I don't usually write reviews but I felt compelled because of our terrible experience. I went here with my husband and our 2-year-old based on great reviews and what a disappointment. I can't say anything about the quality of food but I can tell you the service is bad. We didn't eat here because we ended up leaving. After sitting for half an hour, we didn't even get water. No apologies for making us wait. What kind of restaurant doesn't offer something to drink while you sit there? I understand they only have one waiter but come on, if you're going to charge such high prices for food at least be courteous enough to give us water! I saw the staff taking care of a large table because that meant more money. I watched the waiter take a phone call and a to-go order when someone walked in and he took care of other customers but us. Seriously?! It was like we weren't there. If someone offered us something to drink and said, "I'm sorry we're really busy tonight" perhaps we would've stayed and tried the food people are raving about. They also need to update their prices on the website because it's different from the restaurant menu. We spent $50 somewhere else where the service was excellent. If you're hungry, do not come here because the service is poor unless you want to wait... you'll be thirsty and starving!
(1)
JoAn E.
My first experience with Shanaz and I have to say I was quite impressed. I have been wanting to try this place ever since they opened and since my favorite soul food place that was on Broadway closed. Shanaz is kind of tucked away in a strip mall off of Main Street in Meridian across the street from Meridian Speedway. Careful because if you are not looking for it closely you could easily pass by it and that would be a shame. I came at the tail end of their lunch hours but was greeted nonetheless with a warm welcome. Bob Marley music was at a nice volume and really set the mood for what would be a really nice experience. I mean who doesn't like Marley, right? I ended up ordering a Korean taco which I know sounds strange for a soul food place. And a shrimp Po Boy sandwich with a salad instead of fries and their house sesame dressing. Topped it off with a sweet tea. The Korean taco was really good and even better was the jalapeño sauce that came with it. The meat was flavored just right and if I didn't have a sando coming I could've easily had three more. The salad was one of my favorite things traditional but has crunchy fried onions on top and with that house dressing I could've seriously just dunked straight veggies in it, it's that good. The sweet tea is very sweet and was missing the traditional lemon wedge on the top to make it truly southern in this humble gal's opinion but no worries ask and you shall receive! I was brought a couple of wedges on the side. I am sure if I would've added more ice it would've been perfect! The Shrimp PO boy sandwich was great and served with a lemon wedge but was missing hot sauce to add as an option when I asked for hot sauce options I was offered tapatio or cholula...what?? Which would be my only real criticism. A soul food place should have either a signature hot sauce or a wall of hot sauces that are typical to the style of cooking. Not to worry I always make the best of what I've got. I had some of the jalapeño sauce left over from my taco and tried it on the sandwich and BOOM!! It was awesome! So with another side of that sauce it transformed my shrimp po boy from good to the bomb! Yeah I think I've said it before I like my stuff spicy. ;-) Curtis was an amazing server!! He refilled my drink at the right times, answered questions to the best of his knowledge and checked on my status often. I will definitely be returning to Shanaz for some more of its soul!! Yes!
(4)
Chris H.
This is not your typical restaurant food. Taste just like home cooked. Cornbread with ever meal. Super good. We tryed the fried green tomatoes just because we saw the movie. And they were as good as a chick flick.. Not sure I'm supposed to say things like that.. Anyway the spicy ranch dip was very tasty. But the star of the night goes to the fried chicken and the gravy was Awesome! I would actually drink the gravy. :) The is a small neighborhood restaurant with good service. The downside.... The sweet tea is good, but a big beer or a glass of wine would be better.. Or even 2 beers. Just sayin. Chicken this good should be offered as takeout.
(4)
Gregg M.
We ended up here the other night with three other colleagues. Two had been here before, and two of us (including me) had not. I didn't really know what to expect, but the two who had been to this place before described it as a Polynesian soul food kind of a place. Whatever that means! All of us eat out frequently for work, and therefore we know a thing (or two) about good food or at least, we think we do. One of the dangers of traveling (and eating out) a lot is you run out of ideas on where we should go to eat. For my friends and I, anything different is good, and different, delicious and friendly is like hitting the trifecta. We didn't exactly order our meal but instead instructed the waitress to bring us whatever she thought we would like. Complete chefs choice. Like keep bringing the food and we'll tell you when to stop. Many dishes later, I had somewhat forgotten everything we tried, but for sure it was all somewhat unique and all delicious. Most of it was in the style I would call comfort foods (like smothered pork chops and black tea pork with sesame seeds and rice). Other dishes were on the fancier side. But mostly I had the impression of honest, delicious, memorable home cookin'. I can tell when I'm in a place where the owner cares about their food and this place had that vibe. All of us had a great time, eating, drinking, and laughing. We ended up closing the place down. Never did we feel Ike we were being rushed out the door. Great food, friendly people, unique choices. It was such a pleasurable experience that I'm sure i'll be back!
(5)
Ophelia M.
That I know of, Shanaz is the only full blown Soul Food restaurant in the area. Sure, there's a food truck that touts itself a soul food sensation. And, yeah, there's yet another food truck offering Southern inspired eats (some of it bordering on Soul food).. But, a full blown--sit down, here's a menu, and some corn bread for you to munch on while you wait--Soul Food joint? This is your one and only option. Thankfully, it's a good one. Bring them your tired, your poor, your huddled masses and Shanaz will feed them fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and mac & cheese balls fit for the tattered prides of kings. The powdered sugar dusted, waffle batter dipped, fried peanut butter and jelly has the indulgent taste of stuffed french toast. The decadently rich mac & cheese balls will have you moaning during their consumption and sighing with satisfaction afterwards. This is a sort comfort food that will leave you feeling fat, sassy, and with the inexplicable urge to hug the chef. My one and only complaint was that the menu is a bit limited and left me wishing for a few more options. Other than that small complaint--a fine meal that will leave you feeling as content as your grandmother's cooking always did--will be enjoyed by all. Get to it!
(4)
Doug D.
This place is OMG good! Ordered several items and all were out of this world!' I found this place on yelp and the food is some of the best in town. They live up to the reputation of four and-a-half stars. The location is tucked away and if they could get more signage on the street they would be so busy you could never get in. It was dead when we ate there and I normally have the rule that if it is not busy don't eat there. This is an exception to that rule. They have been in business for several years so they must be doing OK. I just tried it and will be back very soon with some more friends and family.
(5)
Myesha J.
I just recently moved from San Diego to Boise and to say I have been impressed by the majority of the food here so far is incorrect. That is, until I found Shanaz! Shanaz offers southern soul food at its finest. The atmosphere upon walking in is cozy and inviting. We were immediately greeted by Shanaz herself and her husband JD popped out of the kitchen to say hello. They were so warm and welcoming, they instantly made us feel like part of the family. First our drinks came out in the cutest southern mason cups and then it was time to test the menu. And at first glance, I was immediately taken back to my home, my family and my childhood. Each dish is something I can say my grandmother made. And then elevated! We first ordered the Mac n' Cheese Balls which came with a homemade sauce. They were golden, beautiful, and perfectly crisp yet delicately smooth. We then had to go for the fried chicken and waffles. We just had too. And if that plate was any indication of how they do business, I'd say Shanaz has a bright future ahead of them. It consisted of a buttermilk waffle rubbed with homemade strawberry butter, nested beside JD's crispy fried chicken (which has been marinating in buttermilk for 24+ hours, just saying) served with 100% pure maple syrup. It is clear these owners care about comfort of their guests and quality of their food above all else. I already can't wait to return to try their seafood gumbo!
(5)
L.2 K.
Went there for date night yesterday and the food was so good. We started our dinner on with macaroni and cheese balls with that special dipping sauce- recommend it! Hubby had the burger and fries which were filling and tasty. I had the sanguid shrimp over potato cake served with an amazing corn dish. All food came out piping hot, so much that we had to wait to eat it. Sweet tea was a must have as well as the cornbread. Can't wait to take my family to this place when they visit.
(5)
Diana Z.
This place is pretty delicious! My husband and I came in tried the Asian fusion tacos that were filled with tender pieces of meat and a vegetable slaw- amazing! We also ordered the macaroni bites which were consisted of deep fried breaded pieces of macaroni accompanied by a homemade sauce (my mouth is watering guys! ) We then split the waffles and fried chicken. I have not tasted a more perfect , more crispy fried chicken ever in my life. Our waiter was the owner which was friendly, his wife was the cook She later came out to greet us. You can definitely taste the love she puts in her food. I totally recommend you stop by! I must warn you though when you leave you will smell like a fryer. But you probably won't care because the food is so yummy!
(5)
Jill L.
If you are really hungry, don't come here or be prepared to wait a while. There were 3 other people in the place for lunch and our food took forever to come. My husband said the Chicken and waffles was good. My shrimp Po Boy was just ok. Probably will not be back....
(3)
Jamie P.
Really good food and very nice people who work there! I've been pleased each time I visit. I've only been there three times and plan on making more visits. I love how they change up the decor. I enjoy the music they play. It almost has the feel that you're in someone's house. Definitely a good feel. Keep up the good works! And, on my last visit, I noticed the sushi on the other side of the building. Who knew!?!?
(4)
Harry L.
This place has the best soul food I have had outside of the French Quarter! We came in as a party of 8 and everyone loved their food. I had the gumbo and it was delightful. The stock was rich and flavorful, the seafood was plentiful and it was gone way too soon. another member of the part had the Jamaican Salmon which had all the flavors which make Jamaican food such a Caribbean favorite. The fried green tomatoes are just like the ones I had in Savannah, GA. The ultimate in soul food is the Chicken and Waffles! Crispy crust and the juicy steaming hot chicken contained within are just the beginning of the flavor sensations as the waffles are just as good. When combined, they produce the perfect taste sensation. Highly recommended!
(5)
Ed K.
Loved this restaurant, but they are closed forever. Why do all the great Meridian restaurants close?
(5)
Dave R.
Small but unique menu. Casual, no pretense (although some might be in order!). Had black tea marinated pork over rice, excellent.
(4)
Curtis K.
I live and work in Meridian, and I enjoy trying new and interesting places. Shanaz is located in a strip mall that I frequently eat at, and my only criticism of the place is that the signage is terrible, so I passed by it many times without ever considering going in. The sign says "Shanaz Home Kitchen and Catering" which I assumed meant "boring traditional homestyle meals of meat and potatoes." This place would be SO MUCH more popular if the sign actually told the customers what the restaurant is: awesome southern food! There is nothing else like it in the area, and the food is delicious. I have only been for lunch, but the Korean tacos are amazingly balanced and savory, and the pulled pork sandwich I had was awesome. Presentation of the food was great too, something that is often overlooked. I would totally go to this place more often, except I forget that it exists due to poor branding, which is a shame and the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)
Farrell D.
We tried Shanaz originally at the Boise Music Festival. We had the Korean Tacos and they were so good we decided to visit their Meridian location. The restaurant is located in a strip mall on Main Street. The Jazz and decor is pretty kitschy and southern. Roosters everywhere. The kitchen is slow. But that could be good or bad. If you are in a hurry it will make you crazy. But otherwise it means the food is being prepared fresh. The food... The Korean Tacos are amazing. Perfectly prepared beef with a hoisin glaze. I'm getting Diabetes just thinking about them. The pork were not as good. That said , they were still incredible. And if I hadn't tried the beef first, I would have been stoked. My girlfriend liked the pork the best. The Salsa that comes with the tacos is crazy good! Nice and spicy! The Nu Flavor Roll with salad is awesome. This place is great
This was probably the best experience we've had. The food was amazing. We had chicken and waffles, garlic shrimp, fried pb&j, fried mac&cheese balls, and pork ribs. Everything was so delicious. The potato cakes and corn were delish too. Free cornbread for the table which was also amazing. Jennifer and her husband were a treat to meet and chat with. So fun to run into someone from your neck of the woods when you are on vacation in another state. When we are back in the area we will definitely be returning!
(5)
Whitney T.
Amazing food it's a great atmosphere and experience! Definitely a place to check out for people visiting very memorable!
(5)
Shadricka P.
Absolutely fabulous! They catered my aunts surprise 70th birthday and the professionalism and craftsmanship was beyond my expectations! They catered our event which hosted over 100 people; from the salmon, sapid shrimp, to the yaki soba everyone was satisfied. If its your first time visiting this restaurant anyone of these dishes will leave you extremely satisfied and confident in your dining choice :-)
(5)
Amanda B.
Omg. So good!!!! We stopped by for lunch and ordered the pork and beef Korean tacos. They are sent from Heaven. We also ordered the Nu Flavor Roll... Good lord. So much flavor. The service was great! Our server was very sweet and accommodating. The hours are different so make sure to check ahead of time and the food takes a little bit of time but well worth it.
(5)
Karen G.
My husband and I had such a great experience at Shanaz. We have missed the excellent food so readily available in larger metropolitan areas, and this was a great find and truly a treat. We started with the Jammin' Korean Tacos and just about melted in our chairs. The portion is small so each person should have their own taco. I ordered the Smothered Pork Chop. My husband said it was the best tasting chop he had ever had. The gravy excellent. My husband ordered the Honey Stung Fried Chicken Dinner. The waffle was like dessert. Our sides, corn bread and marinated cabbage were also excellent. We were so curious about the other dishes that we spoke with the couple next to us. He ordered the Jambalaya Stuffed Peppers and loved it as well. The atmosphere was perfect for our family too - casual and pleasant. We brought our very busy 21 month old and we felt comfortable having him there and occasionally got out of our seats to walk around and let him explore. When we arrived the waitress quickly brought him some orange slices which kept him contented while we ordered and waited for our food. They served him in a plastic cup (thank you!) and when we asked for another plate, one that wouldn't break on the tile floor, they quickly obliged. We will definitely go again.
(5)
John V.
"I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it." Morpheus, from The Matrix. Do yourself a favor and bust out of your usual restaurant stupor; only you can choose to do it. Wake up your taste buds from their unconsciousness, go ahead take the red pill and then head to Shanaz Home Kitchen to sample the best food in Boise! There I said it, I mean wrote it. Don't call bull_ _ _ _! It took me 4 months of CONSTANT eating out at some of Boise's better restaurants and also some of Boise's more appalling restaurants in order to find The One. I for one am going to stay in Wonderland because I know how deep the rabbit-hole goes. Usually I am not so dramatic, okay that's a lie, but whatever, you must try the food at Shanaz! I can only show you dear reader the door, you have to walk through it. Read on. Shanaz is the type of restaurant that you go to for the food. Oh the food, the food. So freakin' good. Once you taste the Fried Man-N-Chees Balls, how can you deny their seduction? These are described on their menu as follows: "Need I say more?" That's it. Well, here's my attempt to describe, the "more" - these are tasty, fried, chees-y elbow macaroni balls of pure gluttony, which I'm pretty sure they serve in heaven. When you are in foodie heaven, i.e. Shanaz, don't worry about getting fat or the amount of carbs you are about to consume, just enjoy. You get 5 of these per order and they are HUGE BALLS. Calm down ladies, there is more than enough to go around. Shanaz's signature sauce is the accompaniment; I have no idea what it is made of, just go ahead and dip your Balls in it and enjoy a little spicy sauce with this very filling appetizer. Next you must try the Jammin' Korean Tacos. I wanted to get the Fried Green Tomatoes, but they didn't have them available because the chef wants only the best ingredients. So, we got the tacos and were amazed, I mean blown away! Each bite of this taco appetizer is a flavor sensation; the tastes are distinct yet completely complementary. Spicy, garlicky, and infused by a whole host of Asian flavors I cannot name. Atop each white corn tortilla is beef which has been marinated in a garlic oyster sauce; then the menu says the beef has been tossed with a brown sugar sesame soy sauce (don't worry they are not sweet!). On top of the beef is an Asian slaw which is your veg selection for the evening. Then as if that weren't enough to make this great, another spicy Asian sauce is served alongside. Is this what true love is all about? "I wanna tell you a little secret, being The One is just like being in love. No one needs to tell you you are in love, you just know it, through and through." Oracle, from The Matrix. Having thoroughly enjoyed the starters, we were really excited about what was to come next; we ordered the red bell pepper filled with jambalaya. You caught me, I lied again. Using the word filled is such an understatement - the pepper was not only jam-packed with rice, chicken and Andouille, it was overflowing onto the plate! I think there was as much of this Southern flavored goodness in the pepper as was on the plate, so generous, and only $10. Wow! The taste of the rice was really authentic, down home Southern spiciness and totally satisfying. In addition to all this there was a side of okra and corn! Okra in Idaho - I would've never thought that I would string those words together in a sentence, yet it's done. When our server recommended the seafood gumbo I thought she had forgotten what day of the week it was - Tuesday for the record. Let me explain, the menu says the seafood gumbo is only available on Friday and Saturday but when I confirmed that it was in fact Tuesday and the gumbo was available, I felt like I had won the lottery! Of course we had to add that to our order. Again, the flavors were intense and completely authentic. The chef knows his stuff! The gumbo has shrimp, okra and again the flavorful Andouille sausage. What really makes gumbo impressive in my mind is the richness, thick consistency, and depth of flavor that comes from stew. Home run once again with this version at Shanaz. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If that were not enough, our entrees came with piping hot cornbread! Sweet, but not too; crumbly and the perfect crustiness around the outer edge. Did I mention you get a whole skillet of corn bread! Well done, perfection yet again! Our server was friendly and had such an easy going demeanor that she made you feel welcome right from the beginning. There are community tables for chatting up the other devotees, err customers. Very convivial. "Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world? Welcome to the real world." Morpheus, The Matrix.
(5)
Jonathon S.
The food was ok and the service was extremely slow for being there right at noon and being one of only two tables with people in the restaurant.
(2)
Beauford W.
We were downing our $1 per plate sushi one day when we noticed that there was another restaurant on the other side of Shige Express. We asked about it and we were told that they serve "soul food fusion". Soul food fusion in Meridian? I was definitely intriged. I finally got my chance and I was very pleasantly suprised. This place rocks. We started our meal with the "Nu Flavor Roll". I don't really know how to describe it other than delicious. I had the crusted salmon on dirty rice. It was perfect. The wife kept picking at the rice on my plate. She had the ribeye and it was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The seating is pretty cramped and the restaurant is very small, but the food makes you feel like you're in a high end restaurant. This is not what I would expect from a tiny restaurant in a Meridian strip mall. I hope yelpers get behind this place and spread the word because I'm in love!
(5)
Theresa P.
What a great little restaurant. The staff was nice, the food was great.
(4)
Maureen K.
Having lived in Boise for a little under a year, we're still discovering new places. This one is new to locals, too, and we wouldn't have heard of it were it not for the "Living Social" deal. I decided to purchase two of the brunch/lunch deals, but don't have access to the coupons yet, however that didn't stop us. My husband HAD to have that Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich, and I was eager to try the Fried Green Tomatoes (the latter were not quite available as yet-- farmers say give it another two weeks or so for the next harvest). We arrived after the Sunday brunch rush and were the only customers in the place. Our server was very personable and told us about some of the dishes (the PB&J her invention and pride & joy). It was wonderful, crisp and melty. We brought at least half home, as we knew we had to make room for our entrees: Honey Stung Fried Chicken N' Waffles and Famous Potato Cheese Steak Sandwich & Fries (our server also had a hand in this one, tweaking your traditional Cheese Steak with the addition of crispy hash browns. "We're in Idaho, after all!" :-) The chicken is every bit as good as Fork's Tuesday-only chicken & waffles dish. The waffle is a bit thinner (which isn't a bad thing, in fact perhaps preferable), and the strawberry butter is a bit unnecessary as it clashes a little with the maple syrup. I would see if I could substitute regular butter next time. Bottom line, it was tasty and re-heated perfectly in the toaster oven. The Potato Cheese Steak Sandwich was over-the-top flavorful, with a wonderful marriage of fried onion straws, pepper slices, small chunks of beef (not thin-sliced as described, which is what you think of on a typical cheese steak) and perfectly melted cheddar. It was not on a hoagie as the menu describes, but grilled slices of sourdough. Think reuben-style, just not on rye. Definitely not your typical cheese steak and frankly I enjoyed it more than the usual sub-style that you can get almost anywhere. The fries are handcut, skin on, and nicely seasoned with a light chili-lime flavor. Our server suggested sprinkling on some of the chili-infused vinegar that's at every table. She was right-- that was a great addition, and even if you don't use the vinegar, the fries do not call for ketchup. They stand perfectly on their own with that great seasoning. We ended up with three boxes for take home, and had the rest of our entrees either that night or the next day. You definitely get your money's worth at Shanaz. Our tab was very reasonable for all that food! About halfway through our meal, Shanaz herself came out to greet us and ask how everything was. Also, chef husband James came out and we all had a nice chat. They are super-nice people, with great service and attention to detail. The restaurant has a clean look and pleasant decor, as well. We can't wait to go back. I MUST try the green tomatoes, and the fried pickles at some point. The Korean tacos will have to be sampled, too.If you're ever in Meridian, you really should give this place a try if you're wanting to go a little (but not a lot) off the beaten path with menu offerings. Don't go there if you are on a strict diet, however. You'll want to go to this place ready to indulge yourself a little, and expect to take some home for later.
(5)
Jake G.
The wife and I went there after hearing from a friend. WOW !!!!! The food is excellent, and the service. The dining area is spotless and cheerful. The sweet tea is great. My wife is a strict vegetarian so it is difficult to go out and find her good food. She usually settles for a vegetarian burger. She saw a vegetarian sandwich listed so she ordered that. Was she ever pleasantly surprised. When it arrived at the table it looked wonderful. She tasted it and her eyes rolled back in her head because it was seasoned so nicely. She gave me a taste. Wow, it was wonderful. Then I looked at my dish. I had ordered the Large Garlic Shrimp on potato patty. The presentation of the food on the dish was second to none. It came with a small dish of corn. Our food came with freshly baked corn bread. Delicious! The flavoring was gorgeous. The lady cooking in the back is the mother of the two delightful girls waiting the tables. She really has a talent for seasoning food. This has to be the best Cajun food we have ever eaten. We highly recommend this restaurant for your dining pleasure. And the prices are very reasonable for what you get. Hopefully I can upload the pictures we took.
(5)
Bradley C.
In reality 3.5 stars but there isn't that option. I'm writing this the following day so I don't allow the good atmosphere cloud how I felt about the food. I started off my meal with 2 appetizers, the deep fried Mac and cheese and the Korean tacos. The Mac was good but the accompanying sauce was bland and didn't do much for the Mac. Now the taco was another story altogether, a perfect combination of flavors that hit on every note. Then came the main entree if you're serving seafood gumbo make sure it has ample seafood and that it's fresh. Here was this wonderful broth filled with rice and sausage okra chicken with 5 old shrimp and 2 pieces of crab. Now I ate the shrimp hoping that the next one I tried would be better than the last but the all had that close to turned flavor that old shrimp have. This ruined what should have been a wonderful gumbo plus why wasn't there any fish in it? The saving grace to the meal was the service was first rate and the dessert the waitress recommended was to die for. Chocoflan a chocolate cake with Flan baked into it one word amazing! I will go back because the flaws in the meal weren't enough to discourage me.
(4)
Ryan V.
Good soul food - not sure I could say great soul food. I had the chicken and waffles and they were good. But it just seemed like everything could be a little thicker. I associate soul food with oversized portions. Big, thick waffles. Big chicken breasts. But they don't sell those here. It's sort of petite portions. I left satisfied - but not full, which I'm not accustomed to for soul food. Just make your waffles more stout and use bigger chicken - i would even pay more.
(4)
Brant P.
Stopped by here on our way from Seattle to Salt Lake City, and wished we hadn't. My girlfriend and I wanted to eat somewhere nice because we ended up saving money on our hotel room. We figured, "Hey, might as well treat ourselves since we never intended on saving this money anyway." Man, we should have saved it. I want to preface this review by saying we did come an hour and a half before closing. This wasn't during the dinner rush, so maybe they were busy getting ready for closing time? We walked in and stood by the door, awkwardly, for a minute or two, because usually restaurants have a host that greets you as you come in, and then they bring you to your seat. This place didn't have that... We had obviously never been here before, so we thought maybe this is the kind of place where you seat yourself; so we did just that. There was another family in the restaurant and they kept giving us weird looks, so I thought, maybe we're doing this wrong. But after 5-10 minutes a server greeted us and gave us menus. My girlfriend and I are both very patient, so 5-10 minutes wasn't too bad for us to wait. They DID only have one server. He said he'd bring us cornbread, and left us to look at the menu. Almost 10 minutes later we order. I was disappointed because I was only able to order from the (rather small) dinner menu, but all the things I wanted to try were on the lunch menu, but I digress. We ordered, and although he took a while to take our orders, he was very friendly. When we ordered, we asked about the 2 sides that came with the dinner (it said 2 sides on the menu). The server told us, "Oh, it's supposed to say one side. You only get one." So we said that was fine, and asked what our choices were. He said corn...And then apologized and said that was our only option. Not being a fan of corn I was disappointed, but we didn't really have a choice. 5 more minutes pass and I see the server bring a few loaves of cornbread to the other family in the restaurant. I was a little confused; we had been here for about 25-30 minutes and we haven't gotten cornbread yet. This family already got some, and were completely finished with their dinners...They were just talking. I was okay with it though (maybe they asked for some before we even got there?). 5 minutes later we get our cornbread, and not gonna lie, it was delicious. 5 minutes later the server asked us how everything was (just the cornbread I guess?) and we said the cornbread was great. We waited a little bit longer, but at this point they are about 10-15 minutes away from closing and we didn't want to be "those people." The ones that stay in an establishment as the employees are cleaning around them and cursing them under their breath until they leave. We asked for our food to go, and it was presented to us (he offered us both waters "to go", which was nice. I'd never been offered that before.) At this point in time, the experience was not good, but we figured we'd reserve judgments until we tried the food. We got back to our hotel, and opened the bag, and realized he only gave us 2 forks. I got some kind of gravy covered pork chops, and had to eat it mostly with my hands because 1 plastic fork just wasn't cutting it. My meal came with the corn (obviously) which wasn't half bad for corn, and some kind of potato patty... I guess that was our second side? Either way, I probably wouldn't have chosen corn or a fried potato patty as my 2 sides. The food was...good. Just good. It was salty for both of our tastes, but we had never tried "soul food" before so maybe that's normal? After we finished our meals we were both unsatisfied with the whole experience. After the tip, the meal came to about 40$. Which is twice as expensive as the place we almost went to before. I can totally understand all the reviewers (on Yelp, urbanspoon, google reviews) who said they never got ANY service, their whole system is very weird and disorganized. Most of the 1 star reviews are from people who didn't get service AT ALL. I can say though, you weren't missing much. I definitely don't understand all the hype for this place... I probably will never be in Meridian, Idaho again but If I am... I won't be returning to this place.
(1)
Tracey T.
OMG, this place is fantastic. My husband and I had the Korean Tacos and Fried Mac & Cheese Balls for appetizers. This was a great start to a wonderful meal. Had the Jambalaya Stuffed Pepper and the Garlic Shrimp for our entrees. This place is a Mom and Pop place and you can taste the love in their food. After speaking to Dominique, the charming daughter that waited on us, she let Mom know that we liked it spicy and our dishes were given a little extra kick. Going back on Sunday for their brunch. If you like good home cooking with a Cajun and island influence get to Shanaz before they close for the summer. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Damir S.
Phenomenal home style soul food fare. I took a pretty lady and we both absolutely loved it. I had the burger and dare I say, it was one of the best burgers I've ever tasted in my entire life. So much flavor and color it was amazing. Their signature sauce kills and made me want to hug my stomach and just sit there in food nirvana for a bit afterwards. The BLT, that said pretty lady ordered, looked amazing as well. Their menu had me torn up between four or five different things (How do you say no to fried macaroni and cheese balls?). I will... no I MUST go back.
(5)
John K.
The best chicken and waffles I have ever tried, and it was in Boise, Idaho! This resturant was a big surpise for me and my girlfriend. We are from socal, and we are honestly spoiled when it comes to good food, espeically good ethnic food, but the korean tacos here is absolutely exceptional. The restaurant is a small mom and pop style spot what looks to be run by the lady server and her husband. She seemed very proud of their food and she should be. The corn bread is outrageously good and overall the food is just simply outstanding. Thank you for the great food experience Boise!
(5)
David E.
Shrimp and grits, cornbread, jamaican salmon, chicken and wafles...its all amazing...
(5)
Nick E.
Second time this week. Chicken and waffles are legit. Better than Roscoe's in LA. Just about to dig in to some of the best sausage gravy ever. Love this place!!
(5)
Rose R.
Who would have thought that behind Blimpee's and next to Verizon in a strip mall would be a really great, unique place to eat. Although the fried green tomatoes were seasonal (I'm here Jan 21) and the other item I wanted was only served on Fri and Sat the second choice was choice! The korean tacos did not have kimchee on the but the Kobe beef was really fabulous. Husband had the fried chicken and waffles and was extremely satisfied. I had the jumbalay stuffed peppers a true 4 star. All vet great!
(4)
Jeff M.
It was a great unique meal well prepared. I had the slow cooked pork chops and they were excellent. The chop was fork tender and flavorful. Very good gravy with a southern potato cake. It is rare to get real sweet tea in Boise done with cane sugar simple syrup. My wife had the gumbo and really liked it. It had real shrimp and was very authentic. Just the right amount of spice with precisely cooked okra. This restaurant has excellent food with a menu you don't find behind every neon sign. A little hard to find, but worth the trip. Will go back for the Jambalaya as a weekday treat.
(5)
Darin B.
Our new favorite!! Just close your eyes and point at the menu and whatever it is will be awesome! Very unique and extremely friendly. The burger may be the best in the Valley!!
(5)
Kent G.
Food....Fantastic. Service a bit slow but we could tell they were short handed tonight (February 9th). Did I say the food was great? I had the stuffed peppers and my wife the salmon. We haven't tasted this kind of Southern food in Idaho ever and I don;t expect to any time soon, well until I return likely within the month. I hope business is good enough to justify an expansion sometime soon.
(4)
Amber A.
I heard great things about Shanaz, so I couldn't wait to check it out. We ordered the Nu flavor roll & korean tacos to start. The roll was very tasty, but would have been better with soy sauce to mix with the wasabi, but overall still delicious, & it was huge! (large enough to share between several people) The korean tacos were the best part of the meal... There was a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, & citrus. Wonderful! We ordered the black tea pork & shrimp over the potato pancake. The pork was way too sweet for our liking. I think it needed some spiciness our citrus to balance the sweetness. I wouldn't order it again. The shrimp was great, & had awesome flavor, but overall a very heavy dish. The potato pancake had great flavor, but was very greasy. I asked for cornbread, because we weren't brought any. It was wonderful, crispy on the outside & moist on the inside. I will definitely return to try other menu items!
(4)
Big J.
The food was fantastic. The service wasn't so much. Servers were pleasant and attentive but our food took a long time to get to our table. Our server did apologize for the delay. So perhaps this is an anomaly or perhaps its relation to Shige restaurant, which has always had crappy service is the reason? Food was tasty, spicy, can well proportioned. Actually had no room left for any dessert. Black Tea Pork was great. A bit sweet but not overly so. Kind of like teriyaki but less sweet and think. Side of sweet corn which was great. Not sure what they did to that corn but it was really good. Stuffed Pepper Jambalya was nice and spicy. And the roasted pepper was roasted to perfection. If you like mild Jambalya that is not overly hot with spices but spiced for flavor this is the dish for you. I will give this place another try. Hopefully the service will improve on my next visit.
(4)
James S.
Had the ribs (with baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad and corn bread) and the gumbo. Potato salad out of this world. It opens with a burst of onion and finishes with a cool custard-like cream of egg and wonderfulness. Ribs were smoked right, super sweet, fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. Beans come in a cute little Pyrex loaf pan and the corn bread baked to perfection, drizzled with honey butter and in it's own 5" cast iron pan. Kudos on the gumbo, great broth, with shrimp, Andouille sausage, crab, okra and onions. A small amount of white rice completed the mixture for a gumbo like I've never tasted outside of New Orleans. Yummmmmmm!!
(5)
Elizabeth C.
OMG, this place is foodie nirvana. We got the Nu Flavor Rolls, an appetizer that is off the freakin' hook, but not something I would normally order. They were these crazy tempura topped sushi-style roll, with little tempura shrimp on top, avacado, jalapenos,cream cheese, and god only knows what else, absolutely yum! My hubby ordered the burger, which was topped with bacon, friend egg, lettuce, tomato, crazy sauce, and the burger itself had cheese melted right in the middle of the patty, it was the size of my kids head, and he did his best, but just couldn't finish it. Delish! My kid got the sliders, and consumed both of them! (he is 5), then sat back with his hands behind his head with a big smile on his face. I haven't seen him eat that much in a very long time. For my main dish I had the shrimp with garlic chili paste sauce over an insanely good potato pancake, this crazy carmelized corn in a sweet sauce, (also had the choice of green beans if you aren't into the corn) and served with their wonderful cornbread. I don't know what else to say other than I could not stop eating, and really needed to stop myself before exploding. The service was excellant too. Our waiter, Keegan was the nicest guy, who gave us the recommendation for the Nu Flavor rolls, which some other patrons piped right up to give their thumbs up too. He really made us feel like old friends. Last time we were there I had the chicken and waffles, and my hubby got the Korean tacos, which he adored,and they are only $2 a piece? What?! Seriously, one of the best places to eat in Meridian. Wow!
(5)
Kathryn W.
Dinner here was amazing! Incredible food, pleasant service. Food cooked to order! Sabid Garlic Shrimp, Fried Catfish, Chicken & Waffles were all great. Unique sides. And ate desert first by sharing an order of Deep Fried PBJ!
(5)
Jeremy E.
I just ate here for the first time and have to say it was amazing!! I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of fried green tomatoes and fried pickles. I figured I was going to be ordering a typical pulled pork sandwich (stringy pork soaking in a vinegar bbq sauce), boy was I pleasantly surprised at what I got. The grilled pork with the sauce is large chuncks and tastes wonderful. The staff was super friendly and welcoming. I have to agree with John V. and his review. I will definately be going back to this place!!!
(5)
Cassie S.
My husband and I love going to Shanaz for dinner. Our food is always above par and our services are usually nice, although we've come to expect it to be slow (even in getting drinks to the table). I've tried (and love) things that I never would have tried- fried green tomatoes, grilled pb&j, seafood gumbo... It's all drool worthy. The only thing I would recommend to make this place better would be a) getting better chairs/tables: they are too old/wobbly and uncomfortable and b) figuring out something about the draft/wind problem. I never go here without a jacket because it's always freezing. Improvements aside- still a 5. :)
(5)
Kelly K.
I have driven by this strip mall 10 times and kept noticing the sign for this restaurant. My friend was in town visiting and we wanted to try something different and I remembered this place. The location is very unassuming and you might even pass it by because it is in a strip mall, but that would be a mistake. If you are in the mood for good southern cooking with a flare, then you need to give this place a try. They deep fried pickles and macaroni and cheese balls are a must and if you go on a Friday night, they have Gumbo - the good stuff you can get in the south. The service was great - the chef even came out to check on us a couple of times! They also do catering.
(5)
Roland H.
Comfort food at it's best, we had about 10 different dishes from pork to shrimp, all very tasty some with a kick!. Now they have a alcohol license and you can enjoy a beer with your food. There is a bit of grease smell in the air, they probably need to work on the ventilation a little.
(4)
Shae R.
First visit and will be back here to try the chicken and waffles next time I am in the area....the Korean Tacos and Nu Flavor Roll? What can I say? Hands. Down. KILLING IT. The flavors were all spot on. Tacos are small though so order a few. The special salsa is perfect. Hawaiian punch out of a jar? Check. Vinegar (peppers included) at every table? Check. This is an ethnic fusion staple for the Boise area. Recognize! As I was leaving I saw a shrimp po' boy coming out and started salivating...despite being so stuffed I was barely shuffling toward the door.
(5)
Sara C.
The food is phenomenal, the only thing that bothered me about this experience is that the server wouldn't look me in the eye when asking a question, quite the opposite she would look out the window while talking. She came across as abrasive and somewhat rude but the food is great, I received service promptly and would come back at any time!!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Priscilla P.
I don't usually write reviews but I felt compelled because of our terrible experience. I went here with my husband and our 2-year-old based on great reviews and what a disappointment. I can't say anything about the quality of food but I can tell you the service is bad. We didn't eat here because we ended up leaving. After sitting for half an hour, we didn't even get water. No apologies for making us wait. What kind of restaurant doesn't offer something to drink while you sit there? I understand they only have one waiter but come on, if you're going to charge such high prices for food at least be courteous enough to give us water! I saw the staff taking care of a large table because that meant more money. I watched the waiter take a phone call and a to-go order when someone walked in and he took care of other customers but us. Seriously?! It was like we weren't there. If someone offered us something to drink and said, "I'm sorry we're really busy tonight" perhaps we would've stayed and tried the food people are raving about. They also need to update their prices on the website because it's different from the restaurant menu. We spent $50 somewhere else where the service was excellent. If you're hungry, do not come here because the service is poor unless you want to wait... you'll be thirsty and starving!
(1)JoAn E.
My first experience with Shanaz and I have to say I was quite impressed. I have been wanting to try this place ever since they opened and since my favorite soul food place that was on Broadway closed. Shanaz is kind of tucked away in a strip mall off of Main Street in Meridian across the street from Meridian Speedway. Careful because if you are not looking for it closely you could easily pass by it and that would be a shame. I came at the tail end of their lunch hours but was greeted nonetheless with a warm welcome. Bob Marley music was at a nice volume and really set the mood for what would be a really nice experience. I mean who doesn't like Marley, right? I ended up ordering a Korean taco which I know sounds strange for a soul food place. And a shrimp Po Boy sandwich with a salad instead of fries and their house sesame dressing. Topped it off with a sweet tea. The Korean taco was really good and even better was the jalapeño sauce that came with it. The meat was flavored just right and if I didn't have a sando coming I could've easily had three more. The salad was one of my favorite things traditional but has crunchy fried onions on top and with that house dressing I could've seriously just dunked straight veggies in it, it's that good. The sweet tea is very sweet and was missing the traditional lemon wedge on the top to make it truly southern in this humble gal's opinion but no worries ask and you shall receive! I was brought a couple of wedges on the side. I am sure if I would've added more ice it would've been perfect! The Shrimp PO boy sandwich was great and served with a lemon wedge but was missing hot sauce to add as an option when I asked for hot sauce options I was offered tapatio or cholula...what?? Which would be my only real criticism. A soul food place should have either a signature hot sauce or a wall of hot sauces that are typical to the style of cooking. Not to worry I always make the best of what I've got. I had some of the jalapeño sauce left over from my taco and tried it on the sandwich and BOOM!! It was awesome! So with another side of that sauce it transformed my shrimp po boy from good to the bomb! Yeah I think I've said it before I like my stuff spicy. ;-) Curtis was an amazing server!! He refilled my drink at the right times, answered questions to the best of his knowledge and checked on my status often. I will definitely be returning to Shanaz for some more of its soul!! Yes!
(4)Chris H.
This is not your typical restaurant food. Taste just like home cooked. Cornbread with ever meal. Super good. We tryed the fried green tomatoes just because we saw the movie. And they were as good as a chick flick.. Not sure I'm supposed to say things like that.. Anyway the spicy ranch dip was very tasty. But the star of the night goes to the fried chicken and the gravy was Awesome! I would actually drink the gravy. :) The is a small neighborhood restaurant with good service. The downside.... The sweet tea is good, but a big beer or a glass of wine would be better.. Or even 2 beers. Just sayin. Chicken this good should be offered as takeout.
(4)Gregg M.
We ended up here the other night with three other colleagues. Two had been here before, and two of us (including me) had not. I didn't really know what to expect, but the two who had been to this place before described it as a Polynesian soul food kind of a place. Whatever that means! All of us eat out frequently for work, and therefore we know a thing (or two) about good food or at least, we think we do. One of the dangers of traveling (and eating out) a lot is you run out of ideas on where we should go to eat. For my friends and I, anything different is good, and different, delicious and friendly is like hitting the trifecta. We didn't exactly order our meal but instead instructed the waitress to bring us whatever she thought we would like. Complete chefs choice. Like keep bringing the food and we'll tell you when to stop. Many dishes later, I had somewhat forgotten everything we tried, but for sure it was all somewhat unique and all delicious. Most of it was in the style I would call comfort foods (like smothered pork chops and black tea pork with sesame seeds and rice). Other dishes were on the fancier side. But mostly I had the impression of honest, delicious, memorable home cookin'. I can tell when I'm in a place where the owner cares about their food and this place had that vibe. All of us had a great time, eating, drinking, and laughing. We ended up closing the place down. Never did we feel Ike we were being rushed out the door. Great food, friendly people, unique choices. It was such a pleasurable experience that I'm sure i'll be back!
(5)Ophelia M.
That I know of, Shanaz is the only full blown Soul Food restaurant in the area. Sure, there's a food truck that touts itself a soul food sensation. And, yeah, there's yet another food truck offering Southern inspired eats (some of it bordering on Soul food).. But, a full blown--sit down, here's a menu, and some corn bread for you to munch on while you wait--Soul Food joint? This is your one and only option. Thankfully, it's a good one. Bring them your tired, your poor, your huddled masses and Shanaz will feed them fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and mac & cheese balls fit for the tattered prides of kings. The powdered sugar dusted, waffle batter dipped, fried peanut butter and jelly has the indulgent taste of stuffed french toast. The decadently rich mac & cheese balls will have you moaning during their consumption and sighing with satisfaction afterwards. This is a sort comfort food that will leave you feeling fat, sassy, and with the inexplicable urge to hug the chef. My one and only complaint was that the menu is a bit limited and left me wishing for a few more options. Other than that small complaint--a fine meal that will leave you feeling as content as your grandmother's cooking always did--will be enjoyed by all. Get to it!
(4)Doug D.
This place is OMG good! Ordered several items and all were out of this world!' I found this place on yelp and the food is some of the best in town. They live up to the reputation of four and-a-half stars. The location is tucked away and if they could get more signage on the street they would be so busy you could never get in. It was dead when we ate there and I normally have the rule that if it is not busy don't eat there. This is an exception to that rule. They have been in business for several years so they must be doing OK. I just tried it and will be back very soon with some more friends and family.
(5)Myesha J.
I just recently moved from San Diego to Boise and to say I have been impressed by the majority of the food here so far is incorrect. That is, until I found Shanaz! Shanaz offers southern soul food at its finest. The atmosphere upon walking in is cozy and inviting. We were immediately greeted by Shanaz herself and her husband JD popped out of the kitchen to say hello. They were so warm and welcoming, they instantly made us feel like part of the family. First our drinks came out in the cutest southern mason cups and then it was time to test the menu. And at first glance, I was immediately taken back to my home, my family and my childhood. Each dish is something I can say my grandmother made. And then elevated! We first ordered the Mac n' Cheese Balls which came with a homemade sauce. They were golden, beautiful, and perfectly crisp yet delicately smooth. We then had to go for the fried chicken and waffles. We just had too. And if that plate was any indication of how they do business, I'd say Shanaz has a bright future ahead of them. It consisted of a buttermilk waffle rubbed with homemade strawberry butter, nested beside JD's crispy fried chicken (which has been marinating in buttermilk for 24+ hours, just saying) served with 100% pure maple syrup. It is clear these owners care about comfort of their guests and quality of their food above all else. I already can't wait to return to try their seafood gumbo!
(5)L.2 K.
Went there for date night yesterday and the food was so good. We started our dinner on with macaroni and cheese balls with that special dipping sauce- recommend it! Hubby had the burger and fries which were filling and tasty. I had the sanguid shrimp over potato cake served with an amazing corn dish. All food came out piping hot, so much that we had to wait to eat it. Sweet tea was a must have as well as the cornbread. Can't wait to take my family to this place when they visit.
(5)Diana Z.
This place is pretty delicious! My husband and I came in tried the Asian fusion tacos that were filled with tender pieces of meat and a vegetable slaw- amazing! We also ordered the macaroni bites which were consisted of deep fried breaded pieces of macaroni accompanied by a homemade sauce (my mouth is watering guys! ) We then split the waffles and fried chicken. I have not tasted a more perfect , more crispy fried chicken ever in my life. Our waiter was the owner which was friendly, his wife was the cook She later came out to greet us. You can definitely taste the love she puts in her food. I totally recommend you stop by! I must warn you though when you leave you will smell like a fryer. But you probably won't care because the food is so yummy!
(5)Jill L.
If you are really hungry, don't come here or be prepared to wait a while. There were 3 other people in the place for lunch and our food took forever to come. My husband said the Chicken and waffles was good. My shrimp Po Boy was just ok. Probably will not be back....
(3)Jamie P.
Really good food and very nice people who work there! I've been pleased each time I visit. I've only been there three times and plan on making more visits. I love how they change up the decor. I enjoy the music they play. It almost has the feel that you're in someone's house. Definitely a good feel. Keep up the good works! And, on my last visit, I noticed the sushi on the other side of the building. Who knew!?!?
(4)Harry L.
This place has the best soul food I have had outside of the French Quarter! We came in as a party of 8 and everyone loved their food. I had the gumbo and it was delightful. The stock was rich and flavorful, the seafood was plentiful and it was gone way too soon. another member of the part had the Jamaican Salmon which had all the flavors which make Jamaican food such a Caribbean favorite. The fried green tomatoes are just like the ones I had in Savannah, GA. The ultimate in soul food is the Chicken and Waffles! Crispy crust and the juicy steaming hot chicken contained within are just the beginning of the flavor sensations as the waffles are just as good. When combined, they produce the perfect taste sensation. Highly recommended!
(5)Ed K.
Loved this restaurant, but they are closed forever. Why do all the great Meridian restaurants close?
(5)Dave R.
Small but unique menu. Casual, no pretense (although some might be in order!). Had black tea marinated pork over rice, excellent.
(4)Curtis K.
I live and work in Meridian, and I enjoy trying new and interesting places. Shanaz is located in a strip mall that I frequently eat at, and my only criticism of the place is that the signage is terrible, so I passed by it many times without ever considering going in. The sign says "Shanaz Home Kitchen and Catering" which I assumed meant "boring traditional homestyle meals of meat and potatoes." This place would be SO MUCH more popular if the sign actually told the customers what the restaurant is: awesome southern food! There is nothing else like it in the area, and the food is delicious. I have only been for lunch, but the Korean tacos are amazingly balanced and savory, and the pulled pork sandwich I had was awesome. Presentation of the food was great too, something that is often overlooked. I would totally go to this place more often, except I forget that it exists due to poor branding, which is a shame and the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)Farrell D.
We tried Shanaz originally at the Boise Music Festival. We had the Korean Tacos and they were so good we decided to visit their Meridian location. The restaurant is located in a strip mall on Main Street. The Jazz and decor is pretty kitschy and southern. Roosters everywhere. The kitchen is slow. But that could be good or bad. If you are in a hurry it will make you crazy. But otherwise it means the food is being prepared fresh. The food... The Korean Tacos are amazing. Perfectly prepared beef with a hoisin glaze. I'm getting Diabetes just thinking about them. The pork were not as good. That said , they were still incredible. And if I hadn't tried the beef first, I would have been stoked. My girlfriend liked the pork the best. The Salsa that comes with the tacos is crazy good! Nice and spicy! The Nu Flavor Roll with salad is awesome. This place is great
(5)Dina O.
I lived in Texas for 13 years and I bake, a lot...these were the best Mac n cheese balls and cornbread I think I've ever had. Yes, they were that good. My daughters grilled cheese and fries were even excellent. Other child had sliders and they were good too. While the shrimp really weren't jumbo the shrimp was excellent and the potato cake was too...although mashed potatoes might have been a better way to convey the delicious spicy buttery sauce to my mouth! Side was a marinated cabbage that my husband first described as kimchee. But was more of a sautéed cabbage with pork and amazing. Husband had jambalaya stuffed peppers. That was really good as well. Ice tea and lemonade were plentiful and kept coming. I was only disappointed there wasn't bread pudding, key lime pie or other southern dessert to cap it off...then again that saved me from myself! I was very jealous of the guy sitting at the next table with the giant bowl or gumbo and pan of cornbread to himself! Saw another table wisely share that giant bowl between them.
(5)Jennifer O.
This was probably the best experience we've had. The food was amazing. We had chicken and waffles, garlic shrimp, fried pb&j, fried mac&cheese balls, and pork ribs. Everything was so delicious. The potato cakes and corn were delish too. Free cornbread for the table which was also amazing. Jennifer and her husband were a treat to meet and chat with. So fun to run into someone from your neck of the woods when you are on vacation in another state. When we are back in the area we will definitely be returning!
(5)Whitney T.
Amazing food it's a great atmosphere and experience! Definitely a place to check out for people visiting very memorable!
(5)Shadricka P.
Absolutely fabulous! They catered my aunts surprise 70th birthday and the professionalism and craftsmanship was beyond my expectations! They catered our event which hosted over 100 people; from the salmon, sapid shrimp, to the yaki soba everyone was satisfied. If its your first time visiting this restaurant anyone of these dishes will leave you extremely satisfied and confident in your dining choice :-)
(5)Amanda B.
Omg. So good!!!! We stopped by for lunch and ordered the pork and beef Korean tacos. They are sent from Heaven. We also ordered the Nu Flavor Roll... Good lord. So much flavor. The service was great! Our server was very sweet and accommodating. The hours are different so make sure to check ahead of time and the food takes a little bit of time but well worth it.
(5)Karen G.
My husband and I had such a great experience at Shanaz. We have missed the excellent food so readily available in larger metropolitan areas, and this was a great find and truly a treat. We started with the Jammin' Korean Tacos and just about melted in our chairs. The portion is small so each person should have their own taco. I ordered the Smothered Pork Chop. My husband said it was the best tasting chop he had ever had. The gravy excellent. My husband ordered the Honey Stung Fried Chicken Dinner. The waffle was like dessert. Our sides, corn bread and marinated cabbage were also excellent. We were so curious about the other dishes that we spoke with the couple next to us. He ordered the Jambalaya Stuffed Peppers and loved it as well. The atmosphere was perfect for our family too - casual and pleasant. We brought our very busy 21 month old and we felt comfortable having him there and occasionally got out of our seats to walk around and let him explore. When we arrived the waitress quickly brought him some orange slices which kept him contented while we ordered and waited for our food. They served him in a plastic cup (thank you!) and when we asked for another plate, one that wouldn't break on the tile floor, they quickly obliged. We will definitely go again.
(5)John V.
"I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it." Morpheus, from The Matrix. Do yourself a favor and bust out of your usual restaurant stupor; only you can choose to do it. Wake up your taste buds from their unconsciousness, go ahead take the red pill and then head to Shanaz Home Kitchen to sample the best food in Boise! There I said it, I mean wrote it. Don't call bull_ _ _ _! It took me 4 months of CONSTANT eating out at some of Boise's better restaurants and also some of Boise's more appalling restaurants in order to find The One. I for one am going to stay in Wonderland because I know how deep the rabbit-hole goes. Usually I am not so dramatic, okay that's a lie, but whatever, you must try the food at Shanaz! I can only show you dear reader the door, you have to walk through it. Read on. Shanaz is the type of restaurant that you go to for the food. Oh the food, the food. So freakin' good. Once you taste the Fried Man-N-Chees Balls, how can you deny their seduction? These are described on their menu as follows: "Need I say more?" That's it. Well, here's my attempt to describe, the "more" - these are tasty, fried, chees-y elbow macaroni balls of pure gluttony, which I'm pretty sure they serve in heaven. When you are in foodie heaven, i.e. Shanaz, don't worry about getting fat or the amount of carbs you are about to consume, just enjoy. You get 5 of these per order and they are HUGE BALLS. Calm down ladies, there is more than enough to go around. Shanaz's signature sauce is the accompaniment; I have no idea what it is made of, just go ahead and dip your Balls in it and enjoy a little spicy sauce with this very filling appetizer. Next you must try the Jammin' Korean Tacos. I wanted to get the Fried Green Tomatoes, but they didn't have them available because the chef wants only the best ingredients. So, we got the tacos and were amazed, I mean blown away! Each bite of this taco appetizer is a flavor sensation; the tastes are distinct yet completely complementary. Spicy, garlicky, and infused by a whole host of Asian flavors I cannot name. Atop each white corn tortilla is beef which has been marinated in a garlic oyster sauce; then the menu says the beef has been tossed with a brown sugar sesame soy sauce (don't worry they are not sweet!). On top of the beef is an Asian slaw which is your veg selection for the evening. Then as if that weren't enough to make this great, another spicy Asian sauce is served alongside. Is this what true love is all about? "I wanna tell you a little secret, being The One is just like being in love. No one needs to tell you you are in love, you just know it, through and through." Oracle, from The Matrix. Having thoroughly enjoyed the starters, we were really excited about what was to come next; we ordered the red bell pepper filled with jambalaya. You caught me, I lied again. Using the word filled is such an understatement - the pepper was not only jam-packed with rice, chicken and Andouille, it was overflowing onto the plate! I think there was as much of this Southern flavored goodness in the pepper as was on the plate, so generous, and only $10. Wow! The taste of the rice was really authentic, down home Southern spiciness and totally satisfying. In addition to all this there was a side of okra and corn! Okra in Idaho - I would've never thought that I would string those words together in a sentence, yet it's done. When our server recommended the seafood gumbo I thought she had forgotten what day of the week it was - Tuesday for the record. Let me explain, the menu says the seafood gumbo is only available on Friday and Saturday but when I confirmed that it was in fact Tuesday and the gumbo was available, I felt like I had won the lottery! Of course we had to add that to our order. Again, the flavors were intense and completely authentic. The chef knows his stuff! The gumbo has shrimp, okra and again the flavorful Andouille sausage. What really makes gumbo impressive in my mind is the richness, thick consistency, and depth of flavor that comes from stew. Home run once again with this version at Shanaz. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If that were not enough, our entrees came with piping hot cornbread! Sweet, but not too; crumbly and the perfect crustiness around the outer edge. Did I mention you get a whole skillet of corn bread! Well done, perfection yet again! Our server was friendly and had such an easy going demeanor that she made you feel welcome right from the beginning. There are community tables for chatting up the other devotees, err customers. Very convivial. "Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world? Welcome to the real world." Morpheus, The Matrix.
(5)Jonathon S.
The food was ok and the service was extremely slow for being there right at noon and being one of only two tables with people in the restaurant.
(2)Beauford W.
We were downing our $1 per plate sushi one day when we noticed that there was another restaurant on the other side of Shige Express. We asked about it and we were told that they serve "soul food fusion". Soul food fusion in Meridian? I was definitely intriged. I finally got my chance and I was very pleasantly suprised. This place rocks. We started our meal with the "Nu Flavor Roll". I don't really know how to describe it other than delicious. I had the crusted salmon on dirty rice. It was perfect. The wife kept picking at the rice on my plate. She had the ribeye and it was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The seating is pretty cramped and the restaurant is very small, but the food makes you feel like you're in a high end restaurant. This is not what I would expect from a tiny restaurant in a Meridian strip mall. I hope yelpers get behind this place and spread the word because I'm in love!
(5)Theresa P.
What a great little restaurant. The staff was nice, the food was great.
(4)Maureen K.
Having lived in Boise for a little under a year, we're still discovering new places. This one is new to locals, too, and we wouldn't have heard of it were it not for the "Living Social" deal. I decided to purchase two of the brunch/lunch deals, but don't have access to the coupons yet, however that didn't stop us. My husband HAD to have that Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich, and I was eager to try the Fried Green Tomatoes (the latter were not quite available as yet-- farmers say give it another two weeks or so for the next harvest). We arrived after the Sunday brunch rush and were the only customers in the place. Our server was very personable and told us about some of the dishes (the PB&J her invention and pride & joy). It was wonderful, crisp and melty. We brought at least half home, as we knew we had to make room for our entrees: Honey Stung Fried Chicken N' Waffles and Famous Potato Cheese Steak Sandwich & Fries (our server also had a hand in this one, tweaking your traditional Cheese Steak with the addition of crispy hash browns. "We're in Idaho, after all!" :-) The chicken is every bit as good as Fork's Tuesday-only chicken & waffles dish. The waffle is a bit thinner (which isn't a bad thing, in fact perhaps preferable), and the strawberry butter is a bit unnecessary as it clashes a little with the maple syrup. I would see if I could substitute regular butter next time. Bottom line, it was tasty and re-heated perfectly in the toaster oven. The Potato Cheese Steak Sandwich was over-the-top flavorful, with a wonderful marriage of fried onion straws, pepper slices, small chunks of beef (not thin-sliced as described, which is what you think of on a typical cheese steak) and perfectly melted cheddar. It was not on a hoagie as the menu describes, but grilled slices of sourdough. Think reuben-style, just not on rye. Definitely not your typical cheese steak and frankly I enjoyed it more than the usual sub-style that you can get almost anywhere. The fries are handcut, skin on, and nicely seasoned with a light chili-lime flavor. Our server suggested sprinkling on some of the chili-infused vinegar that's at every table. She was right-- that was a great addition, and even if you don't use the vinegar, the fries do not call for ketchup. They stand perfectly on their own with that great seasoning. We ended up with three boxes for take home, and had the rest of our entrees either that night or the next day. You definitely get your money's worth at Shanaz. Our tab was very reasonable for all that food! About halfway through our meal, Shanaz herself came out to greet us and ask how everything was. Also, chef husband James came out and we all had a nice chat. They are super-nice people, with great service and attention to detail. The restaurant has a clean look and pleasant decor, as well. We can't wait to go back. I MUST try the green tomatoes, and the fried pickles at some point. The Korean tacos will have to be sampled, too.If you're ever in Meridian, you really should give this place a try if you're wanting to go a little (but not a lot) off the beaten path with menu offerings. Don't go there if you are on a strict diet, however. You'll want to go to this place ready to indulge yourself a little, and expect to take some home for later.
(5)Jake G.
The wife and I went there after hearing from a friend. WOW !!!!! The food is excellent, and the service. The dining area is spotless and cheerful. The sweet tea is great. My wife is a strict vegetarian so it is difficult to go out and find her good food. She usually settles for a vegetarian burger. She saw a vegetarian sandwich listed so she ordered that. Was she ever pleasantly surprised. When it arrived at the table it looked wonderful. She tasted it and her eyes rolled back in her head because it was seasoned so nicely. She gave me a taste. Wow, it was wonderful. Then I looked at my dish. I had ordered the Large Garlic Shrimp on potato patty. The presentation of the food on the dish was second to none. It came with a small dish of corn. Our food came with freshly baked corn bread. Delicious! The flavoring was gorgeous. The lady cooking in the back is the mother of the two delightful girls waiting the tables. She really has a talent for seasoning food. This has to be the best Cajun food we have ever eaten. We highly recommend this restaurant for your dining pleasure. And the prices are very reasonable for what you get. Hopefully I can upload the pictures we took.
(5)Bradley C.
In reality 3.5 stars but there isn't that option. I'm writing this the following day so I don't allow the good atmosphere cloud how I felt about the food. I started off my meal with 2 appetizers, the deep fried Mac and cheese and the Korean tacos. The Mac was good but the accompanying sauce was bland and didn't do much for the Mac. Now the taco was another story altogether, a perfect combination of flavors that hit on every note. Then came the main entree if you're serving seafood gumbo make sure it has ample seafood and that it's fresh. Here was this wonderful broth filled with rice and sausage okra chicken with 5 old shrimp and 2 pieces of crab. Now I ate the shrimp hoping that the next one I tried would be better than the last but the all had that close to turned flavor that old shrimp have. This ruined what should have been a wonderful gumbo plus why wasn't there any fish in it? The saving grace to the meal was the service was first rate and the dessert the waitress recommended was to die for. Chocoflan a chocolate cake with Flan baked into it one word amazing! I will go back because the flaws in the meal weren't enough to discourage me.
(4)Ryan V.
Good soul food - not sure I could say great soul food. I had the chicken and waffles and they were good. But it just seemed like everything could be a little thicker. I associate soul food with oversized portions. Big, thick waffles. Big chicken breasts. But they don't sell those here. It's sort of petite portions. I left satisfied - but not full, which I'm not accustomed to for soul food. Just make your waffles more stout and use bigger chicken - i would even pay more.
(4)Brant P.
Stopped by here on our way from Seattle to Salt Lake City, and wished we hadn't. My girlfriend and I wanted to eat somewhere nice because we ended up saving money on our hotel room. We figured, "Hey, might as well treat ourselves since we never intended on saving this money anyway." Man, we should have saved it. I want to preface this review by saying we did come an hour and a half before closing. This wasn't during the dinner rush, so maybe they were busy getting ready for closing time? We walked in and stood by the door, awkwardly, for a minute or two, because usually restaurants have a host that greets you as you come in, and then they bring you to your seat. This place didn't have that... We had obviously never been here before, so we thought maybe this is the kind of place where you seat yourself; so we did just that. There was another family in the restaurant and they kept giving us weird looks, so I thought, maybe we're doing this wrong. But after 5-10 minutes a server greeted us and gave us menus. My girlfriend and I are both very patient, so 5-10 minutes wasn't too bad for us to wait. They DID only have one server. He said he'd bring us cornbread, and left us to look at the menu. Almost 10 minutes later we order. I was disappointed because I was only able to order from the (rather small) dinner menu, but all the things I wanted to try were on the lunch menu, but I digress. We ordered, and although he took a while to take our orders, he was very friendly. When we ordered, we asked about the 2 sides that came with the dinner (it said 2 sides on the menu). The server told us, "Oh, it's supposed to say one side. You only get one." So we said that was fine, and asked what our choices were. He said corn...And then apologized and said that was our only option. Not being a fan of corn I was disappointed, but we didn't really have a choice. 5 more minutes pass and I see the server bring a few loaves of cornbread to the other family in the restaurant. I was a little confused; we had been here for about 25-30 minutes and we haven't gotten cornbread yet. This family already got some, and were completely finished with their dinners...They were just talking. I was okay with it though (maybe they asked for some before we even got there?). 5 minutes later we get our cornbread, and not gonna lie, it was delicious. 5 minutes later the server asked us how everything was (just the cornbread I guess?) and we said the cornbread was great. We waited a little bit longer, but at this point they are about 10-15 minutes away from closing and we didn't want to be "those people." The ones that stay in an establishment as the employees are cleaning around them and cursing them under their breath until they leave. We asked for our food to go, and it was presented to us (he offered us both waters "to go", which was nice. I'd never been offered that before.) At this point in time, the experience was not good, but we figured we'd reserve judgments until we tried the food. We got back to our hotel, and opened the bag, and realized he only gave us 2 forks. I got some kind of gravy covered pork chops, and had to eat it mostly with my hands because 1 plastic fork just wasn't cutting it. My meal came with the corn (obviously) which wasn't half bad for corn, and some kind of potato patty... I guess that was our second side? Either way, I probably wouldn't have chosen corn or a fried potato patty as my 2 sides. The food was...good. Just good. It was salty for both of our tastes, but we had never tried "soul food" before so maybe that's normal? After we finished our meals we were both unsatisfied with the whole experience. After the tip, the meal came to about 40$. Which is twice as expensive as the place we almost went to before. I can totally understand all the reviewers (on Yelp, urbanspoon, google reviews) who said they never got ANY service, their whole system is very weird and disorganized. Most of the 1 star reviews are from people who didn't get service AT ALL. I can say though, you weren't missing much. I definitely don't understand all the hype for this place... I probably will never be in Meridian, Idaho again but If I am... I won't be returning to this place.
(1)Tracey T.
OMG, this place is fantastic. My husband and I had the Korean Tacos and Fried Mac & Cheese Balls for appetizers. This was a great start to a wonderful meal. Had the Jambalaya Stuffed Pepper and the Garlic Shrimp for our entrees. This place is a Mom and Pop place and you can taste the love in their food. After speaking to Dominique, the charming daughter that waited on us, she let Mom know that we liked it spicy and our dishes were given a little extra kick. Going back on Sunday for their brunch. If you like good home cooking with a Cajun and island influence get to Shanaz before they close for the summer. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Damir S.
Phenomenal home style soul food fare. I took a pretty lady and we both absolutely loved it. I had the burger and dare I say, it was one of the best burgers I've ever tasted in my entire life. So much flavor and color it was amazing. Their signature sauce kills and made me want to hug my stomach and just sit there in food nirvana for a bit afterwards. The BLT, that said pretty lady ordered, looked amazing as well. Their menu had me torn up between four or five different things (How do you say no to fried macaroni and cheese balls?). I will... no I MUST go back.
(5)John K.
The best chicken and waffles I have ever tried, and it was in Boise, Idaho! This resturant was a big surpise for me and my girlfriend. We are from socal, and we are honestly spoiled when it comes to good food, espeically good ethnic food, but the korean tacos here is absolutely exceptional. The restaurant is a small mom and pop style spot what looks to be run by the lady server and her husband. She seemed very proud of their food and she should be. The corn bread is outrageously good and overall the food is just simply outstanding. Thank you for the great food experience Boise!
(5)David E.
Shrimp and grits, cornbread, jamaican salmon, chicken and wafles...its all amazing...
(5)Nick E.
Second time this week. Chicken and waffles are legit. Better than Roscoe's in LA. Just about to dig in to some of the best sausage gravy ever. Love this place!!
(5)Rose R.
Who would have thought that behind Blimpee's and next to Verizon in a strip mall would be a really great, unique place to eat. Although the fried green tomatoes were seasonal (I'm here Jan 21) and the other item I wanted was only served on Fri and Sat the second choice was choice! The korean tacos did not have kimchee on the but the Kobe beef was really fabulous. Husband had the fried chicken and waffles and was extremely satisfied. I had the jumbalay stuffed peppers a true 4 star. All vet great!
(4)Jeff M.
It was a great unique meal well prepared. I had the slow cooked pork chops and they were excellent. The chop was fork tender and flavorful. Very good gravy with a southern potato cake. It is rare to get real sweet tea in Boise done with cane sugar simple syrup. My wife had the gumbo and really liked it. It had real shrimp and was very authentic. Just the right amount of spice with precisely cooked okra. This restaurant has excellent food with a menu you don't find behind every neon sign. A little hard to find, but worth the trip. Will go back for the Jambalaya as a weekday treat.
(5)Darin B.
Our new favorite!! Just close your eyes and point at the menu and whatever it is will be awesome! Very unique and extremely friendly. The burger may be the best in the Valley!!
(5)Kent G.
Food....Fantastic. Service a bit slow but we could tell they were short handed tonight (February 9th). Did I say the food was great? I had the stuffed peppers and my wife the salmon. We haven't tasted this kind of Southern food in Idaho ever and I don;t expect to any time soon, well until I return likely within the month. I hope business is good enough to justify an expansion sometime soon.
(4)Amber A.
I heard great things about Shanaz, so I couldn't wait to check it out. We ordered the Nu flavor roll & korean tacos to start. The roll was very tasty, but would have been better with soy sauce to mix with the wasabi, but overall still delicious, & it was huge! (large enough to share between several people) The korean tacos were the best part of the meal... There was a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, & citrus. Wonderful! We ordered the black tea pork & shrimp over the potato pancake. The pork was way too sweet for our liking. I think it needed some spiciness our citrus to balance the sweetness. I wouldn't order it again. The shrimp was great, & had awesome flavor, but overall a very heavy dish. The potato pancake had great flavor, but was very greasy. I asked for cornbread, because we weren't brought any. It was wonderful, crispy on the outside & moist on the inside. I will definitely return to try other menu items!
(4)Big J.
The food was fantastic. The service wasn't so much. Servers were pleasant and attentive but our food took a long time to get to our table. Our server did apologize for the delay. So perhaps this is an anomaly or perhaps its relation to Shige restaurant, which has always had crappy service is the reason? Food was tasty, spicy, can well proportioned. Actually had no room left for any dessert. Black Tea Pork was great. A bit sweet but not overly so. Kind of like teriyaki but less sweet and think. Side of sweet corn which was great. Not sure what they did to that corn but it was really good. Stuffed Pepper Jambalya was nice and spicy. And the roasted pepper was roasted to perfection. If you like mild Jambalya that is not overly hot with spices but spiced for flavor this is the dish for you. I will give this place another try. Hopefully the service will improve on my next visit.
(4)James S.
Had the ribs (with baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad and corn bread) and the gumbo. Potato salad out of this world. It opens with a burst of onion and finishes with a cool custard-like cream of egg and wonderfulness. Ribs were smoked right, super sweet, fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. Beans come in a cute little Pyrex loaf pan and the corn bread baked to perfection, drizzled with honey butter and in it's own 5" cast iron pan. Kudos on the gumbo, great broth, with shrimp, Andouille sausage, crab, okra and onions. A small amount of white rice completed the mixture for a gumbo like I've never tasted outside of New Orleans. Yummmmmmm!!
(5)Elizabeth C.
OMG, this place is foodie nirvana. We got the Nu Flavor Rolls, an appetizer that is off the freakin' hook, but not something I would normally order. They were these crazy tempura topped sushi-style roll, with little tempura shrimp on top, avacado, jalapenos,cream cheese, and god only knows what else, absolutely yum! My hubby ordered the burger, which was topped with bacon, friend egg, lettuce, tomato, crazy sauce, and the burger itself had cheese melted right in the middle of the patty, it was the size of my kids head, and he did his best, but just couldn't finish it. Delish! My kid got the sliders, and consumed both of them! (he is 5), then sat back with his hands behind his head with a big smile on his face. I haven't seen him eat that much in a very long time. For my main dish I had the shrimp with garlic chili paste sauce over an insanely good potato pancake, this crazy carmelized corn in a sweet sauce, (also had the choice of green beans if you aren't into the corn) and served with their wonderful cornbread. I don't know what else to say other than I could not stop eating, and really needed to stop myself before exploding. The service was excellant too. Our waiter, Keegan was the nicest guy, who gave us the recommendation for the Nu Flavor rolls, which some other patrons piped right up to give their thumbs up too. He really made us feel like old friends. Last time we were there I had the chicken and waffles, and my hubby got the Korean tacos, which he adored,and they are only $2 a piece? What?! Seriously, one of the best places to eat in Meridian. Wow!
(5)Kathryn W.
Dinner here was amazing! Incredible food, pleasant service. Food cooked to order! Sabid Garlic Shrimp, Fried Catfish, Chicken & Waffles were all great. Unique sides. And ate desert first by sharing an order of Deep Fried PBJ!
(5)Jeremy E.
I just ate here for the first time and have to say it was amazing!! I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of fried green tomatoes and fried pickles. I figured I was going to be ordering a typical pulled pork sandwich (stringy pork soaking in a vinegar bbq sauce), boy was I pleasantly surprised at what I got. The grilled pork with the sauce is large chuncks and tastes wonderful. The staff was super friendly and welcoming. I have to agree with John V. and his review. I will definately be going back to this place!!!
(5)Cassie S.
My husband and I love going to Shanaz for dinner. Our food is always above par and our services are usually nice, although we've come to expect it to be slow (even in getting drinks to the table). I've tried (and love) things that I never would have tried- fried green tomatoes, grilled pb&j, seafood gumbo... It's all drool worthy. The only thing I would recommend to make this place better would be a) getting better chairs/tables: they are too old/wobbly and uncomfortable and b) figuring out something about the draft/wind problem. I never go here without a jacket because it's always freezing. Improvements aside- still a 5. :)
(5)Kelly K.
I have driven by this strip mall 10 times and kept noticing the sign for this restaurant. My friend was in town visiting and we wanted to try something different and I remembered this place. The location is very unassuming and you might even pass it by because it is in a strip mall, but that would be a mistake. If you are in the mood for good southern cooking with a flare, then you need to give this place a try. They deep fried pickles and macaroni and cheese balls are a must and if you go on a Friday night, they have Gumbo - the good stuff you can get in the south. The service was great - the chef even came out to check on us a couple of times! They also do catering.
(5)Roland H.
Comfort food at it's best, we had about 10 different dishes from pork to shrimp, all very tasty some with a kick!. Now they have a alcohol license and you can enjoy a beer with your food. There is a bit of grease smell in the air, they probably need to work on the ventilation a little.
(4)Shae R.
First visit and will be back here to try the chicken and waffles next time I am in the area....the Korean Tacos and Nu Flavor Roll? What can I say? Hands. Down. KILLING IT. The flavors were all spot on. Tacos are small though so order a few. The special salsa is perfect. Hawaiian punch out of a jar? Check. Vinegar (peppers included) at every table? Check. This is an ethnic fusion staple for the Boise area. Recognize! As I was leaving I saw a shrimp po' boy coming out and started salivating...despite being so stuffed I was barely shuffling toward the door.
(5)Sara C.
The food is phenomenal, the only thing that bothered me about this experience is that the server wouldn't look me in the eye when asking a question, quite the opposite she would look out the window while talking. She came across as abrasive and somewhat rude but the food is great, I received service promptly and would come back at any time!!
(4)