Greer's OC

The most exciting news in fast casual, good for you eateries in Orange County is Yalla, a Mediterranean fast-casual concept that just opened in Seal Beach. It’s the first Orange County location for the restaurant that specializes in authentic Mediterranean cuisine---a blend of Greek, Moroccan, Turkish, Lebanese, Israeli, Tunisian and Egyptian flavors- in a lively environmentally-friendly space.

It boasts 100% compostable packaging, napkins, straws, utensils, and cups, and inside there’s a live lemon tree, in-store herb wall, and a colorful display of seasonal sides and salads. Yalla is already in the Bay Area, as well as Burbank and Culver City, with plans to open more locations in 2016.

Yalla embraces the popular build-your-own concept, this time you’ll be customizing  your own Pita Wrap, Salad, or Yalla Plate, including skewers, sauces, and toppings, as well as an option to add Mediterranean side dishes. Yalla went as far as designing a patented open-rotisserie so that your meats are grilled-to-order in 3 minutes or less on a revolving and conveyor grill.

To order, you can select a style, such as a Pita Wrap, Chopped Salad (with either Power Greens or Fattoush), or Yalla Plate, which includes basmati rice, seasoned vegetables or spiced lentils, pita, and a selection of up to three Mediterranean side dishes ($8.50-$9.95).

And then you can choose a protein such as the house-made Falafel with GMO-free chickpea fritters; the Salmon Skewer with wild caught salmon marinated in Greek yogurt and chermoula; or Shalafel with half Chicken Shawarma and half Falafel, among others.

At the end, you can add Yalla Fries topped with feta sauce, individual sides or a sampling of three sides ($1-$2.00), such as Moroccan Carrot Salad, Greek Potato Salad, Turkish Slaw, and more.

You have to save room Yalla’s soft serve Greek Yogurt with the option to add toppings, such as Chopped Baklava or Chocolate Pita Crumbles, honey, chocolate or sour cherry sauce ($2.25-2.95).

Yalla’s beverages include California wines on tap ($5), local bottled beer ($5), honey-mint house-made lemonade ($2.50), and organic black Iced tea ($1.90).

Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.     

Yalla Mediterranean is at 12420 Seal Beach Blvd in Seal Beach. 562.596.4801.