Yarbou has a very interesting business concept. They clearly prioritize food and service over having a traditional dining space, operating exclusively through delivery and pickup. I actually like that idea, so I wanted to visit and try the food myself.
We ordered the Yarbou Friends Platter, which includes four shawarmas, a dip of your choice (I picked the hummus), four kibbeh, tabbouleh, fresh pita bread, and five falafel.
The shawarma was excellent--generously filled with meat, flavorful, and easily the highlight of the meal. I would definitely order it again.
Unfortunately, the rest of the food didn't live up to that standard. The falafel arrived cold and lacked seasoning. The kibbeh seemed to have extra flour in the shell (beyond the traditional bulgur) and was missing the rich Middle Eastern spices and onion flavor that make kibbeh so distinctive. The tabbouleh was excessively oily and honestly looked like we received the leftovers from the bottom of the container. For dessert, I ordered the Iknafeh, but it was nothing like the traditional version I know. The cheese was overly chewy, and it was drowned in syrup. Overall, the food was inconsistent: one excellent item surrounded by several dishes that need significant improvement.
The other reason for my two-star rating is the pickup experience.
My order was supposedly ready when I arrived, yet I waited 26 minutes before receiving it. I knocked on the door multiple times, but no one answered. I called three or four times and nobody picked up the phone. Meanwhile, several other customers were standing outside experiencing exactly the same thing.
To make matters worse, the pickup location is surrounded by garbage dumpsters that produce a very unpleasant smell. Waiting outside there for nearly half an hour made for a terrible customer experience. Had it been raining, customers would have had nowhere to wait.
I genuinely believe this business has potential. The concept is smart, different, and fills a niche. However, both the food quality and the customer experience need attention. Great shawarma alone isn't enough when most of the rest of the meal is disappointing, and ignoring customers who arrive to pick up prepaid orders is simply unacceptable.
My suggestion is simple: hire a motivated college or high school student who wants to learn. Have someone greet customers, answer the door, monitor pickups, and make sure people aren't left standing outside wondering what's happening. At the same time, revisit the recipes and quality control for the dishes that aren't meeting the same standard as the shawarma.
I'm writing this review because I genuinely want to see Yarbou succeed. I admire entrepreneurs and enjoy supporting innovative business models. This one has real potential, but today it falls short in both execution and consistency. I hope this feedback helps because I truly believe a few operational and culinary improvements could have a significant impact. read more