Honestly best falafel sandwich I've had in America. & I tried many falafel sandwiches in Paterson, NJ (Arab capital of USA to me) & Manhattan, NY! I was unexpectedly surprised to taste such an amazing sandwich! Thanks guys
(5)
Fedai F.
After a long flight from ChiTown to Orlando, we checked into our hotel and went on Yelp to look for Food recommendations. Reading other people's reviews we decided to eat at Jerusalem. It was located conveniently behind our hotel within walking distance. Inside it was Old looking and dreary and in need of an extreme makeover. Hovering around the cashier were a group of men, I guess waiting to pay? We walked up to the counter and took a menu. The man behind seemed overwhelmed and tired. I asked him if it was ok to order to go,since we really didn't like the feel of the place. He quickly answers "Perfect"! I'm like "perfect?" Umm ok? Despite that remark I ordered: a Shish Tawook Sandwich, a falafel sandwich, 3 chicken sharwermas and 3 fries. The food WAS NOT GOOD! Fries OILY and flavorless. Sandwiches were bland. Chicken Tawook was a couple of chicken breasts cut into large chunks rolled with a mayo like thin sauce and I think there was a few tomatoes?Sharwerma was NOT Sharwerma! It was basically same chicken breasts but cut smaller! With the same mayo sauce, lettuce and tomatoes. Falafel was bland but thankfully I had asked for Shatta ( spicy red pepper sauce) so it had a little spice to it otherwise It would have been a huge let down. All were wrapped in the thin Pita bread and it looked from a light brown color on bread that they put it in a panini grill or something. Weird it wasn't hot! Anyway big time let down this place! Plus it took over 40 Minutes to make! As we waited..people that had walked in AFTER we had, received their food?? I'm shocked at people reviewing this place! Or maybe because I'm from Chicago and we've got better Middle eastern food I was expecting more:( Pro? We got 10% off for checking into Yelp!
(1)
Saad S.
Sometimes when we are up for a drive, we drive to kissimmee for this place. We love their food and their staff. They practically know us now! Great halal food for reasonable prices. My favourite is the leg of lamb and hers is the kofte kabab. sometimes she switches the rice that comes with the kabobs for french fries. Love it and will be going there again and again and again!
(5)
Rebecca T.
My mom has long told me about Middle Eastern food, so I decided to try it myself. We had the lamb kabob and chilled cucumber and yogurt. The place was clean inside. The staff were super nice. The food was the best. FWI: If you like beer, this isn't the place for you because they do not serve alcohol. Two thumbs up!!!
(5)
Mahmoud E.
If you are looking for the most tender , juicy , home made lamp shank then come straight to this little hole that offers the best lamp in town along with their amazing jasmine rice .
(5)
Mike K.
I ate there today the service was really bad the food was bad I don't like the food nothing seems fresh not even the salad I will not recommend anyone to eat there the restaurant is not clean not even the people work in the kitchen where gloves that so many other places a lot better than this one specially the Falafel they really bad he doesn't deserve to be in the business they have bad management
(1)
Joshua K.
Wonderful family owned restaurant with authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Wife and I were pleased to find this gem of a local restaurant.
(5)
Meena A.
Pros: The food is pretty good if you're a meat-eater. If veg, your only entree option is moussaka. Cons: Customer service is nil. The bathrooms are gross. Set-up of the restaurant makes it feel like you are always in someones way. They reseated us three times. The place was packed and I saw a huge line-up when we left. Even though the food is decent, this places leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
Tamkeen F.
If you like Arab / Mediterranean food, this is the place to be in Orlando. This was our second visit in 2 years, all the way from MI. We went there last week, and we were 17 people. The staff was quick and friendly. Although we had a little argument with the owner about the restaurant.com gift card that we had. But he was compassionate and polite and agreed to gave us a good discount. The serving quantity was not upto the mark though, especially for the guys. But the taste and the rest was just marvellous.
(4)
Fernando H.
The food was good but not great. The only thing I liked was the rice. The place was full of people of that culture so we felt out of place lol. Anyways the waiter was good to us. The hummus is good too.
(4)
Traycie S.
The mixed plate... Totally delicious!! It's a lot food!! The lamb skewer had all the right flavors. You will not be disappointed. Very friendly service. We will make this one of our favorites when we come to town.
(5)
Sally S.
Amazing food. Kebobs moist and wonderful Extremely flavorful. Rice with vermicelli extremely flavorful and perfectly cooked. Attentive servers. Pita bread fresh and soft but not remarkable. Lamb shank fell off the bone. Delicious! Casual mediterranean decor.
(4)
Joel C.
I highly recommend this place if you're in the mood for kofta, grape leaves, hummus, tabouleh, kabobs, and other middle eastern foods. Rather than buying a way overpriced dinner at one of the local parks, make the trip over to this quaint little restaurant and eat huge portions for a fraction of the cost. Truly some of the best kofta I've tasted, and I was extremely happy with the service we received. Everyone was friendly, the staff went out of their way to interact with our kids, and the owner even stopped by to chat with us about our vacation. Give this place a try!
I didnt try the food yet. But i am ready to give some review about the place. Customer service SUCKS!! i do understand that there are people from your country and they are your valued customers. But you cannot forget about other people and tell them you will be back in 2 minutes for 20 minutes in a raw. I came here to break my fast in a good mood. They destroyed all my appetites. Assalamu alaykum!!!!!
(2)
Kristen P.
I was a little nervous with the mixed reviews here so I came with low expectations. Let me say first, the food AND the service were outstanding. We let the server know we were celebrating our anniversary and he gave us a complimentary hummus and pita. We also had the elderly owner and another employee come over and wish us Happy Anniversary. The meat was cooked perfectly and was flavorful and tender. I would come here again in a heartbeat to try other items on the menu!
(5)
Steven L.
Extremely delicious food and great service. We ordered two appetizers, the cool cucumbers with yogurt and the hummus. They served it with a side of pita that was warm and fresh. The meals are well portioned. Our server Fatima was attentive and courteous. Would definitely recommend if you like middle eastern food.
(5)
Cristina A.
Great food!!! Sums it up pretty well. I had a Chicken Gyro (Shawarma). First bite and I was sold (tasted authentic). The setting was great. I loved the furnishing and lighting. Definitely didn't expect it to look like that since it is located at a plaza near 192. They do have a kids menu in case anyone was wondering :) I gave 4 stars for service, wish our waitress was just a bit more attentive and made some recommendation since it was our first time there. But she did bring our drinks out fast and served my daughter before our food was served. All in all great food, highly recommend all ages to come. I will definitely return and order the lamb entree.
(4)
Derek K.
Passable as decent Mediterranean food, and definitely probably one of the better eating choices given the area. So what gives Jerusalem 3 stars? Prices are decent, food is decent. The atmosphere of the restaurant was actually pretty good and perhaps its most redeeming quality. But there is just as much preventing it from qualifying for above 3 stars. Most significantly, the meat (lamb) was overcooked and tough, not tender and juicy as good lamb kebab should be. Service was fairly slow. The spreads, rice, and pita are all fine, though I've have better elsewhere. The bottom line is, you are pretty much getting what you pay for, no more, no less.
(3)
Jennifer A.
We ordered the gyro entree and the meat Schwarma - the meat was fabulous and the rice was full of flavor! We started the meal with sample appetizer and it was a great way to sample. Great local restaurant!!
(5)
Amal A.
Absolutely delicious food. I had the mixed kabab platter and had a taste of my mother's lamb shanks, both cooked to perfection. Service is great and our waiter is super nice! I'm glad I stopped in!
(5)
Dico B.
I can't tell if the food or service was better but either way both were so great that it does not even matter. EAT HERE. The lamb and cous cous is crazy good. Moroccan tea is crazy good. Also, very friendly for us lactards.
(5)
Gayatri J.
Good Mediterranean food for Orlando. I would have given them a 3.5 instead of a 4. We had the hummus, babaganoush and lentil soup for appetizer. We ordered the vegetarian falafel sandwich as entree. Everything was wonderful and you can't beat the prices. With gratuity included it cost us under $40. Waitress was courteous n we got a table immediately. Service was pretty good and prices were reasonable.
(4)
Rafael C.
as good as it gets for middle eastern food in central florida. We normally order the mazza apetizer and the kebab combination, along with an extra order of kinbeh, and it feeds a family of 4. Highly recommended.
(5)
Yazeed A.
The food is great, we had a hummus and fried kippeh as appetizer the main dish was kofta kabbab, it's delicious
(5)
Cortney B.
My husband and I went by the excellent reviews on here and decided to come eat at Jerusalem.. Unfortunately our experience wasn't quiet as great as everyone else's. We waited at our table for about ten minutes before anyone came over to greet us, and when our server came over she was very friendly. If only her service was as great as her attitude. She came over to our table a total of 3 times our whole visit and I never did get a refill of my water. As far as the food goes we started out with an order of the Baba Ghanoush. It was pretty good if it had not been for the pita bread which was very tough and cardboard like. For my entree I ordered the Chicken Schwarma and my husband ordered the chicken tawook. My Schwarma was very dry and flavorless; the chicken tawook was burnt to a crisp. The cucumber salad tasted strictly of Greek yogurt... If you are familiar with Mediterranean food you will know that it should not taste like this. I suggest avoiding this restraunt if you're looking for appetizing Mediterranean cooking.
(2)
Julie T.
I've been here twice. Four years ago and most recently last night. My whole family loves it here. My one daughter is vegan so getting away from the resort area and chain restaurants allows her to have a nice meal out. Service and food great. Prices reasonable and it's a very relaxing environment. If you like Middle Eastern food you can't go wrong here.
(4)
Alfredo S.
Great restaurant! All the food is very autochthonous. My favorite when on the go is the mixed shawarma sandwich, but when dinning in I make sure to try something new from the menu. Hummus and baba ghannouge are great apetizers.
(5)
Shaghath A.
Bad restaurant and bad experience! The waiters are very rude ! Not recommend this restaurant Stay away!
(1)
Asif H.
I was recommended this place by the layali hookah cafe a few doors down, I was enjoying my afternoon having shisha, was hungry but they don't have food, just teas and specialty drinks, so they told me to get the food from Jerusalem restaurant and bring it in the hookah cafe, so I ordered a shish Tawook wrap and fries, it was delicious and so juicy and filled with freshness, I enjoyed every bite and would go back while I'm still in Orlando, their menu looked amazing. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Bill R.
Just a 15 minute drive away from Downtown Disney, worth a trip off-campus. I ordered the Shish Tawook (chicken kabab) and they were very accommodating to my no-onion request. My wife had the Kafta Kabab (beef & lamb), which was even better than mine. The Moroccan Tea is something special. I will be looking for some when I get home!
(5)
Jennifer O.
I loved this place. It was a fantastic reprieve from the cringe-worthy touristy strips chock-full of chain restaurants with mediocre (at best) food that festoon Kissimmee, since it's the affordable lodging area for families headed to Disneyworld. The food was tasty and fresh; the portions were large; the prices were reasonable; the inside was clean; the decor was tasteful; and locals were actually eating there. Enough said.
(4)
Daniel A.
Found this place at Yelp. It was highly recommended so we decided to give it a try. Food was really good, well seasoned and in good portions. We had gyros, kafta, kebab, kibbeh and falafel - all really tasty and well grilled (or fried). The only problem was that the owner would not accept the 10% discount from Yelp's checkin.
(4)
Tasha R.
Don't waste your money here for middle eastern food. I had lamb chops for $18 that were burnt and cooked well done. No flavor at all. I like mine medium rare but they didn't ask how I would like it cooked so I got burnt lamb chops instead. Hummus was so so. Nothing to want more of. Fattosh salad tasted like a regular American salad as there was no sumac spice in it. What a waste of a meal and $50. Bland food at its best..
(1)
Mai N.
We visit Kissimmee at least once a year. This was our first time ordering from this place. There's an outdoor sitting area and plenty of tables inside. Didn't do sit down. Came around noon on a weekday so it was really slow. There were only 2 other small parties. We ordered a chicken and falafel schwarma: tasty and juicy bc of the ?yogurt sauce? The gyro was bland and dry bc there was no sauce. For dessert, we ordered 1 kanafeh and it was delicious. It's shredded filo dough with a thin layer of cheese on the bottom. Warm and not too sweet. We had no idea what it was so we ordered only one to sample. Wish we had ordered more.
(4)
Scott S.
Ate at the Jerusalem Restaurant. Very good. Son and I had lamb legs. Very tender and good. I may prefer a stronger lamb taste but it was very good. Wife some kind of chicken dish and daughter something else. Everyone was happy with the food. Waitress was very nice and helpful. Good customer service. She says her favorite was lamb kabobs, which I almost chose. If back again (live across the country), that's probably what I will get. We all had deserts too - I really like baklava and don't get it often. We came in at about 7pm and not many people there. By just after 8pm the place was packed. Appeared to be at least half middle-eastern born people. Probably a good sign...
(4)
Danielle C.
I came here with my family because there was a coupon for 10% off your entire order. However, we went during lunch hour, and the lunch specials did not allow any outside coupons applied, so we just ended up eating lunch specials at their regular prices. The prices were not the cheapest prices around but better than, say, a place in NYC of course! Their rice is really good. It has those small brown noodles that I am still not sure what they are after all these years! The rice is really flavorful, I want to say a hint of cinnamon and saffron perhaps. The gyro meat that they had was not bad, perhaps slightly dry. The hummus is pretty good though and pairs well with the pita bread. Their lentil soup was a bit too lentil-y if that makes sense - the scent and taste of lentils were a bit overwhelming. The white tzatziki sauce was not bad although it does not come with the food automatically - you have to ask for it as a side. My sister in particular liked the sauce. I would come back with some reservations though. My sister did get the stomach flu or food poisoning a few hours after we ate here, and I had a feeling it was due to something in her food, perhaps the meat she ate.
(4)
Mohamed A.
Great restaurant. Food is just awesome, nice atmosphere Best kabob, kofta, lamb that I have ever had Just YUM!
(5)
Andreea F.
Great place!! Very nice atmosphere, the food is very very tasty! The combination platter is the best! Also they have little grocery store next door where you can get authentic groceries! Would come back for sure!
(5)
Asma A.
Great prices and good food... Definitely one of your hole in the wall type of joints! I ordered beef kabobs and shawarma Service was super slow!
(3)
Juan Carlos M.
Food was fantastic! Came here on a whim on our way out of the parks. Had the schawarma and the gyro. Good service. The owner came to find out if food was to our liking. Would recommend. Will try to make it a frequent stop on our next trips.
(4)
Montrew N.
Had mazza plate so we could try everything with warm pitas. Yum. Combo kabobs. Chicken was juicy and flavorful! Kids menu too. Very good place.
(4)
Adel A.
Management needs an immediate action on service. Too slow even the restaurant was almost empty. Waitress never checked on us to see if anything needed. Manager ended up taking our order for desert and served it himself! We waited for 25min for our check and ended up going to the teller to pay. Food was average and nothing impressive to compensate for the bad service!
(1)
Liz M.
Went for late lunch this weekend. I am constantly on the look out for good Middle Eastern food, being originally from Detroit where it is plentiful and living in St Pete where I have had no luck. My #1 complaint is that it seems like every mid-east restaurant down here WAY overcooks the shish kafta (or kefta). This place was as close as I've gotten in Florida to what I miss from up north. It was still a little too well done, for my preference... but that's all it really is, my preference. We had the hummus appetizer which was pretty good, nice texture, and sandwiches. The sandwiches are bigger than either of us expected for the price. My friend had the shwarma which she liked, except for the fact that she was surprised that it had lettuce and tomato on it and she said the garlic sauce was more like mayo. My shish kefta had great flavor, just a little too crunchy for me. The server was friendly and was on top of refills, owner or manager (older fellow with glasses) was super nice, checked up on us.
(4)
Ulla M.
From someone who loves Mediterranean food and I've tried so many this is one of my top 10 favorites!!! Great food!!!
(5)
Cynthia L.
One of my favorite restaurants. I've been coming here for about 15 years. Get the Chicken Shawerma or the Lamb Kabobs and you won't be disappointed! But I've never had something here that I didn't like! Lunch deals are excellent or get a sandwich if you want a cheaper meal!
(5)
Lisa Yang N.
I wouldn't recommend the restaurant. The chicken and beef are over cook and portion was so small compare the price they charged.
(2)
Mitchell H.
Fantastic. Went for lunch during the week, service was awesome. Authentic grape leaves and amazing hummus. The Kefta sandwich was very good and the portions for everything were spot on. They split the check without us asking making it a pain free experience at the end of the meal.
(5)
AJ S.
The food was overpriced. Mixed grill meats were too dry. Money was better spent in a real chain restaurant for the price paid.
(2)
Hedaya F.
Let me start off by saying, this was one of the best middle eastern resturants I've ever been to. The food was amazing and out of the six people in my family, no one complained about a thing and almost everyone licked the plate clean. The service was just as good as the waitress brought all the food with a smile on her face. Seriously, I would recommend this to everyone.
(5)
Big Phatt W.
The food was very good and the service was good as well. I would go back.
(4)
Zach H.
Had it not been 10pm on a Monday and not looking to grab a late dinner after a long day, I probably wouldn't have found this place. It's open until 11, close to the hotel, and they have a Yelp check-in deal for 10% off. The restaurant decor was nice and made me feel like I was in Jerusalem (even though there was a banner in the back of the room with Morocco on it, which I found a little odd considering the restaurant's name is Jerusalem). Well the menu looked great and I was so hungry it took me several minutes to decide what to order. The extensive menu offered Kabobs, Shwarma, and Moussaka (to name a few).... all of which I love. I decided on the Kabob Combination which was Lamb, Chicken, and Ground Beef kabobs over rice with a side salad. After I placed my order, my extremely nice server brought out pita bread and a small bowl of hummus, which came with the meal. The pita came out soft and warm and the hummus was awesome. So after about 15 min, the server informed me that there were complications with the grill so my food was delayed. She proceeded to bring me an additional large plate of hummus and I soon forgot that my food was delayed :-P. So when my food finally came out, it was so late (about 10:45) and the plate was so big that I had planned on eating half of it and saving the rest for lunch the next day... I ended up eating everything because it was so delicious. The Kabobs were seasoned well and perfectly cooked. It was a great find and an excellent dining experience. I'll definitely be telling my colleagues to check this place out.
(5)
Tbird U.
Love this place! Amazing food, great prices (a 6$ sandwich), and awesome service. The mint tea was freshly made to order. Owner thought our food took too long (hint: we didn't even notice) and gave us free baklava for dessert to apologize. I would recommend this place to all of my friends when they're in the area.
(5)
Frank L.
I'm really not sure why this place warrants more than a 3 star review. Honestly, the only reason we tried Jerusalem was because of our Restarant.com certificate. The food is average at best, but the service is terribly slow. Our waitress was more interested in watching American Idol than coming to our table. I think I had to get up a total of 3 times to ask for things. Not cool! The ambiance is kind of cool, and imagine it is better in the evening, just not sure I will make it back :( For better portions, service and taste..I would recommend King O Falafel. They have Groupon's daily.
(2)
Paula H.
This little gem is tucked away in the middle of the tourist district, but well worth the trip. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming and the food is tasty, with generous portions and good value. My hubby loves the lamb shank, which is fall off the bone tender. I'm a fan of the hummus and gyro. Only reason i didnt give it 5 stars was because i prefer fountain drinks to canned, although you do get one free refill. Gotta give this place a try.
(4)
Lynn Z.
We stopped here because we wanted something different. Not the normal chains that are everywhere in the area. It was approximately 7 pm when we arrived and only one other table inside. So service was prompt. We started with the baba ghanoush a roasted eggplant spread with tahini. It came promptly and with 4 pita loaves. We also ordered the Moroccan tea. Loved it! For the main course we opted for the moussaka. Yes another vegetarian dish but quite tasty. Seasoned and nicely cooked NOT over cooked rice. So a surprisingly decent meal on a spur of the moment find. Would recommend it! Only thing I forgot to do was check in to receive my 10% discount. Still a good price for a dinner for two.
(4)
Judy H.
Friendly service, delicious kabobs and baklava as well as the pita bread. We 4 adults were very satisfied .
(5)
Ahmad Y.
Fair service, Good food not the greatest middle eastern food indeed. I recommend it anyway
(4)
Aj T.
Great little place!!! We ordered the sample platter, and the falafel was very good, the hummus had a generous drizzle if oil, and the baba Ghanoush had great spices in it. Also, the pita was very fresh. We each also had a wrap, my husbands was the shawarma. It was ever so slightly dry, but the sauce they used was amazing and made up for it. As for my shush kabob sandwich... The meat was tender, tasty, and had a hint of char for flavor! A great sandwich! I only wish I hadn't eaten all the hummus, so I could have had some with the sandwich.
(4)
Faris A.
Very tasty and clean. Excellent customer service. The gyros are perfectly spiced and the mazza is great for two or three max.
(5)
Nessma B.
I love this place the food is excellent the crew is awesome they always make their customers feel special and the entertainment well, it makes you wanna get up and dance to the beautiful music.
(5)
Michael S.
Jerusalem Restaurant serves authentic Middle Eastern food in an unpretentious setting and slightly "out of the way" location. Don't think Bosphorous or Cedar's; there is very little pomp about this place, as the decor is very modest and there is no alcohol served on the premises. The food, however, is a real winner. While the appetizers of hummus and baba ghanoush are great, the chicken and beef shish kebabs are the reason for coming here, grilled over an open flame and placed on top of a rice pilaf flavored with sumac. Those craving some heat should ask the "spicy red sauce."
(4)
James C.
Great food, good prices, really good service. These folks were accommodating of our large family and fed us so well we came back the next day. Not a bad item on the menu. We particularly enjoyed the appetizer sampler and their spectacular breads. Great sandwiches, too.
(5)
Peter T.
I really enjoyed the lamb shank and the rice...enjoyed seeing families eating there. The waiters were very helpful in learning the menu..
(5)
Okko O.
I generally don't use the term "hidden gem," because it gets tossed around fairly often, but in this case it seems appropriate to call Jerusalem Restaurant a hidden gem. I am so glad my family decided to try to this place out after reading about it in our "Frommer's" guidebook. Not far from the hordes of people at Downtown Disney and the cheesy souvenir shops of Kissimmee, this small restaurant sits obscurely in yet another strip mall, next to an e-cigarette shop. The food is tasty, fresh, and authentic, and a welcome reprieve from the usual Orlando vacation fare of chain restaurants. It's not the best Mediterranean food I've ever had, but it was still fresh and tasty, and I'm fairly certain it's one of the best restaurant options in the area. Altogether, the price, location, service, and quality of the food for Kissimmee elevates it to a 4 star, enthusiastic rating. They offer pita sandwiches, entrees, and a variety of Mediterranean dips and salads. They offer falafel and hummus, but they also have kifta (seasoned lamb and ground beef) and lamb kebobs. The portions are fairly generous; three of us shared two plates because we weren't famished. We had the appetizer sampler (falafel, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and kibeh) and an entree kofta kebob plate. We also took home a piece of baklava. As with any Mediterranean restaurant, there are many vegetarian options. Our server was pleasant, attentive and helpful, but not overbearing (I hate that.) She answered our questions and gave us a few recommendations of her own, as well as shared what others liked to order. The interior is dim, but this actually gave the place the feel of a sanctuary because the Florida sun is so unrelenting for most of the afternoon. The decor was clean and tasteful, with dark wood tables and tourism posters of the Mediterranean. It was a comfortable place to be and especially encouraging to see so many local families eating there, even though it was late afternoon when we arrived. It was a bit pricier than I normally pay for Mediterranean food at home in Chicago, but then again I usually have no-frills Mediterranean, and most things come at a premium price in the theme park zone, so I didn't really mind. You can tell the chef and owners take a lot of care presenting their dishes, even if they're simply plated. They also have a lunch special, which I'm sure would have been a better deal, so if we return I'd want to time it for the lunch special. If you're in the area, definitely support them for the good food and because it's not one of the giant chains. You'll feel better for it, especially if you're indulging in Disney on vacation, and you'll have tasty, fresh food too.
(4)
Sara H.
The owner is very polite and makes a point of coming out to make sure that the diners are taken care of. Love the eggplant dish, hummus, tabouleh, and pretty much everything else I've tried there. And the prices are definitely reasonable.
(5)
Winnie T.
Service was kind of slow, but food was great! I believe if you check in on yelp, you get 10% off as well.
(4)
Nabeel A.
Every time I visit Orlando, finding good ethnic food becomes an issue, a quest. Jerusalem restaurant solved that issue for me and the other 6 people with me. We ordered variety of Kabobs, Lamb Shank, Gyro, Kids meals etc. and everything was perfect. I will certainly return on my next trip to Orlando. Thanks Jerusalem!
(4)
Jason C.
We came here on Christmas eve. Very packed and the service was slow. I witnessed a customer sitting outside the patio and the manager arguing because the customer complained how slow the service was and their food was never brought back in time. The situation was not handled nicely by the manager. One of the younger staff was extremely rude as well. This place seems under staffed and the waiters are tirelessly running around and forgetting about their customers' orders all over the place. Food was good and quite satisfying; when it did actually arrive. I ordered the Shawarma plate, portions are huge and the taste is passable. I wasn't expecting anything special since I've had middle-eastern food many times before. I'd go back again, the prices are okay, not over the top.
(3)
D S.
I do think that this is a solid addition to the Middle Eastern restaurant list, but... The location is easy to find, but the sign "FALAFEL & KABABS" drown out the restaurant's name that's done in small script on the bottom. Small Fry was convinced we were going to the wrong place! The restaurant is much larger than I thought it would be, with both tables and booths available. Over to the right hand side is a small buffet setup, but no signage as to when it might be open. Our waitress was lovely, but there was an obvious language barrier as we tried to ask questions and order. Small Fry and I shared the kabab plate; chicken, beef and kefta on a bed of rice. On the side was served a small dollop of garlic sauce, hummus and a small handful of shredded lettuce with a slice of tomato. It looked good, but the chicken was overcooked, beef was tough and kefta was on the bland side. Also, 4 pita halves were served to us in a basket. Entree was a little pricier than other places I've been, but the portion was a decent size. Boyfriend got the gyro & tabbouli,and didn't seem overjoyed. I'll probably have to do a second taste test to give a fair review, but honestly, I have a favorite place that I loathe to not go to! Next door, and connected to the restaurant is a small grocery store. In the case were pastries and baklava displayed in their boxes. Huge clue that they don't serve homemade desserts! If you need some specific Middle Eastern items they might have them, but I'd call first as the shop is small and space is very limited!
(3)
Rafi A.
Really top rate Middle Easter food - among the best in Central Florida. All the meat is flavorful without being too salty. The lentil soup is so creamy and tangy you won't believe there's no dairy in there. The meat is all Halal, which means it passes the Islamic dietary rules. This was the first time I knowingly ate Halal meat. I think it is a much higher quality meat than the mass-produced stuff the chains use. I ate there on two occasions, the first time I had shish tawook, the second time the combination platter of three skewers, one chicken, one beef, one lamb. All were excellent. The taboulli salad was also a hit. It was tangy and flavorful without too much oil; very refreshing. Best of all, the owner is a great guy (not just because he goes by the same name as I do). He accommodated us right before closing time (11:00 p.m.) and talked with us for the better part of an hour. The only reason I don't give it five stars is the physical location is less than ideal. That said, I liked that there were people talking, laughing and having a great time on a weekday night way past closing time. It is a comfortable place with great food and nice people. If I return to Orlando, I'll definitely come back for more.
(4)
Marvin M.
What a day. Worked all weekend and as soon as my shift was over @xobejm calls to ask if we were going to be adventurous today. My answer, "Oh Yeah!" Middle Eastern food was on my mind, but I expected a fast food place. This is a sit down restaurant with lots of style and class. The outside seating is spectacular. had read many reviews from @yelp about this place in my neck of the woods. Kissimmee has many hidden gems and this is definitely one of them. Rafat, the owner was nice enough to stop at our table and chat with us. The inside of the restaurant is top notch. The decor is gorgeous and the furniture gives the place a high end look. They have been in this area for over 5 years. Pita Bread. As we came in we were greeted by a few young ladies. One of them who happened to be our server. We weren't able to get her name, but she was nice. The pita bread was the first thing to come out and we devoured it in about second. Next up was my Turkish Coffee. One of the other servers mentioned me not sleeping tonight after having this drink. Nice and strong and very tasty. Now....LET'S TALK FOOD!! Mazza. A combination of hommous, baba ghamouge, grape leaves, tabbouli and kibbeb or falafel. We asked our server what she recommended. She suggested this plate and I am glad we tried it. A bit of everything. Very nice. @Xobejm ordered the Kids Spaghetti with meat served with tomato sauce. I had to take a bite because it smelled so good. This was very good. Not too saucy which is just like I like it and @xobejm too. Chicken Shawerma. Chicken breast pieces marinated with special spices, slowly roasted vertically on a skewer by low fire, thinly sliced served with rice and house salad. @Tarajroth ordered this and her favorite part was the Tahuni sauce. A sort of mayonnaise with garlic type sauce. This was the Foodbidden family favorite. Kabab Combination. A combination of shish kabab, shish kwook and kafta served on a bed or rice and house salad. Every piece of protein was fantastic. Cooked perfectly. So flavorful. After all this we were too full for dessert. What a great place. They also have a store next door where you can buy their cheese from their cheese plate and their pita bread too. Rafat, thank you so much for stopping by our table and speaking to us. It was nice to know about your business. You have a perfect restaurant and delicious food.
(5)
A C.
Great restaurant. Tried this place based on Yelp reviews. We were totally satisfied with our meal. I shared the meal with a very picky eater from Jordan who is rarely satisfied with American Middle Eastern food... Even he was satisfied!! We ordered hummus, falafel, kibbeh, Arabic salad and mixed grilled meat plate. They were all so good. Hummus was one of the best we've had in a while and all the meat, kafta, chicken and beef were tender and seasoned very well. The salad was little too salty and small, beside that, it was excellent! The service was also great and the appetizer plates came out promptly.
(4)
Stacie B.
Loved this restaurant! We got grape leaves and falafel as an appetizer and they were both amazing. I got a chicken dish (forgot the name!) and my husband got a lamb dish and both were also really good but we both decided the chicken was better. We sat outside and the service was really good. We also tried the Turkish coffee at the end and I would definitely recommend trying it and searching the internet for more information about what Turkish coffee is! Would definitely go back!
(5)
Lindsay W.
I eat here at least once every two weeks....either just a quick take out of hummus and pita or sit down and enjoy thier cheese appitizer (remeber to ask for olives) and chicken shawerma. I have not ordered a single thing here and been unhappy. although once we tried to order the chicken livers and they said it would take 30 minutes and we passed on it, I am sure it would have been quite tasty. The decor has improved over the past few months as it seems they are under renovation and so far I am liking the improvements. They offer an outdoor patio for nice days when you would like to eat outside which is nice and i wish more places had this option. overall great food at a great price.
(4)
Ari W.
Went to try new Mediterranean restaraunt this evening and I was less than impressed. I had a gyro like I normally would and tabbouleh. The tabbouleh had a strange texture and the gyro was just ok. I was not a fan of the flat large wrap that was used vs the normal thick pita. Service was ok but our server barely understood any English and it made the evening difficult. Maybe it's just my taste, because the girlfriend thought it was ok but me I will pass on revisiting this place.
(2)
Pablo M.
Great hole in the wall. Went there at 9pm , looked closed but i guess the curtains make it look closed. I order the appetizer sampler called mazza, amazing . Best hummus so far , and the shish kabob was awesome too. Gyro sandwich is one of the best i've had.
(4)
Catherine A.
Great food at reasonable prices for this area. Food was fresh, restaurant clean and service courteous and prompt. I ordered the mussakka which was delicious and a good amount with generous portion of rice and side salad, my daughter ordered the shish kabab sandwich, my husband the kabab combo and our little one ordered the shish tawook kabab with rice. All dishes arrived pipping hot, portions were very good and everything was very tasty. Would definitely recommend, many steps above any of the Disney restaurants we tried!
(5)
Lynn D.
Stopped on our way to the hotel last night after seeing your sign on the highway. Thanks for the delicious, fresh, authentic food after a long flight. Great, non-chain restaurant among the land of Disney
(4)
John L.
I found this place by accident and so glad I did. I have to say it is one of my top 3 "hole in the wall" places. After reading all the other great reviews, I cant say anymore than whats already been said. Great food, great prices, great friendly service, great restaurant. A note on the prices: My wife and I shared a soup and an appetizer, had an entree each, had a dessert each and each had the best mint tea Ive ever had.....total bill was only $34.00. We were going to have a night out at the parks but made the detour here instead. The bill would have been double at the parks for less food.
(5)
Glen M.
Excellent! We had the sampler appetizer plate, good for first-timers, and it was all as good as or better than similar offerings elsewhere. The hummus was particularly notable. We then had kababs, which were also tops, served with a very tasty rice pilaf and house salad. Very generous servings at a good price. We also noted that many of the patrons seems to be of middle-eastern origin. Seeing ethic natives eating at their ethnicity's restaurant is always a good sign. We certainly will return.
(5)
Sarah S.
Will definitely NOT go back!!!!!!!! We came at 930 pm and initially said we wanted take out. We ordered, paid, and in less than 3 minutes decided well just end up dining in instead. When asking the 2 girls if we can kindly be seated, she shook her head no, without a smile, and said You already made up your mind to take out, it's too late. WITHOUT any explanation, smile, or apologies!! Oh and.the restaurant closes at 11. We still had an entire hour and a half to be served. We asked again because we thought she misunderstood, but she repeated NO you cannot dine in because you already made up your mind, too late. We asked, "we're not allowed to change our mind 3 minutes later?" She said you should've decided that before, you must take out, and turned away. Of course, we called the manager, who sorted things out and we ended up dining in after all. It was a below average dining experience and extremely RUDE cashiers, who are in serious needs of hugs. We were so insulted!!
(1)
Mike C.
As other reviewers have said, this is a little hole in the wall. But, don't be fooled! the food is amazing! The service was quick and quite atentive. We noticed some Middle Eastern folks come in for a meal so in my opinion this is certainly the real deal! They accepted my guy dog with no problem. They did ask a few questions but all was okay after that. I did get the feeling though that they hadn't had a guide dog owner in for a meal before. Thanks for treating me with respect guys! This is a great place to eat! When you're in Orlando and looking for something off the beaten path, you must come here!
(5)
Jay N.
This is located on the corner of 192 (Irlo Bronson) and 535 (Vineland Rd.). It is a little hard to find because It is a little place, maybe 20 tables, and it is located in a strip center. Trust me, It is worth the hunt. The food is good, and the staff have always been friendly and attentive. I love to stop by and get a gyros for lunch ($6). Dinner is even better. Our favorite appetizer is just called cheese. The word alone doesn't do it justice. It is a combination of Bulgarian feta, nabulsia, syrfan, and yachekamal. It is happiness in your mouth! Haven't heard of some of them? It's all good. Did I mention that this place is family owned? They also own the Mediterranean market next door where they sell all the cheeses. The bread you get with olive oil after you are seated is great. The kabobs are very good, served with a yummy rice and med salad. The beef and chicken Shawerma are tender and delicious and served with the same sides. Every entree I have had was good. Here is the kicker. The baklava can be ordered with your choice of walnuts, cashews or pistachios in a tasty honey mixture. It's a buck something a piece!!!! Homemade goodness! You can taste the freshness in all the ingredients they use. The decor is kind of eclectic, but it is cool. The is about a four foot section of wall covered with all different denominations of middle eastern currency. Outdoor seating is also available. Great for lunch...all sandwiches are 6 bucks, and even better for dinner.
(4)
K C.
Excellent food. Fresh and flavorful. Our family favorite during our Orlando destination for the past 5 years. The staff is very nice and helpful. Must try.
(5)
Stefanie B.
I've dined in once almost before they closed & received friendly, good service. My friend & I both Loved the food that night as well as the next reheated! A few months later, I got take out & it was just as good! The price is right, too!
(4)
Dennis M.
Had to try it based on reviews listed here and it was very good. The waitress was very nice explaining the menu. We had the Mazza which had a assortment of hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and other stuff. Wether had the skewers of beef,chicken and lamb. Will come back when in Orlando again.
(5)
Jay S.
This halal / middle-eastern restaurant at 192 and Vineland has served as our working lunch hangout a couple of times during our stay in Kissimmee. I've said it before in other reviews (sorry) but it's great, small, local restaurants like these that make me wonder why people only go to the big chains that seem to line 192 as far as the eye can see in either direction. No problem, all the better for us. So long as they can stay in business, I'm happy to be only one of three busy tables in the place. It means that our food was hot and fresh, and the free WiFi was empty and fast. Ah, but the food. How was the food I hear you asking? Great. The first time I ate there I ordered the "meat" (lamb/beef combo) Gyro, which was pretty good. The only negative was the Pita bread (same as for the Hummus appetizer) which tasty stale, flat and store bought. Don't know if it was because I said something (thank you Yelp?) but the second time we went we were delighted to see that they are now baking their own pitas daily. This time they were warm, fluffy and delicious. So good in fact that we went to their attached middle-eastern food store next door and bought a fresh pack of them to take home. I've also had the lamb shank there. I'm probably not the best to review it because I'm a lamb shank snob. (where is my Tulang!?!!) But overall it was pretty good. The bed of orzo was very nice and the meat was well cooked, if not the most flavorful. The service was of course incredibly attentive given the lack of anything else for her to be doing in the restaurant. Please stay in business. Please keep baking your own pitas. Please leave those addictive Saudi soap operas on the TV, so I don't have to focus on my boring laptop and be swept away by the scent of cardamon, my mint tea and the bizarre love triangles on TV. Jay.
(4)
Adriene A.
This is a classic little hole in the wall that goes beyond expectations. The 5 stars are for food (delicious, and I'll tell you how good in a minute), good service and outstanding value. I am from a geographic area where it is possible to get good middle eastern food, and this ranks right up there. We went there (family of 4), everyone enjoyed it. When we went in there was a young man who was definitely middle eastern eating, and he said he eats there about 3 times a week. It was so good that the next day we called in an order of chicken shawerma sandwiches to take with us to the airport. It is in a little strip mall, so don't take any high-and-mighty types, but it is perfectly clean with a pleasant ambiance. The people making the food are the real deal. If you have foodie friends who like good food at a great price, this place may be habit-forming. It was one of the best places we ate during our vacation. I recommend it and would definitely go there again if I am in Kissimmee for anything.
(5)
Dan M.
I must say, I always find myself back at this little spot. I've tried other Middle Eastern places in the area (Falafel Market, Ahem...) and none of them seem to match the quality of the meals here. Only thing missing on the menu is Fatoush, but that doesn't deter me from going back 2-3 times a week for a Tawook or Lamb Kabobs. 5-stars all around
(5)
Lyn J.
Best in Kissimmee. Locals should know this is the best Middle Eastern food in town period. And if you are traveling it doesn't get any better than this. The grilled meat is succulent, juicy cooked to perfection. Each item has distinct flavor to the dish, making each bite something to savor. The mazza was artfully presented as if we were the only guests that mattered, and the inside dining was packed. The outside was comfortable and the server was very attentive. We have been going here for years, but something amazing happened to a place we always made a point to visit, it got even better, yes no joke it is now a two visit destination per vacation....worth it. Everything we have ever ordered was delicious. We will be back again and again. Thank you Jerusalem, keep up the good work.
(5)
Dan M.
Felt like kababs and this really hit the spot! My girlfriend and I had the hummous with chicken shawerma and the kabab combination. The combo comes with three skewers: lamb, ground beef, and chicken. Total price was $25 for two people before tip. We both left happy and full!
(5)
Basil A.
I love this place, and I try to eat there whenever I am in the area, which unfortunately is rare. The restaurant is just your average Middle Eastern setup with no flash or pizazz cares, I am here to eat and get on my way. I usually order actually two, I'm a big eater) of the sandwiches, which are priced just right at $4.95, or $5.95, depending on which one you get. They are fairly large and size and will satisfy most people's appetite. The sandwiches include falafal, gyro, lamb meat, lamb cubes, and chicken cubes. My favorites are the falafal and chicken cubes(shish tawook), but I enjoy all of them. My wife loves Musakkah(sp?) in Greek restaurants, but she also enjoyed the Arab style Musakkah they served here. Another dish she has tried and loved are the ground lamb kebabs. Even though they aren't out of this world the best you have ever had, they are still very good. We both enjoy the rice very much, as it is very tasty. The humus, falafel, and pita bread is also very fresh and very good. I do think the falafel is a little over priced for what it is. Same with the humus. All in all, there isn't a place in the area I would rather eat. They are pretty close to the Premier outlets off of I-4 and 535, so if you are out shopping there, these people deserve a chance. PS- They do not serve alcohol.
(5)
Carl L.
Kabobs were deliciously great. Had the mixed ones with lamb, beef and chicken. May have to visit one more time before leaving the Orlando area.
(5)
Brad Q.
Salads were somewhere between forgettable and regrettable, but the sandwiches were EXCELLENT. Chicken Shwarma pita and Beef (or was it lamb?) Shwarma pita sandwiches were both as good as I've had anyplace. Hummus and the other salad (maybe it was a greek salad?) were both not good. Hummus had way too much oil and not enough flavor - and the salad had a foul tasting dressing that essentially made it inedible. Would probably stop here for a quick lunch and get sandwiches, but would pass on dinner where the middle-eastern salads are more integral to the meal.
(3)
Chad S.
Ok, the place isnt totally atmospheric. However, the hostess / waitress was cute enough to probably get me beat up if I made a pass at her. . . Flicker flame bulbs in the wall sconces definitely (imo) give it an air of ... what is the word i'm looking for?... romance? probably not, but I love those things. Al Jazeera news on the TV.... (these are all positive things, by the way) We started with a hummus plate, which was delicious, and I had the falafel wrap. It took a little long, it seemed, to prepare, but it was pretty damn good ... though, I have never had horrible falafel. I have had not great falafel, and this ranks on the opposite, more positive side. The other dish was the meat shwarma wrap, and since I am vegetarian, I quote: "It was fine. It was warm. It was wrapped in foil. It was fresh. It was good." Free wi-fi, too.
(4)
Scott M.
Great food and service! Kabob combo is a great value! Hummus was great, service was fantastic. It's in an out of the way location so you have to look hard for it, but well worth it. Kids portions are huge. Falafals were great, and come 4 per order. Very much recomended.
(4)
Gerry R.
Four of us ate here, getting there late in the evening as my wife is attending a conference hearby. We ordered a huge appetizer tray with hummous, baba ganoush, tabouli, olives and fresh pita. We followed that with gyros, chick shawerma, meat(beef) shawerma and something which I don't recall since I didn't order it. It was all good. The baba ganoush was the best I've ever had. It is a bit tricky to find being sort of hidden behind a Taco Bell in a very non-descript strip mall. But it is definitely worth looking for,
(5)
Lawrence C.
Went here with a buddy of mine because we were feeling a little bit like mediterranean. This was the closest place to us that had some pretty good ratings. This place is in a seedy part of town. In fact, the strip mall it's in looks abandoned. We go inside the restaurant and it looks pretty nice inside. I order the gyro and my friend orders the falafel. I also order a kibbeh. The kibbeh was a little dry, but tasty. No problem though with it being dry, I just soak it in the hummus. The gyro was really tasty. My friend likes the falafel, but he felt there should have been more than 3 falafel balls.
(4)
Rob H.
Food was above average. but it took forever to get it. Kabobs were yummy, hummus very good as well. Make sure you have some time when you visit this place as dinner took almost 90 minutes to get (drinks took almost 25 to arrive). Service was very very slow even though the place was not full. Stick to the sandwiches and kabobs, both were good.
(3)
Michael A.
Very good food. The waitress was very polite.
(5)
Jeff M.
I concur with the other reviews here for the most part. The hummus appetizer was good, the pitas warm and soft, shish tawook was delicious, the gyro plate good, and the baklava in need of improvement. The rice pudding was pretty good, and the 'kids' portion of spaghetti would have been considered a large adult portion. The location isn't quite as 'abandoned' looking as one reviewer said.
(4)
Ann S.
We were on vacation and decided to eat here. We ended up getting lost for over an hour before making it to this wonderful place. Luckily, it was well worth the wait! We ordered the mazza (combination of hummous, baba ghannouge, grape leaves, tabbouli and falafel). It was literally amazing-the flavors were very authentic. I especially enjoyed the baba ghannouge and the tabbouli. My husband and I split it and he ordered the kafta kabab, which he enjoyed and I ordered a greek salad. I would not have had to order my salad at all (although it was very good!). I kept requesting that he finish the food from the mazza because I could not fathom having to waste such good food. We ended up taking most of my greek salad and the remainder of the mazza with us! The service was attentive and the staff friendly. Would go back in a heartbeat!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Maryam A.
Honestly best falafel sandwich I've had in America. & I tried many falafel sandwiches in Paterson, NJ (Arab capital of USA to me) & Manhattan, NY! I was unexpectedly surprised to taste such an amazing sandwich! Thanks guys
(5)Fedai F.
After a long flight from ChiTown to Orlando, we checked into our hotel and went on Yelp to look for Food recommendations. Reading other people's reviews we decided to eat at Jerusalem. It was located conveniently behind our hotel within walking distance. Inside it was Old looking and dreary and in need of an extreme makeover. Hovering around the cashier were a group of men, I guess waiting to pay? We walked up to the counter and took a menu. The man behind seemed overwhelmed and tired. I asked him if it was ok to order to go,since we really didn't like the feel of the place. He quickly answers "Perfect"! I'm like "perfect?" Umm ok? Despite that remark I ordered: a Shish Tawook Sandwich, a falafel sandwich, 3 chicken sharwermas and 3 fries. The food WAS NOT GOOD! Fries OILY and flavorless. Sandwiches were bland. Chicken Tawook was a couple of chicken breasts cut into large chunks rolled with a mayo like thin sauce and I think there was a few tomatoes?Sharwerma was NOT Sharwerma! It was basically same chicken breasts but cut smaller! With the same mayo sauce, lettuce and tomatoes. Falafel was bland but thankfully I had asked for Shatta ( spicy red pepper sauce) so it had a little spice to it otherwise It would have been a huge let down. All were wrapped in the thin Pita bread and it looked from a light brown color on bread that they put it in a panini grill or something. Weird it wasn't hot! Anyway big time let down this place! Plus it took over 40 Minutes to make! As we waited..people that had walked in AFTER we had, received their food?? I'm shocked at people reviewing this place! Or maybe because I'm from Chicago and we've got better Middle eastern food I was expecting more:( Pro? We got 10% off for checking into Yelp!
(1)Saad S.
Sometimes when we are up for a drive, we drive to kissimmee for this place. We love their food and their staff. They practically know us now! Great halal food for reasonable prices. My favourite is the leg of lamb and hers is the kofte kabab. sometimes she switches the rice that comes with the kabobs for french fries. Love it and will be going there again and again and again!
(5)Rebecca T.
My mom has long told me about Middle Eastern food, so I decided to try it myself. We had the lamb kabob and chilled cucumber and yogurt. The place was clean inside. The staff were super nice. The food was the best. FWI: If you like beer, this isn't the place for you because they do not serve alcohol. Two thumbs up!!!
(5)Mahmoud E.
If you are looking for the most tender , juicy , home made lamp shank then come straight to this little hole that offers the best lamp in town along with their amazing jasmine rice .
(5)Mike K.
I ate there today the service was really bad the food was bad I don't like the food nothing seems fresh not even the salad I will not recommend anyone to eat there the restaurant is not clean not even the people work in the kitchen where gloves that so many other places a lot better than this one specially the Falafel they really bad he doesn't deserve to be in the business they have bad management
(1)Joshua K.
Wonderful family owned restaurant with authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Wife and I were pleased to find this gem of a local restaurant.
(5)Meena A.
Pros: The food is pretty good if you're a meat-eater. If veg, your only entree option is moussaka. Cons: Customer service is nil. The bathrooms are gross. Set-up of the restaurant makes it feel like you are always in someones way. They reseated us three times. The place was packed and I saw a huge line-up when we left. Even though the food is decent, this places leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Tamkeen F.
If you like Arab / Mediterranean food, this is the place to be in Orlando. This was our second visit in 2 years, all the way from MI. We went there last week, and we were 17 people. The staff was quick and friendly. Although we had a little argument with the owner about the restaurant.com gift card that we had. But he was compassionate and polite and agreed to gave us a good discount. The serving quantity was not upto the mark though, especially for the guys. But the taste and the rest was just marvellous.
(4)Fernando H.
The food was good but not great. The only thing I liked was the rice. The place was full of people of that culture so we felt out of place lol. Anyways the waiter was good to us. The hummus is good too.
(4)Traycie S.
The mixed plate... Totally delicious!! It's a lot food!! The lamb skewer had all the right flavors. You will not be disappointed. Very friendly service. We will make this one of our favorites when we come to town.
(5)Sally S.
Amazing food. Kebobs moist and wonderful Extremely flavorful. Rice with vermicelli extremely flavorful and perfectly cooked. Attentive servers. Pita bread fresh and soft but not remarkable. Lamb shank fell off the bone. Delicious! Casual mediterranean decor.
(4)Joel C.
I highly recommend this place if you're in the mood for kofta, grape leaves, hummus, tabouleh, kabobs, and other middle eastern foods. Rather than buying a way overpriced dinner at one of the local parks, make the trip over to this quaint little restaurant and eat huge portions for a fraction of the cost. Truly some of the best kofta I've tasted, and I was extremely happy with the service we received. Everyone was friendly, the staff went out of their way to interact with our kids, and the owner even stopped by to chat with us about our vacation. Give this place a try!
(4)Jess S.
I really want to give this place a 3 1/2. I love that this restaurant is very authentic. I love Mediterrian food, mainly the way they marinate and grill the chicken kabob. My fiancé and I were seated immediately upon arrival. We ordered off the lunch menu because it's a Great value. You pick an entree off their lunch menu and it comes with hummus, and soup or salad. My fiancée and I both choose the shish Tamook which is the chicken Shish kabob and lentil soup. I must say the lentil soup was hot and had great flavor. The only thing is that I'm not really into puréed soup. The texture freaks me out. I understand that this is the way the lentil soup is made in middle eastern culture. Not a big deal. Our lunch entree came out right after the lentil soup and unfortunately for me my chicken wasn't cooked all the way. My plate was replaced of course, but It took forever to get my new plate. I had to pick up a family member and waiting as long as I did made me late. Once my food finally came out, the chicken Shish kabob was delicious!! Even better than the first time. The seasoning was right on! I didn't care much for the rice, hummus and white sauces on my plate. I love hummus so I was kind of disappointed that it wasn't better. Overall, I loved the chicken Shish kabob a lot! The lunch menu is definitely worth it. The service was good, and my fiancée and I would definitely come again.
(3)Sardor S.
I didnt try the food yet. But i am ready to give some review about the place. Customer service SUCKS!! i do understand that there are people from your country and they are your valued customers. But you cannot forget about other people and tell them you will be back in 2 minutes for 20 minutes in a raw. I came here to break my fast in a good mood. They destroyed all my appetites. Assalamu alaykum!!!!!
(2)Kristen P.
I was a little nervous with the mixed reviews here so I came with low expectations. Let me say first, the food AND the service were outstanding. We let the server know we were celebrating our anniversary and he gave us a complimentary hummus and pita. We also had the elderly owner and another employee come over and wish us Happy Anniversary. The meat was cooked perfectly and was flavorful and tender. I would come here again in a heartbeat to try other items on the menu!
(5)Steven L.
Extremely delicious food and great service. We ordered two appetizers, the cool cucumbers with yogurt and the hummus. They served it with a side of pita that was warm and fresh. The meals are well portioned. Our server Fatima was attentive and courteous. Would definitely recommend if you like middle eastern food.
(5)Cristina A.
Great food!!! Sums it up pretty well. I had a Chicken Gyro (Shawarma). First bite and I was sold (tasted authentic). The setting was great. I loved the furnishing and lighting. Definitely didn't expect it to look like that since it is located at a plaza near 192. They do have a kids menu in case anyone was wondering :) I gave 4 stars for service, wish our waitress was just a bit more attentive and made some recommendation since it was our first time there. But she did bring our drinks out fast and served my daughter before our food was served. All in all great food, highly recommend all ages to come. I will definitely return and order the lamb entree.
(4)Derek K.
Passable as decent Mediterranean food, and definitely probably one of the better eating choices given the area. So what gives Jerusalem 3 stars? Prices are decent, food is decent. The atmosphere of the restaurant was actually pretty good and perhaps its most redeeming quality. But there is just as much preventing it from qualifying for above 3 stars. Most significantly, the meat (lamb) was overcooked and tough, not tender and juicy as good lamb kebab should be. Service was fairly slow. The spreads, rice, and pita are all fine, though I've have better elsewhere. The bottom line is, you are pretty much getting what you pay for, no more, no less.
(3)Jennifer A.
We ordered the gyro entree and the meat Schwarma - the meat was fabulous and the rice was full of flavor! We started the meal with sample appetizer and it was a great way to sample. Great local restaurant!!
(5)Amal A.
Absolutely delicious food. I had the mixed kabab platter and had a taste of my mother's lamb shanks, both cooked to perfection. Service is great and our waiter is super nice! I'm glad I stopped in!
(5)Dico B.
I can't tell if the food or service was better but either way both were so great that it does not even matter. EAT HERE. The lamb and cous cous is crazy good. Moroccan tea is crazy good. Also, very friendly for us lactards.
(5)Gayatri J.
Good Mediterranean food for Orlando. I would have given them a 3.5 instead of a 4. We had the hummus, babaganoush and lentil soup for appetizer. We ordered the vegetarian falafel sandwich as entree. Everything was wonderful and you can't beat the prices. With gratuity included it cost us under $40. Waitress was courteous n we got a table immediately. Service was pretty good and prices were reasonable.
(4)Rafael C.
as good as it gets for middle eastern food in central florida. We normally order the mazza apetizer and the kebab combination, along with an extra order of kinbeh, and it feeds a family of 4. Highly recommended.
(5)Yazeed A.
The food is great, we had a hummus and fried kippeh as appetizer the main dish was kofta kabbab, it's delicious
(5)Cortney B.
My husband and I went by the excellent reviews on here and decided to come eat at Jerusalem.. Unfortunately our experience wasn't quiet as great as everyone else's. We waited at our table for about ten minutes before anyone came over to greet us, and when our server came over she was very friendly. If only her service was as great as her attitude. She came over to our table a total of 3 times our whole visit and I never did get a refill of my water. As far as the food goes we started out with an order of the Baba Ghanoush. It was pretty good if it had not been for the pita bread which was very tough and cardboard like. For my entree I ordered the Chicken Schwarma and my husband ordered the chicken tawook. My Schwarma was very dry and flavorless; the chicken tawook was burnt to a crisp. The cucumber salad tasted strictly of Greek yogurt... If you are familiar with Mediterranean food you will know that it should not taste like this. I suggest avoiding this restraunt if you're looking for appetizing Mediterranean cooking.
(2)Julie T.
I've been here twice. Four years ago and most recently last night. My whole family loves it here. My one daughter is vegan so getting away from the resort area and chain restaurants allows her to have a nice meal out. Service and food great. Prices reasonable and it's a very relaxing environment. If you like Middle Eastern food you can't go wrong here.
(4)Alfredo S.
Great restaurant! All the food is very autochthonous. My favorite when on the go is the mixed shawarma sandwich, but when dinning in I make sure to try something new from the menu. Hummus and baba ghannouge are great apetizers.
(5)Shaghath A.
Bad restaurant and bad experience! The waiters are very rude ! Not recommend this restaurant Stay away!
(1)Asif H.
I was recommended this place by the layali hookah cafe a few doors down, I was enjoying my afternoon having shisha, was hungry but they don't have food, just teas and specialty drinks, so they told me to get the food from Jerusalem restaurant and bring it in the hookah cafe, so I ordered a shish Tawook wrap and fries, it was delicious and so juicy and filled with freshness, I enjoyed every bite and would go back while I'm still in Orlando, their menu looked amazing. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Bill R.
Just a 15 minute drive away from Downtown Disney, worth a trip off-campus. I ordered the Shish Tawook (chicken kabab) and they were very accommodating to my no-onion request. My wife had the Kafta Kabab (beef & lamb), which was even better than mine. The Moroccan Tea is something special. I will be looking for some when I get home!
(5)Jennifer O.
I loved this place. It was a fantastic reprieve from the cringe-worthy touristy strips chock-full of chain restaurants with mediocre (at best) food that festoon Kissimmee, since it's the affordable lodging area for families headed to Disneyworld. The food was tasty and fresh; the portions were large; the prices were reasonable; the inside was clean; the decor was tasteful; and locals were actually eating there. Enough said.
(4)Daniel A.
Found this place at Yelp. It was highly recommended so we decided to give it a try. Food was really good, well seasoned and in good portions. We had gyros, kafta, kebab, kibbeh and falafel - all really tasty and well grilled (or fried). The only problem was that the owner would not accept the 10% discount from Yelp's checkin.
(4)Tasha R.
Don't waste your money here for middle eastern food. I had lamb chops for $18 that were burnt and cooked well done. No flavor at all. I like mine medium rare but they didn't ask how I would like it cooked so I got burnt lamb chops instead. Hummus was so so. Nothing to want more of. Fattosh salad tasted like a regular American salad as there was no sumac spice in it. What a waste of a meal and $50. Bland food at its best..
(1)Mai N.
We visit Kissimmee at least once a year. This was our first time ordering from this place. There's an outdoor sitting area and plenty of tables inside. Didn't do sit down. Came around noon on a weekday so it was really slow. There were only 2 other small parties. We ordered a chicken and falafel schwarma: tasty and juicy bc of the ?yogurt sauce? The gyro was bland and dry bc there was no sauce. For dessert, we ordered 1 kanafeh and it was delicious. It's shredded filo dough with a thin layer of cheese on the bottom. Warm and not too sweet. We had no idea what it was so we ordered only one to sample. Wish we had ordered more.
(4)Scott S.
Ate at the Jerusalem Restaurant. Very good. Son and I had lamb legs. Very tender and good. I may prefer a stronger lamb taste but it was very good. Wife some kind of chicken dish and daughter something else. Everyone was happy with the food. Waitress was very nice and helpful. Good customer service. She says her favorite was lamb kabobs, which I almost chose. If back again (live across the country), that's probably what I will get. We all had deserts too - I really like baklava and don't get it often. We came in at about 7pm and not many people there. By just after 8pm the place was packed. Appeared to be at least half middle-eastern born people. Probably a good sign...
(4)Danielle C.
I came here with my family because there was a coupon for 10% off your entire order. However, we went during lunch hour, and the lunch specials did not allow any outside coupons applied, so we just ended up eating lunch specials at their regular prices. The prices were not the cheapest prices around but better than, say, a place in NYC of course! Their rice is really good. It has those small brown noodles that I am still not sure what they are after all these years! The rice is really flavorful, I want to say a hint of cinnamon and saffron perhaps. The gyro meat that they had was not bad, perhaps slightly dry. The hummus is pretty good though and pairs well with the pita bread. Their lentil soup was a bit too lentil-y if that makes sense - the scent and taste of lentils were a bit overwhelming. The white tzatziki sauce was not bad although it does not come with the food automatically - you have to ask for it as a side. My sister in particular liked the sauce. I would come back with some reservations though. My sister did get the stomach flu or food poisoning a few hours after we ate here, and I had a feeling it was due to something in her food, perhaps the meat she ate.
(4)Mohamed A.
Great restaurant. Food is just awesome, nice atmosphere Best kabob, kofta, lamb that I have ever had Just YUM!
(5)Andreea F.
Great place!! Very nice atmosphere, the food is very very tasty! The combination platter is the best! Also they have little grocery store next door where you can get authentic groceries! Would come back for sure!
(5)Asma A.
Great prices and good food... Definitely one of your hole in the wall type of joints! I ordered beef kabobs and shawarma Service was super slow!
(3)Juan Carlos M.
Food was fantastic! Came here on a whim on our way out of the parks. Had the schawarma and the gyro. Good service. The owner came to find out if food was to our liking. Would recommend. Will try to make it a frequent stop on our next trips.
(4)Montrew N.
Had mazza plate so we could try everything with warm pitas. Yum. Combo kabobs. Chicken was juicy and flavorful! Kids menu too. Very good place.
(4)Adel A.
Management needs an immediate action on service. Too slow even the restaurant was almost empty. Waitress never checked on us to see if anything needed. Manager ended up taking our order for desert and served it himself! We waited for 25min for our check and ended up going to the teller to pay. Food was average and nothing impressive to compensate for the bad service!
(1)Liz M.
Went for late lunch this weekend. I am constantly on the look out for good Middle Eastern food, being originally from Detroit where it is plentiful and living in St Pete where I have had no luck. My #1 complaint is that it seems like every mid-east restaurant down here WAY overcooks the shish kafta (or kefta). This place was as close as I've gotten in Florida to what I miss from up north. It was still a little too well done, for my preference... but that's all it really is, my preference. We had the hummus appetizer which was pretty good, nice texture, and sandwiches. The sandwiches are bigger than either of us expected for the price. My friend had the shwarma which she liked, except for the fact that she was surprised that it had lettuce and tomato on it and she said the garlic sauce was more like mayo. My shish kefta had great flavor, just a little too crunchy for me. The server was friendly and was on top of refills, owner or manager (older fellow with glasses) was super nice, checked up on us.
(4)Ulla M.
From someone who loves Mediterranean food and I've tried so many this is one of my top 10 favorites!!! Great food!!!
(5)Cynthia L.
One of my favorite restaurants. I've been coming here for about 15 years. Get the Chicken Shawerma or the Lamb Kabobs and you won't be disappointed! But I've never had something here that I didn't like! Lunch deals are excellent or get a sandwich if you want a cheaper meal!
(5)Lisa Yang N.
I wouldn't recommend the restaurant. The chicken and beef are over cook and portion was so small compare the price they charged.
(2)Mitchell H.
Fantastic. Went for lunch during the week, service was awesome. Authentic grape leaves and amazing hummus. The Kefta sandwich was very good and the portions for everything were spot on. They split the check without us asking making it a pain free experience at the end of the meal.
(5)AJ S.
The food was overpriced. Mixed grill meats were too dry. Money was better spent in a real chain restaurant for the price paid.
(2)Hedaya F.
Let me start off by saying, this was one of the best middle eastern resturants I've ever been to. The food was amazing and out of the six people in my family, no one complained about a thing and almost everyone licked the plate clean. The service was just as good as the waitress brought all the food with a smile on her face. Seriously, I would recommend this to everyone.
(5)Big Phatt W.
The food was very good and the service was good as well. I would go back.
(4)Zach H.
Had it not been 10pm on a Monday and not looking to grab a late dinner after a long day, I probably wouldn't have found this place. It's open until 11, close to the hotel, and they have a Yelp check-in deal for 10% off. The restaurant decor was nice and made me feel like I was in Jerusalem (even though there was a banner in the back of the room with Morocco on it, which I found a little odd considering the restaurant's name is Jerusalem). Well the menu looked great and I was so hungry it took me several minutes to decide what to order. The extensive menu offered Kabobs, Shwarma, and Moussaka (to name a few).... all of which I love. I decided on the Kabob Combination which was Lamb, Chicken, and Ground Beef kabobs over rice with a side salad. After I placed my order, my extremely nice server brought out pita bread and a small bowl of hummus, which came with the meal. The pita came out soft and warm and the hummus was awesome. So after about 15 min, the server informed me that there were complications with the grill so my food was delayed. She proceeded to bring me an additional large plate of hummus and I soon forgot that my food was delayed :-P. So when my food finally came out, it was so late (about 10:45) and the plate was so big that I had planned on eating half of it and saving the rest for lunch the next day... I ended up eating everything because it was so delicious. The Kabobs were seasoned well and perfectly cooked. It was a great find and an excellent dining experience. I'll definitely be telling my colleagues to check this place out.
(5)Tbird U.
Love this place! Amazing food, great prices (a 6$ sandwich), and awesome service. The mint tea was freshly made to order. Owner thought our food took too long (hint: we didn't even notice) and gave us free baklava for dessert to apologize. I would recommend this place to all of my friends when they're in the area.
(5)Frank L.
I'm really not sure why this place warrants more than a 3 star review. Honestly, the only reason we tried Jerusalem was because of our Restarant.com certificate. The food is average at best, but the service is terribly slow. Our waitress was more interested in watching American Idol than coming to our table. I think I had to get up a total of 3 times to ask for things. Not cool! The ambiance is kind of cool, and imagine it is better in the evening, just not sure I will make it back :( For better portions, service and taste..I would recommend King O Falafel. They have Groupon's daily.
(2)Paula H.
This little gem is tucked away in the middle of the tourist district, but well worth the trip. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming and the food is tasty, with generous portions and good value. My hubby loves the lamb shank, which is fall off the bone tender. I'm a fan of the hummus and gyro. Only reason i didnt give it 5 stars was because i prefer fountain drinks to canned, although you do get one free refill. Gotta give this place a try.
(4)Lynn Z.
We stopped here because we wanted something different. Not the normal chains that are everywhere in the area. It was approximately 7 pm when we arrived and only one other table inside. So service was prompt. We started with the baba ghanoush a roasted eggplant spread with tahini. It came promptly and with 4 pita loaves. We also ordered the Moroccan tea. Loved it! For the main course we opted for the moussaka. Yes another vegetarian dish but quite tasty. Seasoned and nicely cooked NOT over cooked rice. So a surprisingly decent meal on a spur of the moment find. Would recommend it! Only thing I forgot to do was check in to receive my 10% discount. Still a good price for a dinner for two.
(4)Judy H.
Friendly service, delicious kabobs and baklava as well as the pita bread. We 4 adults were very satisfied .
(5)Ahmad Y.
Fair service, Good food not the greatest middle eastern food indeed. I recommend it anyway
(4)Aj T.
Great little place!!! We ordered the sample platter, and the falafel was very good, the hummus had a generous drizzle if oil, and the baba Ghanoush had great spices in it. Also, the pita was very fresh. We each also had a wrap, my husbands was the shawarma. It was ever so slightly dry, but the sauce they used was amazing and made up for it. As for my shush kabob sandwich... The meat was tender, tasty, and had a hint of char for flavor! A great sandwich! I only wish I hadn't eaten all the hummus, so I could have had some with the sandwich.
(4)Faris A.
Very tasty and clean. Excellent customer service. The gyros are perfectly spiced and the mazza is great for two or three max.
(5)Nessma B.
I love this place the food is excellent the crew is awesome they always make their customers feel special and the entertainment well, it makes you wanna get up and dance to the beautiful music.
(5)Michael S.
Jerusalem Restaurant serves authentic Middle Eastern food in an unpretentious setting and slightly "out of the way" location. Don't think Bosphorous or Cedar's; there is very little pomp about this place, as the decor is very modest and there is no alcohol served on the premises. The food, however, is a real winner. While the appetizers of hummus and baba ghanoush are great, the chicken and beef shish kebabs are the reason for coming here, grilled over an open flame and placed on top of a rice pilaf flavored with sumac. Those craving some heat should ask the "spicy red sauce."
(4)James C.
Great food, good prices, really good service. These folks were accommodating of our large family and fed us so well we came back the next day. Not a bad item on the menu. We particularly enjoyed the appetizer sampler and their spectacular breads. Great sandwiches, too.
(5)Peter T.
I really enjoyed the lamb shank and the rice...enjoyed seeing families eating there. The waiters were very helpful in learning the menu..
(5)Okko O.
I generally don't use the term "hidden gem," because it gets tossed around fairly often, but in this case it seems appropriate to call Jerusalem Restaurant a hidden gem. I am so glad my family decided to try to this place out after reading about it in our "Frommer's" guidebook. Not far from the hordes of people at Downtown Disney and the cheesy souvenir shops of Kissimmee, this small restaurant sits obscurely in yet another strip mall, next to an e-cigarette shop. The food is tasty, fresh, and authentic, and a welcome reprieve from the usual Orlando vacation fare of chain restaurants. It's not the best Mediterranean food I've ever had, but it was still fresh and tasty, and I'm fairly certain it's one of the best restaurant options in the area. Altogether, the price, location, service, and quality of the food for Kissimmee elevates it to a 4 star, enthusiastic rating. They offer pita sandwiches, entrees, and a variety of Mediterranean dips and salads. They offer falafel and hummus, but they also have kifta (seasoned lamb and ground beef) and lamb kebobs. The portions are fairly generous; three of us shared two plates because we weren't famished. We had the appetizer sampler (falafel, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and kibeh) and an entree kofta kebob plate. We also took home a piece of baklava. As with any Mediterranean restaurant, there are many vegetarian options. Our server was pleasant, attentive and helpful, but not overbearing (I hate that.) She answered our questions and gave us a few recommendations of her own, as well as shared what others liked to order. The interior is dim, but this actually gave the place the feel of a sanctuary because the Florida sun is so unrelenting for most of the afternoon. The decor was clean and tasteful, with dark wood tables and tourism posters of the Mediterranean. It was a comfortable place to be and especially encouraging to see so many local families eating there, even though it was late afternoon when we arrived. It was a bit pricier than I normally pay for Mediterranean food at home in Chicago, but then again I usually have no-frills Mediterranean, and most things come at a premium price in the theme park zone, so I didn't really mind. You can tell the chef and owners take a lot of care presenting their dishes, even if they're simply plated. They also have a lunch special, which I'm sure would have been a better deal, so if we return I'd want to time it for the lunch special. If you're in the area, definitely support them for the good food and because it's not one of the giant chains. You'll feel better for it, especially if you're indulging in Disney on vacation, and you'll have tasty, fresh food too.
(4)Sara H.
The owner is very polite and makes a point of coming out to make sure that the diners are taken care of. Love the eggplant dish, hummus, tabouleh, and pretty much everything else I've tried there. And the prices are definitely reasonable.
(5)Winnie T.
Service was kind of slow, but food was great! I believe if you check in on yelp, you get 10% off as well.
(4)Nabeel A.
Every time I visit Orlando, finding good ethnic food becomes an issue, a quest. Jerusalem restaurant solved that issue for me and the other 6 people with me. We ordered variety of Kabobs, Lamb Shank, Gyro, Kids meals etc. and everything was perfect. I will certainly return on my next trip to Orlando. Thanks Jerusalem!
(4)Jason C.
We came here on Christmas eve. Very packed and the service was slow. I witnessed a customer sitting outside the patio and the manager arguing because the customer complained how slow the service was and their food was never brought back in time. The situation was not handled nicely by the manager. One of the younger staff was extremely rude as well. This place seems under staffed and the waiters are tirelessly running around and forgetting about their customers' orders all over the place. Food was good and quite satisfying; when it did actually arrive. I ordered the Shawarma plate, portions are huge and the taste is passable. I wasn't expecting anything special since I've had middle-eastern food many times before. I'd go back again, the prices are okay, not over the top.
(3)D S.
I do think that this is a solid addition to the Middle Eastern restaurant list, but... The location is easy to find, but the sign "FALAFEL & KABABS" drown out the restaurant's name that's done in small script on the bottom. Small Fry was convinced we were going to the wrong place! The restaurant is much larger than I thought it would be, with both tables and booths available. Over to the right hand side is a small buffet setup, but no signage as to when it might be open. Our waitress was lovely, but there was an obvious language barrier as we tried to ask questions and order. Small Fry and I shared the kabab plate; chicken, beef and kefta on a bed of rice. On the side was served a small dollop of garlic sauce, hummus and a small handful of shredded lettuce with a slice of tomato. It looked good, but the chicken was overcooked, beef was tough and kefta was on the bland side. Also, 4 pita halves were served to us in a basket. Entree was a little pricier than other places I've been, but the portion was a decent size. Boyfriend got the gyro & tabbouli,and didn't seem overjoyed. I'll probably have to do a second taste test to give a fair review, but honestly, I have a favorite place that I loathe to not go to! Next door, and connected to the restaurant is a small grocery store. In the case were pastries and baklava displayed in their boxes. Huge clue that they don't serve homemade desserts! If you need some specific Middle Eastern items they might have them, but I'd call first as the shop is small and space is very limited!
(3)Rafi A.
Really top rate Middle Easter food - among the best in Central Florida. All the meat is flavorful without being too salty. The lentil soup is so creamy and tangy you won't believe there's no dairy in there. The meat is all Halal, which means it passes the Islamic dietary rules. This was the first time I knowingly ate Halal meat. I think it is a much higher quality meat than the mass-produced stuff the chains use. I ate there on two occasions, the first time I had shish tawook, the second time the combination platter of three skewers, one chicken, one beef, one lamb. All were excellent. The taboulli salad was also a hit. It was tangy and flavorful without too much oil; very refreshing. Best of all, the owner is a great guy (not just because he goes by the same name as I do). He accommodated us right before closing time (11:00 p.m.) and talked with us for the better part of an hour. The only reason I don't give it five stars is the physical location is less than ideal. That said, I liked that there were people talking, laughing and having a great time on a weekday night way past closing time. It is a comfortable place with great food and nice people. If I return to Orlando, I'll definitely come back for more.
(4)Marvin M.
What a day. Worked all weekend and as soon as my shift was over @xobejm calls to ask if we were going to be adventurous today. My answer, "Oh Yeah!" Middle Eastern food was on my mind, but I expected a fast food place. This is a sit down restaurant with lots of style and class. The outside seating is spectacular. had read many reviews from @yelp about this place in my neck of the woods. Kissimmee has many hidden gems and this is definitely one of them. Rafat, the owner was nice enough to stop at our table and chat with us. The inside of the restaurant is top notch. The decor is gorgeous and the furniture gives the place a high end look. They have been in this area for over 5 years. Pita Bread. As we came in we were greeted by a few young ladies. One of them who happened to be our server. We weren't able to get her name, but she was nice. The pita bread was the first thing to come out and we devoured it in about second. Next up was my Turkish Coffee. One of the other servers mentioned me not sleeping tonight after having this drink. Nice and strong and very tasty. Now....LET'S TALK FOOD!! Mazza. A combination of hommous, baba ghamouge, grape leaves, tabbouli and kibbeb or falafel. We asked our server what she recommended. She suggested this plate and I am glad we tried it. A bit of everything. Very nice. @Xobejm ordered the Kids Spaghetti with meat served with tomato sauce. I had to take a bite because it smelled so good. This was very good. Not too saucy which is just like I like it and @xobejm too. Chicken Shawerma. Chicken breast pieces marinated with special spices, slowly roasted vertically on a skewer by low fire, thinly sliced served with rice and house salad. @Tarajroth ordered this and her favorite part was the Tahuni sauce. A sort of mayonnaise with garlic type sauce. This was the Foodbidden family favorite. Kabab Combination. A combination of shish kabab, shish kwook and kafta served on a bed or rice and house salad. Every piece of protein was fantastic. Cooked perfectly. So flavorful. After all this we were too full for dessert. What a great place. They also have a store next door where you can buy their cheese from their cheese plate and their pita bread too. Rafat, thank you so much for stopping by our table and speaking to us. It was nice to know about your business. You have a perfect restaurant and delicious food.
(5)A C.
Great restaurant. Tried this place based on Yelp reviews. We were totally satisfied with our meal. I shared the meal with a very picky eater from Jordan who is rarely satisfied with American Middle Eastern food... Even he was satisfied!! We ordered hummus, falafel, kibbeh, Arabic salad and mixed grilled meat plate. They were all so good. Hummus was one of the best we've had in a while and all the meat, kafta, chicken and beef were tender and seasoned very well. The salad was little too salty and small, beside that, it was excellent! The service was also great and the appetizer plates came out promptly.
(4)Stacie B.
Loved this restaurant! We got grape leaves and falafel as an appetizer and they were both amazing. I got a chicken dish (forgot the name!) and my husband got a lamb dish and both were also really good but we both decided the chicken was better. We sat outside and the service was really good. We also tried the Turkish coffee at the end and I would definitely recommend trying it and searching the internet for more information about what Turkish coffee is! Would definitely go back!
(5)Lindsay W.
I eat here at least once every two weeks....either just a quick take out of hummus and pita or sit down and enjoy thier cheese appitizer (remeber to ask for olives) and chicken shawerma. I have not ordered a single thing here and been unhappy. although once we tried to order the chicken livers and they said it would take 30 minutes and we passed on it, I am sure it would have been quite tasty. The decor has improved over the past few months as it seems they are under renovation and so far I am liking the improvements. They offer an outdoor patio for nice days when you would like to eat outside which is nice and i wish more places had this option. overall great food at a great price.
(4)Ari W.
Went to try new Mediterranean restaraunt this evening and I was less than impressed. I had a gyro like I normally would and tabbouleh. The tabbouleh had a strange texture and the gyro was just ok. I was not a fan of the flat large wrap that was used vs the normal thick pita. Service was ok but our server barely understood any English and it made the evening difficult. Maybe it's just my taste, because the girlfriend thought it was ok but me I will pass on revisiting this place.
(2)Pablo M.
Great hole in the wall. Went there at 9pm , looked closed but i guess the curtains make it look closed. I order the appetizer sampler called mazza, amazing . Best hummus so far , and the shish kabob was awesome too. Gyro sandwich is one of the best i've had.
(4)Catherine A.
Great food at reasonable prices for this area. Food was fresh, restaurant clean and service courteous and prompt. I ordered the mussakka which was delicious and a good amount with generous portion of rice and side salad, my daughter ordered the shish kabab sandwich, my husband the kabab combo and our little one ordered the shish tawook kabab with rice. All dishes arrived pipping hot, portions were very good and everything was very tasty. Would definitely recommend, many steps above any of the Disney restaurants we tried!
(5)Lynn D.
Stopped on our way to the hotel last night after seeing your sign on the highway. Thanks for the delicious, fresh, authentic food after a long flight. Great, non-chain restaurant among the land of Disney
(4)John L.
I found this place by accident and so glad I did. I have to say it is one of my top 3 "hole in the wall" places. After reading all the other great reviews, I cant say anymore than whats already been said. Great food, great prices, great friendly service, great restaurant. A note on the prices: My wife and I shared a soup and an appetizer, had an entree each, had a dessert each and each had the best mint tea Ive ever had.....total bill was only $34.00. We were going to have a night out at the parks but made the detour here instead. The bill would have been double at the parks for less food.
(5)Glen M.
Excellent! We had the sampler appetizer plate, good for first-timers, and it was all as good as or better than similar offerings elsewhere. The hummus was particularly notable. We then had kababs, which were also tops, served with a very tasty rice pilaf and house salad. Very generous servings at a good price. We also noted that many of the patrons seems to be of middle-eastern origin. Seeing ethic natives eating at their ethnicity's restaurant is always a good sign. We certainly will return.
(5)Sarah S.
Will definitely NOT go back!!!!!!!! We came at 930 pm and initially said we wanted take out. We ordered, paid, and in less than 3 minutes decided well just end up dining in instead. When asking the 2 girls if we can kindly be seated, she shook her head no, without a smile, and said You already made up your mind to take out, it's too late. WITHOUT any explanation, smile, or apologies!! Oh and.the restaurant closes at 11. We still had an entire hour and a half to be served. We asked again because we thought she misunderstood, but she repeated NO you cannot dine in because you already made up your mind, too late. We asked, "we're not allowed to change our mind 3 minutes later?" She said you should've decided that before, you must take out, and turned away. Of course, we called the manager, who sorted things out and we ended up dining in after all. It was a below average dining experience and extremely RUDE cashiers, who are in serious needs of hugs. We were so insulted!!
(1)Mike C.
As other reviewers have said, this is a little hole in the wall. But, don't be fooled! the food is amazing! The service was quick and quite atentive. We noticed some Middle Eastern folks come in for a meal so in my opinion this is certainly the real deal! They accepted my guy dog with no problem. They did ask a few questions but all was okay after that. I did get the feeling though that they hadn't had a guide dog owner in for a meal before. Thanks for treating me with respect guys! This is a great place to eat! When you're in Orlando and looking for something off the beaten path, you must come here!
(5)Jay N.
This is located on the corner of 192 (Irlo Bronson) and 535 (Vineland Rd.). It is a little hard to find because It is a little place, maybe 20 tables, and it is located in a strip center. Trust me, It is worth the hunt. The food is good, and the staff have always been friendly and attentive. I love to stop by and get a gyros for lunch ($6). Dinner is even better. Our favorite appetizer is just called cheese. The word alone doesn't do it justice. It is a combination of Bulgarian feta, nabulsia, syrfan, and yachekamal. It is happiness in your mouth! Haven't heard of some of them? It's all good. Did I mention that this place is family owned? They also own the Mediterranean market next door where they sell all the cheeses. The bread you get with olive oil after you are seated is great. The kabobs are very good, served with a yummy rice and med salad. The beef and chicken Shawerma are tender and delicious and served with the same sides. Every entree I have had was good. Here is the kicker. The baklava can be ordered with your choice of walnuts, cashews or pistachios in a tasty honey mixture. It's a buck something a piece!!!! Homemade goodness! You can taste the freshness in all the ingredients they use. The decor is kind of eclectic, but it is cool. The is about a four foot section of wall covered with all different denominations of middle eastern currency. Outdoor seating is also available. Great for lunch...all sandwiches are 6 bucks, and even better for dinner.
(4)K C.
Excellent food. Fresh and flavorful. Our family favorite during our Orlando destination for the past 5 years. The staff is very nice and helpful. Must try.
(5)Stefanie B.
I've dined in once almost before they closed & received friendly, good service. My friend & I both Loved the food that night as well as the next reheated! A few months later, I got take out & it was just as good! The price is right, too!
(4)Dennis M.
Had to try it based on reviews listed here and it was very good. The waitress was very nice explaining the menu. We had the Mazza which had a assortment of hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and other stuff. Wether had the skewers of beef,chicken and lamb. Will come back when in Orlando again.
(5)Jay S.
This halal / middle-eastern restaurant at 192 and Vineland has served as our working lunch hangout a couple of times during our stay in Kissimmee. I've said it before in other reviews (sorry) but it's great, small, local restaurants like these that make me wonder why people only go to the big chains that seem to line 192 as far as the eye can see in either direction. No problem, all the better for us. So long as they can stay in business, I'm happy to be only one of three busy tables in the place. It means that our food was hot and fresh, and the free WiFi was empty and fast. Ah, but the food. How was the food I hear you asking? Great. The first time I ate there I ordered the "meat" (lamb/beef combo) Gyro, which was pretty good. The only negative was the Pita bread (same as for the Hummus appetizer) which tasty stale, flat and store bought. Don't know if it was because I said something (thank you Yelp?) but the second time we went we were delighted to see that they are now baking their own pitas daily. This time they were warm, fluffy and delicious. So good in fact that we went to their attached middle-eastern food store next door and bought a fresh pack of them to take home. I've also had the lamb shank there. I'm probably not the best to review it because I'm a lamb shank snob. (where is my Tulang!?!!) But overall it was pretty good. The bed of orzo was very nice and the meat was well cooked, if not the most flavorful. The service was of course incredibly attentive given the lack of anything else for her to be doing in the restaurant. Please stay in business. Please keep baking your own pitas. Please leave those addictive Saudi soap operas on the TV, so I don't have to focus on my boring laptop and be swept away by the scent of cardamon, my mint tea and the bizarre love triangles on TV. Jay.
(4)Adriene A.
This is a classic little hole in the wall that goes beyond expectations. The 5 stars are for food (delicious, and I'll tell you how good in a minute), good service and outstanding value. I am from a geographic area where it is possible to get good middle eastern food, and this ranks right up there. We went there (family of 4), everyone enjoyed it. When we went in there was a young man who was definitely middle eastern eating, and he said he eats there about 3 times a week. It was so good that the next day we called in an order of chicken shawerma sandwiches to take with us to the airport. It is in a little strip mall, so don't take any high-and-mighty types, but it is perfectly clean with a pleasant ambiance. The people making the food are the real deal. If you have foodie friends who like good food at a great price, this place may be habit-forming. It was one of the best places we ate during our vacation. I recommend it and would definitely go there again if I am in Kissimmee for anything.
(5)Dan M.
I must say, I always find myself back at this little spot. I've tried other Middle Eastern places in the area (Falafel Market, Ahem...) and none of them seem to match the quality of the meals here. Only thing missing on the menu is Fatoush, but that doesn't deter me from going back 2-3 times a week for a Tawook or Lamb Kabobs. 5-stars all around
(5)Lyn J.
Best in Kissimmee. Locals should know this is the best Middle Eastern food in town period. And if you are traveling it doesn't get any better than this. The grilled meat is succulent, juicy cooked to perfection. Each item has distinct flavor to the dish, making each bite something to savor. The mazza was artfully presented as if we were the only guests that mattered, and the inside dining was packed. The outside was comfortable and the server was very attentive. We have been going here for years, but something amazing happened to a place we always made a point to visit, it got even better, yes no joke it is now a two visit destination per vacation....worth it. Everything we have ever ordered was delicious. We will be back again and again. Thank you Jerusalem, keep up the good work.
(5)Dan M.
Felt like kababs and this really hit the spot! My girlfriend and I had the hummous with chicken shawerma and the kabab combination. The combo comes with three skewers: lamb, ground beef, and chicken. Total price was $25 for two people before tip. We both left happy and full!
(5)Basil A.
I love this place, and I try to eat there whenever I am in the area, which unfortunately is rare. The restaurant is just your average Middle Eastern setup with no flash or pizazz cares, I am here to eat and get on my way. I usually order actually two, I'm a big eater) of the sandwiches, which are priced just right at $4.95, or $5.95, depending on which one you get. They are fairly large and size and will satisfy most people's appetite. The sandwiches include falafal, gyro, lamb meat, lamb cubes, and chicken cubes. My favorites are the falafal and chicken cubes(shish tawook), but I enjoy all of them. My wife loves Musakkah(sp?) in Greek restaurants, but she also enjoyed the Arab style Musakkah they served here. Another dish she has tried and loved are the ground lamb kebabs. Even though they aren't out of this world the best you have ever had, they are still very good. We both enjoy the rice very much, as it is very tasty. The humus, falafel, and pita bread is also very fresh and very good. I do think the falafel is a little over priced for what it is. Same with the humus. All in all, there isn't a place in the area I would rather eat. They are pretty close to the Premier outlets off of I-4 and 535, so if you are out shopping there, these people deserve a chance. PS- They do not serve alcohol.
(5)Carl L.
Kabobs were deliciously great. Had the mixed ones with lamb, beef and chicken. May have to visit one more time before leaving the Orlando area.
(5)Brad Q.
Salads were somewhere between forgettable and regrettable, but the sandwiches were EXCELLENT. Chicken Shwarma pita and Beef (or was it lamb?) Shwarma pita sandwiches were both as good as I've had anyplace. Hummus and the other salad (maybe it was a greek salad?) were both not good. Hummus had way too much oil and not enough flavor - and the salad had a foul tasting dressing that essentially made it inedible. Would probably stop here for a quick lunch and get sandwiches, but would pass on dinner where the middle-eastern salads are more integral to the meal.
(3)Chad S.
Ok, the place isnt totally atmospheric. However, the hostess / waitress was cute enough to probably get me beat up if I made a pass at her. . . Flicker flame bulbs in the wall sconces definitely (imo) give it an air of ... what is the word i'm looking for?... romance? probably not, but I love those things. Al Jazeera news on the TV.... (these are all positive things, by the way) We started with a hummus plate, which was delicious, and I had the falafel wrap. It took a little long, it seemed, to prepare, but it was pretty damn good ... though, I have never had horrible falafel. I have had not great falafel, and this ranks on the opposite, more positive side. The other dish was the meat shwarma wrap, and since I am vegetarian, I quote: "It was fine. It was warm. It was wrapped in foil. It was fresh. It was good." Free wi-fi, too.
(4)Scott M.
Great food and service! Kabob combo is a great value! Hummus was great, service was fantastic. It's in an out of the way location so you have to look hard for it, but well worth it. Kids portions are huge. Falafals were great, and come 4 per order. Very much recomended.
(4)Gerry R.
Four of us ate here, getting there late in the evening as my wife is attending a conference hearby. We ordered a huge appetizer tray with hummous, baba ganoush, tabouli, olives and fresh pita. We followed that with gyros, chick shawerma, meat(beef) shawerma and something which I don't recall since I didn't order it. It was all good. The baba ganoush was the best I've ever had. It is a bit tricky to find being sort of hidden behind a Taco Bell in a very non-descript strip mall. But it is definitely worth looking for,
(5)Lawrence C.
Went here with a buddy of mine because we were feeling a little bit like mediterranean. This was the closest place to us that had some pretty good ratings. This place is in a seedy part of town. In fact, the strip mall it's in looks abandoned. We go inside the restaurant and it looks pretty nice inside. I order the gyro and my friend orders the falafel. I also order a kibbeh. The kibbeh was a little dry, but tasty. No problem though with it being dry, I just soak it in the hummus. The gyro was really tasty. My friend likes the falafel, but he felt there should have been more than 3 falafel balls.
(4)Rob H.
Food was above average. but it took forever to get it. Kabobs were yummy, hummus very good as well. Make sure you have some time when you visit this place as dinner took almost 90 minutes to get (drinks took almost 25 to arrive). Service was very very slow even though the place was not full. Stick to the sandwiches and kabobs, both were good.
(3)Michael A.
Very good food. The waitress was very polite.
(5)Jeff M.
I concur with the other reviews here for the most part. The hummus appetizer was good, the pitas warm and soft, shish tawook was delicious, the gyro plate good, and the baklava in need of improvement. The rice pudding was pretty good, and the 'kids' portion of spaghetti would have been considered a large adult portion. The location isn't quite as 'abandoned' looking as one reviewer said.
(4)Ann S.
We were on vacation and decided to eat here. We ended up getting lost for over an hour before making it to this wonderful place. Luckily, it was well worth the wait! We ordered the mazza (combination of hummous, baba ghannouge, grape leaves, tabbouli and falafel). It was literally amazing-the flavors were very authentic. I especially enjoyed the baba ghannouge and the tabbouli. My husband and I split it and he ordered the kafta kabab, which he enjoyed and I ordered a greek salad. I would not have had to order my salad at all (although it was very good!). I kept requesting that he finish the food from the mazza because I could not fathom having to waste such good food. We ended up taking most of my greek salad and the remainder of the mazza with us! The service was attentive and the staff friendly. Would go back in a heartbeat!
(5)