Ansari's Mediterranean Grill & Lounge

This is hands down our favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Their gyros are always tender and juicy (nothing is more sad than dry gyros meat) and i love that uou can get classic lamb or chicken, which is also really good. Salad is always fresh. Their tzatziki is amazing and they will let you get it in soup containers (do it). The falafel wrap is a favorite, as is the steak hummus, stir fry with couscous, and we just recently tried the saganaki (fried cheese) and it was delicious. The restaurant itself is smaller, and they have belly dancers several times a week. We love doing takeout. The bar is usually pretty busy, definitely a local hang. I also recently had their catering, and it is super reasonably priced, and they come set it all up for you, which is incredibly helpful. Love that it is a local family running this spot as well!

I could have sworn I threw a review up for this place long ago, but not? This place is basically on the opposite side of the metro for me, which isn't necessarily problematic. Still, part of the reason for going here is that Ansari's gets some of the best beer offerings on their tap in the Twin Cities, so going here and seeing a tap list, and one can only drink one, maybe two beers can be fraught with disappointment because you have to be responsible.This menu at Ansari's is incredible. I can't think of a bad item on the menu unless it is eggplant or artichoke-forward. My favorite thing is the Tahini salad, which I consider ordering as a meal. The Jerusalem plate is incredible because if you can't decide, you've got a little of everything. In my opinion, the other must-haves are the lamb shank or the linguini with lamb meatballs...you won't go away hungry.This is one of the few places I know where I would go out of my way to eat here...and, more importantly, come here for the excellent beers they procure.

This is probably going to be an unpopular opinion as the expectation might be to slam a 5 star and I really wanted to do that but I just cannot.Ample parking available - Check.Incredible and friendly service - Check. Awesome Entertainment (Belly Dancing) - Check. Yummy Appetizers of Italian Fries & Fried Calamari - Check.Amazing Drinks including Mint Tea & other beverages - Check.What I cannot check off on is the main course. We got multiple items from Gyro plate, Shawarma plate & Lamb and we all were eagerly waiting to eat our food as everything till then was super good. But unfortunately the main course was a big let down for us. It seemed that someone forgot to season the meats and the rice. Everything was so bland which was a strong contrast to the appetizers that we got and hence docking a star.

When we found ourselves in the area and hungry past open hours of other restaurants, I know it was Ansari's time. I'd had this spot on my must-try list for ages, and so glad we finally went! Inside, the vibe is hard to pin down but it makes it kinda eclectic. On one half, it's got an authentic Meditteranean restaurant feel with decor, curved archways, and a stage with a literal belly dancer performing for guests.On the other side...it's a bar with pull tabs and apparently an incredible beer selection?! It doesn't really make sense and it's a tale of two vibes, but I kinda dig it. Our server was so friendly and helpful with pointing out her favorites on the extensive menu. It was SO hard to choose - everything sounded amazing!We started with the sampler platter - it was HUGE and each thing was unreal!My brother got the gyros garlic pasta, and it was basically Greek fettucini alfredo. I could DRINK that sauce.My mom got the lamb shank and it was huge! Delicious couscous and veggies with it as well.I got the shawarma dinner, and again, HUGE portion and exactly the flavors I was craving.Next time I'd maybe order less and share with the table, but then again, they made for awesome leftovers :)

A Revolution Brewing tap takeover brought me to Ansaris. Not only did they bring their top notch lagers and IPAs, the brought some of the world class examples of their barrel programs.The V.S.O line of beers in their portfolio contains the most coveted blends of barrels from the team. They not only brought one of my favorites, but brought THREE different ones! I enjoyed small pours of four different beers while sitting at the bar.V.S.O.J. (Very Special Old Jacket):One of my all time favorite English Barleywines. It is a Cuvee of English Barleywines that each have been aged between two and three in Bourbon Barrels. Huge sweet cherry flavors with ripe plum and molasses. Beautiful barleywine and one I always return to.Double Barrel V.S.O.D. (2023):An Imperial Stout that is aged in two different barrels in order to really pull out the Bourbon Barrel Flavors. I get strong spice, cocoa, and vanilla. V.S.O. Gravedigger:An Imperial Scotch Ale aged in a combination of Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig, and WhistlePig Rye Barrels. Maple and dried apricots with just a hint of smokiness.Coconut Deth (2024):An Imperial Oatmeal Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Coconut. The coconut is mild, but there with a full mouthfeel and notes of vanilla and chocolate.____

The belly dancer was amazing! The atmosphere was nice. The service was good. The food was mediocre at best. If you know and like Mediterranean food, don't come here. Everyone in my party was pretty disappointed with the food. The cauliflower was almost raw, the rice was overcooked, and everything else was pretty much flavorless. Even the cheesecake was bad.

I've ordered from Ansari when I used to work in the area. This is my first time dining in the restaurant. I met a friend for our annual holiday dinner. The inside is large and dim. There was a belly dancer performing on the small stage. For an app we ordered the spicy red pepper hummus. It came with warm pita bread and was delicious. For my main course I ordered the Casablanca with shrimp. Soooooo good. It comes with a protein, mushrooms and onions over rice. The sauce is a garlic sauce but not as garlicky as I would have thought or liked, but still very delicious. Our server was very nice and checked on us often to make sure we needed anything. I'll definitely be back.

This is the second time I've been here. I had to get the Italian fries again. Super thin, cheesy, and crunchy. My friend told me about the wings and they were pretty good, but in my opinion, Burger Dive will always have the best dry rub wings. Their hummus is seriously the best out there. Very impressed here. I would like to see more portions for some of the veggies, but you do get a handful of options. Homemade chips are good, but very salty. I regret not getting their Greek salad as that's something I think about often. Will have to go back specifically for that next time - that and the tiramisu! Lindsey our server tonight was very attentive and we never felt forgotten about.

Business dinner and this place was right across the street from my hotel and smelled amazing. Started with the saganaki. Very generous portion but they pre-cooked a bit too much and the bottom was scorched black in places. The slightly acrid taste cost them a star. Next up was a chicken schwarma. Waiter recommended when I asked about their gyros and I'm glad I pivoted. Chicken was juicy, tender and you could taste the fire it was cooked over. Really delicious! Rice was a bit bland but I had plenty to eat between the top of the saganacki and the chicken schwarma sandwich. Can't wait to try them again and dive deeper into their menu.

A nice dim cozy family style restaurant and sports bar local cafe hangout here ambient vibe. Food service was laidback, Maybe it was New Year's Day. Server was fine, nothin out of ordinary from a family style restaurant. It's Mediterranean style cuisine. Ordered: Chicken kebabs / with rice - chicken was a bit dry / okay flavor (not much flavor) - rice very decent Chicken shawarma- chicken flavor was bland , besides that wrap was fine. Fried calamari -nice and crispy, came out hot a good flavor- best dishes in flavor Falafel - nice crispy and had a very good flavor- typical good falafel cant complain.Environment and Ambient vibe feel like for local spot -3 star is only pretty for the food Flavor- just overall bland . But nice restaurant to chill out and get food.