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.

I have not been to a McAllister in forever! But I've always liked and when I saw wanted to try…read more No issues with parking by the building and the area was clean. Upon walking in on a Saturday afternoon it was surprisingly dead. The dining room was clean. Service is by counter and was friendly. I got a veggie with side of cup of chili. My order came out within 10 minutes, or so. Everything was really good! Definitely recommend checking them out.

Sometimes during these cold Winter nights one feels like staying home and ordering out food…read moredelivery. While on DoorDash the other night I felt like having a sandwich, so I looked under the Sandwiches category and McAlister Deli came up. This called to mind one time they had in their menu one of the most delicious sandwiches that I have ever had at a deli: The Cuban Sandwich 12". It had tangy Pulled Pork, Black Forest Ham, and Swiss Cheese with Yellow Mustard and Pickles served on a Toasted Baguette. It was so good that every time I ordered out, I kept on ordering this sandwich at McAlister Deli. Then all of a sudden one day when I went to their website at DoorDash I noticed it was missing from the menu there. I contacted the restaurant manager to inquire as to why it was missing. She agreed with me that this was one of their most delicious sandwiches, but told me that sometimes Corporate changes the menu and removes some items, and that in the future they can also bring it back. So I thanked her for her feedback and told her to look at her records and see all the times that I had purchased this sandwich from their Deli, since actions speak louder than words. I then contacted their corporate office to inquire as well and they gave me the same answer. So I had to resign myself to be without that sandwich anymore and stay just with the memories of how good it had tasted when I was fortunate enough to have tried it. Tonight, when I was looking for sandwich places to order a sandwich delivered. I said to myself (since I'm a person of high Hope), let me look at the McAlister Deli site and see if by any chance (although many of times I had repeated this action with no results) they had brought it back. After all, in this Holiday Season anything is possible for those who believe. And you wouldn't guess what happened next. Right there, in their menu, was my favorite sandwich, that I had wished for for so long. Needless to say, I went and ordered it right away through DoorDash without even thinking to go to their website and ordering it from there like I used to. As I waited, I thought of how some things in life are priceless, without being expensive. And how maybe a simple request from one person can make a big difference in an important decision as if to bring it back. But for whatever reason it was back, and once again, McAlister Deli's became one of my favorites restaurants because of this. I followed the progression of the DoorDasher through their app until "headed your way." Then very soon the doorbell rang and the DoorDasher delivered my sandwich, which arrived well-wrapped and in perfect condition. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the quality of McAlister food. Needless to say that when I've eaten at their restaurant they have had friendly and welcoming employees who have provided me with excellent customer service, in a clean and cozy environment. The Cuban Sandwich 12" was amazingly delicious, just like always. The combination of all of its fresh ingredients and the baguette made it delicious. The only thing missing was that it wasn't toasted. As you all know, part of the secret of a successful Cuban Sandwich is this. Which involves using a sandwich press or a heavy skillet to compress and grill the sandwich until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. It's a distinctive step that gives the sandwich its signature crust and is essential to what makes it a true Cuban sandwich. I truly hope that when the management of the restaurant reads this review, they take steps to see that this doesn't happen again. And knowing them, I'm sure it won't. Because this is the attention to detail that makes the big difference.

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.

What I loved: Menu has a wide range of middle eastern…read morefavorites, stretching beyond the basics Cool grocery section with a good selection of spices and foods Lamb shank fish was fall off the bone, deliciousness What can be improved Counter service only. Shortcuts used to adapt traditional items to quick serve format (bolanee was closer to a fried quesadilla) Several items were not available.

Crab Du Jour is definitely on my top list for roanoke visits! It was my first time dining here and…read morei can say i had an amazing experience. I was immediately greeted by the host and seated even on a busy saturday night. Had a small booth perfect for me and my partner. Our server Lori was amazing, remembered all modifications, checked in on us frequently, worked quickly. Lori took our order at 8:43 and the food was out by 8:52! Build your own catch (2) (1)- 2 clusters crab legs +1 free when you dine in on saturdays! , 1/2 lb shrimp head off, corn, potatoes, egg (2)- 2 clusters crab legs +1 free, 1/2 shrimp head on, mussels, corn, potatoes ticket totaled to $130.60 The shrimp was flavorful and cooked perfectly. Sauces and seasonings were delicious. Everything came hot, sweet tea was perfect (coming from a sweet tea addict). Overall i'd say i had a great experience and will definitely be back. 10/10 i'll request Lori again :)

I asked the girl at the desk at our hotel where the best seafood was. She was soooo right! Oh how…read moreI love a good seafood boil!

Food was excellent!!! Staff were very friendly and helpful!!!!…read moreWhat was exceptional was our waitress Tiffany, she treated my family like royalty!!! My mother is partial disabled and Tiffany made my mother feel very comfortable... I really appreciate the whole staff's effort to make my family experience amazing!!!

Dustin was amazing! He knows how to handle a large group with ease! Everything came out perfectly…read moreand quickly! Great energy too!

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.

Food is amazing. Such yummy combinations of ingredients to create healthy bowls that are very…read morefilling. Each bowl has enough ingredients to share with someone, have as two meals, or if you're a big eater it will definitely fill you up. The food is fresh and so yummy and like I said it's enough food to feed two people or have as two meals so it's a cost effective meal choice. Customer service was great and each bowl is made right in front of you so you can add or eliminate any of the ingredients you don't want. The restaurant was clean even though it was busy due to lunchtime hours I was here.

Every time I come home from college, Roots is a must! I have been eating here for a couple years…read morenow and also look forward to returning. Their bowls always hit the spot and leave me full, satisfied, and feeling good. The service is always great and the staff is very welcoming. I will also note that I have never had a problem with my order here, they always get it correct. The menu allows you to order one of their bowls or curate your own. You can also add or take away certain ingredients to one of their bowls as well. Some of my favorite bowls are the Balboa, the Mayweather, and the Tamari. The bowls are super filling and packed with all the ingredients. Their chicken is also really good, not dry, and seasoned well. If you are in the area and want a healthy, filling meal, check Roots out! I am dying for them to open a location in Gainesville!!

This was my go to place when I was attending at VT. I find the gyro is the best and I always…read morecompare other gyros when I traveled to this one. I'm shocked to see the place still opens. I remember fondly of the owner here when he corrected me how to pronounce Gyro correctly. Anyway, the place is mostly the same as I remember back in the 80s. The Gyro still tastes the same. I don't remember the curly fries though. That is new to me. Service is fast. Definitely a must visit if in town.

They didn't gave us our full order and still charged for it. Curly fries were half cooked and so…read morewere the falafels. Restaurant inside was baking hot. Check your bill folks. Owner wasn't pleasant at all to deal with.