Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill

CLOSED. This location is now gone. They are directing everyone to the Glendale (630 S. Colorado Blvd, see my review) and University Hills (2466 S. Colorado Blvd) locations instead. The explanation on their Facebook feed was that they didn’t really like the spot because it didn’t have good parking, so when someone else wanted that space, they sold. No advance notice, no announcement, nothing. This is really not good, because it was great to have one right on the DU campus. But they are still open at all of their other locations and are still expanding, so hopefully this isn’t a sign of things to come.

The fresh pitas and falafel were awesome. Needed a bit more meat on the plate though.

I love Mediterranean food, but had never heard of Garbonzo’s before tonight.
Friends suggested we go here before a music performance. Since I am almost always willing to try new places, I didn’t hesitate. I am so glad I made that decision. Although it is a chain, it certainly is worth the pittance they charge for a huge plate of inspired «fast food» — Mediterranean style.
I loved it!
Service was great.
Restaurant was clean.
Food was delicious.

Garbanzo is one of the best fast-​casual meditteranean food chains I have ever had. Being a student at DU for the past few years I was very happy when a Garbanzo went in there on University Blvd. I had it at least twice a month or so while in school and the 2 for 1 deal for DU students on Wednesdays (not sure if it is still in effect) was very difficult to beat. The food is very fresh and of high quality. The falarma with chicken in a laffa is my personal go-​to and I have never had one which wasn’t very delicious. If you haven’t ever tried a falafel, stop on by for a free sample!

I am not a huge fan of the box restaurants especially when it comes to Ethnic cuisine, but I like this place. The price is right and the food is consistantly good. The portions are large. Granted most of the flavors are slightly muted towards more «American» tastebuds, but who can argue with a free sample of fresh Falafel?

I want to give this establishment a higher review as the staff was friendly and the food was filling and overall it tasted decently. But I disagree with its setup as it is a franchise and one thing I disagree with it is the Americanization of cuisine that is from another culture or country. There is nothing wrong with it in and of itself. However a misconception should not be passed off as the real thing. Bottom line go to Garbazno if you are in a hurry and hungry, not because you want anything approximating another country’s cuisine.

OK. So I usually refuse to go to franchised restaurants. But this is locally owned and has several locations of which I picked this one over the one near Cherry Creek do to the traffic.
I had the plate meal which gives you a little of everything and as you go through the line you can add extras like eggplant or feta cheese. This comes with fresh pita bread in either white or whole wheat. They also have a good selection of drinks and teas. There is a calorie count on the menu options for those who are watching their diet so you can make smart selections no matter what.
We were given a sample falafel when we arrived and it just helps make this a warm, inviting place. You can dine inside or out. The outside dining has a covered patio or an umbrellaed sitting in the front. I ate with a friend out side in the front with the sun and my body and stomach were in heaven.

If you have ever been to a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean restaurant and you liked it — you will hate this place. Avoid.
If you a Mid/​Med novice and don’t know what you are missing, this place is OK.
One of the reasons I love Middle Eastern food, besides flavor, is that they are usually family run and unique. Garbanzo is none of the above and is a travesty.

I must say that I am addicted, sometimes I go twice a week. The Mediterranean garlic sauce is something I now regularly crave. The first time I walked in I thought it seemed very fast-​food-​chain-​like which it is, but is so not like fast food. It’s so much better and reasonably priced, too.

I have to agree with Andre B that Garbanzo is like a Greek version of Chipotle, only way better and with way more options.
I know some people prefer the nearby establishment, Jersalems, but seriously I have had hit or miss experiences there. Like really dry meat that is to hard to eat which is really upsetting because it is expensive and takes a long time to make.
Garbanzo on the other hand is consistent. The food is fresh and delicious and I don’t have a guilt trip associated with other fast convenient food options.
The pita bread is soft and delicious, the falafels are bomb, and the hummus is as it should be in such an establishment like this, tasty.
I am sure that there are other places to go to get even better Mediterranean food, but for what it is, convenient and fairly priced, it’s definitely a place I recommend.

Mediterranean food, Subway counter style. No real complaints from me on this one. The food is good enough and is appropriately priced. If you need a quick Med fix, this is a good place to go. I prefer the sit-​down places such as Marrakech, but will stop in here when on the run.

My first time at Garbanzo was also my last. They only do one thing right: chicken. Of my meal the hummus was subpar and the rice was overcooked. Now the thing that i had came to Garbanzo for were the falafel, well this was where they get there one star from. The falafel was overcooked and not fresh. The crust was overfried to the point of being black and I could taste the burned outside, horrible and not even up to the quality i’d expect from a chain. If you want to try real Mediterranean food avoid this place and instead go somewhere else, anywhere else.

Pathetically small servings and mediocre shwarma. The falafel is good, but not worth making a special trip for.
Turn right on Evans and go another 100 yards to Jerusalem for much better food at a lower cost and at the same speed.

The staff was friendly, even handing out free samples of felafel when we came in the door.
The ingredients were fresh and all together delicious.
The prices were reasonable too.
We loved this place.

–Greek version of chipotle, only way better and with way more options.
–fresh, fast, cheap, healthy. What else you want?
–try the laffa if a pita typically doesn’t fill your belly

Garbanzo is great: you get a plate with so many goodies all together you never get the same bite twice. Note if you’re one of them who doesn’t like your meat and potatoes (no potatoes here though) to touch then this might not be your thing! I think the Falarma is best: you get a few falafel balls PLUS some meat (the beef is yummy).
Everything is so fresh and flavorful, it is indeed like a party in your mouth. (Unlike that Native American Chipotle I just reviewed… Ha!)
Used to go to the one on Arapahoe when it was the only one around and someone described it as a Mediterranean Chipotle. Now it’s great that there’s this much more convenient one. They just opened one even further southwest (no good for me) and soon there will be a new one on Colorado a bit further north. Here’s hoping they move further north quickly — I had to drive 12 min each way to get here for lunch today but it was worth it!

I LOVE this place. I haven’t been to the University location, but I’ve been eating at the DTC location a lot lately.
It’s very much like Chipotle or Subway in that the fixings are all laid out and you pick what you want to get. I’ve been getting the Pita with falarma and it’s sooo good. I like to think it’s healthier than fast food. But I added up the nutrition facts (located on their website) and figure out that my pita was 19 weight watchers points. Oops! Totally worth the splurge though.
Definitely try it!

I went here once the week they opened and ordered some mostrosity of a pita sandwich with beef shawarma and a bunch of other things added in. I was unimpressed. I decided it was just another neighborhood restaurant that I would ignore.
However, after checking some reviews on here, I decided to go back to try the falafel, and the reviews were right! The falafel was delicious. Totally worth visiting this retaurant for. I kept it simple — white pita, falafel, hummus, lettuce, cucumber and tomato, a little tahini, and that’s it. It was perfect, and cost only $ 5 and some change. Not a bad price for the amount that you get. The falafel was very herby and green, very delicious. It had just the right texture, and the fresh taste along with the freshness of the other ingredients made for a nice lunch. It wans’t quite enough to satisfy me, but I’m a guy and I eat a lot of meat, so I was actually pretty surprised at how much this vegetarian sandwich did fill me up.
Anyhow, this place is worth a try, they have a nice patio area out front, the interior is very clean, the employees are very helpful and courteous. Thumbs up. Just don’t get crazy while ordering. Keep it simple, go vegetarian, and I think you will be happy with your experience.

If you’re not hungry, don’t go to Garbanzo as this is a meal and a half. I picture the creator (s) of Garbanzo sitting at Chipotle when one of them says «Hey, we should open a Chipotle style restaurant that serves Mediterranean food (like falafels, falarmas and stuff).» I don’t know if it really happened this way, but I will tell you that if you like Chipotle and like falafels, you’ll love Garbanzo.
They create your meal in front of you with all fresh ingredients. Pick your fillings, sauces etc. The pita is made fresh on site, still warm from the oven. (Tip — pick up a bag of pita — fresh, soft and cheaper and better than the pita at the grocery store).
The falafel balls are the best in town. I haven’t tried the falarma (gigantic burrito thing) but it looks good as well.
What a great addition to the DU neighborhood!

It has taken a bit of experimentation to get my order just the way I like it.
Chicken and Beef Falarma (Falafel and meat in a tortilla like wrap, it’s huge like a Chipotle burrito) with rice, light hummus, lettuce, tomato salad and lots of garlic mediterranean sauce/​cilantro sauce. It is an amazing combination.
A great place for a tasty meal that isn’t too expensive.