A taste of the Mediterranean in Mountlake Terrace

I could say my nose brought me to Fork Mediterranean Grill in Mountlake Terrace, but I’d be lying.

It was actually Yelp: The restaurant on 66th Avenue has an average rating of five stars — the maximum — from 120 reviews.

I enlisted the help of my parents, Jim and Melene, to see what all the fuss was about. We left the grill with the same conclusion: It’s the real deal.

Savory meat, fresh-tasting food and friendly service were among the most immediate positives that come to mind. Don’t worry if you’re new to Greek food — we were, too. The staff were ready and willing to answer our questions and steer us in the right direction.

We also received our food quickly, even though it was the busiest time of the day at noon.

I ordered the gyro plate with lamb, beef and yellow rice served with pita bread and salad topped with tzatziki sauce and feta cheese ($8.49). The beef and lamb was crisp and tender, not dry.

After a few bites, I wrapped the beef, lamb and rice into the pita and dipped it in hummus. I’d never tried hummus and meat together, and was surprised that it accentuated the taste of the gyro meat. The pita bread was warm and fluffy.

I also ordered the Greek fries ($4.50) because it looked like something you’d get at a ballpark. It had the deep-fried taste I was expecting, but the garlic sauce and feta cheese made it a home run. It was like eating a baked potato, except it was french fries.

My mom ordered a mixed shawarma salad with chicken, lamb, beef and a Greek salad topped with tzatziki sauce and garlic ($9.99). The salad came with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onions and Kalamata olives, but the tzatziki sauce was her favorite part.

“It was fresh and not your typical green salad,” she said. “The dressing was really unique, almost tart. It blended really well with the food.”

My dad opted for the kabob-styled chicken sandwich ($8.25), which was wrapped in pita bread with red and green peppers, onions and tahini sauce. He gave it a thumbs up, adding that he might start seeking out Greek food more.

Deep-fried cauliflower and eggplant, rice, hummus, baba ghanoush, two falafels and a pita came with the veggie mix plate ($7.99) we shared. It’s perfect for vegetarians.

By that time I was pretty full, but the falafels caught my eye because I’d never had them before. The crispy, veggie treats were delicious. They came seasoned with spices and filled with garbanzo beans.

Dining with three people was a bit tricky, considering the amount of food we ordered. The tables are on the small side, so I’d recommend coming with a friend, maybe two. It’s also ideal for takeout.

The grill, owned by Mohammad Yasin, opened in 2016. Yasin, originally from Jordan, runs the grill with his wife and cousins. He said it took about a year and a half for the restaurant to gain a reputation for its stellar food.

“It’s good to see that people appreciate what you’re doing,” Yasin said.

The best sellers? Yasin said the top three are the shawarma plate with chicken ($8.75), gyro sandwich ($6.99) and the gyro plate ($8.49).

Fork Mediterranean Grill

21919 66th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays.

Dine in or order takeout.

Call 425-835-0703 or order online at www.forkgrill.com.