Located in the Shops at Friendly, Zoe’s Kitchen offers Greek influenced soups, sandwiches, salads, kabobs and more. Takeout dinners for four are available, side items can be purchased by the tub and there is a limited selection of alcoholic beverages.
A Greek-deli hybrid with a health-conscious spin, Zoe’s Kitchen sounds great on paper, but fails to live up to the promise of its concept. To its credit, the Birmingham-based chain shows some innovation with its menu. Sides include braised white beans and mayo-free marinated slaw and hibiscus green tea is available as a fountain drink. Several dishes can be prepared to accommodate vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diners.
Unfortunately, not all of these innovations are successful. Zoe’s signature sandwich, the “Gruben” (turkey, Swiss, slaw and mustard on rye) lacks zest and will leave you craving the real thing. Though feta is an oft-utilized ingredient, Greek staples such as gyros and spanikopita are notably absent here.
Pricing here isn’t unreasonable. Sandwiches are an even $7 with one side included and the sides are generously portioned. Salads and entrees (with the exception of salmon kabobs) are all under $10.
Lunchtime at Zoe’s can be a mob scene. Show up between noon and 1 p.m. and you should expect at least a five-minute line wait. That, coupled with the garishly bright interior design and less-than-comfortable chairs, severely diminishes its appeal as a dining option.
All and all, Zoe’s Kitchen is well-intentioned and offers a few novel selections, but the food has a long way to go.
6/10
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