As a writer, It would be lazy for me to call this place an oasis. There it sits behind some shrubbery on a non-descript corner of Fondren. I passed it twice before I realized that the abandoned shack was Ranosh. Sprawling isn't the right word, but it's much bigger on the inside than you realize on the outside. There's a outdoor patio, a roofed over patio, an air conditioned cafe area, and a larger space cooled by fans for your hookah needs. I was there for the food. Ambiance/Clientele/Service - people that appreciate this kind of food are here, but this was definitely a neighborhood community spot, not a white linen/wine list kinda place. Everyone was welcome. Food - they give you a LOT. I was surprised by how much he brought out. Falafel - I'm guess that it's authentic, and it was piping hot from the fryer when it got to my table. But I've got this mental image of the perfect ball of falafel that I just can't seem to shake. The Rice - good. The bread - I actually don't know the traditional name for the bread, but it was nice and hot, probably straight out of the oven as well. Dat lamb tho - Man....I like Lamb. And whoever was working the grill was on their A-Game. Well seasoned and well cooked. I don't know if you could order it medium rare, which is all the rage with the kids now, but my portion was a solid Med Well/WD. I didn't try anything else, or the hookah, but now I know I have a spot to get my lamb need served read more

Ranosh - Falafel, bread, lamb kebab - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

I'm a fan of this place, solely because of their hummus. It's super cheap and it comes with super huge pita bread and hot sauce that gives the hummus a little kick. The bread comes out so warm and soft and it tastes fresh. Ugh, I can't get enough of it. In fact, I'm craving some right now. My friends are simply in love with their lamb kabobs, which I found pretty good too, but nothing tops the hummus here! Their hookah is a lot more smooth than other places, as well so that's a plus. This place is sort of a hole in the wall and it's pretty hidden from society, but I like it that way. You won't find it just driving past a random street. There's an indoor and outdoor patio where you can chill and smoke hookah wherever. It would be a nice place to go smoke outside when the weather gets a cooler! I give this place 4 stars instead of 5 because I wish they could keep this place a bit more cleaner and fresher-smelling, especially in the bathrooms. And whatever they're showing on the TV isn't all that great either. I like how the waiters here seem to leave you alone and come back to refill the drinks or coals on your hookah (or anything for that matter) at the right time. You'll see me back here studying and munching on their superduperoutstanding hummus! read more

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Excellent food and great service. This is a very popular place for great priced kebabs, shwarmas, hummus, and hookah. Tucked away off of Fondren and Richmond, this is truly a hidden gem of a place with delicious mixed grill plates. It's super casual and great for groups with the large heated patio. Swap out the rice for salad and you've also got a pretty darn tasty and paleo-friendly diet meal. Overall, we love this place and we wouldn't hesitate coming back for more. The menu is simple and they do it well. read more

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This place has great food and good shisha if you're in to hooka. All in all nice little hidden gem, just be very cautious of where you park. They have a tiny parking lot that is always valet only service, most of the paring is on the street and is watched closely by tow truck drivers hungry for your cash!! read more

Ranosh - Kafta or just the number four on the menu lol! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

I have been Ranosh before and I was extremely pleased with my first experience. On my second time going back, I was definitely much less satisfied. When I walked in with my group, the staff was not respectful of the fact that we were still waiting for our group. They tried to push us in and seat us when we were not ready. Also, the staff, in general, was very inattentive that evening. It was very hard waving someone down to come help us when we wanted to order. It was just as hard to get someone to grab to-go boxes for our group. I don't particularly like screaming to get a person's attention. I'm very non- confrontational. The food was pretty average today. The bread served with our meal was burnt on one side. I had the Ranosh Chicken. The chicken was too charred, as in it was burnt black. I was pretty disappointed with the food because I normally love Middle Eastern food. Also, the hookah experience was average. The flavor wasn't very strong. The staff brought out new coals when we first received our hookah and put them in the tray. So, they burned out before we needed to use them. Why would you give us new coals within 3 minutes of giving us a new hookah? All in all, I was very disappointed with this visit. I'm not sure I'd be interested in returning... read more

Ranosh - Ranosh Chicken. It was burnt... - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

Very good food overall and nice environment .. Definitely should try when you visit Houston read more

Ranosh - 4. Lamb Kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Ranoosh have great food, one of the tastes tea in town, plus great customer service. Hokkah is number one here. I come here normally to study, but it never happens between the food and the hokkah and the free Wifi you will be swamped, my next visit will be soon as of today!!! read more

Ranosh - Hokkah time too :) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

Man I used to come here a lot years ago. This place hasn't changed too much. The food is still delicious as always. The price isn't too bad, I think it was around $10 for a plate. The chicken was so juicy! I was scared it was going to be dry and bland but it had a lot of flavor. The fries that comes with it is average, I usually prefer the thinner fries but these were good. The garlic sauce that comes with it is sooo good! Overall I really liked the chicken combo! Rice and chicken was delicious read more

Ranosh - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

I tried this place recently after falling for lots of hype surrounding the taste of their food but was rather disappointed. The Ranosh Chicken that is often such a hyped grilled chicken dish among Mediterranean spots in Houston was rather ordinary to me. There wasn't enough meat on the bone and the platter was loaded with hummus + veggies instead. Granted, they charge extra for hummus to replace rice or fries but come on now, how about giving some proper value in the form of the chicken we are trying to focus on with our purchase rather than giving us a hummus overload. Flavor-wise, the chicken can't hang with the likes of Barbar or Kasra either. Their rice are very plain though and I'd recommend substituting these tasteless carbs out for something more flavorful and nutritious anyway though. Their kafta kebab was nothing special either and I have tasted better marination in many other places. Prices aren't bad in general but just not value for money. Ambience isn't family friendly either and is rather catered to crowds looking to relax with friends over hookah. Service is decent but it's clear that they certainly need to focus on improving the flavor of their food to appeal to a wider audience. read more

It is nice to say that this place is pretty kool.! All the reviews are to the point. Tried the Hummus and it was good. The Red n Green Apple Sisha Flavor is really good. Really didnt like the Lemonade n Mint. The guys with the coals come every so often for a refill.! Dustin our waiter was very attentive also. Needless to say, I will be back.! ;) Hookah-Shisha.! read more

Ranosh - Sisha - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

Go to lunch spot and late night hookah/food. Obsessed with their Chicken shawarma plate/sandwich. The meat is seasoned so well and the pickled vegetables that come with it are crisp and delicious. Cool atmosphere, staff is good as well. The downside is the parking, it can get a bit hectic at night. All in all, love it. read more

Solid lamb kabobs!!! Best I've ever had!! Definitely get the number 4!!!!!!!!!!! Cooked to perfection, not smelly, and super delicious!!! Also had the number 1 chicken dish which was yummy. Kofta kabob was alright. Darband on Hilcroft wins on that one. Place is spacious, staff is friendly, and food/sides are delicious. No complaints here, will be coming back for the lamb kabobs!!! read more

Ranosh - #1 with kofta kabob. Definitely get the number 4 (lamb kabob) instead! (So good I forgot to take a picture before I devoured it) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

Not the best experience They will not honor reservation Food was fair Salad came with no dressing The only good thing was the bread We had to asked several times for the same thing read more

Hands down THE best Middle Eastern food in Houston. Small prices, huge portions! I usually 1/2 Kofta 1/2 Chicken and Rice, it comes with their Peta bread and it is d e l i c i o u s. They have a nice patio with 3 water fountains that brings in a sense of peace and calm. The only reason I took a star off is the service. Waiters aren't the friendliest (hardly ever smile), same goes to managers. Also the whole restaurant needs a bit of restoration and cleaning (bathrooms specifically). There is always room for improvement and if the owners took good care of this place it can turn into one of the best restaurants in Houston! read more

This place is interesting, the inside is kind of part house and warehouse connected with a big patio. We ordered food and tried to find less smoky place to sit as we are not into the whole hookah thing. It was too chilly to sit outside so we sat in the warehouse part. There were tables of older men playing various games and doing hookah. I got the fajita plate which was really good. It came with huge fresh bread included which was great. My husband got the mixed grill which also very tasty. Prices were good. I would definitely be back. read more

Ranosh - Fajitas with fries - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

The Beef and lamb were grilled to perfection. The falafels were so good I had to place a second order, and finally, the pita bread was both crisp and soft...and the size of a medium pizza! I like the fact that they have a small menu selection in comparison to most restaurants...so what they do, they do well. Valet only parking on the property when they're busy, otherwise you'll have to park on the street...possibly FAR away! (-1 Star) read more

Ranosh - The patio...nice! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

I sat outside and really enjoyed the laid back feel of the place. They offer hookah and have very fresh tasting food. Try the peppermint tea! read more

Love this place and the environment outside is to die for you could sit forever with the hanging trees and large screen tv and musíca yaay their service is fast and on point every time they make you feel at home even if you're out and having fun , thaaaank you guys for letting us have the best time! read more

I love the food here. The meat is so tender and flavorful. The fries are amazing. It's hard to go to other Mediterranean places after eating at Ranosh because they just don't taste as good. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of the ambiance. The place is definitely shack-y. However, it is a different vibe than a more traditional restaurant and has a super laidback casual atmosphere. read more

Absolutely love this place! Great prices and environment! Perfect place to bring your family! They have a little bit of everything. Love the new paint job they did! The music could be perfect but overall it's my go to place for a nice dinner and outing with the family! read more

Very tasty food, hummus is the best in town, Ranosh grilled chicken is also by far the best in town and their freshly baked bread is delicious. The staff is courteous and the service is great. The prices are very reasonable, definitely recommend this place everyday. read more

My favorite place for tea ,food and hookah been coming here for years great customer service and best hookah -food in Houston. read more

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Fantastic food! I had a mix of the kofta and chicken kebab. The chicken was a little dry for me, but that beef kofta hit the spot! Definitely one of the better Middle Eastern joints in the city. Have a pot of the mint tea for a perfect ending to your meal. Atmosphere is very laid back. Good place for a night out if you just want an easy night out with friends. read more

This place is a must try! Always such a good time when I go with my family. The food is so good that you will have to go back to try their whole menu. Pleasant customer service always keeping everything clean. I also love how they accommodate children and have a whole playground for them to enjoy. read more

This is the best food I ever ate in my life the Fajitas steak or chicken are amazing plus The hummus with the chopped beef in there you put the red sauce the white sauce and olive oil in it it's disaster good all the food here is great and my good friends Walid and Sophieon best Ppl in the world best mangers read more

The worst food ever chicken is dry french fries is old and stale value is really bad I'll never order again

Best food. Best ambient. And best service with location. Little short on parking but doable

I've had friends trying to get me to go to this place for years. Finally made it there with someone other than one of them..(lol)...and i must say i was pleasantly surprised. The location was easy to get to, food was above average and prices reasonable. I got the #1 and it was good. Not a huge fan of smoke (hookah) but that's part of the deal. Waitress was nice..service was quick and good....It was also after 11:00 pm and hard to find a restaurant open at that time of night. There were folks there playing cards or little games which helped with the laid back atmosphere. If you can take the hookah, the food is good enough to give them a try....Life is short...Get in....Get out.....Enjoy read more

Ranosh! I've been planning on re-visiting this place with a certain friend since moving back to Houston, and on the heels of leaving the city again it finally happened. It had been years since I'd been here last, and changes made since then have been welcomed improvements. The outdoor seating is spacious and lush with flora, including palm trees wrapped in strung lights, while the indoor seating maintains the feel and decor of an exotic local spot. The mint flavored hookah, or shisha, is refreshing and quickly gives you that hookah buzz you may have heard about or experienced first hand. The mixed bowl of pickles and olives that I ordered wasn't pretty, but had a slight spicy flavor and included pickled vegetables such as cauliflower, celery, red pepper, and banana peppers. I feel certain that it is all pickled on the premises. My friend had the chicken platter, which is fantastically grilled and served traditionally with rice or American-ized with French fries (see what I did there?). We all watched the Rockets lose the quarter finals to Golden State, we includes the employees, on a gigantic screen; I think I spotted an Energy Star sticker! Then a little vintage women's soccer was next, a la Mia Hamm taking off her jersey after winning the Women's World Cup; anyone remember what year that was? Staff is friendly; a little lax but this is a local gem and not a Michelin starred bistro so realistic expectations are likely to be met. The hot sauce and white sauce are great, and remind me of local Middle Eastern spots in New York. I can't wait to try it with the falafel, and a side of good conversation the next time I pay the place a visit. read more

Ranosh - Mint Hookah - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

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This place is pretty solid. You can't go wrong with ordering the Ranosh chicken. Reasonably priced. I really like their hummus with meat, bread, falafel. The ambience is nice, we usually sit outside on the patio surrounded by trees, lights, sometimes Arabic music playing in the background. It has a cafe mawal feel but food is better IMO. People usually come here to smoke hookah, play games and chill. Parking can suck, shady area, valet is usually $3. Bathrooms suck, whoever designed it done goofed up. read more

Ranosh - Ranosh Chicken, falafel on the side - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great place for family best in town

The food is quite good but I didn't like the vibe. The rice was not well prepared at all but the chicken and lamb chops were delicious. The hummus was kind of bitter and I have had better hummus before. The toilet paper in the restroom was one of the lowest quality I have ever seen in my entire life! read more

I totally agree with Isabel N. This was definitely on my list of top authentic Arabic experiences. My first one was at some bar where there was a belly dancing performance, and the place was packed and a lot of fun. Ranosh has a totally different vibe, but just completely different from any place I've ever been to in Houston. First impression: My friend tells me Ranosh is mostly frequented by men. I'm coming from the rodeo, wearing short shorts and a t-shirt. "Is this appropriate?!" We get there and try to find parking. Next door is apparently a ghetto club where people often break into cars, gun fights start, gangster wars, you know, the usual. We have two options: "valet" parking (uh, why is there valet parking at this grungy place?) or street parking, where you can park right up to homes that have sensor lighting (ok, good start to the night). Walk up to the place. Tons of really nice cars. (Oh, okay, that's why they have valet. But who's driving these cars?) Walk in. Mostly groups of men sitting around a table playing cards and smoking hookah. There's a group of older men in the back speaking quietly and smoking cigars. (Ok, so those cars belong to the Egyptian mafia, who come here to smoke cigars and gamble. Don't make eye contact.) Lasting impression: So I might have jumped to some conclusions (I'm pretty sure the mafia thing is real though), but what an awesome place to just hang out. They have a large outdoor covered patio and a small indoor restaurant. The indoors seems kind of cramped, but the outside is awesome. There are fountains, birds, heat lamps, and it's got that atmosphere. Remember that scene at the beginning of Mr. and Mrs. Smith where both of them are in that bar and it's hot and crowded? It reminds me of that, minus the heat. We ended up just chilling here for a couple of hours. The food was cheap. I got a falafel dish for something like $6 that came with pita bread (more naan-like than the pita bread you get at grocery stores), tabouli, hummus, and three falafels (the exterior was too crispy). The hookah was about $10 for unlimited coal (the real coal)- I think we got the strawberry mint flavor. Also, be sure to try the hot tea. It's black tea with mint leaves. Delicious. All in all, I'll definitely be back here to eat, drink, smoke, and chill. read more

You walk into this place and its like you literally travelled to the Middle East. You could pass it without even knowing it existed since its pretty hidden from the street it borders. They were playing Middle Eastern music while older arab men played dominos and yelled and screamed at eachother. Open air seating with mediterranean style trees outside made it seem that much more away from everything industrialised. We had double apple-mint mix for the hookah, my favorite, They brought it out in a huge hookah with real coals. Not that instant light crap that people can buy. The one bowl that we had lasted us around an hour and a half. One of the best experiences I have had with a hookah place in Houston. I have been to others but they are trendy, clubby spots that dont really care about the authenticity. The food was great. To start off we had some really delicious humus and pita bread. The humus didnt have any overbearing spices, but was just right. We then had some turkish coffee and my friends both got shawarma sandwiches and left nothing on the plate. Taking all my other friends here, definitely an awesome experience. read more

Wow. Their chicken kabob was amazing, fresh, and wonderfully seasoned. Their Mediterranean salad was exactly like salads on the Mediterranean-- delicious! Their hummus!!! Holy crap. It was so soft and delicious, and the pita bread was thick, soft, and warm. We had their apple hookah which was smooth and tasty! They kept the coals hot and our tea refreshed. Five stars!! read more

I guess it really depends on what your looking for. I have enjoyed my experiences at this establishment. Its very authentic in the fact that its similar to what I have experienced throughout the Middle East. (Limited flavors of narghile, no alcohol, and a lot of people relaxing playing cards and other games) I have been to a few hookah bars in Houston (Uptown Hookah, Mary's, and Sinbad). It really depends on what your looking for. If you want the westernized version of hookah, then I would say Uptown Hookah. You can drink alcohol, you can listen to American music, etc. They also have tons of shisha flavors, even the alcohol mixed hookahs, which I havent been to inclined to try. Maryz and Sinbad are good places when you want to get a good meal and smoke narghile after dinner. Its almost like a desert. Ranosh on the other hand is a place you can go with friends, grab a bite to eat and play cards or other board-games. Its not a place you would typically go for "dinner". The flavors are limited. I think they may have 4-5 different flavors. (Mint, Grape, Apple and one or two others) Its very very inexpensive. I think your experience will be based on what you are seeking. I have never really had a problem with the coal service. The staff has always been friendly. Sometimes I get the ocassional eye when my wife and I first walk in, because ethnically we look a little out of place. But, having spend a considerable amount of time abroad, its something Im very comfortable with. This place is quickly becoming a regular spot for me and my wife. If any yelpers are every interested in smoking hookah, drinking sodas and playing cards, dont hesitate to let me know. Since its only two of us, my wife and I usually just settle with playing phase ten. Or sometimes we just bring a book. read more

The food and atmosphere is great. They mostly have Mediterranean grill items and hookah. They get packed at night and seating areas inside and out on their patio. They also had a kids play area mostly for ages 3 and up. The place needs a facelift and some remodeling done , it looks run down and like a hole in the wall place. read more

Very good. Very authentic. Probably the best Mediterranean food I've ever eaten. Their pita bread is homemade and so yummy. I tried going on a Saturday evening once and it was beyond packed. There were cars parked streets away to get into the place. I'm not sure if there was an event or what. I'd suggest going on a weekday read more

Ranosh - Beef shawarma - Middle Eastern Near Me - Houston, Texas

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LOVE IT - Best place to spend an afternoon. The crowd is usually 95% male and at least 90% foreign-born. TVs inside, fountain on the patio, plenty of seating in the back. Families come for dinner or at night. There's wifi, but few outlets. Always extra backgammon and cards available. The service won't be attentive, but you'll never feel hustled to leave. The service improves greatly if you smile or learn your server's name. The food is pretty poor compared to other middle eastern cuisine options in Houston. I don't know why anyone else was praising it. Hummus comes out of a can. Hookah is good and the prices are excellent. There is a small lot and a valet. I always park on the street and walk. Be careful about towing. Still gave it five stars because the prices and atmosphere make this one of my favorite places to lounge in Houston. Though I look out of place as the single, white girl, I've never felt awkward or unwelcome here. read more

I went to Ranosh last weekend with a few friends and overall had a good time. We went primarily to smoke hookah, which we were easily able to accomplish. I had a lemon-mint combo and it tasted good and lasted quite awhile. The setting (waterfalls, trees, and middle-eastern music) added a good amount of authenticity. Also, the prices were really good considering we were there late on a Saturday night. The downsides: there is very limited parking and I had to park in the neighborhood behind it, which isn't exactly the best area of town; service tended to be slow, and we often had to actively flag people down to serve us. In conclusion, Ranosh is a good place to smoke hookah, but it could use stand to be improved upon. read more