We came here because the reviews (at the time of this post) on Google were 4.6 and 3.8 on Yelp. First thing to note is that the parking is in the back on the building. The place has a rustic Middle Eastern vibe but it's not kept well. The table we first got had food stains on the table cloth and a dirty fur coat on the wall. We decided to move to a different table. I saw food on other tables as well. The owner spent most of the time in the back talking to someone than waiting on us. We didn't get silverware until the main course and never got water. I went to the fridge in the front after our meal was done because we were tired of waiting and thirsty. The falafel is the best thing that we had. It was fresh but a bit oil. It had a nice crunch to it and the flavor profile was good. The sauce with it was average but good. The mixed grilled platter was underwhelming. The best meat was the lamb. There wasn't much flavor in the chicken and the other meat was too dry. I think the veggies were a bit too chard for my liking. The shawarma was not that great. It seamed as if it was chicken chunks and not the properly cooked. The flavor was not great either. There's nothing given as a side or sauce. There's bottles of ketchup on the tables but they looked not too appealing to use. Instead of napkins, you get Kleenex. While the food can be good. I would recommend ordering takeout from here. As a small business I wish nothing but the best and hope the owner cleans up the place more and improves the customer service. read more

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It is very rare i would give 5 stars to a restaurant but the owner in this restaurant made it above and beyond! A very humble and nice man! Makes you feel like home. First he welcomed us with free middle eastern coffee called karak. Its dark black coffee with cardamom. We ordered the lamb kabob platter , hammus and pita bread. The food is delicious, hearty ,freshly made and authentic. And then comes the generous part! He came out with generous amount of free fried chicken for my friend and for me with freshly made baba ganoush and warm fresh pita bread! Not just that, he also gave us soda for free! Such a kind man with great hospitality. Even if it wasnt for the free food, i would still rate this restaurant highest because of the delicious food and such a humble and kind owner who makes you feel at home. You must visit atleast once to experience it. read more

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The food and service at Middle East Restaurant was absolutely fantastic! The flavors spectacular! If you're in Rochester, this place is a must! read more

Middle East Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

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great food, great vibes, great chef -- this is all you need in a restaurant. we started off with some scrumptious grape leaves which was an excellent beginning to the experience. but before we took a deep dive in the entree, we had fresh baklava which was a bit cold but the flavor was amazing. finally, the maqluba chicken, came delicately presented on the table. the chicken was filled with spices that remind you of hot and musty middle east. taking our taste buds through a wonderful tour of the region, the plate was presented with tasteful sliced potatoes and rice. as gratitude for dining in at the restaurant, we received complimentary coffee which was very grounded and had unique taste. overall my favorite restaurant in rochester. it stands out from the rest of rochesters restaurant scene, and it's a must try forsure. read more

Middle East Restaurant - rochester!!! ily 3 - Middle Eastern Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

You enter this restaurant and you feel like you're in another country. The decor is thoughtful and nicely done. Even the otherwise basic chairs are covered with special fabric to go with the Arabic theme. The food was delicious. Great hummus and baba ganoush. We also shared the okra and mixed grill for a perfect shared lunch. Service wasn't perfect. While coffee was offered immediately, we had to ask a few times for water and tea, but it's not worth marking down for that. Cleanliness was fine, not perfect, but just a couple minor things that would merit attention. We'll definitely be back. There's a lot more on the menu to explore. read more

We ordered on a weekend for carry out. This place is small and kinda easy to miss when driving... I drive right past. It's also a market so that is nice. Initially when I saw only three stars for this place I almost passed it up; but the other reviews I were not food related. The food was excellent! Fresh great taste and competitive pricing, this is not a fine dining establishment it's closer to fast food. We got the chicken ta wook sandwich it was so tasty very well seasoned and accompanied with salad and cucumbers in the roll up sandwich. Additionally a kufta kabob sandwich this one maybe could have had a little more flavor and spice but it was still very good. The sandwiches are filling and warm it was the perfect lunch. I hope to go back and try the rice dishes and other items. Don't let the small shop fool you, the food is excellent read more

Food very good. Service very good. Internal decorations in line with the cuisine. Friendly owner/operator. Would definitely go back

Amazing food, and you could tell the owner cared about everybody in our group's orders. The food was authentic and definitely worth coming back for! read more

Middle East Restaurant - the interior of the restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

We recently spent some time in Rochester and came across Middle East Restaurant. We tried the tabbouleh, baba ghanouj, hummus and falafel. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy, but the food is fresh and authentic. The tabbouleh has the perfect balance of parsley, bulgar wheat, sweet onions, lemon juice and seasoning. The baba ghanouj has the right texture of mashed roasted eggplant and blend with garlic and seasonings. The hummus is big strain that the flavor is very rich and the texture is smooth and creamy. I am not a vegan, but eating food like this would cater to many vegans seeking very flavorful Middle Eastern cuisine. I lived in the Detroit metro area for many years and was exposed to excellent Middle Eastern food in Dearborn, which is home to the largest Arab-American population. The food at Middle East restaurant is definitely on par with that. read more

Middle East Restaurant - Clockwise from top left: tabbouleh, olives and peppers, baba ghanouj, hummus, and falafel. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

Had high hopes for this restaurant, however it was not as I hoped. Unfortunately there was only one man working, that means cleaning, cooking, serving and cashier. Because of this there were areas that suffered. The floors were dirty, some tables were covered by previous customers, we waited over thirty minutes for our food, my sisters chicken was still raw, and I hate to say it but the man was wearing gloves that he used on the register, cooking, and shaking hands. His clothes were covered in grease and grime after I watched him wipe his hands on them. My food was decent and the price is fair, but the cleanliness was a big issue for me. read more

I'm amazed every time I come here. I come here very often and have send a tremendous amount of improvement in the food authenticity, friendly staff, and their work demeanor. They do a great job changing there meals/orders according to their customer specifications. I highly recommend the mixed grill meat combo if it's your first time because it has a variety of foods. Enjoy! read more

Middle East Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

I've been to this restaurant a handful of times now, and while the atmosphere may be less than impressive, don't let that fool you because the food is absolutely delicious! The meats are tender, juicy and full of flavor. The rice is cooked to perfection with a fragrant and brothy taste. The hummus, baba ganoush, harissa, garlic sauce and salads are all fresh and full of flavor. The restaurant is run completely by the owner/cook, so while service may be slow it's absolutely worth the wait. Although delivery or pick up may be a great option, the owner informed me that outdoor seating and grill are on the way. Can't wait for more to come for this local gem. read more

Super friendly staff and excellent food. They have thus amazing mint lemon refresher drink and it's just fabulous. Portions are huge and delicious. I enjoy going regularly for a quick falafel sandwich at lunch or a bigger evening meal read more

Middle East Restaurant - Kafka platter - Middle Eastern Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

I ordered the snapper and I enjoyed it. The portions are generous and the service was good. I'm only here for a week, but I'm sure I'll order the snapper again. read more

Grub hub refunded my money and didn't say why. I ordered over the phone. I waited outside but then a gentleman told me to come inside. I went inside and he showed me the food and introduced me to two of his brothers. None of them were wearing masks. I put my mask on. They were very pleasant, but had not taken any Covid safety precautions. The food was very good, but I've been too careful for two months to go into any establishment that hasn't set up safety precautions. read more

Good place for tracking down some party food staples from the Mediterranean, & Southwest Asia. Great Turkish Coffee (remember that like Polish Coffee you don't add sugar & you expect it to be strong). Engaging with staff will leave with a positive response. Any difficulties had communicating just be mindful of your goals of service & attempt to convey them in another way. Probably during better conditions than the current pandemic this is a good place to meet to discuss geo-political & sport news relative to the cuisine being produced here. read more

We were there at 11:28 pm. 4 of us. They close at 11:30 pm. But they were nice enough to take our orders and accommodate us. We had the mixed grill platters and fries. The food was good. Will go back again. read more

I don't recommend going to this place. This is one of the places that you go to once and decide to never go back again. Kitchen looks dirty. Food is served cold. Tasteless food. Over priced. Hygiene is not the best. Does not taste like middle eastern food at all. Staff is preparing food without wearing masks and not paying attention to hygienic food handling. Rude and disrespectful staff. Took one bite and the rest went to the trash. Horrible food and experience. Save your money and go somewhere else.I will never go back again and will not recommend this to a friend. Worst restaurant ever!! read more

Can only speak for takeout; had lamb and chicken Kabaabs. Tasty meat, lots of rice, can make sandwiches with the meal or eat all ingredients separate. Very friendly staff, definitely recommend! read more

The food is bland and tasteless, the kitchen area and entire restaurant is filthy. I'll NEVER eat here again. I'm going to tell my friends and family also not to go here. I'm so disgusted. read more

We went in for lunch. Avoid this place! Food is poor. Place is dirty. Changed our order to double and charged us! I like to support small ethnic places, but not when they are terrible. read more