Great place to come and get a good greek dinner. Rice, salad, and potato wedges were very good, and the baklava for dessert was absolutely amazing!! Was very happy with this place, and will for sure be back! read more

The food was average, the server was excellent. Sadly, the incredibly rude behavior from the drunken owner ruined the evening. If you want terrific food and a quiet evening, this is NOT the place for you. While attending a speaking event, a friendly young man attempted to hand me a business card sticker. An extremely rude woman with a very strong smell of alcohol on her breath and bleach blond hair with bad roots started yelling from the next table over. She jumped up and yelled at the young man for attempting to give me the card. She yelled in his face, spittle coming out of her mouth and landing on him. As she towered over my table, her face contorted in anger, she yelled, "No soliciting!" The young man told her he was handing me a card and that it was free. I asked him for the card. No matter, she continued to yell again, "No soliciting!" I then asked her if she was the owner, and she said yes. Mind you her face was less than a foot from mine as I was seated at my table. This woman YELLED at patrons dining in her restaurant while there was a man giving a presentation. I have never, ever seen anyone behave like this in a restaurant. Ever. It was so shocking and so appalling that I will NEVER come back to this restaurant again. I don't care if it's the last food on earth. I still cannot believe what I just witnessed. Please save yourself the time, money and aggravation. Don't come here, the food isn't great and the owner is very verbally abusive to patrons. read more

Great fun dining experience! Delicious food with huge portions. Awesome bar and drinks. Can't wait to go back. read more

The Desert Inn - Middle Eastern Near Me - Canton, Ohio

I came here over Christmas with a group of locals that have been eating here for years so I was definitely hyped up upon arrival. First impressions: lots of photos of celebrities at the entrance who seem to have visited over the years, usually a good sign. Overall ambiance was definitely an "oasis" vibe but we came for an early dinner at 6 and there were hardly any people in the restaurant and there was little/no music playing so it seemed a bit awkward in the beginning. Not a huge deal but the general vibe could be elevated with some cool music that goes with their theme. Our service was very good and our server was entertaining, attentive, and funny and there was always a server walking around refilling waters which is always a plus. Between the 4 of us we had the chicken kabobs, beef and lamb kabobs, and the lamb shank. I tried them all and thought they were all really exceptional, my favorite by a landslide being the lamb shank. SO GOOD. The piece of meat was huge and on the bone and the presentation was great. I enjoyed the service of them removing the meat from the kabobs in front of you. Aside from that, this place literally had every kind of side served with the entree that you could want (rice, potato wedges, greek salad, garlic bread). Our experience here was my best dining experience thus far in Canton and I fully expect to be back next holiday! read more

Great food at a reasonable price! Service is fast too! My favorite is the Kibie. Not sure I spelled that right.

I love this place! My family has been feasting at Desert Inn FOREVER!!! I have fond memories eating here as a kid with my grandparents and it is a staple in my visits back to Canton. The food is authentic and delicious. I've never had a meal I didn't enjoy. Keep up the amazing dishes, service, and atmosphere. If you haven't eaten here yet, you're missing out. read more

What an odd experience my last time eating here was. Definitely not complaining, just odd. Anyway, you can't go wrong should you need a fancy night out with middle eastern food that you know will always be delicious and service that's always top notch. I absolutely love their lamb, god it's so succulent. They're just so lovely here. You really can't get anything that tastes bad ever. I live for special occasions when my friends want to drop some serious dough and share some good food. read more

Came in for New Years Eve. Sat at the bar & was very impressed with the "family style" platter. The bartender, Austin, was very attentive and friendly. Overall, great food & outstanding service. Will return next time we are in town! read more

Fantastic!! I have never had a bad meal or experience here. This is an interesting spot in downtown Canton, but great spot! Everything is served family style- salad, seasoned rice (allspice, ground beef, pine nuts for those not familiar-its subtle but amazing), fried potatoes, garlic bread, and the meat or veggie kabob of your choice. I've had the chicken, beef, and shrimp, but the shrimp is my favorite. It's got a great subtle spice and the shrimp are large. I know many people love the lamb. Get the Middle Eastern egg roll- its an egg roll filled with seasoned ground beef and I don't know what else but it is the best thing here. Also try the "Dirty Mother" dessert drink. We had our rehearsal dinner here the night before the wedding and everything was fantastic! Everyone who had not been there before had amazing things to say as well! read more

Finally got to eat at the Desert Inn on Mother's Day 2019 after wanting to for quite a while (lives in Cleveland, but has family in the Canton area). Did the chicken kabobs family-style and was not disappointed. Can't wait to return and explore more of the menu. read more

We love falafel and we grew up in the Middle East eating falafel. I was in downtown Canton today and me and my wife had craving for a falafel sandwich. We usually go to Cleveland and get them there but we thought about the Desert Inn. I wish that I did not. I stopped by and got three falafel sandwiches, to go, and my first shock was the $7.95 price tag for EACH. My second shock was how terrible and awful it tasted. Shaheen family, you give bad rap for falafel. It is not even close to being falafel. I can honestly say that it was the WORST falafel I have ever tasted in my life. Please get the recipe from Lebanon or Syria and start from zero. For the time being, if anyone wants falafel, do yourself a favor and do NOT get it from the Desert Inn... Sorry John and Mark. The truth hurts but you need to know it.... read more

We figured we needed something to eat before tackling the Pro Football Hall of Fame and we found a true delight. Very friendly service and when they found out we were visiting from Arkansas they brought us some pens and a calendar as extras. We did the family style beef kabobs and it was a great choice. The family style meals come with broasted potatoes, rice with meat, a greek style salad, garlic toast and the meat kabob of your choice. Reasonably priced for 2 it was enough for four. If we have the chance to return to the area, absolutely stopping back in. read more

My dad and his co-workers go here for lunch at least once a week (usually twice), and whenever I go back home to visit, I get to enjoy a father-daughter lunch at Desert Inn. The place isn't terribly fancy, but I do like the interior design, and Kathy, who is usually the server, is fantastic. I've only tried the Greek salad and the grilled chicken, but both were very good. Nothing extraordinary, but very reasonably priced and consistent. read more

Excellent!! Went to canton for a concert. Located next to convention center. Great food, family style. Cooked perfectly. Seasoning even suited my pregnant daughter. I am very pleasantly surprised. No wait , friendly staff and good food makes this place a hit in my books! read more

This has been our family favorite for almost 20 years and when I'm back in Ohio I always make a point of going for dinner. If you know me you know I'm not a big food sharer and this is one place I don't mind eating family style. The kabobs are awesome and perfectly balanced by the salad and rice. As a kid it was fun to go on the nights the belly dancer performed. We went as kids and my nephews go but I don't know that it is a really kid friendly place. If your kids are well behaved then it shouldn't be a problem. If you get a chance, go. read more

Great service. Bartender was fast and drinks amazing and yes my food was 10 star. Way to g

The service was amazing, the waitress was quick and accurate. That said the food was good not great, the portion sizes are generous which is nice but it's not a place I feel I'd be dying to return to. The lamb was a bit on the greasy side, rice was meh, and bread was kinda hard. The best thing I had there was the falafel, but again for the prices they charge I expected a bit better. read more

I came here for a rehearsal dinner, and they did a great job. My lamb kabob was cooked well, and I liked the family style meal. They also accommodated my friend with food allergies. The belly dancer was an interesting twist on the evening. The servers were all professional, friendly, and did a great job. read more

Ive had lunch and dinner here in the past. Lunch is your typical lunch menu with some Mediterranean option mixed in. I ordered the grilled chicken and rice pilaf. Chicken was perfect and the rice had a great flavor. When I had dinner a friend and I shared a huge Mediterranean platter that consisted of different meats, vegetables and rice. Every thing was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. The reason for the 3 stars and not 4 is for the speed of service and the price. Food took a little longer to come out than desired, and the dinner prices seem to be over twice as high as the lunch. HUGE increase. read more

This was our second time here. We were really looking To it because our first time was so delicious. I decided to get the strip steak cooked medium but it came out medium rare and lukewarm. The steak had absolutely no seasoning, I had to salt and pepper myself. Potato wedges were greasy. My boyfriend got the lamb kebab, which was $26 and when it came out it had four small pieces of lamb that wouldn't feed a child. The food was subpar, but the service was good. Probably won't be back seeing as we paid $70 for a meal that wasn't worth half of that. read more

it was fine. Not bad not amazing either. we took carry out after 10 pm, the food was ready under 10 min. Clearly it was heated up and not made to order as we confirmed eating it. It was almost very good. Homemade and much better than fast food but just not as good as good middle eastern food should be. 3 stars because in my opinion the lamb it is a bit overpriced. The staff however was very nice and friendly. read more

Went here with 5 of us... we all returned our food and left.. we ordered the gyros.. and the meat was like burnt pieces of bacon.. it was awful... heard so many good tgings4 about this place.. I was told to go back and get the family meals.. so, maybe read more

A group of about 12 of us went to Desert Inn which was perfect for the family dining being served. Over half of us had one of several Kabob's on the menu which were cooked to perfection and flavorful. The entree is served with their superb salad and fantastic Syrian rice! While we all passed on dessert . . . We Did Not pass on a Dirty Muther after dinner drink . . . Make sure you DO NOT pass up on one of these absolutely fantastic, creamy drinks!! We dined at a table adjacent to the bar; the service was Great; and atmosphere very warm and relaxing. read more

I've heard about the Desert Inn for years, so I finally decided to visit. Absolutely delicious. Great atmosphere, service, and food. A bit pricey, but it's a nice place to eat every once in a while. read more

Little pricey but well worth it. I had the $19 lamb shank and my wife had the beef platter for $19. both about the cheapest items but both were delicious. hard to do lamb right but this was perfect falling off the bone perfect. Service was good, atmosphere was nice,service was impeccable. no draft beer only bottle for $3.00 a bottle. Comes family style with a huge thing of salad,rice and bread.....well worth it. read more

My wife and I stopped in for lunch after church. We heard such good things about the place I was disappointed with my meal. I ordered the gyro and it came with lamb sliced "see-through" thin and over cooked. There was no tzatziki sauce either. I'll visit again and try something else but having had amazing and authentic Assyrian and Palestinian food elsewhere I won't get my hopes up. read more

Great Lebanese and Greek food sum lights and good drinks a bit pricey good for families a night out celebrating or even a date

Outstanding establishment and Canton landmark. The Shaheen family is top notch. We love the family style meals and a "dirty mother" for dessert read more

This is the best restaurant in Ohio! The cuisine is simple yet delicious. The family style includes dirty rice which is amazing with the Grecian salad and potatoes. The staff is also extremely nice every time I visit. read more

Again, another awesome dining experience at the Desert Inn! This time, for my birthday with 12 guests. We were in the lounge which I enjoy the intimacy. Service was great. But, it was the food that was the star! I had The strip. Done perfect to my tastes. My wife switched it up from her normal queen filet and went with the scrod. Great choice! I am going to have that next time! I was very happy to hear all my guests were as pleased with their meals as well. I always consider it a true test of a restaurant when you have 8+ at your table. Everything came out at the same time and was done to everyone's preferences. See you next birthday, for sure! read more

Desert Inn is our favorite restaurant to go to in the Canton area. Mark is always there at the door to greet us!! The food is amazing and we just love dining there!! Highly recommended!! The Pitzo Family read more

Without question, our family's favorite restaurant. We go there for any family celebration or holiday. The food is better than anything you can find in Canton. We love Mark and the familiar faces we see that every time. 100% perfect every time! read more

If you are looked my for the best place to get a steak or the finest Mediterranean cuisine, look no further than the Desert Inn. Very romantic and awesome service! The Shaheen family are icons in the restaurant business. The food is absolutely amazing no matter what you order read more

I know you are not supposed to write a review if you are connected with the owners but I have to say that I have been dining and drinking at the DI my whole life and so I do feel connected. The food has never been anything less than spectacular and the service and attitude are tremendous. I suggest trying the prime rib, lamb or a family style feast. It is my go to for any special occasion when I am in Canton. Don't forget to try a Dirty Mother (the signature drink) for dessert. Enjoy! read more

this is the only food that you can find in Canton that you can only find in canton, I've eaten at many similar places all over the world an nothing is as good as the Desert. a true staple, if you haven't ever been, crawl out from under your rock and go! read more

Went for lunch this summer. Excellent choice for good Syrian meal. Authentic food, friendly staff, and and their new building has a much improved atmosphere. A must try! read more

Great Oasis in the midst of a somewhat dilapidated section of Canton. Love the family style presentation. The lamb shank is surprisingly large and the prime rib is monstrous. I loved the lamb and shrimp kabob. This is a great place for those who brave the drive down the pot-holed street. Finally on a Friday you are in for a special treat with the cultural entertainment - yes that would be belly dancing. This is a place I will return to any time I visit the Canton area. read more

Had an amazing experience tonight for dinner. First off we had impeccable service. We ordered the egg rolls that were outstanding. We followed that by ordering the family style beef and lamb kabobs, the filet and lobster tail and the Orange roughy. Everything we had was delightful. We followed dinner with the "dirty mother" drinks. Tonight also featured live music and a belly dancer which added to the over all experience! I can't wait to come again read more

Always great service! The food is fantastic! I really love the fresh kibbee and the hummus appetizers. Steaks, chicken, lamb, prime rib - you can't go wrong with any of it. Do yourself a solid and finish up with a Dirty Mother after dinner. Wonderful family owned business! read more

LOVE THIS PLACE! This is truly a diamond in the rough in Downtown Canton. The food, decor, service, and drinks are wonderful! Get the rack of lamb, you will not be disappointed! A great place for couples and families as everything is served family style! read more