Despite its so-so location and reincarnation from a former fast food restaurant, Basil Mediterranean Cafe is worth your attention, offering delicious food at a good value. While I’ve enjoyed all the food I have tried at Basil, I’m hooked on the Tzatziki sauce. It is lick-the-container good. They do sell the sauce separately, but I never buy it to take home because I don’t trust myself not to eat it all! Compared to other Greek restaurants their sauce is rather thin, but the crisp herb and yogurt flavor more then makes up for the consistency.

The gyro ($3.95) and gyro platter ($8.75 – see a pic) are both top picks at Basil. The tender gyro meat is spiced very well and cooked just right. The gyro sandwich is so packed full of meat there is barely room for any lettuce, tomato or onion. The western version ($4.25 – see a pic), which adds sautéed onions and peppers, makes for a tasty change from the original. The platter is large enough to share and includes fries or rice along with pita bread, lettuce, and a huge bowl of tzatziki sauce. The fries are average; I prefer the rice but it can get dry.

My favorite appetizer is the falafel. It is crispy on the outside and the seasoned chickpeas, while soft inside, still have texture. The falafel can also be ordered wrapped up in gyro form. Basil serves a lot of good appetizer choices, but if you can’t decide between hummus, falafel, or spanakopita (good but greasy) a great option is the veggie sampler ($7.95 – see a pic) which includes these three favorites in addition to grilled asparagus, dolma and tzatziki sauce. The sampler is large enough to share with several people and can be a good meat-free meal option.

The décor at Basil is a bit stark; however, they have at least made some effort to improve upon the former fast food feel. The interior has murals on the walls, curtains on the windows, and a television — all to provide a more welcoming sit-down experience. If you dine in, everything is served on real plates with real silverware and they bus your table when you are finished. This is a very nice touch and ensures that the tables are clean. Whether dine-in or take-out all drinks are in Styrofoam cups.

I have found the ordering process to be a bit frustrating; however, after a few visits it becomes easier. The difficulty is with the lack of detail on the large menu over the ordering counter. To find out what comes on a platter or gyro you must view the smaller menu that is taped down to the front counter. The problem is you can’t see that smaller menu until you are at the front of the line and once you are there, you are holding up the line of customers while trying to make your decision. It can be a pressure-filled moment, so one good option is to get familiar with the different choices using their online menu before you go.

It’s no surprise that Basil Mediterranean Cafe usually has a line, because a line is a sure sign of great food. Between the crispy falafel, overstuffed gyros and flavorful tzatziki sauce, you’re sure to find something you’ll love here.

Have you been to Basil Mediterranean Cafe? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

You can get more information and see more photos of Basil Mediterranean Cafe on their EatAroundOKC Restaurant Listing.

Other articles you might like:

• Nunu’s Mediterranean Cafe and Market
• Mediterranean Deli: Oklahoma City goes beyond the gyro.
• Thai Sweet Basil Express: good food, good value.
• The Mediterranean Grill: a flavorful treat for south Oklahoma City.
• Elephant Cafe: new name, new improvements in downtown Bethany [closed]

This article was posted by Danielle Erickson on Tuesday, October 11th, 2011. It is filed under:

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