Oh, it's a really great Squad family owned very nice food for lunch more and everything and especially I wanna say the kid who was at the counter. His name is Imran He's a future entrepreneur because he knew exactly what they hear selling. What his requirements is what I wanted and I seriously had a great experience and good luck to the Family. I wish them more and more luck and I'll see you soon. read more

Soooo good! I've been here twice in one week it's just that good. The chicken kabob plate is SO good, the chicken is tender & so flavorful. The pita, the rice, the hummus, the side salad, all of it is divineeeee. Can't wait to try more things off the menu. Service is always great both times that I've been I've been greeted with a smile & the restaurant is very clean which is always a plus. read more

Everyone's taste, experience and expectations differ I suppose. Here's mine; This is a new business and I wish them well, but the food served was "just ok". The kabob plate with 3 skewers fell short in almost every way. There wasnt enough meat(for the price), the rice was not fresh or hot, and the salad was well just a salad. It didn't come with garlic sauce or tahini, I had to ask for that. The chicken wrap at first glance looked like just plain pita bread, once opened it had 3-4 pieces of chicken that were not seasoned well and felt dry and flavorless. I'll post the receipt so you can see what we paid. Nowadays everything is relatively expensive but for the amount of food, the taste, I felt there was no value related to the price. Our belief is charge whatever you want BUT make it worth our time. This particular location/building has seen a lot of businesses come and go. In my opinion, your main goal in a business should be "how do I get repeat customers" before anything else. The shawarma thing wasn't ready yet so I may be back to try that, but as i mentioned earlier the taste/value wasn't there so I most likely wont be a repeat customer. Lastly, there is a lot of competition in Riverside for this type of "kabob/rice/shawarma" type food like Georgie's, Elias Pita, & Yafa Grill to name a few. All those places in my opinion have better tasting food and value. I hope with enough honest feedback and more time, they can improve because I'd love this place to be around for a long time. read more

Baladi - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

Top notch service, delicious food! I ordered the chicken kebab plate and it came with all the fixings. I even ordered some homemade pita bread on the side with a side of garlic sauce. All of it was so scrumptious! The place is newly opened and seems to be ran by a cute and kind family. I felt at home, and like they were my family members who constantly checked on me, trying to feed me. Even the young son working was attentive & cared about my experience. I also got a double serving of hummus- which looked and tasted homemade & fresh & was exactly what I was craving when I searched up Mediterranean spots in the area. Let me just say the 25 mn drive to the place was worth it- so if you live nearby MAKE SURE TO TRY THEM OUT! I'll be back, so maybe I'll see you there. PIC I ATTACHED: Includes the Chicken Kebab Plate, with the thick homemade pita bread. (The other is thinner and not as delicious as the homemade option- so just get that one). Didn't get a pick of the garlic sauce but it was tasty too. Enjoy! read more

Baladi - Chicken Kebab Plate, with the thick homemade pita bread. - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

Service was fast and chicken shawarma was good! Flavorful and fresh and hot to order. Can't wait to try the beef shawarma. Inside is small, only a few tables but decor and ambiance is nice with beautiful pictures that are right on theme. Free Palestine till it's backwards. read more

The Chicken Kabob was moist and flavorful. I will be back again for sure. I also had the Baklava which was different than any I have ever had before. I am used to baklava being very very sweet this one was not. read more

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Absolutely outstanding in every way. The food was delicious...especially enjoyed the chicken kebab plate. Homemade pita is a must try! The warm and friendly service set this family owned business apart from other restaurants. Please patronize the riverside gem. read more

Great tasting food! The shawarma wrap combo was very flavorful. The service was also very friendly

This place is 100% delicious! We got here close to closing and they were out of kebabs, but they had a wings special that I ended up getting. The wings were some of the best I ever had. In addition to the wings, we got hummus with pita bread, fatayer, and the falafel bowl. The portions were a nice size and the food was heavenly. The staff were so friendly and accommodating to us. We felt special and will be making Baladi a weekly stop on our dining rotation. read more

Baladi - Falafel Bowl - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

We got 3 beef shawarma wraps, and they were really good. It seems that they also make the garlic paste in house, it was different but in a good way! The owner came out to talk to us and made sure everything was taken care of before we left, they provided great customers service. I loved the declarations and the ambiance of the place, it was clean and very cultured. I can't wait to go back and try the variety of items on their menu. Will be back when I'm in the area! read more

The best middle eastern food in the IE. Whenever it's my first time anywhere I like to order a little bit of everything. It was all delicious. The shawarma sandwiches were juicy and full of meat. Kabob was flavorful. OMG the Falafel is hot and fresh so good I ordered more! We found out they even had fresh knafeh before we left and had to order it and it was perfect!!!! Leena was such an amazing host and ensured we were taken care of and food met our expectations. They truly care about their customers and food. read more

This is one of those places that serves food that has been prepared with pride and love. You get what you pay for. Wonderful all around experience. Highly recommended! read more

This place is amazing the food was authentic and the customer service is the best I've experienced in Riverside. Small place but quiet and clean. read more

Baladi - This is how good this place is it was the Mixed Grill Plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

I had three kebab mixed meal. All three meats were really good. The meat was seasoned perfectly and it was also very juicy. I particularly like the hummus. It had really great flavor. They give you a free side of garlic sauce and tahini. I also tried their cheesecake which was really good and fresh and not too sweet. Service was quick. The ambience is simple, but it looks really nice. I'm surprised this place isn't more busy considering how good the food is. I would definitely go back here again. I would love to try their coffee. read more

Baladi - Sorry I eat all my food it was so good - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

One of the best kebab spots in Riverside. The food was flavorful and perfectly cooked, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great Mediterranean cuisine. read more

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Yum!! I got a chicken shawarma wrap and it was great!! The hummus is some of the best I've had! The boy that took my order was also so kind. Can't wait to go back! read more

The food taste is okay, but nothing makes me want to return, especially considering the small portion of beef. This cost of the plate was almost $30. Totally not worth it. read more

Baladi - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

good food good service and great prices Location is nice atmosphere good the owners are very friendly read more

The service 10/10, the food 10/10! The vibe 10/10. The food was super fresh, one of the sons mentioned his mom made everything from scratch and I could definitely taste the love she pours into each dish. The pita bread was phenomenal. The dessert chefs kiss. Will definitely be back soon. read more

This place is not messing around! This is hands down the BEST Mediterranean place I have ever had. You can tell the food is fresh and made to order. We got the chicken plate, beef kufta plate and falafel. The owners nice enough to give us a steak plate. The steak was so tender and delicious. What else can is say, great food and excellent service! read more

The food here is amazing. Their pita bread is soft, fluffy and delicious. Service is great. And the lemonade was tasty! I will definitely be back. read more

Baladi is hands down one of the best restaurants in Riverside. From the moment you walk in, everything feels warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully done. The atmosphere is beautiful, the service is genuinely friendly, and the food is absolutely outstanding. Every dish tastes fresh, flavorful, and made with care -- the kind of meal where you can tell the kitchen knows exactly what they're doing. It's the perfect spot for a family dinner, a date night, or honestly just treating yourself to something great. Riverside is lucky to have a place like this. We'll definitely be coming back again and again. Highly recommend! read more

Response to Owner comments: thank you for taking the time to respond. Just a few points. It really was a 10 year old child. No disparaging remarks regarding your staff. Just a fact. Thank you for the explanation for the Turkish coffee machine. I looked it up online. I've never seen one, so thank you for the information. My comments are to warn others wanting to grab dinner before a movie. We gave it a shot.... We will continue to eat at GraPow, Buffadora, Public House, or Romanos Pizza. Never had an issue making it on time eating at any of those restaurants. Respectfully, Original Comment: Service: a child took our order. Seriously, he was probably 10. I swear he did not say one word to us until he rang up the price. He just stared at each of us waiting for us to speak. Speed of service: Don't come here before a movie, it takes longer than you'd expect. It's been 20 minutes already. Starting to wonder if the child never told the adults there was an order. Cleanliness: Good. Kitchen staff all wearing hairnets. But, there appears to be a cinnamon/sugar pan sitting out right next to the cash register. And, there is a mess on the floor behind the register. The other party with me literally questioned their cleanliness as we walked out the door. Food: don't know yet.... Getting dangerously close on us asking for our cash back and leaving. Took 25 minutes, but we had no time to finish our lemonades. Had to eat fast to make our movie. Won't be back. The only time we are in the area is for a movie. read more

ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY WITH THIS PLACE ! Was a little scared to try because I had never tried Mediterranean food but man was it so good I highly recommend you coming here ! The owner was actually so nice and helpful with what to try first so she was very helpful on what to try ! Thank you so much for a really great experience and great food I WILL be coming back again. read more

Baladi - Chicken skewer plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

I've been back home in Riverside for about a month and this is the first time I've eaten somewhere and told myself "this is going to be regular spot for me." As others have noted, service and atmosphere are great. I walked in and was greeted immediately and when I asked about gluten in various dishes, there wasn't any type of awkwardness or hesitation. They made it happen. I ordered the chicken kebab plate with fries, hummus and salad. 10 minutes after my meal, I'm sitting here in my car with an overdose of flavor still lingering... the hummus is thick with what I believe were peppers on top... absolutely delicious and definitely made here. Chicken had good flavor and wasn't over-seasoned.. something I may normally complain about..but I feel it may be by design as everything else is bursting with flavor and doing so with the chicken may not balance things. Their toum is bomb and has the perfect amount of garlic. Fries are seasoned.. I've never had a salad dressing similar to their pomegranate dressing... it balances everything else on the plate; highly recommend it. I love to see Mom and Pop restaurants thrive and they're doing it right. I'll definitely be a regular read more

Super fresh food, the falafel had great flavor, and the service is personable and kind. Looking forward to trying more items on the menu! read more

Baladi - So happy to welcome Baladi to Mission Grove! The falafel wrap was delicious, ask for a side of pickled turnips, you won't be disappointed. - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

If you're looking for Mediterranean food that will heal your soul, this is the restaurant for you. Haven't enjoyed food as delicious as this in decades. Thank you so much, Baladi! :) read more

We had such a wonderful experience at Baladi! From the moment we walked in, you could tell it's a family-owned spot--everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is spotless and very well-kept. As for the food? Wow! Delicious is an understatement. We tried the beef and chicken kabob plates alongside the shawarma wraps, and everything was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The family even came over to check on us during our meal, which was such a nice, personal touch. We will definitely be back! read more

Baladi - Shawarma wrap - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

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YUM! agree with the others here. Baladi was what our neighborhood needed. Its a great lunch spot with really delicious food and service from the owner Lani was outstanding. I told her i work from home and she gave me the wifi password. Sitting outside was really lovely and it was a nice and quiet afternoon that allowed me to enjoy my working lunch. Also noting - The seating outside is patio furniture which is more comfy than inside. no pictures, i ate it all quickly and too late to take a photo read more

Food was amazing! Excellent... from the hummus to the salad dressing! The beef kabob was extremely tender! Loved the Turkish coffee and the fresh lemonade with mint! I highly recommend this place! This family run restaurant has a warm, inviting atmosphere! Service was very pleasant! Will be coming back for more....today! read more

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Stopped by after a dental appointment since the reviews were so great and was NOT disappointed. Food was freshly made, chicken and rice cooked to perfection. The hummus and pita bread were delicious. Even the salad that's included with the kabob plate was good. Had some pickles on the side. *chefs kiss* Customer service was A1. Will definitely come back if in the area again. Thank you ! read more

Delicious! My husband and I were looking for some Mediterranean food and came across this place accidentally. The chicken was super flavorful and the service was outstanding. We will be back for sure! read more

Baladi - Chicken Kabob Plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

Excellent food. Good portion size. Very friendly owners and workers. I always feel a warm, welcoming feeling every week I come here. read more

I eat food like this a lot as a non arab myself, but I have NEVER had ANYTHING this delicious and fresh !!! I am ecstatic this is now in our neighborhood can't wait to come back every week! Plus they cater my friend's family gatherings often , great idea read more

The food was delicious, great customer service and ambiance was inviting, clean, fresh and I felt welcome. An overall excellent experience. Best wishes to this family on their new journey creating memories and a future succession in their son Iman who was so friendly. The food was so good I finished it before taking pictures. We had the chicken kabobs plate with extra pita bread and hummus read more

Baladi - Dessert baklava - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

Best Mediterranean food in Riverside! We ordered the 2 chicken kabob plate and it was plenty for my husband and I to share. The chicken was cooked perfectly! The hummus was delicious and the rice so flavorful! The salad that came with the meal had the best vinaigrette too! We ordered the homemade pita and it was the best we've had! We finished our meal with an order of baklava which was perfect! The service was excellent! We ate our meal on their outdoor patio! They had really comfortable chairs! The owners came out to check on us after the meal which was really nice! We will definitely be coming back here soon and bringing our friends and family. Next time I'll take pictures read more

Great service alway great vibe n tasting food , grill chicken n the bread amazing spot

They absolutely have the best pita bread, went for the first time and was recommended the chicken plate and I enjoyed every bite. Service was also great, they checked in to make sure I was satisfied. Will be my go to Mediterranean food spot! read more

We ordered 5 chicken kebab plates from Baladi for our family, and everything was absolutely delicious! The chicken was perfectly seasoned, juicy, and cooked just right with that amazing char from the grill. Each plate was generous and came with fresh sides that paired so well with the kebabs. The restaurant itself is very inviting and welcoming. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt warm and comfortable, the kind of place you can bring your whole family and feel at home. The staff was friendly and efficient, and our order was prepared quickly even though it was a larger order. Everyone in my family was happy (which says a lot!), and we'll definitely be back again. Highly recommend the chicken kebab plates! read more

I just came in this morning to have Falafel wrap and 2 Spinach Fatayer for breakfast, they're absolutely delicious , amazing service,, hospitality and food Love the vibes and the culture. Thank you Will definitely coming back soon. read more