the falafel wrap, which comes with fresh side dishes. Try the potatoes and the Moroccan carrots! They are extremely friendly here, and go out of their way to please. Atmosphere is nice, and we especially enjoyed the touches like the reclaimed Farmwood which accents the interior.
(5)
Ruth K.
Love, love, love this concept. It's a Mediterranean version of Chipotle with similar pricing. Delicious, fast, fresh meals with tasty meats and REMARKABLY good salads and veggies. For ONE price, you choose one of four "Styles" (Wrap, Stuffed Pita, Salad, and Plate), then select one of six meat/protein options, then any number of topping and sauce options, and, finally, three out of nine side salad/vegetable options. Both my husband and I had the Chicken Shawarma, which was tender and well seasoned. With that came rice pilaf and some grilled vegetables (loved the sweet potatoes) or spicy lentils. In addition, we got to choose those three sides. I had Arugula and Beet salad (my favorite), Turkish Slaw (tangy, crunchy red and green cabbage), and Tabouli Salad--all well spiced, fresh, and very tasty. My husband was also impressed with his Greek Eggplant and Moroccan Carrot salads. I detest boring vegetables and this place will make you want to eat your vegetables! Dessert was thick, creamy, tart Greek Yogurt (evidently, nonfat) with chopped pieces of sweet Baklava over top. That tart and sweet are a great flavor combination. I only write reviews when I really hate something or I really like something--and I like this place a lot. It's great value for the money and I felt like I did both my taste buds and my body a favor eating there. I hope they keep up the quality and are open for a long time. We will be back often if they do.
(5)
Christine D.
Loved it! Great selections and food. The servers weren't friendly but hopefully they will be next time.
(5)
Robert R.
This is a dessert review only!! This was the old Daphne's, but now it was converted to a Yalla's. I had already eaten dinner, but I was intrigued by the Greek Yogurt with Baklava. I had seen as a postings on the Yelp event Yallla had hosted and wanted to try it out myself. The Greek yogurt was accompanied with baklava bits and drizzled with honey. Sweet but not super sweet. The owner (Mike), seemed friendly and informative. They have beer and wine options should you want an alcoholic beverage with your food. The place looks like it has decent and a variety of choices for the food options. I will try next time for either a Lunch or dinner options. For those readers in Walnut Creek, they are also converting the old " Daphne's Greek cafe" near Heather Farms too and will be open in the near future.
(4)
Leafar D.
Its my boyfriend and I's first time here. My boyfriend, who's very picky, actually liked this place, too. Its affordable and very fulfilling. For $10 you can get a meal that can satisfy a 6feet tall guy. I didnt want to get, so I just went with thier Yalla Favorite, and I wasn't disappointed at all! Plus their greek yogurt with baklava tasted really good. Not too sweet, not too sour (bc of the greek yogurt). I will definitely bring my friends here.
(5)
Rachel G.
This is the best fast food style Mediterranean food we have ever had. It's chipotle style ordering, and they have plenty of denoted gluten free options. They have gluten free falafel which is amazing in itself!!
(5)
Robert G.
Nice choices and quick servcie and decent quality food.
(4)
Anthony B.
I have found my "Go to" restaurant. On the way to the movies, I stopped in for dinner. It was a busy Friday night in downtown PH and the wait was about 10 minutes for me to order. I can imagine the wait getting to be less and less over time, as patrons get used to this new concept. Think of a Mediterranean Chipotle. You choose one of 4 types of basic platter. A plate, with basmati rice and choice of lentils or grilled veggies, a stuffed pita, a pita wrap or a salad. You then get a choice of several meats or Falafel. Finally, some sides. I choose the plate with Basmati rice and lentils, falafel and sides of eggplant, pea and mint salad and the beet salad. All were delicious, contrasting colors, favors and spice levels. The eggplant was very spicy. Loved it. The peas were crunchy, telling me how fresh they were. All this for less than 9 bucks. The owner thanked me personally for coming in, after my meal. A very nice touch after a great value meal. I'll be there for lunch today.
(5)
Patrick S.
This place is great! My family and I really loved our recent visit. I suppose the phrase "this place is the Chipolte of X-cuisine" is a little tired, but this place IS totally the Chipolte of Mediterranean food. Though perhaps that understates the awesomeness of this place. I especially loved the wide variety of meats, side dishes and other customizations to your meal. I tried both the grilled chicken and the falafal, with grilled veggies over rice, hummus, french fries and a med-style cole slaw salad. Everything was great, especially the pita that came on the side. The falafal was the only thing that wasn't great, not sure if it was over cooked or what but it had a crumbly texture and the flavor was off.
(4)
Teo D.
Good Med/Greek food. If you are in the PHill area and want something light and healthy I would say stop here.
(4)
Trevor W.
Ok I'm impressed. I was referred to this place by a neighboring business. First impression was a Mediterranean Chipotle style restaurant. It was a little confusing being my first time with unfamiliar food options. But everything was explained clearly and with a smile. Maybe I was extra hungry, but the food was exceptionally delicious. With only three locations I don't think I'll be able to eat here again for awhile because I don't live locally. But I will look forward to another meal at Yalla's at some point. A perfect ending to an already satisfying meal was the Greek Soft Serve Yogurt topped with honey & some sort of pastry bits that I can't pronounce; compliments of the Yelp check-in offer. Oh yea, and try out the home made pomegranate lemonade. It gets a thumbs up too.
(5)
Brian G.
The food was alright. Maybe I don't like Mediterranean cuisine, oh well. It was interesting to try, but I won't be back again by my own choice. Shawarma was good, but everything else was too weird for me. They had fries as a side, but it was clear no one ordered them because they tasted like they had been sitting out for a while and got a little soggy. If served fresh I think they would have been decent fries. Decent food for an okay price. But just not my cup of tea.
(3)
James R.
Not a bad first visit here. Finally came down here with my girlfriend tonight after hearing some really good things about the spot. It's very "chipotle like" with a modern kind of set up (lots of steel plain things that give off a clean feeling) mixed with the pita background. I ordered the chicken shawarma on a pita with the sides of carrots, potato salad and the mint pea salad. I had my pita made "traditional" with humus and other assortments put onto it. Right off the bat I was disappointed with the side dishes. I wouldn't consider myself "picky" I'm the type of person that at least tries something before determining I don't like it, but I gotta say they had a lot of cilantro in all of the sides I got and that's all I felt like I could taste! I'm not a big cilantro fan to begin with and this sort of just took me out of it. My girlfriend had the fries and (I know this sounds terrible), but next time I might just get fries on the side. The pita on the other hand was awesome! It had a lot of flavor and mixed well with the pita bread. I also received a free Greek yogurt because of my Yelp check in (yay!) so I had that with the baklava topping and honey it was also delicious! The staff was nice and friendly. Both my girlfriend and I agreed we would definitely come by again and try something else too just not the cilantro ridden side dishes!
(4)
Stephen M.
I finally got a chance to try out Yalla when they opened the new location in Walnut Creek. Way better than gotta eat a pitta is my first impression. I read up on their background and with all the experience these guys have, there is no excuse for not coming up with a winner. Something new that doesn't in the fast/casual space. On top of that, they source locally, are good to their employees and use only fresh ingredients. For Americans, the tastes are different and will take some getting used to, but for foodies that like to have a new experience, it's worth taking a stroll on the 'wild side'. I'm pretty sure everyone can find something that will whet their appetite and keep them coming back. The sides are especially interesting and tasteful and not to be confused with some limp fries or greens that are un-lovingly thrown on most plates of fast food in America. I could make a meal of just the sides (I tried the carrot salad, eggplant and greek potatoes). The Chicken Shawarma I tried was spiced well, but not too hot, so if you like it hotter, just slap on some of the green spicy sauce. I loved that the grilled vegetables included just a tad of sweet potatoes, giving them a sweet note on top of the savory. Instead of the same old Chipotle, try something different.
(5)
Trevor W.
We tried the family platter last night, chose the chicken skewer and falafel as the main entrees. We had the meal as takeout and it was well package although some of the sides were packaged with little dividers and once you start digging in some of the sides can mix which could be an issue if you had certain dietary concerns or did not particularly like one. We thought the meal was a fair value. Removing one star as we have all had tastier falafel and the rice was a little bland. Overall we all (3 of us) thought the meal was good and had a nice selection, the food was fresh and good quality. The restaurant looked very inviting and the people seemed nice although I just experienced this on my 2 minute pickup.
(4)
Carissa F.
I went back to yalla ' s today. The lady who greater me was excellent. She was nice, had a conversation, and etc. The food, since I was also taking out with my dad I pretty much had all of their major side dishes. I feel I have had better sadly. You can tell everything was made fresh, you can feel the crunch, but the pallete like the yogurt, it all overly sour. There was no balance for that taste buds. So alot of the dishes were great, but it is like chugging alot of Italian dressing til you don't want it. The pita excells a little better because you get more options, lamb tastes great, and pita bread is exactly like a tasty greek one. But where it falls short, alot of the items need to be warmer. When I got home the pita was already cold and doesn't taste or feel as good when eaten in the store. Overall if they had more flavors to their sides, I would eat there more often. Other wise, I would rather eat at Daphenes or other better restaraunt greek or Mediterranean places.
(3)
Crystal B.
Ordered the Yalla Plate with Chicken. So yummy love the grilled vegetables!!! The sides I choose beet and kale to die for!! Greek eggplant always my favorite and Turkish slaw yummy!!!! I love that they have a gluten free menu as well!
(5)
Peg C.
Really wanted to like this place but it just didn't jive for me. The staff was inexperienced and not very friendly. Food was well seasoned but portions were too large for me. I'd rather have an entree with the choice of one or two sides and charged accordingly rather than paying a higher price and having to choose three sides. Not going back.
(2)
Jacqueline J.
Fresh and delicious!! the employees are very nice and helpful as well. The best part is unlocking the free yogurt dessert (balaclava yogurt topping) which was so good! I'm coming back here for sure :)
(5)
Hosai H.
I live in Emeryville and anytime I stop into the area, I make sure to visit Yalla at this location for lunch. Get the Falafel plate every time.
(5)
Katherine M.
Good for coming a few times but I can see how this place can get old pretty fast. It is similar to chipotle in the way that you can pick out a bunch of toppings for your food. The salads are all well made, the meat is decent (a little on the dry side). I would recommend the eggplant salad and the beet salad; both great options. Very affordable; and the frozen yogurt with baklava on top is great! Overall, a good place to get some food fast and very affordable.
(4)
Jason R.
Nice space very modern and clean, however I felt the food itself was a little underwhelming. It's not bad, just not that great either.
(3)
Nayla M.
So excited! Visiting from out of town and completely in love!!! Just go... Your tastebuds will be so happy with you!
(5)
Brianna W.
First the positives! The restaurant is beautiful. Very clean, bins for recycling and compost. Modern, fresh decor with mixed materials in a cool color scheme. Very visually clean and comforting. The story behind the ingredients was great. Who doesn't love fresh food fast? I placed an online order at 6:50pm for pick-up at 7:10pm. I arrived at 7:05pm. I spoke to the person at the counter and was told that my order was just about to be made. No problem! I stepped to the side. A few minutes later, she shouted over that they were going to be making my order soon. Ok, no problem. I saw them bagging up an order only to have the girl call over, "They're going to finish with this order first, then they'll make yours." Now with the third time of being told this, I was wondering how much longer it would be. Then the woman came from behind the counter to let me know that my kid's meal included another side (the online order system didn't let me add it, so that may need to be fixed). Finally, they were putting together my order. I had food in hand by 7:20pm. Please don't offer specific times for food pick up if my order isn't even going to be started until well past that time. There wasn't a line out the door or anything, many tables were empty. The staff behind the counter seemed to be struggling to communicate and keep up though. They had to call for side pita 3 different times before it was actually filled. It looked a bit chaotic and confusing. Got my food home and more mixed reviews. Rice was good, roasted veggies instead of lentils was a "meh" choice. Some limp pieces of zucchini and summer squash. Fries were fries, great with the tzatziki. The chicken shwarma was way over seasoned, the marinade coating was thick and grainy. The seasoning had a decent flavor, just way too much. The steak kabob was great though! Spot on flavor and surprisingly tender. Greek potato salad was ok, cabbage salad could use a little more acid. Tabouleh was almost inedible. The bulgur was VERY underdone and almost crunchy. I've never had a tabouleh that had so much bulgur either, its usually a minor part of the salad and the fresh herbs/veg is the star. Disappointing. One thing to note is that the value on the kids meal or kabob add on i questionable. Both instances only include three bite size chunks of meat. I understand that the add-on is very inexpensive, but I expected at least a few more pieces on the kids meal. I'm glad I added the additional meat to the main meal, my kid had no problem finishing the proteins! The amount of rice was a bit overkill for him though. Also, I paid for a side of hummus and never got it. Are things supposed to come with pita? It was really unclear, but that was missing as well. I can only assume it is supposed to be included since the woman at the counter specifically asked if I wanted extra hummus to go with our pitas and every other patron seemed to receive some. Next time we'll visit Gotta Eata Pita several doors down. The food simply wasn't awesome enough to excuse the iffy service and not getting the items I paid for.
(2)
Lorissa W.
I have to say that I've been disappointed with the inconsistency of the food and service here. Since the Yelp Elite event, I came back about 4-5 times but each time, the sides tasted different. Sometimes, the carrot slaw is sweeter than other times. One side was too acidic and sour on one occasion. The keftas are either little balls or shaped like a hot dog. At our last lunch, the man who served us was afraid of scooping the food up and we got very tiny portions of the sides. We might not return for a long time. : (
(3)
A B.
Went here for dinner with a friend. We loved it when it was Daphne's, so we figured it would be another good experience. Well, we were wrong. We ordered our food. Yalla is set up in a "Chipotle-style" assembly line. You choose you meat, sides, etc. I got the chicken, potato salad, and lentils. We filled our drink cups and waited for our food. It arrived and all looked great. It tasted good, cooked well. Only problem was that they forgot our pita bread. We went to ask about it and were told they ran out. I asked if we could get a substitute (like fries or something else) since they failed to tell us they ran out of pita bread and were told ''for an additional charge." First off, you don't run out of pita bread at a MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT!!!! I was more annoyed than anything. It'll be a while before we go back.
(3)
Ray S.
Love this place. Went here went it opened. They give you good portion sizes of healthy food. I like healthy veggie type dishes so this place hit home with me. I recommend the chicken kabob and the beef. Both were cooked to perfection. I also like there beet salad. Humus was good too.
(5)
Ori B.
Good food
(3)
Sarah K.
This place is THE BOMB. The fact that every dish and side is fresh, flavorful and (dare I say it!) pretty healthy means it's the trifecta of delicious I've been waiting for. Such an upgrade from Daphne's the former storefront isn't even worth mentioning. My only request is: can I please get the recipe for the pea and mint salad and the carrot slaw!? I need those things in my life on the daily!
(5)
Andrew K.
Awesome tasty fresh bountiful Greek fast food - everything was yummy! The salmon was delicious. All of it rocked.
(5)
Zhi Qiang J.
This is basically kabob-style type of food in a Chipotle style restaurant. You pick the meat, the sides, and they push it down the line. I would say the food is pretty good, but nothing like what you would get from a real Persian restaurant or Kabob joint. This is more like a fast-food version. It serves it's purpose.
(4)
Saddle U.
We came here in a big group late Sunday evening. We tried just about every single thing on the menu & just like family style we were eating out of other people's plates. Absolutely everything was outstanding & very very tasty. You simply can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Pick your poison & enjoy. The meats were tender, extremely flavorful & the sides were great too. Desert machine was broken so could not try that. The lemonade is truly out of this world & worth the $3 they want for it. We will be back for sure.
(5)
Jose L.
Good old wholesome Mediterranean cooking. The mint and peas salad was a new one for me and it did not dissapoint. NOT a prenentious place despite it's trendy decor and music. I'll be back.
(5)
Leslie R.
Healthy, fast, cheap, and delicious? You're lucky to get 2 out of 4 when dining in the PH/WC area. Fortunately, Yalla has come to town, with a variety of menu choices that can satisfy meat lovers, vegans, and those with allergies and food sensitivities. They offer a unique, and much needed approach to affordable dining that is much tastier than the casual "veggie" and "burrito" spots that have been cropping up lately. Ok, so what's unique about Yalla? 1 Menu Variety - way more interesting sides than that other medi place 2 More local/organic choices - veggies are fresher and firmer 3 Labeling for GF, Vegan, Dairy free 4 Affordable, yet tasty with good size portions 5 "Mediterranean Diet" - I've lost weight eating their food! 6 Hands on, super engaged management 7 No trash! All recycling and compost! I've eaten at Yalla many times, but my first experience was when we were being treated for dinner by friends, and I got to choose the restaurant. My dilemma? With allergies and gluten sensitivity, there were very few places I could eat safely. The organic restaurant we normally go to is super expensive, and I was getting burnt out on $25 entrees. I did a google search and found Yalla, and even though it was casual dining, I took a chance, because I saw that the menu was marked with gluten free options, which made me very hopeful. I wasn't disappointed. Upon our arrival, all of the staff were friendly and super helpful, from the servers to the management, who personally pointed out menu items that were safe for me, which turned out to be a lot! An added bonus, the servers knew how to take proper precautions to prevent gluten cross contamination. All four of us had a different, yet delicious meal. The menu offers many organic choices, and their produce and meats are consistently fresh. My go-to meal has always been the Yalla Plate with salmon, and a side of falafel. I LOVE the falafel! It's very different, made with fava beans and chick peas. I've also tried the steak and the chicken. My kids favor the lamb. Yalla's grilling technique is near perfect, creating tender meats and fish served piping hot. The chermoula sauce, a cilantro/jalapeno dip, is divine over the salmon. Between myself and my family, we've tried all the sides, and recommend them all. My personal favorites are the eggplant, carrot salad, and red cabbage. In my many visits to Yalla, I've consistently had a good experience. It's so obvious that the corporate culture is a good one, because it starts at the top. Everyone you see, every behavior on display, is a personal reflection of Business Manager Michael's, mission. Michael is almost always on-site and hands-on, dressed professionally, patiently listening to customer needs and always open to feedback. Tony, the store manager is equally friendly and engaged. The staff are always helpful and have a great attitude. The company is involved in local schools and non-profits, and understands the importance of giving back. I have no doubt that they will continue to grow and succeed on the simple premise of bringing value to the community.
(5)
Brandon W.
Wow, what a great place, I tried a little bit of everything, and it was delicious. I ordered a Yalla plate of Kefta (ground beef and lamb). This was juicy and had great flavor from the spices. I then added the following sides 1. arugula and beet salad (best side) 2. Moroccan carrot salad 3. greet eggplant salad 4. a little bit of Chermoula (jalapeno spiced sauce with other herbs) to add a little heat I was able to try some of the Salmon skewer, and it was tender and juicy, but not spicy. Greek Potato salad is good, and cabbage slaw was good. The great side that someone else ordered was the Yalla Fries covered in Feta Ranch sauce. The house crafted Lemonade was great, put out the fire from the Chermoula sauce. Then we attacked dessert, the Greek Yogurt with Baklava was the best, followed bye the yogurt with Brownie. There is a huge contrast between the yogurt and sweet topping. Portion size, just about right for me, I will have to come back and try some other items.
(5)
Derek D.
Real tasty, customizable menu. Choose your main, choose how you want it, then choose three sides. Everything appears to be pretty fresh and we'll spiced.
(5)
Cara R.
What a great addition to Pleasant Hill! When I saw there was a new Mediterranean place, I had to ask why? I mean, Gotta Eatta Pita down the street is pretty good so why open another one? But I am SO glad they did! Yalla is like going to a burrito bar, but for Mediterranean food. You get a main entree (choice of meat in wrap or plate with rice) and try 3 of their side dishes. The sides were all good, especially the peas & mint! The falafel were fresh and delicious (I had to wait a minute extra but it was worth it), and service was friendly. Best of all, the prices are really reasonable! I will definitely be frequenting this place!
(5)
Chuck D.
Me and my family really like Yalla. Their food is good. Refreshing and healthy. They serve generous portions. it's become a staple of our weekly dinner existence.
(4)
Irene L.
Great place! Yalla is located in the restaurant space formerly occupied by Daphne's. It's pretty much as people describe - Chipotle meets Mediterranean, but better. I've been to Yalla's a couple of times since it's opened and I've been pretty happy with each of my visits. The restaurant is very clean and freshly decorated. The staff is very eager and friendly. At Yalla's, you choose your style (pita wrap, salad, yalla plate), pick your favorite (shalafel, falafel, chicken shawarma, kaftan skewer, salmon skewer, steak skewer, chicken skewer), add toppings, and select sides. With your order, you get three sides. So far I've tried the chicken skewer pita wrap, the yalla fries, the greek potato salad, and the turkish cabbage slaw. Everything was pretty good. The yalla fries deserve a special mention - the feta ranch sauce that comes with it is so good! Will be back again!
(4)
Don And Peggy E.
Over hyped food! Gotta Eatta Pita is wayyyy better. The yalla sides are overly greasy and saucy. The eggplant here is not nicely roasted or spiced, it was really gross and cold and stringy tasting. My hubby likes this place only because they offer fries but after 2 visits and 2x upset stomach the next morning we are back to being regular's at gotta eatta pita!
(2)
Michael C.
Long line to order dinner but as people have already commented, it's just like Chipotles. You order your meal and then sit down. Ordered the steak skewers which were very flavorful and tender so it was really yummy. Also had the kale/beet salad, hummus, and potato salad as sides. All good except the hummus which I thought was too tarty/sour so skip it. Plenty of seating and parking wasn't an issue since there is a structure nearby.
Time: 3:23pm/59°F partly sunny Purpose: With an hour to go before heading back to office, I was in a situation debating to go or not. It would be best for me to go grab it for dinner. By doing this, I don't have to figure out where my next meal is gonna come from for the night. Ambiance: Located in downtown pleasant hill shopping district house inside share business central. When you enter this place your mind will be thinking another one of those fast food joints. Inside vibrant with plenty of seatings. There's a four person seater front window seating, communal tables sits about 10-11, three step up cushion high back booths, couple of smaller tables mostly place by the windows. Wood paneling from repurposed farmhouse makes octagon ceiling shape with glowing orange filament encased with different shapes of light housing. Counter with sneeze guard glass showing all the toppings/salads offerings. Behind counter overhead menu board, open fire grill, frozen yogurt machine, tap wine spouts, mini beverage fridge, payment system. Self help utensil/condiment section next to soda fountain. Like all Mediterranean places white and blue accents are seen on furnishings most of the time including Yalla. You can hold a conversation by sitting near the window area not much noise. Not sure about Wi-Fi didn't ask or use. Staff: A good mix of guys/girls early 20s to late 30s. Every single one of them were friendly and helpful. One after another ask me if I've been help or not. I had to step out the way to let others go before me. The manager ask if, I wanted to try a sample of their cold case salads. After first sample he then scoop me another to try, I didn't even ask for it. Definitely customer service here. Since it was my first visit they took their time explaining each way to customize your order. Cleanliness: Grade A, impeccable. Nothing that I can see that would say problematic. Sure, you'll have patrons trays and trash here and there but, will gone it minutes. There's always someone walking around making sure tables/chairs are clean. Eats/Drinks: There are three steps here prior to ordering. First you choose your style, pick your favorite meat skewers, and three side dishes. I went with Chicken pita wrap $8.75 doing it wrap style with Turkish slaw/Greek potato salad, pea & mint. The wrap was good with all greens chopped in house. The chicken chunks were perfect, bears the smokey char marks. I decided to add as much as stuffing of sides as I can pack in it. Tzatziki and tahini sauce made wrap more pleasing. Spices and herbs were seen on almost everything in the box. The whole box weights a hefty 2lbs or so. Pita bread was average wish they have whole wheat pita instead but, I understand not that popular and more costly. My free check in frozen yogurt was delicious with chopped baklava pieces as toppings. Products/Services: Wraps, plates, salads, stuffed pita, chicken, kefta, steak, chicken, salmon, falafel, shalafel, toppings, sauces, fries, sides, frozen yogurt, cold drinks-bottled water, sides. Wine on tap, beer can/bottle, kids menu, dairy free, GF, vegetarian, grows their own herbs. Takes plastic, utensils/to go boxes made from plant fiber 100% compostable. Find them on FB, Twitter, Instagram. Catering available. Punch Lines: Well coordinated, more than adequate job, satisfactory, pleasing flavors, kid friendly, engaging, warm service, crowd pleasing, well seasoned, casual and delicious, can't go wrong, imaginable toppings, drool worthy. Wood paneling in dining area are from repurposed wood from 1880s farmhouse. Free frozen yogurt w/topping checking in w/yelp app. Tradeoffs: Grilled skewers are done on open flame robota style grill with rotating mechanism. Every piece will be done the same. No more forgetting to turn them resulting in burnt pieces. Perfectly done each time. Final Thoughts: When I first walk up, I stood outside did a quick scan of place. As you know being detail orientated is one of my most powerful sources that I naturally have. So, thinking its like one of those Daphne's places. Then peering inside potted spice/herb plants got me curious. By now, I'm inside checking it out what else is in place here. After couple of minutes I was met with the head honcho. Not going into details, I was sold afterwards as they insisted that I get a entree. So the rest is history from there. Pleaee excuse me, I need to eat now!
(4)
Nora S.
We were hoping for more out of this place considering how much we like their direct competition Gotta Eata Pita. I am sorry to say we would probably always choose the latter first. Yalla does have some advantages over Gotta Eata, mainly that they have more choice. Not just chicken and falafel, but also steak, and salmon. We were also very impressed with the layout, service (fantastic because they are new and trying to impress), decor, and the fact that everything was compostable. Yes! However, prices are more expensive than you would think for an order at the counter place. It may be that everything is organic here as well. I'm not too sure (in which case a couple extra dollars an entree are fine). Our main issue however, was the inflexibility. My husband wanted vegetarian but not falafel. But they couldn't accommodate his simple request for an extra side instead of the falafel. In addition, we were a little disappointed with the taste of the food. It was good, but definitely not as good as Gotta Eata Pita. I thought the meat we ordered for our kids was a little too dry (both chicken and steak). I wasn't a fan of the falafel, though to be fair it is a different style than the one I'm used to eating. I did like the sides I chose, but my husband didn't. He thought there was something off-putting in both the Moroccan carrot and the Greek eggplant (too sweet). I did think the former had too much cumin in it for my taste. I did not care too much for their version of hummus either, but this is highly personalized. I do highly recommend the Greek frozen yogurt. Yummy! Portions were decent and we definitely ate our vegetables! This is a good option for healthy eating and definitely beats many of the places around here.
(3)
Dave B.
My wife and I went here for lunch. You get to build your plate from offered selections. It was quite good. The place was clean too. I recommend it.
(4)
Helen K.
Try the salads, grilled steak, or the yogurt with rosewater honey. Was pleasantly surprised with this fresh and yummy box of healthy gluten free food. Yalla has a fresh modern look and feel and the manager who served me was generous and friendly. Highly recommend this for families or a quick, yet sustainably sourced meal with plenty of choices for all the tastebuds. Easy parking and attentive staff.
(5)
Joe O.
Sorry Gotta Eata Pita...but Yalla is where I'll be coming. Owners pay great attention to detail. HITS: 1. Greek Yogurt with Baklava Honey toppings. Use the Yelp Check In! 2. Steak is well cooked and tender! Just more seasoning! 3. Fries when fresh are my favorite side. 4. Tabouleh is also fresh tasting as well. MISS: 1. Pita is a throwaway...I love breads and sad to see it's not a priority. 2. Hummus...how a Greek place can miss on this I do not know.
(4)
Ey L.
It's like chipotle for Mediterranean food! If they had one of these in so cal id be broke. I had the falafel plate with lentils, beets salad, tabouli, and hummus. All of so yum. Got a side of tzaziki as well. Also yum. Two people with us got the chicken shwarma and said it was also really good. Don't think you could go wrong with this place at all!!!
(5)
Kimberly G.
This place rocks! We stumbled upon it just a few weeks after they opened, so it was peaceful and quiet, and there was no wait at all. Now just a few weeks later, the line is out the door! ...For obvious reasons. The food is delicious, reasonably priced, and healthy (i.e. fresh and not over-processed) so it's not like fast food. But it is quick service. We noticed that the employees are friendlier than most food service workers, which leads me to believe that management probably gives them breaks and treats them like humans. I watch the staff interact with each other, and they seem happy and respectful of one another. I will definitely continue to support this business!
(5)
Dee S.
We stopped in to Yalla and were uncertain of everything - what to order; would it be good? But due to great food and even better service from Andrew, we were pleasantly surprised by our great experience. Thanks Andrew - we'll be back to enjoy a sit-down quality meal in a quick meal format.
(5)
Dennis H.
Food was adequate. Everything was over indulged with lemon which offered very little contrast in flavors. The mini pita that came with thefood was dry and not soft. The dessert of greek yogurt topped off with baklava was very enjoyable though due to the sour and tartness of the yogurt paired with the crunchy and sweet baklava.
(3)
Josh B.
Definitely a major upgrade from Daphnes! the proteins are good and the side choices are nice. I enjoy the ability to choose amongst GF, etc. also. A go to lunch spot.
(4)
Varun S.
A pretty busy place. A lot of options especially for non-vegetarians. The food though lacked flavors. Portion sizes were good but didnt taste as authentic.
(3)
Morgan M.
I finally had the chance to try this place after much anticipation! I was not disappointed. I ordered my meal to go. I got the Chicken skewers over salad with sides including turkish slaw, hummus and the tabouli. Everything was fresh and very flavorful! Staff was super friendly and atmosphere is super cool. I feel like you get a lot for your $ worth! The Tart Greek soft serve was awesome and I topped it with the sour cherry syrup. I can't wait for the next time I get to eat here. I plan on dining in next time!
(4)
Kat D.
My taste buds are dancing! Heaven in my mouth! Flavors are very authentic. Best Kefta I've ever had. We also had the steak skewers, chicken shawarma, falafel, and all the salads. Everything was delicious! Came here for dinner and even bought some to go for tomorrows lunch. Haven't had middle eastern food this good since I left the Middle East. Great pricing. Owner takes much pride in his restaurant. You can taste the love in the food. Extremely fresh food! Loving it:) Coming back tomorrow.....seriously!!!!
(5)
Jason Y.
Very clean foods, reasonable price, and their customer service was also good. Parking is free, and this restaurant is very approachable since it's located at the center of downtown.
(5)
Vivien L.
I rarely write reviews unless a place is exceptionally bad and I even rarely give 5 stars but this place impressed me so much that I had to give it praise. We wandered in unintentionally, attracted by the sleek and simple design of the place, the repurposed wood, steel fixtures and high ceilings gave a modern and open feel. The menu is, for lack of better words, a chipotle style menu, where you pick your main protein, the style it is served (over a rice plate, salad or in a pita wrap) and then choose your toppings (for wrap option) and pick 3 sides. The meats vary from lamb, beef, chicken or salmon skewers, chicken shawarma or vegetarian option of falafel. All the items are marked to be vegan, gluten or fair free, and the meats are grilled to order, but it was still a fairly short wait time - we got our orders ready by the time we chose our side options and paid. I ordered the steak skewers ($9.50) plus added a side of 4 falafels ($1.90) over a rice and lentil plate and my partner got a chicken shawarma pita wrap ($8.75). Between us, we got sides of the beet salad (juicy, tangy and sweet), shredded carrots (sounds plain but super fresh, sweet and delicious), hummus and potato salad. The food is very fresh and flavorful and between the different sides you can choose from, it is very easy to eat your rainbow (if you are health conscious). Everything had a unique taste, and nothing seemed like a "filler" side. Even the rice was seasoned with herbs and spices. The chicken was incredibly tender and the steak was seasoned well. It was tender but still had a chewy bite. Another aspect of the restaurant I couldn't help but notice was how eco-conscious and sustainable it was. Everything the food was served on (plates, utensils, cups, etc) is compostable, the food container even had a note saying it was made to decompose into soil in 90 days. The furniture was made of repurposed wood and the food is local and sustainable. The last thing that impressed me was how friendly the staff was. They were very helpful without being overbearing during the ordering process, even offering us samples if we were unsure. During our meal, I'm not sure if it was the manager or owner who came up to ask how everything was and if there was anything we needed. When I was finished he appeared again, offering to help me wrap the leftovers. You get a good variety and amount of food that is healthy and yummy for a decent price, I am definitely adding Yalla to my list of regular pit stops or takeout places.
(5)
Curtis C.
We were excited to see Yalla the other day and looked forward to trying it out. Right My wife and 13 month old went in not really knowing what to expect. There was a long line that moved slowly so it must be good, right? Two very nice gentlemen stopped by while we were in line - one to play with our daughter and one to give us the basics and show us how to order. The price was good and the food quality was high. I had a chicken skewer wrap with hummus, fries and a very tasty potato salad. The Mrs. had the Kefta Plate with veggies on a bed of rice and hummus, fries and pea and mint salad. Both plates totaled $21 including a drink and tax. Checking in on Yelp got us a free Greek Frozen Yogurt with Baklava. At the end, the guy who gave us the lay of the land came by our table to ask about our experience and gave us $5 in Yalla Bucks saying he hopes we return. We will. The only improvements we would make are the speed of the line and the temperature of the food. These two could be related because the longer wait let the food cool off. Overall, a great experience and a new Mediterranean spot!
(4)
Hayley A.
Nice atmosphere, good staff, cool idea, lacking taste. Unfortunately not what I anticipated as I drove up to eat her for the first time. The food is bland, pretty much no flavor at all Also, it was obvious who the manager is and it was obvious that he's a manager you don't want to work for. He was pretty rude to his staff while I was standing there waiting Whatevs. Won't be returning
(3)
Ellie S.
Very clean establishment. All staff working the line 3/15 at 1 p.m. were great! Very friendly & efficient. The shalafel (chicken shawarma and falafel) is delicious, I got mine as a wrap and it was very hearty, along with the three sides it is easily two meals but I ate it all because it was absolutely delicious. The honey mint iced tea is wonderful. Wish I had one of these where I lived, I'd eat there all the time. Can't wait to return and try frozen greek yogurt with chopped up baklava! Also ridiculously cheap considering the portions, freshness, variety, and amazing flavors.
(5)
Dee W.
This really is as good as it gets. Food was fresh and tasty with many, many choices for both entree and sides. Make sure you get the frozen yogurt; it's much better than I expected it to be, not at all like generic frozen yogurt. Service was stellar too.
(5)
Genna N.
Wow, this place was amazing! I've been waiting for it ever since Daphne's left. The service was Super good! They have a great staff and an awesome concept! They surely are better than gotta eatta pita! Skip them and come straight here! I got the pita, and you can put anything they have inside. Nothing costs extra. (Feta and olives are extra down the street, here they aren't!) They have awesome decorations of plants when you're waiting in line. Will be back, probably at least once a week!
(5)
Fred T.
Excellent addition to downtown Pleasant Hill. We stumbled across it opening night, encountering a staff eager to please. Surprisingly delicious, fresh food in a trendy, youthful atmosphere. Terrific for a quick bite before or after the movies. These folks should do well.
(5)
Mona Lisa O.
I was overwhelmed by the choices and didn't know what I wanted! I asked them to make me something that resembled a gyro and that tasted good. I like the concept, might give it another try with a friend who knows their way around the menu.
(3)
Christina M.
First time trying Mediterranean food and I must say I will be eating it more often. I got the chicken and had it with a pita wrap. I'm not too fond of hummus but the girl suggested an alternative to put on my pita bread that was very tasty and delicious. I got to choose 3 sides which were the French fries that come with a delicious cheese and ranch sauce, mint salad with peas, and the potato salad. My boyfriend got the kabob style rice plate and boy was his yummy as well!
(4)
Brandon R.
Comfortable modern atmosphere with visually pleasing fresh product. The staff seems super friendly, keep that up. The food was good but not great but totally worth checking out if your in the mood for something different. The concept is Chipotle-Esk but with the obvious Mediterranean twist very similar to Gotta Eata Pitta which is a few stores down but Yalla has a more extensive menu. Now, the reason I didn't give if 5 stars. Although it's a cool concept with visual and flavorful appeal, the prices are a bit on the high end for me which is odd in a fast casual concept like this. There is a lot of competition to contend with in the area and I think that finding a way to bring the price point down without sacrificing quality would go a long way in gaining a competitive edge. Good luck guys.
(4)
Sarah F.
I attended their preview party and got to sample the menu. No, I'm not related to the owner or anyone that works there. So, my review is unbiased. I had the salmon skewer plate with pilaf & lentils and the tabbouleh, eggplant, and pea & mint salad as my sides. I also had the falafel. I finished the meal with the Greek froyo with baklava. The salmon tasted and smelled fresh but was slightly overcooked. I will definitely give it another try. The pilaf was a bit bland. The lentils were delicious. They were perfectly cooked and not mushy. The tabbouleh was good. The eggplant salad was wonderful. It had great flavor and wasn't too oily. The pea & mint salad was bright and tasty. The falafel were delicious. They had a good blend of spices and they weren't greasy. The meal comes with a fluffy soft pita that would be perfect with hummus, which I didn't try. Someone else in my party ordered the beet salad and we all tried it. We agreed that it was the best salad on the menu, even the person that doesn't like beets. Baklava is in my top three desserts. Chop it up on smooth and creamy froyo, and it's still in my favorites. I will go back just for this. I'll go to eat a meal, too. But when a sweet craving hits, I'll be at Yalla. I didn't feel their prices were any higher than a comparable restaurant. Chipotle is great, but it's cheap because they offer a very limited and very basic selection. Yalla has a similar ordering concept, but more options, and a more "intricate" selection. Their food is fresh and flavorful. I recommend you give it a try. Update: I went back today as a paying customer. The salmon was cooked perfectly and was even better than the preview party salmon I had. Also, the portion of salmon was much bigger. $9.95 was completely reasonable.
(4)
Fred S.
We were really impressed! Very friendly and helpful staff! Very fresh and delicious food. I also really like their commitment to be green. The containers are compostable. They serve decent wine on tap. And for the quality of offerings, I thought it was a great value. They offer four platforms (Pita, salad, platter, or?) onto which you can add your choice of protein Chicken, Salmon, Steak, or Vegetable etc. They have a buffet style hot and cold table, where you get to choose what sides you'd like to accompany it with. We really enjoyed the carrot slaw, and the beets. We look forward to returning soon and often!
(5)
Andrew Y.
Yalla is so good! Everything is yummy. I always get the chicken skewers, with an extra beef skewer, rice and lentils, double fries, and hummus!!! For dessert I get the free Greek yogurt with baklava and honey! Yum!
(5)
Jeff W.
There have been other Mediterranean restaurants in the area (Shadzee's, Gotta Eatta Pita), but this one passes the others by leaps and bounds -- which is saying quite a bit because both of those places were very good in my opinion! We visited Yalla on their first Saturday they were open (20 Dec). What makes this place stand out can be summarized easily: quality and care. Food is not randomly tossed in a wrap or thrown on a plate, rather, is carefully orchestrated with the highest quality ingredients and authenticity. Plates vary in cultural cuisine from Greek, Turkish, Egyptian and even Armenian! Quality can be tasted with every bite. I was very impressed that the owner/manager made several visits to our table asking what we thought (my wife is Middle Eastern). It was refreshing to see a restaurant owner take such enthusiasm and interest in his patrons. We made a few suggestions, which he was very open to. Style of ordering your food is similar to some large chain Mexican restaurants where you order your mean in a step1-step2-step3 fashion. This makes it very easy to get a quality balanced mean if you are not familiar with the cuisine style. I am very impressed with the restaurant and the out-of-the-gate momentum they have taken to making the best Mediterranean restaurant in the area. We are accustomed to this style of food and it certainly exceeded all of our expectations! We plan to make this a regular stop for us. Keep up the amazing work!
(5)
Ben C.
Great new place for quick Mediterranean! Good pricing, options, and atmosphere! Yo Yo
(5)
One F.
This is what every Mediterranean place should be - clean, modern and above all great tasting food. A cross between Tender Greens and Chipotle but for Mediterranean food. The portion sizes are pretty big and filling - much more than typical. Their Harissa sauce is awesome and you should try the hummus - the mark of any good Mediterranean restaraunt.
(5)
Teresa L.
Surprised to see Delia's gone but thought we would try Yalla's. Service was fantastic. Jon saw to all of our needs. He made suggestions on what to try and he was spot on. The food is very good. Good selection of beers to go with your dinner. Great spot to eat for some quick Mediterranean food.
(5)
Rachelle C.
Yummy! Good fresh food!!! Great flavors and casual atmosphere. Friendly staff, clean and cozy. Nice patio with heat lamps. I will definitely be coming back!!!
(4)
Matthew C.
Great mix of Mediterranean flavors (Greek, Tunisian, Moroccan are all represented on the menu). Lots of healthy flavorful alternatives. The Kefta is wonderful. If you're less interested in healthy and want to go all out for flavor try the fries with feta-ranch sauce (not on the menu, but ask). Tip: Don't skip the frozen Greek yogurt deserts!
(5)
Jack M.
My wife and I were talking last week how Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek/Lafayette lacks a decent Mediterranean spot that offers fresh tasty food and good value. My wife then mentioned Daphne's had closed in Pleasant Hill....and a new place had opened up. I made the mental note to try it out if I had the chance. After a haircut today, I dropped in to check it out for lunch. All I can say is THANK YOU for opening Yalla! This reminded me of places I ate in Israel.....they even have Israeli pickles! Lots of healthy and fresh salad choices so you can order a tasty meal for yourself. I ordered the Shalafel (Schwarma with Falafel). It was delicious, pita was fresh, salads tasty, and I loved the harissa and other ingredients. I was greeted by Micheal (owner).....he introduced the concept (described by others in this review) and gave me a tour (their kabob grill is pretty slick!) and also provided numerous samples of other menu items. I was stuffed and needed a nap when I got home. Needless to say, I hope they succeed.....its good value and you cannot argue with the freshness of the food. I also like their community table.....sitting up high with two elbows to balance the delicious wrap that was just prepared for me. I noticed a two negative Yelp reviews and I think they are both B.S......one is for sure, and the other is being too persnickity for a casual & quick dining place like Yalla. ........I noticed they will have space outside to sit on a nice day.......cannot wait to try it out when it gets warmer......and of course sip a cold bottle of beer. Thanks again Micheal & team.....you made quite an impression today. You get 5 stars for being excited about your restaurant, excellent service, nice clean space to eat in or out, pride in your food, and THANK YOU FOR INSTALLING AN HEAVY DUTY WATER DISPENSER for us H2O drinkers. How many times do you encounter a hidden or cheesy water dispenser on a overused self serve soft drink machine? Taking wife here soon.
(5)
Sarah M.
I go here when I want to eat relatively healthy. Their Falafel is not the best I have ever had, but this is coming from someone who has had authentic fresh falafel her whole life. Their Feta Dressing is really tasty and I always get a side of the Moroccan Lentils. Their Beef Skewers are really delicious & I love their Greek Potato salad. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick & tasty light meal!
(4)
JoAnne B.
Four of us ate at Yalla for the first time this week. We all thought the food was excellent. I ordered the steak and chicken skewers over a salad and selected 3 side dishes. All flavorful, and just the right amount of spice. All the salads tasted extremely fresh. The staff is new but they assisted in a very professional way. We all agreed we'd return . In fact we can hardly wait.
(4)
Patrick Z.
Came here on a Monday night with my wife. We both got amazingly delicious food. I got the Chicken Shawarma and my wife got the Chicken Skewer. Don't forget to try the sauces. I tried all four and liked them all. Thanks to Yelp, I got a free frozen Greek Yogurt with a topping. I got the Baklava with honey topping for my tasty desert topping. Because this place exceeded my expectations, it was clean, and the manager came out to talk to me, I give this place five stars.
(5)
Jen N.
This place reminds me of a middle eastern Chipotle. Good, not fantastic, quick and reasonable prices. Really fresh sides based on veggies that aren't drowning in oil or sauce make it easier to put together a healthy meal. The beet salad, carrots & potatoes are my favorites, but all sides are yummy. Only complaint is the side of pita they give you. Your whole meal looks like it's thought out and then they give you a dinky prefab piece of pita bread. I'm not saying they need to mill their own flour and cook it for you on the spot, but it looks out of place and doesn't work with the ratio of food they give you.
(5)
Jim L.
I'm updating my review because the restaurant really seems earnest in addressing my concerns and my wife and I appreciate what they're trying to do in terms of offering good food and disposing of their waste responsibly. This time we returned on a Friday evening during what would typically be considered the dinner rush. The restaurant was well staffed and somewhat busier than my last visit but not terribly so. There were probably 4 people in line waiting to order when we arrived. A quick glance up at the menu and another at the food and it was our time to order. So far so good. Our order of shawarma with extra meat of various types seemed to throw the server a bit but he wrote it all down and conveyed the info to the kitchen correctly. We continued through the line, ordering our salad and sides, having to wait for just a bit while a to go order was squared away. There seemed to be some sort of mix up but it was handled quickly and we were through the line in about 8 minutes after placing our meat order. Not bad considering the meat cooked to order. No cold meat issues this time around. As I've said before, the food is good and the total food portions are a great value. Next time I go I'll be testing whether they've added the milk as a separate item on the register. I didn't feel like milk this night and simply had water..... Good stuff!
(4)
Rachel G.
I've been to Yalla maybe 2 dozen times. So, obviously, I like it. Here's what I originally loved about it, and here's what changed: 1) when it opened, chicken kabob was EXCELLENT! Now, however (and disregard this if you are not a picky chicken eater) there are weird pieces of rubbery-ness in nearly every bite. I love the rest of the plate, but end up throwing the chicken away. Sad. 2) when it opened, there were GORGEOUS fresh lemon slices galore at the drink station. For iced tea or to squeeze on your salad. Now, they tend to run out and not refill in the hour I spend, having my lunch. Also sad. But iced tea is very good and fresh. The sides are good (esp when you can squeeze a little extra lemon on them) and what's not to love about lentils, rice and veggies? They do an inexpensive and nice, quick rendition. I wouldn't go too far out of my way for this place, but it's leagues better than gotta eat a pita (which I only went to once, and threw away my meal. Oily and bland). I *highly* recommend this place if you are hungry, like Mediterranean and are on this street.
(4)
Kristen V.
Yum yum yum!!! Talks is kind of like the Chipotle of Mediterranean food!! Tons of gluten free options and wine and beer!! Really fresh ingredients! Fast and easy!!
(5)
Mike B.
The food was wonderful and I would say this the equivalent of a Mediterranean Chipotle. The price was also extremely reasonable at under $10 for so much quality food. I will be back and will gladly spread the word with fellow foodies.
(5)
Sam Y.
1- The taste is 'GOOD'. (3 stars) 2- The plates are really small.(1 star) 3- The prices are reasonable compared to other Mediterranean places in the area. (3 stars) 4- And I would give the place 5 stars for the service. Overall: 3 stars
(3)
Christine H.
The chicken, rice pilaf and yalla fries are really good. I personally didn't care for the falafel as it was too crispy and dense for my taste. The pea mint salad was really good and refreshing. I was really surprised how good it was since I am usually not into "mint" in things. I would definitely go back!
(4)
Mary C.
I was a Daphne's fan... And Yalla took over their spot. I decided to try them out last week. As a first timer though, the ONE thing I didnt appreciate is that I felt rushed at the counter. I didnt know how to order right away since its like, buffet but they serve it style... Ive never had their food and they have many options. I felt as though the girl behind the counter was annoyed that I was indecisive. So, besides that It was good food. I miss Daphne's... only because it was just part of where I went a lot... but i feel like i can get to know Yalla also. I liked that all their food was homemade and organic also.... and the potato salad was great!
(4)
Tim K.
Wow. Best chicken shawarma ever! But what I was more impressed with was how energetic the staff were! Great staff equals great food! Absolutely blessed to taste this awesome shawarma. You go Yalla!
(5)
Ken W.
Yalla tonight was a pleasant surprise. The food was very good and much better than before. Good portions along with smiling service made this 'fast food' a culinary delight. Great before a movie!
(4)
Allison M.
I have tried this place a couple of times and will definitely go again. I don't like many of the sides and have a hard time picking 3 but that is just my personal taste. So I often get 2 servings of the beet salad and one serving of hummus. It is great that they have so many options and my main problem is I actually feel like you get too much food!
(4)
Y K.
Best place to stop by and get a FILLING meal. My family and I have gone to Yalla at least 5times this WEEK. It's a great change from Greek to Mediterranean food. I highly suggest people to at least stop by and try it. Cause once you do it won't be the last time you come there.
(5)
Nathan M.
It's not Daphne's.
(3)
Nancy S.
Always GREAT!! The kabobs are delicious, cooked to order. Don't miss the Yalla Feta Sauce. Good on the FF but I put it on everything. Yum!
(5)
Willow P.
So, so, so, so good! I love Mediterranean, and this is FANTASTIC. Freshly prepared, modern and clean, and you get a TON of food for about $10. You get to pick from the style (wrap, pita, plate, or salad), then your protein (I got the falafel, being vegetarian), and on top of that it comes with THREE sides! Everything was some of the best Mediterranean/Greek that I've ever had. The staff were very nice, and everything is clearly labeled for dietary restrictions. They have beverages (including wine), desserts, and a kid's plate too. If I have to pick one negative it would be that it's a bit noisy. Update: I tried the Frozen Greek Yogurt with Baklava and Honey and OMFG BEST DESSERT IN THE WORLD. So excited that these will be opening all over the state, including the Los Angeles area! They're the new business model for the old Daphne's chain, and wow what an improvement!!
(5)
Nick C.
A great new restaurant for the area! I'd give Yalla Mediterranean in Pleasant Hill Ten Stars if I could. This is going to be a new favorite place for me. I've been hoping for a fast food restaurant that would offer healthy and tasteful food at a reasonable price and this is the place! I've now been to this restaurant twice. The first time I had grilled chicken over a tasty bed of rice and a week later I tried the salmon in a wrap. They were both excellent. The meat is flame grilled right in front of you. You get three different side dishes with your meal. There are many of them to choose from. I've now tried several and each one of them was excellent. This is a place where you can eat your vegetables and also enjoy them! The meals are under ten dollars and there is plenty of food. Both times I ate there I left feeling very satisfied, but not bloated. I also felt that I had done a good thing for my body and mind by eating healthy food. The atmosphere at Yalla Mediterranean very welcoming. It was upbeat, with an energetic vibe. Mike, one of the owners, is very personable and excited about the new restaurant. He asks diners for their opinions and feedback and talked with me both times that I came in. The staff was also energetic and excited about the food that was being offered. This restaurant is very comfortable and pleasant. If you want healthy Mediterranean style food that is very reasonable in price in a pleasant atmosphere, I highly recommend Yalla Mediterranean in Pleasant Hill. Here's a link from CNN that Mike shared with me when we talked about the Mediterranean diet and its benefits. One more reason to try this place: cnn.com/2014/12/03/healt…
(5)
Tati S.
Tried it for the first time yesterday . So different than anything in the Bay Area. Nice decor . Clean good price
(4)
Deb G.
I tried the falafel, lentils and rice with hummus and tahini sauce. I didn't like the taste of any of it. The lentils were crunchy and the falafel was not good. Also, the line had 2 people in front of me and it took like 10 minutes for me to pay. I won't be going back.
(1)
The T.
Came here with my family & bf for the first time today, it was a good experience! I got the chicken and falafel combo plate, but unfortunately they only gave me a few pieces of chicken and 2 pieces of falafel. The chicken was nicely seasoned however, but the falafels were dry and a tiny bit bland. Not sure if we got old falafels that have been sitting around for a while. The sides are amazing! I tried basically all of the sides, and they were all very good. My favorite had to be the beet & kale salad, it was sweet, tart, and refreshing! For dessert I checked in on Yelp to get the free frozen yogurt w/ baklava & honey, had nice flavors but pretty sweet overall, I don't think I would order it next time though. I would definitely come here again, hopefully next time the person who is making my protein will give me some more, lol!
(4)
Kristen B.
I am very disappointed with my lunch from Yalla in Pleasant Hill. I tried the one in Walnut Creek on Ygnacio just a few weeks ago and loved it. The food was very fresh and tasted great. I ordered the same dish and sides today from Pleasant Hill. The sides were the same and very good. But the hot roasted vegetables and chicken I had weren't good at all. The veggies were complete mush and they both tasted like they had been sitting for a while - not fresh or very hot. And I was there at 12:30 pm on a Friday. $10 was too much for a mediocre lunch. I would be willing to try WC again, but not this location.
(2)
Elizabeth F.
Great idea, you choose your meat or vegetarian option, gluten free friendly, and choose your sides. They took a long time to serve the food, so they need to streamline their process, and the pita bread was kind of dry and chokey. But overall it was very good and I'd definitely eat here again if in Concord. Extra bonus for having compost bins and making everything compostable. The world would be a better place if every eatery could figure this out, kudos to Yalla for being environmentally friendly!
(4)
Mark I.
This place can be good but it's very inconsistent. The slaw and the carrot salad in particular can be tasty or bland. I love the keftas but even that isn't consistent. On my most recent visit I complained that the keftas were a pulverized mess and they said that just happens sometimes because it's ground beef. No, it happens when someone doesn't know or care what they're doing.
(3)
Mark C.
first time here and food is good. I got the shalafel with the rice plate. You get to choose three sides. Would go back again.
(4)
Boris B.
I tried the kefta with pilaf, eggplant, spicy hummus and potato salad. The sides were pretty good but the kefta was boring and lacked a good flavor. I realize that Chipotle like places with different ethnic cuisines does not work for me. The flavors and dishes are too far removed from the authenticity and usually do not match up to a good 'regular' old fashioned restaurant.
(2)
H N.
About an hour after I wrote my initial review, management from Yalla wrote to tell me that a new and better beef will be served after 03/24. I tried the steak today and I found it to be dry and not as tender as before. Not every piece is chewy, but I won't order the steak again.
(5)
Neha P.
Great owner! He was very personable and made sure to greet each guest. The owner knows what he is doing and his passion is obvious. Food was very good and portions very generous! We will for sure be coming back
(5)
Kim P.
Clean, friendly, fast and delicious. The employees really make a difference in welcoming you and making you feel like it's ok to ask questions if the food is new to you or you need help understanding how to order with all the options. The kofta is so good, I haven't been able to order anything else yet. You can choose the style of your meal - Pita wrap, salad or plate and choose your toppings. You can even customize the way your meat is cooked if you like it really well done. The servings are large but if you like more meat, you can add an extra skewer for just $1.90. Save room for the soft serve greek yogurt with chopped baklava and Honey Syrup. I love coming here because it would take so much time and so many ingredients to make this at home that unless I was cooking for a huge group, it wouldn't be worth it. You will likely crave this food again and again!
Went here for dinner during the week. The staff was very welcoming and helped explain the menu. The food was delicious and love that you can choose 3 different sides. Definitely recommend it!
(5)
Anna S.
We just had lunch here. Great atmosphere the staff is very helpful and nice asking if we enjoyed our food and anything else we would even like to try. Good price. I'm stuffed portions are big and great but feel like I've eaten healthy! I highly suggest the Pea and Mint Salad. Really good!
(4)
Kathleen J.
Fabulous food and very cool staff. I especially liked the falaffel and the ice cream with honey on top. Super reasonable prices and fresh tasting food!
(5)
No Matter W.
Poor service, poor food far from being real Mediterranean food! Yalla you will never gain my presence.
(1)
Ken M.
For a "fast food" restaurant, it's excellent. Tried the chicken schwarma, very good. Line Was long,mostly because people can't make fast decisions. Worth it!
(5)
Jen E.
I cannot say enough about this little restaurant. I love that the veggies are organic and the salmon is actually wild caught not farm raised! The salad choices are amazing. I could go there just for the salads. However, I usually order the salmon or grilled chicken and add 3 of the side salads. This is all for $9 or $10. And I can never finish it all. You can sit indoors or outdoors. Management is excellent. They are so willing to please. My fiance and I eat there about once a week and will continue to. This little restaurant is a bargain and a GREAT FIND.
(5)
Amy O.
I love this place. The food tastes fresh and healthy, the environment feels bright and happy, the employees are patient and friendly and the drink selection is nice. The iced honey green tea is a treat. My family and I have been here 5 times since it has opened and we have been pleased every time! Thanks for coming to Pleasant Hill.
(5)
J P.
Checked Yalla out based on seeing the positive reviews on Yelp. Line was pretty long on Friday night. Took a while, but the food was really good. Big servings, almost enough for 2 people! Service was really good. Very much like Chipotle as others have said. Will be back to try some of the other options on the menu..
(4)
Cara Z.
This place was amazing! Food was great and the best part was staff was really friendly! I am really big on customer service makes or breaks a place. The staff was really friendly, help me when I was indecisive. Then while I was eating people were walking around talking to the customers. Will definitely go back!
(5)
Denise L.
This was, hands down, one of the best restaurants I'v been to in years. It's a brilliant idea for a business and SO NEEDED. There was no surprise that people were fine spending 10 minutes in line for such an amazing meal. The owners were there and very involved in serving food and clearing tables (check in with guests). They deserve the upmost of applause for serving high quality food and running a great business (the rest of the staff didn't seem as happy and helpful as they could have been, however)
(5)
Rc F.
great place and the owner is so personable!, visited our table several times., remembered my coworker from coming in before, really enjoyed our experience! super place to go for a tasteful & quick meal.
(5)
Jonathan D.
The food was extremely fresh and tasted outstanding. A great new place to take your family. We ordered dinner and an extra order for lunch tomorrow. The owner was checking on each table and was visibly excited about people enjoying his food. I must say its very refreshing to see this kind of care and pride in at a restaurant. Make sure to try the baklava in Greek yogurt with sour cherry sauce. I will be coming back regularly.
(5)
R K.
I love going to this place. Healthy, fresh and fast. The manager is super friendly and their Greek yogurt is so yummy!!!
(5)
Vanessa H.
I came upon this restaurant on accident on Christmas Eve day. I tried to go to another restaurant in this shopping center and it was closing early so it was out of most of the food offered. I walked across to Yalla with my mom and sister and we just made it in before they closed. The staff was welcoming and friendly and helped us through the ordering process as it was our first time. The gluten free options were listed and plentiful. My sister and I have an allergy so eating out is something that isn't very easy for us to do. The staff was knowledgeable about it as well. The food was fabulous! We were all so full and could barely finish our plates! The restaurant closed early for the holiday and myself and my family were still in there eating when the owner came out and greeted us. He asked how our food was and seemed very excited about his opening of this restaurant. He seemed to be a very true and genuine man. He treated us to a dessert (even though we were so full) and it was amazing! He was even careful of us "gluten free eaters." I would highly recommend this restaurant. I have already returned and I agree with the other reviewer in that this is my new go to restaurant.
(5)
Rachelle F.
I would give it ten stars if I could. First experience was Christmas Eve and we stumbled upon this new place in the way to somewhere else....first impressions absolutely the most awesome friendliest staff I have encountered in a very long time. All three of the people I was with are celiac and were pleasantly surprised with the fresh awesome items we actually had choices which is very rare! Wonderful fresh food and you get so much for a great price. $9 for an abundance of delicious gf food! Just amazing. To top off the wonderful experience the owner came to greet us and was so pleasant. We went again last night and ordered online, usually ends up somebody has an issue but No this was easy and ready when we got there with our huge order! The staff was equally friendly and the order was all correct. Even my kids loved it and have a new found favorite place! Thank you because even with the abundance of restaurants in your area there aren't many we can eat at with the options and affordability you have. Thank you and welcome to pleasant hill! We will defiantly be back as much as possible!
(5)
C H.
Finally a Mediterranean fast food place with really fresh ingredients, more exciting side options and speedy services for busy moms with active little kids. The Greek frozen yogurt with chocolate pita (has almond flour in case your kids are allergic to nuts) was a big hit for our kiddos!! Service was awesome. Would give it one more star after we try more menu items. Will return!
(4)
Hayley D.
The food was mind blowing. The food was the best Mediterranean food I've ever had. The owner was very friendly and was checking up on all the customers. The chicken shawarma was great
(5)
Bobbi Z.
Yalla Mediterranean was awesome, I heard someone say chipotle but Mediterranean. That's it, but so much more. Excellent food, great staff! Don't miss out
(5)
Carla T.
We've now been here twice in 2 weeks. The chicken shawarma is delicious, both on the rice pilaf and on the salad base. The falafel is tasty (and gluten free). They serve 3 good sized helpings of sides- many are vegetables - all are flavorful and exotic. The staff is friendly and helpful. The owner helped prepare our order tonight and made suggestions for the best sauce to go with our meat. We will keep coming back: the perfect amount of food at a reasonable price (2 full dinners for $18), and something you can feel healthy about eating!
(5)
Noel O.
Big disappointment! Our first time and they expect us to know everything, not enough meat and it doesn't taste good, too much sides and it's too pricey! I'm not coming back.
(1)
Alejandra M.
This place just goes above & beyond to accommodate and keep their customers happy. We went in earlier today for our regular Shalafel plate but they were out of lentils. We decided to hold off and wait 10-15 minutes until they were ready although they offered to bring them to our table once they were ready. It was quite an inconvenience because we were starving but we understood the situation and came back because their food is worth the wait. When we returned, their manager (I don't know his name) prepared our food personally and didn't charge us a penny! Said that because it wasn't our fault that they were out of lentils we weren't going to be charged for our food and he handed it to us. I would've been happy with just a discount but I wasn't expecting free food. They definitely do value their regular customers and go out of their way to please! As if that weren't enough he later passed out "Free Frozen Soft Serve Greek Yogurt" coupon coins! To everyone eating in the restaurant! We will definitely stick to this place :)
(5)
Erin K.
After a poor catering experience in WC, I was asked to give them another try. Well done. Perfectly, well done.
(5)
Walter S.
Where to begin..... Amazing healthy alternatives. My go to is salmon with Turkish cabbage, Coubili salad, and eggplant. Great service too.
(5)
Wanda M.
It took me a couple of times eating here to decide I really like the food. I was a very loyal customer of Daphne's, and I was VERY disappointed when the ownership group made the change to Yalla. Any way, good salads, I really like the chicken shawarma as well. Lots of fresh veggie sides to choose from. Good spot to grab a bite, as they have something for just about everyone.
(4)
Puddy B.
I'm glad I carried out . The line was long. Food was great! Update love this place !
(5)
Sandy L.
We love this place! Fantastic choice of salads to go with your meal.
(4)
Crystal G.
Arrived for lunch today on a busy Sunday. The line went fairly fast and it has a Chipotle type feel. You get a choice of a wrap, plate, pita or salad. I chose a plate. The plate comes with Basmati Rice and either lentils or grilled veggies. The rice is clearly parboiled and tasteless, my partner got the veggies I got the lentils. Both veggies and lentils were cold lacked seasoning and slightly short in portion. I got the chicken which was nicely seasoned and my partner got the steak also nicely seasoned. There are many choices in sides, carrot salad, slaw, pea salad, potato salad to name a few. These were the best tasting and three choices is plenty. Overall 3/5 for the rice and lentil/ veggie side being tasteless and lacking seasoning and the temperate. However the protein options are delicious and the salads are fresh and the owner is nice and friendly.
(3)
naomi k.
I lovee YALLA! Came here for the first time today and all is well in yalla land lol ^_^ great food, great price, amazing staff ( THANKS A BUNCH ANDREW :D ) very satisfied with my overall experience here and will definitely be back very soon!
(5)
Christine B.
Great tasty food ... Everything is spiced to my liking... They just need to be a little more organized.. But as far as their service goes it's awesome.. Will for sure go again
(4)
Joana D.
My second time around this place and not the last. I love this place. Nice and chill. Great customer service! I love their greek yogurt with baklavva topping. Thank you!!
(5)
Chandni D.
I tried this place out soon after they opened and I am addicted. I come here once a week. I am vegetarian and the falafels have a crunchy outside but soft and moist inside. Well made for sure! I highly recommend the beet/kale salad and the potato salad. my two favorite sides.
(5)
Ashley F.
Eh, it's okay. I had high expectations, but was really underwhelmed. The falafel itself was dry, as was the pita. I got it with hummus, tomato cucumber salad, pickled cabbage, and tahini. All I could taste was the cabbage - it was too overpowering. I felt like nothing else had any flavor. Not only was the pita impossible to eat (everything kept spilling out everywhere) but everything was really wet - very unappealing. The sides I got, pea and mint salad & tabouli salad, didn't taste fresh as I had expected from the description of these bright ingredients - they were wilted and just overall blah. I do have to say that the staff was very friendly and helpful, which is always nice. Also, I had the house recipe soft serve greek yogurt (plain) and it was really delicious and the only thing that saved this from getting a one star review. However, if you want a really delicious falafel pita, go down a few storefronts to GEP and taste something truly fresh and delicious.
(2)
Jade C.
Everything's delicious and healthy. It was the most delicious and healthy "fast food" I've ever had. I wish we had one of these restaurants near our home. Very reasonable. Generous portions too. And on top of that all their containers are compostable. Great job!
(5)
D L.
Great alternative to the norm. The kefta is good, but so is the shawarma. Overall, it's fresh, good Mediterranean food. Oh, and soft serve Greek yogurt? Yes please!
(4)
Amir Y.
Went here a couple of times. The food is good and the service is great. But the display of the food looks like it's from a prison. A metal tray and the metallic walls make it feel like you are eating in a prison
(4)
Brandon S.
This is a unique twist on what used to be Daphne's Greek Cafe. At first I was hesitant to try it but I was pleased with the food, the staff was very patient, kind and helpful, and I really loved the soft serve Greek yogurt topped with Baklava. I would recommend this place to others.
(4)
Travel B.
LOVE! Fresh and light! Awesome staff. Great flavor and so many good options. Would eat here all day every day!
(5)
Hervey M.
Went to get Coldstones across the way and then noticed this restaurant with a long line inside. We had to go check it out! Waited about 15 minutes or more to get to the front. Same type of setup as Chipotle. The presentation and food looked super fresh! I was definitely impressed. The food did not disappoint. I think me and my wife found our go to restaurant when we visit the Bay Area. In the words of my wife, "this is the best Mediterranean food I ever had!" We can't find anything like this in So Cal. Only downside is the long wait, but the food makes up for it.
(5)
Adam D.
Truly, this is marvelous. Excellent falafel, tons of enticing sides. I love this place and am quickly becoming a regular.
(5)
Julia J.
We had a catering order, and it was incredibly convenient, delicious food, pretty reasonably priced. The beet salad with kale is the best, and the pea-mint salad, potato salad was also great- fresh herbs and oil-vinegar base, much healthier than mayo. The managers were very helpful and friendly, Andrew helped with the take-out. It's a great alternative to Chipotle and just as convenient.
(5)
Mortimer S.
Delicious, lots of choices, decent value!
(5)
D J.
This is way beyond a huge upgrade from DAPHNE'S(See past review) and we're lucky that it came to our neighborhood. Yalla is everything you would want in a Mediterranean eatery. If you're into that Chipotle-style way of ordering food than this is your spot. I wouldn't put it in the same category as my favorite Shawarma spot in Concord(the Mediterranean) and Walnut Creek(Babalou's), which makes this place even better. It's a place of its own. Not only do you have 5 or 6 choices of perfectly seasoned meat, you also get to add rice, lentils, and vegetables to it. Then on top of that you get 3 of 8 other choices of veggies that you could add OR their special Fries. Every choice is amazing and will keep you coming back as the flavors of each one remain unique. They even have beer and wine. It also kicks ass that the owners walk around and check on you as if you were at a 5 star restaurant. They are people persons. Very friendly. We've been there about 7 times since they been open and my little kids even love it. They only issue i got is that the asian chick with tattoos one time who was serving us veggies seemed completely IRRITATED that we came back to grab some more sauce. I know it was really busy but rolling your eyes and trying to ignore people doesn't promote great service. I haven't seen her the 4 other times which is great. Maybe a suggestion would be to leave out the sauces so that people can fetch it themselves. STILL LOVE THIS PLACE due to the other employees and Owner/managers!!!
(5)
Michael K.
Worst experience ever. Food took 30 minutes for expensive Faux- Greek food. Staff touching food.. Yechh.. Manager pompous and uncaring!! Great job!!
(1)
Holly H.
Ordered the chicken skewer Yalla plate. Hearty portions with friendly service but they boxed my food up and forgot to put the chicken on there! They were friendly when I called from home with my chickenless chicken skewer plate! Friendly staff made up for the error.
(4)
Char B.
I went in hoping it would be similar to Daphne's, but the flavors were very different.
(2)
JC D.
My mom and I were shopping and just came across Yalla. What a great place!! On our way over there I said "its probably one of those places like the rest of California that thinks there is lettuce in a Greek salad (FYI there isn't). But no lettuce here (at least not the int Greek salad)! Instead there were real Mediterranean foods (kebab, felafel, shwarma, etc.) serviced with real well-seasoned hearty vegetables like eggplants, carrots, potatoes, beets---actual vegetables! The decor is clean, modern, and welcoming. Everything is green, including the plastic forks! Ohhhh And they even have wine and beer. Having just come back from Turkey I was missing the wholesome Mediterranean food terribly - so thank god for Yalla! Yalla means "hurry up" in arabic/farsi - but this was not fast food. Delicious, filling, a pleasure for the senses. And the manager/owner was so friendly and inspiring it made me want to open my own business. It was a pleasure eating there today and hope to return soon. JC
(5)
Jules K.
Based on the rave reviews decided to give this place a try. Ordered 3 plates to go (2 kefta pitas which is ground beef/lamb & 1 chicken skewer). Employees are nice and welcoming. Like others said its like Chipotle. Be sure to get the sauce I almost forgot. Portions are average and u don't get that much meat but get to choose 3 sides. The fries were fries but they were fresh. The pea & mint salad was meh. Not much taste & lacked salt & not a mint fan. The potato salad was decent. The highlight was check in & get a frozen yogurt topped with baklava. Yummy! Kids loved it. Not sure if I'd come back, possibly. But worth a try if craving a pita.
(2)
C M.
Can't understand the rave reviews here except to think that the people who love this place have never had *good* Mediterranean food. Too bad because I can think of at least 6 other places within 15 miles (some within just a couple) where you can taste some. Yalla replaced the mediocre Daphne's and I have to say - I'd go back to Daphne's before I'd eat at this place again. Pros - quick, large portion and cheap. But who wants lots of quick, cheap *lousy* food? I guess the same folks who love McD & Jackbox. The obligatory spiced lentils that are the basis of every plate are UNDERCOOKED. Not spiced, really either. Bland. Had to take them home and add cumin, coriander, cinnamon and garlic, then cook them an additional 15 minutes to make them edible. A little sriracha helped too. I like crunchy vegetables, but undercooking legumes/beans this way is what gives beans a bad name. They're indigestible when undercooked and that's what causes digestive upset. Same for the falafel. The flavor was good, but the whole chickpea I found in one was only half-cooked. The cabbage salad was lemony but otherwise bland. As I said, I like a cooked vegetable with a little crunch - but NOT when it's a sweet potato. The roasted veg also needed more time in the pot. Pita round was stale and tasted awful. Wouldn't even feed the crumbs to a bird - I love birds too much. The only good thing on the plate was the cold eggplant salad. Glad I got a double helping since none of the other salads appealed. All-in-all it made me wish I hadn't let myself be deterred by the long line across the street at Chipotle (and the lack of one here). I'm experienced enough to know better - the place with the line is the place with good food. NO WAY I'll waste my money here again. Oh, and, as for SERVICE, I was left standing at the counter, while the woman who should have continued serving me went off to help someone clean a drink machine, then disappeared into a back room, then emerged to carry on a conversation with someone in the sink area, all while my falafel was sitting on the service ledge, waiting to be put into my otherwise complete plate. I finally had to ask someone else to leave her own station to dish it up so I could pay and leave. Clueless much?
(1)
Nastaran G.
Excellent Greek food :-) so yummy highly recommend this place steak pita was so delicious
(5)
Elly G.
Good greek food. Fast food style. You fall in line to order. Friendly service and great price. Just right for lunch or a quick dinner before watching a movie.
(3)
Irene N.
1.5 stars rounded down because so much of what I ate was truly disgusting. Appreciate the clear labels and quick service but have a hard time understanding how so many people can like this place. Rice was wet and bland, lentils were one of the few edible things on my plate. Cabbage, eggplant, and carrot sides were wet, bland, and greasy too. The falafel was chunky and had no flavor. The green sauce at least had some flavor but it had the weirdest slimy texture. Please save your taste buds and go to the other pita place down the street.
(1)
Michael T.
A new go to place... The food was good and I also like the Chipotle concept... I devoured my Yalla plate right away without even getting a picture... The fries with their sauce was the bomb... We also received free dessert. Frozen Greek Yogurt with chopped up baklava, I finished mine in an instant. Oh so good...
(5)
Brian P.
Chipotle-esque set up, super cute decor and their fries and ranch sauce is heavenly :D
(4)
Becca P.
Been here a couple of times and really like their chicken shakram with the ranch style dressing inside. The sides they have though aren't very good and have a limited selection. The pita bread I've gotten as one with hummus has always been kinda dry. But the entrees are really good :)
(4)
JP C.
Went 2/4/15 for the first time and absolutely loved it. I ordered a shalafel pita wrap and my girl got a Steak and chicken wrap, both ordered assorted salads to go with it. Everything was very fresh and tasted awesome. The frozen greek yogurt was absolutely amazing, would definitely get again. I was there during my lunch break or else I would have gotten one of the great beers they have there. Will revisit!
(5)
Jenny R.
We've been here a few times since they opened earlier this winter. I've had the salmon and the falafel. They are both pretty tasty. The sides are also pretty good, especially the eggplant. My husband likes the carrot salad. My only issue with the food is that they have a kid's meal, but none of the sides are really kid-friendly. My 3 year old has a pretty good palate and appetite, but he won't eat the carrot salad because it has cumin in it and none of the other sides are kid friendly except fries. Otherwise, its pretty healthy, tasty fare. They also have good beers and wine on tap, plus decent lemonade. Service is kind of slow. Last time we were there, there was a huge line and we waited for almost 30 min. It was a Friday night, but it was a little ridiculous for this kind of place. Also, the trash was so full that I had to leave ours on top of the bins, which was gross. They are new, so those are probably things that will get worked out. I do hope Pleasant Hill continues to get more modern restaurants like this. There is definitely a lack of quality restaurants in town. This is what leads to the ridiculous wait times pretty much everywhere after 6:30 on weekend nights. Zachary's, Gotta Eat a Pita, and Yalla are nice additions to downtown. We need more!
(4)
Michaella B.
Need to improve big time- the flavor is not there!!! The place look amazing,but I did not like the food.
(1)
F N.
Loved it! Food was good and generous. Great new tastes!!! Loved the way you pick out what you want to eat along with the meat or fish.
(5)
Jamie K.
Soooo good! I had the Chicken Shawarma with salad and it was absolutely amazing. The flavor are great and the price is right. If and let me not forget the outta mint salad which I loved. I can't wait to go back and eat here! Do far my top number one good place in this area and I have been working over here for 5 years!
(5)
A I.
It was like fast food Mediterranean but it was good. Very fast but tasty food. Pretty big portion so we shared and it was perfect.
(5)
Jenn S.
It's kind of like a Greek version of chipotle. All the sides were fresh and the pita was tasty lots of topping you can put on. It's a great place for tasty fresh food if you are in a bit of a rush.
(4)
Lisa H.
Beautiful presentation, I love the makeover of the location. On the wall by where you order there are a bunch of herbs growing, and the wall is a chalkboard wall so there is lots of information about the place, for example where the salmon is from. You can tell that the emphasis is on fresh, and it delivered in a tasteful way to the customer. I was a little disappointed because I wanted a gyro, and they do not have the rotating meat spit. I was told to order Kefta, and the meat was cooked and prepared in such a way that the outer edge of the meat reminded me of falafel, and lacked the flavor, so I personally would not order it again and probably stick with chicken next time. I did get an order of fries with their sauce, which was absolutely delicious, the dip made you keep grabbing another fry and another one, etc! My friend got the salmon, which had great flavor, which was impressive since this is more of a fast food location, than a sit down cafe/restaurant. We also got dessert, and I was disappointed to find out that the fro yo was made from Greek yogurt, I know some people like that taste, but I don't like the bitterness/sour tartness of Greek yogurt, (Pinkberry fro-yo also has this flavor too). I did pick off the baklava which was delicious.
(3)
Daniel L.
I would first of all like to thank Andrew and the rest of the Crew for making it easy for me choose what I wanted to have for dinner since I am very new to Mediterranean cuisine! The food was fresh, tasty, and healthy! I ordered the chicked skewer wrapped in pita along with they're kale&beets salad, crunchy zesty carrot salad, and they're potato salad as my sides, i couldnt of been more happy with my food. My wife had theyre very popular chcken shawarma along with a Greek salad, potato salad, and the eggplant salad! This place is a HUGE upgrade over the Daphne's that use to be here! Me and my wife was totally satisfied with our food and enjoyed the very pleasant and helpful staff.
(5)
C. C.
Yup this is a def upgrade from the previous tenant at this location, Daphne's. It's modern. The food is really really good. Fresh. The service is a bit slow still but you can tell they are working on it all the time and trying to improve. This is a good Pleasant Hill addition to downtown. Now if we can get more good businesses to come in and fill in the vacancies...
(5)
Jason S.
Very good meat, I had the steak and rice. A bit to many side options to choose from for me but all were pretty good.
(4)
mary w.
First let me tell you, this place is awesome. We found it 15 min before closing and we didn't feel rushed as we were looking at the menu since it was our first time, the guy serving us actually helped us figure out the menu. And if you are a vegan or vegetarian like myself you will like their veggie options, they have a lot of veggies options and it tells you if it is vegan or gluten free! Love this place
(5)
Joann T.
This is fresh food. First time here and I love it. Clean restaurant, friendly staff and very affordable. We got 2 shalafel (shawarma and falafel) salads with 3 sides each, 2 drinks. $22! I will definitely be back (:
(5)
Christena R.
Quick, easy, GMO free and lots of information on the menu! (Glutten fee veg etc all marked) The Shallafal plate is the greatest thing since pockets on a shirt - no need to choose better chicken and falafel! The sides are are great! We coordinated and had 6 different ones. The carrots and spicy hummus really stood out - and the potato salad is super fresh tasting! This place is clean as the ladies behind the counter were helpful and friendly. Dinners crossed this place stays!
(5)
Derick B.
A refreshing addition to our local downtown. Definitely unlike any other in the area.
(5)
Kendra C.
Well for starters, I work at Yalla Meditteranean in Pleasant Hill, but let me tell you-- this review is FAR from biased-- just another customer enjoying some great food. Yesterday was my 2nd day and at the end of my shift, I decided to get the Falafel pita with Kale and Beets, Greek potato salad, and tabouli as my sides. First off, the pitas are super warm soft and yummy-- absolutely LOVE them! I had previously had falafel at another restaurant but wasn't too big a fan so I was slightly weary of trying it here. At Yalla, the falafel is super yummy with a little kick of spice and the hummus is super good with the pita! I've definitely become a fan of the beets which again, I'm usually not too big a fan of. The Greek potato salad is an absolute favorite of mine and the tabouli is quite tasty-- would also double great as a salsa! On another note, the options are endless! As a vegetarian, it's usually difficult ordering at restaurants and having to cater the meal to my needs. At Yalla, everything besides the main protein is VEGETARIAN(YAY!) We also have dairy free and vegan options as well. Overall, I love the concept here, and the staff is very welcoming and friendly-- hope to see you soon at Yalla!
(5)
Laci J.
Very good food. I really enjoyed the sides especially the best salad and eggplant. Will be returning soon.
(5)
Senor T.
WOULD GIVE THIS PLACE 6 STARS IF I COULD! I have never written a yelp review before but this place seriously is worth it. Went tonight for food and experienced the best service I might have ever had. The owner was extremely friendly and even offered free samples of the frozen greek yogurt (which was amazing btw) just because we were eating there. The staff was friendly and helpful in answering any questions (which can be numerous with a vegan relative). Great prices for the amount of food you get my whole family left very full and satisfied. Tons of vegetarian and vegan options among the meat options. The vegan of the family got the falafel and grilled veggie plate which she really enjoyed along with the vegan sides. I had the kefta wrap which was cooked perfectly and very flavorful along with the feta topped french fries (awesome) and the eggplant salad (delicious). Seriously if you can visit this place definitely do. The numerous options and friendly staff make it a place I will no doubt be visiting multiple times in the future.
(5)
Koshka K.
I want to give this place a 4th star but their lentils are constantly undercooked. I love lentils, I suggest skipping on them. I like the salad, plate & side options though. Good balance between meat & vegetarian options as well. Nice spot for quick Mediterranean 'fast food.'
(3)
Ryan W.
When I left NYC, I never thought I'd find a place as good as Taïm in the West Village. I was proven wrong today. This place is awesome. And the Falafel is everything I wanted it to be and more...with all the best toppings at your finger tips. Pickles are everything.
(5)
Angel F.
Great food, large amount, fast, and customer service is excellent!!! YUM my favorite Mediterranean Restaurant in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek :-)
(5)
John B.
I thought I'd stop by Daphne's before a movie. This place is SO much better. I had a perfectly seasoned falafel chicken combo in a pita with pea/mint salad, beets & arugula, and the Turkish coleslaw. I'll definitely be eating here again soon.
(5)
Marcia R.
Got a really nice email from the owner thanking me for my review and comments alerting him to the issues in the restaurant. He indicated that he is addressing the service issues in the production line and appreciated the feedback. I have been back once just to get their incredible Greek frozen yogurt which puts the yogurt place down the street to SHAME. Yes it's that good. If you take my suggestion to try it make sure you get it with the baklava on it. Heaven. Haven't been back for the food yet but hope to soon. The owners email was appreciated. Nice knowing that they read Yelp and care so much about their customers.
(4)
Ryan C.
I don't write many reviews, but I feel obligated to after how great of an experience we had! The food had a lot flavor and is reasonably priced, especially considering how healthy and fresh it is. But even better, the service... Wow! Very friendly and helpful employees. It was our first time and we had a lot of questions. They were so patient and thoroughly answered every question. This is very refreshing in a society where great customer service is hard to find these days. I even had a coupon for a free greek yogurt and expected a small sample, but the serving was very generous (and tasty). These guys definitely earned all five stars!
(5)
JJ J.
This place is awesome. Healthy food that doesn't come with high price. Polite employees to clean facility. Good choice!
(5)
Mary F.
Great fresh food, friendly, helpful service! I asked about their frozen yogurt and the young lady asked me if I wanted a sample....I said, "sure", expecting the little taster cups you get at the frozen yogurt places. Instead she gave me this mini bowl with yogurt, honey and baklava on top! It was so tasty, I'm going back for more of their frozen Greek yogurt!
(5)
Dj L.
Came here for the first time and it is surely a 5 star place to eat. With my girlfriends relatives being middle eastern, I am very picky with the quality of this type of food. Everything here tasted amazing and extremely fresh, just like what her family makes. Owner and staff are caring and helpful to the customer. Building clean, well kept, and modern. Very impressed and highly recommended!!!! A must come, and I will be continuing to come for a very long time!
(5)
Wali G.
I'm glad I made the decision before going into chipotle that I should try this place out. The ambiance is nice, very clean and contemporary looking. The staff so friendly, and ordering was very straightforward. There are so many salad options! The pricing is such a deal breaker! And the meat always tastes fresh and juicy! I knew after the first bite that I would be coming here a lot more often. And now I'm a HUGE fan of this place, and any chance I will get to tell someone about this place would be such a delight! I hope this place goes far, every city should have a Yalla restaurant.
(5)
Jeff M.
Horrible customer service.The food was good but not great. Manager was standing around socializing not taking care of the line that was backed up out the door. Don't think I will be giving this place a second chance. Gotta Eatta Pita by far a better place to eat for Mediterranean food.
(1)
Benjamin K.
Came here with a few families for lunch. Not sure why the great yelp reviews. Had the falafel plate and it was AWFUL. The falafels were small and burnt, and not sure if this restaurant was on a food shortage that day, but the servings were small, child-like portions. And the sides tasted mediocre. The other families we were with were also disappointed with the food and portions. After the sparse meal, I was still hungry so wound up going to Gotta Eat A Pita a few stores away and had a fantastic pita bowl. You know portion sizes are pretty lousy if you have to go to another restaurant afterwards.
(1)
Paola G.
This place has become my to go place when I don't want to cook at home. They have a lot of options and good sides.
(4)
Trisha B.
Yum! Love finding out about hot and new places to eat~ My husband was thinking that it wouldn't be enough food once he saw the skewer sizes, but honestly, we were both stuffed from the rice plate. You do get enough food, especially for our lunch! All of the items were really flavorful and tasted like really good quality ingredients!
(5)
Amy H.
Yalla is my new favorite! Fast and healthy food with big portions--a great value. The kefta and chicken shwarma are out of this world, and the beet side salad and frozen Greek yogurt with baklava are amazing. The restaurant styling makes for a nice atmosphere and the service is stellar. I can't say enough about this place--a fantastic addition to Pleasant Hill!
(5)
R D.
Delicious, heatlhy fast food! You can get a salad, pita wrap or plate with a protein and a bunch of sides. The food is fresh and so tasty with a lot of vegetable dishes. I live in SF and look forward to visting mom in Pleasant Hill so I can eat at Yalla. We have nothing like that in SF.
(5)
Alexander K.
Got to try this place. I haven't been here before it was still Daphnes. I like the Chipotle style service. The meat was very delicious
(4)
Laura B.
Yalla - the best place for cheap eats when you're looking to grub hard but not feel *too* guilty about it. If you're looking for a normal-sized meal, share a plate with a friend! Meals ranges from $8-10, and while it's often compared to Chipotle, I think of it more like a high-end school cafeteria as far as how you get served. Pick from a salad, a rice plate, or a pita sandwich, pick your meat, and head on down the line while they assemble your entree. You can pick three sides, which can range from french fries to tabbouleh to hummus and pita. How healthy and light your meal is is entirely up to you. Having tried pretty much everything there, the chicken and beef are standouts. The salmon can get pretty dry on that rotisserie, and the falafel are fairly dry as well. The hummus is great (most of the sides are, actually) - just don't forget to ask for tahini, tzatziki, or chermoula at the end of the line! Outdoor eating is pleasant night or day since they have large heat lamps, and don't forget to grab some greek fro-yo before you go - it's crazy, crazy good!
(4)
S. B.
I most definitely will be coming back. I ordered a salad with a combo of falafel and chicken. My 3 sides were hummus, tabbouleh, and Greek potato salad. Overall my food was great and fresh... But I also don't have expectations of getting Greek food like I would at an actual Greek restaurant... The only thing I hope they kind of work on is their pita... Two thumbs up, great option for fast casual :)
(3)
Steve B.
First time trying out this place. After I figured out how to order (much like how you would order in Chipotle), I ordered the chicken shawarma. I'm not an expert on Mediterranean food but I do know what I like...and this place, I really like. The serving was plentiful (you get three sides) and the workers were friendly (they were patient with me as I tried to figure out what I wanted). If you're in the area, I definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Valerie G.
First here and it was a great experience. I walked in with my friend and I and automatically was I greeted by the manager or owner. He explained everything on there menu the easy 123 steps! This was my first time trying this type of food and I enjoy it! It was very tasty and something very different! As soon as we sat down the guy came back to check on us to make sure to try all the sauces for the plate we got and then came in and gave us a side of there special fries with an amazing sauce on it! It was really good! As soon as we were done he came back and gave us there Greek yogurt with baklava in it we were so shocked and amazed but very pleased with how much they have great customer service! It was a great experience, nothing but good vibes in the restaurant! I would defiantly come back again!
(4)
Joel R.
We have been here quite a few times already all on different days & times. I like to try the service out at different times of days for all restaurants just to get an idea of service and consistent quality of food. Yalla has never disappointed. Came around lunch and got the chicken on a salad with sides of spicy hummus, eggplant & red cabbage salad. I love how Yalla puts ingredient cards in front of all the options so you know exactly what the ingredients are. The chicken was tender, the hummus was tasty, the eggplant & cabbage were good too. Yalla is one of our great "go to" places for quick, healthy food that fits our lifestyle.
(4)
Stacy C.
I am surprised, nay, SHOCKED that this place has 4 stars. Y'all let me down. Between us we got steak, rice, lentils, fries, carrot salad, cabbage slaw, hummus, pita bread, and potato salad. The steak is the only thing we'd get again. This is the blandest restaurant I've been to in a long time. The hummus doesn't even cover up the horrid sweetness of the weird-ass pita bread. The lentils were bland and undercooked, the pilaf was bland and cold. The potato salad was bland and both mushy and raw. The carrot and cabbage weren't bland as much as they were weird. But going back to the crunchy lentils... unforgivable. One star for the steak, one star for the nice employees. It's not their fault. Sigh.
(2)
Linda M.
Yalla is good, and I very much appreciate that it's a place I can go out to eat and not end up with 3x more calories than I usually consume at lunch. It seems strange to have two Greek "fast food' restaurants so close together. I think both are tasty, but Yalla is a healthier option both because of what is on the menu and better portion control. You choose salad, 'meal' or pita and also get sides. The main protein is cooked to order, and I was impressed that the salmon I tried was nicely moist and tasted fresh. Sides offered interesting options and also were fresh and tasty.
(4)
Cyn L.
I was so disappointed in this place. The falafels were dry, so was the pita, the tabouli was more tomato than anything, the hummus was the worst part. Yalla doesn't come close to Gotta Eatta Pitta.
(1)
Tiffany D.
Yalla will make you holla!! This is THE very first Mediterranean restaurant I've ever been to and eaten at and I can honestly say that I love their food and I now am very fond of Mediterranean. I've been here a few times, my first time being for a Yelp event. If they weren't located in Pleasant Hill I would be here more often and really putting all my Yalla bucks to good use lol. Yalla is doing healthy Mediterranean food, they are using only fresh and locally sourced ingredients, all the meats are cooked to order and the side dishes are very healthy (lots of veggies). While they do have many meat, poultry and fish dishes on the menu they also have vegetarian and vegan options. When you walk into the restaurant they have something quite unique that I have yet to see elsewhere and that's an in-store herb wall and lemon tree, talk about super fresh ingredients. Their wines and craft beers are all locally sourced as well but it doesn't just stop there let's talk about the decor and eating utensils. The decor is all wood which is made from salvaged wood and their plates, forks, knives, spoons and cups are all 100% compostable. Yalla is like the Chipotle for Mediterranean food, their whole set-up is very similar and everything is fresh and fast. The menu isn't huge and the ordering process is very easy, fast and efficient. The menu/ordering is a 4 step process: *Choose Your Style: Pita wrap, salad or Yalla plate *Pick Your Favorite: Chicken Shawarma, Shalafel, Falafel, Kefta Skewer, Salmon Skewer, Steak Skewer or Chicken Skewer *Add Toppings *Select Your Sides (Choose up to 3) My favorite dish here is the teak skewer Yalla plate with rice pilaf, the steak is tender and has a very nice char to it and has a very unique flavor (the spices are wonderful). They do have some very good side dishes, the Tabouli salad is pretty good and so is the Kale and Beet salad but I really enjoy the Greek Potato Salad is very light and still has a nice flavor although it does not contain mayo only olive oil, red wine vinegar and scallions. But the real winner are the Yalla fries with feta ranch, the fries are cooked perfect and the feta ranch compliments them very well. They do have dessert here as well which is their house recipe Greek yogurt (soft serve) it's very creamy, a little sour and tastes fantastic with the baklava and honey syrup on top. This is a great place to get fresh and healthy authentic Mediterranean food for a reasonable price. I guarantee any dish that you have here you will enjoy and you will not be disappointed.
(4)
Tony B.
This is like the chipotle of Mediterranean food . The lines are so long to get in but they move super fast. Its set up lunch room style . you get in line pick the items you want and pay . i got the shawarma and Yalla fries they both are banging. The teas and lemonaid are also delicious . so dont let the lines scare you give them a try!
(4)
Alvin L.
Compostable recipes! Actually, I wouldn't compost them they'd probably ruin the earth. Falafel below average. Kefta lackluster and slightly undercooked. Hummus below average. Lentils too aldente. Salad bar comparable to Safeway/Lucky's. Uptown snobbery? Nope. Integrity. C'mon. If you can't get the bare bone simple ass basic ass dishes right. I'm just saying, if you want it done right... from Nacho Libre- Nacho: Enjoy. Señor Ramon: There is no flavor. There are no spices. Where are the chips? Nacho: Somebody stole them. Señor Ramon: Did you not tell them that they were the Lord's chips? Nacho: I was trying to! Tsk tsk tsk. Smh. You eat here and most definitely I will not be eating the booty like groceries.
(1)
Joyce Z.
We were lucky enough to try Yalla shortly after it opened as part of a Yelp Elite event where they really went all out so I got to try all the sides and a few of the meats as well so I knew what I liked and what I would take a pass on. It didn't take much to get us back in here when we found ourselves in the area again. I went for my favorite sides which is the Yalla fries and 2 servings of the beet salad which was with baby kale this time vs. arugula. The baby kale does hold longer without wilting but I have to admit that I prefer the beet salad with the arugula instead. For the meat, I tried the chicken schwarma this time which was tasty as usual while hubby got the kofta with ground beef and lamb again. Pitas and wraps get a choice of sauce and toppings while the Yalla plate comes with rice and choice of veggies or lentils and a mini pita bread to go along with it. For about $9, it is a great deal for a dinner that you don't have to feel guilty about as it is pocketbook friendly, environmentally friendly (containers, utensils, etc. compostable), and waistline friendly. Do splurge and get their homemade lemonade especially if they have pomegranate and get the soft serve greek yogurt WITH topping. You can never go wrong with the baklava and honey and the chocolate pita is a close second. Tip: You can proceed right to the register to get your yogurt without having to line up again. Another heads up is there is a feta dipping sauce for the Yalla fries. They sometimes forget so feel free to go back up and ask for it at the register. It is nice to see that they are keeping their standards for the food and service high and not just for the event.
(5)
Emily J.
A renewed (and improved) Daphne's California Greek. Overall, I really enjoy Yalla. Our total for two was well less than $20 and we both left full and happy. You start by picking your protein so they can get grilling. I got the chicken shawarma when we were there for the Yelp event. On my most recent visit, I got the shalafel, which is a mix of chicken shawarma and falafel. (I love a good sampler.) I found both to be quite flavorful and well cooked. I got my shalafel served as a salad, with vinaigrette on the side and cucumbers and tomatoes on top. (Feta and Âolives are also offered.) I really liked the salad although after having the fries with feta ranch, I wish I had chosen that as my dressing. As others have mentioned, they offer a great selection of sides and you receive a generous three with your meal. On this visit I got the eggplant (I actually prefer the eggplant at Gotta Eatta Pita), hummus (it's okay) and fries. The fries, served with feta ranch are pretty incredible. Service is friendly and fast -- they definitely know how to keep things moving.
(4)
Lilas A.
It's good falafel and as for the chicken shawarma it is yummy and very clean place and staff is very friendly.
(4)
Sharon H.
The food is good, but I was just there on two days ago and noticed the size of the plates and the portion sizes have been reduced. The restaurant hasn't been there that long. I would give it four stars if not for the portion and plate size reductions.
(3)
Sharine d.
Enjoyable, good food, good selection.fresh choice for Mediterranean food. Very satisfying food. Helpful servers good choice for lunch. Clean, upbeat location. Similar to chipolte but Mediterranean. :-)
(4)
Rachel Ann C.
If I could rate this place a half-star up (for the bad customer service experience I witnessed on my visit), I would. I've grown up with Downtown Pleasant Hill throughout all of my life, and this Mediterranean/Greek food spot has always been my go-to. (It used to be a Daphne's location.) With the fast-casual Gotta Eatta Pita just down the block (think Greek "Chipotle"), I'm sure this place had to make itself stand out against that location. The concept is simple. Pick one protein (Falafel, Shawarma, Chicken, Steak, Vegetarian, etc.) Pick a Yalla Plate, Pita Sandwich, or Salad. Pick three sides. I chose the Yalla Plate, with Shalafel (half falafel, half shawarma/chicken). It came with a bed of rice pilaf and lentils on top. I also chose my three sides as the Tabouli Salad, Grilled Eggplant and Pea & Mint Salad. (I HIGHLY recommend getting the Grilled Eggplant and Pea & Mint Salad. Tasty and refreshing. Tabouli Salad was a little too sour/watery/mediocre.) For about $10, my meal was absolutely filling, delicious and satisfying (I ended up taking a bit home). The reason I am giving this place 3-stars is because I came in on a heavy lunch hour (I think it was around 1pm on a Sunday, however), and though there were a lot of people, the cashier was moving EXTREMELY slow. All of our orders were ready to go on the cafeteria-style line, behind the counter by the workers. But, the cashier was taking forever to ring us up that I ended up waiting 10-15 minutes with my food sitting on the tray line, while all of us waited to get rung up. One of the gentlemen in front of me even requested to get new Yalla Fries because it got cold by the time he would've gotten rung up (my mom even said her fries and steak were cold by the time we ate). A plus: Free Frozen Greek Yogurt with a Yelp Check-in. I was extremely full by the end, but the free dessert at the end was delicious. (And: Frozen Greek Yogurt = healthy alternative! I topped mine with the Baklava, Honey + Pecans, which was kind of a weird complement to the sourness of the greek yogurt. Might as well have just gone with the Strawberry Compote.) Although this place is new, they need more workers/people on staff to tend to the busy lunch line that ensued. My 20-minute wait to order could've been cut-down to 5. Other than that, delicious and satisfying quick meal.
(3)
Paul V.
I have been to Yalla a couple more times and an update review is long due. A mind set out to seek only one type of food can be emotionally charged. Having found none of the gyros I was longing form the now the defunct Daphne's had made me pretty much biased on my first review. I went back to Yalla the second time around, now with an open mind. For around $10, Yalla is a whole lot of delicious food. Yalla Fries with feta ranch, and the Baklava Yogurt is addictingly yummy! The fast casual format (a la Chipotle) makes perfect sense for Yalla. I always get their Yalla plate have have tried almost all of their proteins. Everything is delicious and tasty, sans the Salmon skewer; it was a little on the dry side. The veggis are fresh, meats seasoned accordingly, and fried with feta ranch that is like crack? I am absolutely positive I'm a a regular at Yalla. And kudos for opening WC branch too! I hope you guys open more locations.
(4)
Clarice O.
What is not to like about Yalla? Locally sourced, nutritious flavorful food is everybody's best friend. Yalla offers locally sourced, nutritious flavorful food so I think it just logically follows that they should be everybody's best friend, too. Vegetarian, omnivores, and carnivores alike would find something to their liking here. (I want to say that vegans would be happy here as well, but as it is not an instinct for me to check out for vegan items, I cannot say this with confidence and I do not wish to lie.) As was mentioned in some other reviews, the setup is highly reminiscent of Chipotle. You can customize your order either as a plate, salad, or a wrap. You are also given a choice of three sides with your order. Once you have made your choice, you can pay for your order and find a table. I have tried most of their items as I was lucky enough to have been able to come in during a Yelp event, and I am over the moon about their shalafel. Especially for people who are not the biggest eaters, this dish gives the option of trying two of their entrees - the chicken shawarma and the falafel. Both are flavorful, and I much prefer ordering this as a plate because the lentils that come with it is just really fantastically flavorful. As for the sides, my personal favorites are the Greek eggplant salad, Moroccan carrot salad, tabouli salad, and the Turkish cabbage slaw. They are all just very delicious and can be enjoyed on their own. The other sides are good as well, but they did not wow me as much as those four I mentioned. One order costs less than $10 (without a drink or dessert), but it could last me three meals (please do remember that I have been told I eat like a bird though I am cursed with hungry/greedy eyes). As for the drinks, I am just in love with their pomegranate lemonade. It is refreshing and a little tart with the perfect ratio of pomegranate to lemon flavor. Their desserts are all very good as well, with their frozen yogurt more tart than sweet but made delicious by the toppings: chocolate pita cookie, sour cherry syrup, or chopped baklava and honey syrup (my favorite). What makes Yalla even more likable (aside from the food) is the owner, Michael. He really works the room and pays attention to every single diner (I have visited again after the Yelp event and he did this every time I stop by) to make sure that everything is alright. He is never intrusive in any way, and I can tell you he is very pleasant to chat with. He told us that the restaurant is a dream now realized, and he even told us about the personal touches here that cannot really be found in chain restaurants. He told us that the toppings for the frozen yogurt reflects his personal journey. I will not tell you his story as I really wish you would ask him, yourself, dear reader. However, I can tell you that as I am personally a sucker for personal touches, this just made me really happy to be dining at Yalla. Welcome to my neighborhood, Yalla. I am so glad you are here.
(5)
Hayder A.
Ok, let me get this straight, with one dish you will never get full, you need at least three orders for 2 people, the food was good especially the salads, I'll give it a try
(3)
Shar M.
For those curious but too lazy to Google, the new owners of Daphne's California Greek chain are transforming it into a new concept restaurant, Yalla Mediterranean. So, technically this is a "new" restaurant in Pleasant Hill; however it is not totally unrelated to its predecessor. What I like about this restaurant are (1) price, (2) menu/style, and (3) they indicate which menu items are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian, for those who need to know. How it works: like Chipotle. (1) Choose your style -- pita wrap, salad, or plate. (When they first opened, they also offered "stuffed pita" which is what I had ordered and would have recommended, but they have since removed this style from the menu.) (2) Choose your main filling: chicken shawarma, shalafel, falafel, kefta skewer, salmon skewer, steak skewer, chicken skewer. Falafel is the only vegetarian option. (3) Add toppings! They have 4 kinds of sauces, and various vegetable toppings. (4) You get THREE sides with your pita/salad/plate. This is where you get the most bang for your buck. I've had their Turkish Cabbage Slaw, Greek Eggplant Salad, Tabouli Salad, Greek Potato Salad, and Yalla Fries (these are REGULAR french fries, don't be fooled!) Your total price will depend on which main filling you chose. For falafel, it comes out to $7.95 plus tax, but it can cost as much as $9.95 plus tax if you choose something like the salmon skewer. For dessert, they do offer soft serve greek yogurt with optional toppings: chocolate pita cookie, sour cherry syrup, or chopped baklava and honey syrup. My friend ordered the one w/ baklava topping and so I had a taste - very delicious. Surprisingly, there is another "stuff your own pita" option just a few shops down at Gotta Eatta Pita. I've tried both and tried to order similarly (stuffed pita, or pita wrap, with falafel). Technically, Yalla is cheaper because what you're buying is a combo meal with sides. I think Yalla has better tasting falafel. However Gotta Eatta has fluffier, warmer, tastier, freshly baked pita bread. So, honestly, they're both good, and I'll probably eat at either or, depending on which I'm in the mood for. I hope both are successful enough to survive. I like that there are options.
(4)
James H.
The Chipotle style is catching on to other cuisines. Pieology for pizza and Yalla for Mediterranean. I like the customizable options and all the choices. I started with the chicken schwarma and chose to have it in a pita which was not heated and came out room temperature. I'm not sure if they're supposed to heat/warm up the pita prior to serving but I prefer a warm pita bread than at room temp. I then chose a few toppings to add to the pita wrap and proceeded to choose 3 sides. They have many sides to choose from that'll suit most taste buds. I opted to get fries, eggplant salad and tabouli. The fries were nice and crispy, eggplant was good and tabouli was tart. I wasn't really impressed with the flavor of the chicken schwarma and the pita not being warm just did not make the wrap enjoyable. The service is friendly and when it gets busy they do their best to move everyone's orders along. I can see this place taking a lot of the business away from Gotta Eatta Pita that's a few stores down but I still prefer Gotta Eatta Pita wraps more.
(3)
Carolen M.
I arrived today to meet up with a friend at Yalla to try it out. It's as many folks say, it's like Chipotle but for Mediterranean. You get a choice of meat and then how you want that meat which is either in a plate, pita bread, or on salad. Then you get a choice of 3 different sides and don't forget the sauce. Anyways, I decided on getting the Shalafel (chuckles...I love saying this word...sha-la--fel...) which is chicken shawarma and two small falafel balls on salad with vinaigrette some cucumbers and olives. I got the Yalla fries, eggplant, and the red beet salad as the sides. I overall liked my food. I did like the crispiness of the fries though everyone else got their fries topped with some kind of sauce. I did not. I'm not sure why. The beets were sweet and tasty. The eggplant was also quite flavorful. The falafel was super fried, but not bad in taste. With the Yelp check-in I was able to get a free frozen yogurt with one topping. I opted for the honey and baklava and boy I just had a few bites of my meal and just finished the froyo! It's not a lot, but I savored every bit of it. The baklava was crunchy and sweet and the honey was a nice balance to the tartness of the greek yogurt which was nice and smooth. There are plenty of seats inside as well as some seating outside. I do love that everything they serve in and on is compostable. So it's also good to eat here for the environment! The grill is also quite an engineering design interest. They turn and go down the line as they place your meat skewer on it. Overall, I would consider coming again. I do wish you could get an option with just the food without the sides, but I guess for ~$9 you're getting a lot of food. I would probably ask for less dressing on the salad because it was just too overdressed for my own taste. But overall a good place to try out if you're curious to see a Chipotle style Mediterranean place!
(3)
W. T.
Finally. Legit food near the Concord border. Under $10 for quality falafal plate. Vegetarians and Vegans will go NUTS over this place for sure. I'm a fan and will return regularly. Conveniently located near Heather Farms, about 2 miles from Pleasant Hill BART. But the only future friendly establishment in the shopping center. The other joints are burgers, meat, japanese, burrito, sandwich/bakery. Something for everyone here. Take it to go and picnic across the street.
(5)
Daryl G.
We went there for the first time at lunch. The lamb and beef was flavorful, and the service was decent. The experience was good at best.
(3)
Alaina S.
Walking into this restaurant the first thing you notice is the beautiful, minimalist decor... The second thing you notice is the huge selection of Greek side options (you get to choose 3 with every meal!)... And finally when you sit down to eat you realize how much delicious, fresh, healthy food you got for under $10. I ordered the chicken shawarma plate with lentils and vegetables, my friend got a chicken kabob salad, and we both chose the tabbouleh, potato salad, and Greek slaw as our sides. DELICIOUS. Neither of us could finish it all. This place is especially good for people who are beginners to Greek food. The menu is clear and simple, and you can see all of the side choices in front of you (Chipotle style) so it's not as intimidating for those who might not be familiar with the cuisine.
(4)
Brandi W.
I am happy to say that Yalla completely went above and beyond my expectations. I have returned several times, and each visit gets exponentially better. Such progress! They fixed every little area that I addressed in my first review, and did so without getting upset with my critiques. I really appreciate that. The falafel is now delicious! The recipe change really flipped the script. I love the rice pilaf and the roasted veggies, even though I would probably opt for some of the medium spicy sauce to give them some oomph (Rosanne P. said it was really yummy), and the tahini is a must-add. Have them drizzle it on your falafel balls. Might not look pretty, but it's dee-lish! They also serve cold bottles of Blue Moon, admittedly one of my favorite guilty-pleasure beers. It may not be the classiest or craftiest beer on the market, but I will always have a soft spot for these suds. If you are a wine drinker, they have several options. I had a wonderful glass of red this evening, although I don't recall the name (something beginning with S?)... the third one down on the wine list, if I remember correctly. That cabbage salad remains one of my favorite side orders, and the hummus is still just as mouth-watering. It's wonderful to have another fresh, healthy spot in downtown Pleasant Hill, which used to be pretty sparse when it came to vegan options. Now I just wonder what will take the spot of the recently vacated Lucky Supermarket (something good, I hope). Now if Yalla would just add a vegan fro-yo option, I would be in restaurant heaven! Sorry! There I go again. I don't want to nitpick. I am so BEYOND appreciative of all the steps they have taken to be so veg-friendly. This attention to detail makes me really proud to have Yalla in the city I call home. If you are gluten-free, never fear! There are lots of items you can eat, too. I keep telling myself that I want to try to be gf, but I like bread way too much; I am a glutton for gluten. I am the Duchess of this place for a reason, although I have been neglecting my duties lately. I see others creeping up on my title, so I definitely need to visit Yalla more often to remain in control of the throne. Queen V out.
(5)
Theia B.
It was ok, expensive for a fast food type of place. We ate in the restaurant we managed to find ONE table that wasn't dirty or that had a bunch of garbage/food underneath it. The floors were also wet. There were so many employees just doing nothing in the back!!! Anyway, food was ok but for the reasons stated above we will not return.
(2)
Jenna T.
I'm not the biggest fan of Mediterranean food, but this place is good! Probably the best I've had. I love their "Chipotle" concept of picking what you want on your dish. They pride themselves in cooking as you order your meat. Their staff are fast and friendly, always asking if you're okay or need anything else. Their sides are endless and it's hard to only choose 3. Don't forget they serve french fries! and the feta ranch poured on top of the fries makes it that much better! Their pita bread is warm and fluffy. It was the best pita bread I've had! They have different wine and beer on tap. Which makes this place different than any other place. Their pomegranate lemonade is so tasty! Their homemade Greek yogurt with chopped up baklava and honey is delicous. My bf loved their chocolate pita cookie which was just as thick as regular pita bread. I'd definitely recommend this place to all my Mediterranean foodies. Don't let this place pass you by!
(4)
Koko M.
I used to think I was an avid fan of Mediterranean cuisine and then I was lucky enough to be approved for an insiders event and Yalla blew my mind!!! Really nice change of pace and a wonderful welcome for me and my guest (who is now on Yelp too) to the East Bay! Cannot wait to spread the word with family and friends.. and hell anyone that will listen! :) Divulged in: glass of white wine = smooth and light really great choice that didn't overpower the food a Yalla plate - rice, lentils, Kefta, greek potato salad, Moroccan carrot salad, arugula and beat salad and yalla fries.. (Don't Judge Me *laughs*) = every one of these items was robust, flavorful and spoke to every foodie sense I've got... Pop pop pop yummmmmmm Pomegranate Lemonade = can you just say YUM!! Will the flavor change with the seasons!? Chicken Shawarma = tender and savory Turkish Cabbage Slaw = not even a huge cabbage fan, but love this combo! you may have just converted me with this!! Tomato Cucumber Salad = I've talked my dad into attempting to recreate this at home for SuperBowl! Olives, Pea & Mint Salad = sooo good.. love the bite of the mint, but the pop of the olive flavor Greek Egg Plant Salad = I was hesitant because I've never really had eggplant in this way.. but WOAH!!! This will be on my plate next order, guaranteed! Rich and flavorful, but surprisingly light! House Soft Serve Greek Yogurt - with chocolate pita cookie - sour cherry syrup - and chopped baklava & honey syrup.... = my personal favorite is the chocolate pita cookie and I'm not even a yogurt fan.. but I will confess I had 2.5 cups (sample sized cups!) If I am ever craving yogurt.. I will make the drive to obtain this specifically! ....so I think it is quite safe to say that I've got a well-rounded feel for the menu... and can you say ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!!! You expect one or two dishes to be phenomenal and then everything else to be mediocre.. but no.. MIND BLOWN with every bite! *laughs* My only complaint was the Yalla fries were just a tad too salty, ruined my palate for a minute for everything else I was munching on. I completely appreciate and was continuously surprised at how friendly and helpful all the staff were. The passion simply poured straight from the kitchen and from every employee I came in contact with. I love the personal touch of Michael explaining the depth and story behind Yalla and it's core concepts. The specialized kitchen set up and the overall clean and succinct decor. Yalla is focused on sustainability and their actions back up their words, which is AWESOME! Using locally sourced products and responsibly raised meats as well as compostable products where possible! I cannot wait to return and try the few things that I haven't yet tried like the salmon, steak and falafel... I'm looking forward to the amazing experiences all over again!
(5)
Jill E.
As a family, we recently gave up all the yummy things of life that shorten our lives. I for one, have been feeling quite put upon. That is, until I found Yala! My vegan son got yummy food. And I got potato offerings - including gluten free fries. The price was about the same as Chipotle and like Chipotle, they put it all in recyclable trays right in front of you. I know this is not a Chipotle review but I am going to put Yala in the rotation of quick but "not exactly fast food" options. A few more places like this and I may stop pouting about living so damn long.
(5)
Rachelle B.
One word-delicious! I honestly came in for a quick bite to eat and was pleasantly surprised. I will definitely be going again soon.
(5)
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Address :55 Crescent Dr,Ste F
Pleasant Hill, CA, 94523
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
LaShawn V.
I have had Yalla 5-6 times now and they have won me over. The chicken shawarma is flavorful and the pita bread is soft and yummy. Love that they use fresh herbs. Yalla fries with feta ranch dip is a must. The staff was friendly and offered recommendations.
(5)Dawn V.
Wow, nothing tasted good. Got falafel and veggie salads. They were all terrible. Salads were watery or no flavor or undercooked. Falafel tasted weird and had bad texture. So unappetizing couldn't finish the meal. Would never come back here. Fortunately, the falafel place down the street is fresh and good. Hard to believe some people prefer this!!!!!
(1)Roya J.
I got the Shalafel plate. The chicken was yum but not sure what the falafel was! The humus is thicker than what you usually get in Mediterranean cusine. And the tabouli was lacking a lot of parsley. A LOT of parsley. Makes me doubt if the cook is Mediterranean! ! But the frozen yogurt and baklava topping is a killer. So good!! The place is also really nice. The repurporsed wood they have incorporated into their decor, the fresh veggies on display. It's all so refreshing and earth friendly!
(4)Valerie A.
I frequented Daphne's in the past and loved it. Decided to give Yalla a try so I picked some up on my way to classes. The curtains and containers are horrible because none of the lids fit. The drink cup lid didn't fit, the small plastic container holding the sauce didn't fit, the carton holding my chicken salad didn't close... Which resulted in the bag getting saturated and everything leaking into the upholstery of my car. What I did eat of the food was good. I had the chicken salad with the potato, eggplant, and tabouli sides. I don't know if I will be back though since I mostly order out and their containers are not very portable at all.
(3)Yezdi D.
Don't get scared by the Chipotle reference made by others. If you like food then come here & eat. The food is phenom & the lemonade was something out of this world. On first look the portion seems small but don't get fooled by it. It's sure to fill you up.
(5)Sasha B.
Yum!! And I don't say that lightly. Fresh and flavorful. Brand new location with cool atmosphere!
(5)Chris B.
Chipotle meets Mediterranean. The cumin-carrot salad is worth going back for alone. Though they did not have the free frozen yogurt, everything they did have surpassed their competition.
(4)Carmen M.
My daughter told me about this new place near the theater. So i tried it out with some of my friends and wow it was really good! I had the lamb and beef with rice ,egg plant, and two other sides. The lamb was very tender and full of flavor. the prices were reasonable and the service was also great. I definitely will be coming back!
(5)Jon S.
We have another iteration of the Chipotle theme- fast, relatively healthy food at a reasonable price. Yalla a is a combination of many Mediterranean cuisines, ranging from Turkish to Greek. Basically you choose a protein, add whole grains and potato variations and enjoy! Proteins are cooked over an open grill at 1000 degrees, leading to moist, fresh food. Our table had chicken variations and salads. The salads include cabbage and various greens. Entrees top off around $10, and portions are generous. We talked to the owner, who is Greek, and he comped us the Greek frozen yoghurt over baklava. This turned out to be a "don"t miss". We certainly will return and hope the concept is very successful! BTW, yalla means "hurry up" in Arabic.
(5)Ira C.
Epitome of flavors. Great concept for fresh, healthy meal. My wife's new fave. Michael & his new staff (only opened a little more than a week ago) made it a welcoming event. Their chicken was hormone/antibiotic free and the salmon was wild. Great salads & sides. You will enjoy everything, we did!
(5)Dan B.
Came here after playing ultimate in walnut creek. We asked if the rest of the group who went to get chipotle could join us on the patio. The owner said, "sure, as long as I can try to convert them." Which he proceeded to do. He brought out tastes of the vegetable sides, the carrot salad and the beet-arugula salad were delicious. Then he brought out the kofta kabobs, sirloin, and chicken shawarma. The chicken shawarma blew everyone away. One of the guys who got chipotle said, "I made a huge mistake." Had to go back inside to get some beer, 21st amendment and lagunitas, next time I'll try the wine on tap. I guess he was worried we weren't convinced, cause to top it off, he brought out Greek yogurt topped with baklava. That's right, baklava topping. it was incredible, the yogurt is rich and the sweetness of the honey and pastry was awesome in contrast. Wish I didn't live in Oakland so I could come back here more often.
(5)James F.
I would like to give my highest recommendation to the best podiatrist available, in my opinion. Dr. Ambrosino, I would like to thank him for the professional job that he did in taking care of this "diabetic's feet" . I had ulcers for several years and because of the attention given to me by Dr. Ambrosino, I am ulcer free. Please! oh please! if you are a diabetic please contact this man for the best professional help available for your feet. Even if you aren't a diabetic and you are having any type of problems with your feet, you must contact him. He truly rates more than a five star rating.
(5)Nar 1.
Got the salad bowl with mix of falafel and chicken. The falafel and chicken were really tasty. Good mix with the salad. Got a side of hummus but the texture wasn't quite good. A bit gummy. Eggplant side was large chunks and not creamy like I expect for the Middle Eastern style. Need to work on the hummus and eggplant but overall pretty good.
(4)Peggy M.
What a disappointment. The rice and lentils were cold, the falafel was over-cooked, no spices, very bland food. Biggest disappointment was cold roasted eggplant and no feta!! I won't be going back.
(1)Bradley W.
Let me just say it's amazing I can't get enough of their fries all of there meats have been prepped well and there are so many options for sides. Their pita bread is a little too thick for my taste, but everything else is amazing. It's my go to place for lunch especially because I work next door.
(5)Matt H.
Excellent food and service. They have some similarities to a competitive spot just down the street, however, they are different. The feta-ranch is great! Larger menu selections and more side dish options, most of which are good, though my wife much prefers the eggplant down the street. On both my visits the owner was walking around and engaging customers in a very welcoming and pleasant way. I hope this continues longer term. This will definitely go into the rotation and be among the best spots in downtown Pleasant Hill.
(5)Mark S.
Yalla's is great food, fantastic flavor, something for everyone and very healthy. Tony came to our table and made sure we were happy with our dinners. What a nice guy. I recommend giving Yalla's a must do for trying some delicious Mediterranean food. Thank you Tony for your hospitality.
(5)Cindy T.
I went for lunch yesterday and was very impressed with the food and the service. This is great food, value, and great addition to the area. I will recommend and go back many times. Keep up the good work.
(5)Mary O.
My friend claudia took me to Yalla last night. I can't help but think this is the beginning of a new and exciting era in fast food. The flavors were fabulous, the food exquisitely fresh and the price more than reasonable. In fact, this food is so labor-intensive i don't know how they can make a profit with prices so reasonable - considering labor costs. I was a quart low so I was delight to see they had Lagunitas IPA, another socially responsible company you gotta love. Mediterannean food is just about my favorite cuisine. I've been cooking with Paula Wolfert's "Cooking of Morocco" for years and years. The little conveyor belt that moves the meat skewers along is pure genius! Who invented that??? High heat cooks the food perfectly as it rotates. You've gotta see this. The eggplant salad is simply delicious. All the sides are. Colorful, healthy, fresh. I cannot think of anything negative to say about this place. Just go there. You'll love it.
(5)AJ M.
I was very impressed with this little place. I ordered the pita with kefta and it was fantastic. The sides were all great as well, and the employees were friendly and personable. The owner happened to be there and chatted politely with my family and I for a few minutes and brought us dessert on the house. Although not entirely related to the dining experience, the utensils and plates were all biodegradable; it was clear the establishment was environmentally friendly. We will definitely be visiting again.
(5)Jennifer N.
This is a great addition to Downtown Pleasant Hill and, I think, what is sure to become a new favorite spot for me. As others have mentioned, it's a build your own meal concept, Meditteranean style. The interior is simple but cozy with bright blue trim throughout. There's a combination of rustic wall planters, repurposed wood counters in the entrance and sleek, modern seating. The owner welcomed everyone as they came in and made recommendations and explained how it all works. On a chilly night like tonight, the falafel plate with lentils seemed like the way to go. Their lentils were absolutely superb and I could honestly just have those over rice and leave happy. As for my three sides (whether you get a plate, salad, wrap or pita, each comes with three sides) I choose the Morrocan Carrot salad, tabouli and green pea mint salad. Everything was fresh, full of flavor and a nice light accompaniment to the rice, lentils and falafel. As for the falafels themselves, they were seasoned and nice & crisp on the outside. They were smaller in size, which was perfect, because you get four and lets face it-the plate is A LOT of food. After eating too many sweets and heavier holiday foods over the last two days, this was a fresh and healthy option that was quite satisfying. My boyfriend got the salmon wrap and it seemed to be a generous portion of salmon, along with his selected toppings-they offer tahini, feta, cucumbers and other fresh looking veggies and sauces to add to wraps and pitas. He enjoyed his meal as well. For his sides, he opted for the fries, hummus and Greek potato salad as his sides. I tasted the potato salad and it was very flavorful as well. I'd love for them to open a location in Walnut Creek-there are a few shopping plazas away from downtown WC that are lacking in interesting food options. I they think Yalla could do well there. Friendly service, excellent food and super reasonable prices (our two meals and two drinks came to $23)-not bad for a Friday night dinner!
(5)Amanda Y.
It's like Mediterranean Chipolte. Place looked a little worse for the wear, but I assume it was because they had just gotten out of a long dinner rush. Food wise it's pretty decent. I had the steak on a salad, dressing was good, although definitely would ask for it on the side.
(3)Meme J.
Really great, but they need to offer much better wines. If they did, I would be there more often for dinner.
(4)Patrizia C.
I'm so happy I found this place! Love that on their menu they specify which foods are gluten free, dairy free and vegan. The good is so tasty, healthy and at a really, really good price. Will be back for sure!! P.S. Their plates, utensils, cups and even straws are compostable!!!
(5)Michelle W.
Took the family there for lunch for Father's Day. Let me tell you... it's so good! Hubby and I had the special wrap. The potato salad, fries and Tabouli Salad were fresh and delish! The 8 year old had the kids salmon over rice with potato salad and fries. The 4 year old at his brother's fries. ;-) The restaurant was packed and had a long line, but it moved fast. We sat outside and enjoyed the plaza. Wish I had room for dessert, but will have to try it next time. You know that the place is a hit when an 8 year old asked when we can go back.
(5)Terri N.
What a great little place! We visited Yalla for lunch on their 4th day in business and the moment we walked in the door, we felt like welcome guests! The owner/manager, seeing us studying the menu to get an idea of how the place worked, called to us to come up and he would explain the menu to us. So polite and wonderfully helpful, he broke it all down for us, and was also training his staff at the same time on the proper assembly and amounts of each item. We were all learning together, I thought that was pretty nifty! As others have said, this is Mediterranean Chipotle - you choose bowl, salad, wrap or pita, choose your protein and toppings, then you select 3 sides. I opted for the Shalafel wrap, a classic Greek style wrap filled with grilled spiced chicken and falafel balls. Per the owner's suggestion, I topped my wrap with hummus, tomato and cucumber salad, pickled cabbage and tahini sauce. Watching it all be made right in front of you, including the meat fresh off the grill, is quite fabulous - so rarely do we get to see our meals come together before our eyes! I was at first a bit overwhelmed by the next step - choose THREE sides?? The sandwich was sizeable enough! But ok, let's do this - first gotta get those fresh french fries topped with a feta sauce, and I tried to round it all out a bit with the tabouli salad, and the mint & pea salad. To my delight, portions of sides are quite small, so the variety is now a true treat. All this food for $8 and change, unbelievable! The sandwich was very tasty, I especially enjoyed the heavy spices on the grilled chicken. No surprise of course that those feta fries were BOMB, they're gonna become famous in the area for that killer side. The tabouli was bright and fresh, and the mint and pea salad was very refreshing. All the flavors were subtle and built up slowly on the palate, a sure sign of food made with love and care, not rushed or processed. Another MAJOR highlight - all plates, silverware and cups are 100% recycleable. I will most definitely be back! I hope with time the quality of the service and the freshness of the food doesn't waver, but only time will tell. As of today, Day 4, they have definitely earned a loyal customer. They most definitely beat the pants off Gotta Eatta Pita a few doors down.
(4)Natasha M.
Great deal.. delicious food. I love the chicken. Ordered the salmon twice and was disappointed both times.
(4)Jessica F.
Really delicious! I'm always looking for a good Mediterranean place and I think I've found it. I've been twice and ordered the yalla plate both times, once falafel and one shalafel. The yalla plate, I think, is your best bet because you get so much for what you pay for. I always end up so full after I eat here! I also live how you get to pick three sides and from the ones I've had they all are delicious. The place itself is also very nicely decorated and I appreciate that they encourage separating your trash when your done into recyclables and compostable material. The staff is also always super friendly. Would recommend to others and will for sure be back.
(5)Rich P.
Try the chicken skewer! Or the chicken shawarma. The fattoush was awesome, as was the potato salad. Their hummus and tzatziki were great too. Everyone was very helpful and friendly, although at times it looked like some employees were a bit lost.
(4)Jonathan R.
Yalla combines the style of dining that Chipotle is known for but adds a mediterranean twist. In four easy steps you get to make your personalized mediterranean meal. Plus with the manager on the line training the new employees the experience was made that much easier. Step 1: Choose your style. You get four to choose from. Stuffed pita, salad, wrap or the yalla plate. All pretty self explanatory. Step 2. Pick your protein. They have multiple skewers to pick from including kefta, salmon, steak and chicken. Chiicken shwarma, falafel or the famous shalafel. Step 3. Pick your sauces and toppings. They thave the typical mediterranean spreads including hummus, spicy hummus, tahini and tzatziki. Some of the fresh ingredients include olives, cucumbers, pickled cabbage, feta, tomatoes and many more. Step 4. Choose up to three Yalla sides. Hands down, a must have are the Yalla fries. Also available: Pea and mint salad, tabouli salad, Greek potato salad, arugula and beet salad plus a few others. My order consited of a shalafel wrap with spicy hummus, tomato and cucumber salad and pickled cabbage. As was expected, the wrap tasted amazing. The chicken shwarma and falafel are both flavored with excellence. The freshness from the tomato and cucumber salad brings a refreshig balance and the pickled cabbage brings the perfect amount of accidity. A true harmony in flavor. My three sides consisted of: Yalla fries (a must have), Greek potato salad and the arugula and beet salad. The yalla fries are fried perfectly and topped with a creamy feta ranch. Delicious is an understatement when it comes to describing the taste. The Greek potato salad was great and not to covered in mayo like most potato salads. It actually tasted like potatoes. The arugula and beet salad was good and like the pickled cababge in my wrap, it brought the perfect amount of accidity needed. I hope Yalla's stays around for quite a while. A restaurant with both amazing food and service is hard to find.
(5)Jane M.
Came here with my teenage son on a weekday, 20 minutes before they were closing. We LOVEd Daphneys, so we decided to give this place a shot. And we are glad we did! Very nice decor, sharp and clean. You can see the kitchen,- always great to see how your food is being handled. The staff,- Super!!! Every person who helped us was very friendly and helpful! Will we go back?- yes, in a heartbeat! What can be improved? - I think this place is missing a TIP Jar!
(5)Miss H.
5 star food and 5 star customer service. I love all the healthy options and efficiency this place offers. Friendly, fast, and affordable are hard to come by. The sides are all really delicious. I originally used this place for catering and when I came to pick it up everything looked to good I got myself some extra to take home. They have wrap options and plate options with chicken, salmon, or veggies only. They also have an eggplant side, hummus (a spicy option too), a couple salads like cous cous or tabouli. Their sauces are my favorite and they will let you try them on the side. There was a mix up with the tip I left on the card I paid with. As soon as I called it in, Tammy and Richard had the issue resolved by the end of that business day. There was no run around and the people were helpful and truly listened and cared. I will definitely be back! Try their catering, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Rebecca P.
So good! The shalafel is awesome- get it street style! The falafel is chickpeas and fol. Yummy!
(5)Kimberly F.
After having been disappointed for a while by the food I first tried at Yalla in the Walnut Creek location, I decided to give it another shot at the Pleasant Hill location with my boyfriend. Disclaimer: the locations aren't different when it comes to the food. It wasn't the location that changed my mind. I tried some of the same things I got the first time but without falafel and opted for the salmon skewers instead. I also went without adding some of the sauces they suggested to add at the walnut creek location. My boyfriend got pretty much the same thing he did at first but without falafel. After having ordered everything, I realized that feta fries are an option when it comes to the 3 sides you get with your plate so I brought it to their attention. Ready to pay for it, I waited as they gathered up some fries with the sauce for me. They added it to the side of my plate and told me it was complimentary this time. Very kind of them. I had this plate packed with goodies and upon taking my first few bites, I felt a completely different experience compared to my first time trying Yalla. Even my boyfriend said the same thing. The rice, lentils, and veggies underneath your choice of protein or meat mashed so well. The beets didn't disappoint. The fries weren't anything out of this world but they were super nice with the creamy feta dip (tasted much like ranch but better) to have at a Mediterranean place along side all this great food. Super kid friendly too, might I add. :) Hummus is always great to pair with your meal, especially since you're getting a complimentary pita (awesome) with your plate. Also, their spicy sauce (I forget the name) has just the right amount of kick and the flavor is great. It all tasted so fresh and flavorful. The customer service at this location was also on point. They did a good job of employing those individuals.. Very welcoming and personable. They each had a good sense of humor as well! Ha! I'm so close to this place so I'll definitely be back! Might end up cheating on GEP a bit more! Hehe
(4)Jeannine C.
Found this restaurant through yelp and I'm so glad I trusted the reviewers. You walk in and notice it's a new feel and great way to order. You select and build your entree. If you are like me and you're very particular then this place is awesome. I talked the staff into letting me try small samples of each side. Everything was fresh fresh and delicious. I had the salmon which was grilled perfectly. The best part is the packaging at this place was so earth friendly. The decor was hip and thoughtful. If your reading this review and debating if you should go to this restaurant, GO. Make sure you check in for the special surprise. I got a free frozen yogurt which was insanely good. More restaurants should be like this. One final note, the staff was funny, cheerful and they all were so willing to let me have smaller samples. Great attitude by the manager which is always good for restaurants as it trickles down to the staff. We will return!
(5)Dylan S.
Good quality food. A tad pricey but completely worth it. Very quick. I've been back several times. We need more quality food like this place and less Five Guys.
(5)Elsa T.
Love the concept and the execution. Fresh modern place with vibrant sides. A new lunch favorite.
(5)Matthew W.
Came in looking for some great falafel + shawarma, but was mostly left with a big "meh" after experiencing my local fave (Gotta Eatta Pita... you know it was going to come up somewhere in this review, it's basically next door). So I ordered the shalafel pita bread, but it didn't come with much on it. Only 2 falafel. Oh well. At least I get 3 sides... but after downing my shalafel three different cold veggies just weren't very appetizing. I guess I could try to fit some of them on the pita bread, but it's folded so there isn't much space. This place is also a bit pricier. Shwarma was great and overall everything was okay, but it's just not the way I expect / enjoy. I would prefer to have a giant stuffed pita bread with everything in it. I'm relatively new to Mediterranean, but if this was the first place I went to I would have hesistated to try it again.
(2)Gus B.
This has easily become my new favorite spot to eat. Everything tastes so fresh and awesomely good! Fast and efficient service, personable staff . They take time to explain to you what's what if you are unfamiliar with your order. The place is super clean and nice touch with the repurposed wood they use to decorate the place. The tatziki sauce is to die for. Oh! And the beet and kale side salad, A-Maziiing!!! All the flavors are subtle and sure to please your palate if you are craving Mediterranean food (I hope I spelled that right, lol). If you are in town or just merely driving through this part of the east bay... This place is a must stop and eat. Enjoy!!!
(5)maria v.
My first time coming here I was walking around when they were just getting ready to open this place and they had there menu outside so people can see what kind of food they would be serving. The food is really good and full of all kinds of flavors.I had the salmon skewer with rice and lentil.yummmy
(5)Gina T.
Great replacement for Daphne's! We have been to this location and the one on Ygnacio in WC, and this one is by far more spacious and lively. Really enjoyed the chicken skewers - although it would be great to have more protein in the meal without having to pay more. The three "sides" are generally pretty good. I like the beets, potatoes, and fries. My husband likes the carrot salad and slaw, which basically covers almost all the sides. They also serve a small pita which is warm and chewy...just the right amount for the meal. Great stop for something quick and light, but not exactly a bargain considering the scant protein they serve.
(4)Denise F.
The salmon skewers are awesome.. The people are really nice and the food is really good! It took my a while to figure out what to order, and everyone was really patient & helpful! I'd never been to a skewer place before, but everything my friend & I had was really good & we would definitely come here again! I love the herb garden on the wall with the chalkboard sayings! Makes me wanna do that inside my house too!
(5)Denise J.
I found out about this place after they liked one of my obligatory healthy food post on Instagram, HA! I was in the area and decided to see what they're all about. For the price you get A LOT of food. What I ordered: Kefta skewer with sides Moroccan carrot salad, Greek eggplant salad, and arugula and beet salad Chicken shawarma plate with the same sides Both meats were delicious! The beet salad, well it's a beet salad so nothing crazy. The carrot and eggplant salad were the side winners. Not the most amazing Mediterranean food, but for the quality of the food, amount that you receive and price I will come back. Since it was my first time here I was hoping that the employee working would be able to give me a little more information on how to order and recommendations, but she seemed really stressed and I had to ask questions to figure it out. It seemed a big unorganized when I was there, but I am not going to mark them down for this. It is clear that they are still in the process of training new employees.
(5)Venus S.
I came in today because I've been having the craving for their Kefta and mint salad. This review isn't about the food but the service I got from their staff. I ordered a couple of Kefta wraps. I am not familiar with how they serve their food, and did not have the time nor patience to read their board. To make he story short, the young girl looked so unhappy and very short with patience with me. I asked for the fixings and I thought it was lacking, so I asked for a bit more. She grabbed three little cutting of lettuce.. Yes 3! They had sauce or dressings, and so I asked what they were. One of her lady co worker asked her and she just ignored. I wish that Yalla would train their employees to be be better with their customer service. I am not pleased at all. I was so annoyed to even enjoy my meal. I am having second thought about taking my family to eat here again.
(2)Peter N.
We'd come here during the Yelp Elite Event, and service was awesome. I did have some corcerns about the food end, but it wasn't a big deal. However, it does feel like the quality has done down. I shared a plate with my girlfriend and tried her vege items. I honestly couldn't stomach any of it. Everything has a bitterness to it that I just can't get past - the 3 sides and the rice. At the elite event, there was an awesome jasmine rice, but this was something else. And the sides I just wouldn't be able to finish. Maybe my palette is sensitive, I don't know (I can't eat raw onions or beets), but it was disappointing. The best part though - with the $5 coupon and Yelp checkin for a free frozen yogurt the whole deal was only $4. But I'd have a hard time justifying coming back.
(3)David B.
How does this place have such great reviews? I was sadly disappointed. Pita was awful it was like a hamburger bun Hummus had very little flavor and was a small portion (which was ok in this case) Rice - plain Lentils - plain Side salads - plain (except beet and kale salad) Steak was very good and fresh and the beets in the beet and kale salad were nice but otherwise completely disappointing experience.
(1)Katherine W.
Delicious food, amazing service, and cheery modern atmosphere. Yalla (which means "hurry up" / "let's get going") is a brand-new concept by Daphne's California Greek chain. I'd say it's proving to be a great success. The set up is an assembly line, and you get your choice of meats or falafel, prepared as a pita wrap, plate, or salad. There are various toppings and sauces, and you also get to choose 3 sides. The staff is unusually and impressively kind, patient, and cheerful. They are happy to explain everything and let you taste samples The portions are generous! I have a large appetite and this definitely satisfies. My boyfriend has a ginormous appetite (the kind everyone comments on) so he always orders an extra side of meat -- and that's the perfect amount of food for him. Still, save room for dessert, because the frozen Greek yogurt is amazing with their specialty toppings, especially the crumbled honey baklava. Yalla as a whole is a very happy place, thanks in part to the enthusiastic staff. The deep sky blue and lemon yellow colors of the decor somehow enhance the cheery modern vibe. For CILANTRO HATERS -- here's some advice on eating at Yalla: -- These sides are safe: Greek potato salad, Moroccan carrot salad, Yalla fries, and Greek eggplant salad. Some of those contain parsley, but NOT cilantro. -- These sides are not: pea and mint salad, Turkish cabbage slaw, and tabouli salad. -- If you're ordering a Yalla plate, you're safe with the lentils and grilled vegetables, BUT stay away from the rice pilaf (it contains cilantro) and ask for pita instead.
(4)rita N.
Ok the food is yummy and the concept is good, however, while dining at this place yesterday I overheard many people confused as to the type of cuisine this place serves (It's Greek, It's Moroccan, etc.) I would say Middle Eastern/Mediterranean is accurate since much of the food is shared amongst many cultures and countries in the region - Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, Morocco, Syria, Iraq and all of the rest of the Arab states. BUT when you look at the website and see how they define Yalla as meaning "Let's Go" in many Mediterranean languages, I would say this is disingenuous as Yalla only means "Let's go" in one language - Arabic! As a Middle Easterner myself who speaks Arabic, this particular point was getting on my nerves as if admitting to Yalla's association with anything Arab would be a bad thing. However, moving beyond this point of contention I did think the food was fresh tasting and the side salads yummy and plentiful. The steak was so-so but I'm game to go back and try the other main entrees such as chicken, falafel and salmon which all looked good. Personally, I love the choose your own concept and the affordability of Yalla and would definitely recommend. Now if only they could be a little clearer about their origins... If they wanted to be more Greek or Turkish they could have called it "Páme" or "Haydi Gidelim!"
(4)Diogo F.
I just came back from there and really didn't understand all the hype. The food is ok, nothing special. I understand the idea of cooking to order, but when I received my protein all the aides were cold. The food portion was on the small size for me. The protein is almost nothing!!! Mine was super dry btw. The fries wee simple fries, just added a feta ranch that was good ( the next flavor of the meal).
(3)Amy Z.
I'm not often in this area, but we attended the Elite event when the restaurant opened and it was by far the best Elite event I've ever been to. The owners really rolled out all the stops and went above and beyond in making everyone happy. I love the decor, probably the best decor of any franchise or chain that I've seen. It's really bright and drives home the sentiment that Mediterranean cuisine is very natural. Large amount of staff running the joint, and they seem like they are organized. In terms of food, I think the amount of food as it relates to the price is a really good value. Both times I've been here, I've had the kefta and it's been pleasing on all levels. However, the flavor of the sides is underwhelming to me. The positive is that the range can cover virtually any diet, which is important for a restaurant to do these days. Without trying the other chains in the plaza, I would have to say that this is the best food option especially for outdoor dining.
(3)Gabriel D.
I would give this place 6 stars out of 5 if I could. This establishment earns my highest praise. I highly highly recommend eating here if you're ever in the area. You will not regret it. The portion size is just right. All the workers are very friendly. The owner seems like a nice and jolly guy who cares about making sure his customers have the best experience possible. And the pita bread. We asked for more, twice, and they happily gave us more after I asked. Service is top notch, the chicken shawarma I ordered was very flavorful. Everything was great. If you're outside debating on going inside to try this place out, stop reading this review and head on in! You won't regret it. Gabe 2/6/2015 6:50PM
(5)Suzi F.
Falafel burnt, bread not warm. Salads okay. This restaurant started out good but it has definitely slid downward on my scale.
(3)Josh O.
We've been going from day one since they opened. At first food wasn't very consistent. At times it was great and seasoned well and at others it was bland and overcooked. If you noticed this as well and stopped going I suggest you give it another shot! Yalla has made strides in getting their food consistent and tasting great. The last few times I've gone I cleared my plate completely. I love their pea and mint side as well as their potato salad. Rather than getting lentils or grilled veggies try a mix of both, they go really well together. The staff is friendly and their place is always super clean. All this talk about Yalla makes me hungry. I think we'll be heading there tomorrow.
(4)Daniel H.
This place replaced Daphne's Greek Food, and definitely for the better. Based on the credit card statement, I think they are still owned by the same company, but I could be wrong about that. This place has some really neat and fresh looking items. I got the falafel and shawarma salad with a side of the beet salad. It was really good, and I ate the whole thing. They have a slough of other options, and I need to get back there to give them a try. If you're in the area, I would highly recommend giving it a try!
(4)Kitty T.
Yalla Mediterranean is a very good addition to the Pleasant Hill restaurant scene. It is fast, friendly, and the food is reasonable. What I like about this restaurant (casual fast food) is you can see the different food items upfront - like a Build your own Salad type. (Similar to Suway and Chipotle). There are a lot of options to choose from - plate dish, sandwich/wrap or salad. I always get the salad version with falafel and I experiment with the different salad dressings (tzatziki, blue cheese, etc) and toppings (cabbage coleslaw, carrot, eggplant, peas, and others). They serve their food with a slice of pita bread and you can ask for hummus too! You can also ask for the red harissa and green sauce. They have purified tap water. I tried their yogurt with baklava - heavenly. Clean restroom, mall parking, and quick service. I truly enjoy it when the owner is around because he let's me try the different toppings and dressings generously and he explains the cultural significance of each. ;-) Look for him. He always visits everyone as well. Excellent customer service.
(5)Adriana A.
My first time going to Yalla, the food was really good! The set up is similar to chipotle or Piology, you walk in there is a greeter and you start your order and work your way down. So we I walked in and grabbed a menu which were right in front but was quickly greeted with a friendly Hello and welcome. She asked if I had been there before and I replied with no so she explained how it worked; first you pick a protein I got the steak skewers (very full of flavor, and well done although I prefer my steak to be medium rare. But still good) then you choose how you would like your food on a rice place, pita, or salad. I chose rice plate with veggies (the other option is lentils) then you get three sides (I got the fries with sauce on the side, Greek potato salad and a refreshing couscous type salad) everything was really yummy! So for the food and a drink it was a little under $12. Staff was friendly, food was yummy and I will be coming back. Although it was a chilly day and it was lunch time so the inside was kind of full, we ate outside and the heaters were off which would have made the dining experience better if they were on. All and all great experience.
(4)Dave Q.
Back again because this place ROCKS! Such good food, quality is amazing. Service is great
(5)Seanbria T.
We absolutely love this place! We got here at least four or five times a month. The food is extremely fresh and flavorful. As vegetarians, we order the falafel wrap, which comes with fresh side dishes. Try the potatoes and the Moroccan carrots! They are extremely friendly here, and go out of their way to please. Atmosphere is nice, and we especially enjoyed the touches like the reclaimed Farmwood which accents the interior.
(5)Ruth K.
Love, love, love this concept. It's a Mediterranean version of Chipotle with similar pricing. Delicious, fast, fresh meals with tasty meats and REMARKABLY good salads and veggies. For ONE price, you choose one of four "Styles" (Wrap, Stuffed Pita, Salad, and Plate), then select one of six meat/protein options, then any number of topping and sauce options, and, finally, three out of nine side salad/vegetable options. Both my husband and I had the Chicken Shawarma, which was tender and well seasoned. With that came rice pilaf and some grilled vegetables (loved the sweet potatoes) or spicy lentils. In addition, we got to choose those three sides. I had Arugula and Beet salad (my favorite), Turkish Slaw (tangy, crunchy red and green cabbage), and Tabouli Salad--all well spiced, fresh, and very tasty. My husband was also impressed with his Greek Eggplant and Moroccan Carrot salads. I detest boring vegetables and this place will make you want to eat your vegetables! Dessert was thick, creamy, tart Greek Yogurt (evidently, nonfat) with chopped pieces of sweet Baklava over top. That tart and sweet are a great flavor combination. I only write reviews when I really hate something or I really like something--and I like this place a lot. It's great value for the money and I felt like I did both my taste buds and my body a favor eating there. I hope they keep up the quality and are open for a long time. We will be back often if they do.
(5)Christine D.
Loved it! Great selections and food. The servers weren't friendly but hopefully they will be next time.
(5)Robert R.
This is a dessert review only!! This was the old Daphne's, but now it was converted to a Yalla's. I had already eaten dinner, but I was intrigued by the Greek Yogurt with Baklava. I had seen as a postings on the Yelp event Yallla had hosted and wanted to try it out myself. The Greek yogurt was accompanied with baklava bits and drizzled with honey. Sweet but not super sweet. The owner (Mike), seemed friendly and informative. They have beer and wine options should you want an alcoholic beverage with your food. The place looks like it has decent and a variety of choices for the food options. I will try next time for either a Lunch or dinner options. For those readers in Walnut Creek, they are also converting the old " Daphne's Greek cafe" near Heather Farms too and will be open in the near future.
(4)Leafar D.
Its my boyfriend and I's first time here. My boyfriend, who's very picky, actually liked this place, too. Its affordable and very fulfilling. For $10 you can get a meal that can satisfy a 6feet tall guy. I didnt want to get, so I just went with thier Yalla Favorite, and I wasn't disappointed at all! Plus their greek yogurt with baklava tasted really good. Not too sweet, not too sour (bc of the greek yogurt). I will definitely bring my friends here.
(5)Rachel G.
This is the best fast food style Mediterranean food we have ever had. It's chipotle style ordering, and they have plenty of denoted gluten free options. They have gluten free falafel which is amazing in itself!!
(5)Robert G.
Nice choices and quick servcie and decent quality food.
(4)Anthony B.
I have found my "Go to" restaurant. On the way to the movies, I stopped in for dinner. It was a busy Friday night in downtown PH and the wait was about 10 minutes for me to order. I can imagine the wait getting to be less and less over time, as patrons get used to this new concept. Think of a Mediterranean Chipotle. You choose one of 4 types of basic platter. A plate, with basmati rice and choice of lentils or grilled veggies, a stuffed pita, a pita wrap or a salad. You then get a choice of several meats or Falafel. Finally, some sides. I choose the plate with Basmati rice and lentils, falafel and sides of eggplant, pea and mint salad and the beet salad. All were delicious, contrasting colors, favors and spice levels. The eggplant was very spicy. Loved it. The peas were crunchy, telling me how fresh they were. All this for less than 9 bucks. The owner thanked me personally for coming in, after my meal. A very nice touch after a great value meal. I'll be there for lunch today.
(5)Patrick S.
This place is great! My family and I really loved our recent visit. I suppose the phrase "this place is the Chipolte of X-cuisine" is a little tired, but this place IS totally the Chipolte of Mediterranean food. Though perhaps that understates the awesomeness of this place. I especially loved the wide variety of meats, side dishes and other customizations to your meal. I tried both the grilled chicken and the falafal, with grilled veggies over rice, hummus, french fries and a med-style cole slaw salad. Everything was great, especially the pita that came on the side. The falafal was the only thing that wasn't great, not sure if it was over cooked or what but it had a crumbly texture and the flavor was off.
(4)Teo D.
Good Med/Greek food. If you are in the PHill area and want something light and healthy I would say stop here.
(4)Trevor W.
Ok I'm impressed. I was referred to this place by a neighboring business. First impression was a Mediterranean Chipotle style restaurant. It was a little confusing being my first time with unfamiliar food options. But everything was explained clearly and with a smile. Maybe I was extra hungry, but the food was exceptionally delicious. With only three locations I don't think I'll be able to eat here again for awhile because I don't live locally. But I will look forward to another meal at Yalla's at some point. A perfect ending to an already satisfying meal was the Greek Soft Serve Yogurt topped with honey & some sort of pastry bits that I can't pronounce; compliments of the Yelp check-in offer. Oh yea, and try out the home made pomegranate lemonade. It gets a thumbs up too.
(5)Brian G.
The food was alright. Maybe I don't like Mediterranean cuisine, oh well. It was interesting to try, but I won't be back again by my own choice. Shawarma was good, but everything else was too weird for me. They had fries as a side, but it was clear no one ordered them because they tasted like they had been sitting out for a while and got a little soggy. If served fresh I think they would have been decent fries. Decent food for an okay price. But just not my cup of tea.
(3)James R.
Not a bad first visit here. Finally came down here with my girlfriend tonight after hearing some really good things about the spot. It's very "chipotle like" with a modern kind of set up (lots of steel plain things that give off a clean feeling) mixed with the pita background. I ordered the chicken shawarma on a pita with the sides of carrots, potato salad and the mint pea salad. I had my pita made "traditional" with humus and other assortments put onto it. Right off the bat I was disappointed with the side dishes. I wouldn't consider myself "picky" I'm the type of person that at least tries something before determining I don't like it, but I gotta say they had a lot of cilantro in all of the sides I got and that's all I felt like I could taste! I'm not a big cilantro fan to begin with and this sort of just took me out of it. My girlfriend had the fries and (I know this sounds terrible), but next time I might just get fries on the side. The pita on the other hand was awesome! It had a lot of flavor and mixed well with the pita bread. I also received a free Greek yogurt because of my Yelp check in (yay!) so I had that with the baklava topping and honey it was also delicious! The staff was nice and friendly. Both my girlfriend and I agreed we would definitely come by again and try something else too just not the cilantro ridden side dishes!
(4)Stephen M.
I finally got a chance to try out Yalla when they opened the new location in Walnut Creek. Way better than gotta eat a pitta is my first impression. I read up on their background and with all the experience these guys have, there is no excuse for not coming up with a winner. Something new that doesn't in the fast/casual space. On top of that, they source locally, are good to their employees and use only fresh ingredients. For Americans, the tastes are different and will take some getting used to, but for foodies that like to have a new experience, it's worth taking a stroll on the 'wild side'. I'm pretty sure everyone can find something that will whet their appetite and keep them coming back. The sides are especially interesting and tasteful and not to be confused with some limp fries or greens that are un-lovingly thrown on most plates of fast food in America. I could make a meal of just the sides (I tried the carrot salad, eggplant and greek potatoes). The Chicken Shawarma I tried was spiced well, but not too hot, so if you like it hotter, just slap on some of the green spicy sauce. I loved that the grilled vegetables included just a tad of sweet potatoes, giving them a sweet note on top of the savory. Instead of the same old Chipotle, try something different.
(5)Trevor W.
We tried the family platter last night, chose the chicken skewer and falafel as the main entrees. We had the meal as takeout and it was well package although some of the sides were packaged with little dividers and once you start digging in some of the sides can mix which could be an issue if you had certain dietary concerns or did not particularly like one. We thought the meal was a fair value. Removing one star as we have all had tastier falafel and the rice was a little bland. Overall we all (3 of us) thought the meal was good and had a nice selection, the food was fresh and good quality. The restaurant looked very inviting and the people seemed nice although I just experienced this on my 2 minute pickup.
(4)Carissa F.
I went back to yalla ' s today. The lady who greater me was excellent. She was nice, had a conversation, and etc. The food, since I was also taking out with my dad I pretty much had all of their major side dishes. I feel I have had better sadly. You can tell everything was made fresh, you can feel the crunch, but the pallete like the yogurt, it all overly sour. There was no balance for that taste buds. So alot of the dishes were great, but it is like chugging alot of Italian dressing til you don't want it. The pita excells a little better because you get more options, lamb tastes great, and pita bread is exactly like a tasty greek one. But where it falls short, alot of the items need to be warmer. When I got home the pita was already cold and doesn't taste or feel as good when eaten in the store. Overall if they had more flavors to their sides, I would eat there more often. Other wise, I would rather eat at Daphenes or other better restaraunt greek or Mediterranean places.
(3)Crystal B.
Ordered the Yalla Plate with Chicken. So yummy love the grilled vegetables!!! The sides I choose beet and kale to die for!! Greek eggplant always my favorite and Turkish slaw yummy!!!! I love that they have a gluten free menu as well!
(5)Peg C.
Really wanted to like this place but it just didn't jive for me. The staff was inexperienced and not very friendly. Food was well seasoned but portions were too large for me. I'd rather have an entree with the choice of one or two sides and charged accordingly rather than paying a higher price and having to choose three sides. Not going back.
(2)Jacqueline J.
Fresh and delicious!! the employees are very nice and helpful as well. The best part is unlocking the free yogurt dessert (balaclava yogurt topping) which was so good! I'm coming back here for sure :)
(5)Hosai H.
I live in Emeryville and anytime I stop into the area, I make sure to visit Yalla at this location for lunch. Get the Falafel plate every time.
(5)Katherine M.
Good for coming a few times but I can see how this place can get old pretty fast. It is similar to chipotle in the way that you can pick out a bunch of toppings for your food. The salads are all well made, the meat is decent (a little on the dry side). I would recommend the eggplant salad and the beet salad; both great options. Very affordable; and the frozen yogurt with baklava on top is great! Overall, a good place to get some food fast and very affordable.
(4)Jason R.
Nice space very modern and clean, however I felt the food itself was a little underwhelming. It's not bad, just not that great either.
(3)Nayla M.
So excited! Visiting from out of town and completely in love!!! Just go... Your tastebuds will be so happy with you!
(5)Brianna W.
First the positives! The restaurant is beautiful. Very clean, bins for recycling and compost. Modern, fresh decor with mixed materials in a cool color scheme. Very visually clean and comforting. The story behind the ingredients was great. Who doesn't love fresh food fast? I placed an online order at 6:50pm for pick-up at 7:10pm. I arrived at 7:05pm. I spoke to the person at the counter and was told that my order was just about to be made. No problem! I stepped to the side. A few minutes later, she shouted over that they were going to be making my order soon. Ok, no problem. I saw them bagging up an order only to have the girl call over, "They're going to finish with this order first, then they'll make yours." Now with the third time of being told this, I was wondering how much longer it would be. Then the woman came from behind the counter to let me know that my kid's meal included another side (the online order system didn't let me add it, so that may need to be fixed). Finally, they were putting together my order. I had food in hand by 7:20pm. Please don't offer specific times for food pick up if my order isn't even going to be started until well past that time. There wasn't a line out the door or anything, many tables were empty. The staff behind the counter seemed to be struggling to communicate and keep up though. They had to call for side pita 3 different times before it was actually filled. It looked a bit chaotic and confusing. Got my food home and more mixed reviews. Rice was good, roasted veggies instead of lentils was a "meh" choice. Some limp pieces of zucchini and summer squash. Fries were fries, great with the tzatziki. The chicken shwarma was way over seasoned, the marinade coating was thick and grainy. The seasoning had a decent flavor, just way too much. The steak kabob was great though! Spot on flavor and surprisingly tender. Greek potato salad was ok, cabbage salad could use a little more acid. Tabouleh was almost inedible. The bulgur was VERY underdone and almost crunchy. I've never had a tabouleh that had so much bulgur either, its usually a minor part of the salad and the fresh herbs/veg is the star. Disappointing. One thing to note is that the value on the kids meal or kabob add on i questionable. Both instances only include three bite size chunks of meat. I understand that the add-on is very inexpensive, but I expected at least a few more pieces on the kids meal. I'm glad I added the additional meat to the main meal, my kid had no problem finishing the proteins! The amount of rice was a bit overkill for him though. Also, I paid for a side of hummus and never got it. Are things supposed to come with pita? It was really unclear, but that was missing as well. I can only assume it is supposed to be included since the woman at the counter specifically asked if I wanted extra hummus to go with our pitas and every other patron seemed to receive some. Next time we'll visit Gotta Eata Pita several doors down. The food simply wasn't awesome enough to excuse the iffy service and not getting the items I paid for.
(2)Lorissa W.
I have to say that I've been disappointed with the inconsistency of the food and service here. Since the Yelp Elite event, I came back about 4-5 times but each time, the sides tasted different. Sometimes, the carrot slaw is sweeter than other times. One side was too acidic and sour on one occasion. The keftas are either little balls or shaped like a hot dog. At our last lunch, the man who served us was afraid of scooping the food up and we got very tiny portions of the sides. We might not return for a long time. : (
(3)A B.
Went here for dinner with a friend. We loved it when it was Daphne's, so we figured it would be another good experience. Well, we were wrong. We ordered our food. Yalla is set up in a "Chipotle-style" assembly line. You choose you meat, sides, etc. I got the chicken, potato salad, and lentils. We filled our drink cups and waited for our food. It arrived and all looked great. It tasted good, cooked well. Only problem was that they forgot our pita bread. We went to ask about it and were told they ran out. I asked if we could get a substitute (like fries or something else) since they failed to tell us they ran out of pita bread and were told ''for an additional charge." First off, you don't run out of pita bread at a MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT!!!! I was more annoyed than anything. It'll be a while before we go back.
(3)Ray S.
Love this place. Went here went it opened. They give you good portion sizes of healthy food. I like healthy veggie type dishes so this place hit home with me. I recommend the chicken kabob and the beef. Both were cooked to perfection. I also like there beet salad. Humus was good too.
(5)Ori B.
Good food
(3)Sarah K.
This place is THE BOMB. The fact that every dish and side is fresh, flavorful and (dare I say it!) pretty healthy means it's the trifecta of delicious I've been waiting for. Such an upgrade from Daphne's the former storefront isn't even worth mentioning. My only request is: can I please get the recipe for the pea and mint salad and the carrot slaw!? I need those things in my life on the daily!
(5)Andrew K.
Awesome tasty fresh bountiful Greek fast food - everything was yummy! The salmon was delicious. All of it rocked.
(5)Zhi Qiang J.
This is basically kabob-style type of food in a Chipotle style restaurant. You pick the meat, the sides, and they push it down the line. I would say the food is pretty good, but nothing like what you would get from a real Persian restaurant or Kabob joint. This is more like a fast-food version. It serves it's purpose.
(4)Saddle U.
We came here in a big group late Sunday evening. We tried just about every single thing on the menu & just like family style we were eating out of other people's plates. Absolutely everything was outstanding & very very tasty. You simply can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Pick your poison & enjoy. The meats were tender, extremely flavorful & the sides were great too. Desert machine was broken so could not try that. The lemonade is truly out of this world & worth the $3 they want for it. We will be back for sure.
(5)Jose L.
Good old wholesome Mediterranean cooking. The mint and peas salad was a new one for me and it did not dissapoint. NOT a prenentious place despite it's trendy decor and music. I'll be back.
(5)Leslie R.
Healthy, fast, cheap, and delicious? You're lucky to get 2 out of 4 when dining in the PH/WC area. Fortunately, Yalla has come to town, with a variety of menu choices that can satisfy meat lovers, vegans, and those with allergies and food sensitivities. They offer a unique, and much needed approach to affordable dining that is much tastier than the casual "veggie" and "burrito" spots that have been cropping up lately. Ok, so what's unique about Yalla? 1 Menu Variety - way more interesting sides than that other medi place 2 More local/organic choices - veggies are fresher and firmer 3 Labeling for GF, Vegan, Dairy free 4 Affordable, yet tasty with good size portions 5 "Mediterranean Diet" - I've lost weight eating their food! 6 Hands on, super engaged management 7 No trash! All recycling and compost! I've eaten at Yalla many times, but my first experience was when we were being treated for dinner by friends, and I got to choose the restaurant. My dilemma? With allergies and gluten sensitivity, there were very few places I could eat safely. The organic restaurant we normally go to is super expensive, and I was getting burnt out on $25 entrees. I did a google search and found Yalla, and even though it was casual dining, I took a chance, because I saw that the menu was marked with gluten free options, which made me very hopeful. I wasn't disappointed. Upon our arrival, all of the staff were friendly and super helpful, from the servers to the management, who personally pointed out menu items that were safe for me, which turned out to be a lot! An added bonus, the servers knew how to take proper precautions to prevent gluten cross contamination. All four of us had a different, yet delicious meal. The menu offers many organic choices, and their produce and meats are consistently fresh. My go-to meal has always been the Yalla Plate with salmon, and a side of falafel. I LOVE the falafel! It's very different, made with fava beans and chick peas. I've also tried the steak and the chicken. My kids favor the lamb. Yalla's grilling technique is near perfect, creating tender meats and fish served piping hot. The chermoula sauce, a cilantro/jalapeno dip, is divine over the salmon. Between myself and my family, we've tried all the sides, and recommend them all. My personal favorites are the eggplant, carrot salad, and red cabbage. In my many visits to Yalla, I've consistently had a good experience. It's so obvious that the corporate culture is a good one, because it starts at the top. Everyone you see, every behavior on display, is a personal reflection of Business Manager Michael's, mission. Michael is almost always on-site and hands-on, dressed professionally, patiently listening to customer needs and always open to feedback. Tony, the store manager is equally friendly and engaged. The staff are always helpful and have a great attitude. The company is involved in local schools and non-profits, and understands the importance of giving back. I have no doubt that they will continue to grow and succeed on the simple premise of bringing value to the community.
(5)Brandon W.
Wow, what a great place, I tried a little bit of everything, and it was delicious. I ordered a Yalla plate of Kefta (ground beef and lamb). This was juicy and had great flavor from the spices. I then added the following sides 1. arugula and beet salad (best side) 2. Moroccan carrot salad 3. greet eggplant salad 4. a little bit of Chermoula (jalapeno spiced sauce with other herbs) to add a little heat I was able to try some of the Salmon skewer, and it was tender and juicy, but not spicy. Greek Potato salad is good, and cabbage slaw was good. The great side that someone else ordered was the Yalla Fries covered in Feta Ranch sauce. The house crafted Lemonade was great, put out the fire from the Chermoula sauce. Then we attacked dessert, the Greek Yogurt with Baklava was the best, followed bye the yogurt with Brownie. There is a huge contrast between the yogurt and sweet topping. Portion size, just about right for me, I will have to come back and try some other items.
(5)Derek D.
Real tasty, customizable menu. Choose your main, choose how you want it, then choose three sides. Everything appears to be pretty fresh and we'll spiced.
(5)Cara R.
What a great addition to Pleasant Hill! When I saw there was a new Mediterranean place, I had to ask why? I mean, Gotta Eatta Pita down the street is pretty good so why open another one? But I am SO glad they did! Yalla is like going to a burrito bar, but for Mediterranean food. You get a main entree (choice of meat in wrap or plate with rice) and try 3 of their side dishes. The sides were all good, especially the peas & mint! The falafel were fresh and delicious (I had to wait a minute extra but it was worth it), and service was friendly. Best of all, the prices are really reasonable! I will definitely be frequenting this place!
(5)Chuck D.
Me and my family really like Yalla. Their food is good. Refreshing and healthy. They serve generous portions. it's become a staple of our weekly dinner existence.
(4)Irene L.
Great place! Yalla is located in the restaurant space formerly occupied by Daphne's. It's pretty much as people describe - Chipotle meets Mediterranean, but better. I've been to Yalla's a couple of times since it's opened and I've been pretty happy with each of my visits. The restaurant is very clean and freshly decorated. The staff is very eager and friendly. At Yalla's, you choose your style (pita wrap, salad, yalla plate), pick your favorite (shalafel, falafel, chicken shawarma, kaftan skewer, salmon skewer, steak skewer, chicken skewer), add toppings, and select sides. With your order, you get three sides. So far I've tried the chicken skewer pita wrap, the yalla fries, the greek potato salad, and the turkish cabbage slaw. Everything was pretty good. The yalla fries deserve a special mention - the feta ranch sauce that comes with it is so good! Will be back again!
(4)Don And Peggy E.
Over hyped food! Gotta Eatta Pita is wayyyy better. The yalla sides are overly greasy and saucy. The eggplant here is not nicely roasted or spiced, it was really gross and cold and stringy tasting. My hubby likes this place only because they offer fries but after 2 visits and 2x upset stomach the next morning we are back to being regular's at gotta eatta pita!
(2)Michael C.
Long line to order dinner but as people have already commented, it's just like Chipotles. You order your meal and then sit down. Ordered the steak skewers which were very flavorful and tender so it was really yummy. Also had the kale/beet salad, hummus, and potato salad as sides. All good except the hummus which I thought was too tarty/sour so skip it. Plenty of seating and parking wasn't an issue since there is a structure nearby.
(4)Cynthia B.
A new interpretation in fresh, flavorful fast Mediterranean food launched in Pleasant Hill called Yalla (it means "Let's Go!"). Yalla is bound to become a favorite for anyone who wants to eat healthy with pizzazz.. The first thing I noticed when I entered was the wall of live herbs including cilantro, parsley, mint, chives, etc. used in the delicious offerings. Diners can order wraps, pitas, skewers, falafels, shawarma, and salads, all with a variety of toppings and sauces. Prices range from 7.95 to 9.50 including choices of chicken, steak, wild salmon, ground been, or lamb. Skewers are cooked to order on an open rotisserie grill and only take a minute. In my two visits I've had the Turkish spiced lamb/ground beef skewers which were amazing and the wild salmon marinated in chermoula sauce. I asked for the salmon to be cooked rare. They did it perfectly. Most impressive were the selection of sides. They were all so fantastic it will be challenging to only choose three per entrée. I've enjoyed the arugula and roasted beets with feta cheese, Greek eggplant with parsley, roasted red peppers, and balsamic onions, tabouli salad, and the peas with mint, cilantro, lettuce, and Greek yogurt. The Yalla fries with the special yogurt sauce are not to be missed-addicting! Yalla also offers local wines and craft beers on tap as well as house lemonade and iced tea. Kids will enjoy the healthy and tasty kid's plate that comes with organic milk or lemonade. On one visit I ordered the dessert of chopped baklava with soft serve Greek yogurt drizzled with honey. There is something for everyone at Yalla's including those who want dairy or gluten free. Dine in with comfortable seating indoors or on the patio with heaters, or take out when on the run, as I always am. Service was super friendly and once you get to the front of the line, the meal is prepared in front of you. Parking is easy and free in the adjoining lots. With the variety of tasty items, Yalla is yummy and people are noticing! Impress your friends and ask Yalla to cater. Tastes homemade! Yale, PLEASE open a YALLA in Moraga, California. yallamedi.com
(5)Albertino M.
Time: 3:23pm/59°F partly sunny Purpose: With an hour to go before heading back to office, I was in a situation debating to go or not. It would be best for me to go grab it for dinner. By doing this, I don't have to figure out where my next meal is gonna come from for the night. Ambiance: Located in downtown pleasant hill shopping district house inside share business central. When you enter this place your mind will be thinking another one of those fast food joints. Inside vibrant with plenty of seatings. There's a four person seater front window seating, communal tables sits about 10-11, three step up cushion high back booths, couple of smaller tables mostly place by the windows. Wood paneling from repurposed farmhouse makes octagon ceiling shape with glowing orange filament encased with different shapes of light housing. Counter with sneeze guard glass showing all the toppings/salads offerings. Behind counter overhead menu board, open fire grill, frozen yogurt machine, tap wine spouts, mini beverage fridge, payment system. Self help utensil/condiment section next to soda fountain. Like all Mediterranean places white and blue accents are seen on furnishings most of the time including Yalla. You can hold a conversation by sitting near the window area not much noise. Not sure about Wi-Fi didn't ask or use. Staff: A good mix of guys/girls early 20s to late 30s. Every single one of them were friendly and helpful. One after another ask me if I've been help or not. I had to step out the way to let others go before me. The manager ask if, I wanted to try a sample of their cold case salads. After first sample he then scoop me another to try, I didn't even ask for it. Definitely customer service here. Since it was my first visit they took their time explaining each way to customize your order. Cleanliness: Grade A, impeccable. Nothing that I can see that would say problematic. Sure, you'll have patrons trays and trash here and there but, will gone it minutes. There's always someone walking around making sure tables/chairs are clean. Eats/Drinks: There are three steps here prior to ordering. First you choose your style, pick your favorite meat skewers, and three side dishes. I went with Chicken pita wrap $8.75 doing it wrap style with Turkish slaw/Greek potato salad, pea & mint. The wrap was good with all greens chopped in house. The chicken chunks were perfect, bears the smokey char marks. I decided to add as much as stuffing of sides as I can pack in it. Tzatziki and tahini sauce made wrap more pleasing. Spices and herbs were seen on almost everything in the box. The whole box weights a hefty 2lbs or so. Pita bread was average wish they have whole wheat pita instead but, I understand not that popular and more costly. My free check in frozen yogurt was delicious with chopped baklava pieces as toppings. Products/Services: Wraps, plates, salads, stuffed pita, chicken, kefta, steak, chicken, salmon, falafel, shalafel, toppings, sauces, fries, sides, frozen yogurt, cold drinks-bottled water, sides. Wine on tap, beer can/bottle, kids menu, dairy free, GF, vegetarian, grows their own herbs. Takes plastic, utensils/to go boxes made from plant fiber 100% compostable. Find them on FB, Twitter, Instagram. Catering available. Punch Lines: Well coordinated, more than adequate job, satisfactory, pleasing flavors, kid friendly, engaging, warm service, crowd pleasing, well seasoned, casual and delicious, can't go wrong, imaginable toppings, drool worthy. Wood paneling in dining area are from repurposed wood from 1880s farmhouse. Free frozen yogurt w/topping checking in w/yelp app. Tradeoffs: Grilled skewers are done on open flame robota style grill with rotating mechanism. Every piece will be done the same. No more forgetting to turn them resulting in burnt pieces. Perfectly done each time. Final Thoughts: When I first walk up, I stood outside did a quick scan of place. As you know being detail orientated is one of my most powerful sources that I naturally have. So, thinking its like one of those Daphne's places. Then peering inside potted spice/herb plants got me curious. By now, I'm inside checking it out what else is in place here. After couple of minutes I was met with the head honcho. Not going into details, I was sold afterwards as they insisted that I get a entree. So the rest is history from there. Pleaee excuse me, I need to eat now!
(4)Nora S.
We were hoping for more out of this place considering how much we like their direct competition Gotta Eata Pita. I am sorry to say we would probably always choose the latter first. Yalla does have some advantages over Gotta Eata, mainly that they have more choice. Not just chicken and falafel, but also steak, and salmon. We were also very impressed with the layout, service (fantastic because they are new and trying to impress), decor, and the fact that everything was compostable. Yes! However, prices are more expensive than you would think for an order at the counter place. It may be that everything is organic here as well. I'm not too sure (in which case a couple extra dollars an entree are fine). Our main issue however, was the inflexibility. My husband wanted vegetarian but not falafel. But they couldn't accommodate his simple request for an extra side instead of the falafel. In addition, we were a little disappointed with the taste of the food. It was good, but definitely not as good as Gotta Eata Pita. I thought the meat we ordered for our kids was a little too dry (both chicken and steak). I wasn't a fan of the falafel, though to be fair it is a different style than the one I'm used to eating. I did like the sides I chose, but my husband didn't. He thought there was something off-putting in both the Moroccan carrot and the Greek eggplant (too sweet). I did think the former had too much cumin in it for my taste. I did not care too much for their version of hummus either, but this is highly personalized. I do highly recommend the Greek frozen yogurt. Yummy! Portions were decent and we definitely ate our vegetables! This is a good option for healthy eating and definitely beats many of the places around here.
(3)Dave B.
My wife and I went here for lunch. You get to build your plate from offered selections. It was quite good. The place was clean too. I recommend it.
(4)Helen K.
Try the salads, grilled steak, or the yogurt with rosewater honey. Was pleasantly surprised with this fresh and yummy box of healthy gluten free food. Yalla has a fresh modern look and feel and the manager who served me was generous and friendly. Highly recommend this for families or a quick, yet sustainably sourced meal with plenty of choices for all the tastebuds. Easy parking and attentive staff.
(5)Joe O.
Sorry Gotta Eata Pita...but Yalla is where I'll be coming. Owners pay great attention to detail. HITS: 1. Greek Yogurt with Baklava Honey toppings. Use the Yelp Check In! 2. Steak is well cooked and tender! Just more seasoning! 3. Fries when fresh are my favorite side. 4. Tabouleh is also fresh tasting as well. MISS: 1. Pita is a throwaway...I love breads and sad to see it's not a priority. 2. Hummus...how a Greek place can miss on this I do not know.
(4)Ey L.
It's like chipotle for Mediterranean food! If they had one of these in so cal id be broke. I had the falafel plate with lentils, beets salad, tabouli, and hummus. All of so yum. Got a side of tzaziki as well. Also yum. Two people with us got the chicken shwarma and said it was also really good. Don't think you could go wrong with this place at all!!!
(5)Kimberly G.
This place rocks! We stumbled upon it just a few weeks after they opened, so it was peaceful and quiet, and there was no wait at all. Now just a few weeks later, the line is out the door! ...For obvious reasons. The food is delicious, reasonably priced, and healthy (i.e. fresh and not over-processed) so it's not like fast food. But it is quick service. We noticed that the employees are friendlier than most food service workers, which leads me to believe that management probably gives them breaks and treats them like humans. I watch the staff interact with each other, and they seem happy and respectful of one another. I will definitely continue to support this business!
(5)Dee S.
We stopped in to Yalla and were uncertain of everything - what to order; would it be good? But due to great food and even better service from Andrew, we were pleasantly surprised by our great experience. Thanks Andrew - we'll be back to enjoy a sit-down quality meal in a quick meal format.
(5)Dennis H.
Food was adequate. Everything was over indulged with lemon which offered very little contrast in flavors. The mini pita that came with thefood was dry and not soft. The dessert of greek yogurt topped off with baklava was very enjoyable though due to the sour and tartness of the yogurt paired with the crunchy and sweet baklava.
(3)Josh B.
Definitely a major upgrade from Daphnes! the proteins are good and the side choices are nice. I enjoy the ability to choose amongst GF, etc. also. A go to lunch spot.
(4)Varun S.
A pretty busy place. A lot of options especially for non-vegetarians. The food though lacked flavors. Portion sizes were good but didnt taste as authentic.
(3)Morgan M.
I finally had the chance to try this place after much anticipation! I was not disappointed. I ordered my meal to go. I got the Chicken skewers over salad with sides including turkish slaw, hummus and the tabouli. Everything was fresh and very flavorful! Staff was super friendly and atmosphere is super cool. I feel like you get a lot for your $ worth! The Tart Greek soft serve was awesome and I topped it with the sour cherry syrup. I can't wait for the next time I get to eat here. I plan on dining in next time!
(4)Kat D.
My taste buds are dancing! Heaven in my mouth! Flavors are very authentic. Best Kefta I've ever had. We also had the steak skewers, chicken shawarma, falafel, and all the salads. Everything was delicious! Came here for dinner and even bought some to go for tomorrows lunch. Haven't had middle eastern food this good since I left the Middle East. Great pricing. Owner takes much pride in his restaurant. You can taste the love in the food. Extremely fresh food! Loving it:) Coming back tomorrow.....seriously!!!!
(5)Jason Y.
Very clean foods, reasonable price, and their customer service was also good. Parking is free, and this restaurant is very approachable since it's located at the center of downtown.
(5)Vivien L.
I rarely write reviews unless a place is exceptionally bad and I even rarely give 5 stars but this place impressed me so much that I had to give it praise. We wandered in unintentionally, attracted by the sleek and simple design of the place, the repurposed wood, steel fixtures and high ceilings gave a modern and open feel. The menu is, for lack of better words, a chipotle style menu, where you pick your main protein, the style it is served (over a rice plate, salad or in a pita wrap) and then choose your toppings (for wrap option) and pick 3 sides. The meats vary from lamb, beef, chicken or salmon skewers, chicken shawarma or vegetarian option of falafel. All the items are marked to be vegan, gluten or fair free, and the meats are grilled to order, but it was still a fairly short wait time - we got our orders ready by the time we chose our side options and paid. I ordered the steak skewers ($9.50) plus added a side of 4 falafels ($1.90) over a rice and lentil plate and my partner got a chicken shawarma pita wrap ($8.75). Between us, we got sides of the beet salad (juicy, tangy and sweet), shredded carrots (sounds plain but super fresh, sweet and delicious), hummus and potato salad. The food is very fresh and flavorful and between the different sides you can choose from, it is very easy to eat your rainbow (if you are health conscious). Everything had a unique taste, and nothing seemed like a "filler" side. Even the rice was seasoned with herbs and spices. The chicken was incredibly tender and the steak was seasoned well. It was tender but still had a chewy bite. Another aspect of the restaurant I couldn't help but notice was how eco-conscious and sustainable it was. Everything the food was served on (plates, utensils, cups, etc) is compostable, the food container even had a note saying it was made to decompose into soil in 90 days. The furniture was made of repurposed wood and the food is local and sustainable. The last thing that impressed me was how friendly the staff was. They were very helpful without being overbearing during the ordering process, even offering us samples if we were unsure. During our meal, I'm not sure if it was the manager or owner who came up to ask how everything was and if there was anything we needed. When I was finished he appeared again, offering to help me wrap the leftovers. You get a good variety and amount of food that is healthy and yummy for a decent price, I am definitely adding Yalla to my list of regular pit stops or takeout places.
(5)Curtis C.
We were excited to see Yalla the other day and looked forward to trying it out. Right My wife and 13 month old went in not really knowing what to expect. There was a long line that moved slowly so it must be good, right? Two very nice gentlemen stopped by while we were in line - one to play with our daughter and one to give us the basics and show us how to order. The price was good and the food quality was high. I had a chicken skewer wrap with hummus, fries and a very tasty potato salad. The Mrs. had the Kefta Plate with veggies on a bed of rice and hummus, fries and pea and mint salad. Both plates totaled $21 including a drink and tax. Checking in on Yelp got us a free Greek Frozen Yogurt with Baklava. At the end, the guy who gave us the lay of the land came by our table to ask about our experience and gave us $5 in Yalla Bucks saying he hopes we return. We will. The only improvements we would make are the speed of the line and the temperature of the food. These two could be related because the longer wait let the food cool off. Overall, a great experience and a new Mediterranean spot!
(4)Hayley A.
Nice atmosphere, good staff, cool idea, lacking taste. Unfortunately not what I anticipated as I drove up to eat her for the first time. The food is bland, pretty much no flavor at all Also, it was obvious who the manager is and it was obvious that he's a manager you don't want to work for. He was pretty rude to his staff while I was standing there waiting Whatevs. Won't be returning
(3)Ellie S.
Very clean establishment. All staff working the line 3/15 at 1 p.m. were great! Very friendly & efficient. The shalafel (chicken shawarma and falafel) is delicious, I got mine as a wrap and it was very hearty, along with the three sides it is easily two meals but I ate it all because it was absolutely delicious. The honey mint iced tea is wonderful. Wish I had one of these where I lived, I'd eat there all the time. Can't wait to return and try frozen greek yogurt with chopped up baklava! Also ridiculously cheap considering the portions, freshness, variety, and amazing flavors.
(5)Dee W.
This really is as good as it gets. Food was fresh and tasty with many, many choices for both entree and sides. Make sure you get the frozen yogurt; it's much better than I expected it to be, not at all like generic frozen yogurt. Service was stellar too.
(5)Genna N.
Wow, this place was amazing! I've been waiting for it ever since Daphne's left. The service was Super good! They have a great staff and an awesome concept! They surely are better than gotta eatta pita! Skip them and come straight here! I got the pita, and you can put anything they have inside. Nothing costs extra. (Feta and olives are extra down the street, here they aren't!) They have awesome decorations of plants when you're waiting in line. Will be back, probably at least once a week!
(5)Fred T.
Excellent addition to downtown Pleasant Hill. We stumbled across it opening night, encountering a staff eager to please. Surprisingly delicious, fresh food in a trendy, youthful atmosphere. Terrific for a quick bite before or after the movies. These folks should do well.
(5)Mona Lisa O.
I was overwhelmed by the choices and didn't know what I wanted! I asked them to make me something that resembled a gyro and that tasted good. I like the concept, might give it another try with a friend who knows their way around the menu.
(3)Christina M.
First time trying Mediterranean food and I must say I will be eating it more often. I got the chicken and had it with a pita wrap. I'm not too fond of hummus but the girl suggested an alternative to put on my pita bread that was very tasty and delicious. I got to choose 3 sides which were the French fries that come with a delicious cheese and ranch sauce, mint salad with peas, and the potato salad. My boyfriend got the kabob style rice plate and boy was his yummy as well!
(4)Brandon R.
Comfortable modern atmosphere with visually pleasing fresh product. The staff seems super friendly, keep that up. The food was good but not great but totally worth checking out if your in the mood for something different. The concept is Chipotle-Esk but with the obvious Mediterranean twist very similar to Gotta Eata Pitta which is a few stores down but Yalla has a more extensive menu. Now, the reason I didn't give if 5 stars. Although it's a cool concept with visual and flavorful appeal, the prices are a bit on the high end for me which is odd in a fast casual concept like this. There is a lot of competition to contend with in the area and I think that finding a way to bring the price point down without sacrificing quality would go a long way in gaining a competitive edge. Good luck guys.
(4)Sarah F.
I attended their preview party and got to sample the menu. No, I'm not related to the owner or anyone that works there. So, my review is unbiased. I had the salmon skewer plate with pilaf & lentils and the tabbouleh, eggplant, and pea & mint salad as my sides. I also had the falafel. I finished the meal with the Greek froyo with baklava. The salmon tasted and smelled fresh but was slightly overcooked. I will definitely give it another try. The pilaf was a bit bland. The lentils were delicious. They were perfectly cooked and not mushy. The tabbouleh was good. The eggplant salad was wonderful. It had great flavor and wasn't too oily. The pea & mint salad was bright and tasty. The falafel were delicious. They had a good blend of spices and they weren't greasy. The meal comes with a fluffy soft pita that would be perfect with hummus, which I didn't try. Someone else in my party ordered the beet salad and we all tried it. We agreed that it was the best salad on the menu, even the person that doesn't like beets. Baklava is in my top three desserts. Chop it up on smooth and creamy froyo, and it's still in my favorites. I will go back just for this. I'll go to eat a meal, too. But when a sweet craving hits, I'll be at Yalla. I didn't feel their prices were any higher than a comparable restaurant. Chipotle is great, but it's cheap because they offer a very limited and very basic selection. Yalla has a similar ordering concept, but more options, and a more "intricate" selection. Their food is fresh and flavorful. I recommend you give it a try. Update: I went back today as a paying customer. The salmon was cooked perfectly and was even better than the preview party salmon I had. Also, the portion of salmon was much bigger. $9.95 was completely reasonable.
(4)Fred S.
We were really impressed! Very friendly and helpful staff! Very fresh and delicious food. I also really like their commitment to be green. The containers are compostable. They serve decent wine on tap. And for the quality of offerings, I thought it was a great value. They offer four platforms (Pita, salad, platter, or?) onto which you can add your choice of protein Chicken, Salmon, Steak, or Vegetable etc. They have a buffet style hot and cold table, where you get to choose what sides you'd like to accompany it with. We really enjoyed the carrot slaw, and the beets. We look forward to returning soon and often!
(5)Andrew Y.
Yalla is so good! Everything is yummy. I always get the chicken skewers, with an extra beef skewer, rice and lentils, double fries, and hummus!!! For dessert I get the free Greek yogurt with baklava and honey! Yum!
(5)Jeff W.
There have been other Mediterranean restaurants in the area (Shadzee's, Gotta Eatta Pita), but this one passes the others by leaps and bounds -- which is saying quite a bit because both of those places were very good in my opinion! We visited Yalla on their first Saturday they were open (20 Dec). What makes this place stand out can be summarized easily: quality and care. Food is not randomly tossed in a wrap or thrown on a plate, rather, is carefully orchestrated with the highest quality ingredients and authenticity. Plates vary in cultural cuisine from Greek, Turkish, Egyptian and even Armenian! Quality can be tasted with every bite. I was very impressed that the owner/manager made several visits to our table asking what we thought (my wife is Middle Eastern). It was refreshing to see a restaurant owner take such enthusiasm and interest in his patrons. We made a few suggestions, which he was very open to. Style of ordering your food is similar to some large chain Mexican restaurants where you order your mean in a step1-step2-step3 fashion. This makes it very easy to get a quality balanced mean if you are not familiar with the cuisine style. I am very impressed with the restaurant and the out-of-the-gate momentum they have taken to making the best Mediterranean restaurant in the area. We are accustomed to this style of food and it certainly exceeded all of our expectations! We plan to make this a regular stop for us. Keep up the amazing work!
(5)Ben C.
Great new place for quick Mediterranean! Good pricing, options, and atmosphere! Yo Yo
(5)One F.
This is what every Mediterranean place should be - clean, modern and above all great tasting food. A cross between Tender Greens and Chipotle but for Mediterranean food. The portion sizes are pretty big and filling - much more than typical. Their Harissa sauce is awesome and you should try the hummus - the mark of any good Mediterranean restaraunt.
(5)Teresa L.
Surprised to see Delia's gone but thought we would try Yalla's. Service was fantastic. Jon saw to all of our needs. He made suggestions on what to try and he was spot on. The food is very good. Good selection of beers to go with your dinner. Great spot to eat for some quick Mediterranean food.
(5)Rachelle C.
Yummy! Good fresh food!!! Great flavors and casual atmosphere. Friendly staff, clean and cozy. Nice patio with heat lamps. I will definitely be coming back!!!
(4)Matthew C.
Great mix of Mediterranean flavors (Greek, Tunisian, Moroccan are all represented on the menu). Lots of healthy flavorful alternatives. The Kefta is wonderful. If you're less interested in healthy and want to go all out for flavor try the fries with feta-ranch sauce (not on the menu, but ask). Tip: Don't skip the frozen Greek yogurt deserts!
(5)Jack M.
My wife and I were talking last week how Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek/Lafayette lacks a decent Mediterranean spot that offers fresh tasty food and good value. My wife then mentioned Daphne's had closed in Pleasant Hill....and a new place had opened up. I made the mental note to try it out if I had the chance. After a haircut today, I dropped in to check it out for lunch. All I can say is THANK YOU for opening Yalla! This reminded me of places I ate in Israel.....they even have Israeli pickles! Lots of healthy and fresh salad choices so you can order a tasty meal for yourself. I ordered the Shalafel (Schwarma with Falafel). It was delicious, pita was fresh, salads tasty, and I loved the harissa and other ingredients. I was greeted by Micheal (owner).....he introduced the concept (described by others in this review) and gave me a tour (their kabob grill is pretty slick!) and also provided numerous samples of other menu items. I was stuffed and needed a nap when I got home. Needless to say, I hope they succeed.....its good value and you cannot argue with the freshness of the food. I also like their community table.....sitting up high with two elbows to balance the delicious wrap that was just prepared for me. I noticed a two negative Yelp reviews and I think they are both B.S......one is for sure, and the other is being too persnickity for a casual & quick dining place like Yalla. ........I noticed they will have space outside to sit on a nice day.......cannot wait to try it out when it gets warmer......and of course sip a cold bottle of beer. Thanks again Micheal & team.....you made quite an impression today. You get 5 stars for being excited about your restaurant, excellent service, nice clean space to eat in or out, pride in your food, and THANK YOU FOR INSTALLING AN HEAVY DUTY WATER DISPENSER for us H2O drinkers. How many times do you encounter a hidden or cheesy water dispenser on a overused self serve soft drink machine? Taking wife here soon.
(5)Sarah M.
I go here when I want to eat relatively healthy. Their Falafel is not the best I have ever had, but this is coming from someone who has had authentic fresh falafel her whole life. Their Feta Dressing is really tasty and I always get a side of the Moroccan Lentils. Their Beef Skewers are really delicious & I love their Greek Potato salad. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick & tasty light meal!
(4)JoAnne B.
Four of us ate at Yalla for the first time this week. We all thought the food was excellent. I ordered the steak and chicken skewers over a salad and selected 3 side dishes. All flavorful, and just the right amount of spice. All the salads tasted extremely fresh. The staff is new but they assisted in a very professional way. We all agreed we'd return . In fact we can hardly wait.
(4)Patrick Z.
Came here on a Monday night with my wife. We both got amazingly delicious food. I got the Chicken Shawarma and my wife got the Chicken Skewer. Don't forget to try the sauces. I tried all four and liked them all. Thanks to Yelp, I got a free frozen Greek Yogurt with a topping. I got the Baklava with honey topping for my tasty desert topping. Because this place exceeded my expectations, it was clean, and the manager came out to talk to me, I give this place five stars.
(5)Jen N.
This place reminds me of a middle eastern Chipotle. Good, not fantastic, quick and reasonable prices. Really fresh sides based on veggies that aren't drowning in oil or sauce make it easier to put together a healthy meal. The beet salad, carrots & potatoes are my favorites, but all sides are yummy. Only complaint is the side of pita they give you. Your whole meal looks like it's thought out and then they give you a dinky prefab piece of pita bread. I'm not saying they need to mill their own flour and cook it for you on the spot, but it looks out of place and doesn't work with the ratio of food they give you.
(5)Jim L.
I'm updating my review because the restaurant really seems earnest in addressing my concerns and my wife and I appreciate what they're trying to do in terms of offering good food and disposing of their waste responsibly. This time we returned on a Friday evening during what would typically be considered the dinner rush. The restaurant was well staffed and somewhat busier than my last visit but not terribly so. There were probably 4 people in line waiting to order when we arrived. A quick glance up at the menu and another at the food and it was our time to order. So far so good. Our order of shawarma with extra meat of various types seemed to throw the server a bit but he wrote it all down and conveyed the info to the kitchen correctly. We continued through the line, ordering our salad and sides, having to wait for just a bit while a to go order was squared away. There seemed to be some sort of mix up but it was handled quickly and we were through the line in about 8 minutes after placing our meat order. Not bad considering the meat cooked to order. No cold meat issues this time around. As I've said before, the food is good and the total food portions are a great value. Next time I go I'll be testing whether they've added the milk as a separate item on the register. I didn't feel like milk this night and simply had water..... Good stuff!
(4)Rachel G.
I've been to Yalla maybe 2 dozen times. So, obviously, I like it. Here's what I originally loved about it, and here's what changed: 1) when it opened, chicken kabob was EXCELLENT! Now, however (and disregard this if you are not a picky chicken eater) there are weird pieces of rubbery-ness in nearly every bite. I love the rest of the plate, but end up throwing the chicken away. Sad. 2) when it opened, there were GORGEOUS fresh lemon slices galore at the drink station. For iced tea or to squeeze on your salad. Now, they tend to run out and not refill in the hour I spend, having my lunch. Also sad. But iced tea is very good and fresh. The sides are good (esp when you can squeeze a little extra lemon on them) and what's not to love about lentils, rice and veggies? They do an inexpensive and nice, quick rendition. I wouldn't go too far out of my way for this place, but it's leagues better than gotta eat a pita (which I only went to once, and threw away my meal. Oily and bland). I *highly* recommend this place if you are hungry, like Mediterranean and are on this street.
(4)Kristen V.
Yum yum yum!!! Talks is kind of like the Chipotle of Mediterranean food!! Tons of gluten free options and wine and beer!! Really fresh ingredients! Fast and easy!!
(5)Mike B.
The food was wonderful and I would say this the equivalent of a Mediterranean Chipotle. The price was also extremely reasonable at under $10 for so much quality food. I will be back and will gladly spread the word with fellow foodies.
(5)Sam Y.
1- The taste is 'GOOD'. (3 stars) 2- The plates are really small.(1 star) 3- The prices are reasonable compared to other Mediterranean places in the area. (3 stars) 4- And I would give the place 5 stars for the service. Overall: 3 stars
(3)Christine H.
The chicken, rice pilaf and yalla fries are really good. I personally didn't care for the falafel as it was too crispy and dense for my taste. The pea mint salad was really good and refreshing. I was really surprised how good it was since I am usually not into "mint" in things. I would definitely go back!
(4)Mary C.
I was a Daphne's fan... And Yalla took over their spot. I decided to try them out last week. As a first timer though, the ONE thing I didnt appreciate is that I felt rushed at the counter. I didnt know how to order right away since its like, buffet but they serve it style... Ive never had their food and they have many options. I felt as though the girl behind the counter was annoyed that I was indecisive. So, besides that It was good food. I miss Daphne's... only because it was just part of where I went a lot... but i feel like i can get to know Yalla also. I liked that all their food was homemade and organic also.... and the potato salad was great!
(4)Tim K.
Wow. Best chicken shawarma ever! But what I was more impressed with was how energetic the staff were! Great staff equals great food! Absolutely blessed to taste this awesome shawarma. You go Yalla!
(5)Ken W.
Yalla tonight was a pleasant surprise. The food was very good and much better than before. Good portions along with smiling service made this 'fast food' a culinary delight. Great before a movie!
(4)Allison M.
I have tried this place a couple of times and will definitely go again. I don't like many of the sides and have a hard time picking 3 but that is just my personal taste. So I often get 2 servings of the beet salad and one serving of hummus. It is great that they have so many options and my main problem is I actually feel like you get too much food!
(4)Y K.
Best place to stop by and get a FILLING meal. My family and I have gone to Yalla at least 5times this WEEK. It's a great change from Greek to Mediterranean food. I highly suggest people to at least stop by and try it. Cause once you do it won't be the last time you come there.
(5)Nathan M.
It's not Daphne's.
(3)Nancy S.
Always GREAT!! The kabobs are delicious, cooked to order. Don't miss the Yalla Feta Sauce. Good on the FF but I put it on everything. Yum!
(5)Willow P.
So, so, so, so good! I love Mediterranean, and this is FANTASTIC. Freshly prepared, modern and clean, and you get a TON of food for about $10. You get to pick from the style (wrap, pita, plate, or salad), then your protein (I got the falafel, being vegetarian), and on top of that it comes with THREE sides! Everything was some of the best Mediterranean/Greek that I've ever had. The staff were very nice, and everything is clearly labeled for dietary restrictions. They have beverages (including wine), desserts, and a kid's plate too. If I have to pick one negative it would be that it's a bit noisy. Update: I tried the Frozen Greek Yogurt with Baklava and Honey and OMFG BEST DESSERT IN THE WORLD. So excited that these will be opening all over the state, including the Los Angeles area! They're the new business model for the old Daphne's chain, and wow what an improvement!!
(5)Nick C.
A great new restaurant for the area! I'd give Yalla Mediterranean in Pleasant Hill Ten Stars if I could. This is going to be a new favorite place for me. I've been hoping for a fast food restaurant that would offer healthy and tasteful food at a reasonable price and this is the place! I've now been to this restaurant twice. The first time I had grilled chicken over a tasty bed of rice and a week later I tried the salmon in a wrap. They were both excellent. The meat is flame grilled right in front of you. You get three different side dishes with your meal. There are many of them to choose from. I've now tried several and each one of them was excellent. This is a place where you can eat your vegetables and also enjoy them! The meals are under ten dollars and there is plenty of food. Both times I ate there I left feeling very satisfied, but not bloated. I also felt that I had done a good thing for my body and mind by eating healthy food. The atmosphere at Yalla Mediterranean very welcoming. It was upbeat, with an energetic vibe. Mike, one of the owners, is very personable and excited about the new restaurant. He asks diners for their opinions and feedback and talked with me both times that I came in. The staff was also energetic and excited about the food that was being offered. This restaurant is very comfortable and pleasant. If you want healthy Mediterranean style food that is very reasonable in price in a pleasant atmosphere, I highly recommend Yalla Mediterranean in Pleasant Hill. Here's a link from CNN that Mike shared with me when we talked about the Mediterranean diet and its benefits. One more reason to try this place: cnn.com/2014/12/03/healt…
(5)Tati S.
Tried it for the first time yesterday . So different than anything in the Bay Area. Nice decor . Clean good price
(4)Deb G.
I tried the falafel, lentils and rice with hummus and tahini sauce. I didn't like the taste of any of it. The lentils were crunchy and the falafel was not good. Also, the line had 2 people in front of me and it took like 10 minutes for me to pay. I won't be going back.
(1)The T.
Came here with my family & bf for the first time today, it was a good experience! I got the chicken and falafel combo plate, but unfortunately they only gave me a few pieces of chicken and 2 pieces of falafel. The chicken was nicely seasoned however, but the falafels were dry and a tiny bit bland. Not sure if we got old falafels that have been sitting around for a while. The sides are amazing! I tried basically all of the sides, and they were all very good. My favorite had to be the beet & kale salad, it was sweet, tart, and refreshing! For dessert I checked in on Yelp to get the free frozen yogurt w/ baklava & honey, had nice flavors but pretty sweet overall, I don't think I would order it next time though. I would definitely come here again, hopefully next time the person who is making my protein will give me some more, lol!
(4)Kristen B.
I am very disappointed with my lunch from Yalla in Pleasant Hill. I tried the one in Walnut Creek on Ygnacio just a few weeks ago and loved it. The food was very fresh and tasted great. I ordered the same dish and sides today from Pleasant Hill. The sides were the same and very good. But the hot roasted vegetables and chicken I had weren't good at all. The veggies were complete mush and they both tasted like they had been sitting for a while - not fresh or very hot. And I was there at 12:30 pm on a Friday. $10 was too much for a mediocre lunch. I would be willing to try WC again, but not this location.
(2)Elizabeth F.
Great idea, you choose your meat or vegetarian option, gluten free friendly, and choose your sides. They took a long time to serve the food, so they need to streamline their process, and the pita bread was kind of dry and chokey. But overall it was very good and I'd definitely eat here again if in Concord. Extra bonus for having compost bins and making everything compostable. The world would be a better place if every eatery could figure this out, kudos to Yalla for being environmentally friendly!
(4)Mark I.
This place can be good but it's very inconsistent. The slaw and the carrot salad in particular can be tasty or bland. I love the keftas but even that isn't consistent. On my most recent visit I complained that the keftas were a pulverized mess and they said that just happens sometimes because it's ground beef. No, it happens when someone doesn't know or care what they're doing.
(3)Mark C.
first time here and food is good. I got the shalafel with the rice plate. You get to choose three sides. Would go back again.
(4)Boris B.
I tried the kefta with pilaf, eggplant, spicy hummus and potato salad. The sides were pretty good but the kefta was boring and lacked a good flavor. I realize that Chipotle like places with different ethnic cuisines does not work for me. The flavors and dishes are too far removed from the authenticity and usually do not match up to a good 'regular' old fashioned restaurant.
(2)H N.
About an hour after I wrote my initial review, management from Yalla wrote to tell me that a new and better beef will be served after 03/24. I tried the steak today and I found it to be dry and not as tender as before. Not every piece is chewy, but I won't order the steak again.
(5)Neha P.
Great owner! He was very personable and made sure to greet each guest. The owner knows what he is doing and his passion is obvious. Food was very good and portions very generous! We will for sure be coming back
(5)Kim P.
Clean, friendly, fast and delicious. The employees really make a difference in welcoming you and making you feel like it's ok to ask questions if the food is new to you or you need help understanding how to order with all the options. The kofta is so good, I haven't been able to order anything else yet. You can choose the style of your meal - Pita wrap, salad or plate and choose your toppings. You can even customize the way your meat is cooked if you like it really well done. The servings are large but if you like more meat, you can add an extra skewer for just $1.90. Save room for the soft serve greek yogurt with chopped baklava and Honey Syrup. I love coming here because it would take so much time and so many ingredients to make this at home that unless I was cooking for a huge group, it wouldn't be worth it. You will likely crave this food again and again!
(5)TA B.
Chipotle-style pick your entrée, sides, and toppings. A little variation in flavor from visit to visit. Staff efficiency very good- with varying degrees of friendliness. Beet / Arugula and eggplant are our two favorite sides. Chicken and Kefta skewers are favorite entrées. Frozen greek yogurt with baklava topping is superb!
(4)Courtney B.
Went here for dinner during the week. The staff was very welcoming and helped explain the menu. The food was delicious and love that you can choose 3 different sides. Definitely recommend it!
(5)Anna S.
We just had lunch here. Great atmosphere the staff is very helpful and nice asking if we enjoyed our food and anything else we would even like to try. Good price. I'm stuffed portions are big and great but feel like I've eaten healthy! I highly suggest the Pea and Mint Salad. Really good!
(4)Kathleen J.
Fabulous food and very cool staff. I especially liked the falaffel and the ice cream with honey on top. Super reasonable prices and fresh tasting food!
(5)No Matter W.
Poor service, poor food far from being real Mediterranean food! Yalla you will never gain my presence.
(1)Ken M.
For a "fast food" restaurant, it's excellent. Tried the chicken schwarma, very good. Line Was long,mostly because people can't make fast decisions. Worth it!
(5)Jen E.
I cannot say enough about this little restaurant. I love that the veggies are organic and the salmon is actually wild caught not farm raised! The salad choices are amazing. I could go there just for the salads. However, I usually order the salmon or grilled chicken and add 3 of the side salads. This is all for $9 or $10. And I can never finish it all. You can sit indoors or outdoors. Management is excellent. They are so willing to please. My fiance and I eat there about once a week and will continue to. This little restaurant is a bargain and a GREAT FIND.
(5)Amy O.
I love this place. The food tastes fresh and healthy, the environment feels bright and happy, the employees are patient and friendly and the drink selection is nice. The iced honey green tea is a treat. My family and I have been here 5 times since it has opened and we have been pleased every time! Thanks for coming to Pleasant Hill.
(5)J P.
Checked Yalla out based on seeing the positive reviews on Yelp. Line was pretty long on Friday night. Took a while, but the food was really good. Big servings, almost enough for 2 people! Service was really good. Very much like Chipotle as others have said. Will be back to try some of the other options on the menu..
(4)Cara Z.
This place was amazing! Food was great and the best part was staff was really friendly! I am really big on customer service makes or breaks a place. The staff was really friendly, help me when I was indecisive. Then while I was eating people were walking around talking to the customers. Will definitely go back!
(5)Denise L.
This was, hands down, one of the best restaurants I'v been to in years. It's a brilliant idea for a business and SO NEEDED. There was no surprise that people were fine spending 10 minutes in line for such an amazing meal. The owners were there and very involved in serving food and clearing tables (check in with guests). They deserve the upmost of applause for serving high quality food and running a great business (the rest of the staff didn't seem as happy and helpful as they could have been, however)
(5)Rc F.
great place and the owner is so personable!, visited our table several times., remembered my coworker from coming in before, really enjoyed our experience! super place to go for a tasteful & quick meal.
(5)Jonathan D.
The food was extremely fresh and tasted outstanding. A great new place to take your family. We ordered dinner and an extra order for lunch tomorrow. The owner was checking on each table and was visibly excited about people enjoying his food. I must say its very refreshing to see this kind of care and pride in at a restaurant. Make sure to try the baklava in Greek yogurt with sour cherry sauce. I will be coming back regularly.
(5)R K.
I love going to this place. Healthy, fresh and fast. The manager is super friendly and their Greek yogurt is so yummy!!!
(5)Vanessa H.
I came upon this restaurant on accident on Christmas Eve day. I tried to go to another restaurant in this shopping center and it was closing early so it was out of most of the food offered. I walked across to Yalla with my mom and sister and we just made it in before they closed. The staff was welcoming and friendly and helped us through the ordering process as it was our first time. The gluten free options were listed and plentiful. My sister and I have an allergy so eating out is something that isn't very easy for us to do. The staff was knowledgeable about it as well. The food was fabulous! We were all so full and could barely finish our plates! The restaurant closed early for the holiday and myself and my family were still in there eating when the owner came out and greeted us. He asked how our food was and seemed very excited about his opening of this restaurant. He seemed to be a very true and genuine man. He treated us to a dessert (even though we were so full) and it was amazing! He was even careful of us "gluten free eaters." I would highly recommend this restaurant. I have already returned and I agree with the other reviewer in that this is my new go to restaurant.
(5)Rachelle F.
I would give it ten stars if I could. First experience was Christmas Eve and we stumbled upon this new place in the way to somewhere else....first impressions absolutely the most awesome friendliest staff I have encountered in a very long time. All three of the people I was with are celiac and were pleasantly surprised with the fresh awesome items we actually had choices which is very rare! Wonderful fresh food and you get so much for a great price. $9 for an abundance of delicious gf food! Just amazing. To top off the wonderful experience the owner came to greet us and was so pleasant. We went again last night and ordered online, usually ends up somebody has an issue but No this was easy and ready when we got there with our huge order! The staff was equally friendly and the order was all correct. Even my kids loved it and have a new found favorite place! Thank you because even with the abundance of restaurants in your area there aren't many we can eat at with the options and affordability you have. Thank you and welcome to pleasant hill! We will defiantly be back as much as possible!
(5)C H.
Finally a Mediterranean fast food place with really fresh ingredients, more exciting side options and speedy services for busy moms with active little kids. The Greek frozen yogurt with chocolate pita (has almond flour in case your kids are allergic to nuts) was a big hit for our kiddos!! Service was awesome. Would give it one more star after we try more menu items. Will return!
(4)Hayley D.
The food was mind blowing. The food was the best Mediterranean food I've ever had. The owner was very friendly and was checking up on all the customers. The chicken shawarma was great
(5)Bobbi Z.
Yalla Mediterranean was awesome, I heard someone say chipotle but Mediterranean. That's it, but so much more. Excellent food, great staff! Don't miss out
(5)Carla T.
We've now been here twice in 2 weeks. The chicken shawarma is delicious, both on the rice pilaf and on the salad base. The falafel is tasty (and gluten free). They serve 3 good sized helpings of sides- many are vegetables - all are flavorful and exotic. The staff is friendly and helpful. The owner helped prepare our order tonight and made suggestions for the best sauce to go with our meat. We will keep coming back: the perfect amount of food at a reasonable price (2 full dinners for $18), and something you can feel healthy about eating!
(5)Noel O.
Big disappointment! Our first time and they expect us to know everything, not enough meat and it doesn't taste good, too much sides and it's too pricey! I'm not coming back.
(1)Alejandra M.
This place just goes above & beyond to accommodate and keep their customers happy. We went in earlier today for our regular Shalafel plate but they were out of lentils. We decided to hold off and wait 10-15 minutes until they were ready although they offered to bring them to our table once they were ready. It was quite an inconvenience because we were starving but we understood the situation and came back because their food is worth the wait. When we returned, their manager (I don't know his name) prepared our food personally and didn't charge us a penny! Said that because it wasn't our fault that they were out of lentils we weren't going to be charged for our food and he handed it to us. I would've been happy with just a discount but I wasn't expecting free food. They definitely do value their regular customers and go out of their way to please! As if that weren't enough he later passed out "Free Frozen Soft Serve Greek Yogurt" coupon coins! To everyone eating in the restaurant! We will definitely stick to this place :)
(5)Erin K.
After a poor catering experience in WC, I was asked to give them another try. Well done. Perfectly, well done.
(5)Walter S.
Where to begin..... Amazing healthy alternatives. My go to is salmon with Turkish cabbage, Coubili salad, and eggplant. Great service too.
(5)Wanda M.
It took me a couple of times eating here to decide I really like the food. I was a very loyal customer of Daphne's, and I was VERY disappointed when the ownership group made the change to Yalla. Any way, good salads, I really like the chicken shawarma as well. Lots of fresh veggie sides to choose from. Good spot to grab a bite, as they have something for just about everyone.
(4)Puddy B.
I'm glad I carried out . The line was long. Food was great! Update love this place !
(5)Sandy L.
We love this place! Fantastic choice of salads to go with your meal.
(4)Crystal G.
Arrived for lunch today on a busy Sunday. The line went fairly fast and it has a Chipotle type feel. You get a choice of a wrap, plate, pita or salad. I chose a plate. The plate comes with Basmati Rice and either lentils or grilled veggies. The rice is clearly parboiled and tasteless, my partner got the veggies I got the lentils. Both veggies and lentils were cold lacked seasoning and slightly short in portion. I got the chicken which was nicely seasoned and my partner got the steak also nicely seasoned. There are many choices in sides, carrot salad, slaw, pea salad, potato salad to name a few. These were the best tasting and three choices is plenty. Overall 3/5 for the rice and lentil/ veggie side being tasteless and lacking seasoning and the temperate. However the protein options are delicious and the salads are fresh and the owner is nice and friendly.
(3)naomi k.
I lovee YALLA! Came here for the first time today and all is well in yalla land lol ^_^ great food, great price, amazing staff ( THANKS A BUNCH ANDREW :D ) very satisfied with my overall experience here and will definitely be back very soon!
(5)Christine B.
Great tasty food ... Everything is spiced to my liking... They just need to be a little more organized.. But as far as their service goes it's awesome.. Will for sure go again
(4)Joana D.
My second time around this place and not the last. I love this place. Nice and chill. Great customer service! I love their greek yogurt with baklavva topping. Thank you!!
(5)Chandni D.
I tried this place out soon after they opened and I am addicted. I come here once a week. I am vegetarian and the falafels have a crunchy outside but soft and moist inside. Well made for sure! I highly recommend the beet/kale salad and the potato salad. my two favorite sides.
(5)Ashley F.
Eh, it's okay. I had high expectations, but was really underwhelmed. The falafel itself was dry, as was the pita. I got it with hummus, tomato cucumber salad, pickled cabbage, and tahini. All I could taste was the cabbage - it was too overpowering. I felt like nothing else had any flavor. Not only was the pita impossible to eat (everything kept spilling out everywhere) but everything was really wet - very unappealing. The sides I got, pea and mint salad & tabouli salad, didn't taste fresh as I had expected from the description of these bright ingredients - they were wilted and just overall blah. I do have to say that the staff was very friendly and helpful, which is always nice. Also, I had the house recipe soft serve greek yogurt (plain) and it was really delicious and the only thing that saved this from getting a one star review. However, if you want a really delicious falafel pita, go down a few storefronts to GEP and taste something truly fresh and delicious.
(2)Jade C.
Everything's delicious and healthy. It was the most delicious and healthy "fast food" I've ever had. I wish we had one of these restaurants near our home. Very reasonable. Generous portions too. And on top of that all their containers are compostable. Great job!
(5)D L.
Great alternative to the norm. The kefta is good, but so is the shawarma. Overall, it's fresh, good Mediterranean food. Oh, and soft serve Greek yogurt? Yes please!
(4)Amir Y.
Went here a couple of times. The food is good and the service is great. But the display of the food looks like it's from a prison. A metal tray and the metallic walls make it feel like you are eating in a prison
(4)Brandon S.
This is a unique twist on what used to be Daphne's Greek Cafe. At first I was hesitant to try it but I was pleased with the food, the staff was very patient, kind and helpful, and I really loved the soft serve Greek yogurt topped with Baklava. I would recommend this place to others.
(4)Travel B.
LOVE! Fresh and light! Awesome staff. Great flavor and so many good options. Would eat here all day every day!
(5)Hervey M.
Went to get Coldstones across the way and then noticed this restaurant with a long line inside. We had to go check it out! Waited about 15 minutes or more to get to the front. Same type of setup as Chipotle. The presentation and food looked super fresh! I was definitely impressed. The food did not disappoint. I think me and my wife found our go to restaurant when we visit the Bay Area. In the words of my wife, "this is the best Mediterranean food I ever had!" We can't find anything like this in So Cal. Only downside is the long wait, but the food makes up for it.
(5)Adam D.
Truly, this is marvelous. Excellent falafel, tons of enticing sides. I love this place and am quickly becoming a regular.
(5)Julia J.
We had a catering order, and it was incredibly convenient, delicious food, pretty reasonably priced. The beet salad with kale is the best, and the pea-mint salad, potato salad was also great- fresh herbs and oil-vinegar base, much healthier than mayo. The managers were very helpful and friendly, Andrew helped with the take-out. It's a great alternative to Chipotle and just as convenient.
(5)Mortimer S.
Delicious, lots of choices, decent value!
(5)D J.
This is way beyond a huge upgrade from DAPHNE'S(See past review) and we're lucky that it came to our neighborhood. Yalla is everything you would want in a Mediterranean eatery. If you're into that Chipotle-style way of ordering food than this is your spot. I wouldn't put it in the same category as my favorite Shawarma spot in Concord(the Mediterranean) and Walnut Creek(Babalou's), which makes this place even better. It's a place of its own. Not only do you have 5 or 6 choices of perfectly seasoned meat, you also get to add rice, lentils, and vegetables to it. Then on top of that you get 3 of 8 other choices of veggies that you could add OR their special Fries. Every choice is amazing and will keep you coming back as the flavors of each one remain unique. They even have beer and wine. It also kicks ass that the owners walk around and check on you as if you were at a 5 star restaurant. They are people persons. Very friendly. We've been there about 7 times since they been open and my little kids even love it. They only issue i got is that the asian chick with tattoos one time who was serving us veggies seemed completely IRRITATED that we came back to grab some more sauce. I know it was really busy but rolling your eyes and trying to ignore people doesn't promote great service. I haven't seen her the 4 other times which is great. Maybe a suggestion would be to leave out the sauces so that people can fetch it themselves. STILL LOVE THIS PLACE due to the other employees and Owner/managers!!!
(5)Michael K.
Worst experience ever. Food took 30 minutes for expensive Faux- Greek food. Staff touching food.. Yechh.. Manager pompous and uncaring!! Great job!!
(1)Holly H.
Ordered the chicken skewer Yalla plate. Hearty portions with friendly service but they boxed my food up and forgot to put the chicken on there! They were friendly when I called from home with my chickenless chicken skewer plate! Friendly staff made up for the error.
(4)Char B.
I went in hoping it would be similar to Daphne's, but the flavors were very different.
(2)JC D.
My mom and I were shopping and just came across Yalla. What a great place!! On our way over there I said "its probably one of those places like the rest of California that thinks there is lettuce in a Greek salad (FYI there isn't). But no lettuce here (at least not the int Greek salad)! Instead there were real Mediterranean foods (kebab, felafel, shwarma, etc.) serviced with real well-seasoned hearty vegetables like eggplants, carrots, potatoes, beets---actual vegetables! The decor is clean, modern, and welcoming. Everything is green, including the plastic forks! Ohhhh And they even have wine and beer. Having just come back from Turkey I was missing the wholesome Mediterranean food terribly - so thank god for Yalla! Yalla means "hurry up" in arabic/farsi - but this was not fast food. Delicious, filling, a pleasure for the senses. And the manager/owner was so friendly and inspiring it made me want to open my own business. It was a pleasure eating there today and hope to return soon. JC
(5)Jules K.
Based on the rave reviews decided to give this place a try. Ordered 3 plates to go (2 kefta pitas which is ground beef/lamb & 1 chicken skewer). Employees are nice and welcoming. Like others said its like Chipotle. Be sure to get the sauce I almost forgot. Portions are average and u don't get that much meat but get to choose 3 sides. The fries were fries but they were fresh. The pea & mint salad was meh. Not much taste & lacked salt & not a mint fan. The potato salad was decent. The highlight was check in & get a frozen yogurt topped with baklava. Yummy! Kids loved it. Not sure if I'd come back, possibly. But worth a try if craving a pita.
(2)C M.
Can't understand the rave reviews here except to think that the people who love this place have never had *good* Mediterranean food. Too bad because I can think of at least 6 other places within 15 miles (some within just a couple) where you can taste some. Yalla replaced the mediocre Daphne's and I have to say - I'd go back to Daphne's before I'd eat at this place again. Pros - quick, large portion and cheap. But who wants lots of quick, cheap *lousy* food? I guess the same folks who love McD & Jackbox. The obligatory spiced lentils that are the basis of every plate are UNDERCOOKED. Not spiced, really either. Bland. Had to take them home and add cumin, coriander, cinnamon and garlic, then cook them an additional 15 minutes to make them edible. A little sriracha helped too. I like crunchy vegetables, but undercooking legumes/beans this way is what gives beans a bad name. They're indigestible when undercooked and that's what causes digestive upset. Same for the falafel. The flavor was good, but the whole chickpea I found in one was only half-cooked. The cabbage salad was lemony but otherwise bland. As I said, I like a cooked vegetable with a little crunch - but NOT when it's a sweet potato. The roasted veg also needed more time in the pot. Pita round was stale and tasted awful. Wouldn't even feed the crumbs to a bird - I love birds too much. The only good thing on the plate was the cold eggplant salad. Glad I got a double helping since none of the other salads appealed. All-in-all it made me wish I hadn't let myself be deterred by the long line across the street at Chipotle (and the lack of one here). I'm experienced enough to know better - the place with the line is the place with good food. NO WAY I'll waste my money here again. Oh, and, as for SERVICE, I was left standing at the counter, while the woman who should have continued serving me went off to help someone clean a drink machine, then disappeared into a back room, then emerged to carry on a conversation with someone in the sink area, all while my falafel was sitting on the service ledge, waiting to be put into my otherwise complete plate. I finally had to ask someone else to leave her own station to dish it up so I could pay and leave. Clueless much?
(1)Nastaran G.
Excellent Greek food :-) so yummy highly recommend this place steak pita was so delicious
(5)Elly G.
Good greek food. Fast food style. You fall in line to order. Friendly service and great price. Just right for lunch or a quick dinner before watching a movie.
(3)Irene N.
1.5 stars rounded down because so much of what I ate was truly disgusting. Appreciate the clear labels and quick service but have a hard time understanding how so many people can like this place. Rice was wet and bland, lentils were one of the few edible things on my plate. Cabbage, eggplant, and carrot sides were wet, bland, and greasy too. The falafel was chunky and had no flavor. The green sauce at least had some flavor but it had the weirdest slimy texture. Please save your taste buds and go to the other pita place down the street.
(1)Michael T.
A new go to place... The food was good and I also like the Chipotle concept... I devoured my Yalla plate right away without even getting a picture... The fries with their sauce was the bomb... We also received free dessert. Frozen Greek Yogurt with chopped up baklava, I finished mine in an instant. Oh so good...
(5)Brian P.
Chipotle-esque set up, super cute decor and their fries and ranch sauce is heavenly :D
(4)Becca P.
Been here a couple of times and really like their chicken shakram with the ranch style dressing inside. The sides they have though aren't very good and have a limited selection. The pita bread I've gotten as one with hummus has always been kinda dry. But the entrees are really good :)
(4)JP C.
Went 2/4/15 for the first time and absolutely loved it. I ordered a shalafel pita wrap and my girl got a Steak and chicken wrap, both ordered assorted salads to go with it. Everything was very fresh and tasted awesome. The frozen greek yogurt was absolutely amazing, would definitely get again. I was there during my lunch break or else I would have gotten one of the great beers they have there. Will revisit!
(5)Jenny R.
We've been here a few times since they opened earlier this winter. I've had the salmon and the falafel. They are both pretty tasty. The sides are also pretty good, especially the eggplant. My husband likes the carrot salad. My only issue with the food is that they have a kid's meal, but none of the sides are really kid-friendly. My 3 year old has a pretty good palate and appetite, but he won't eat the carrot salad because it has cumin in it and none of the other sides are kid friendly except fries. Otherwise, its pretty healthy, tasty fare. They also have good beers and wine on tap, plus decent lemonade. Service is kind of slow. Last time we were there, there was a huge line and we waited for almost 30 min. It was a Friday night, but it was a little ridiculous for this kind of place. Also, the trash was so full that I had to leave ours on top of the bins, which was gross. They are new, so those are probably things that will get worked out. I do hope Pleasant Hill continues to get more modern restaurants like this. There is definitely a lack of quality restaurants in town. This is what leads to the ridiculous wait times pretty much everywhere after 6:30 on weekend nights. Zachary's, Gotta Eat a Pita, and Yalla are nice additions to downtown. We need more!
(4)Michaella B.
Need to improve big time- the flavor is not there!!! The place look amazing,but I did not like the food.
(1)F N.
Loved it! Food was good and generous. Great new tastes!!! Loved the way you pick out what you want to eat along with the meat or fish.
(5)Jamie K.
Soooo good! I had the Chicken Shawarma with salad and it was absolutely amazing. The flavor are great and the price is right. If and let me not forget the outta mint salad which I loved. I can't wait to go back and eat here! Do far my top number one good place in this area and I have been working over here for 5 years!
(5)A I.
It was like fast food Mediterranean but it was good. Very fast but tasty food. Pretty big portion so we shared and it was perfect.
(5)Jenn S.
It's kind of like a Greek version of chipotle. All the sides were fresh and the pita was tasty lots of topping you can put on. It's a great place for tasty fresh food if you are in a bit of a rush.
(4)Lisa H.
Beautiful presentation, I love the makeover of the location. On the wall by where you order there are a bunch of herbs growing, and the wall is a chalkboard wall so there is lots of information about the place, for example where the salmon is from. You can tell that the emphasis is on fresh, and it delivered in a tasteful way to the customer. I was a little disappointed because I wanted a gyro, and they do not have the rotating meat spit. I was told to order Kefta, and the meat was cooked and prepared in such a way that the outer edge of the meat reminded me of falafel, and lacked the flavor, so I personally would not order it again and probably stick with chicken next time. I did get an order of fries with their sauce, which was absolutely delicious, the dip made you keep grabbing another fry and another one, etc! My friend got the salmon, which had great flavor, which was impressive since this is more of a fast food location, than a sit down cafe/restaurant. We also got dessert, and I was disappointed to find out that the fro yo was made from Greek yogurt, I know some people like that taste, but I don't like the bitterness/sour tartness of Greek yogurt, (Pinkberry fro-yo also has this flavor too). I did pick off the baklava which was delicious.
(3)Daniel L.
I would first of all like to thank Andrew and the rest of the Crew for making it easy for me choose what I wanted to have for dinner since I am very new to Mediterranean cuisine! The food was fresh, tasty, and healthy! I ordered the chicked skewer wrapped in pita along with they're kale&beets salad, crunchy zesty carrot salad, and they're potato salad as my sides, i couldnt of been more happy with my food. My wife had theyre very popular chcken shawarma along with a Greek salad, potato salad, and the eggplant salad! This place is a HUGE upgrade over the Daphne's that use to be here! Me and my wife was totally satisfied with our food and enjoyed the very pleasant and helpful staff.
(5)C. C.
Yup this is a def upgrade from the previous tenant at this location, Daphne's. It's modern. The food is really really good. Fresh. The service is a bit slow still but you can tell they are working on it all the time and trying to improve. This is a good Pleasant Hill addition to downtown. Now if we can get more good businesses to come in and fill in the vacancies...
(5)Jason S.
Very good meat, I had the steak and rice. A bit to many side options to choose from for me but all were pretty good.
(4)mary w.
First let me tell you, this place is awesome. We found it 15 min before closing and we didn't feel rushed as we were looking at the menu since it was our first time, the guy serving us actually helped us figure out the menu. And if you are a vegan or vegetarian like myself you will like their veggie options, they have a lot of veggies options and it tells you if it is vegan or gluten free! Love this place
(5)Joann T.
This is fresh food. First time here and I love it. Clean restaurant, friendly staff and very affordable. We got 2 shalafel (shawarma and falafel) salads with 3 sides each, 2 drinks. $22! I will definitely be back (:
(5)Christena R.
Quick, easy, GMO free and lots of information on the menu! (Glutten fee veg etc all marked) The Shallafal plate is the greatest thing since pockets on a shirt - no need to choose better chicken and falafel! The sides are are great! We coordinated and had 6 different ones. The carrots and spicy hummus really stood out - and the potato salad is super fresh tasting! This place is clean as the ladies behind the counter were helpful and friendly. Dinners crossed this place stays!
(5)Derick B.
A refreshing addition to our local downtown. Definitely unlike any other in the area.
(5)Kendra C.
Well for starters, I work at Yalla Meditteranean in Pleasant Hill, but let me tell you-- this review is FAR from biased-- just another customer enjoying some great food. Yesterday was my 2nd day and at the end of my shift, I decided to get the Falafel pita with Kale and Beets, Greek potato salad, and tabouli as my sides. First off, the pitas are super warm soft and yummy-- absolutely LOVE them! I had previously had falafel at another restaurant but wasn't too big a fan so I was slightly weary of trying it here. At Yalla, the falafel is super yummy with a little kick of spice and the hummus is super good with the pita! I've definitely become a fan of the beets which again, I'm usually not too big a fan of. The Greek potato salad is an absolute favorite of mine and the tabouli is quite tasty-- would also double great as a salsa! On another note, the options are endless! As a vegetarian, it's usually difficult ordering at restaurants and having to cater the meal to my needs. At Yalla, everything besides the main protein is VEGETARIAN(YAY!) We also have dairy free and vegan options as well. Overall, I love the concept here, and the staff is very welcoming and friendly-- hope to see you soon at Yalla!
(5)Laci J.
Very good food. I really enjoyed the sides especially the best salad and eggplant. Will be returning soon.
(5)Senor T.
WOULD GIVE THIS PLACE 6 STARS IF I COULD! I have never written a yelp review before but this place seriously is worth it. Went tonight for food and experienced the best service I might have ever had. The owner was extremely friendly and even offered free samples of the frozen greek yogurt (which was amazing btw) just because we were eating there. The staff was friendly and helpful in answering any questions (which can be numerous with a vegan relative). Great prices for the amount of food you get my whole family left very full and satisfied. Tons of vegetarian and vegan options among the meat options. The vegan of the family got the falafel and grilled veggie plate which she really enjoyed along with the vegan sides. I had the kefta wrap which was cooked perfectly and very flavorful along with the feta topped french fries (awesome) and the eggplant salad (delicious). Seriously if you can visit this place definitely do. The numerous options and friendly staff make it a place I will no doubt be visiting multiple times in the future.
(5)Koshka K.
I want to give this place a 4th star but their lentils are constantly undercooked. I love lentils, I suggest skipping on them. I like the salad, plate & side options though. Good balance between meat & vegetarian options as well. Nice spot for quick Mediterranean 'fast food.'
(3)Ryan W.
When I left NYC, I never thought I'd find a place as good as Taïm in the West Village. I was proven wrong today. This place is awesome. And the Falafel is everything I wanted it to be and more...with all the best toppings at your finger tips. Pickles are everything.
(5)Angel F.
Great food, large amount, fast, and customer service is excellent!!! YUM my favorite Mediterranean Restaurant in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek :-)
(5)John B.
I thought I'd stop by Daphne's before a movie. This place is SO much better. I had a perfectly seasoned falafel chicken combo in a pita with pea/mint salad, beets & arugula, and the Turkish coleslaw. I'll definitely be eating here again soon.
(5)Marcia R.
Got a really nice email from the owner thanking me for my review and comments alerting him to the issues in the restaurant. He indicated that he is addressing the service issues in the production line and appreciated the feedback. I have been back once just to get their incredible Greek frozen yogurt which puts the yogurt place down the street to SHAME. Yes it's that good. If you take my suggestion to try it make sure you get it with the baklava on it. Heaven. Haven't been back for the food yet but hope to soon. The owners email was appreciated. Nice knowing that they read Yelp and care so much about their customers.
(4)Ryan C.
I don't write many reviews, but I feel obligated to after how great of an experience we had! The food had a lot flavor and is reasonably priced, especially considering how healthy and fresh it is. But even better, the service... Wow! Very friendly and helpful employees. It was our first time and we had a lot of questions. They were so patient and thoroughly answered every question. This is very refreshing in a society where great customer service is hard to find these days. I even had a coupon for a free greek yogurt and expected a small sample, but the serving was very generous (and tasty). These guys definitely earned all five stars!
(5)JJ J.
This place is awesome. Healthy food that doesn't come with high price. Polite employees to clean facility. Good choice!
(5)Mary F.
Great fresh food, friendly, helpful service! I asked about their frozen yogurt and the young lady asked me if I wanted a sample....I said, "sure", expecting the little taster cups you get at the frozen yogurt places. Instead she gave me this mini bowl with yogurt, honey and baklava on top! It was so tasty, I'm going back for more of their frozen Greek yogurt!
(5)Dj L.
Came here for the first time and it is surely a 5 star place to eat. With my girlfriends relatives being middle eastern, I am very picky with the quality of this type of food. Everything here tasted amazing and extremely fresh, just like what her family makes. Owner and staff are caring and helpful to the customer. Building clean, well kept, and modern. Very impressed and highly recommended!!!! A must come, and I will be continuing to come for a very long time!
(5)Wali G.
I'm glad I made the decision before going into chipotle that I should try this place out. The ambiance is nice, very clean and contemporary looking. The staff so friendly, and ordering was very straightforward. There are so many salad options! The pricing is such a deal breaker! And the meat always tastes fresh and juicy! I knew after the first bite that I would be coming here a lot more often. And now I'm a HUGE fan of this place, and any chance I will get to tell someone about this place would be such a delight! I hope this place goes far, every city should have a Yalla restaurant.
(5)Jeff M.
Horrible customer service.The food was good but not great. Manager was standing around socializing not taking care of the line that was backed up out the door. Don't think I will be giving this place a second chance. Gotta Eatta Pita by far a better place to eat for Mediterranean food.
(1)Benjamin K.
Came here with a few families for lunch. Not sure why the great yelp reviews. Had the falafel plate and it was AWFUL. The falafels were small and burnt, and not sure if this restaurant was on a food shortage that day, but the servings were small, child-like portions. And the sides tasted mediocre. The other families we were with were also disappointed with the food and portions. After the sparse meal, I was still hungry so wound up going to Gotta Eat A Pita a few stores away and had a fantastic pita bowl. You know portion sizes are pretty lousy if you have to go to another restaurant afterwards.
(1)Paola G.
This place has become my to go place when I don't want to cook at home. They have a lot of options and good sides.
(4)Trisha B.
Yum! Love finding out about hot and new places to eat~ My husband was thinking that it wouldn't be enough food once he saw the skewer sizes, but honestly, we were both stuffed from the rice plate. You do get enough food, especially for our lunch! All of the items were really flavorful and tasted like really good quality ingredients!
(5)Amy H.
Yalla is my new favorite! Fast and healthy food with big portions--a great value. The kefta and chicken shwarma are out of this world, and the beet side salad and frozen Greek yogurt with baklava are amazing. The restaurant styling makes for a nice atmosphere and the service is stellar. I can't say enough about this place--a fantastic addition to Pleasant Hill!
(5)R D.
Delicious, heatlhy fast food! You can get a salad, pita wrap or plate with a protein and a bunch of sides. The food is fresh and so tasty with a lot of vegetable dishes. I live in SF and look forward to visting mom in Pleasant Hill so I can eat at Yalla. We have nothing like that in SF.
(5)Alexander K.
Got to try this place. I haven't been here before it was still Daphnes. I like the Chipotle style service. The meat was very delicious
(4)Laura B.
Yalla - the best place for cheap eats when you're looking to grub hard but not feel *too* guilty about it. If you're looking for a normal-sized meal, share a plate with a friend! Meals ranges from $8-10, and while it's often compared to Chipotle, I think of it more like a high-end school cafeteria as far as how you get served. Pick from a salad, a rice plate, or a pita sandwich, pick your meat, and head on down the line while they assemble your entree. You can pick three sides, which can range from french fries to tabbouleh to hummus and pita. How healthy and light your meal is is entirely up to you. Having tried pretty much everything there, the chicken and beef are standouts. The salmon can get pretty dry on that rotisserie, and the falafel are fairly dry as well. The hummus is great (most of the sides are, actually) - just don't forget to ask for tahini, tzatziki, or chermoula at the end of the line! Outdoor eating is pleasant night or day since they have large heat lamps, and don't forget to grab some greek fro-yo before you go - it's crazy, crazy good!
(4)S. B.
I most definitely will be coming back. I ordered a salad with a combo of falafel and chicken. My 3 sides were hummus, tabbouleh, and Greek potato salad. Overall my food was great and fresh... But I also don't have expectations of getting Greek food like I would at an actual Greek restaurant... The only thing I hope they kind of work on is their pita... Two thumbs up, great option for fast casual :)
(3)Steve B.
First time trying out this place. After I figured out how to order (much like how you would order in Chipotle), I ordered the chicken shawarma. I'm not an expert on Mediterranean food but I do know what I like...and this place, I really like. The serving was plentiful (you get three sides) and the workers were friendly (they were patient with me as I tried to figure out what I wanted). If you're in the area, I definitely recommend this place!
(4)Valerie G.
First here and it was a great experience. I walked in with my friend and I and automatically was I greeted by the manager or owner. He explained everything on there menu the easy 123 steps! This was my first time trying this type of food and I enjoy it! It was very tasty and something very different! As soon as we sat down the guy came back to check on us to make sure to try all the sauces for the plate we got and then came in and gave us a side of there special fries with an amazing sauce on it! It was really good! As soon as we were done he came back and gave us there Greek yogurt with baklava in it we were so shocked and amazed but very pleased with how much they have great customer service! It was a great experience, nothing but good vibes in the restaurant! I would defiantly come back again!
(4)Joel R.
We have been here quite a few times already all on different days & times. I like to try the service out at different times of days for all restaurants just to get an idea of service and consistent quality of food. Yalla has never disappointed. Came around lunch and got the chicken on a salad with sides of spicy hummus, eggplant & red cabbage salad. I love how Yalla puts ingredient cards in front of all the options so you know exactly what the ingredients are. The chicken was tender, the hummus was tasty, the eggplant & cabbage were good too. Yalla is one of our great "go to" places for quick, healthy food that fits our lifestyle.
(4)Stacy C.
I am surprised, nay, SHOCKED that this place has 4 stars. Y'all let me down. Between us we got steak, rice, lentils, fries, carrot salad, cabbage slaw, hummus, pita bread, and potato salad. The steak is the only thing we'd get again. This is the blandest restaurant I've been to in a long time. The hummus doesn't even cover up the horrid sweetness of the weird-ass pita bread. The lentils were bland and undercooked, the pilaf was bland and cold. The potato salad was bland and both mushy and raw. The carrot and cabbage weren't bland as much as they were weird. But going back to the crunchy lentils... unforgivable. One star for the steak, one star for the nice employees. It's not their fault. Sigh.
(2)Linda M.
Yalla is good, and I very much appreciate that it's a place I can go out to eat and not end up with 3x more calories than I usually consume at lunch. It seems strange to have two Greek "fast food' restaurants so close together. I think both are tasty, but Yalla is a healthier option both because of what is on the menu and better portion control. You choose salad, 'meal' or pita and also get sides. The main protein is cooked to order, and I was impressed that the salmon I tried was nicely moist and tasted fresh. Sides offered interesting options and also were fresh and tasty.
(4)Cyn L.
I was so disappointed in this place. The falafels were dry, so was the pita, the tabouli was more tomato than anything, the hummus was the worst part. Yalla doesn't come close to Gotta Eatta Pitta.
(1)Tiffany D.
Yalla will make you holla!! This is THE very first Mediterranean restaurant I've ever been to and eaten at and I can honestly say that I love their food and I now am very fond of Mediterranean. I've been here a few times, my first time being for a Yelp event. If they weren't located in Pleasant Hill I would be here more often and really putting all my Yalla bucks to good use lol. Yalla is doing healthy Mediterranean food, they are using only fresh and locally sourced ingredients, all the meats are cooked to order and the side dishes are very healthy (lots of veggies). While they do have many meat, poultry and fish dishes on the menu they also have vegetarian and vegan options. When you walk into the restaurant they have something quite unique that I have yet to see elsewhere and that's an in-store herb wall and lemon tree, talk about super fresh ingredients. Their wines and craft beers are all locally sourced as well but it doesn't just stop there let's talk about the decor and eating utensils. The decor is all wood which is made from salvaged wood and their plates, forks, knives, spoons and cups are all 100% compostable. Yalla is like the Chipotle for Mediterranean food, their whole set-up is very similar and everything is fresh and fast. The menu isn't huge and the ordering process is very easy, fast and efficient. The menu/ordering is a 4 step process: *Choose Your Style: Pita wrap, salad or Yalla plate *Pick Your Favorite: Chicken Shawarma, Shalafel, Falafel, Kefta Skewer, Salmon Skewer, Steak Skewer or Chicken Skewer *Add Toppings *Select Your Sides (Choose up to 3) My favorite dish here is the teak skewer Yalla plate with rice pilaf, the steak is tender and has a very nice char to it and has a very unique flavor (the spices are wonderful). They do have some very good side dishes, the Tabouli salad is pretty good and so is the Kale and Beet salad but I really enjoy the Greek Potato Salad is very light and still has a nice flavor although it does not contain mayo only olive oil, red wine vinegar and scallions. But the real winner are the Yalla fries with feta ranch, the fries are cooked perfect and the feta ranch compliments them very well. They do have dessert here as well which is their house recipe Greek yogurt (soft serve) it's very creamy, a little sour and tastes fantastic with the baklava and honey syrup on top. This is a great place to get fresh and healthy authentic Mediterranean food for a reasonable price. I guarantee any dish that you have here you will enjoy and you will not be disappointed.
(4)Tony B.
This is like the chipotle of Mediterranean food . The lines are so long to get in but they move super fast. Its set up lunch room style . you get in line pick the items you want and pay . i got the shawarma and Yalla fries they both are banging. The teas and lemonaid are also delicious . so dont let the lines scare you give them a try!
(4)Alvin L.
Compostable recipes! Actually, I wouldn't compost them they'd probably ruin the earth. Falafel below average. Kefta lackluster and slightly undercooked. Hummus below average. Lentils too aldente. Salad bar comparable to Safeway/Lucky's. Uptown snobbery? Nope. Integrity. C'mon. If you can't get the bare bone simple ass basic ass dishes right. I'm just saying, if you want it done right... from Nacho Libre- Nacho: Enjoy. Señor Ramon: There is no flavor. There are no spices. Where are the chips? Nacho: Somebody stole them. Señor Ramon: Did you not tell them that they were the Lord's chips? Nacho: I was trying to! Tsk tsk tsk. Smh. You eat here and most definitely I will not be eating the booty like groceries.
(1)Joyce Z.
We were lucky enough to try Yalla shortly after it opened as part of a Yelp Elite event where they really went all out so I got to try all the sides and a few of the meats as well so I knew what I liked and what I would take a pass on. It didn't take much to get us back in here when we found ourselves in the area again. I went for my favorite sides which is the Yalla fries and 2 servings of the beet salad which was with baby kale this time vs. arugula. The baby kale does hold longer without wilting but I have to admit that I prefer the beet salad with the arugula instead. For the meat, I tried the chicken schwarma this time which was tasty as usual while hubby got the kofta with ground beef and lamb again. Pitas and wraps get a choice of sauce and toppings while the Yalla plate comes with rice and choice of veggies or lentils and a mini pita bread to go along with it. For about $9, it is a great deal for a dinner that you don't have to feel guilty about as it is pocketbook friendly, environmentally friendly (containers, utensils, etc. compostable), and waistline friendly. Do splurge and get their homemade lemonade especially if they have pomegranate and get the soft serve greek yogurt WITH topping. You can never go wrong with the baklava and honey and the chocolate pita is a close second. Tip: You can proceed right to the register to get your yogurt without having to line up again. Another heads up is there is a feta dipping sauce for the Yalla fries. They sometimes forget so feel free to go back up and ask for it at the register. It is nice to see that they are keeping their standards for the food and service high and not just for the event.
(5)Emily J.
A renewed (and improved) Daphne's California Greek. Overall, I really enjoy Yalla. Our total for two was well less than $20 and we both left full and happy. You start by picking your protein so they can get grilling. I got the chicken shawarma when we were there for the Yelp event. On my most recent visit, I got the shalafel, which is a mix of chicken shawarma and falafel. (I love a good sampler.) I found both to be quite flavorful and well cooked. I got my shalafel served as a salad, with vinaigrette on the side and cucumbers and tomatoes on top. (Feta and Âolives are also offered.) I really liked the salad although after having the fries with feta ranch, I wish I had chosen that as my dressing. As others have mentioned, they offer a great selection of sides and you receive a generous three with your meal. On this visit I got the eggplant (I actually prefer the eggplant at Gotta Eatta Pita), hummus (it's okay) and fries. The fries, served with feta ranch are pretty incredible. Service is friendly and fast -- they definitely know how to keep things moving.
(4)Lilas A.
It's good falafel and as for the chicken shawarma it is yummy and very clean place and staff is very friendly.
(4)Sharon H.
The food is good, but I was just there on two days ago and noticed the size of the plates and the portion sizes have been reduced. The restaurant hasn't been there that long. I would give it four stars if not for the portion and plate size reductions.
(3)Sharine d.
Enjoyable, good food, good selection.fresh choice for Mediterranean food. Very satisfying food. Helpful servers good choice for lunch. Clean, upbeat location. Similar to chipolte but Mediterranean. :-)
(4)Rachel Ann C.
If I could rate this place a half-star up (for the bad customer service experience I witnessed on my visit), I would. I've grown up with Downtown Pleasant Hill throughout all of my life, and this Mediterranean/Greek food spot has always been my go-to. (It used to be a Daphne's location.) With the fast-casual Gotta Eatta Pita just down the block (think Greek "Chipotle"), I'm sure this place had to make itself stand out against that location. The concept is simple. Pick one protein (Falafel, Shawarma, Chicken, Steak, Vegetarian, etc.) Pick a Yalla Plate, Pita Sandwich, or Salad. Pick three sides. I chose the Yalla Plate, with Shalafel (half falafel, half shawarma/chicken). It came with a bed of rice pilaf and lentils on top. I also chose my three sides as the Tabouli Salad, Grilled Eggplant and Pea & Mint Salad. (I HIGHLY recommend getting the Grilled Eggplant and Pea & Mint Salad. Tasty and refreshing. Tabouli Salad was a little too sour/watery/mediocre.) For about $10, my meal was absolutely filling, delicious and satisfying (I ended up taking a bit home). The reason I am giving this place 3-stars is because I came in on a heavy lunch hour (I think it was around 1pm on a Sunday, however), and though there were a lot of people, the cashier was moving EXTREMELY slow. All of our orders were ready to go on the cafeteria-style line, behind the counter by the workers. But, the cashier was taking forever to ring us up that I ended up waiting 10-15 minutes with my food sitting on the tray line, while all of us waited to get rung up. One of the gentlemen in front of me even requested to get new Yalla Fries because it got cold by the time he would've gotten rung up (my mom even said her fries and steak were cold by the time we ate). A plus: Free Frozen Greek Yogurt with a Yelp Check-in. I was extremely full by the end, but the free dessert at the end was delicious. (And: Frozen Greek Yogurt = healthy alternative! I topped mine with the Baklava, Honey + Pecans, which was kind of a weird complement to the sourness of the greek yogurt. Might as well have just gone with the Strawberry Compote.) Although this place is new, they need more workers/people on staff to tend to the busy lunch line that ensued. My 20-minute wait to order could've been cut-down to 5. Other than that, delicious and satisfying quick meal.
(3)Paul V.
I have been to Yalla a couple more times and an update review is long due. A mind set out to seek only one type of food can be emotionally charged. Having found none of the gyros I was longing form the now the defunct Daphne's had made me pretty much biased on my first review. I went back to Yalla the second time around, now with an open mind. For around $10, Yalla is a whole lot of delicious food. Yalla Fries with feta ranch, and the Baklava Yogurt is addictingly yummy! The fast casual format (a la Chipotle) makes perfect sense for Yalla. I always get their Yalla plate have have tried almost all of their proteins. Everything is delicious and tasty, sans the Salmon skewer; it was a little on the dry side. The veggis are fresh, meats seasoned accordingly, and fried with feta ranch that is like crack? I am absolutely positive I'm a a regular at Yalla. And kudos for opening WC branch too! I hope you guys open more locations.
(4)Clarice O.
What is not to like about Yalla? Locally sourced, nutritious flavorful food is everybody's best friend. Yalla offers locally sourced, nutritious flavorful food so I think it just logically follows that they should be everybody's best friend, too. Vegetarian, omnivores, and carnivores alike would find something to their liking here. (I want to say that vegans would be happy here as well, but as it is not an instinct for me to check out for vegan items, I cannot say this with confidence and I do not wish to lie.) As was mentioned in some other reviews, the setup is highly reminiscent of Chipotle. You can customize your order either as a plate, salad, or a wrap. You are also given a choice of three sides with your order. Once you have made your choice, you can pay for your order and find a table. I have tried most of their items as I was lucky enough to have been able to come in during a Yelp event, and I am over the moon about their shalafel. Especially for people who are not the biggest eaters, this dish gives the option of trying two of their entrees - the chicken shawarma and the falafel. Both are flavorful, and I much prefer ordering this as a plate because the lentils that come with it is just really fantastically flavorful. As for the sides, my personal favorites are the Greek eggplant salad, Moroccan carrot salad, tabouli salad, and the Turkish cabbage slaw. They are all just very delicious and can be enjoyed on their own. The other sides are good as well, but they did not wow me as much as those four I mentioned. One order costs less than $10 (without a drink or dessert), but it could last me three meals (please do remember that I have been told I eat like a bird though I am cursed with hungry/greedy eyes). As for the drinks, I am just in love with their pomegranate lemonade. It is refreshing and a little tart with the perfect ratio of pomegranate to lemon flavor. Their desserts are all very good as well, with their frozen yogurt more tart than sweet but made delicious by the toppings: chocolate pita cookie, sour cherry syrup, or chopped baklava and honey syrup (my favorite). What makes Yalla even more likable (aside from the food) is the owner, Michael. He really works the room and pays attention to every single diner (I have visited again after the Yelp event and he did this every time I stop by) to make sure that everything is alright. He is never intrusive in any way, and I can tell you he is very pleasant to chat with. He told us that the restaurant is a dream now realized, and he even told us about the personal touches here that cannot really be found in chain restaurants. He told us that the toppings for the frozen yogurt reflects his personal journey. I will not tell you his story as I really wish you would ask him, yourself, dear reader. However, I can tell you that as I am personally a sucker for personal touches, this just made me really happy to be dining at Yalla. Welcome to my neighborhood, Yalla. I am so glad you are here.
(5)Hayder A.
Ok, let me get this straight, with one dish you will never get full, you need at least three orders for 2 people, the food was good especially the salads, I'll give it a try
(3)Shar M.
For those curious but too lazy to Google, the new owners of Daphne's California Greek chain are transforming it into a new concept restaurant, Yalla Mediterranean. So, technically this is a "new" restaurant in Pleasant Hill; however it is not totally unrelated to its predecessor. What I like about this restaurant are (1) price, (2) menu/style, and (3) they indicate which menu items are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian, for those who need to know. How it works: like Chipotle. (1) Choose your style -- pita wrap, salad, or plate. (When they first opened, they also offered "stuffed pita" which is what I had ordered and would have recommended, but they have since removed this style from the menu.) (2) Choose your main filling: chicken shawarma, shalafel, falafel, kefta skewer, salmon skewer, steak skewer, chicken skewer. Falafel is the only vegetarian option. (3) Add toppings! They have 4 kinds of sauces, and various vegetable toppings. (4) You get THREE sides with your pita/salad/plate. This is where you get the most bang for your buck. I've had their Turkish Cabbage Slaw, Greek Eggplant Salad, Tabouli Salad, Greek Potato Salad, and Yalla Fries (these are REGULAR french fries, don't be fooled!) Your total price will depend on which main filling you chose. For falafel, it comes out to $7.95 plus tax, but it can cost as much as $9.95 plus tax if you choose something like the salmon skewer. For dessert, they do offer soft serve greek yogurt with optional toppings: chocolate pita cookie, sour cherry syrup, or chopped baklava and honey syrup. My friend ordered the one w/ baklava topping and so I had a taste - very delicious. Surprisingly, there is another "stuff your own pita" option just a few shops down at Gotta Eatta Pita. I've tried both and tried to order similarly (stuffed pita, or pita wrap, with falafel). Technically, Yalla is cheaper because what you're buying is a combo meal with sides. I think Yalla has better tasting falafel. However Gotta Eatta has fluffier, warmer, tastier, freshly baked pita bread. So, honestly, they're both good, and I'll probably eat at either or, depending on which I'm in the mood for. I hope both are successful enough to survive. I like that there are options.
(4)James H.
The Chipotle style is catching on to other cuisines. Pieology for pizza and Yalla for Mediterranean. I like the customizable options and all the choices. I started with the chicken schwarma and chose to have it in a pita which was not heated and came out room temperature. I'm not sure if they're supposed to heat/warm up the pita prior to serving but I prefer a warm pita bread than at room temp. I then chose a few toppings to add to the pita wrap and proceeded to choose 3 sides. They have many sides to choose from that'll suit most taste buds. I opted to get fries, eggplant salad and tabouli. The fries were nice and crispy, eggplant was good and tabouli was tart. I wasn't really impressed with the flavor of the chicken schwarma and the pita not being warm just did not make the wrap enjoyable. The service is friendly and when it gets busy they do their best to move everyone's orders along. I can see this place taking a lot of the business away from Gotta Eatta Pita that's a few stores down but I still prefer Gotta Eatta Pita wraps more.
(3)Carolen M.
I arrived today to meet up with a friend at Yalla to try it out. It's as many folks say, it's like Chipotle but for Mediterranean. You get a choice of meat and then how you want that meat which is either in a plate, pita bread, or on salad. Then you get a choice of 3 different sides and don't forget the sauce. Anyways, I decided on getting the Shalafel (chuckles...I love saying this word...sha-la--fel...) which is chicken shawarma and two small falafel balls on salad with vinaigrette some cucumbers and olives. I got the Yalla fries, eggplant, and the red beet salad as the sides. I overall liked my food. I did like the crispiness of the fries though everyone else got their fries topped with some kind of sauce. I did not. I'm not sure why. The beets were sweet and tasty. The eggplant was also quite flavorful. The falafel was super fried, but not bad in taste. With the Yelp check-in I was able to get a free frozen yogurt with one topping. I opted for the honey and baklava and boy I just had a few bites of my meal and just finished the froyo! It's not a lot, but I savored every bit of it. The baklava was crunchy and sweet and the honey was a nice balance to the tartness of the greek yogurt which was nice and smooth. There are plenty of seats inside as well as some seating outside. I do love that everything they serve in and on is compostable. So it's also good to eat here for the environment! The grill is also quite an engineering design interest. They turn and go down the line as they place your meat skewer on it. Overall, I would consider coming again. I do wish you could get an option with just the food without the sides, but I guess for ~$9 you're getting a lot of food. I would probably ask for less dressing on the salad because it was just too overdressed for my own taste. But overall a good place to try out if you're curious to see a Chipotle style Mediterranean place!
(3)W. T.
Finally. Legit food near the Concord border. Under $10 for quality falafal plate. Vegetarians and Vegans will go NUTS over this place for sure. I'm a fan and will return regularly. Conveniently located near Heather Farms, about 2 miles from Pleasant Hill BART. But the only future friendly establishment in the shopping center. The other joints are burgers, meat, japanese, burrito, sandwich/bakery. Something for everyone here. Take it to go and picnic across the street.
(5)Daryl G.
We went there for the first time at lunch. The lamb and beef was flavorful, and the service was decent. The experience was good at best.
(3)Alaina S.
Walking into this restaurant the first thing you notice is the beautiful, minimalist decor... The second thing you notice is the huge selection of Greek side options (you get to choose 3 with every meal!)... And finally when you sit down to eat you realize how much delicious, fresh, healthy food you got for under $10. I ordered the chicken shawarma plate with lentils and vegetables, my friend got a chicken kabob salad, and we both chose the tabbouleh, potato salad, and Greek slaw as our sides. DELICIOUS. Neither of us could finish it all. This place is especially good for people who are beginners to Greek food. The menu is clear and simple, and you can see all of the side choices in front of you (Chipotle style) so it's not as intimidating for those who might not be familiar with the cuisine.
(4)Brandi W.
I am happy to say that Yalla completely went above and beyond my expectations. I have returned several times, and each visit gets exponentially better. Such progress! They fixed every little area that I addressed in my first review, and did so without getting upset with my critiques. I really appreciate that. The falafel is now delicious! The recipe change really flipped the script. I love the rice pilaf and the roasted veggies, even though I would probably opt for some of the medium spicy sauce to give them some oomph (Rosanne P. said it was really yummy), and the tahini is a must-add. Have them drizzle it on your falafel balls. Might not look pretty, but it's dee-lish! They also serve cold bottles of Blue Moon, admittedly one of my favorite guilty-pleasure beers. It may not be the classiest or craftiest beer on the market, but I will always have a soft spot for these suds. If you are a wine drinker, they have several options. I had a wonderful glass of red this evening, although I don't recall the name (something beginning with S?)... the third one down on the wine list, if I remember correctly. That cabbage salad remains one of my favorite side orders, and the hummus is still just as mouth-watering. It's wonderful to have another fresh, healthy spot in downtown Pleasant Hill, which used to be pretty sparse when it came to vegan options. Now I just wonder what will take the spot of the recently vacated Lucky Supermarket (something good, I hope). Now if Yalla would just add a vegan fro-yo option, I would be in restaurant heaven! Sorry! There I go again. I don't want to nitpick. I am so BEYOND appreciative of all the steps they have taken to be so veg-friendly. This attention to detail makes me really proud to have Yalla in the city I call home. If you are gluten-free, never fear! There are lots of items you can eat, too. I keep telling myself that I want to try to be gf, but I like bread way too much; I am a glutton for gluten. I am the Duchess of this place for a reason, although I have been neglecting my duties lately. I see others creeping up on my title, so I definitely need to visit Yalla more often to remain in control of the throne. Queen V out.
(5)Theia B.
It was ok, expensive for a fast food type of place. We ate in the restaurant we managed to find ONE table that wasn't dirty or that had a bunch of garbage/food underneath it. The floors were also wet. There were so many employees just doing nothing in the back!!! Anyway, food was ok but for the reasons stated above we will not return.
(2)Jenna T.
I'm not the biggest fan of Mediterranean food, but this place is good! Probably the best I've had. I love their "Chipotle" concept of picking what you want on your dish. They pride themselves in cooking as you order your meat. Their staff are fast and friendly, always asking if you're okay or need anything else. Their sides are endless and it's hard to only choose 3. Don't forget they serve french fries! and the feta ranch poured on top of the fries makes it that much better! Their pita bread is warm and fluffy. It was the best pita bread I've had! They have different wine and beer on tap. Which makes this place different than any other place. Their pomegranate lemonade is so tasty! Their homemade Greek yogurt with chopped up baklava and honey is delicous. My bf loved their chocolate pita cookie which was just as thick as regular pita bread. I'd definitely recommend this place to all my Mediterranean foodies. Don't let this place pass you by!
(4)Koko M.
I used to think I was an avid fan of Mediterranean cuisine and then I was lucky enough to be approved for an insiders event and Yalla blew my mind!!! Really nice change of pace and a wonderful welcome for me and my guest (who is now on Yelp too) to the East Bay! Cannot wait to spread the word with family and friends.. and hell anyone that will listen! :) Divulged in: glass of white wine = smooth and light really great choice that didn't overpower the food a Yalla plate - rice, lentils, Kefta, greek potato salad, Moroccan carrot salad, arugula and beat salad and yalla fries.. (Don't Judge Me *laughs*) = every one of these items was robust, flavorful and spoke to every foodie sense I've got... Pop pop pop yummmmmmm Pomegranate Lemonade = can you just say YUM!! Will the flavor change with the seasons!? Chicken Shawarma = tender and savory Turkish Cabbage Slaw = not even a huge cabbage fan, but love this combo! you may have just converted me with this!! Tomato Cucumber Salad = I've talked my dad into attempting to recreate this at home for SuperBowl! Olives, Pea & Mint Salad = sooo good.. love the bite of the mint, but the pop of the olive flavor Greek Egg Plant Salad = I was hesitant because I've never really had eggplant in this way.. but WOAH!!! This will be on my plate next order, guaranteed! Rich and flavorful, but surprisingly light! House Soft Serve Greek Yogurt - with chocolate pita cookie - sour cherry syrup - and chopped baklava & honey syrup.... = my personal favorite is the chocolate pita cookie and I'm not even a yogurt fan.. but I will confess I had 2.5 cups (sample sized cups!) If I am ever craving yogurt.. I will make the drive to obtain this specifically! ....so I think it is quite safe to say that I've got a well-rounded feel for the menu... and can you say ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!!! You expect one or two dishes to be phenomenal and then everything else to be mediocre.. but no.. MIND BLOWN with every bite! *laughs* My only complaint was the Yalla fries were just a tad too salty, ruined my palate for a minute for everything else I was munching on. I completely appreciate and was continuously surprised at how friendly and helpful all the staff were. The passion simply poured straight from the kitchen and from every employee I came in contact with. I love the personal touch of Michael explaining the depth and story behind Yalla and it's core concepts. The specialized kitchen set up and the overall clean and succinct decor. Yalla is focused on sustainability and their actions back up their words, which is AWESOME! Using locally sourced products and responsibly raised meats as well as compostable products where possible! I cannot wait to return and try the few things that I haven't yet tried like the salmon, steak and falafel... I'm looking forward to the amazing experiences all over again!
(5)Jill E.
As a family, we recently gave up all the yummy things of life that shorten our lives. I for one, have been feeling quite put upon. That is, until I found Yala! My vegan son got yummy food. And I got potato offerings - including gluten free fries. The price was about the same as Chipotle and like Chipotle, they put it all in recyclable trays right in front of you. I know this is not a Chipotle review but I am going to put Yala in the rotation of quick but "not exactly fast food" options. A few more places like this and I may stop pouting about living so damn long.
(5)Rachelle B.
One word-delicious! I honestly came in for a quick bite to eat and was pleasantly surprised. I will definitely be going again soon.
(5)