I recently had the privilege to visit Tazikis, a well-established restaurant specializing in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine! For all the food lovers on this blog, I've neatly packed this piece with the details of my visit, the menu, the owners, and everything that makes this place as unique as you are about to discover. Want more than what my blog post has to offer? Visit www.tazikis.com for additional information about the cafe and its nutritional info.
Who's Behind the Magic?
Tazikis has over 90 locations scattered in 16 states across the US, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Colorado and many others. Tracing back to the roots, the story begins with the Richard's family of Birmingham, Alabama, where Tazikis headquarters is currently based.
Under the tutelage of Frank Stitt of Highlands Bar and Grill fame, Keith Richards forayed into the world of a restaurateur. The countless travels to Greece that Keith embarked upon with his wife, Amy, naturally instilled love for the Mediterranean cafes that were brimming with shared meals and laughter. Inspired, they returned to Birmingham, and after a year of perfecting their Mediterranean recipes, the first Tazikis launched in 1998 at a charming, converted gas station in Birmingham. It's not just a café now, Tazikis today boasts 92 locations across our country as of May 2022.
What Sets Tazikis Apart?
As a Mediterranean café, Tazikis stands proud with its commitment to serving healthy, palatable food to its patrons. I mean, which other restaurant can you trust that ensures the benefits of ingredients like olive oil, fresh olives, leafy greens, pita bread, chickpeas, and feta cheese integral in your meal? They even got the REAL Certification from USHFC as a testament to their dedication to preparing scratch-made dishes containing fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. They were the first US restaurant to receive this recognition prominently known as the REAL Certification, and they proudly stick to it even today! Trust me when I say their commitment to wholesome, healthy food is the real deal.
Tazikis certainly isn't an everyday fast-food joint. They've maintained an intriguingly wide range of categories in their menus such as Appetizers, Sandwiches, Sides, Gyros, Salads, Desserts, Kids options and dedicated Menus for Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Family Feasts, Daily Specials, and of course, Catering. What grabbed my attention was the way they make sure all items on their menu are freshly prepared each day. No freezing or frying, and day-to-day delivery of the meats, fruits, and vegetables ensure top-notch freshness and nutrition. Quite a serene change from the stale burger patties we're so used to, don't you think?
Of course, I had a go at quite a few dishes. Following are the ones that left my tastebuds tingling:
- Grilled Chicken Kebab Feast
- Grilled Chicken Basil-Pesto Aioli Gyro
- Grilled Tilapia Sandwich
- Chicken Portabello
- Tazikis Shrimp Taco
- Whipped Feta
- Sneaky Taziki
- Hummus
- Baklava
Oh yes, they also have a dedicated Kid's Menu for those little angels of yours. It includes some of the best-sellers:
- Sneaky Taziki
- Grilled Cheese Pita
- Mediterranean Turkey Melt
- Child's Feast
Healthy Alternatives
The best part about Tazikis is their attention to details and making an effort to cater to all customers with dietary restrictions. From Vegetarian, Vegan, to Gluten-Free, you have every kind of dish you could ask for, all prepared separately to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
Online Order? Yes Please!
If you can’t wait to experience the taste of Meditterainian cuisine, worry not! You can place your order online at Tazikis' website or other food delivery platforms like UberEats, GrubHub, and others.
Operating Hours
Better mark your calendars because Tazikis is open 7 days a week from 11 am to 8 or 9 pm, depending on the location. They might feature shorter hours during holidays though, so keep that in check.
Pros and Cons
- Fresh and Healthy Ingredients
- Wide Range of Recipes
- Excellent Service
- Dedicated Menu for Several Dietary Preferences
- May Get Too Crowded During Fixed Hours
- A bit pricy compared to other fast-casual restaurants
From the warm ambiance to the exhilarating array of food, Tazikis truly amazed me. So if you're craving for some unique Mediterranean flavours, give Tazikis a shot, and be ready to plunge into a completely distinctive dining experience!