Shiraz

by Nick K.

Mmm Shiraz, how I love thee.  I wish you had more than 7 chairs and 7" of open walking space.  But then maybe I don't.  Something about a fresh shaved gyro (order more than you think you need) and a small crammed hallway, I mean, seating area...  They also have beer but I've never had enough time to enjoy myself there, usually just in out and they accomodate that well.  This place gets packed easily at lunchtime due to limited seating but even moreso due to great mediterranean food.  You will meet people whether or not you want to because you will rub elbows.  Nice family run establishment, you can tell they take pride in their restaurant and they take care of you.  Somewhat of a vibe that a secret handshake will gain you access to a whole 'nother menu of greatness.  What happened to the hookah room next door?

by Abbey M.

I can barely describe how WONDERFUL Shiraz is.Here's all you need to know:It's small, so if you're planning to go on a weekday around lunch time, be prepared to wait for seats. Don't even think of coming with more than 3 friends. They have a fast turnover, so you won't wait too long. If you're in a rush, order your meal to go.Everything on the menu is good. I've sampled many friend's entrees, but I am incapable of ordering anything other than the Beef and Lamb Gyro Platter ($10.95) sans salad. It's so good I do not speak once my food is served.The staff is very nice. VERY nice. Be good to them and they will be good to you, by allowing you to eat their Gyro platter.

by Brian C.

I've been here twice, and both times got a fantastic gyro and hummus. The staff is usually really quick with everything, but the last time I was there the check took ages to come.

by Hieu T.Greg W.Clare M.Joan D.John T.

I had the Falafel platter and my friend had the Gyro platter.Stunning.We came here based off of Yelp reviews.  The hours say they closed at 9, but I called and the owner said they were closing at 8 so we both rushed to get there before she closed it down for the evening.  No biggie.This place is indeed tucked away in a stripmall.  Most Beavertonians will be guaranteed to pass by unknowingly...which is a shame.  The actual restaurant is small and limited to a barlike sitting environment.  The owner was super friendly and most helpful.  The food was fresh and came out quick.  My falafel balls were fried, but there was no indication of oil when I was eating them.  It may have been a wee bit dry, but it still tasted good.  The salad was definitely appetizing and tastey as well.  My friend's gyro plate was spectacular as well.  The hummus was the best I've had and the gyro incredibly tender and flavorful.This place is definitely a hole in the wall type joint.  Stop by if you have that Mediterranean craving in ya.The only regret that I have for squandering valuable years of my life confined within the mediocrity of Beaverton is not stopping in to dine at Shiraz the one hundred times that I passed it previously.Perhaps what is an authentic Iranian dining experience, this small family-owned restaurant consists of a narrow bar tucked away in a strip mall.  An LCD TV runs the Middle Eastern equivalent of MTV.  The experience is markedly improved in the warmer months with ample outdoor seating.The shavings of lamb in their gyro plates are moist and perfectly spiced.  Hearty handmade hummus goes along with well with the delicate and balanced flavor of their handmade baba ganoush.Their salad is paired with the most wonderful balsamic vinaigrette - a recipe which the owner wouldn't yield even after much prodding.Even the baklava had a beautifully delicate crust with just the right amount of honey to sweeten it up - perhaps one of the best examples of baklava that I've ever had.I was going to give this place four stars after trying their mezza platter, but I couldn't in good conscience after trying their gyro platter.  Shiraz really deserves five stars - this is the best mediterranean food that I've found in the 'burbs.This place is awesome.  I found them on yelp, and everyone's reviews are pretty much spot on.  I got lunch to go and found the staff fun and friendly.  They were super quick, and it was a great deal for the amount of quality food I got.  I brought my lunch back to the office, and a co-worker who had previously said he didn't want anything had to run right out and get his own after smelling mine!  I strongly recommend the salad over the fries... their homemade dressing is just too good to miss!It's really cute and tiny, so don't bring a large group.Much like Joyce who reviewed much earlier - the food we had here was mediocre.  We are big fans of Mediterranean food.  Their Babaghanoush was excellent and home made.  The Chicken Swarma Salad I ordered was not up to my standards.  They used a lot of stems and ribs in the salad greens and the chicken was dried out.  My hubby ordered the Ghormeh Sabzi which is a lamb stew - tasted like it had been frozen and thawed and reheated.  Not much lamb and not very tasty either.  We won't be going back.  I suppose we should have had the gyros.  Additionally, the seating is extremely uncomfortable - no leg room and the stools are way too high.  Cramped and uncomfortable place.  Prices - middle of range - not inexpensive given the poor quality and low overhead they must have.Dinner last night was great!  I had the Barg Soltani (filet mignon ground beef combo) and I'd say that I should have just stuck with the Barg (filet) since there was SO MUCH to eat.  But they were both very flavorful and cooked well.  The salad was excellent.  My partner had just the Koobideh Kabob (ground beef) so that was equally as good as the skewer of the same stuff that I had.   We started with the Mas'Kheyar (yogurt w/cucumbers, dill, mint) which is an excellent appetizer, but I prefer it as a side dish with pita.  Dessert: the saffron ice cream was really tasty.  Comes with big frozen chunks of cream in it.  According to one of the owners, this is the typical dessert ice cream in Iran, which might get boring but certainly is a good choice!  The owners are friendly and conversational, which I think is required in a restaurant that is more adequately described as a service corridor with a kitchen and some seats.  It's actually quite nice and cozy, but seating is limited indoors, and it's a bunch of chairs in front of a bar-type arrangement, which looks directly into the "kitchen", which also spans the length of the space.  Overall: quite happy with the meal.  We've been looking for a good Persian place in the Portland area, and this seems to be the front-runner.

by Sophie D.

I just ate there for the first time. Being new to this area I can not compare it with other middle-eastern restaurants in the area.however i think the place merits a three out of 5 stars. The food which we ordered (herb stew with rice) was tasting like it should, but it was frozen and they re-heated it as we were waiting on the other side of the counter, inevitably visible, doh!...      in my book a no-no for a tiny restaurant that charges almost 12 dollars for some mostly herb stew.   Again the taste was what it should have been except a bit watery. Compared to what i have had in other states, this is my rating; a ok.      i had heard from other people who rave about their kabobs,  and i haven't had that yet.

by Hieu T.Greg W.Clare M.

I had the Falafel platter and my friend had the Gyro platter.Stunning.We came here based off of Yelp reviews.  The hours say they closed at 9, but I called and the owner said they were closing at 8 so we both rushed to get there before she closed it down for the evening.  No biggie.This place is indeed tucked away in a stripmall.  Most Beavertonians will be guaranteed to pass by unknowingly...which is a shame.  The actual restaurant is small and limited to a barlike sitting environment.  The owner was super friendly and most helpful.  The food was fresh and came out quick.  My falafel balls were fried, but there was no indication of oil when I was eating them.  It may have been a wee bit dry, but it still tasted good.  The salad was definitely appetizing and tastey as well.  My friend's gyro plate was spectacular as well.  The hummus was the best I've had and the gyro incredibly tender and flavorful.This place is definitely a hole in the wall type joint.  Stop by if you have that Mediterranean craving in ya.The only regret that I have for squandering valuable years of my life confined within the mediocrity of Beaverton is not stopping in to dine at Shiraz the one hundred times that I passed it previously.Perhaps what is an authentic Iranian dining experience, this small family-owned restaurant consists of a narrow bar tucked away in a strip mall.  An LCD TV runs the Middle Eastern equivalent of MTV.  The experience is markedly improved in the warmer months with ample outdoor seating.The shavings of lamb in their gyro plates are moist and perfectly spiced.  Hearty handmade hummus goes along with well with the delicate and balanced flavor of their handmade baba ganoush.Their salad is paired with the most wonderful balsamic vinaigrette - a recipe which the owner wouldn't yield even after much prodding.Even the baklava had a beautifully delicate crust with just the right amount of honey to sweeten it up - perhaps one of the best examples of baklava that I've ever had.I was going to give this place four stars after trying their mezza platter, but I couldn't in good conscience after trying their gyro platter.  Shiraz really deserves five stars - this is the best mediterranean food that I've found in the 'burbs.This place is awesome.  I found them on yelp, and everyone's reviews are pretty much spot on.  I got lunch to go and found the staff fun and friendly.  They were super quick, and it was a great deal for the amount of quality food I got.  I brought my lunch back to the office, and a co-worker who had previously said he didn't want anything had to run right out and get his own after smelling mine!  I strongly recommend the salad over the fries... their homemade dressing is just too good to miss!It's really cute and tiny, so don't bring a large group.

by Greg W.

The only regret that I have for squandering valuable years of my life confined within the mediocrity of Beaverton is not stopping in to dine at Shiraz the one hundred times that I passed it previously.Perhaps what is an authentic Iranian dining experience, this small family-owned restaurant consists of a narrow bar tucked away in a strip mall.  An LCD TV runs the Middle Eastern equivalent of MTV.  The experience is markedly improved in the warmer months with ample outdoor seating.The shavings of lamb in their gyro plates are moist and perfectly spiced.  Hearty handmade hummus goes along with well with the delicate and balanced flavor of their handmade baba ganoush.Their salad is paired with the most wonderful balsamic vinaigrette - a recipe which the owner wouldn't yield even after much prodding.Even the baklava had a beautifully delicate crust with just the right amount of honey to sweeten it up - perhaps one of the best examples of baklava that I've ever had.I was going to give this place four stars after trying their mezza platter, but I couldn't in good conscience after trying their gyro platter.  Shiraz really deserves five stars - this is the best mediterranean food that I've found in the 'burbs.

by Shawn O.

This is where we frequently go for lunch. So do a lot of other people, so sometimes it's hard to get a spot. It's a small place, very small. Seating is limited unless it's warm enough outside, in which case they roll out the patio furniture for some bistro ambiance - and it's fun when they do.It's a great place to eat, overall. The food is excellent Mediterranean with an obviously Greek slant. Gyros are the norm but they have excellent kabobs, too, and that's usually what I get - with rice and salad. Soft drinks and other non-water beverages come out of a fridge, though they do have some standard beers on tap. Since I'm always there on lunch I've yet to see how they treat their beer tap system. I get thirsty looking at it, though.The atmosphere is cramped-Euro-Greek, with an odd bit of Slavik thrown in just to be weird, it seems. They have two televisions which play strange European music videos...odd but nifty. It's fun to be there, as you're close to the grilling area (bar-style seating on the inside) and you can witness all of the culinary action first-hand. It's a fast-paced kitchen due to its size and...well, they're pretty busy come lunch time, you know. It's a popular place.The service is top notch. It's a family affair - the husband does double duty on the food prep as well as waiting. The wife takes care of customers. Both of them are good people and very attentive to the needs of the patrons. If you frequent the place they'll remember your menu habits and treat you like a family friend.Shiraz will always remain at or near the top of my list of lunchtime escapes. Good food, good service, decent prices, and everything happens pretty fast. You won't be disappointed.

by John T.

Dinner last night was great!  I had the Barg Soltani (filet mignon ground beef combo) and I'd say that I should have just stuck with the Barg (filet) since there was SO MUCH to eat.  But they were both very flavorful and cooked well.  The salad was excellent.  My partner had just the Koobideh Kabob (ground beef) so that was equally as good as the skewer of the same stuff that I had.   We started with the Mas'Kheyar (yogurt w/cucumbers, dill, mint) which is an excellent appetizer, but I prefer it as a side dish with pita.  Dessert: the saffron ice cream was really tasty.  Comes with big frozen chunks of cream in it.  According to one of the owners, this is the typical dessert ice cream in Iran, which might get boring but certainly is a good choice!  The owners are friendly and conversational, which I think is required in a restaurant that is more adequately described as a service corridor with a kitchen and some seats.  It's actually quite nice and cozy, but seating is limited indoors, and it's a bunch of chairs in front of a bar-type arrangement, which looks directly into the "kitchen", which also spans the length of the space.  Overall: quite happy with the meal.  We've been looking for a good Persian place in the Portland area, and this seems to be the front-runner.

by Clare M.

This place is awesome.  I found them on yelp, and everyone's reviews are pretty much spot on.  I got lunch to go and found the staff fun and friendly.  They were super quick, and it was a great deal for the amount of quality food I got.  I brought my lunch back to the office, and a co-worker who had previously said he didn't want anything had to run right out and get his own after smelling mine!  I strongly recommend the salad over the fries... their homemade dressing is just too good to miss!It's really cute and tiny, so don't bring a large group.