The Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill coming to Dobbin Road in Columbia will open Wednesday, reports Richard Gorelick on his Sun blog.
Lotsabogeys spotted Garbanzo in December, and we pieced together for a post then that it was a small chain doing a Chipotle-style "build-your-own lunch" plan with Middle Eastern inspiration.
11 comments:
I drove past it last night. The menu board wasn't up yet, but all the furniture was in place and it looks like the kitchen was ready. Still doing some decorating though.
Actually sorry to hear this. I had heard rumors that the Cava Grill folks who are local and awesome were looking to open in Columbia area, but Columbia fees and rent were prohibitive. Thet have been doing a version of this in Bethesda, DC and Tysons for a while. Prefer them to another outside chain, but the idea is good.
I went today and they were giving $15 "money" to everyone. Got a falafel wrap and lentil soup. Both delicious, freshly made, and vegan and vegetarian. Also, got 2 kids meals: one chicken and rice and one steak and rice. Both kids loved it, no small feat! Highly recommend for a quick, light meal.
I went yesterday and several people in my office went today. All of us got the $15 in fake money. Food was OK, a few "experts" in the office on Mediterranean food felt the food was a little bland. Everyone thought the prices were a little expensive, especially the add-ons like $1 for a cooked egg. Not bad when everything was free, but probably a little high when having to pay full price.
I went today (Thursday). Not bad, but kind of pricy for what you get. I like Nora's Kabobs a whole lot better.
Specific comments: pita was a little thicker and chewier than I like. Tabouleh was excellent! Garlic sauce was very good; steak was acceptable.
Homemade chips were good, too. But, a steak pita and chips was more than ten bucks. Again, a little on the pricy side for what it is.
It really is a mediterranean chipotle.
I thought the prices were ok, but the add-in charges were silly. Didn't like the Tabouleh, but liked the other sauces.
The food was ok...but I agree that the prices were high. Also, the protein portions were extremely small compared to the $$$. Maiwand is much better. That being said, when is a good Greek place going to open up in the area??
Stopped there for lunch today. Ordered lentil soup (good), a plate of chicken falarma (falafel + schwarma) and a side of dolmades. The plate comes with as many or few of about 8 different salad combinations including humus, tabbouli, babaganouj, feta, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes/onion/cucumber as you want + the protein that was ordered (e.g. falafel and schwarma). It was good, not the best, but decent enough and since both the plate and the soup came with a pita bread, I could make two sandwiches, one falafel and one chicken. It was good for the price paid. The only disappointment was the dolmades which were of uneven quality (one had crunchy bits :-( ).
Is it as good as Nora Cafe? No, it's not, but the food is decent and it's quick and friendly and convenient.
Went a week ago and very unimpressed...got the chicken falarma plate...the falafel were OK but not near as good as Amsterdam Falafel in DC or Max's in Wheaton and the chicken was incredibly dry and a minute amount. Pita was way too chewy for my taste as well and way too thick. They were out of kabob which is what one of my friends had wanted. All of the salads/toppings seemed to be missing something...the chips were great but sad when that was the most positive thing to come out of a restaurant specializing in this type of food! I liken it to the chain Roti but they have MILES to go to catch Roti (although I did think Garbanzo's falafel was better than Roti's) IMHO!
unimpressed. lack of flavor. nothing compared to Pita Hut in Rockville. pita was ok thickness, everything else just lacked in seasoning, flavor. not good mediterranean food.. would not return.
And just like that, a year and a half later, Garbanzo has closed! I'm very disappointed as it has become routine eating for me.
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