Tried this out on recommendation from the friendly folks at the dulcimer shop for a good vegetarian-friendly eatery. Wonderful falafel! The best I've ever had. So light in texture and flavorful with sesame seeds throughout. Hummus and pita also very good. Gyros were a hit with the rest of my family with the combined lamb, beef, chicken and falafel all together. Even the fries are delicious battered style. The Greek salad was slightly weak and service too slow; otherwise this is very fairly priced and excellent food. And pet friendly if you are eating out on the patio!
(4)
Christopher M.
This is the bomb, right here. If you want to drop $10 down on something fast, healthy and utterly amazingly delicious, this would be your place.
(5)
Jackie R.
After long day at N Pole we wanted a quick good meal before long ride home with 3 young children & saw Heart of J. They were welcoming and even though the 1 waiter was a bit slow (getting drinks same time as food) we all enjoyed our flavorful platter meals, hot choc (pass on their chai tea)! Would go there again - very friendly - and kid friendly!
(4)
Katie B.
I have been here several times and their food is delicious--there is just one problem: I am a vegetarian that asked for the veggie sandwich wrap and it was just fine, until I found lamb in it. The table and the menus had caked-on hummus or something on them. I am hoping this was just a bad day for the restaraunt and not the start of a downward spiral for them.
(2)
Scott B.
Spent a long weekend in Colorado Springs with my wife and ended up going here twice. The decor is a little...hmm...different. It looks like a middle eastern garage sale exploded in the middle of an old diner. Red vinyl booths and checkered tablecloths surrounded by pics of the middle east, hanging trinkets and lamps, and door curtains. The college age server was also wearing a belly dancer outfit (?) the second time we went, which sent my wife into a fit of giggles that she had to smother in her napkin.The ambiance isn't what you come here for, however. The chicken schwarma is the best I have ever had, and my wife's gyro was fantastic as well. Tender grilled bits of meat mixed with onion, tomato, tahini, and yogurt dressing in a toasted wrap. The sandwich by itself was too large to eat, so half of it came home with us. The rice that was on the side was tasty, but a little dry. The hummus appetizer came with pita chips and soft pita, and was as good as any we've had. We took a second order for the road. With its quirky decor and nondescript exterior, you could be fooled into thinking that the food is "meh" as well. Don't be. We will definitely be taking our boys here the next time we visit Colorado Springs. P.S. try the sage iced tea.
(4)
S V.
I went with my parents for a late lunch. We got two of the kebab platters for the 3 of us to share. Our waitress brought it out on 3 plates, which was a nice touch. The food was solid though not as flavorful as I have had elsewhere. Our waitress was nice and attentive. The sage tea and baklava were yummy, the coffee ok.
(4)
Abdul F.
The lamb is halal. The food is so good and given the location, a great value. The decor is not why you eat here.
(5)
Sara F.
I was not expecting to find a place like this in Manitou. The food was great and service very quick and friendly. FALAFEL!!!! Yeahhhh !!!
(5)
Hilary C.
I've eaten or gotten food from here about a dozen times now. I almost always get the beef sirloin kabob. Most of the time, it's phenomenal, but a couple times the meat's been under-cooked and a little mushy. The pita bread and hummus are divine. However, the service is almost always pretty bad and in my experiences, it's always been because it's understaffed. Even though it's a small restaurant, it's too big for just one person to effectively wait on everyone when the place is even half full. Once on a weekend, there was only one person there to cook AND wait the tables. We were warned as we came in by people leaving that it was taking well over an hour to get food so we just went somewhere else. I've never seen the place have more than one wait person on staff no matter how busy it is. I rarely get waited on by the same person twice, as if there's a high turnover rate and after today I see why. A waitress was busting her tail to take care of everyone in the restaurant when a gentleman in a suit, who I presume was the owner, was being REALLY nasty to her. Even though she was running around like crazy trying to take orders, bring food, bus tables and work the register, this guy was aggressively chastising her "Am I paying you or what?" loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear. Even though the food is great, I don't know that I can patronize a place that treats its employees so poorly.
(3)
Jenna G.
Food was okay, it sat in the window while everyone just sat there talking and joking around. Service was bad but food tasted good. A lil too pricey for what you get.
(2)
Venky K.
Best falafel in Colorado by a mile! Food came out very quickly and was very delicious. Its not located where you normally expect to find good Mediterranean food. I love their falafel hummus wraps and platters . The place could do with a bit of a makeover however and some more cleanliness. The last time we went there we were unable to finish our food due to all the flies buzzing around our plates . I recommend their homemade ice creams . Very tasty !
(4)
Alex B.
My two friends and I were house-sitting for a mutual friend in Woodland Park Colorado for a week, and were trying to experience the best that Colorado had to offer. Having toured Denver the first 2 days, and been left horribly underwhelmed, we were delighted to stop for lunch in Manitou Springs and find The Heart of Jerusalem Cafe. I ordered the mixed plate, my friends ordered the cheesy chicken pita sandwich, and the heart of Jerusalem Pita sandwich. My plate came with falafel, basmati rice, fresh pita strips, tzatziki shredded, and seasoned beef and lamb.In addition to the gigantic late their was a large portion of hummus and tomato lettuce chick pea salad to top it off.......My god it was good. I had so much good stuff on the plate, that i shared with my friends. We would willingly return!
(4)
Geoff A.
Way over-seasoned. I am a big fan of middle-Eastern food and was really looking forward to trying dinner here. I got take-out lamb kebabs which came with rice, pita bread and a small side salad. While the meat was tender and well cooked the overall meal was too much for the palate. The meat, rice and pita bread were simple buried under a mountain of seasoning which made it an unpleasant dining experience. The pita was dowsed in spices then over-cooked to a dried out cardboard. The salad was okay though. I wouldn't go back there again, and there are much better places in CS for kebabs and this sort of food in general.
(2)
alex g.
i tried so many places around manitou and Colorado springs and this is the worst experience i ever had. food was greasy and old got sick for 2 days from their falafel (king of falafel) for real? how could you be the best of something must be wrong can i leave a negative star? this is a never again experience
(1)
Sibby S.
Ambiance: Cute yet unpretentious diner feel. Very nice cozy patio. Great to sit outside and watch all the foot traffic go by. Inside has lots of large picture windows. Service: Nice people, but not very attentive. Had to ask twice for water refill. Long, long wait for waitress to take order. Food arrived timely, but then again a long, long wait for the check. When it did arrive, waitress, simply just dropped it on table without a word on her way to another table. (though she gave me a nice goodbye when i left.). Food: Fair to good. I ordered the Veggie plate, which was a decent selection of hummus, tabbouleh, falafel, dolmas and pita triangles. First the best -- the pita is probably the best in town. Toasted and highly seasoned with Za'atar. The hummus was garlicky and complimented the pita well. The falafel was good. The dolmas were a little too vinegary, and had an astringent aftertaste. Did not like the tabbouleh at all. They used way too much parsley. The parsley should be an accent, not make up over 50% of the tabbouleh, at the expensive of very little tomato, green onion or cracked wheat. And on top of that, the parsley was curly, and not of the flat-leaf variety, found at better establishments. Each bite tasted like nothing but a huge bite of parsley. Overall, a solid choice. Greek and Middle Eastern places in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs used to be sparse. Now, there are over a dozen, so competition and comparison to other establishments is more keen. This place falls somewhere in the middle (this place is better than several, but there are several that exceeds Heart Of Jerusalem.)
(3)
Cathy K.
Service was super slow. The waitresses were overwhelmed and inexperienced. BUT the food is worth the wait. I recommend the veggie plate: the pita bread with zataar was excellent the falafel was some of the best I've had in the US. The Middle eastern music was nice but the interior needs help.
(4)
Robert D.
Casual, but Mideast cuisine is delicious. I recommend the lamb. They also have wonderfully seasoned pita bread. This is a Jewish cafe with a 1950's American ambiance. That didn't work so well with me; but it is still a good place to drop in for lunch.
(4)
Garry M.
This is from earlier today at The Heart of Jerusalem restaurant. They were very friendly and nice and treated us like family. I would highly recommend this because the food tasted better than it looks, and it looks like it belongs in a Wolfgang Puck "Taste of the Middle East" specialty bistro, a kind that you would find in boundary lines of a five star resort. Also consider this, I spent the time to write a review and recommend it to you guys, and normally I don't. Another upside for those of you BOGO card holders, you can get a complimentary baklava with the purchase of a combo meal. So to wrap this up the atmosphere was a nice and gentle kind of cafe set up, but still had the middle eastern theme, including the Al Jazeera news station playing on the tele, but though it wasn't a full setup, the cafe looks on the outside were really deceiving because everything else was just fantastic. Best food I've tasted since summer vacation where it matches up to those expensive restaurants that you only go to when you have a gift card or your hotel gives you coupons. I could not think of anything bad except that the food arrives so plentifully that you have to bring the rest home for another night. Loved it, will go back soon.
(5)
Nicolo D.
Best hummus I've ever had, excellent falafel and pitas. I'd go back in an instant. The service was a bit slow, but it looks like a family business, and everybody was busy, so it's understandable.
(5)
Rick L.
Terrible. Wait staff was rude. Food was ordinary.
(1)
Elodia M.
This place has the BEST falafel I've ever tasted! I ate here twice while on vacation. Both times I had the Beef/Lamb Sandwich (Shawermah/Gyro) with extra falafel and dolmas on the side. The meat was flavored really well. It was a good blend of beef and lamb. Neither was overpowering and there was no Lamb aftertaste. We ate outside on tables that didn't look as though they'd been cleaned all day. The servers were really nice, but service wasn't stellar. They carry Pepsi products (Boo!). Parking during the high tourist season can be tricky, but we managed to find street (free) parking both times. I can't really speak to their other offerings, but I would definitely return over and over again.
(4)
Joanna Z.
My husband and I love Middle Eastern Food, so this was a place we tried soon after moving here. It's not a fancy place, but the food has been excellent. We typically get a falafel sandwich or plate with hummus. Yum! We've had the baklava a few times too. That's has been good as well. The only thing we don't like here is the sage tea, but I'm not sure everyone likes sage tea. It's a bit overpowering.
(5)
Arun R.
Excellent mediterranean food. Tried a mezza platter. The hummus is freshly made. The falafels were really crisp and also freshly made. The tea was very refreshing. Best mediterranean food I've had so far and very reasonable
(5)
Lindsey G.
Definitely not the most attractive restaurant I've ever seen, but who cares?! Their food is delicious! Very good falafels!!!
(4)
Bethany M.
I really like the food here (I should mention I only ever get the chicken kabob plate which comes with kabob, hummus, pita, salad, and saffron rice). Yes, the service can be very slow (they could use an extra server) but I will keep coming here because I can't get enough of their food! The one thing I haven't really enjoyed was their baklava. Both times I have tried it it tasted a little dry and not too fresh.
(4)
John S.
Best ME food I've had in the US. We ate here three times while in town. My only complaint is the one I reserve for every ME restaurant in the US: Stop using mystery meat Lamb/Beef on the spit. That ain't the way it's done in any other country than America. We're cheapo's over here eating cheap shite while other countries eat the real thing....Honest to God LAMB CHOPS on a spit. Shaved. What's great about HOJC is that they have the flavors correct. Everything from Kabob to Falafel is correct in flavor, texture and quality. I ordered the Kabob on our third visit. With Saffron rice and Olive/Feta salad. It was the best I've had here in the US. Did I mention that? Major props to Ibrahim our waiter. He was so kind and generous. He brought our pup something to eat and drink even after she gave him some puppy-sass. LOL. Overall great experience in Manitou. Lastly, order the Sage Tea. It is just divine.
(5)
Lisa K.
We have stopped in here several times in the past few months and the food has always been really good. I love the vegetarian platter with hummus, baba, dolmas, falafel and more. The kabob and grilled veggie platters are good, too. I just wish they had more on their menu. So many of my favorites are not even offered. Like fouel (fava beans), lentil soup, kibbeh, lamb shank. I know they are a small restaurant, in a small town... but maybe as a special? The atmosphere is like a simple diner and there is a small patio by the creek. Service is usually great, once the waitress was slow and flakey... Definitely worth checking out for solid Middle Eastern food. Oh - and try the sage tea, so yummy!
(3)
John W.
It's interesting to find a good Mediterranean restaurant in Manitou Springs, and Heart of Jerusalem is just that--a GOOD restaurant. The most important thing I feel I need to get across about this place is that the ambience is very-much take-out diner, rather than sit-down place. I think a lot of the photos on Yelp so far present it as more of a sit-down place. The food was very authentic based on other Mediterranean restaurants I've been to, but there were multiple items that we tried to order, but were told they were out of. We were further told that these items that they were out of weren't very good anyway, maybe not the best way to let a customer down softly. All told, the food was GOOD, not a revelation, and the portion sizes were generous. So, don't expect to be transported to "the heart of Jerusalem" when you eat there, but if you keep expectations in check on quality and ambience, you won't be disappointed at this unique place.
(3)
Christian B.
I went to this place with a co worker and everything was amazing. The waitress was friendly and attentive, the food was delivered to our table within a few minutes after our order was taken and the food was presented like an abstract painting, full of all kinds of colors, shapes, sizes and textures. I had the sampler platter which had lamb,beef,chicken and kofta, (a meatball of different ground up meats mixed with spices) served on a bed of saffron rice, sauteed vegetables,greek salad and triangles of seasoned pita bread.The taste of the food was like an explosion of flavors, one right after another. All the spices were mild enough that one did not overpower the other which made for a symphony of flavors that made your tastebuds dance with joy.
(5)
Shelly K.
Have been here a few times and food has been consistently good. Love the chicken plate; chicken was tender and the sauce (their version of tzaziki, but made with sour cream instead of yogurt) is great! Tried the fries for the first time and they were delicious; we ordered them extra crispy ... If you pay cash you get their sage tea and baklava for free; both of which are tasty!
(4)
Scott S.
Wow, this place is great. Found it on a few day trip to the springs. A very small place downtown. Very close to parking, food and service are excellent. Don't miss this place when you come here!
(5)
Liz B.
I stopped by for a falafel sandwich to go and although the place was completely packed and other people ordering to go as well they had my sandwich out super fast and it was piping hot and delicious. In addition the service was exceedingly friendly.
(4)
Mike B.
The food was wonderful. I had the kabob sampler, which consisted of lamb, beef, kufta (a meatball or meatloaf of various kinds of ground meats) and chicken. Once I started to eat it, there was an immediate party in my mouth! The food was wonderful and prepared perfectly. My only complaint is not with the restaurant itself, but with their web site that plays music that you can't get away from. Other than that, the experience was perfect!
(5)
Craig B.
I enjoyed the food. Service was energetic but Ebrahim is more interested in pretty girls than service. He made good recommendations. The food was authentic and spiced well. The saffron rice is an experience unto itself. The sage tea hot really cements the food perfectly.
(3)
lynn l.
The food was good. Had the vegetarian plate. Very tasty falafels. My daughter had the gyros plate which she said was tasty also. Service was fair. We ate outside which was much more pleasant than inside. I am not sure I would return for a full meal.but would for a side of falafels.
(3)
Amod B.
Authentic food. If you are around, don't miss this place.. Deserves nothing less than 5 stars. Try their salads and sandwiches!
(5)
Roshini C.
One of THE MOST flavorful meals I have ever had. Anyone going to visit Pike's peak should stop here for dinner. The food is so authentic and the waiters are so friendly and will give you a rich history of Palestinian culture if you are interested in asking. I am writing the review a whole year later and I still remember the food we ate here in great detail. Loved this place and wish they would open up a branch in California.
(5)
Patricia T.
We will eat here again on our next trip to Manitou Springs! The kabobs, falafels and humus were the best we have ever experienced. We enjoyed the patio dinning!
(5)
Jeff B.
The food was absolutely amazing! It was some of the best mid-eastern food I have ever had. We were told by locals (not employees) that the chef consistently wins top honors across the entire state for his mid-eastern cuisine. There is a small dog-friendly patio (maybe 5 tables), which is fully shaded and backs up to a stream.
(5)
Renee A.
Very good! Stopped in here when my family was visiting. There were 10 of us and there was plenty of seating. Fast service, good menu, great prices. Baklava is out of this world.
(5)
Allison P.
Great restaurant! Loved the falafel plate. Great portions and flavors. My friend and I also ordered the sage iced tea, and it was good too. Would definitely eat here again.
(4)
Alexandra R.
Great food. Heart shaped falafels I was vacationing in Colorado. This spot was recommended
(4)
Benjamin L.
I would recommend this place to anyone who loves middle eastern food or for anyone who hasn't tried it but loves to try new things. The food was very very good, best I've had to date. It had that small authentic vibe to it. The ice cream is really good as well. But I would definitely recommend the baklava. The service was really great and we didn't wait long for the food. The owner has done well enough to open a second location in the Colorado Springs area, so that should tell you something of the food. This place is a must try for anyone passing through the area or staying in the area.
(5)
Debbie B.
I gave the other location 5 stars. You have to pay to park $1 an hour. They have a heater that blows directly on you really hard, hold on to your napkins folks. And, it's expensive. We got an appetizer with bread, falafel and hummus, 2 sandwich combos with iced tea, and two pieces of baklava. The total was 41 before tip. Yikes! But the food is good. The other location gives more fries and has better bread. O and the baklava at the other one's yummy, but here it was so dry and hard i actually choked on it.
(3)
Liz J.
First time eating Middle Eastern food and it was very good! Between myself and the other 3 people I went with, we tried a good chunk of the menu. Everything was great. Only downfall to this restaurant is it doesn't look as clean as I would like it to be. The appearance was tidy, but when you look at the detail, it looks like it could use a deep cleaning in the dining area.
(4)
Rio J.
Food was amazing but service was extremely slow!! They had one girl take orders and serve the entire establishment. Food was worth the wait though. *Bathroom doesn't have a changing table so had to use our booth seating area as a make shift changing table to change my baby's diaper.
(4)
Jeff B.
Very good Middle Eastern fare in a no-nonsense setting. Very Berkeley (a positive), with a sensitivity to gluten (non-gluten/NG) or other dietary needs. The baba ganoush and humus were especially good. Don't miss the sage ice tea.
(4)
Amanda F.
Good food! We both got the sampler platter over rice. Loved the falafel & battered fries. The place, in general, was worn & needed some updating. But the food made up for the atmosphere. Wait staff was fine. Not overly attentive, but she didn't ignore us either. I haven't had good Mediterranean meal in a while, so this place was a pleasant surprise!
(4)
Aditya N.
After a day of walking around in manitou springs, this place looked the most interesting out of the bunch. And are we glad we ate here. We ordered the half and half which consist of hummus and babaganooj which tasted very similar in my opinion, warm pita bread and 4 falafel. The falafels were heart shaped for some reason, but they tasted great. One of the best I've tried in Colorado in my opinion. We also ordered the fries, which I couldn't get enough of and the kebab sampler which consists of chicken, lamb, beef and kafta. Meats were well seasoned and the rice were awesome but for the price I wish there were more of it. There were 3 of us and the total bill came out to be about $38. A little pricey for the amount of meat we got but well worth it.
(4)
Angie S.
The hummus and gyros were a religious experience. Ordered a piece of baklava to take home and I can't WAIT to eat it. Best Mediterranean food I've had by far! Just a little place, very simple, but the food. Wow.
(5)
Elena M.
The food is delicious! Although the outside looks a bit hole in the wall, the staff is very friendly, it's cozy inside, and there's a cute little outside area. Can't get enough of the Tabbouleh. The sour, fresh, salty mix of parsley and tomato and other ingredients is addictive. The chicken kabobs are well marinated, juicy, and grilled to perfection.
(5)
Lotus S.
Located in the heart of downtown Manitou Springs, this restaurant has a great laid-back vibe and friendly service. I ordered a falafel platter for $8.99 with an additional $1.99 for rice -- the portions are huge and tasty!
We love this place. The food is always delicious, and the service has always been fast and friendly. Hands down, this is our favorite Mediterranean food nationwide!
(5)
Peggy B.
Wandered in with friends on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Our food arrived quickly. We all ordered something different and all of it was tasty: falafel platter, beef and lamb plate, the half and half appetizer, and the ultimate plate. Flavorful! Can only give one star because the service was appalling and the bathrooms and visible portion of the kitchen were very dirty. Our waitress was consistently rude from the time we walked in until we left. Will not return.
(1)
Carla W.
This is by far the best middle eastern food my husband and I had outside of Israel. Last night we had a party of 10 come in to have dinner. The gentleman who waited on our table was very attentive and always went above and beyond. The food was exceptional. We've eaten at several middle eastern around Los Angeles and in Israel and I have to say this one is our favorite. We ordered some of everything and there was not one item we didn't like. All of the kids enjoyed the chicken and steak. The pita chips, hummus, and falafel's we're a great start. We're in Manitou Springs for three days and will definitely go back again for more of the wonderful food at the Heart of Jerusalem cafe.
(5)
A B.
Great food, get the beef and lamb plate. Kufta plate was not as good, the meat was harder and dry. Good hummus on the side of the plate.
(4)
Scott S.
What a pleasant find! We were traveling through Manitou Springs and happened upon this place for lunch. The food was incredibly delicious, the price was very affordable, and the service was great!
(5)
Rosie M.
The food was cold and we had a stomachache right after we are there The sanitary conditions not very good
(1)
Christina M.
I love Middle Eastern food, and was so excited to try this place after reading such high reviews by others on Yelp. I was especially excited to try their heart shaped falafel since it's one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of their falafel. Our falafel was dry & didn't come with very much seasoning or flavor. My boyfriend & I both ordered the lamb & beef platter, & upon receiving it, we were both confused because the meet neither looked like nor tasted like beef or lamb. The little salad on the side with the sauce was delicious, and I also liked the hummus, but the main part of the dish was disappointing. I ordered the sage tea, and it was so good that I'm still thinking about it & can't wait to order it again. We decided to pay in cash so that we could take advantage of the deal, which is free sage tea + free baklava. The baklava is some of the best I've had... It's light & sweet with the perfect amount of pistachios. I think next time I'd just come for dessert rather than a meal. One of the main reasons I'm giving this place such a low rating is because the service left much to be desired. Our waiter was not attentive & we actually had to walk up to where he was to ask for items we needed or to ask for our bill after waiting around 20 minutes after we had finished our meal. We also had other customers come to our table because they didn't have napkins & we had extra to share. They had been waiting for their waiter as well. We still enjoyed our time here:) Order sage tea & baklava & you will walk away with a smile on your face:)
(2)
Mia N.
I found this place thanks to yelp. It's definitely a hole in the wall type place, but the food was good and the service friendly. I would eat here again if I was in the area! I got a gyro sandwich, but next time I think I would opt for one of their plates because the sides looked really tasty.
(4)
Rick C.
We stopped in here for lunch and really enjoyed it. I had the shrimp kabob. It was terrific and more than enough. They also have a kids menu of American food. The staff was pleasant and efficient. I highly recommend stopping here for a meal.
(5)
Fred P.
My family dropped in for dinner for the first time at this restaurant. We were seated immediately and served water & our order taken. We waited and waited and waited. We watched 3 different tables seat patron who ate and left before we were served. We explained this to the first waitress and were told that "...it was the cook." The waitress said, "he has his own method." This waitress disappeared and another waitress took over & finally came with our meal. We explained how others had come in after we were seated ate and left before we were served our meal. She made the comment that she could removed our drinks and maybe not have to pay for them. That didn't happen. We were even given a sandwich we didn't order. I understand that these things can happen but it was the way the first waitresses avoided our table after it became apparent there was a screw-up and how the second waitress excused everything without apologizing or even giving us an explanation. We also had an impatient 3 year old that was hungry. Thanks for listening
(1)
Gloria H.
Great authentic Mediterranean food. I had the veggie player Andy partner had the ultimate platter. Food tasty and abundant Defintily try this place if you are in the area.
(5)
Mark M.
Delicious variety of middle eastern food at a great price. Highly recommend if you are in the area. Quick courteous service too!
(4)
Spandana R.
Just because I don't want to give a 5. Great food and great prizes.. Do not miss out on the home made ice cream!!
(4)
Robin P.
We stumbled upon the Jerusalem Cafe when strolling the streets of Manitou Springs, mostly because of the aroma. The Jerusalem Cafe sandwich was full of tender meat (chicken, beed and lamb). The pita bread was seasoned wonderfully. We ordered the fries from another Yelp suggestion, but they were barely warm. Seasoned nicely, but nothing to rave about. The baba ghanoush was really nice and the falafel was the best I've ever had.
(4)
Kaaren D.
Found this little place on the main street of Manitou by accident. We parked in the large lot very close by, and were there at a time when they weren't very busy. The food was plentiful, and the Baba Ganouj some of the best I have ever eaten.
(5)
J M.
Visiting area and this place stood out. Hubby got the beef chicken lamb gyro..he liked it pretty good. I got the chicken plate..decent but wish I wouldve gotten what my 13 yr old daughter got..the chicken kabob. The chicken was seasoned beautifully and super tender..the rice was so flavorful. She's lucky she still had left overs. Also falafel shaped in hearts...NUM! They give you big servings. I almost left after walking in because of a smell I didnt know I could handle but I got used to it, also the booth I sat on needs some serious cushioning...felt the wood!?? LMBO..HUBBY SAID I SHOULD DELETE THAT BUT ITS WAY TOO FUNNY..sorry
(4)
Wind R.
Stopped in and tried their falafel sandwich, it was great one of the most authentic tasting falafels I've had. They have a nice outdoor area that's great too.
(5)
Chuck H.
Truly authentic Jerusalem style Mediterranean! Hard to come by! Do not be fooled by the looks of this place. Amazing food! Turkish coffee too.
(5)
John S.
Amazing food. Had the Mix Kabob and Turkish Coffee. Wife had the Shrimp Kabob. We will be regulars there.
(5)
Matthew M.
Really love their beef and lamb platter. A huge amount of food, it comes with falafel, pita bread, and a salad. Their baklava is also fantastic. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Jennifer B.
I'm part Lebanese, I know my Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine so trust me when I say this place sucks! Service was slow with only a few patrons. To start off with we got tabouleh. It was served over a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce (WHY?!), and the tabouleh had banana peppers in it, seriously, who does this?! All that aside, the tabouleh lacked a whole lot of flavor. But before we could even try it we had to send our plates back because they were dirty. For my main course I got the Lamb Kabob platter. When the waitress brought out our dishes, she asked who had what, and she still handed me the wrong plate. I got literally 4 pieces of piddly looking meat that was over cooked and tough. I'm not sure it was even lamb to be honest. Their version of tzatziki (they call it gazaziki) sauce pretty much just tasted like a mild cucumber ranch dressing. The only reason I'm giving them two stars instead of one, is because their pita and hummus was actually pretty good. Overall though, I would not recommend this place for your Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine.
(2)
Stacey M.
This place is amazing!! The folks who started this place 10 years ago are from Jerusalem, US military. They import their spices and make amazing dishes.
(5)
Cielo G.
Fabulous in every respect. Hummus and baba ganoush are mouthwatering. Lamb kabob is excellent too. Recommendation: tabouleh instead of Greek salad. It's only shredded lettuce and a sprinkling of toppings. Service was pleasant. Waitress took our hummus appetizer off the bill since one dish came late. Wasn't necessary but kind on her part. The place was busy, but still had enough spots to eliminate a wait.
(5)
Sam G.
So someone commented on Michaels getting their falafel from Heart of Jerusalem. ..then why is Michaels falafel so much better?? Either way Heart of Jerusalem s food was not good and neither was their service.
(1)
J E.
I gave this place 4 stars, but that was a mistake. I can't stop thinking about how good the food was almost 6 months later.... That's a 5 star restaurant.
(5)
Manu H.
Never had this kind of food before. But what can I say? It was amazing!
(5)
Hannah S.
Great service, great food and great atmoaphere! My family and I were shopping in the little shops in manitou springs when we saw this place and decided to try it! I couldn't have been more pleased the food is just amazing! I had the chicken kabob with rice and hummus and it was the perfect blend of spices; not to much or to little :) Definitely worth going to!
Fantastic. Very down to earth atmosphere and presentation. But prices are great, and service was great. Our server, Kelly, was a delight. I have a very special diet and they even took my food and cooked it for me, for free! Kelly also gave me a drink, and small side salad to help accommodate my special needs for medical reasons, and really helped fill me up! . I mean, I am so happy how nice she was, and how tasty everyone else's food was! Please come here! Please, someone give her a raise.because she just gained this business hundreds of dollars, as I will be back whenever I'm around!
(5)
Daniel L.
Best hummus ever? I think so. The falafel dropped on top as an extra treat was masterful. The pita was just as good to accompany everything else. As Sibby notes this place has a real "diner feel" attached to it. I really enjoyed the culture clash between the hummus and the ice cream and the frappe drink advertisement and the somewhat colorful mix of local culture and obvious tourists like me. This has a great location to all the touristy things and very convenient to the parking and the bar next door. It is right off the water so you can sit outside and gawk if you want. This was a very enjoyable lunch experience - providing me with hummus that no other city has yet to rival. I will be coming back for subsequent hummus adventures when I am in town once again.
(4)
Lisa K.
My in-laws are Lebanese so I know "me" some good Med food! Had lunch with my sister in law and was satisfied with the food (service is lackluster to say the best). I had tabuli salad with grilled chicken and a side of hummus. It appeared that one server had the entire restaurant so it was hard to get water refills, more pita bread etc. We were fortunate to be seated next to the Pepsi cooler and served ourselves. Food was good - service not so much. Mother in law still makes the best Med food.
(3)
Alison G.
Best falafel and dolma we've ever had. Seriously. Plus, if you pay by cash, each person gets a free sage tea and baklava. So yummy!!!
(5)
Rich B.
We came here after leaving PJ's Bistro hungry (walked out after 20 minutes of waiting without being so much as offered a menu or water) and what a difference! We were immediately greeted, and offered a menu and drinks within 5 minutes. The place had a nice warm charm to it, accented with just the right amount of decor to say, hey we're a middle eastern restaurant, but without beating you over the head with it. The waitresses wore zumba skirts (you know, those wraps with tiny bells or coins on them) that added greatly to the atmosphere and prompted my wife to say she wants one to wear around the house. The service was friendly but not intrusive, and the food came pretty quickly. I will echo what the majority of the other reviewers here are saying- the food is amazing: hot, fresh, very nicely spiced and tasty. Portions were generous and filling and very reasonably priced. We ordered 2 entree's and 2 appetizers for 3 adults and that was just the right amount for us. We also asked for extra tzatziki and pita bread and were not charged for it- normally a lot of places will charge extra for the tzatziki at least. P.s. they do have a military discount, free drink with your meal so make sure that you ask for it. We will definitely be regular customers in the future.
(5)
Jeanne C.
I enjoyed a chicken kabob meal that had a generous and tasty portion of rice, salad, grilled pita bread, and hummus served with it. The chicken had good flavor and was seasoned well without being spicy. Our waitress was gracious and provided an appropriate level of service. The place has what I could diner decor with red booths and a cheerful atmosphere. I'd return here for another meal.
(4)
Becca R.
So I don't know if it was just the day I went or what, but I definitely left disappointed. After giving this a five star review and having a great meal previously, this visit just fell flat. The gyros really lacked anything special. We could hardly taste the cucumber sauce and they weren't wrapped correctly, which is something small to complain about, but it was so hard to eat. The fries, which were ingrained in memory because they were so delicious, I think weren't fully cooked like normal and they were just barely golden. Bummer, as I talked this place up even though the building is so nasty. Will I go back? Probably, as it's cheap. But, I don't think I'd expect anything special and I certainly wouldn't take visitors from out of town there.
(3)
Ej S.
My family and I stumbled upon this restaurant a few years ago while in the Springs. The moment I knew I'd be back in the area I planned my weekend around making sure I'd do lunch here again. And I'm glad I did. Extremely good food, even better than I remembered the first time, and very fair prices. Their pita bread is plentiful and grilled with olive oil and zata'ar spices -- yum. The hummus was tasty, babaganooj was smokey and delish, the grape leaves... I ordered the Heart of Jerusalem Salad - had a little bit of everything. Best part: They used the tabouleh dressing for the salad - lemon, olive oil, garlic and spices. The falafel was wonderful. Staff great. Highly recommend.
(5)
Brian A.
The service was good. I had the beef/lamb shwarma plate and it was awesome. Babaganosh was awesome and had a good smoky flavor. Hummus was good too. Give you a lot of food for the price.
(4)
Joe T.
Great unique place that feels very Manitou Springs (other locals will know what I mean). This place doesn't stand out in terms of ambiance, but the food is great. Ambiance: Everything feels a little outdated with middle eastern trinkets hanging on the walls and traditional arab - looking lamps hanging from the ceilings. The "ice cream bar" is an eye sore and the booths look like they are from the mid-seventies. The Manitou outside dining is a definite plus during the summer and spring. Food: The food here has always been pretty good. Not nearly as tasteful as Uchenna or Taste of Jerusalem downtown but still a great option for Mediterranean fair. The Turkish coffee is very authentic as well! However, every time I get the Dolmas, they have almost completely fallen apart by the time I receive them. Service: Service has always been warm and punctual. During the busy summer evenings the staff seem to get a little overwhelmed, but they haven't seemed to lose their friendly approach which is a huge benefit. Detractors: This place rally seems like it needs a freshening up. Maybe a fresh coat of pant and some new flooring would do this enterprise well. In Colorado Springs there are so many great (and not so great) options for Mediterranean food. Rejuvenate your primary recipes with some more flare. Overall a good establishment, but not a place that stands out from the rest. At least not yet...
(3)
Jo L.
The food at this location of Heart of Jerusalem is just as good as the other location on Austin Bluffs but this location is much busier. The service is terrible most of the time. The wait for EVERYTHING is long. Ordering, refills (I usually have to go up to the counter to get a refill), getting the food once you eventually get to order and then getting the bill (again I usually have to go up to the register to ask for my bill). I have not eaten at this location that much (maybe less than six times) but there are usually younger, Caucasian girls serving. They seem inept and clueless. Or maybe they just don't care? Either way, the service has prevented me from going back to this location. One menu item that I do not like at Heart of Jerusalem is their dolmades. Not so great. I notice some complaints in reviews regarding the food being oily or greasy and over seasoned. For the most part, this is the way I've found most middle-eastern restaurant food. . . the food is "dressed" with olive oil. C'mon, it's olive oil it's good for you. "So (in the words of my father) shut up and eat". The pita does have tons of seasoning. . . . .I personally LOVE it.
(3)
Lacey B.
So good! I could eat their hummus falafel and gyros every single day. My husband and 2 year old loved their sage tea.
(5)
Mike G.
The beef lamb shawarma is really good, but the secret is their crispura fries. They might be the best fries I've ever had. Fast, friendly service is the rule.
(5)
LT K.
I got the ultimate plate to go, and they did not include napkins or picnic utensils. I had no choice but head back to my room to eat, instead of having it picnic style in downtown Manitous Springs to enjoy this beautiful historic downtown. My dinner has gyro meat (beef &n lamb) and chicken. The chicken was well-seasoned and moist. They gyro meat was sliced too thin and chopped up too small pieces. It was done well, but not good, as I have had better. The hummus was good; it has just the right amount of salt, spices and lemon. So wonderful eating it with the pita bread. The salad that comes with it was miserable. It was literally cooked from the heat of the meat. They should not have kept the salad at room temperature. The falafel was good and flavorful; one of the best that I have tasted in a while. The price is a little pricey as the amount of meat was not much. Over all good food, but lousy service.
(3)
Heather G.
Awesome food and service. My husband and I order hummus as an appetizer and different kabob entrees. The hummus and falafel were delicious and the appetizer was fairy large. The kabobs were amazing. They gave us a lot of food for not a bad price. The server was very polite and attentive. We really enjoyed eating out on the patio.
(5)
Jennifer L.
A group of friends and I ate here a month back, and loved it! Tasty authentic food, and great service.
(4)
Ronald S.
maybe its off season. one guy waiting tables, service wasnt quick but not a deal breaker. falafel wrap and veggie wraps were both delicious. seasoned fries are good too. eat outside if its a nice day. good for vegetarians. didnt expect to find exceptional falafel on a street corner in manitou springs, happily surprised.
(3)
Natasha M.
Omg! Best Gyros I've ever had! We were vacationing in Colorado Springs and visited this place after reading it's review on Lonely Planet. It's a little diner like restaurant in a great location and has a parking lot right next to it. The lady who greeted us was so sweet and you could see that she's really passionate about this little restaurant and the food. We had the chicken shawarma (gyros) and the hummus plate. The hummus, pita and falafels were so good! The pita was overloaded with spices and the falafels were deep fried; but that made them even better ;) The star was definitely the chicken gyros which was bursting with flavor. It was so good that we even got one packed for the journey back. The husband also tried a frappe which was ok. We tried 2 ice-creams - chocolate and pistachio. Again ok. This place is strictly for gyros, so it's best to stick to the food!
(5)
David F.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Colorado Springs now. Great Mediterranean food and jovial service. The owner was a long time worker in our armed services, but turns out he can COOK, too!!! I haven't found anything I don't love on the menu, yet. This place is casual and decently quick. Make sure to say Salaam Alekum to the cook!
(5)
Julie C.
This is our favorite place in The Springs (although now Rudy's is going to give it a run - different foods & experiences). We take all our "tourist visitors" here and they've loved it, too - adults and kids. We've never been to the other location as we're always down in Manitou play tour guides. ;-) Yes, the ambiance is a bit "dated" but it feels so much more real to me - like I have been transported to the other side of the world. ;-) Somehow it makes the food even better! We never had anything short of impeccable service. The place is small, so even with one or two servers, it's not hard for them to keep up with your needs even if they're packed out. Note that if you PAY WITH CASH you get a free Turkish sage tea (iced or hot - sounds odd, but it's great!) and baklava - also great - we take ours to go because we are always so stuffed! As a note to Kayla B from Lee's Summit, MO (hubby's from KC) - they don't have *pita*, they aren't Greek - they have za'atar (it's explained on the napkin holder sign info card thingys) and it's the best flatbread I've ever had. I've tried to recreate it at home and I can't come close - even with sumac berries from Penzey's spices (but it gets it closer). It's topped with the sumac, sesame, and thyme. It is the absolute perfect compliment to their most awesome hummus (Katie, not sure how you cannot like it!). My hubby and teen son will not any hummus but the fresh stuff at HofJ. I always swear I'm going to just order za'atar, hummus, bakalava, and sage tea when I go - but I end up getting "the works". All of us nearly always order the "Ultimate Plate" as that way we get a little bit of everything - including the best falafels I've ever had....even my teen will eat them...and he knows what they're made of! My son says their smoothies are great and my autistic daughter only eats their great French fries - as an autistic, she's picky. ;-) Even if you're not brave enough to try some international flavors, stop in for some sage tea and bakalava. Then if you get braver, go back for more. Just try it, you might like it. My hubby was scared at first, but is the first to tell others we'll taking them there. As for the "Arab-looking lamps" someone mentioned, you can purchase them at the place next door. I absolutely love them and once when I joked I was going to take some home, the server said they cost $300-500. But I love mosaics! I like to go and just stare at the lamps - ha! There's a public parking lot ("Wichita") just behind the restaurant but if it's not too busy around there, you can use the free street parking - you just might have to circle the block a couple of times.
(5)
David M.
This is a simple review, because the food and people at the HOJ are simply the best Colorado Springs has to offer by way of Middle Eastern food. Best falafel in the Springs. Best baba ganoush in the Springs. Best hummus in the Springs. Best pita in the Springs. Best Turkish coffee in the Springs. Incredible. Wonderful fast and inexpensive food served by nice folks with neat outside deck dining. Could not have been better. Thank you Heart of Jeruselm for a great lunch. We'll be back for sure.
(5)
Sean S.
Best food ever, HUGE portions, good prices, cool staff, and great location.
(5)
Brian M.
Immerse yourself into a corner shwarma hut, and pretend that your transported deep inside the Middle East. Or, go here and experience it amidst your shopping and meat loaf/ fruit cake tosses. Great shwarma (a Middle Eastern Philly) really good keftedes (a chickpea fritter) and the best tzaziki(yogurt sauce). Authentic music blasting to the point of near nervous breakdown, no heat and apathetic service...ahhhh, reminds me of Qatar, Turkey, and other similar locations. Not great, but real.
(3)
Alison L.
The best falafel, hummus and babaganoush I've had outside of the middle east! The menu and food were very authentic-Jerusalem, and the portions were normal (not huge), which I always appreciate.
(5)
Eliza M.
Hubs to be and I stopped in here after a quiet walk around Manitou. We were totally craving shwarma, but the other middle eastern restaurant didn't have outdoor seating and today was GOOORRRGEOUS. So we sat down and enjoyed some shwarma! I had beef/falafel and HTB had lamb and beef. All good, but the service was VERY slow.... The iced tea is VERY sweetened, just so ya know. While we didn' t need to rush to get anywhere, speedier service would have been appreciated. Sit out on the deck, near the river, and enjoy this cute little town!
(3)
Rachel P.
Best hummus I've ever had! Fun atmosphere, too. :)
(4)
Farrah L.
We tried this place based on the yelp reviews and it was the best falafel and shawarma I've had since a visit to jerusalem several years ago. Delicious!
(5)
Kayla B.
After reading Daniel L's explanation that the HOJ had "the best hummus ever", I knew my 10 hour drive to Manitou would not be complete without a visit to this den of awesomeness. As my friend and I sat on the patio of HOJ, it was apparent that there was one server for the entire restaurant. Although I was initially concerned, she was definitely kicking ass and taking names in the service department. 5 stars. I ordered the half and half, which was a platter of hummus, babaganoush, falafel, and pita bread. This is where my stars began to fall. The babaganoush and falafel were outstanding! Texturally diverse, divinely flavored, and perfectly garlicy, the baba was by far the best I've ever had. As for the falafel, they were so non-greasy and just really freaking good. The hummus? Not so much. I've had store-bought that was leagues better. Sorry, man. By far, the worst part of the meal was the pita bread. It was stale, greasy, salty, and just all around wretched. I only ate a few pieces, but I'd imagine it tasted like something you'd get in prison. Eeeeek. If I was in Manitou, I'd go back for the babaganoush and good service, but definitely steer clear from the god-forsaken pita bread.
(2)
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Address :718 Manitou Ave
Manitou Springs, CO, 80829
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 : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Bryan J.
Tried this out on recommendation from the friendly folks at the dulcimer shop for a good vegetarian-friendly eatery. Wonderful falafel! The best I've ever had. So light in texture and flavorful with sesame seeds throughout. Hummus and pita also very good. Gyros were a hit with the rest of my family with the combined lamb, beef, chicken and falafel all together. Even the fries are delicious battered style. The Greek salad was slightly weak and service too slow; otherwise this is very fairly priced and excellent food. And pet friendly if you are eating out on the patio!
(4)Christopher M.
This is the bomb, right here. If you want to drop $10 down on something fast, healthy and utterly amazingly delicious, this would be your place.
(5)Jackie R.
After long day at N Pole we wanted a quick good meal before long ride home with 3 young children & saw Heart of J. They were welcoming and even though the 1 waiter was a bit slow (getting drinks same time as food) we all enjoyed our flavorful platter meals, hot choc (pass on their chai tea)! Would go there again - very friendly - and kid friendly!
(4)Katie B.
I have been here several times and their food is delicious--there is just one problem: I am a vegetarian that asked for the veggie sandwich wrap and it was just fine, until I found lamb in it. The table and the menus had caked-on hummus or something on them. I am hoping this was just a bad day for the restaraunt and not the start of a downward spiral for them.
(2)Scott B.
Spent a long weekend in Colorado Springs with my wife and ended up going here twice. The decor is a little...hmm...different. It looks like a middle eastern garage sale exploded in the middle of an old diner. Red vinyl booths and checkered tablecloths surrounded by pics of the middle east, hanging trinkets and lamps, and door curtains. The college age server was also wearing a belly dancer outfit (?) the second time we went, which sent my wife into a fit of giggles that she had to smother in her napkin.The ambiance isn't what you come here for, however. The chicken schwarma is the best I have ever had, and my wife's gyro was fantastic as well. Tender grilled bits of meat mixed with onion, tomato, tahini, and yogurt dressing in a toasted wrap. The sandwich by itself was too large to eat, so half of it came home with us. The rice that was on the side was tasty, but a little dry. The hummus appetizer came with pita chips and soft pita, and was as good as any we've had. We took a second order for the road. With its quirky decor and nondescript exterior, you could be fooled into thinking that the food is "meh" as well. Don't be. We will definitely be taking our boys here the next time we visit Colorado Springs. P.S. try the sage iced tea.
(4)S V.
I went with my parents for a late lunch. We got two of the kebab platters for the 3 of us to share. Our waitress brought it out on 3 plates, which was a nice touch. The food was solid though not as flavorful as I have had elsewhere. Our waitress was nice and attentive. The sage tea and baklava were yummy, the coffee ok.
(4)Abdul F.
The lamb is halal. The food is so good and given the location, a great value. The decor is not why you eat here.
(5)Sara F.
I was not expecting to find a place like this in Manitou. The food was great and service very quick and friendly. FALAFEL!!!! Yeahhhh !!!
(5)Hilary C.
I've eaten or gotten food from here about a dozen times now. I almost always get the beef sirloin kabob. Most of the time, it's phenomenal, but a couple times the meat's been under-cooked and a little mushy. The pita bread and hummus are divine. However, the service is almost always pretty bad and in my experiences, it's always been because it's understaffed. Even though it's a small restaurant, it's too big for just one person to effectively wait on everyone when the place is even half full. Once on a weekend, there was only one person there to cook AND wait the tables. We were warned as we came in by people leaving that it was taking well over an hour to get food so we just went somewhere else. I've never seen the place have more than one wait person on staff no matter how busy it is. I rarely get waited on by the same person twice, as if there's a high turnover rate and after today I see why. A waitress was busting her tail to take care of everyone in the restaurant when a gentleman in a suit, who I presume was the owner, was being REALLY nasty to her. Even though she was running around like crazy trying to take orders, bring food, bus tables and work the register, this guy was aggressively chastising her "Am I paying you or what?" loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear. Even though the food is great, I don't know that I can patronize a place that treats its employees so poorly.
(3)Jenna G.
Food was okay, it sat in the window while everyone just sat there talking and joking around. Service was bad but food tasted good. A lil too pricey for what you get.
(2)Venky K.
Best falafel in Colorado by a mile! Food came out very quickly and was very delicious. Its not located where you normally expect to find good Mediterranean food. I love their falafel hummus wraps and platters . The place could do with a bit of a makeover however and some more cleanliness. The last time we went there we were unable to finish our food due to all the flies buzzing around our plates . I recommend their homemade ice creams . Very tasty !
(4)Alex B.
My two friends and I were house-sitting for a mutual friend in Woodland Park Colorado for a week, and were trying to experience the best that Colorado had to offer. Having toured Denver the first 2 days, and been left horribly underwhelmed, we were delighted to stop for lunch in Manitou Springs and find The Heart of Jerusalem Cafe. I ordered the mixed plate, my friends ordered the cheesy chicken pita sandwich, and the heart of Jerusalem Pita sandwich. My plate came with falafel, basmati rice, fresh pita strips, tzatziki shredded, and seasoned beef and lamb.In addition to the gigantic late their was a large portion of hummus and tomato lettuce chick pea salad to top it off.......My god it was good. I had so much good stuff on the plate, that i shared with my friends. We would willingly return!
(4)Geoff A.
Way over-seasoned. I am a big fan of middle-Eastern food and was really looking forward to trying dinner here. I got take-out lamb kebabs which came with rice, pita bread and a small side salad. While the meat was tender and well cooked the overall meal was too much for the palate. The meat, rice and pita bread were simple buried under a mountain of seasoning which made it an unpleasant dining experience. The pita was dowsed in spices then over-cooked to a dried out cardboard. The salad was okay though. I wouldn't go back there again, and there are much better places in CS for kebabs and this sort of food in general.
(2)alex g.
i tried so many places around manitou and Colorado springs and this is the worst experience i ever had. food was greasy and old got sick for 2 days from their falafel (king of falafel) for real? how could you be the best of something must be wrong can i leave a negative star? this is a never again experience
(1)Sibby S.
Ambiance: Cute yet unpretentious diner feel. Very nice cozy patio. Great to sit outside and watch all the foot traffic go by. Inside has lots of large picture windows. Service: Nice people, but not very attentive. Had to ask twice for water refill. Long, long wait for waitress to take order. Food arrived timely, but then again a long, long wait for the check. When it did arrive, waitress, simply just dropped it on table without a word on her way to another table. (though she gave me a nice goodbye when i left.). Food: Fair to good. I ordered the Veggie plate, which was a decent selection of hummus, tabbouleh, falafel, dolmas and pita triangles. First the best -- the pita is probably the best in town. Toasted and highly seasoned with Za'atar. The hummus was garlicky and complimented the pita well. The falafel was good. The dolmas were a little too vinegary, and had an astringent aftertaste. Did not like the tabbouleh at all. They used way too much parsley. The parsley should be an accent, not make up over 50% of the tabbouleh, at the expensive of very little tomato, green onion or cracked wheat. And on top of that, the parsley was curly, and not of the flat-leaf variety, found at better establishments. Each bite tasted like nothing but a huge bite of parsley. Overall, a solid choice. Greek and Middle Eastern places in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs used to be sparse. Now, there are over a dozen, so competition and comparison to other establishments is more keen. This place falls somewhere in the middle (this place is better than several, but there are several that exceeds Heart Of Jerusalem.)
(3)Cathy K.
Service was super slow. The waitresses were overwhelmed and inexperienced. BUT the food is worth the wait. I recommend the veggie plate: the pita bread with zataar was excellent the falafel was some of the best I've had in the US. The Middle eastern music was nice but the interior needs help.
(4)Robert D.
Casual, but Mideast cuisine is delicious. I recommend the lamb. They also have wonderfully seasoned pita bread. This is a Jewish cafe with a 1950's American ambiance. That didn't work so well with me; but it is still a good place to drop in for lunch.
(4)Garry M.
This is from earlier today at The Heart of Jerusalem restaurant. They were very friendly and nice and treated us like family. I would highly recommend this because the food tasted better than it looks, and it looks like it belongs in a Wolfgang Puck "Taste of the Middle East" specialty bistro, a kind that you would find in boundary lines of a five star resort. Also consider this, I spent the time to write a review and recommend it to you guys, and normally I don't. Another upside for those of you BOGO card holders, you can get a complimentary baklava with the purchase of a combo meal. So to wrap this up the atmosphere was a nice and gentle kind of cafe set up, but still had the middle eastern theme, including the Al Jazeera news station playing on the tele, but though it wasn't a full setup, the cafe looks on the outside were really deceiving because everything else was just fantastic. Best food I've tasted since summer vacation where it matches up to those expensive restaurants that you only go to when you have a gift card or your hotel gives you coupons. I could not think of anything bad except that the food arrives so plentifully that you have to bring the rest home for another night. Loved it, will go back soon.
(5)Nicolo D.
Best hummus I've ever had, excellent falafel and pitas. I'd go back in an instant. The service was a bit slow, but it looks like a family business, and everybody was busy, so it's understandable.
(5)Rick L.
Terrible. Wait staff was rude. Food was ordinary.
(1)Elodia M.
This place has the BEST falafel I've ever tasted! I ate here twice while on vacation. Both times I had the Beef/Lamb Sandwich (Shawermah/Gyro) with extra falafel and dolmas on the side. The meat was flavored really well. It was a good blend of beef and lamb. Neither was overpowering and there was no Lamb aftertaste. We ate outside on tables that didn't look as though they'd been cleaned all day. The servers were really nice, but service wasn't stellar. They carry Pepsi products (Boo!). Parking during the high tourist season can be tricky, but we managed to find street (free) parking both times. I can't really speak to their other offerings, but I would definitely return over and over again.
(4)Joanna Z.
My husband and I love Middle Eastern Food, so this was a place we tried soon after moving here. It's not a fancy place, but the food has been excellent. We typically get a falafel sandwich or plate with hummus. Yum! We've had the baklava a few times too. That's has been good as well. The only thing we don't like here is the sage tea, but I'm not sure everyone likes sage tea. It's a bit overpowering.
(5)Arun R.
Excellent mediterranean food. Tried a mezza platter. The hummus is freshly made. The falafels were really crisp and also freshly made. The tea was very refreshing. Best mediterranean food I've had so far and very reasonable
(5)Lindsey G.
Definitely not the most attractive restaurant I've ever seen, but who cares?! Their food is delicious! Very good falafels!!!
(4)Bethany M.
I really like the food here (I should mention I only ever get the chicken kabob plate which comes with kabob, hummus, pita, salad, and saffron rice). Yes, the service can be very slow (they could use an extra server) but I will keep coming here because I can't get enough of their food! The one thing I haven't really enjoyed was their baklava. Both times I have tried it it tasted a little dry and not too fresh.
(4)John S.
Best ME food I've had in the US. We ate here three times while in town. My only complaint is the one I reserve for every ME restaurant in the US: Stop using mystery meat Lamb/Beef on the spit. That ain't the way it's done in any other country than America. We're cheapo's over here eating cheap shite while other countries eat the real thing....Honest to God LAMB CHOPS on a spit. Shaved. What's great about HOJC is that they have the flavors correct. Everything from Kabob to Falafel is correct in flavor, texture and quality. I ordered the Kabob on our third visit. With Saffron rice and Olive/Feta salad. It was the best I've had here in the US. Did I mention that? Major props to Ibrahim our waiter. He was so kind and generous. He brought our pup something to eat and drink even after she gave him some puppy-sass. LOL. Overall great experience in Manitou. Lastly, order the Sage Tea. It is just divine.
(5)Lisa K.
We have stopped in here several times in the past few months and the food has always been really good. I love the vegetarian platter with hummus, baba, dolmas, falafel and more. The kabob and grilled veggie platters are good, too. I just wish they had more on their menu. So many of my favorites are not even offered. Like fouel (fava beans), lentil soup, kibbeh, lamb shank. I know they are a small restaurant, in a small town... but maybe as a special? The atmosphere is like a simple diner and there is a small patio by the creek. Service is usually great, once the waitress was slow and flakey... Definitely worth checking out for solid Middle Eastern food. Oh - and try the sage tea, so yummy!
(3)John W.
It's interesting to find a good Mediterranean restaurant in Manitou Springs, and Heart of Jerusalem is just that--a GOOD restaurant. The most important thing I feel I need to get across about this place is that the ambience is very-much take-out diner, rather than sit-down place. I think a lot of the photos on Yelp so far present it as more of a sit-down place. The food was very authentic based on other Mediterranean restaurants I've been to, but there were multiple items that we tried to order, but were told they were out of. We were further told that these items that they were out of weren't very good anyway, maybe not the best way to let a customer down softly. All told, the food was GOOD, not a revelation, and the portion sizes were generous. So, don't expect to be transported to "the heart of Jerusalem" when you eat there, but if you keep expectations in check on quality and ambience, you won't be disappointed at this unique place.
(3)Christian B.
I went to this place with a co worker and everything was amazing. The waitress was friendly and attentive, the food was delivered to our table within a few minutes after our order was taken and the food was presented like an abstract painting, full of all kinds of colors, shapes, sizes and textures. I had the sampler platter which had lamb,beef,chicken and kofta, (a meatball of different ground up meats mixed with spices) served on a bed of saffron rice, sauteed vegetables,greek salad and triangles of seasoned pita bread.The taste of the food was like an explosion of flavors, one right after another. All the spices were mild enough that one did not overpower the other which made for a symphony of flavors that made your tastebuds dance with joy.
(5)Shelly K.
Have been here a few times and food has been consistently good. Love the chicken plate; chicken was tender and the sauce (their version of tzaziki, but made with sour cream instead of yogurt) is great! Tried the fries for the first time and they were delicious; we ordered them extra crispy ... If you pay cash you get their sage tea and baklava for free; both of which are tasty!
(4)Scott S.
Wow, this place is great. Found it on a few day trip to the springs. A very small place downtown. Very close to parking, food and service are excellent. Don't miss this place when you come here!
(5)Liz B.
I stopped by for a falafel sandwich to go and although the place was completely packed and other people ordering to go as well they had my sandwich out super fast and it was piping hot and delicious. In addition the service was exceedingly friendly.
(4)Mike B.
The food was wonderful. I had the kabob sampler, which consisted of lamb, beef, kufta (a meatball or meatloaf of various kinds of ground meats) and chicken. Once I started to eat it, there was an immediate party in my mouth! The food was wonderful and prepared perfectly. My only complaint is not with the restaurant itself, but with their web site that plays music that you can't get away from. Other than that, the experience was perfect!
(5)Craig B.
I enjoyed the food. Service was energetic but Ebrahim is more interested in pretty girls than service. He made good recommendations. The food was authentic and spiced well. The saffron rice is an experience unto itself. The sage tea hot really cements the food perfectly.
(3)lynn l.
The food was good. Had the vegetarian plate. Very tasty falafels. My daughter had the gyros plate which she said was tasty also. Service was fair. We ate outside which was much more pleasant than inside. I am not sure I would return for a full meal.but would for a side of falafels.
(3)Amod B.
Authentic food. If you are around, don't miss this place.. Deserves nothing less than 5 stars. Try their salads and sandwiches!
(5)Roshini C.
One of THE MOST flavorful meals I have ever had. Anyone going to visit Pike's peak should stop here for dinner. The food is so authentic and the waiters are so friendly and will give you a rich history of Palestinian culture if you are interested in asking. I am writing the review a whole year later and I still remember the food we ate here in great detail. Loved this place and wish they would open up a branch in California.
(5)Patricia T.
We will eat here again on our next trip to Manitou Springs! The kabobs, falafels and humus were the best we have ever experienced. We enjoyed the patio dinning!
(5)Jeff B.
The food was absolutely amazing! It was some of the best mid-eastern food I have ever had. We were told by locals (not employees) that the chef consistently wins top honors across the entire state for his mid-eastern cuisine. There is a small dog-friendly patio (maybe 5 tables), which is fully shaded and backs up to a stream.
(5)Renee A.
Very good! Stopped in here when my family was visiting. There were 10 of us and there was plenty of seating. Fast service, good menu, great prices. Baklava is out of this world.
(5)Allison P.
Great restaurant! Loved the falafel plate. Great portions and flavors. My friend and I also ordered the sage iced tea, and it was good too. Would definitely eat here again.
(4)Alexandra R.
Great food. Heart shaped falafels I was vacationing in Colorado. This spot was recommended
(4)Benjamin L.
I would recommend this place to anyone who loves middle eastern food or for anyone who hasn't tried it but loves to try new things. The food was very very good, best I've had to date. It had that small authentic vibe to it. The ice cream is really good as well. But I would definitely recommend the baklava. The service was really great and we didn't wait long for the food. The owner has done well enough to open a second location in the Colorado Springs area, so that should tell you something of the food. This place is a must try for anyone passing through the area or staying in the area.
(5)Debbie B.
I gave the other location 5 stars. You have to pay to park $1 an hour. They have a heater that blows directly on you really hard, hold on to your napkins folks. And, it's expensive. We got an appetizer with bread, falafel and hummus, 2 sandwich combos with iced tea, and two pieces of baklava. The total was 41 before tip. Yikes! But the food is good. The other location gives more fries and has better bread. O and the baklava at the other one's yummy, but here it was so dry and hard i actually choked on it.
(3)Liz J.
First time eating Middle Eastern food and it was very good! Between myself and the other 3 people I went with, we tried a good chunk of the menu. Everything was great. Only downfall to this restaurant is it doesn't look as clean as I would like it to be. The appearance was tidy, but when you look at the detail, it looks like it could use a deep cleaning in the dining area.
(4)Rio J.
Food was amazing but service was extremely slow!! They had one girl take orders and serve the entire establishment. Food was worth the wait though. *Bathroom doesn't have a changing table so had to use our booth seating area as a make shift changing table to change my baby's diaper.
(4)Jeff B.
Very good Middle Eastern fare in a no-nonsense setting. Very Berkeley (a positive), with a sensitivity to gluten (non-gluten/NG) or other dietary needs. The baba ganoush and humus were especially good. Don't miss the sage ice tea.
(4)Amanda F.
Good food! We both got the sampler platter over rice. Loved the falafel & battered fries. The place, in general, was worn & needed some updating. But the food made up for the atmosphere. Wait staff was fine. Not overly attentive, but she didn't ignore us either. I haven't had good Mediterranean meal in a while, so this place was a pleasant surprise!
(4)Aditya N.
After a day of walking around in manitou springs, this place looked the most interesting out of the bunch. And are we glad we ate here. We ordered the half and half which consist of hummus and babaganooj which tasted very similar in my opinion, warm pita bread and 4 falafel. The falafels were heart shaped for some reason, but they tasted great. One of the best I've tried in Colorado in my opinion. We also ordered the fries, which I couldn't get enough of and the kebab sampler which consists of chicken, lamb, beef and kafta. Meats were well seasoned and the rice were awesome but for the price I wish there were more of it. There were 3 of us and the total bill came out to be about $38. A little pricey for the amount of meat we got but well worth it.
(4)Angie S.
The hummus and gyros were a religious experience. Ordered a piece of baklava to take home and I can't WAIT to eat it. Best Mediterranean food I've had by far! Just a little place, very simple, but the food. Wow.
(5)Elena M.
The food is delicious! Although the outside looks a bit hole in the wall, the staff is very friendly, it's cozy inside, and there's a cute little outside area. Can't get enough of the Tabbouleh. The sour, fresh, salty mix of parsley and tomato and other ingredients is addictive. The chicken kabobs are well marinated, juicy, and grilled to perfection.
(5)Lotus S.
Located in the heart of downtown Manitou Springs, this restaurant has a great laid-back vibe and friendly service. I ordered a falafel platter for $8.99 with an additional $1.99 for rice -- the portions are huge and tasty!
(4)Adam S.
First time here. In between lunch and dinner times. Not busy at all. Only two other couples. Atmosphere comfortable, small and clean. Not very fancy, but very inviting. Windows throughout so it was refreshing. Service, Vanessa. Asked her about the menu and history of the family owned business. She was helpful but was walking away from us every time she was answering our questions, only to stand by the register. Just felt strange that she gave us her attention from afar. We ordered the "Half and Half"appetizer. Hummus, Baba Ganouj Dips. Za'atar pita and Falafel. Delicious! For dining we ordered the Kabob Sampler and the Heart of Jerusalem Salad. The Kabob Sampler. The Lamb and Kufta were prepared perfectly. The chicken and beef were a little over done. All spiced perfectly! It was served on saffron rice with Greek salad, Z Pita and sautéed veggies. Great for a larger appetite. I couldn't eat it all. Hello to go box. The H of J salad. Beef, Lamb and Chicken with falafel served over a bed of Greek and tabouleh salad. Chicken and beef once again a little overdone. All spiced perfectly. Light and very delicious. We wanted the balaclava but couldn't eat another bite. Over all, a nice dining experience.
(3)da j.
We love this place. The food is always delicious, and the service has always been fast and friendly. Hands down, this is our favorite Mediterranean food nationwide!
(5)Peggy B.
Wandered in with friends on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Our food arrived quickly. We all ordered something different and all of it was tasty: falafel platter, beef and lamb plate, the half and half appetizer, and the ultimate plate. Flavorful! Can only give one star because the service was appalling and the bathrooms and visible portion of the kitchen were very dirty. Our waitress was consistently rude from the time we walked in until we left. Will not return.
(1)Carla W.
This is by far the best middle eastern food my husband and I had outside of Israel. Last night we had a party of 10 come in to have dinner. The gentleman who waited on our table was very attentive and always went above and beyond. The food was exceptional. We've eaten at several middle eastern around Los Angeles and in Israel and I have to say this one is our favorite. We ordered some of everything and there was not one item we didn't like. All of the kids enjoyed the chicken and steak. The pita chips, hummus, and falafel's we're a great start. We're in Manitou Springs for three days and will definitely go back again for more of the wonderful food at the Heart of Jerusalem cafe.
(5)A B.
Great food, get the beef and lamb plate. Kufta plate was not as good, the meat was harder and dry. Good hummus on the side of the plate.
(4)Scott S.
What a pleasant find! We were traveling through Manitou Springs and happened upon this place for lunch. The food was incredibly delicious, the price was very affordable, and the service was great!
(5)Rosie M.
The food was cold and we had a stomachache right after we are there The sanitary conditions not very good
(1)Christina M.
I love Middle Eastern food, and was so excited to try this place after reading such high reviews by others on Yelp. I was especially excited to try their heart shaped falafel since it's one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of their falafel. Our falafel was dry & didn't come with very much seasoning or flavor. My boyfriend & I both ordered the lamb & beef platter, & upon receiving it, we were both confused because the meet neither looked like nor tasted like beef or lamb. The little salad on the side with the sauce was delicious, and I also liked the hummus, but the main part of the dish was disappointing. I ordered the sage tea, and it was so good that I'm still thinking about it & can't wait to order it again. We decided to pay in cash so that we could take advantage of the deal, which is free sage tea + free baklava. The baklava is some of the best I've had... It's light & sweet with the perfect amount of pistachios. I think next time I'd just come for dessert rather than a meal. One of the main reasons I'm giving this place such a low rating is because the service left much to be desired. Our waiter was not attentive & we actually had to walk up to where he was to ask for items we needed or to ask for our bill after waiting around 20 minutes after we had finished our meal. We also had other customers come to our table because they didn't have napkins & we had extra to share. They had been waiting for their waiter as well. We still enjoyed our time here:) Order sage tea & baklava & you will walk away with a smile on your face:)
(2)Mia N.
I found this place thanks to yelp. It's definitely a hole in the wall type place, but the food was good and the service friendly. I would eat here again if I was in the area! I got a gyro sandwich, but next time I think I would opt for one of their plates because the sides looked really tasty.
(4)Rick C.
We stopped in here for lunch and really enjoyed it. I had the shrimp kabob. It was terrific and more than enough. They also have a kids menu of American food. The staff was pleasant and efficient. I highly recommend stopping here for a meal.
(5)Fred P.
My family dropped in for dinner for the first time at this restaurant. We were seated immediately and served water & our order taken. We waited and waited and waited. We watched 3 different tables seat patron who ate and left before we were served. We explained this to the first waitress and were told that "...it was the cook." The waitress said, "he has his own method." This waitress disappeared and another waitress took over & finally came with our meal. We explained how others had come in after we were seated ate and left before we were served our meal. She made the comment that she could removed our drinks and maybe not have to pay for them. That didn't happen. We were even given a sandwich we didn't order. I understand that these things can happen but it was the way the first waitresses avoided our table after it became apparent there was a screw-up and how the second waitress excused everything without apologizing or even giving us an explanation. We also had an impatient 3 year old that was hungry. Thanks for listening
(1)Gloria H.
Great authentic Mediterranean food. I had the veggie player Andy partner had the ultimate platter. Food tasty and abundant Defintily try this place if you are in the area.
(5)Mark M.
Delicious variety of middle eastern food at a great price. Highly recommend if you are in the area. Quick courteous service too!
(4)Spandana R.
Just because I don't want to give a 5. Great food and great prizes.. Do not miss out on the home made ice cream!!
(4)Robin P.
We stumbled upon the Jerusalem Cafe when strolling the streets of Manitou Springs, mostly because of the aroma. The Jerusalem Cafe sandwich was full of tender meat (chicken, beed and lamb). The pita bread was seasoned wonderfully. We ordered the fries from another Yelp suggestion, but they were barely warm. Seasoned nicely, but nothing to rave about. The baba ghanoush was really nice and the falafel was the best I've ever had.
(4)Kaaren D.
Found this little place on the main street of Manitou by accident. We parked in the large lot very close by, and were there at a time when they weren't very busy. The food was plentiful, and the Baba Ganouj some of the best I have ever eaten.
(5)J M.
Visiting area and this place stood out. Hubby got the beef chicken lamb gyro..he liked it pretty good. I got the chicken plate..decent but wish I wouldve gotten what my 13 yr old daughter got..the chicken kabob. The chicken was seasoned beautifully and super tender..the rice was so flavorful. She's lucky she still had left overs. Also falafel shaped in hearts...NUM! They give you big servings. I almost left after walking in because of a smell I didnt know I could handle but I got used to it, also the booth I sat on needs some serious cushioning...felt the wood!?? LMBO..HUBBY SAID I SHOULD DELETE THAT BUT ITS WAY TOO FUNNY..sorry
(4)Wind R.
Stopped in and tried their falafel sandwich, it was great one of the most authentic tasting falafels I've had. They have a nice outdoor area that's great too.
(5)Chuck H.
Truly authentic Jerusalem style Mediterranean! Hard to come by! Do not be fooled by the looks of this place. Amazing food! Turkish coffee too.
(5)John S.
Amazing food. Had the Mix Kabob and Turkish Coffee. Wife had the Shrimp Kabob. We will be regulars there.
(5)Matthew M.
Really love their beef and lamb platter. A huge amount of food, it comes with falafel, pita bread, and a salad. Their baklava is also fantastic. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Jennifer B.
I'm part Lebanese, I know my Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine so trust me when I say this place sucks! Service was slow with only a few patrons. To start off with we got tabouleh. It was served over a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce (WHY?!), and the tabouleh had banana peppers in it, seriously, who does this?! All that aside, the tabouleh lacked a whole lot of flavor. But before we could even try it we had to send our plates back because they were dirty. For my main course I got the Lamb Kabob platter. When the waitress brought out our dishes, she asked who had what, and she still handed me the wrong plate. I got literally 4 pieces of piddly looking meat that was over cooked and tough. I'm not sure it was even lamb to be honest. Their version of tzatziki (they call it gazaziki) sauce pretty much just tasted like a mild cucumber ranch dressing. The only reason I'm giving them two stars instead of one, is because their pita and hummus was actually pretty good. Overall though, I would not recommend this place for your Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine.
(2)Stacey M.
This place is amazing!! The folks who started this place 10 years ago are from Jerusalem, US military. They import their spices and make amazing dishes.
(5)Cielo G.
Fabulous in every respect. Hummus and baba ganoush are mouthwatering. Lamb kabob is excellent too. Recommendation: tabouleh instead of Greek salad. It's only shredded lettuce and a sprinkling of toppings. Service was pleasant. Waitress took our hummus appetizer off the bill since one dish came late. Wasn't necessary but kind on her part. The place was busy, but still had enough spots to eliminate a wait.
(5)Sam G.
So someone commented on Michaels getting their falafel from Heart of Jerusalem. ..then why is Michaels falafel so much better?? Either way Heart of Jerusalem s food was not good and neither was their service.
(1)J E.
I gave this place 4 stars, but that was a mistake. I can't stop thinking about how good the food was almost 6 months later.... That's a 5 star restaurant.
(5)Manu H.
Never had this kind of food before. But what can I say? It was amazing!
(5)Hannah S.
Great service, great food and great atmoaphere! My family and I were shopping in the little shops in manitou springs when we saw this place and decided to try it! I couldn't have been more pleased the food is just amazing! I had the chicken kabob with rice and hummus and it was the perfect blend of spices; not to much or to little :) Definitely worth going to!
(5)April T.
I had lunch there today & really enjoyed it. The over all menu has a lot of familiar Mediterranean favorites & is quite reasonably priced. I started off with an order of dolmas, which was a great deal at $4.99 for 6 & tasted AMAZING! My entrée was the Beef & Lamb Platter which included falafel, which was AWESOME, homemade hummus, which was mild & not overwhelming, & warm pita bread. I also tried the sage tea, which definitely added to the whole Mediterranean meal experience, but was disappointed to learn that they did not offer regular iced tea. Will absolutely eat here again.
(4)John G.
Fantastic. Very down to earth atmosphere and presentation. But prices are great, and service was great. Our server, Kelly, was a delight. I have a very special diet and they even took my food and cooked it for me, for free! Kelly also gave me a drink, and small side salad to help accommodate my special needs for medical reasons, and really helped fill me up! . I mean, I am so happy how nice she was, and how tasty everyone else's food was! Please come here! Please, someone give her a raise.because she just gained this business hundreds of dollars, as I will be back whenever I'm around!
(5)Daniel L.
Best hummus ever? I think so. The falafel dropped on top as an extra treat was masterful. The pita was just as good to accompany everything else. As Sibby notes this place has a real "diner feel" attached to it. I really enjoyed the culture clash between the hummus and the ice cream and the frappe drink advertisement and the somewhat colorful mix of local culture and obvious tourists like me. This has a great location to all the touristy things and very convenient to the parking and the bar next door. It is right off the water so you can sit outside and gawk if you want. This was a very enjoyable lunch experience - providing me with hummus that no other city has yet to rival. I will be coming back for subsequent hummus adventures when I am in town once again.
(4)Lisa K.
My in-laws are Lebanese so I know "me" some good Med food! Had lunch with my sister in law and was satisfied with the food (service is lackluster to say the best). I had tabuli salad with grilled chicken and a side of hummus. It appeared that one server had the entire restaurant so it was hard to get water refills, more pita bread etc. We were fortunate to be seated next to the Pepsi cooler and served ourselves. Food was good - service not so much. Mother in law still makes the best Med food.
(3)Alison G.
Best falafel and dolma we've ever had. Seriously. Plus, if you pay by cash, each person gets a free sage tea and baklava. So yummy!!!
(5)Rich B.
We came here after leaving PJ's Bistro hungry (walked out after 20 minutes of waiting without being so much as offered a menu or water) and what a difference! We were immediately greeted, and offered a menu and drinks within 5 minutes. The place had a nice warm charm to it, accented with just the right amount of decor to say, hey we're a middle eastern restaurant, but without beating you over the head with it. The waitresses wore zumba skirts (you know, those wraps with tiny bells or coins on them) that added greatly to the atmosphere and prompted my wife to say she wants one to wear around the house. The service was friendly but not intrusive, and the food came pretty quickly. I will echo what the majority of the other reviewers here are saying- the food is amazing: hot, fresh, very nicely spiced and tasty. Portions were generous and filling and very reasonably priced. We ordered 2 entree's and 2 appetizers for 3 adults and that was just the right amount for us. We also asked for extra tzatziki and pita bread and were not charged for it- normally a lot of places will charge extra for the tzatziki at least. P.s. they do have a military discount, free drink with your meal so make sure that you ask for it. We will definitely be regular customers in the future.
(5)Jeanne C.
I enjoyed a chicken kabob meal that had a generous and tasty portion of rice, salad, grilled pita bread, and hummus served with it. The chicken had good flavor and was seasoned well without being spicy. Our waitress was gracious and provided an appropriate level of service. The place has what I could diner decor with red booths and a cheerful atmosphere. I'd return here for another meal.
(4)Becca R.
So I don't know if it was just the day I went or what, but I definitely left disappointed. After giving this a five star review and having a great meal previously, this visit just fell flat. The gyros really lacked anything special. We could hardly taste the cucumber sauce and they weren't wrapped correctly, which is something small to complain about, but it was so hard to eat. The fries, which were ingrained in memory because they were so delicious, I think weren't fully cooked like normal and they were just barely golden. Bummer, as I talked this place up even though the building is so nasty. Will I go back? Probably, as it's cheap. But, I don't think I'd expect anything special and I certainly wouldn't take visitors from out of town there.
(3)Ej S.
My family and I stumbled upon this restaurant a few years ago while in the Springs. The moment I knew I'd be back in the area I planned my weekend around making sure I'd do lunch here again. And I'm glad I did. Extremely good food, even better than I remembered the first time, and very fair prices. Their pita bread is plentiful and grilled with olive oil and zata'ar spices -- yum. The hummus was tasty, babaganooj was smokey and delish, the grape leaves... I ordered the Heart of Jerusalem Salad - had a little bit of everything. Best part: They used the tabouleh dressing for the salad - lemon, olive oil, garlic and spices. The falafel was wonderful. Staff great. Highly recommend.
(5)Brian A.
The service was good. I had the beef/lamb shwarma plate and it was awesome. Babaganosh was awesome and had a good smoky flavor. Hummus was good too. Give you a lot of food for the price.
(4)Joe T.
Great unique place that feels very Manitou Springs (other locals will know what I mean). This place doesn't stand out in terms of ambiance, but the food is great. Ambiance: Everything feels a little outdated with middle eastern trinkets hanging on the walls and traditional arab - looking lamps hanging from the ceilings. The "ice cream bar" is an eye sore and the booths look like they are from the mid-seventies. The Manitou outside dining is a definite plus during the summer and spring. Food: The food here has always been pretty good. Not nearly as tasteful as Uchenna or Taste of Jerusalem downtown but still a great option for Mediterranean fair. The Turkish coffee is very authentic as well! However, every time I get the Dolmas, they have almost completely fallen apart by the time I receive them. Service: Service has always been warm and punctual. During the busy summer evenings the staff seem to get a little overwhelmed, but they haven't seemed to lose their friendly approach which is a huge benefit. Detractors: This place rally seems like it needs a freshening up. Maybe a fresh coat of pant and some new flooring would do this enterprise well. In Colorado Springs there are so many great (and not so great) options for Mediterranean food. Rejuvenate your primary recipes with some more flare. Overall a good establishment, but not a place that stands out from the rest. At least not yet...
(3)Jo L.
The food at this location of Heart of Jerusalem is just as good as the other location on Austin Bluffs but this location is much busier. The service is terrible most of the time. The wait for EVERYTHING is long. Ordering, refills (I usually have to go up to the counter to get a refill), getting the food once you eventually get to order and then getting the bill (again I usually have to go up to the register to ask for my bill). I have not eaten at this location that much (maybe less than six times) but there are usually younger, Caucasian girls serving. They seem inept and clueless. Or maybe they just don't care? Either way, the service has prevented me from going back to this location. One menu item that I do not like at Heart of Jerusalem is their dolmades. Not so great. I notice some complaints in reviews regarding the food being oily or greasy and over seasoned. For the most part, this is the way I've found most middle-eastern restaurant food. . . the food is "dressed" with olive oil. C'mon, it's olive oil it's good for you. "So (in the words of my father) shut up and eat". The pita does have tons of seasoning. . . . .I personally LOVE it.
(3)Lacey B.
So good! I could eat their hummus falafel and gyros every single day. My husband and 2 year old loved their sage tea.
(5)Mike G.
The beef lamb shawarma is really good, but the secret is their crispura fries. They might be the best fries I've ever had. Fast, friendly service is the rule.
(5)LT K.
I got the ultimate plate to go, and they did not include napkins or picnic utensils. I had no choice but head back to my room to eat, instead of having it picnic style in downtown Manitous Springs to enjoy this beautiful historic downtown. My dinner has gyro meat (beef &n lamb) and chicken. The chicken was well-seasoned and moist. They gyro meat was sliced too thin and chopped up too small pieces. It was done well, but not good, as I have had better. The hummus was good; it has just the right amount of salt, spices and lemon. So wonderful eating it with the pita bread. The salad that comes with it was miserable. It was literally cooked from the heat of the meat. They should not have kept the salad at room temperature. The falafel was good and flavorful; one of the best that I have tasted in a while. The price is a little pricey as the amount of meat was not much. Over all good food, but lousy service.
(3)Heather G.
Awesome food and service. My husband and I order hummus as an appetizer and different kabob entrees. The hummus and falafel were delicious and the appetizer was fairy large. The kabobs were amazing. They gave us a lot of food for not a bad price. The server was very polite and attentive. We really enjoyed eating out on the patio.
(5)Jennifer L.
A group of friends and I ate here a month back, and loved it! Tasty authentic food, and great service.
(4)Ronald S.
maybe its off season. one guy waiting tables, service wasnt quick but not a deal breaker. falafel wrap and veggie wraps were both delicious. seasoned fries are good too. eat outside if its a nice day. good for vegetarians. didnt expect to find exceptional falafel on a street corner in manitou springs, happily surprised.
(3)Natasha M.
Omg! Best Gyros I've ever had! We were vacationing in Colorado Springs and visited this place after reading it's review on Lonely Planet. It's a little diner like restaurant in a great location and has a parking lot right next to it. The lady who greeted us was so sweet and you could see that she's really passionate about this little restaurant and the food. We had the chicken shawarma (gyros) and the hummus plate. The hummus, pita and falafels were so good! The pita was overloaded with spices and the falafels were deep fried; but that made them even better ;) The star was definitely the chicken gyros which was bursting with flavor. It was so good that we even got one packed for the journey back. The husband also tried a frappe which was ok. We tried 2 ice-creams - chocolate and pistachio. Again ok. This place is strictly for gyros, so it's best to stick to the food!
(5)David F.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Colorado Springs now. Great Mediterranean food and jovial service. The owner was a long time worker in our armed services, but turns out he can COOK, too!!! I haven't found anything I don't love on the menu, yet. This place is casual and decently quick. Make sure to say Salaam Alekum to the cook!
(5)Julie C.
This is our favorite place in The Springs (although now Rudy's is going to give it a run - different foods & experiences). We take all our "tourist visitors" here and they've loved it, too - adults and kids. We've never been to the other location as we're always down in Manitou play tour guides. ;-) Yes, the ambiance is a bit "dated" but it feels so much more real to me - like I have been transported to the other side of the world. ;-) Somehow it makes the food even better! We never had anything short of impeccable service. The place is small, so even with one or two servers, it's not hard for them to keep up with your needs even if they're packed out. Note that if you PAY WITH CASH you get a free Turkish sage tea (iced or hot - sounds odd, but it's great!) and baklava - also great - we take ours to go because we are always so stuffed! As a note to Kayla B from Lee's Summit, MO (hubby's from KC) - they don't have *pita*, they aren't Greek - they have za'atar (it's explained on the napkin holder sign info card thingys) and it's the best flatbread I've ever had. I've tried to recreate it at home and I can't come close - even with sumac berries from Penzey's spices (but it gets it closer). It's topped with the sumac, sesame, and thyme. It is the absolute perfect compliment to their most awesome hummus (Katie, not sure how you cannot like it!). My hubby and teen son will not any hummus but the fresh stuff at HofJ. I always swear I'm going to just order za'atar, hummus, bakalava, and sage tea when I go - but I end up getting "the works". All of us nearly always order the "Ultimate Plate" as that way we get a little bit of everything - including the best falafels I've ever had....even my teen will eat them...and he knows what they're made of! My son says their smoothies are great and my autistic daughter only eats their great French fries - as an autistic, she's picky. ;-) Even if you're not brave enough to try some international flavors, stop in for some sage tea and bakalava. Then if you get braver, go back for more. Just try it, you might like it. My hubby was scared at first, but is the first to tell others we'll taking them there. As for the "Arab-looking lamps" someone mentioned, you can purchase them at the place next door. I absolutely love them and once when I joked I was going to take some home, the server said they cost $300-500. But I love mosaics! I like to go and just stare at the lamps - ha! There's a public parking lot ("Wichita") just behind the restaurant but if it's not too busy around there, you can use the free street parking - you just might have to circle the block a couple of times.
(5)David M.
This is a simple review, because the food and people at the HOJ are simply the best Colorado Springs has to offer by way of Middle Eastern food. Best falafel in the Springs. Best baba ganoush in the Springs. Best hummus in the Springs. Best pita in the Springs. Best Turkish coffee in the Springs. Incredible. Wonderful fast and inexpensive food served by nice folks with neat outside deck dining. Could not have been better. Thank you Heart of Jeruselm for a great lunch. We'll be back for sure.
(5)Sean S.
Best food ever, HUGE portions, good prices, cool staff, and great location.
(5)Brian M.
Immerse yourself into a corner shwarma hut, and pretend that your transported deep inside the Middle East. Or, go here and experience it amidst your shopping and meat loaf/ fruit cake tosses. Great shwarma (a Middle Eastern Philly) really good keftedes (a chickpea fritter) and the best tzaziki(yogurt sauce). Authentic music blasting to the point of near nervous breakdown, no heat and apathetic service...ahhhh, reminds me of Qatar, Turkey, and other similar locations. Not great, but real.
(3)Alison L.
The best falafel, hummus and babaganoush I've had outside of the middle east! The menu and food were very authentic-Jerusalem, and the portions were normal (not huge), which I always appreciate.
(5)Eliza M.
Hubs to be and I stopped in here after a quiet walk around Manitou. We were totally craving shwarma, but the other middle eastern restaurant didn't have outdoor seating and today was GOOORRRGEOUS. So we sat down and enjoyed some shwarma! I had beef/falafel and HTB had lamb and beef. All good, but the service was VERY slow.... The iced tea is VERY sweetened, just so ya know. While we didn' t need to rush to get anywhere, speedier service would have been appreciated. Sit out on the deck, near the river, and enjoy this cute little town!
(3)Rachel P.
Best hummus I've ever had! Fun atmosphere, too. :)
(4)Farrah L.
We tried this place based on the yelp reviews and it was the best falafel and shawarma I've had since a visit to jerusalem several years ago. Delicious!
(5)Kayla B.
After reading Daniel L's explanation that the HOJ had "the best hummus ever", I knew my 10 hour drive to Manitou would not be complete without a visit to this den of awesomeness. As my friend and I sat on the patio of HOJ, it was apparent that there was one server for the entire restaurant. Although I was initially concerned, she was definitely kicking ass and taking names in the service department. 5 stars. I ordered the half and half, which was a platter of hummus, babaganoush, falafel, and pita bread. This is where my stars began to fall. The babaganoush and falafel were outstanding! Texturally diverse, divinely flavored, and perfectly garlicy, the baba was by far the best I've ever had. As for the falafel, they were so non-greasy and just really freaking good. The hummus? Not so much. I've had store-bought that was leagues better. Sorry, man. By far, the worst part of the meal was the pita bread. It was stale, greasy, salty, and just all around wretched. I only ate a few pieces, but I'd imagine it tasted like something you'd get in prison. Eeeeek. If I was in Manitou, I'd go back for the babaganoush and good service, but definitely steer clear from the god-forsaken pita bread.
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