Yaxel C.

I just ordered some food to pick up. Had to wait a few mins for them to finish it which i didnt mind. I ordered what i always do, the mixed grill with 3 meats and let me tell you, this is not the same place as a year ago to the day when i was last here. The nice couple that use to be in the back and trated you like family and cooked amazing food is no longer there (i asked). Flavors changed, food is not bad but it is not great as it used to be. The quantity is 1/3 of what it used to be. Literally 2 pieces of lamb that was overcooked and sry, 4 thin slices of chicken breast that was dry instead of the old chicken thighs, the beef kafta looked like a vienna sausage instead of the old huge pattie, barely any french fries, the hummus was obviously less and didnt look as fresh. I went there today cause i was close by and wanted great food. I am very disappointed at the quality and quantity. The price went down a few dollars from a year ago but man i wish the old couple was there charging more for more food and better flavor. Unfortunately i am off to find a new place because i am so disappointed that i'll never come back. It was great while it lasted.

Isabella M.

Genuinely the best shawarma I have ever had. My boyfriend and I were looking for a good local spot as we were leaving Busch gardens and this IS IT!! If you are in the area please check them out! Their fries are amazing too!! Also the food was sooo good I didn't take a before pic.

Tony N.

Wow amazing tasting food, highly recommend this place. Get the spinach pies! These are delicious. Not sure what all the ingredient are in this but it's a bit tart and tangy and so good. I got the Ckicken Kabab plate with 2 sides. The chicken was soft, moist, amazing smoky flavor. My friend got the other chicken plate, his chicken had more herbs, spices, not a smoky flavor, I had a taste of this it was it also amazing. The worker was so helpful and nice, this was our first time coming here, we took awhile to decide, he let us taste the chicken and didn't rush us at all. The restaurant is located in far back of the supermarket. They have 2 booths for dine in. Get your own drinks in the fridge at front of the store, I think water bottle is free and included in the meal but if you want any other drink pay for it at the counter.

Dee R.

Wow! My food journey continues to be amazing in 2022. I stumbled upon this great store the other day. You walk into a friendly atmosphere and a clean, organized store. Then, the aromas from the Cafe in the back take over, and you find your suddenly hungry. The owner was so nice and answered all my questions about the figs , pita bread and unique foods. I made my way to the Cafe where I sampled some roasted chicken and soup. The flavors were very good, and I saw they had Lamb Kabobs on the menu. I haven't had much Lamb since I went to the Netherlands. So, I was hopeful. They explained to me all of their meat is fresh, never frozen. They don't even have a freezer. No chemicals or added fats or hormones and all of their meats and chicken are raised ethically. The Lamb was so amazing that I was able to cut it with my fork, and the mild flavor of the Lamb made me so happy. I had some of their fresh garlic sauce and spicy chimichuri as an accompaniment and bounced between the sauces and just the meat. The rice was perfectly cooked, the homemade humus was so fresh and smooth I couldn't stop eating it. I even took a few bites of my lunch partners steak. So good. For desert, I had the most incredible baklava, i am normally not a fan. The outside was flaky and not too sweet; the finish was creamy and the pistachio was a unique experience. If you are in Brandon or even close to Brandon you need to go here .

Grisel D.

This is a hidden gem. The food is cooked in the back of the grocery store. The food is amazing and very flavorful. Can't wait to go back.

Karen V.

Sometimes it's love at first bite. This is definitely what happened today when I visited for the first time at lunch. I've been looking for a good Mediterranean restaurant to replace the one that I loved that is under new management now. Al Madina is now my new home for Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food. Oh sure, I had read some of the reviews before deciding to try it but I wasn't expecting such an awesome experience. I went in thinking I would just order the typical mixed grill with rice, but changed my mind right away when I saw the freshly grilled chicken shawarma. Yes, the one on the menu that says it's grilled over an open flame. Amazing! I was even blown away when they asked if I wanted to try a piece before ordering it. One taste was all it took. They offered more samples but I knew already what I wanted based on the owners recommendations. I got the chicken shawarma platter with the grilled veggies (zucchini mixture) along with the hummus and tabbouli. He drizzled the most aromatic and tasty olive oil ever on top of the hummus & tabbouli and now I want to go back and buy the olive oil. The grocery store itself was amazing and immaculately clean. They had so many brand name items from the Middle East and even Turkish coffee makers and serving ware. I saw various brands of baklava, pastries, and candies for holiday gift giving. There is so much more but my visit was strictly for the food. I made my selections after getting recommendations. Everything they recommended was amazing. The food is healthy and fresh. The chicken was tender and juicy. The veggies were full of flavor. Who needs rice when you have veggies this good? I wish I had taken a picture of the veggies underneath the chicken but I just couldn't stop eating it. I am not ashamed to say that I ate everything. I even added some of the left over hummus to the remaining veggies to elevate it to the next level. The veggies tasted like they were grilled over an open flame too. It had a little of the char and smoky flavor. I don't ever go crazy over veggies but I did today. The pita was also a great compliment to the meal. As you see from the pictures, I really enjoyed every bite. The tabbouli was also very fresh and tasty. I don't say that often about tabbouli either. I can't wait to go back to try other menu items. I believe they have daily specials too, but they have quite a good variety of items on the menu. The chimichurri steak and chicken looks like something I want to try next. The whole family is so warm and inviting. Believe it when you read it in other reviews. The service is top notch. The food is totally cooked with love. I could tell right away. It's a true hidden gem inside a Mediterranean grocery store that is family owned. Why didn't I try it sooner? I know hubby will love it too. Don't pass it up if you're in the area.

Bloo O.

Went in for the first time earlier today and it was quiet. Browsed and found their variety nice- a little bit of everything from spices, meats, dried herbs and a variety of flatbreads and frozen goods. The hot food was the main appeal for me, and the people behind the counter were so warm and welcoming! We were offered several samples of items we were curious about, and the food didn't take long at all, gave us enough time to browse and get tempted by the baklava being sold up front! The lamb was cooked a perfect medium as requested, the tabbouleh was fresh and crisp, the baba ghanouj was creamy, garlicky and a little spicy in the best way. I can heartily recommend this place to anyone not only looking to support local businesses and families, but also to anyone who wants to support good food.

Jezrael D.

WOOOAAAHHHH! Just woahh! You already know i loved my visit! I have driven by this establishment many times but never noticed it. While on one of my shenanigans many months ago. I met a gentleman which we shared restaurant, grocery stores and many other locations of interests we both have found and fallen in loved with. Outa everything he mentioned, he kept coming back to this one store hidden in plain sight on Kings street in Brandon. He said that he has become accustomed to always stop here for lunch or dinner and even to do a bit of grocery shopping. I kept forgetting about it and after i went to the bank to get a consultation on a loan. I remembered about this place because on the way out? You can freaking see the sign from there! You wouldn't believe me but i was collecting acorns at the moment. Lol i got a tad too exited over the acorn season getting here finally! I make flour n a Native American coffee alternative during acorn season. A story for another time. I drove over from the bank and went into Yelper Journalist mode. The store looks tiny from the outside. But it's actually a medium build. It is divided by two sections. The main area is the grocery store and on the back theres a small restaurant built in. You will get enamored by the beautiful smell of Levantine Food in the air! Oh my god! It is thing gentle touch of herbs and spices. As you come in, don't forget to grab a basket. They are hidden between the window n the cash register. I didn't see them, i felt like asking when i was carrying my mother's huge jar of olives and other food items. I been encouraging her to go out more and who better to keep her safe while out on shenanigans than me? The store looks like is the main hub for locals and people whom share the same culture. Staff was very nice n pleasant. They had many foreign drinks, near the entrance n back. A frozen ingredient called jute leaves, i will buy next time when i figure out how to use it. Many meats, yogurt drinks of many sizes, pastries dough. Including fylo dough. I love using those for dessert making for the holidays. I bought two boxes for $2.90, best price i seen anywhere. They had a couple types of baklava in the freezer, outside displays and by another display in the cash register. They look like they sell the pallet size ones for parties or a nice bad bender with "Netflix and Baklava" lol between the isles they had the herbs and spices. Canned products like; meat patties, fish, stuffed grape leaves and vegetables. Huge jars of olives in many styles. The last isle was an impressive wall of nothing but herbs and spices. There was a nice display of different types of teas. Huge jar for about $4.95 a pop! You would make bank buying the whole crate and selling them in a fair ground! Tourist would eat up everything they got for sale here. Everything we saw was at a beautiful price tag! Now before leaving i offered lunch to my mom and walked myself into the kitchen area. This was just a wonderful interaction with the kitchen staff. I asked the madam for the special of the day. It was roast chicken and the stuffed....... For the life of me i forgot what it was called, but i ate the hell outa it when i got home. It was like a lasagna or pastellon. It had mushrooms in onions with lamb. I went with the salad for the chicken and i went with potato salad. Both brought a wonderful ling grain rice in spices. They also included a flat bread that was just heavenly done! I had to eat mine when we stopped at a store cuz my sugar went weeeee n i had to eat it. I had a funny event happen when one of the young men noticed i was taking pictures. He asked me to take a picture of all three of them. I told them i was a yelper n i do positive reviews. The two gentlemen got very happy and started posing, then the other one wanted the madam in the shot, but she didn't want to. It was very cute interaction n i did everything to respect her n not take her face picture. She asked me if i did n i reassured her no face shot just her covering her face. I also am the same way unless I'm in an event activity. After paying they were very delightful, thank me and blessed my day. On the way out we paid our groceries. The madam up front was so kind to. She gave us a free treat; Maria cookies! I love these with coffee! I seriously had a wonderful experience visiting them. Saw a lot of traffic come in and buy for the duration of my visit. Families and folks of all walks. Came in and left with supplies. I will definitely come back and highly recommend them every time i meet someone that wants to try new things.

Shuné D.

I just had one of the best dinners of my life! Everything I had so far from this place has been incredibly flavorful and full of life. The food they serve here has a lot of soul. The baba ghanouj is nice and smoky and so are their meats. The salads are fresh and taste amazing! They also have many ingredients sold here on the grocery store side for you to put together yourself at home. I love the variety of spices they have here which make cooking fun. I read the other reviews and became curious. Glad I fulfilled my curiosity. It was worth it! I look forward to many visits!