Welcome to Gather & Graze

Gather & Graze is our new food review series dedicated to Local Food, Flavor & Finds. We celebrate the restaurants and makers who bring creativity, craftsmanship, and community to the table. Come along as we explore the dishes and stories that shape our vibrant food culture, from the East Valley, across the U.S., and wherever the road may take us.

East Mesa’s Luna Grill: Bold Mediterranean Flavors You’ll Crave

The East Valley dining scene just got a serious flavor upgrade with the opening of Luna Grill Mediterranean Kitchen, located at 9317 E Ray Road, Suite 102, Mesa, Arizona 85212. Serving residents from Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and Gilbert, Luna Grill brings fresh, wholesome Mediterranean cuisine just minutes from Mesa Gateway Airport and easily accessible via the 202 and 24 freeways.

If you are coming from Queen Creek or San Tan Valley, it's about a 15–20 minute drive to Luna Grill, ~depending on traffic~ and it is totally worth it. This fast-casual spot stands out in Mesa for fresh, healthy, and flavorful Mediterranean meals. Every dish is bold and vibrant, made with wholesome ingredients you can really taste. Made to order and grilled over an open flame, it perfectly blends quick-service convenience with a touch of upmarket flair, fresh flavors, and no fuss.

Fresh, Convenient Mediterranean Fare in Mesa

The menu features the freshest of ingredients, and focuses on foods that occur naturally within the Mediterranean diet. Think flame-grilled proteins, signature bowls, colorful salads, real couscous and fresh, warm pita bread. It's ideal for anyone trying to eat healthier or for those who need to manage their sugar intake. They offer diabetic-friendly menu options, with no added sugars, lean, flavorful proteins like beef, salmon, gyro, and vibrant array of greens and vegetables. Ordering is easy, facilities are clean and staff is friendly.

Our Review Highlights

Food Presentation ★★★★★ Meals were beautifully plated with vibrant colors and textures. Our proteins, salads and sides were beautiful to look at and enjoyable to eat.

Freshness and Flavor ★★★★★ Tomatoes: red, juicy, perfectly ripe (so many places give you terrible tomatoes) Produce: fresh, crisp, and perfectly chopped Grilled Chicken: tender, absorbs sauces well Gyro: moist, flavorful, blends seamlessly with salads and sauces Pita Bread: soft, holds toppings beautifully Leftovers: Still good and even bolder the next day!

Location and Atmosphere ★★★★★ Bright, clean, and inviting, Luna Grill offers plenty of seating, handicapped accessibility, and catering options. A little on the pricey side, this isn't your run of the mill, everyday kind of place. The food is worth it. Kids eat free Monday through Thursday via the Luna Grill App, making it a little more affordable and family-friendly. For those looking for something fresh, new, and delicious, we highly recommend. This is the first location in Arizona! Also, if you're coming from San Tan Valley, save time by taking Ironwood to Ray, it is a lot quicker than going through Queen Creek.

Health and Dietary Options ★★★★★ No added sugars, Generous portions, easy for sharing Many dishes can be made vegan by removing cheese and tzatziki Ingredients are responsibly sourced, fresh, non GMO whenever possible, and made to order

Food and Drink Selection ★★★★★ Wide variety of salads, wraps, proteins, sides, and non-alcoholic beverages. Signature sauces are amazing! We liked them all! We loved the Spicy Feta and the Chipotle best!! The Chipotle Sauce was zingy and brave, adding that special Southwestern spice to our meal! No other location has this sauce, it was made specifically for Arizona. The House Vinaigrette was also a wonderful find with hints of cardamom that added depth and made our salads pop!

Sweet & Indulgent Treats ★★★★★ We indulged in a few guilty treats too! Loaded Fries with Spicy Feta, hot, crispy French-fries topped with pickled onions, ripe tomatoes, and a garlicky delicious sauce was our favorite; a flavor-packed treat, we asked for extra Spicy Feta so we could enjoy again for a midnight snack.

Life is too short to skip dessert! Baklava, rich, flaky pastry, with layers and layers of gooey deliciousness, perfectly balanced sweetness, delightful texture, great pistachio flavor, by far the best baklava we ever had!

Food for Thought Putting up signs near the menu highlighting that there is no sugar added would be helpful to diabetics, and improving the visibility of the self-serve drink area would improve the first-time dining experience. It was also a little loud inside, but that could have been because it was opening night. Outdoor seating on a shaded patio is also available.

Why Luna Grill Stands Out

Luna Grill offers convenience with bold, fresh flavors; a surprising find for us, set within a fast-casual, upmarket concept. They do a bang up job without losing focus on healthy food. We loved the service, the flavors, and the atmosphere. This is the first location in Arizona, and in our opinion, Luna Grill stands out from other Mediterranean restaurants because they prepare each meal from scratch, grill it to perfection over an open flame, and season it perfectly. Nothing was over seasoned, tough or salty. The chicken kabobs were especially tender and took the sauces well. We were impressed, and hope you give them a try. Please tell them we sent you!

Thank you for reading! With this first Gather & Graze food review, we begin our journey into Local Food, Flavor & Finds, seeking out the spots that make us pause, taste, and appreciate the people behind the food. For us, it's about discovering new flavors and writing new stories, uplifting small businesses, and celebrating food. At True Nature Media, our mission is to inspire thought, encourage truth, and spark conversation wherever the road may lead. Join us on the journey at truenature.media.

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