AGHA Restaurant Waterloo — Restaurant in Waterloo

Three of us went there on the first night of their soft opening (Wed. Nov. 6) and the hostess received us warmly. We hadn’t made reservations as we had just noticed their FB and IG posts the night before and, although they were very busy for a first night soft opening, the hostess accommodated us easily to a nice table. Mr. Adnan who took our order may have been the manager (owner?) and he was also very pleasant and we engaged him in conversation. We were excited to try the food and told him that we’ve been to Turkey a few times and loved the food. We’ve also been to a couple of Turkish restaurants in KW (one in the south part of Kitchener and another at the Boardwalk) and in Toronto so we have a good sense of what’s tasty/authentic and what isn’t. He told us about their GTA location and plans to open another in Ottawa, and he also told us that the chef for this Waterloo location had recently come from Istanbul—a promising beginning. On Mr. Adnan’s recommendation we ordered the mixed grill for 2 and an order of lamb chops. We also ordered the mixed appetizer plate and drinks (2 lime mint; 1 pina colada). The food arrived fairly quickly despite how busy they were. The bread was freshly baked and the mixed grill was very good (the veal and chicken kababs were tasty, but we were surprised to see chicken wings! They were tasty and our son loved them.). The lamb (4 pieces) was soft and juicy, but a slightly bit more grilled flavour would have been even better. Bulgar and rice were served in just the right quantities. The mixed appetizer unfortunately never arrived. We had planned to order tea and dessert but the fire alarm went off (some maintenance was being done and apparently some wires were tripped or cut) and didn’t stop ringing. We boxed up our food to take it with us. When I went to pay, Mr. Adnan refused to charge anyone for their meals given the disruption :-) Turkish hospitality at its best!

One major complaint/suggestion: when we ordered water, we received bottles of water with no glasses or straws. I understand that restaurants started doing this during the pandemic and now many Middle Eastern continue to do it to generate profit. This is a MAJOR turn off. I notice that one other reviewer also commented on this. Why use all these plastic bottles when we just need some filtered tap water?!? Also, if you insist on the bottled water, please provide some glasses. Who wants to drink straight from a bottle at a restaurant? But, please, as per keeping with Islamic and Turkish ethics, water should be free (unless it’s sparkling or mineral water).

Notwithstanding the first day chaos, the decor was charming and ambience is warm and family friendly. No tv screens on the walls. Music was not too loud and we could enjoy our table conversation. We definitely plan to return and I would love to review it again, once they’ve established themselves more. Wishing them...

My friends and I visited this restaurant for its grand opening, expecting a lively and well-prepared atmosphere, but sadly, our experience was anything but that. While we were seated promptly after reserving in advance, issues began almost immediately. The menus were incomplete, with missing descriptions and prices, and we had to rely on a QR code just to get basic information about the dishes. Trying to get a waiter’s attention proved challenging, as they often disappeared despite the restaurant seeming well-staffed.

The night took an even worse turn when the fire alarms suddenly went off due to issues with the grill in the kitchen, something you’d expect to be checked and working perfectly on a grand opening night. The staff seemed utterly unprepared, offering no guidance to guests. Some patrons stayed inside while others, like us, waited outside for 40 minutes until the fire department arrived.

After we were allowed back in, we assumed our order was being prepared. But then, a manager approached us nearly 90 minutes into our visit to inform us that the grill was no longer in operation due to the fire alarm and that our order would need to be modified from a reduced menu. We adjusted our order, hoping the rest of the evening would improve, but unfortunately, the issues continued.

After another long wait, three of our four orders arrived, with one dish still missing. My friends, out of courtesy, waited for my meal to come so we could all eat together, but their food went cold as we continued to wait. After 30 more minutes, we were told they were out of doner but would prepare a fresh batch in 15 minutes and provide some appetizers while we waited. Even then, we had to follow up with staff twice before the appetizers finally arrived.

Nearly three hours after arriving, I was served my beef iskender, which was underwhelming in portion and quality, especially when compared to other Turkish restaurants in the area. Despite all the chaos, the apologies from the staff, and the hours we spent waiting, we were still charged for our order (including the grand opening discount). Spending three hours in a restaurant without adequate service or food quality is unacceptable.

The lack of organization, customer care, and preparation set a troubling precedent for this restaurant’s future. This location, like its Mississauga counterpart, seems to lack the warmth and attentiveness you’d expect from a place claiming to offer authentic Turkish cuisine. Many of the existing reviews feel insincere, as our experience didn’t align with the glowing praise seen elsewhere. Please don’t be misled, there are other Turkish restaurants around that are far more deserving of your time and money until these guys get their...

3/5 (will update my rating after my next visit)

I visited Agha Turkish Restaurant on its second day of opening. Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed and promptly seated. After about 10 minutes, the waiter took my order. Unfortunately, by 6:30 pm on Thursday, November 7, 2024, they had run out of all major kebabs, so I opted for the Mix Pide and Beef Doner Durum.

The food took a long time to arrive—about 40-45 minutes. I also noticed that other customers were facing similar delays. For instance, a family seated next to me had been waiting for 25 minutes before anyone came to take their order, which I only noticed after pointing it out to the staff.

The manager, Joseph/Yusuf, was very kind, and their customer service was generally friendly, with smiles and polite gestures. However, there seemed to be a lack of professionalism when it came to managing table orders and timely service. While the number of servers appeared adequate, there was a clear need for better coordination and training. Several staff members seemed to be wandering aimlessly or hiding in corners, not keeping an eye on customers’ needs.

Additionally, not all the waiters had order-taking machines, and those assigned to cleaning tables appeared disengaged and sluggish. I would suggest having at least two or three staff members dedicated to each section, who can both take orders and clear tables. This would streamline operations and ensure that customers are attended to more efficiently. If this division of labor remains in place, I’d recommend providing more ordering devices to those responsible for taking orders.

As for the food, while it was decent, I wouldn’t classify it as the best Turkish cuisine I’ve had. I’ve enjoyed more authentic and flavorful Turkish meals in the Ontario area, especially in Mississauga and Etobicoke. I tried two items—the Pide and Beef Doner Durum—though neither stood out. The Pide was underwhelming, especially compared to what I’ve had at Antiochia Turkish Doner in Ridgeway Plaza, which I’d rate far higher. Agha’s Pide was average at best, so I’d give it a 3/10. However, the Beef Doner Durum (wrap) was better; the beef was tender, and the lavash bread was a nice touch, though it didn’t reach exceptional levels. I’d rate the wrap a 7/10. The Durum was served with a small portion of fries.

There was a 20% discount on opening days, which was a nice touch.

I’ll definitely return to try other menu items and will update my review accordingly.

Note: No prices are mentioned on the menu, you have to ask the...