Finally... and yes, I do mean finally, Maman Joon has arrived in Southern Maryland. As someone…read morewho's been a loyal fan of this cuisine for years, this is a big deal. Restaurants like Maman Joon and Moby Dick's specialize in Persian-style fare: flavorful chicken, lamb, salmon, and more, typically served with rice, salad, and warm bread. Simple, satisfying, and consistently delicious.
I've frequented the Maman Joon location in Tysons for years. In fact, it's my go-to spot whenever I'm in that area. I've loved this cuisine for decades, it delivers bold flavor at a reasonable value, which is a hard combination to beat. That said, I'd be remiss if I didn't share one recurring frustration at the Tysons location. There's one young lady at the register who seems to prioritize dollars over customer care.
For example, Maman Joon offers several sauces with their meals. I'm partial to the green (spicy) sauce and usually need a bit extra to fully enjoy my food. Despite exchanging the white (yogurt) sauce, she consistently tried to charge me for the additional green sauce. On one occasion, a senior gentleman (possibly the owner or manager) noticed and told her to simply give me the sauce.
On another visit, I ordered the standard chicken, rice, and salad at noon and was charged the full dinner price. I paid without initially noticing, but when I saw the lunch pricing posted, I asked about the upcharge. Her response? "You didn't say you wanted the lunch menu." It was noon.
To be clear, everyone else I've encountered there has been great, amazing, even. I've had many pleasant conversations with the gentleman about the upcoming Southern Maryland location. Unfortunately, my repeated interactions with her always left a bad taste in my mouth... no pun intended.
Now, onto the long-awaited Waldorf location, situated on Route 301 beside the new World Food Supermarket (a review of that is coming soon). They share a small space just to the left of the supermarket, along with a relatively small parking lot that serves several neighboring businesses. While there are designated spaces, enforcement is practically nonexistent, so parking can be a bit of a challenge. Also, inside the area is cafe-style with just a few seating options.
As for Maman Joon itself, the Waldorf location delivers the same great-tasting food at what appears to be the same value. On my first visit, I wasn't charged the lunch menu price for my order, but honestly, I was just happy they were finally local, so I let it slide.
On my second visit, however, they were out of my beloved green sauce. The manager was extremely apologetic and assured me that it wouldn't happen again. He even offered us a couple of baklava samples, which were quite tasty. Still, for me, the green sauce is non-negotiable, it completes the meal. Had I known they were out before ordering, I likely would've chosen something else.
All things considered, Southern Maryland now has its very own Maman Joon, and that alone is worth celebrating. Like any new location, there are a few wrinkles to iron out, but that's expected. The staff has been kind, welcoming, and accommodating on both visits so far. As a longtime fan of Persian cuisine, I couldn't be more excited.
Recommendation Level:
If you enjoy Persian cuisine or are simply looking to try something fresh and flavorful, you'll love this place. I'm giving Maman Joon Waldorf 4 stars for now, with full confidence they'll earn even more once they're fully up to speed.
