The Olives Branch - San Juan Capistrano

The Olives Branch is a wonderful restaurant tucked away in a small hidden plaza in San Juan Capistrano. My wife and I went on a Saturday night after receiving a post card in the mail about the restaurant. It wasn’t easy to find the place because our gps took us to the mission, and the road from the mission to the restaurant is closed. Once we got to the restaurant and made our way inside our waitress greeted us and took our drink order, the owner came by and introduced himself and informed us that everything was made at the restaurant, and that the recipes come from his families restaurant in Lebanon that has been open for over 30 years. It was nice to meet the owner who was very nice and accommodating. My wife and I started with the Cauliflower appetizer and Kibbie. The Kibbie was the best I have ever had and to my surprise the Cauliflower was superb perfectly seasoned and fried. For my entree I chose the Tawook Chicken and my wife the Beef Shawarma. Both were excellent, they both come with rice, hummus, grilled tomato, and soup or salad. The chicken comes with a garlic sauce that is amazing, and the beef shawarma came with a tahini sauce that went perfect with the meat. The service, food and feel of the restaurant was great. I really recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys middle eastern food.

Absolutely terrible service. The place was almost empty, in despair, stained chair cushions, and peel the color on the walls. The worst, the waiter, who obviously looked unhappy, let us wait to sit while he took part in the outside customers. Then he came a few minutes later and let us sit at one of many empty tables. He took our orders, but 40 minutes later there was no sign of the appetizer or the food we ordered. In addition, the unfortunate waiter went several times from us without recognizing the delay. In the meantime, they were busy fulfilling several online and going to jobs while we were watching in absolute unbelief. This place has no business in the service industry. Simply close your doors to Dine-in customers and be an overpriced place.

After they tried their food for the first time, they became my go-to Mediterranean/Lebanese restaurant. I knew they had high-quality food once I tried their hummus and tasted the depth of the aromas. Her rice was also very tasteful and well balanced with spices. Their other dishes were also well prepared. I had only taken out and the only thing missing was fresh pita, but the tasteful dishes from the lack of warm soft pita. Must try when you live in the area and long the flavors.

I appreciate it 3 out of 5 because of the way they cook the seafood it is fried in oil, but not grilled so that the taste it really different from you expect from Mediterranean food. Customer service is average, they do not pay much attention to customers. It also smells fried oil everywhere, so you need to change your clothes, not smell like a fast food type. Location is good and beautiful. The atmosphere is friendly. You have hooks if you like it.

Amazing citrus chicken kabob salad and fillet mignon whole tomatoes grilled onion and red peppers, pita bread with cucumber salad DELICIOUS