Zaytun Mediterranean Grill

So, I've been working lunches at Zaytun for about 3 months now. They offer good food at fantastic prices and stay really busy. I've been waiting for something to pop up on LHB about the place, especially after we got 3 stars from Marty at the C-J... but alas, no forumites seem to be talking about Zaytun.

Well... Because I work there, Because I really like the food, and Because I'm a little bit curious as to why it hasnt come up much before, allow me to say a few things about the place

Zaytun: on Bardstown Road in the Highlands, located in the old Andrew's space, next to Left Feild Lounge, in the strip where Diamante used to be, across Bardstown Road from Woodbourne and what used to be a Burger King (before that a Boston Market) and is now a Papa Johns.

The menu consists of traditional mediterranean dishes as well as crowd-pleasing American fare. The owner, Remy Pouranfar, has always intended Zaytun to be a neighborhood hangout with an upscale feel but very approachable and affordable menu.

The specialty would definitly be the Classic Gyro, a beef- lamb mix that is cooked on the rotisserie and shaved off to order. A lot of places offer gyros, but what makes this the best gyro you will ever eat is the bread. It is a euro-style flat bread, as opposed to the middle-eastern style pita bread that you get at most other places. The gyro is served open-faced and dressed however you would like. Traditionally gyros come with lettuce, tomato and red onion but here you have the option of adding a variety of toppings such as cucumbers, black olives, banana peppers and jalepenos (or a variety of cheeses for an additional .99 cents). Of course all gyros come with homemade tzaziki sauce. The sheer size of the $7 gyro will blow you away.

The falafel is also some of the best you will ever eat. It’s a little different then other falafel; instead of being dense and dry Zaytun’s falafel is light and creamy on the inside. You can get it as a sandwich on the same euro style flat bread and dressed however you want, you can get an appetizer version with just falafel and tzaziki or you can add it to a salad. The falafel as well as the hummus, baba ganouj and tzaziki are all made fresh in house almost everyday. The salads are made to order and offer a great value at under $5 for a huge portion.

Pouranfar’s father owns Sharom’s on the Outer Loop, where he grew up working and learning the trade of great food fast. At Zaytun, he offers fried fish everyday that is hand breaded at Sharom’s. Along with the traditional dishes that I’ve mentioned, you can also have onion rings with your gyro or french fries with your fish sandwich. The menu has a mix of influences, much like the young owner himself. Persian born but American raised, Pouranfar’s menu offers a little something for everyone at prices that can’t be beat.

Zaytun offers a short and affordable wine list (with bottles as cheap as $10), but the real focus is on the beer with around 28 bottles offered and BBC brews on draft. The list is ever changing but recently added were Effes (Turkish) Mythos (Egyptian?) and Kingfisher (Indian).

I work there but I also really like the food. Business is great, which has surprised many people (myself included) during this tough time for restaurants. I credit the fact that the menu offers such a great value at an awesome price point for neighborhood folks. They do a lot of carryout orders as well, so if you don’t have time to stop in just call ahead and they’ll have your food waiting.

So now you all know… come see us, and don’t forget to tip your server well!

Zaytun Mediterranean Grill
2286 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205
502-365-1788

Oh, PS. They're closed on Mondays, so nobody rush over there right now, haha.

Thanks for the info, Madi, and you're right, it's surprising no one here has commented on it and/or tried it yet.

I've been wanting to try Zaytun since I heard it opened, since we live close. I'll make a point of trying it soon.

Thanks again for posting the information.

[Robin Garr]

Hey, Madi! Didn't realize you'd gone over to Zaytun. I need to check it out too ... maybe I'd better go for dinner so you can't "out" me at lunch!

Seriously, do they have the same menu at lunch and dinner, or a different dinner menu?

I walk by there almost every day - I even stopped and picked up the menu once, but still have never tried them. I heard they deliver, as well (Madi, can you confirm this?)

And what are they serving for dessert? Just curious. We have a high dessert concentration in those few blocks.

I was JUST being told about this place today by a vegetarian friend of mine.

Funny - I think I've commented on Zaytun at least twice. Guess there's a difference between a comment and a dedicated thread.

It's a good place. Ran by the same family as Sharom's on Outer Loop. Been going to Sharom's for at least 6 years now, as off-the-wagon Catholics still lean toward fish on Fridays. Zaytun's food demonstrates the same quality as Sharom's always has. My family went in over X-Mas, and I've met my mom there for lunch a few times. Last time I was there the owner (Remy) told us about his decision to switch from Kroger to Kingsley for his meat products - news that made me happy to hear.

So, yeah, it's good. I would say more, but you should just go try it out.

...but I have not been in there since the BBC taps were added. Lookie-there, added motivation to return.

Hey, Madi! Didn't realize you'd gone over to Zaytun. I need to check it out too ... maybe I'd better go for dinner so you can't "out" me at lunch!

Seriously, do they have the same menu at lunch and dinner, or a different dinner menu?

Robin,
Dont get the wrong idea now! Seviche is still my full-time job( and my full-time love). Just workin' some lunches on the side.

Its the same menu all day, hours:
Closed Monday
11:30am to 10pm Tues -Thurs
11:30- 11:00pm Fri- Sat
11:30- 9pm Sunday

I walk by there almost every day - I even stopped and picked up the menu once, but still have never tried them. I heard they deliver, as well (Madi, can you confirm this?)

And what are they serving for dessert? Just curious. We have a high dessert concentration in those few blocks.

Marsha,
Not so much on the delivery.. for very large orders and if there is enough staff they might send out a driver, but in general its carry-out only.

Dessert-wise they serve pistachio baklava all the time, with a rotating selection of homemade cheesecakes (this week it was Derby-Pie cheesecake, mmm).

Matthew, you definitely did mention it - I noticed, both times! I just hadn't gotten around to eating there, yet. I'll go soon.

My husband and I have eaten there several times and the food has been excellent. The Phoenician hummus is really good.

I neglected to mention this in my above post because it was already so lengthy, but Remy (the owner) recently signed a lease for the old Diamante space a few doors down. His plans are to open a 2nd restaurant with a more upscale concept but to keep it plenty affordable. I believe he is even hiring a new chef for this one...

Painting and remodeling going on right now, tentatively scheduled to open late June- early July.
I'll share more details as they become clear!!

I've been only once, but really enjoyed it. I'm lucky, because I pick at some of Madis food, when she brings her lunch with her. The portions and price points are great. The hummus is some of the best I've ever had and add a little hot sauce, it's even better.

I've been only once, but really enjoyed it. I'm lucky, because I pick at some of Madis food, when she brings her lunch with her. The portions and price points are great. The hummus is some of the best I've ever had and add a little hot sauce, it's even better.

Well, you can't beat a thumbs up from Chef Lamas. That should bring some Hotbytes readers in the door!