How can you not love this place? [Edit] Disappointed with the Service at Hejazi Corner
I’ve been a regular at Hejazi Corner since it first opened and have always enjoyed my visits. But my most recent experience was really disappointing, and I feel I need to share it.
When we arrived, we asked to sit on the couches, as we’ve done before, but we were told they were only for groups of four. This didn’t make sense since one of the tables on the couch is clearly for two people. I’ve sat there multiple times in the past few weeks without any issue. The staff were rude and insisted we sit on chairs, only relenting after we pushed back and stressed that we wanted to sit on the couch.
When we were ordering, the waiter insisted on speaking in English, even though I tried to order in Arabic to avoid confusion. He struggled to understand the order, and eventually switched to Arabic, repeating it twice to get it right. On top of that, he questioned why we only wanted one portion of rice instead of two. It felt invasive and unprofessional, and I had to tell him it wasn’t his place to decide what we wanted to eat. After a debate, he finally agreed to our order.
What surprised me even more was when the waiter asked us to leave a good review on Google. I’ve already left two positive reviews in the past, but this experience didn’t warrant another one. When I mentioned that I’ve been coming to Hejazi Corner since it opened, he dismissed me and claimed he’d never seen me before, which was frustrating and dismissive.
The worst part was when we went to pay. The cashier ignored us and three other customers waiting in line, choosing to sit on a phone call for six minutes. When he finally finished, I tried to make the process quick by giving him our order. Instead, he interrupted me, asked the wrong waiter for details about our table, and still didn’t listen when I provided the table number. When I said, “Table number 9, since you don’t trust us,” it felt like I was being treated as if it was my first time there.
Finally, the cashier rudely refused to let us split the bill, telling us to “sort out payment between each other later” and insisting we pay as one. My friend got upset and pointed out that splitting the bill is a normal request, and it’s not acceptable for a restaurant to dictate how we pay. This kind of service is not only unhelpful but leaves a bad impression.
Overall, Hejazi Corner’s service has gone downhill. The lack of respect for customers, combined with inconsistent policies and poor professionalism, has made me rethink coming back. It’s sad to see a place I’ve supported from the beginning treat its...
Read moreHijazi Restaurant, located in the heart of the city, offers an immersive dining experience into the rich culinary traditions of the Hijaz region. This charming eatery prides itself on serving authentic Saudi Arabian dishes, bringing a taste of the Middle East to local food lovers. The interior of the restaurant is tastefully decorated with Arabic calligraphy, traditional woodwork, and soft lighting, creating an inviting atmosphere that complements the food.
The menu at Hijazi is diverse, offering a variety of dishes that highlight the flavors of the region. A standout is the Mandi, a spiced rice dish served with tender lamb or chicken. The rice is infused with a delicate blend of spices, while the meat is cooked to perfection, falling off the bone. Another popular choice is the Jareesh, a creamy, savory dish made from crushed wheat and usually paired with chicken or beef. The rich, aromatic flavors of both these dishes showcase the depth of Hijazi cuisine.
The service at Hijazi is generally attentive, with staff offering warm hospitality. The waiters are knowledgeable about the menu and are happy to make recommendations based on diners' preferences. The restaurant also offers a variety of freshly baked bread and traditional sauces to accompany the meals, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the experience.
For dessert, the Kunafa is a must-try. This sweet, cheese-filled pastry is soaked in fragrant syrup and provides the perfect ending to a flavorful meal.
One issue is that, the internal thermal system was not working at restaurant when we where there. I was told by the staff that this heater is bad and not able to run it. Though the internal temperature was bit cold which effect us to enjoy the food properly as we have to make our hands bit warm will enjoying the food.
While the prices are on the higher side, the quality of food and the unique cultural experience make it worthwhile. Overall, Hijazi Restaurant is a delightful destination for anyone looking to explore authentic Saudi flavors in a warm,...
Read moreDishes were tasty, but they charged service charge for my takeaway items and when I got my takeaways out I noticed that they did not put any bread in when two of my dishes should come with bread, that is bit dodgy, I called and they couldn’t understand me. Make sure you check your takeaway items before leaving there. Will not be returning unfortunately…
Just to answer the feedback from the owner. Firstly, it was the owner who came over to the table, told me what I’ve ordered, and somehow decided to remove half of items, which I was not aware of, that was the reason which caused all the confusion. I was in a shock when one of the waiter told me the order list became half… Secondly, after I asked for the missing items to takeaway, another waiter suggested me to have one of the sweet item to eat in as it will be served on stone, so I agreed with it, later on after a very long wait I’ve given up and asked to cancel that and take the rest away, when I saw all the items have been charged service charge I was not even bother to ask to take them off, as listed correct items and service charge are the restaurant’s responsibility not the customers, it was already a drowning experience. Thirdly, the bread I talked about is the one which should come with the takeaway items, it shows ‘Come with bread’, not the large Tawa bread I paid for. I called and asked for the missing bread, the lady couldn’t understand and kept asking if I’d like to make an order of the bread, I asked to explain that to the manager but got rejected. To conclude, please talk to the manager, understand what was actually going on, before you post a feedback, is important. I take full responsibility of...
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