I had one of the worst dining experiences ever at Aleppo Kebab in Ajax, and I feel compelled to share this so others don’t have to go through what I did. I came here with four friends hoping to enjoy a casual meal together — and it ended up being anything but enjoyable.
I ordered a simple chicken shawarma plate, and what should have been a quick, straightforward meal somehow took over an hour to arrive. That’s not an exaggeration — I was literally waiting for more than 60 minutes. Meanwhile, everyone else at my table received their meals promptly, finished eating, and were just sitting around waiting for me, confused and apologetic on behalf of the restaurant.
During this whole time, none of the staff checked in with me to update me on the delay or even acknowledge the long wait. I had to get up and ask multiple times, and even then, the response I got was vague and unbothered — as if it was normal to leave a dine-in customer waiting an hour for a shawarma plate. No apology. No urgency. Horrible customer service.
What made it even more frustrating was watching takeout customers — who walked in after me — getting their food before me and walking out. How is it possible that people coming in for takeout get prioritized over someone who’s sitting there at a table waiting with their friends? It made absolutely no sense and showed a complete disregard for dine-in customers.
Now, let’s talk about the food. Once the shawarma plate finally arrived — after I’d lost my appetite — it was a major letdown. The portion size was big, but the quality was very poor. The chicken was dry, the rice was bland, and the garlic sauce lacked the flavor and freshness I’ve come to expect from good Middle Eastern cuisine. It honestly felt like they’re just trying to fill your plate with cheap ingredients to make it look generous, but in reality, it’s just quantity over quality.
I’ve eaten at plenty of shawarma places — both fast and sit-down — and I’ve never had to wait this long for something so basic. What’s even worse is that the staff didn’t seem to care at all. There was no apology, no compensation, not even a courtesy explanation. Just complete indifference. For a restaurant that markets itself as welcoming and authentic, this experience was anything but.
I’m not the type to leave bad reviews unless something really deserves it, but this place has earned it. Unless you’re okay with waiting over an hour for bad food and being ignored by staff, I do not recommend this place to anyone.
This was my first and definitely last time visiting Aleppo Kebab. I will be warning everyone I know about this place and encouraging them to spend their money elsewhere. There are so many better Middle Eastern restaurants in the GTA — this one just isn’t worth your time, money, or patience. Extremely...
Read moreThere was long hair in the kibbeh, with all the food I had before that, I don't know if there may have been more. But the host seemed to just make her way to the back and show he employees the plate in her hand and they all just stood there wasting their time laughing away. Food tasted fine, just lost the appetite after the above happened. Had to wait 30 mins inside. You're mainly in the way of hosts walking by you bumping into you trying to grab their plates or menus to seat other people (it's the layout of the place). It's sad that there was an open table for 6 people (all they had to do was to put 2 seats on either end) and the host welcomed us asking for the size of the party and after we told him it was 8, he just said "give me a few mins" then proceeded to get back to what he was doing and forgot that we were there. Then once he realized there were more people arriving, he came to us and asked "how many?". Then he proceeded to take 2 chairs from elsewhere and squeezed them in with the open table that was there. 8 people on a 6 people table tightly squeezed in. We couldn't even move the 2 extra chairs on either end because on one end was a pillar and the other end didn't give them enough space to bring the food out of their kitchen because there was a counter. It was a weird layout. Maybe I might give it another try but wont dine in. Instead, I'll just try their online order. Normally I take pictures but there are enough pictures by other people. We had family shawarma/fries platter and aleppo kebab mix platters, kibbeh(with hair) (the host replaced it with beef and cheese deep fried rolls as an apology), large Fattoush salad, beef shawarma manakesh and za'atar manakesh. We packed...
Read moreCraving Authentic Syrian Flavors? You NEED to Try Aleppo Kebab! 🇸🇾🍽️
If you're in the mood for a truly exceptional culinary experience, look no further than Aleppo Kebab! This gem of a restaurant has quickly become my go-to for incredibly delicious and authentic Syrian lunch and dinner.
From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with the warm, inviting aromas of traditional spices and freshly grilled meats. Their menu is a vibrant journey through Syrian cuisine, and everything I've tried has been absolutely outstanding.
Here's why Aleppo Kebab is a must-visit:
The Kebabs (of course!): Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and grilled to perfection. Whether you go for the classic Kebab Halabi or try one of their other varieties, you won't be disappointed.
Flavorful Mezzes: Their appetizers are a feast in themselves! Think creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, crispy falafel, and refreshing tabbouleh – perfect for sharing (or not!).
Hearty Main Courses: Beyond the kebabs, they offer a fantastic selection of other Syrian staples, all prepared with an authentic touch.
Warm & Welcoming Atmosphere: It's a great spot for a casual lunch with friends or a delightful dinner with family.
Authentic Taste: You can genuinely taste the care and tradition in every dish. It's like a trip to Aleppo without leaving town!
Whether you're a connoisseur of Middle Eastern food or new to Syrian cuisine, Aleppo Kebab offers a delightful and satisfying meal every time. Do yourself a favor and experience the wonderful flavors of...
Read more