Alexis Mediterranean Cafe in San Diego, California - Restaurant Review

Hillcrest, California, the uptown community just a few miles north of downtown San Diego, is a hip place with colorful buildings and residents patronizing characterful restaurants and boutique shops.

Alexis on 5th Avenue between University and Robinson (just a couple of doors north of Bluestocking Books) is one of the coolest Mediterranean restaurants I've been to. The décor screams Greek from the blue and white theme and various framed photos of Greek travel destinations on the walls. It has a comfortably airy dining room that looks larger than it actually is, thanks to the white walls, glass front, and a long mirror on the south side. Being used to the impossibly small tables of the downtown area eateries, getting to sit at a real table that can hold 4 plates without anything hanging out in the air is quite a treat. From the look of the place I really would expect to pay more for my food, too.... Now... that sounds good, doesn't it?

Unless you are a sumo wrestler on a quest to gain another 100 lbs in one meal, you can expect a good lunch here (an entrée and a beer) for $10 and dinner for $15. They use the lunch menu from 11AM-5PM, when you can drop in for a yummy gyro pita sandwich for $4.25 (make it $5.75 with a side of fries or Greek salad and a medium drink). Really a good deal in this neighborhood.

Alexis is as friendly to meat-eaters as it is to vegetarians. The menu offers the usual Greek fast-food selections (gyros, sulky, kabob, mousaka, dolmades, pastichio, hummus), a large vegetarian selection of salads, platters, and sandwiches), and American diner items (sandwiches, burgers, pork chops, grilled fish)... Though why would anyone waltz into a good and cheap Greek place to order a burger is beyond me....

The gyro sandwich ($6) is totally awesome. Portion size is good... big but not overly so. They really jam the thick-ish and chewy pita full of meat. So full that the light and tasty Tzatziki sauce doesn't cover all the thickly shaved, wonderfully tender and seasoned beef, which make some bites sort of dry. No pickle hidden inside, which is a plus for pickle-hating me, though I would have traded some of the meat for a bit more onion and tomato. You can always order an extra cup of Tzatsiki sauce for 25 cents, though.

Service is very good. The owner still works here and is very nice and accommodating without being a pest. Your meal is generally ready in a few minutes. I'd love to find something to complain about (just because I'm a big fan of Oscar the Grouch), but if there is any area where Alexis isn't very co-operative about, that's it.

Alexis Mediterranean Café:3863 5th Avenue (between University & Robinson), San Diego, CA 92103 Tel (619) 297-1777
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11AM-10PM, Sun: 12-9PM. Major credit cards accepted.