Paramount Middle Eastern Kitchen — Restaurant in Burlington

I am a regular customer at other Paramount locations, so I feel warranted to comment on this location.

To be completely honest, really not quite sure what's going on here at all. The food quality is fantastic but service is all over the place. Paramount is a frequent stop for others and I because it can be a fast food joint and a restaurant depending on your mood. Not sure if this location is corporate or a franchise but it is a complete mess. [EDIT: I see from other comments that this is a franchise. Explains a lot!]

I have been here twice now. The first time, multiple people seemed very excited to serve. They understood I wanted to sit down with take out, and not have a full restaurant experience with a server/tip, but about three wanted to take my order at once. I saw one of the girls from the other locations helping out so I figured this was a one off experience. No stars docked. I get it. New location, training needs to happen. Paramount is great. I'm a very patient person.

The second time was the other day around mid-afternoon. All stars docked. Although I made it clear to two individuals that I was in a rush and simply wanted to eat in peace (I repeated this several times over in very clear English), I was forced full service with a table. I had already driven there and they made it so awkward to refuse service that I really did feel forced to accept it if I wanted to eat. They literally would not let me pay at the front for fast food if I wanted to sit down there and eat it.

What this means is two things: 1) the price of the meal directly increases with a tip. I don't mind tipping when I am dining, but I was looking for fast food, the same experience I've had hundreds of times before at other Paramount locations. For the managers/owners: this means I bought less food from you. I was thinking of getting something two items, but given this forced service, I did not. 2) While the server was a sweetheart, she had zero idea where she was working. Why, when I was forced full service, did I not receive a bowl of bread? Why was I asked what I wanted to drink when I told them in the first place I was in a rush? Why was the bill presented to me midway through my meal because "I was in a rush"? I tipped her because I felt she was so poorly trained that it wasn't her fault. This was one of the most awkward dining experiences I've ever had and I honestly feel I was guilt-tripped into a tip.

To the owners/managers: please fix this location. I would have attempted to speak to you the other day if I had the time, but instead I was forced into poor service and to deal with an extremely awkward experience and meal. If you're available to talk, I'd be happy to discuss and edit this review when this location is up to your regular standards.

EDIT: To the franchise owners: your responses to other client complaints is completely inadequate. The woman below me should have been offered a gift certificate. This is a standard customer retention practice. Your customers (including myself) will reluctantly, but happily, dine elsewhere if this is the service norm at your franchise.

EDIT #2: I contacted Paul. He got back to me and let me know times he would be in the next day when I could call him. Sounds about right customer service at this location; didn't bother responding. Won't be returning...

Aug 2016

Promised I would be back and I did.

Shawarmas are still poor as per my first review below - nothing has changed - feel short changed!

Ordered a chicken shish taouk and it came to my table dry and rather burnt. Fries were dry as a bone too. BOO

My waitress was a delight - well done KATE the small blonde girl - you're the reason for the extra star!!

Evident that there are still problems with take out orders as customers are waiting and rather frustrated - I was seated immediately this time.

In all, much improvement required with food QA and take out service.

Shame.

July 2016 Paramount is not going to like this but bad luck guys. So I have been to this location 3 times since its recent opening to review consistency and quality of product.

This review is for the Saj wrap and the Chicken Shwarma which seem to be popular.

In terms of quality, I ordered the 9inch and 7inch chicken shawarma each time to review quality and consistency. Each time I unwrapped both shwarmas, there was little difference in terms of amount of meat (very poor when I compare to Montfort who are very liberal) and sloppy construction with just a little salad - IMO, you are just paying the extra for a bigger pita bread - not good Paramount.

The Saj with chicken was equally inconsistent - little meat, lots of space in the wrap with minimal ingredients. You get more substance in a banana and Nutella crepe! The picture they show in the restaurant and on web gives a false sense of what you get - the pic looks like it's tightly packed with ingredients and when cut, it shows 5 portions and not the 4 (the two ends are virtually just bread) you get when it is delivered to you.

Sure, the food is not bad but come on Paramount, don't cheap out on meat and fillings given your price and be consistent in terms of quality and the perceived representation of your brand.

Oh and one more thing, I noticed on each occasion people waiting a while to be seated.

I will coming again soon to check consistency and quality again...

The service delivery at this restaurant has gotten from being really amazing a few years ago to worse. I am really not sure if the management changed but the current management is pathetic. There is really no attention to detail while taking orders, zero tolerance for feedback when they mess up, over and above rude employees. My family and I will absolutely not be returning after a very unpleasant experience today.

17-Sept-23(Update): It is so unfortunate that instead of offering to strive for perfection, the owner deflects the situation to me not paying for the breads that were ordered. It is very sad that they fail to admit their ability to take orders with care and ensure that they are delivered in totality and rather blame the customer for their inability to fulfil. In this particular situation, I ordered Half shish tawouk platter, upon asking the person to took the order, they told me it comes with 4 Pita breads, I requested for 4 more, Ofcourse I was going to pay extra for it, the individual who took the order failed to note the extra order. I paid for my order and picked it up without ripping the bags open to ensure everything was there because I trust that there would not be any misses. Upon reaching home ready to serve dinner for my birthday party, I noticed that the order had 2 pita breads only. Not only did Paramount not provide the full 4 pita breads it came with but also missed adding the extra bread I had requested. Upon calling to complain to the management, the manager kept insisting that I did not pay for the extra breads and failed to rectify the situation. Needless to say, I am very disappointed, I hope the previous management returns because this is not what we expect of restaurants in our community. Additionally, the use of exclamation marks and rude public review response just goes to showcase how they treat their customers in real...