Wow, best we've ever had. If you like All the options of middle eastern street food: gyros,…read morefalafel, baklavas, hummus, falafel, shawarma, and kebabs, as well as salads like fattoush and tabbouleh, Baba ghanoush, dolmades and mansf. I've never seen such a wide variety of baklava The numerous options for spices and condiments was awesome to cover everyone's individual tastes In a nutshell, if you've never tried this style of food this would be a great introduction. ALL the ingredients are fresh! Portions are generous and the pricing is reasonable So give it a try and report back. We were in town visiting from west coast. I've eaten at several restaurants that serve this style of food. None compare

This restaurant carried Mediterranean and Greek food. It was very clean and contained very fresh…read moreingredients. The decor was very simple. It had booths to seat in and the walls contained poster size enlarged photographs of different Mediterranean food. The owner was very friendly and took my order when I arrived. I ordered a Falafel appetizer and as main course a Beef Shawerma Sandwich. He asked me if I wanted it with fries and I said yes, and they were very good, but given the option I would have probably taken a salad. The Falafels were amazingly good; crispy in the outside and soft and moist in the inside. The sauce that came with them was also very good. The meat of the Shawerma was nice and tender with just the right spices. For dessert I asked for a Baklava. It was good but a bit dry. There was another tray with Baklavas that looked fresher in the bottom of the display case, but it was covered with a plastic wrap and hadn't been opened yet. Overall the food was very good and I will definitely come back for more when I want to eat Mediterranean food again, and I recommend the restaurant to all those reading this review.

Friendly staff, excellent service, and the food was fresh and very flavorful! It's part grocery…read morestore/part restaurant, but not fancy. Regardless, the food was superb! I got a gyro with fries. Highly recommend for a quick meal.

This Restaurant and Grocery carries a wonderful variety of Mediterranean items on its menu. The…read moremenu is posted on the wall.behind the counter with colorful photos of each dish. As one enters the Grocery and Restaurant it has the atmosphere of Mediterranean with a great selection of items in the Grocery as well as in their Restaurant's Menu. At their main counter I was greeted with a warm and friendly welcome and given a menu to be able to compliment the one on the wall. I ordered the Falafel as appetizer, the Beef Tikka Kabab as the main entrée, the Kunafa for dessert, and Mango Nectar to drink. The Falafel was one of the best that I've ever had. Crispy on the outside and soft and moist in the inside.The Beef Tikka Kabab was served with seasoned rice, salad, and vegetables. Overall it was good but the pieces of beef were overcooked and this made them dry and tough to eat. I feel if they would have asked how do you want your Beef cooked and have cooked it this way, the meat would have been more juicy, soft, and tender. Also, the salad was good but the vegetables were missing as advertised in the menu. I like my beef cooked medium-rare, so it is tender and juicy on the inside and colorful and tasty on the outside. The dessert was good but a bit dry and you could tell it was not freshly made and served as I am custom to eating in other fine restaurants. While at the Grocery I discovered they had a box with Dubai Chocolate (one of my favorites) and purchased one while I was paying for my meal. If the management of the restaurant takes my advice on how to cook the beef I would definitely return and recomend this place to order. Mediterranean food can be so juicy and flavorful. In

Great location and service. Nice ambiance but AC not working on a 100 degree day. Food portions…read morewere good, but lacked flavor. Was very very bland.

For some time now I had passed by this restaurant a number of times and today I decided to stop and…read morego try it out. Located on Campbell Ave, in the heart of Downtown, Roanoke, it occupied one of the most ideal locations for a restaurant in this area. It's windows were always very lively, lit up with many small lights and one red OPEN neon light sign. The interior looked very distinguished yet at the same time comfortable with hardwood floors, dark red ceilings, and black furniture. It was decorated with a combination of Lebanon posters and moments, as well as framed articles and Award Certificates of the restaurant. When I arrived the owner greeted me very warmly and invited me to take a seat wherever I liked, and provided me with a menu. My server, Mohammed then came by and was very helpful in helping me learn about Lebanese food and picking out the items from the menu to pick out. I ordered a Gold Peak Sweet Tea to drink, Falafel as appetizer, and a Beef Kabab Platter as the main entrée. The Falafel was the best that I have ever had, crispy on the outside and soft, moist, and very tasty in the inside; and with an extraordinary presentation on a plate. The Beef Kabab was very well maintained and served with grilled onions and tomatoes, accompanied with white rice and two tiny dishes with sauces, however I was very disappointed because the chunks of Beef were not at all tender, and thus very tough and dry inside. I knew that if they had been cooked medium rare, like I always like my meats, it would have been different, and because everything else about the food, ambiance, and service of the restaurant I enjoyed so much I decided to give it a 4 Star review with the hope that when the owner and chef read my review, they would pay attention to this very important detail, and next time I visit or anyone else, they place special attention to this, since when beef is overcooked, no matter how soft and tender it is, it becomes extremely tough and dry, and very uncomfortable to chew and eat, or even enjoy. For dessert I ordered the traditional Baklava and it was delicious. In conclusion, if it were not have been for the above-mentioned problem, this restaurant would have received a 5 Star review. But since I was very impressed with the menu, the ambiance, the awards received, the other food I ate, and most of all by the amazingly wonderful way I was treated and customer service received, I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt, give it a 4 and return once again. I urge everyone reading this review to do the same with the hope that one little but important detail don't hinder an otherwise extraordinary dining experience.

This place is both a market and a restaurant. The market is limited, though some of the dried goods…read morelooked worthwhile. The restaurant isn't fancy, but it offers a nice vegetarian menu. I ordered some chickpeas and bread, not knowing the chickpeas already came with bread. That said, the thin, grilled, potato-filled bread is delicious when done right, which it was here. My chickpeas were delivered in a tomato-y preparation and provided needed substance to get me through the day. It's the sort of family run place where the kids were hanging out (perhaps a snow day for them). I could imagine them offering more on the market side, but the food I got was a good deal and I saw enough vegetarian options to be worth coming back.

A friend of mine that I hadn't seen in a while called me and invited me and another friend to have…read moredinner in this Afghan Restaurant the other evening. For some time now, I've been looking forward to eating here because I've been hearing many good things about this restaurant, that had been open for less than a year now. When we arrived it was already dark outside, but during this time of the year it gets dark early. The restaurant was well lit from outside and its sign on the small parking lot was lit from inside and had photos of some of their food. It also mentioned that their food was Halal quality. This means that it did not contain pork. Inside, the place was clean and decorated very simple with large size poster prints of photos from some of the cultures of the food and cuisine served here. The dining room was on the left of the building and had booths along the left wall and two persons tables and chairs as well. The owner and host came out and greeted us with a warm welcome, handing us copies of the menu which was very well designed with glossy photos next to the food entrées listed there. This was very helpful because it gave a visual sense of the food, of which many I didn't know, making it easier to order. To drink there were some large display refrigerators full of different drinks for us to reach and get one. To start with since this was our first time eating there, the owner brought us bowls of their Chicken Soup from thebAppetizers section in the menu. This soup was amazingly delicious. Simply the best Children Soup that I have ever had. I urge you to view the photographs that I took to accompany my review and you will get a better sense of it deliciousness. For it is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Then we decided to get several dishes to share among all of us imitating the culture of the cuisine. Among the entrées we ordered were: The Fresh Lamb Tikka Kabab, the Bulani kachalo, Chicken Beryani, the Qurma Potatoes, Chick Pea, Eggplant, Salad Afghani Style Plate Mix, and some Special bread. All the food looked wonderful and tasted even better. For dessert we had the Sherpayra (Milk Fudge) and Afghan Mixed Cookies with a cup of a Special Tea. Afterwards we took a tour of the Grocery, on the right side of the building, and observed all the items available, from foods, to rugs, to jewelry, to an indefinite variety of Afghan items. I highly recommend this restaurant as one of a kind, of its kind. The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed, the food was amazingly delicious, and the service provided was very welcoming and friendly. I definitely think we should all support this new restaurant and tell our friends about it. I know I will enthusiastically.

A new restaurant has risen from the ashes of another. After a period of closure and renewal, the…read morespirit of Aly Baba Restaurant is reborn as Zico's, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes to offer an elevated dining experience. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Zico's Restaurant in Salem, Virginia, is the perfect example. Zico's is conveniently located in the corner of 4th Street and Roanoke Blvd in Salem, Virginia. Immediately after hearing of the change, and attracted by its new name and logo, I drove to this location to experience first hand Zico's cuisine. The restaurant has a nice size parking lot right in front of it. Its owner and chef, Zico is a native Egyptian, with a warm and friendly personality, who specializes in authentic Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Italian cuisines, as well as Pizzas. As I entered its door he was the first one to give me a warm greeting and welcome me to his restaurant. It had one red brick wall, imitation hardwood floors, simple ceiling lamps, and a very interesting movable large TV screen with a beautiful outdoor Cafe scene. The background music perfectly complements the relaxing and cozy environment. In the main dining room it has very elegant and comfortable booths all around, and in a separate banquet room it has tables and chairs all lined up. The menu has an excellent variety of items representing the different cuisines. I ordered a Beef Shawarma Platter that came with a salad and Pita Bread with a special in house salad dressing and cream for the Pita Bread. The salad was so fresh and moist that it was a pleasure eating it. The Beef Shawarma was cooked with a special sauce made with cooked onions, green and red peppers, and some seasons that gave it an amazing flavor, one only equivalent to high-end restaurants with sofisticated and award winning chefs. The rice was also a good quality rice with wonderful flavor. I enjoyed the food so much that till the last grain of rice and savored evey minute of it. For dessert I ordered their only in-house made dessert, the Tiramisu. It was amazingly delicious. Like no other that I ever had. What an extraordinary dining experience. I have dined in the best restaurants and yet this restaurant's cuisine is exceptionally outstanding to the point of exceeding even the highest expectations. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to returning to try it's Italian and Greek cuisines.

You HAVE to try Zico (or Aly Baba, as I knew it!). The food…read moreis consistently top-notch. I highly recommend the kofta, which is perfectly seasoned and cooked, the incredibly flavorful shawarma, and the magnificent mussakaa--it's rich, comforting, and authentic. Beyond the delicious food, the standout feature is the service. The owner is the friendliest you will ever meet, always taking the time to make you feel welcome. It's that kind of genuinely warm, inviting atmosphere that keeps me coming back again and again. Whether you're a long-time fan of Aly Baba or discovering Zico for the first time, you won't be disappointed! This is a must-visit spot.

5 stars for the attempt-everyone there is working hard to get the food out and up to standards and…read morethe cashier was delightful. They just need more people working. 3 stars for efficiency. I ordered my wine over 30 minutes ago. This is a great place and hopefully my to go order will be as yummy as usual. I thought I was being clever ordering a nice glass of wine to sip as I waited but that has gone astray. They are def in the weeds tonight! Ok-5 stars for the food. I guess if you want it this good there's no way to get it out fast on a busy night

Taziki's Mediterranean Café opened its doors to the public today and I was fortunate to be among…read morethe first to visit and discover that it's like no other Mediterranean restaurant that I have ever been to before, just better, in all the sense of the word. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public. And Taziki's Mediterranean Café is the perfect example. It is located on Franklin Road in Southwest Roanoke next to the restaurant First Watch. The building has been completely renovated and has a bright and airy contemporary decor. As I entered, I was greeted and welcomed by all the eager employees that were behind the counter, which they refer to themselves not as Team members but as Family members. They were all so warm and friendly that they immediately made me feel relaxed and at home. Like if I was already part of this great Family. The order taker did a great job of explaining the menu and the ordering process. Another staff member explained how to download their app and sign up for their Rewards Program, so that I could get points starting from today with my first order. I ended up ordering a Sweet Peach Iced Tea to drink. And a Build Your Own Feast as my main course. It consisted of the Grilled Beef cooked medium rare, as my protein, the Mediterranean Salad with Balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and the Basmati Rice as my side. They gave me a cup for my drink and a number to place on my table so when the food was ready they knew where to take it. All the food was so fresh and delicious and the Medallions of meat were so soft and tender, and cooked medium rare just as I had requested. I thought to myself: The ordering process is so easy and the food is so good and healthy that I definitely have to come back soon. I was fortunate to meet the manager and congratulated her for the wonderful selection of staff members, and for their wonderful food selection. For dessert I had their Baklava Cheesecake. It had an amazing flavor. I definitely highly recommend this restaurant to all. And plan to return to dine here again, real soon.

It is said that good things come in small packages, and this tiny Mediterranean and Middle Eastern…read morerestaurant perfectly embodies this saying. Since it opened its doors in 2017 in Salem, Virginia, this small but very popular, family-owned restaurant by Egyptian immigrants is known for its fresh made-to-order gyros, falafel, and Greek salads, just to name a few. Today I had the opportunity to visit this restaurant and discover the qualities that make this tiny restaurant in the middle of nowhere so popular. Because of its small size, most of its customers orders are take outs. But it also has a counter inside with around 3 to 4 stools so that customers who prefer to eat their food in the restaurant can. When I arrived, I parked my Lexus in a space right in front of the restaurant and noticed that there are not that many parking spots around. That is another reason why most of its sells are take-out orders. Customers can either call in their orders and drop by to pick it up, or park for a few minutes, make their order, and watch it being made, and then take it with them to enjoy at home. In good, warm weather, they do have two picnic tables outdoors where their customers can eat. Inside, I was able to meet the husband of the family who runs the business. He was very friendly and kind, a native of Egypt with a wife and 5 siblings. He gave me a warm welcome and took my eat-in order. The menu (which had Halal food) was displayed inside a Coca-Cola stand. To drink I grabbed a Mountain Dew from their drinks display refrigerator they have with Coke products. To eat I ordered their Gyro Special: Gyro meat served with rice and a small salad. It came with a special salad dressing and a sauce to put on the meat. The kitchen and the restaurant itself were very clean and all the ingredients used were very fresh and quality products. I sat on one of the stools, in front of the counter and watched him prepare my food. After paying for it with a credit card, I began to enjoy eating it. The salad was very fresh, made right before my eyes. The meat was Broiled right then and there, and the rice had a yellow tone and tasted unbearably delicious! As I was eating, the owner/chef put up a sign on the counter that read: "Please wait. I'm praying. thank you." I then figured out he must be Muslim and as soon as he finished praying I said to him: "As-salamu alaykum." He appreciated my nice words. While I was there, two other customers came in and ordered takeout food. For dessert I ordered an in-house made Baklava. The shape didn't look so good but the flavor did taste good. He told me that I could eat it with my hands but since they didn't have a restroom to wash my hands afterwards, I asked for a plastic fork to eat it with. Their prices were very reasonable and their portions very generous. I paid for the Baklava and thanked him for the wonderful service. The food was so genuine and delicious that whenever I'm in this area next time, I will definitely stop by and dine there again.

Best gyro I've had in years. No frills. The meat shines in its simplicity: seasoning and texture…read more The ingredients in the pita were fresh and proportioned well, and the tzatziki (as another reviewer pointed out) was top notch. I also got a pita and side of hummus, and the hummus was special. I didn't ask, but I think the oil may have been grapeseed? Either way, delicious. The proprietor was kind and took pride in his specialty. I wish there was a bathroom, but you have to appreciate the intimacy of a "hole-in-the-wall" corner shop, which I say with the upmost respect.

Best selection and prices! The Middle Eastern take out…read morefoods are fresh and so delicious. A must try. Friendly family business with excellent personal service.

From the owner: Family owned business with separate operations. Main floor is you local neighborhood smoke shop. We…read morehave all of your smoking needs and if we don't, we will make sure to have it for you next time. Second part of the business is our middle eastern take out and catering service. Everything is homemade and from scratch. Feel free to call if you have any questions

This cafe is a small location but a prominent one in Roanoke's downtown. It was open when not a ton…read moreof things were, and had an impressive menu including numerous vegetarian and vegan options. Sometimes it's the simple things in life, though, and rather than go for a more complex platter when I found that you could get a bagel with falafel in it, I found my breakfast. There is a za'atar bagel available, which adds an extra flavor note to what was a compelling and filling breakfast. Their display of desserts was sufficiently impressive (and several of these were labeled vegan as well) that I decided to sample a baklava labeled as the Burma flavor. I couldn't figure out what the sweet pistachio mix had to do with Myanmar, but whatever was in there was good. I did not get a beverage in part because I didn't read the whole menu; maybe I missed out. Regardless, the food they offered was great for vegetarian diets, substantial, and delicious, and you'd struggle to find better in this part of the country or in most other parts of the country.

The desserts are amazing!!! The many different variations of baklava are simply delicious. Reminds…read moreme of when I was in bakeries in Greece. An absolute must and I'm definitely picky about my baked goods. Their fries are also perfectly crisp and thin. Delicious.

Great food and great service would highly recommend this place if you like to traditional and…read moreauthentic Mediterranean food

Ordered to go. Started with the Greek salad and the Grilled Chicken Pita Wrap. The salad was a…read moregenerous serving, fresh and well prepared. Feta, olives, salad greens with tomato and some peppers with sliced onions. A decent salad to start. The Grilles chicken was cooked nicely, stuffed in a fresh pita with lettuce and tomato along with a nice yogurt dressing. This is a large wrap and totally splitable. I had half a wrap leftover for my lunch the next day. I wanted something sweet too, so ordered a slice of Baklava aling with a piece of Pecan Pie. Both were okay, the baklava was the better of the two. The pie was okay, on the small side for what was charged. This is a decent place to grab some mediterrean style food, served its purpose. 3 Stars it met my needs and was pretty good overall. 01022