Ray's Lebanese Cuisine and HB Catering and fine dining — Restaurant in Halifax

We had a very disappointing experience at Ray’s Lebanese Restaurant. While dining, we found a pebble in the rice dish we ordered. Concerned about the quality and hoping to ensure no other customers had a similar experience, we politely brought it to the staff's attention. However, instead of an acknowledgment or an apology, one of the employees responded rudely, claiming it wasn’t their fault and even implying that we must have brought the pebble ourselves. This response was both baffling and unprofessional.

To make matters worse, the manager was nowhere to be found during the incident, leaving us to deal with the dismissive attitude of the staff. We never refused to pay for our food and only intended to provide constructive feedback. Unfortunately, the way the situation was handled fell far below the standards one would expect from a reputable restaurant.

When there’s an issue with food, the first step should always be an apology, not ridiculous explanations or blame-shifting. We left feeling deeply disappointed and will not be returning. Customer service like this is unacceptable.

EDIT: (reply to the owners comments on this review) First and foremost, it wasn’t a tooth; it was a pebble. Your staff wasn’t even calm or attentive enough to listen to what we were saying clearly.

Secondly, I urge you to check your CCTV footage before making baseless accusations. The cameras will also show just how “polite” your staff were during the incident. We have also added photos to prove that we did not finish the food after finding the pebble and reporting it. Contrary to your claims, we left the food as it was.

Furthermore, we insisted multiple times that your staff prepare the bill and charge us for the meal at the billing counter (again check your CCTV). We had no intention of eating for free. So don’t you dare accuse us of such behavior without evidence.

Your reply to my family member’s review shows how defensive and ignorant you are. You didn’t even bother to read the comment properly, as it clearly stated it was a pebble and not a tooth.

Also, to add to the gravity of the situation, the pebble was found in my wife’s mouth while she was eating. She is a feeding mother to our 2-month-old baby who was also present in the restaurant. Had something happened to her, it would have directly impacted our child’s health and well-being. Do you honestly believe anyone would stage something like this, especially for something as trivial as a free meal?

Good luck giving all the explanation to a food...

I placed an order for pickup through their online platform this evening for two shawarmas, but when I didn’t receive an email confirmation after about fifteen minutes, I decided to call the restaurant to check on the order as my husband was already on his way to pick up our food.

The employee I spoke with was lovely - very apologetic when he told me that no order had come through on their end. After realizing that I had been charged for the order (my husband arrived at the restaurant and was able to show him the screenshot of my bank account I had sent haha) he informed me he would be making the order for us anyway - the wraps were delicious as always!

I left my name and number for the owner to reach me if he needed to. Not long after we finished our dinner, I received a text saying my ordered had been cancelled and I was issued a refund, so I sent an email to the restaurant to let them know I would be by in the next two days to pay our tab and to thank the employee for being wonderful!

Much to my surprise, I then received a text message from the owner and head chef, thanking me for my kind words, apologizing for the situation and offering me our meal at no cost!

I certainly wasn’t expecting this but I’m extremely pleased with how the situation was handled! We already order from Ray’s far too frequently, and I have a feeling this will only increase...

Sorry about this review but I have to say it.

Monday, the 3rd of April, I had food there and my stomach hurt for 24 hours after eating there. The chicken was not fresh, Shawarma is a Levantine Arab meat preparation, where lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, veal, or mixed meats are placed on a spit (commonly a vertical spit in restaurants). They kept the meat in a metal bowl to keep it warm, god known how long it was there. Good meat is supposed to be cut from the vertical spit, not some leftover meat.

Outrageous quality of food, they want to save money and serve me leftover. Well, I hope everyone see that review.

I work on a boat and the food is better there than in this restaurant!

Never again!

Edit: Why is the meat not cut from the vertical spit? I am from Montreal, I ate in countless Lebanese restaurant and they always cut the meat from the vertical spit, the outside of the meat is crispy and the middle is juicy, keeping it in the warmer is not good, it dry the meat and it change the taste. I don't know why every Lebanese restaurant in Nova Scotia serve the meat from a warmer. Know that I respect you and I do not mean to be rude, I just expect quality when I pay with my hard earn money, no hard...