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Mediterranean food like no other. SHAKS is the prime restaurant for fresh and authentic Middle Eastern and Lebanese delicacies . With 30 years of restaurant experience our family brings the authentic flavors of the Middle East with original recipes passed down from generations. Formally known as The Armenian Cafe located in Carlsbad for over 27 years changes both name and location. Located conveniently in the heart of downtown Vista off the 78 freeway, we are operating under the new name of SHAKS.
Hours
| Friday | 4–9 PM |
| Saturday | 4–9 PM |
| Sunday | 12–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 406 Main St, Vista, CA 92084
Phone: (760) 536-3326
Website: http://www.shaksbistro.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
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Related Web Results
Shaks Mediterranean Bistro
Shaks Mediterranean Bistro is the prime restaurant for fresh and authentic Middle Eastern and Lebanese delicacies .
Menu – Shaks Mediterranean Bistro
Menu. 406 Main St., Vista, CA. Appetizers. Mezza. Salads. Plates. Bowls. Wagyu … Vista, CA 92084. Open now • Closes at 9PM. All hours. View menu · Order online.
Shaks Mediterranean Bistro | Downtown Vista, CA
SHAKS is the place for fresh and authentic Middle Eastern and Lebanese delicacies. With 30 years of restaurant experience, this family-owned restaurant brings …
Reviews
Grace Tran
WOW. Heard about this place from friends who said it was their favorite restaurant in the area… and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! As new parents we legitimately can’t remember the last time we’ve been able to enjoy such a nice meal haha. And we’re so glad we did it at a place that has their design/VIBES on point (such attention to detail!), AMAZING food (sooo delicious and beautifully plated), great portions, STELLAR service (shoutout to Alfonso!!!) – the staff is SO friendly, personable, and down-to-earth. Really makes you feel welcomed and comfortable. We will most definitely be back again… and again, and again! I think it’s fair to say this is now also our new favorite “nicer” restaurants in the area, too!
P.S. Don’t sleep on their FRIES, omg. HOW do they make them SO GOOD?! They’re perfection!!!
… moreP.S. Don’t sleep on their FRIES, omg. HOW do they make them SO GOOD?! They’re perfection!!!
Jagadeesh Rahul
This place is a gem for anyone craving exquisite Mediterranean cuisine. We indulged in a delightful array of dishes, including shaks mezza, shaks fries, veg shish bowl, chicken shish bowl, falafel bowl, Turkish coffee, rose tiramisu, and baklava.
The mezza is a must-try for small groups. It’s a harmonious blend of all their famous dips, such as garlic, baba ganache, taziki, and yogurt, presented on a single plate. It’s an excellent choice for those eager to sample their renowned dishes.
The fries were a refreshing and satisfying addition to our meal. The chicken shish bowl was equally delightful, accompanied by two succulent chicken skewers. Each bowl was a well-rounded creation, featuring an ample portion of rice, a vibrant vegetable salad, and a selection of sauces to suit your taste. The protein options varied, with the veg bowl offering a vegetarian delight and the falafel bowl providing a satisfying choice for those who prefer falafel.
The main courses were fresh and filling, providing a satisfying quantity for two people. The Turkish coffee was a unique and refreshing beverage, while the tiramisu was light and infused with a subtle hint of rose. The baklava was a delightful treat, offering a fresh crunch and a less sweet flavor profile.
Overall, every dish we tried was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality. The food was delicious, fresh, and presented in generous portions. It’s a place that truly deserves a spot on your must-try list.
… moreThe mezza is a must-try for small groups. It’s a harmonious blend of all their famous dips, such as garlic, baba ganache, taziki, and yogurt, presented on a single plate. It’s an excellent choice for those eager to sample their renowned dishes.
The fries were a refreshing and satisfying addition to our meal. The chicken shish bowl was equally delightful, accompanied by two succulent chicken skewers. Each bowl was a well-rounded creation, featuring an ample portion of rice, a vibrant vegetable salad, and a selection of sauces to suit your taste. The protein options varied, with the veg bowl offering a vegetarian delight and the falafel bowl providing a satisfying choice for those who prefer falafel.
The main courses were fresh and filling, providing a satisfying quantity for two people. The Turkish coffee was a unique and refreshing beverage, while the tiramisu was light and infused with a subtle hint of rose. The baklava was a delightful treat, offering a fresh crunch and a less sweet flavor profile.
Overall, every dish we tried was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality. The food was delicious, fresh, and presented in generous portions. It’s a place that truly deserves a spot on your must-try list.
Hugh
Every single dish here is absolutely delicious. The chicken kebob was phenomenal and we also had the baklava for dessert, which was very tasty. All the wait staff is extremely helpful and friendly. Hands down the best restaurant in Vista and a must-try for everyone!
… moreRussell J.
We’ve eaten here many times and it’s always consistently excellent quality. I usually get the kabob plate. Sometimes chicken, or beef tenderloin, gyros…. it’s all tasty. This time I tried the salad with chicken kebab and that’s my new favorite. Always get the garlic sauce! Nothing compares. The staff are friendly and attentive. Family owned business and the amount of care shows. Patio seating is nice. Highly recommended.
… moreMeau Vedrun
Our food was excellent and very satisfying. We’ve tried quite a few Mediterranean places and this definitely ranks amongst the top. Service was also amazing, our waitress made us feel very welcomed and took great care of us. I’d love to come back and try one of their wagyu burgers!
… moreAngie
This was my first time coming here and I would definitely recommend it. The food was so delicious. The humus appetizer was so good and filling that I couldn’t finish my second plate. The atmosphere was great we sat outside and listen to the music from across the street. We had a lovely time and I hope to come back soon.
… moreDarrin Thornton
Incredible offerings, all meals were 10 STARS !! Extremely tasty, veggies were crispy zero wilted, soup great , salads were awesome main meals (plates) were best we have had
… moreC F
HORRIBLE customer service. The “owner,” Andrew, asked my family to leave while my kids were in the middle of eating because our food was supposedly “for takeout,” even though there were plenty of empty tables. I explained that my children were hungry—my youngest is only one year old—but he still insisted we leave. It’s disappointing to see someone choose profits over basic kindness and understanding. What’s worse is that he’s the one who originally sat us down, only to change his mind and ask us to leave moments later. Truly unacceptable behavior from a local business. Do not recommend this place.
… moreAshley Toxqui
Walking in, we were greeted like family- even though the restaurant is busy (for good reason), we didn’t have to wait! But honestly, we would have waited, because it’s so worth it.
The atmosphere is upscale, yet super warm and welcoming. Lots of space, so you don’t feel squeezed whatsoever.
The Hav-Abour (chicken lemon soup) was delish! The ultimate comfort- food starter. We also had the hummus to start- the pita bread was warm, and the hummus was definitely freshly made (you can always tell!)
I had the falafel plate as my main. The falafel was crispy on the outside and light / soft on the inside. They do not skimp on flavor. The salad was loaded with feta, olives, etc. It’s the kind of food you feel super satisfied after eating, yet it doesn’t feel heavy or weigh you down.
The portions here are huge! You can easily take home half of it for a meal the next day. For this amount of high-quality food, they could be charging twice the amount.
Wonderfully friendly staff, very attentive and kind. The drink menu features some super creative options that I look forward to trying next time. Shak’s is definitely a place you won’t want to miss in Vista.
… moreThe atmosphere is upscale, yet super warm and welcoming. Lots of space, so you don’t feel squeezed whatsoever.
The Hav-Abour (chicken lemon soup) was delish! The ultimate comfort- food starter. We also had the hummus to start- the pita bread was warm, and the hummus was definitely freshly made (you can always tell!)
I had the falafel plate as my main. The falafel was crispy on the outside and light / soft on the inside. They do not skimp on flavor. The salad was loaded with feta, olives, etc. It’s the kind of food you feel super satisfied after eating, yet it doesn’t feel heavy or weigh you down.
The portions here are huge! You can easily take home half of it for a meal the next day. For this amount of high-quality food, they could be charging twice the amount.
Wonderfully friendly staff, very attentive and kind. The drink menu features some super creative options that I look forward to trying next time. Shak’s is definitely a place you won’t want to miss in Vista.
Chris J
We’re looking to get out of Carlsbad to change things up and came across this highly reviewed Mediterranean restaurant and wanted to see if it was worth the hype – it was!! Beautifully designed restaurant inside with an expansive covered patio outside. We found their menu to have a really good selection of Mediterranean dishes including gyros, falafel and shawarma. The service was fantastic, super accommodating, helpful and friendly. We started with the gyro fries which were seasoned perfectly, so flavorful and seriously addicting! We each had shawarma pitas sandwiches for our main dish and we found the shawarma a little oily and salty for our taste but still a solid 7.5/10. The main event was the most delicious Mediterranean cheesecake you could ever imagine – you can’t leave without trying it! The Turkish coffee was a little small for 7 dollars but after a feast like this, it still hit the spot – we’ll definitely be back to try the Shak Attack burger and some more of their unique cocktails – thank you for such a great evening Shaks!
… more