El Jannah Chicken Crows Nest — Restaurant in Sydney

Disappointing Decline in Quality & Service

I used to enjoy this place when it first opened, but my last few visits have been consistently disappointing. The food quality has noticeably declined—recently, I ordered a shawarma wrap meal (which isn’t even clearly listed on the menu) and was given an overpriced, inedible platter instead ($28!) with dry, tough meat that left my jaw aching. Another time, my delivery arrived with soggy chips soaked in leaked juices.

The service is another issue. Most staff seem disinterested or indifferent, except for one manager who actually makes some effort. Communication is often difficult—whether due to language barriers or lack of care—and some staff come across as outright rude. The dining area is frequently dirty (partly due to messy customers, but also when staff are told to go clean, the staff spray clean products right next to you while you’re eating!).

Logistics are a mess, too. When it’s busy, the ordering line is chaotic, with people blocking walkways while waiting for food. The seating is cramped and poorly arranged, making it an uncomfortable experience overall.

I’ve given this place multiple chances, but the inconsistency, declining quality, and poor service have convinced me not to return. Such a shame it had...

For a staff members final lunch before leaving our team had requested El Jannah (instead of our normal Chargrilled Charlie's). Our team meeting was scheduled for 12:30, so we ordered delivery by 12:20. The food was eventually delivered at 1:10pm or 50 minutes after we requested. The food was cold and some of our staff had had to leave without eating given they had 1pm appointments.

I provided feedback to the El Jannah team. They reviewed the circumstances and advised there wasn't anything they could do. Their website provides delivery options and for Crows Nest it is via Uber eats. I don't use Uber eats yet my team tell me if the food is delivered 40 minutes after pick up, it is meant to be complimentary.

El Jannah have advised there is a disclaimer about delivery & they can't do anything to fix.

I share this given what should have been a special farewell lunch for a staff member who had been with us for 5 years turned out to be a cold disappointment with a long lasting disappointing after taste given the inability of El Jannah to do anything to acknowledge the circumstances...

Next time we will get Chargrilled Charlie's...

Be aware of the delivery fine print and then you won't be disappointed liek we were.

P.s. Although cold, the food was nice hence ⭐⭐...

For a commercialised / franchised fast food version of a West Sydney icon, this is a 5 star fast "healthy-ish" alternative where the chicken is succulent and fresh, the dips hold their own (although I think there could be a market opportunity in having variants of hommous, some richer or more oily, garlic or flavoursome than the standard), and the tabbouli is legitimately as good as you'd find in Granville or Auburn with that strong fresh (not reconstituted) lemon zang. Really can't fault the tabbouli at all, and the rest is a welcome and in my view superior alternative to the Charcoal Chicken of the North shore.

Crows Nest has good service, decent seating capacity (although limited booths for children and families) and on both occasions I've been there, the two toilets have been clean and presentable (which is a very easy way to determine staff attention to cleanliness routines).

The Lebanese bread is fresh and soft and the garlic dip is not as strong as you'd expect in the West but a flavoursome addition to any chicken main.

Good spot for a quick and healthy-ish feed with a 10/10 tabbouli I...