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Saffron Mediterranean Grill
Master Critic Review
Saffron Mediterranean Grill
8.2
Owner-operated Mediterranean grill featuring flame-grilled halal meats and nine house-made hummus varieties including beet, sweet potato, and sweet pea. Generous portions of Lebanese-style kebabs, fresh wraps, and mezze plates draw downtown lunch crowds and early dinner diners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef & Lamb Shawarma Plate, Shish Taouk, Shorba Lentil Soup
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Nine house-made hummus flavors and halal-certified flame-grilled meats
Who should go: Business lunches, health-conscious diners, halal food seekers
When to visit: Weekday lunch rush for fresh-off-the-grill preparations
What to order: Beef shawarma plate, mixed hummus sampler, New Zealand lamb chops
Insider tip: Sample different hummus flavors before ordering - staff encourages tastings
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street metered parking on Pine Ave and side streets - free after 6pm weekdays and all day Sunday. Public lot on 3rd Street ($2/hour). Easy walk-up location.
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirt perfectly fine. Business casual common at lunch.
Noise level: Moderate - open kitchen adds energy but conversation flows easily
Weekend wait: 10-15 min typical, counter service with table delivery
Weekday lunch: 12-1pm rush can mean 5-10 min order wait, seating usually available
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - falafel, all nine hummus varieties, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, grilled vegetable plates
Vegan options: Very good - most vegetarian options are vegan (confirm hummus preparation), plus grilled veggie wraps and fattoush salad
Gluten-free options: Good options - rice bowls instead of wraps, all grilled meats, salads, and most mezze are naturally GF (pita excluded)
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual early dates than romantic dinners - counter service and moderate noise work for relaxed conversation without pressure. Sharing the hummus sampler is a natural icebreaker.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed - it's counter service. Seating is first-come during dinner, but lunch rush (12-1pm) may require brief wait for tables. Takeout moves fast if dining room is full.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - casual counter service means no pressure, generous portions are shareable, and rice bowls appeal to simpler palates. High chairs available. Gets busy but not formal.
How long does a typical meal take? Fast-casual pace - order at counter, food arrives in 10-15 minutes. Total visit 30-45 minutes for lunch, dinner crowds linger longer but turnover is steady.
Do they do catering or large orders? Yes - popular for office lunches and events. Call ahead for platters serving 10+ people. Hummus sampler trays and mixed grill platters are specialties.
Best For
Better for: Fast-casual Mediterranean with breadth of hummus options unmatched in Long Beach. Ideal for healthy quick lunches, halal requirements, and value-conscious diners who want quality flame-grilled meats without sit-down pricing. Owner presence ensures consistency.
Skip if: You want full-service dining with cocktails, romantic ambiance, or authentic regional specialization (this is broad Mediterranean). For upscale Lebanese, head to San Pedro. For date-night atmosphere, choose sit-down options on Pine Ave.