Albayk

I held out in writing this reviews because I was really hoping that I could increase the star rating I was initially going to give them but unfortunately I can't.

After reading such great reviews I was so excited at trying this place and was really expecting better but the food is ''just alight''.
I recently had the Mixed Grill which was such a let down because the Rice portion was small, no more than 3 table spoons and I found the meat to be too dry, especially the Kefta kabab. The same has been found with the Baklava, although it was nice and flaky and authentically made with Pistachio nuts instead of the cheap version of Walnuts or mixed nuts.

As well as doing take out which they are primarily known for they also have a small restaurant with both inside and outside seating. Also be sure to check in using the Yelp app as the purchase of a wrap gets you 6 free Falafel.

This place is new to the neighborhood. It is owned locally by a very nice family.

They took the place of a failed sandwich chain restaurant. The decor is very nice, using vibrant colors and very nice mural style paintings on the walls. The seating consists of free-standing tables with chairs.

They have an open kitchen so you can see your food prepared, if you are inclined to do so. The benefit of the open kitchen is that you can see all of the fresh ingredients they are using in the preparation of your meal.

I saw that they had fresh lamb and chicken on the rotisserie so I knew my meal would consist of one of those...It's just who I am :-). The employee's highly recommended the lamb. So I tried the lamb Shawarma Wrap with a side order of Hummus.

I was given the choice of spicy or yogurt sauce. I went with the spice. The wrap was huge and awesome!(see pictures) It was extremely flavorful and very juicy.

The Hummus gets an A++ for presentation (see pictures) and it was excellent! I devoured it! They even gave me extra bread for dipping.

To my surprise, they let me try the awesome falafel! It came with a garlic aoli spread and a mild dipping sauce. It was truly excellent and very fresh.

I met the owner Jamal and let him know how great his food was and that he had earned a loyal customer in me. He was a very nice guy. His family members/ employees were extremely nice and helpful. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of food they are serving.

I will definitely be going back...often!

This is a great locally owned business very worthy of supporting.

I highly recommend checking out Albayk.

Been here twice. Second time I'd give them a 2.

Ordered a mixed shawarma salad and side of 6 falafels for pick up. Got there 10 mins later and they had not even started making my order (not a single person in the restaurant). I had to tell the lady at the counter a second time my order. Waited another 10 mins for my order. Salad was a large portion but the falafel balls looked tiny and burnt. She only gave me 5 so I told her. She said they had ran out and she had to make a fresh one (indicating that what she gave me were leftover ones). She reluctantly made one extra falafel for me which took another 10 mins. The fresh falafel that came out was about 3x the size and the difference in taste and texture was crazy. I wish they had made all my falafel fresh. Shawarma meat was also not fresh and tasted like it was heated up from the day before. And to top it off - they don't have plastic forks for to go orders.

Disappointed in the food and service this time because the first time I came the food was definitely a lot better. Many other options in the area.

I had the chicken shawarma salad for lunch. It's a big salad but the chicken is tough prob a few days old. This is the second time I have ordered from here. The falafel wrap was mediocre as well.

I'm sure they are trying their hardest but I wouldn't go out of my way to have food from here.

6 free falafels for checking in with Yelp! After having Albayk bookmarked for a long time, I had the opportunity to come for lunch. We came in early and there was plenty of seating at the time, although they were still busy with a ton of to-go orders. We tried:

-Spinach Pie (3pcs/$6.50), Cheese Burak (5pcs/$6.50), Falafel (6pcs/$3.50) [http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=goOxN3g-rjnVaBrAeHVGmw&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg]: The spinach pie was good but nothing amazing, but I enjoyed the cheese burak and falafel, and I would probably order both again.
-Veggie Combo Plate (Hummus, Babaghannouj, Falafel, Feta Cheese, Tabouli, $10.95, http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=dyAsG8uuvWn3ciYgx7qv8Q&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg): I loved the variety of the combo plate, but I really only enjoyed the hummus, babaghannouj, and falafel. The feta was your normal feta, but I wasn't a fan of the tabouli, although that isn't really my go to dish at Mediterranean places. I probably wouldn't order this combo plate again unless coming with a big group since it's hard to make a big dent in it.
-Lamb & Beef Shawarma Plate (Slow Roasted Lamb/Beef Carved Thin, Served w/Hummus, Cucumber Salad, Rice, and Salad, $12.95, http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=5Cp1M5fQ-Z3PGW-n4YtCBQ&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg): This was a massive portion, and I was barely able to make a dent in it even though the shawarma was tender and delicious. This was definitely my favorite dish, and I would highly recommend it!
-Chicken Shawarma Plate (Slow Roasted Marinated Chicken Carved Thin, $11.95): I tried some of my coworker's chicken shawarma, and it wasn't as good as the lamb/beef since it was on the dry side.

Overall, this was a really good meal, and I had a ton of leftovers since I barely got through the gigantic shawarma plate. I will definitely be back for more shawarma! Parking can be tough since their lot is small, and shared with other businesses.

AL Bayk was a hit from day one. Incredibly tasty, healthy,great choices,yummy Shwarmas..I could go on & on.
I don't write a lot of reviews but when a restaurant rewards my palate in everyway, & I'm very picky I believe in giving a shout out.. .Yaaaaay. ...
, I am also a fitness person & the meals are so healthy they keep me happy & trim. ..thnx lulu & Jimmy your awesome.. .3 yrs later still coming..

Tried out Albayk for dinner one evening. They have a Check-In Deal on Yelp - 6 FREE falafels if you buy a Wrap!

Small restaurant in a strip mall with a 7-11, parking is tight. Saw signs for Chicken Sharwarma Combo comes with fries & drink $7.99; Kefta Kabab Wrap Combo $7.99 w/ fries & drink.

B. got the Chicken Sharwarma Plate $10.50 - bread, rice, hummus or babaghanouj, salad, & chicken chunks. I found the chicken a bit dry, hummus was fine, salad - ok, rice was ok.

Side of Hummus $4.50 - small plate of hummus, some olive oil in the middle, some garbanzo beans too. Pita was warm & on the side.

Babaghannouj (eggplant) $5.75 - tasty, smoky egglant. I liked it.

Falafels - B. thought they were just ok, they weren't freshly fried when he got them. Tahini sauce on the side.

Ask for Garlic Sauce - it's very strong garlic paste & white! Makes all the dishes tasty!

Hot Mint Tea - just a tea bag w/ some mint in the glass. Nothing special.

Charged the meal.

Separate bathrooms in the back.

My friend thought this place deserved only a few stars but I had too give it four.

I liked it , the food was fresh, meat moist , juicy , very flavorful.

They have some really great Schawarma .

They have a great selection of choice, even desserts.

They are definitely authentic.

They even have a really great dessert menu.

I also loved the coffee here.

They have such a great selection, I'll be back here.

Friendly staff. Clean. Freshly made falafel not dried out. Wrap has fresh veggies. Flavorful.

If I had special halal needs, or did a delivery order from them (Kudos for offering delivery service), I'd probably like this resto a little bit better.

We did takeout. Took about 15 minutes. It's in a little strip mall that looks kinda dingy but was perfectly fine.

Wanted to try all their meats so went with their mixed grill ($13). Three meat skewers (lamb, beef, chicken) over rice along with hummus, a pita, and a small side salad. Their homemade hummus had gobs of flavor! I tasted the love. All 3 meats however, a little too overcooked and charred for my tastes. Maybe well done is part of the halal cooking technique? (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/albayk-san-mateo?select=MyVugEXz2jLR_v7md-3DhQ#MyVugEXz2jLR_v7md-3DhQ)

Mrs G had the chicken schwarma plate ($11) which had marinated roasted chicken. It was OK. Didn't melt in my mouth like others yelpers have gushed about. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/albayk-san-mateo?select=5BOj1IWJH7DPR6pVjlP0Cg#5BOj1IWJH7DPR6pVjlP0Cg)

One dish that I'd order again is their Moussaka. Sorta like a brighter eggplant parmesan. The version we ordered had minced lamb and beef, a deal for ($7).

The foods good enough that I might come back but just didn't do enough taste and value wise to turn me into a fan and earn a spot into the rotation.
(http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/albayk-san-mateo?select=npm0jayzwh2JhZerBeC4xw#npm0jayzwh2JhZerBeC4xw)