Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine
1006 Howard St, Omaha, NE, 68102
Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine Menu
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Address :
1006 Howard St
Omaha, NE, 68102 - Phone (402) 341-9616
- Website https://www.ahmadspersiancuisine.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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K K.
Went to this restaurant since it was suggested by an acquaintance. DON'T GO THERE! This was one of the worst dining experiences I have EVER had. After just one taste of my koobeedeh kebab, I did not eat more. It was tasteless. I know Persian food very well, grew up eating it. I informed the server that I did not like my food. The owner (he also cooks the food) came out and told me that there was nothing wrong with the food and charged me for it. That's an awful attitude for anyone in the hospitality business.
(1)Audrey S.
We came upon Ahmad's while walking in the Old Market, and although neither of us had ever eaten Persian food before, we both love middle eastern food in general and were eager to try it. Ahmad's is a tiny place, and I was initially apprehensive when the door was locked (it was 11:35 and the door said they opened at 11:30) and the waiter told us that Ahmad was "on his way." Umm... How long were we going to wait to eat? Only about 25 minutes, including the 2-3 minutes it took Ahmad to get there! Apparently, most of their customers come later for lunch, so they weren't in a hurry to open, which was a good thing for us! I was so glad we stayed. We had a falafel appetizer, which was excellent - I love falafel but I'm a snob, I like Palestinian falafel. This was only slightly different, but fresh and crisp with a great flavor. I had a vegetarian dish with onions and peas in a tomato sauce, served with rice and salad - the flavors of the sauce reminded me strongly of Indian food (which I also love), and the rice had a very mellow, almost sweet flavor. He had some kind of kabob that he said didn't taste like anything he has ever had before - but it was gone pretty quickly, so I think it must have been as good as mine. Ahmad and the waiter were both helpful and attentive, and when Ahmad learned we were from out of town, he was quick to welcome us and offer advice. Definitely worth a stop in Omaha!
(5)Patrick T.
I really like the layout of this place! Great little indoor seating and our door as well! We enjoyed the sun and our meals on the small patio seating. If you are looking for Persian food in the Old Market this is you spot! Now I will also say it was probably the least adventurous meal we ate on our trip to Omaha. The food was good, the falafel was good tasting but the presentation we not there! We ordered two different meals and they pretty much looked the same except mine had a bread behind it.. The staff was nice and the price was fairly common. It was good, just not great! I would have like to maybe comeback in the evening and tried something else on the menu.
(3)Gigi A.
I had high expectations for this place, unfortunately it did not deliver. Let me explain what this place is. It's for the true Nebraskan who hasn't tasted anything other than good old Midwestern cooking. If that local Mexican joint around the corner is your definition of eating adventurously, by all means try this place. I have Persian friends and I don't know who makes this food but I know for a fact it is not authentic Persian food. Don't waste your money. There are plenty of awesome options in the Old Market and Ahmad's is not one of them. Eat the Worm and Blue Sushi are two places that come to mind.
(2)Kaite S.
Favorite spot in Omaha!
(5)John G.
I guess everyone has different tastes but I really like Ahmad's. Small restaurant so staff are never far away. I don't have Persian friends so have nothing to compare it too. But I like to try different things. The owner is very friendly and will remember you. Recommended!
(4)Jessica B.
What a find! The food here was fantastic, from the Hummos to the Tehran Chicken. Delicious, quick and filling. Atmosphere was great as well. Friendly staff and proprietor - just good people! Great experience that's worth the little extra you might pay. Good stuff here.
(4)Alyssa M.
The food here is seasoned well. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the hummus. The hummus is very fresh. I'll throw it out there... this place has the best hummus in town. I like the flat bread that is used instead of the pita bread because you taste the hummus better. Zesty Hummus... YUM! Their meats are seasoned so delish. Their tomato... OMG YUMMY! The only harp I have is--- the veggies weren't SUPER FRESH! The rice was seasoned well. Ok... I lied... that isn't my only issue-- they are also very pricey. I would go here much more than a couple times a year IF the prices were much better! I still love this place. I didn't have any problems with the owner but then again-- that might have been because I am friends with his daughter-- whom also is very nice... So it is hard for me to believe that a mean and angry man raised such a delightful young lady. Desserts were yummy as well. Man-- Now I want some.
(4)Robert L.
I really like the food and the service is friendly and efficient. Ahmad is a very friendly sort. The salmon is good but I always have a kabob with rice, tomatoes and sauce- eat every bit with all of them on your fork! Downside is it's a bit pricey for lunch for what you get and the menu is limited but I eat here at least a few times a month. I do recommend it.
(3)Stephen F.
Simply terrible. Service was terrible, all the "servers" we're on their cell phones the entire time. They spent more time flirting with one another then paying any attention to the customers. We orders a few appetizers which took far too long to arrive. Once they did everything was burnt and flavorless. Save your money for a place that cares.
(1)Amathyst D.
Ahmad's is one of my favorite restaurants in Omaha! The food is amazing! The flavors are unmatched. I wish i lived closer, I would eat there on a regular. The service is great, Ahmad makes you feel like part of the family!
(5)Babak M.
Never try this restaurant, we found a hair in the food!! Also, it is wayy expensive! I wish I could give it less than 1 star!
(1)Chris J.
After discovering a fantastic Pakistani restaurant on a recent trip to San Francisco, I was eager to find something similar in Omaha. Unfortunately, Ahmad's isn't it. The portions are small for the price and aren't that flavorful. Had the falafel sandwich, which was just meh. Not bad, just boring, uninspired and pricey.
(3)Phil V.
I have eaten here for years both for evenings out and also business lunches. The owner is as nice a person as they come. He routinely offers free items and shows you that he appreciates your business. (What a strange concept these days.). I particularly enjoy the lamb however I have tried many items on the menu and have not been disappointed. This restaurant epitomizes what the Old Market is all about. I recommend giving it a try.
(4)Shaunita J.
This is located in the Old Market area of Omaha. Inside, it's got some interesting murals on the wall, brightly colored Persian/Muslim-looking themes. Went here on a weekday lunch with a colleague. It's kind of small inside, no more than ten tables. It was fairly empty when we came in, maybe two other groups were there? We sat down, and Shaun, the server came over and took our drink orders. Perhaps not Shaun's fault, but there was something floating in my colleague's glass of water. Kind of gross, but when the server came back, he got us some new water. The menu is pretty standard Mediterranean/Persian fare, my colleague ordered the falafel sandwich, and I ordered the chicken sandwich. On the menu, it says the sandwiches are served on lahvosh, which seems odd, as I remember lahvosh being flat and crunchy, not really fodder for a sandwich? When we got our food, it seemed more like our stuff was served on a tortilla. It was soft, sort of cooked bread, not what I remember lahvosh is like. Maybe this is a regional, thing, I don't know. Anyway, regardless, not very sandwich-like. That aside, the food itself was seasoned well enough, and the prices were moderate. I give it a solid three and half stars: Grossed out by the water thing. Not the best customer service (seemed slow for how empty it was), and not the worst. I'd try it again, for sure, just because I like Persian food, but I won't rush back.
(3)Cathy C.
I'm not sure why this place only has 2.5 stars. Did the quality decline when I moved out of Omaha? I don't know but I love Ahmad's for the hummus, baba ghanouj and soltani kebabs. Ok, the food may be a bit over-priced but how many Persian restaurants can you find in Omaha? Ahmad, the owner, is always there to greet you, call you "FRIENDS!!!" and give you a hug if you're a regular customer. I really miss this place. One of these days, I'll come back to Omaha just for the food.
(4)Jeremy E.
Watch out for the drink prices. We each ordered a beer in a bottle and later found out they were $10 each! And the beer was old and was foaming out of the bottle when opened. The service is slow, but Ahmed is charming... at first. We asked if they could do a split appetizer of hummus, baba ghanoush and their equivalent of tzatziki. They said no problem, but when the bill arrived we learned that we were charged for 3 full appetizers. And, a word to the wise their "pita" is just tortillas that are burnt. You should go just to see what they are passing off as "authentic" Persian flat bread. One of our friends was served a dish that she didn't order and a discussion with Ahmad ensued where he argued with her about it. Later he started yelling at me when I questioned how we could charge $10 for a 12 ounce bottle of beer. He told me that was the going rate anywhere on that street. What he didn't realize is that we live in Omaha and patronize the old market often and knew this was not the case even for craft microbrews on draft. We then asked him to run the card so we could leave and he continued yelling at us on the outdoor patio in front of the public. I cannot recommend anyone patronize this restaurant. I think he is fleecing people. If you want to spend $40 per person for dinner you can go to a nice place instead of being duped for mediocre food.
(1)Karley S.
The food lacked bright distinctive flavor I have known Persian cuisine to be. The baba gannoush was especially bland and boring. Overall the meal was highly over priced for food quality and overall service. A true disappointment.
(1)Jason G.
I've eaten at Persian restaurants in Vegas, Los Angeles and Portland, and all had one thing in common: high prices...it goes with the territory...that being said, Ahmad's is right up there for me in both quality and service...the waitress was friendly and talkative...Ahmad was very friendly as well and since I was the only diner, the 3 of us talked quite a bit...the kabob was incredibly tasty and tender...Ahmad even put a raw egg on top of the rice at my request, which is the best way to eat it...the yogurt appetizer I had was also good...all in all it was exactly what I wanted and I very much look forward to coming back...
(5)Carson M.
Impossible to speak too highly of this authentic little gem. The Turkish vibe is very impressive...tatooed and shiftless hipster waiters are a perfect standin for the Turkish "kul" slave class; the salmon is $19 and possibly a bit spoiled, a reminder that this catadromous fish is little seen in the rocky Marmara or its tributaries; the watery and Splenda-sweetened coffee perfectly evokes that emporium of the east, with its melange of cultures and spices. I wish I could leave 6 stars!
(5)JO S.
The food is always fresh, authentic, & served warm-heartedly. For those who truly know Persian cuisine - Ahmad's will under promise & over deliver. If you are new to Persian food, trust this place does it very well. The owner is very friendly, & after trying something new every time - the kabobs are AMAZING! The baklava is the best I've ever had (& I've inhaled a LOT of baklava!).
(4)Janet E.
I came here with a friend on valentines day (we were not dating). We didnt make reservations but they accepted our walk-in. Of course, the fact that we arrived early at 5pm helped. The restaurant was pretty empty and of all the seats in this small restaurant, we were seated right by the cashier and close to the kitchen. We didnt really understand why..... We ordered the hummus dish as an appetizer. It was good but a little more sour than I'm used to. They must have added more lemon juice or something. I had a tomato eggplant stew dish with rice. It was flavorful and filling. The service was a little bit slow, especially for not being busy. Prices do run a bit on the high side. It was an ok experience. Its located in the Old Market so be prepared for limited street parking.
(3)Luis M.
[This is a very belated review -- our visit was quite some time ago and things may have changed for the better... but, having walked by the place yesterday and looked at what folks were eating, I frankly doubt it.] To all y'all who seem to think this is an ethnic restaurant: Veg-All is not a Persian side dish. The fesenjan, one of my very favorite Persian dishes, was a sad disappointment. All in all, the menu seemed very Americanized, which was, to be fair, probably a sensible business choice when the restaurant first opened. The staff was extraordinarily nice, but that won't bring me and mine back.
(1)Becky D.
If I tell you a member of the group has a food allergy, don't serve that person the thing they are allergic to. Not. That. Hard. The baba ghanouj was awful. It tasted sour. Avoid. The salmon is good, but not good enough for the price. It took our server too long to bring us our check, during which we had to listen to loud drunk baby-boomers laugh and tell uncomfortable stories. And one of them sounded like a horse.
(2)Reed N.
Tonight I had a special dish... Tehran Chicken. The rice was seasoned and yellow with saffron or tumeric, which I love. The roasted tomato was also tasty [if you like roasted tomato]. The chicken was also extra seasoned at my requested, but was a bit overcooked. Easy to do with white meat. I have to second the "blah" of earlier reviews regarding tortillas and salads... the lack of thought that went to these items is a mystery. Overall... a good meal. A little pricey for what I got. I am also convinced I did not get the best dish in the house. It looks like lamb is well received here, if expensive. I had some Persian friends once that worked magic with tomato and eggplant... so that may be a better menu choice as well.
(3)Barry S.
Cool location ... Average is as average does
(3)Benji B.
I was very curious to try Ahmad's, so while strolling through Old Market, my wife and I decided to give it a try. I'd never had Persian food before and it was an interesting experience. I wouldn't be opposed to going back sometime, but overall I feel it's really overpriced and even kind of bland. I wouldn't mind the price if the food was better. I'm not sure whether it's the way the food is prepared at this particular place or if I really prefer Lebanese. The baba ghanouj was so-so. I did like the fact that the bread was fresh. I didn't try the salad with the yogurt dressing since I can't have dairy, but it looked like a very sad salad. For the main course, I ordered the kabob kibudeh, which was a mixture of beef and lamb that came with a piece of the flatbread, some jasmine rice and a tomato. I recall seeing onion in the description assuming that since it was marinated with onion there would be onion on the plate. I guess not. The rice was OK, it tasted the same as the jasmine rice I've bought at Sam's Club. The tomato was an interesting twist. But I'm conflicted about the meat itself. I was glad to be able to try it, but overall it tasted like a bland meatloaf. I saw a lot of spices that had been cooked into the top of it and I was really disappointed that they didn't come through. Maybe I'll have better luck next time if I try something different, like one of the chicken dishes sounded good. I tried a bite of the salmon my wife ordered and it was pretty good. I liked the decorations and our waitress, though slow when we needed the bill, was very nice. I don't know anywhere else to get Persian food so I'll probably be back. I hope it grows into its potential.
(3)Sarah G.
Oh Ahmad's... or as my friend Bob calls it, Ackmed's... When I worked downtown I was able to frequent Ahmad's for lunch, which is what I'd highly recommend for someone who just wants to try it out. Omaha doesn't really have a wealth of Persian restaurants, or any others than this one as far as I'm aware. So it's kind of your only option. Luckily it's a very delicious, albeit expensive, option. Lunch service is kind of touch and go, since it can be really busy on a nice day. Once we were there and didn't see our server for about 5 minutes until we got waters, and then after another 10 minutes without an appearance, we decided to go elsewhere. This year we stopped by for dinner and spent lots of money for a meal that I can honestly say was satisfying, but wasn't really memorable (save for the company, obviously). It was only a couple of months ago, but I don't remember what I ordered... something with chicken... I know I'll go back and would recommend this restaurant to friends who want to try it - but only for lunch since you can get a nice variety of samplings for a little less cash. The place is in a great location, Ahmad is a very nice man and I'm happy to give him business. A final thought, as much as I'd like to, I really can't get on board with the 'tortilla-like lavosh'. If the bread were better I probably would have given another star. I'm very easily swayed by good bread.
(3)Smiley F.
Came in for lunch around 11:30 - Ahmad cooked me an incredible round of Kefta Kabob! It was more than I thought I could ever eat, but was so delicious that I gave it my best effort. He was so kind and friendly we chatted a bit over my cup of tea (which was wonderfully aromatic and full of flavor) while my lunch cooked. He also brought out a complimentary cup of bean soup for me to "give it a try!' Lunch total with tip was only $20 and I had plenty left over for next days lunch.
(4)Cathy L.
If I could give this place 0 star, I would. Ordered the falafel appetizer. It came out as 4 hard balls, and the accompanying triangles of pita bread or whatever that was was also hard. Then to add insult to injury, I later found out that my credit card charge was inflated by $10, though I did leave a customary 15% tip, which I shouldn't have. The credit card company took off the $10 extra charge but I want to let others know to beware of this restaurant.
(1)Christina M.
If you're looking for veg-friendly meals in an unfamiliar town, your best bet is usually to go ethnic. Other cultures' foods tend to be less meat-centric than North American and Western European foods, in my experience. Ahmad's is one of the few truly ethnic restaurants in Omaha, and it's worth a visit. The first time I hit Ahmad's was in 2008 with a group of friends after the Big Omaha social media conference, opting to eat outside on the patio and get in some good people watching as the crowds walked through the Old Market area. We decided to split the falafel and hummus appetizers between the four of us and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. I will say that the falafel was a smidge too crispy for my taste, but it was flavorful and hot and overall very tasty. My three compatriots also got the dolmeh, which is essentially the same thing as dolmades at a Greek restaurant. I opted out since they contain meat, but they all seemed pleased with the choice. I had the pea and potato poloe as my entree, and I really liked that, as well. The spiced sauce was lovely, and I really dig that they serve their meals with sliced banana. Very unique. The second time I dined here was with the boyfriend after our excursion to the Henry Doorly Zoo last May. After telling the waitress I didn't eat meat or other animal-derived foods, I was pleasantly surprised when Ahmad whipped up a special vegan dressing for my salad, allowing me to taste it before he used it. (It was a tangy, lemony oil-and-vinaigrette concoction--very good, especially considering he created it on the fly at a moment's notice!) I had the ghormeh sabzi, which is served in a little clay pot and contains an aromatic, spicy/sweet fenugreek sauce. Delicious. The boyfriend ordered the Tehran chicken and seemed to like it quite a lot. We sat inside this time, so I got to take in the interior of the restaurant. It's small, but the décor is pretty and it was nice and quiet the evening we were there. I will say that the food seems very pricey for what it is. $23 for chicken is kind of outrageous, even if it's great. I've eaten in classy five-star restaurants and paid less than that for an entree. My other complaint is that the lavash bread was underwhelming. It honestly looks and tastes exactly like a tortilla, which was not what I anticipated. This could partially be because I was expecting something akin to naan and didn't get anything near that. Still, disappointing. Overall, though, I like Ahmad's and feel like it's worth stopping in if you're in the neighborhood. And try the Persian tea--you won't be sorry about that decision, even if the rest of your meal is less-than-stellar.
(3)Gary B.
Baba-ga-nouj was watery. Falafel was okay. Prices for entrees honestly scared us away. Authentic look? Check. Not worth my money? Double check.
(1)Laura P.
I've had different experiences every time I've come here. The first time the waitress was friendly and helpful. I ordered the pork and it was delicious - an interesting spice blend with just the right amount of heat. The next time the waiter was pretentious and inattentive. I ordered the lamb shank "special" which came with plenty of unsavory gristly bits. The liquid that the lamb was cooked in was the best part (it soaked into the lavash on the plate) and I wished it had been served more like a stew. The appetizer portions are really too small for more than two people to share (which was NOT mentioned to us by our waiter). Entrees are on the upper side of "moderately" priced - $18-25. I will go back to try the vegetarian entrees and I'm interested to see if the menu ever changes. There must be more to Persian cuisine than the eight or so menu entrees.
(3)Liz T.
My boyfriend and I came for lunch at 11AM because I had to catch a flight at 2PM--I almost missed it because the food took a lifetime and a half. After we ordered I think the cook had to do some grocery shopping. The Persian Tea was the highlight of the meal--aromatic, warm, sweet. Too bad the waitress refills your cup incessantly and doesn't tell you the place charges for refills. She probably enjoyed the fact that I racked up $10 in tea while waiting an hour for our starter to come out. When the falafel arrived it was just ok. It was crunchy but it could've used a lot more herbs and spices. We didn't really like the beef and chicken kabobs or the rice and vegetables that was served as a side. I've had better-tasting marinated meats at Middle Eastern restaurants. I want to come back and see if this was an isolated case, but my boyfriend is kind of stubborn--if he hates a place it's hard to make him return unless I do some major whining, which I typical reserve for when I want to see a chick flick.
(2)Jeff R.
Had the lamb shank, per suggestion. It was flavorful and filling. A bit salty though. The "salad" that came with it was mediocre at best. I think I'll try the Tehran chicken next time.
(2)Will B.
First night in Omaha, took my mom down to market street area and found this nice little Persian Cafe, was looking at menu and Owners came out and talked to us. Went in and had a great dinner. Very small cafe, family run and very nice and accommodating. Had the Lamb and Beef Kabob, came with a great Spicy Lintel soup and Salad. Kabob was great and Rice was seasoned with Lemon but not overpowering. Great place.
(4)Leslie S.
My husband and I love food - we are from Seattle and are very adventurous foodies. We ended up stranded in Omaha for a couple of nights coming home from a funeral. We saw some positive reviews of Ahmad's (one on how much Michael Phelps loved the place - but I think he must have hit the bong prior to going). My husband and I had grown weary of the many forms of beef, casseroles and "salad" (Jell-O) that we endured all week. We were really looking forward to something different. The decor made it look very promising. It's in a cute downtown area. The waitress, who was very nice, handed us menus and a list of the specials. The average price on the menu was $12-$25. Pricey by Omaha standards - normal for Seattle. The waitress told us we could get a 3-way split of each special as a single dish per person - we had her clarify if it was for 2 or 1. person We thought that sounded great. We were served a dismal salad with CANNED garbanzo beans. But it was the greenest thing we ate all week and were feeling very forgiving. Then the main course arrived - rice that we could have cooked at home, with a sampling of chicken, prawns & tenderloin. All three of these meats were so disgustingly salty (no other spice detected), we could not even halfway finish our meals. There were sliced bananas on the side, which I thought was unusual. The bananas didn't complement the taste of the salt very well. I asked the waitress if this was traditional for Persian food. She asked and found that no, it wasn't. And here's the best part: THE COOK RECOUNTED THE LATEST FRIDAY THE 13TH MOVIE IN GORY DETAIL WHILE WE DINED. The entire restaurant could hear. We exchanged looks with a couple and had a laugh as he detailed a beheading. We were glad to eventually figure out that he was talking about a movie. Also, the owner's young daughter walked around the restaurant, wildly flashing a flashlight in our eyes. Her mother told her to stop, but one minute later she was doing it again, walking table to table, and nobody bothered to say anything more. And here's the topper - WE GOT OUR BILL. THE BILL WAS $85!!!!!!!!! Evidently, the specials were $35 a pop - not listed on the special menu nor mentioned by the waitress. My husband's beer was $10. The total bill for the 2 of us with tip was $110. For that price, we could have splurged on a really good restaurant in Seattle. Then we went home and got REALLY SICK. The flight home the next day was HORRIBLE. It is 5 days later and I am still sick. If I'm not feeling better by Monday, I'm going to the doctor. I am contemplating calling them to ask for our money back. The more I think about this whole experience, the angrier I get. Those of you who think this restaurant rocks, I urge you to visit Seattle and enjoy some food that is truly delicious. It makes me sad that this restaurant is misrepresenting how amazing ethnic food can be.
(1)Dave H.
4 Stars for the Persian Tea! 1 star For everything else... At the time, I was a little adverse to trying new things, but the gf really wanted to go. Man, chick peas and kahbobs are definitely not my thing. It doesnt help that the waitress was a little rude and slow at bringing the check out to me...cause you know 4 tables are so much to wait on??? Not that I was impatient...okay, I am, but I had to get my gf on her flight! How inconsiderate of the waitress to give me attitude even after I explained the circumstance and was waiting for the check for almost half an hour!
(1)Charlie K.
I was in Omaha for a few days to attend a wedding and my girlfriend and I stopped in during one of our days wandering through Old Market. VERY small place as noted in the other reviews but it's got a big heart. Our server was VERY thorough in her explanation of the items that were on the menu and readily helped us with any questions (even the questions we didn't have, like how to eat the food!). At the time they were understaffed but she kept up very well on her own while dealing with a nearly full restaraunt. I can't remember what I had (I did have trouble pronouncing it though, dumb American that I am) but it was incredible! I didn't know what to expect of persian food as I've never really tried it before this but I definitely would recommend it to someone looking for something a little more unique than a burger or steak & fries. We waited a while to receive our check (we were in a bit of a hurry) but with them being short-handed the day we were there, I don't imagine that to be a regular issue.
(4)Coco L.
I am a former employee at Ahmad's ('93-'96) who can honestly say that to this day, Persian food is still my very favorite cuisine BECAUSE of my experiences there. Yes, Ahmad can be stern and a bit intimidating to customers, but it is only because he truly CARES about his food and culture. And while the staff can be quirky and offbeat, you can't really judge your entire Ahmad's experience on a cook with no common sense (with regards to the Friday the 13th review). I wholeheartedly recommend the Soltani Kabob, Hummus, Omar Khayyam and [veggie] Saag. Ahmad's hummus is, by far, the absolute BEST hummus I've EVER had. I'm proud to say I learned how to make my famous hummus under his tutelage. Israeli hummus is so...peanut-buttery, Saudi/Morroccan hummus is bland, but Ahmad's had JUST the right amount of fresh lemon and seasoning. A delight, amongst his other phenomenal dishes and wine selection. Ahmad also takes great care in choosing/matching the wines he purchases to match his dishes nicely. The restaurant may be small and the atmosphere not the best during lunch rush hours, but trust me, his dishes will more than make up for any flaws. My time at Ahmad's was one of the most memorable of my short life: I learned a LOT about the restaurant/business world and life, made amazing friendships and met some of the quirkiest, most interesting people. I truly recommend Ahmad's for anyone brave enough to try out exotic fare in the Big O, whether you're a native or tourist. Beefy, aromatic or veggie...there's something for everyone at Ahmad's.
(5)Caroline K.
I've been going to Ahmad's for years. The Jujeh Khoresht is the best food in Omaha.
(5)Kelly K.
Went here with my sister, her boyfriend and my hubby. Sis and BF had been before. Wanted to try something different (I don't care if I ever eat at Applebee's again) so we ended up here. Ordered the hummus for an appetizer, we really only got enough for one person it seemed, it wasn't great and it did come with toasted tortillas instead of the lavash bread it was supposed to come with. Don't know what the tortillas are about. The salads were just OK. The best part was the complimentary bowls of black bean soup cooked in lamb broth we received. The broth was delicious and perfectly spicy. I could've eaten more of that! I ordered the Jujeh Korescht - chicken with garlic, tomatoes and shallots in a lemony sauce. It did come in a little brown crock. The chicken was tender, but it was nearly as spicy, flavorful or lemon-y as I had expected. My husband had the Tehran chicken, his was really good and spicy. Both meals came with plain ol' rice and more tortillas. Huh. The place is pretty dive-y, but it seemed clean. I guess decor isn't high on my priority list. I think if you're with the right people, anyplace can be fun. Would I go back? If it was between Ahmad's and Applebee's - I would choose Ahmad's. And maybe order more adventurously next time.
(3)Cecil H.
I've had better Persian food before, but this was pretty good. I got the yogurt and mint appetizer and was displeased with the "bread" that came with. I'm pretty sure the bread was store-bought tortillas; served cold straight out of the package. I got the vegetarian stew and my boyfriend got the lamb kabob. Both were pretty good and the lamb was very flavorful. The Turkish coffee is good stuff.
(3)Alicia M.
AHMADS!!! I love it so much! The food is delish! And Ahmad is the sweetest man EVER. I went in once by myself, and he came out with a bottle of wine, and kept me company. He knows a lot of the locals, and works his butt off on the restaurant. I love the food, even if the price point is a bit higher.
(4)Mopsie B.
One star for effort, one star for friendliness. I love Middle Eastern food- I even make my own hummus, from a Lebanese recipe. That being said, I am open to a variety of types of Middle Eastern cuisine. To be honest, though, I found Ahmad's only so-so. First of all, the lighting is too bright, too storefront. Second, they don't have a wine list. The waitress (owner's daughter) just tells you "pinot grigio," whatever...So you don't even know where the wine is coming from. That being said, it was fine, but still...I'd like to know more about what I am consuming. OK, moving on...the younger daughter is five and allowed to run around and yell while there are diners present. If I want an energetic kid around while I eat, I would prefer not to pay for it! The menu is small, and frankly, weird. For example, they decorate every entree with banana slices. The waitress said it is to "cleanse your palate." I usually do that with bread or a cracker, not bananas. But whatever. I had the shrimp kebab, which was fine but very overpriced at $26. Also, I noticed that they only had two vegetarain dishes, neither of which seemed particularly appetizing. The baklava for dessert was decent. Still, the entire experience is not worth the price at all. If I could, I would subtract points for the singing waiter, too. He scared me with his show tunes.
(2)St P.
Small quaint place. The owner was so hospitable! I returned a couple days later for dinner. If you want an unique and memorable dinner...then this is a place you want to go.
(5)tembi b.
I would actually give them three stars but I felt that the place was really overpriced. I've eaten in a lot of cities and usually I find that if you are paying $19 a plate you are going to be getting really interesting food. This was rice and chicken stew. It was nice. There were some bananas on the plate, which was a little strange but nice. There was a very boring and small salad as well as some boring bread. The Dolmeh appetizer was interesting but didn't knock my socks off. I have a feeling that they don't know how to turn tables so they have decided to just charge a lot. Like other reviewers, we also experienced the six year old. It was fine, it's just that we had kids with us already, so we didn't really need any more. Also, socializing with the owners kids works in a sort of groovy place, but groovy places don't charge $19 a plate. Also - this place is listed as $$ on yelp and that is just not true.
(2)Kerry G.
I've been intending to try this place for years and finally went there with my husband and family for my birthday dinner this year. We thought it was a little overpriced by Omaha standards, although this is not unusual in the Old Market area. That said, the food was fantastic - cooked and spiced to perfection, the service friendly, helpful, and attentive, and the atmosphere pleasant. The owner stopped by to make sure everything was satisfactory, a nice personal touch. I'd give it five stars for the food, four+ for service and atmosphere, and three for prices. Recommended, if you're in the mood to splurge a little. ETA: 2/23/09 - my family didn't have any problems, but Leslie S. is not the first person I've heard of who may have gotten food poisoning at Ahmad's, so there is a certain buyer beware element to going there.
(4)Danny A.
My Persian friend and I have had our eye on this place for awhile and finally decided to try it. I ordered the lamb and was served a giant piece of delicious meat. The rest of the plate was hardly Persian. The small salad was your American standard simple lettuce salad. The bread was sliced up tortillas straight out of the grocery store. My Persian friend was not amused and spent the rest of the evening trying to convince me that this was just a bad example. And it was. Aside from the lamb and tea I've had better just about everywhere. While the wait staff was excellent, $85 for two people is not justifiable no matter how you look at it.
(2)Bob H.
The food here is Great! The first time we ate here the owner came over and gave us suggestions on how to eat the meal. He's direct. Some people may find this intimidating, but if you are able to get past that and listen to what he has to say, it's all good. I've tried dozens of Persian restaurants across the US and this one is hands down the best I've had. It's really really good. Somebody said it was expensive...They must be use to eating off the 99¢ menu at Wendy's or something, this place is very reasonable. It is also consistent, we make it to Omaha 1 time per year and each time we eat here it is perfect. I hold all Persian food restaurants to this standard and I have yet to find one to surpass the food at Ahmads.
(5)wendy p.
My husband and I have frequented Ahmad's for the better part of nearly 2 decades. We can't say enough how much we love the food ,atmosphere and service. I read some people didn't like how long they were there. Well, I have always appreciated that I was welcome to linger over my coffee or tea for as long as I pleased, often with Ahmad joining us for dessert or just to visit. I have never had anything that was not superb. Although I usually order the lamb kabob as it is just too good to not have. We live outside of Seattle now but whenever we get to town it is one of our first stops. We were just there last week and Ahmad welcomes us as though we never left. I need to call him and ask for the recipe of the delicious lamb and lentil soup he served us. It was incredible. We have taken our children (toddler thru teen) and many friends on various occassions. Last year - he happily accomodated a large gathering of my extended family even though it is a smaller more intimate setting. Hope you will read this Ahmad - we were so pleased. See you in a couple of months!
(5)Michael H.
Great Atmosphere! Took my mom and aunt before a concert @ the QWest. The owner played a drum set and some people where dancing. Very fun and great food. Should probably call ahead to see if they do performances regularly :-)
(5)Mike S.
One of my favorites in Omaha, though it is expensive. With drinks, the bill will be around $80 with tip. The daily specials (Chicken, Salmon, Steak, etc.) are incredible. If you're downtown and looking for something different, give Ahmad's a try.
(5)Michael B.
My wife and I loved this restaurant, Persian was a new experience for us and I have never had a better lamb shank in my life(granted I dont eat lamb often at all due to the risk of really bad food). I especially enjoyed the specific manner in which the owner instructed us to eat his food. I like it when a person takes so much pride in their work, that they even want you to eat their food a specific way, and will coach in the proper ways. Loved it cant wait to go back.
(5)David K.
Best Persian...I don't know if there are any other Persian restaurants in Omaha. Most of the dishes are very similar, but good: saffron-yellowed basmati rice, meat in a brown sauce, sliced bananas.
(4)Sheng S.
Pretty good Persian restaurant. Unfortunately a little pricey since it's down in the Old Market area. Try Sinbad's near 90th & Maple for some Halal meals.
(4)