RAFFI’S OASIS CAFE THE HOME OF MOUTH WATERING GYROS AND LAMB

RAFFI’S OASIS CAFE THE HOME OF MOUTH WATERING CRAB CAKES AND GRILL COOKED  GYRO

Raffi’s Oasis Café, located at 5702 E Virginia St, Evansville, IN 47715 is a little gem. It is a locally owned Mediterranean Grille on the East side located between Burkhardt and Green River. Oasis has a small but fanciful dining room. All the tables are clean and decorated. The fountain drink station is also very clean and the restrooms were nearly spotless which spoke volumes toward Raffi’s care and cleanliness.

Eye-stimulating artwork lines the walls, along with statues and other Mediterranean décor throughout. It’s a very casual restaurant with a laid-back feeling with two flat screen televisions constantly playing news at a low, comfortable volume.

When we ordered at the counter the order taker was very friendly, and even helped us to decide which entrées to order. We asked her what she liked the most, and she said that everything is good. “Typical of most restaurants,” I thought, but I very quickly realized that she wasn’t exaggerating.

The crab cakes are absolutely mouth-watering. I could have eaten the crab cakes as my entire meal, but I wanted to try several flavors. Next, I tried the deep fried and breaded chickpeas falafel served with a salad dressing for dipping, and was equally impressed. The tabbouleh salad made with chopped parsley, tomatoes, onions, peppers and cracked wheat had a peculiar texture but had a very eclectic taste. It had an interesting but zesty flavor, and it is excellent for your health.

The lamb shawarma was amazing, absolutely amazing. It was served in a grill-cooked gyro with an incredible mixture of shaved, roasted lamb, lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle, and a savory cream sauce that accented each ingredient which caused the whole meal to burst with flavor. A small salad was served with the shawarma and helped to clear the palate between bites so that every bite was like tasting this delectable dish for the first time.

As we enjoyed one of the best meals we have ever had from a restaurant in Evansville, Raffi Manna approached our table and asked how everything tasted. We told him that it was absolutely amazing. Raffi was very presentable and professional. We asked him some questions about his restaurant, the food, and operations. He was happy to answer every question we had, and he explained to us that all of the food can be found in and around The Holy Land, including Jerusalem, and Bethlehem, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, and that there are also some Arabian dishes.

He also said that all of the food is healthy, and that he cooks it all himself. That’s right, all of it. He does not have anyone do it for him, and he loves what he does and the business he’s in. Raffi stated that he received his civil engineering degree from Vanderbilt in Nashville, and that he has been a business owner/operator for 30 years, and his experience seems to shine in all that he does.

I now have a new favorite restaurant. There were so many amazing items to choose from, I will definitely be revisiting, and that will be very soon.