Mawadda Cafe Burien Mediterranean Greek foods

I have been craving a gyro and meaning to try a different restaurant closer to downtown Burien. I stumbled across Mawadda Cafe while checking reviews and decided to try them instead. I'm very glad I did. I ordered the Gyro sandwich and regular fries via an app. When I arrived, I found a comfortable space with ample seating, clean and well lit. I was greeted immediately and my order was brought out shortly after. When I got home and unpacked everything, I was immediately impressed. The gyro was full of fresh toppings but not overly smothered in sauce and the fries were plentiful and well seasoned. I was very pleased. Based on this experience, I'll absolutely be back soon.

I have been craving a gyro and meaning to try a different restaurant closer to downtown Burien. I stumbled across Mawadda Cafe while checking reviews and decided to try them instead. I'm very glad I did. I ordered the Gyro sandwich and regular fries via an app. When I arrived, I found a comfortable space with ample seating, clean and well lit. I was greeted immediately and my order was brought out shortly after. When I got home and unpacked everything, I was immediately impressed. The gyro was full of fresh toppings but not overly smothered in sauce and the fries were plentiful and well seasoned. I was very pleased. Based on this experience, I'll absolutely be back soon.

I happened to be in the Burien area and stopped by Mawadda Cafe to order food to-go. I was early however. The restaurant did not open for another 45 minutes. Jackie, one of the owners, noticed me peering in the window (with my nose pressed up to the glass). Not only did she open the door, but she invited me in to have a seat while she asked the kitchen if they could accommodate my order. I gratefully enjoyed the amazing, savory food aromas while the kitchen prepared my meal. If you have not already enjoyed this restaurant, I urge you to do so. I don’t often visit a restaurant where the food is surpassed only by the fact that the owner treats you as family.

I happened to be in the Burien area and stopped by Mawadda Cafe to order food to-go. I was early however. The restaurant did not open for another 45 minutes. Jackie, one of the owners, noticed me peering in the window (with my nose pressed up to the glass). Not only did she open the door, but she invited me in to have a seat while she asked the kitchen if they could accommodate my order. I gratefully enjoyed the amazing, savory food aromas while the kitchen prepared my meal. If you have not already enjoyed this restaurant, I urge you to do so. I don’t often visit a restaurant where the food is surpassed only by the fact that the owner treats you as family.

Bad old food and a dismissive attitude—they blamed being "busy" I decided to treat myself and ordered the most expensive item on the menu, the Sultani. According to the description, it’s supposed to be a delicacy with fine charbroiled Meso kebab, juicy lamb, and smoked chicken breast. What I actually received was old, stale meat. The lamb and kebab had a weird, off taste and a tough texture, like they had been sitting under a heat lamp for hours or were leftovers from the day before. The chicken was only slightly better, but still far from fresh. To top it off, the rice smelled strange, which completely ruined the meal. I paid a premium price expecting quality, but instead got food that should have been thrown out. I decided to call the restaurant and politely tell them what was going on, hoping they would make it right or at least be aware of the issue. Their response? A dismissive "Sorry, today we were busy." That’s it. No offer to replace it, no refund, no genuine apology. Just an excuse. Getting a "sorry" doesn't change the fact that I paid for old, smelly food. Being busy is not an excuse for letting quality control slip and serving spoiled or stale ingredients to customers. It seems like they prioritized pushing food out the door over serving something edible. I will never recommend this place to anyone. Please be very careful if you decide to eat here—check your food immediately, and don't expect good customer service if something is wrong.