Babel Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Arlington

I started coming here over the last three years since I started working at Concentra urgent care as a provider there. The food is always great. The young lady manager that has been working there is always nice, hard-working, and seems like she is very caring to everyone who comes in the door.

I moved away 45 minutes from Arlington, and decided recently to start coming back because of the great service and food.

Unfortunately something changed over the last year or so, and below the reflection of the three out of five stars. One for the employees who were serving food and not wearing gloves. I would suspect that especially during these times, they would be conscious of wearing gloves while serving food.

The other reason for the bad rating has to do with my experience the last two times over the last week with one of the employee who works behind the register. He has been very harsh and direct with how he has spoken to me. The first time, I ordered extra garlic sauce at check out with another employee. Upon walking out, I checked the bag and realized that they didn’t put any in there. So I went back and I asked for it, and the rude employee bluntly asked “ are you going to pay for it?“ I was shocked that that was his response, but I told him that I already did pay for it. And then he has the urge to then ask for my receipt to make sure. The employee who checked me out had to chime in and told him that I already paid for it. And only then did he gave me the garlic sauce. I never got any type of apology or apologetic remarks towards the way that he talk to me.

The other scenario just happened 15 minutes ago. I ordered the same thing every time I go. It seems like there are new employees that are working there. And so during one of my orders, the employee didn’t know what to do so he asked the rude employee about it. The rude employee then gave me a hard time and how I wanted my order. I told him that I always get it that way, and I didn’t know what the problem was. I ordered a veggie platter, but I usually get the okra in a different container because it tends to overflow with the other sides. That’s an order for my wife, and that’s how she always orders at it and wants it. I’ve never had a problem. He gave me a hard time and told me that that’s not how they do things that it has to be inside the actual to-go container. Only after I expressed frustration to him, then he started to be extra nice to me. The lady manager that has always attended me, always tells me that it’s not a problem. So I’m sure there’s a lack of communication there between the new employees and how some customers like their orders. I feel that communicating that to the customer could be improved... Little more courteous maybe? Oh, and guess what, at the end I asked for extra garlic sauce again. And he forgot to put it in the bag...

I was the only one in the process of getting food and no one else was in line. How can service be this poor especially during these times?

Come back to work lady manager, whom I always forget your name. I miss your...

Went to this place after seeing such high reviews from everyone, i figured why not try something new. We went in and really didn't know what to do, our first time so we tried to get a table first then realized you have to go right as you walk in. We still reserved are little table as there was quite a few people eating, figured we were in for a treat. A mideastern man welcomed us and asked if it was our first time and we indicated it was, he had a warm smile and explained the process (very friendly). Another black woman (may have been the manager) asked us the same question and she quickly explained the process as well, everything was going well and my wife and I were happy with the service up until we weren't. We passed the sides section and onto the meats, the young Hispanic looking woman told us we could have samples, she gave my wife a sample and my wife liked the dish and requested the chicken. I asked for a sample of another type of chicken which she provided, then she went to go do something, i thought that was odd but sure OK, then i asked for a quick sample of another meat in which she provided after waiting a minute for her return. After the second sample she just plain out left to go clean I'm assuming, she left me there waiting which felt like 5 minutes, she returned and just passed by like i was not even there, my wife and I were astounded by the rudeness this woman had displayed. I had to just go to pay to get the attention of someone else which i did, I proceeded to tell the black woman who greeted us in the beginning and she claims that she didn't do it on purpose and that she asked her to do something for her once she was finished which didn't make sense, i told her no, she looked at me 4 different times and still proceeded to forget we were there waiting. She apologized but the experience ruined our evening, we will not be going back. The other star was for the food, it was good, not the aquired taste we were used to but enough to satisfy. Hope nobody runs into this ever! Service is most important part of any restaurant, she definitely needs to...

First I want to give a shout out to the African-American gentleman who was working there today. I do not know his name but he was the only African-American gentleman working the register as well as the front counter. He was very hospitable, very helpful in assisting me to make my selections as this was my first visit to the location. Allow me to take my time with selections. Maybe also because it was slow because of the weather. Very professional, very respectful. I saw this spot on my list and did not feel like a burger today. This was an excellent choice if I do say so myself. I had the meat plate with four sides. I chose the andalous chicken which is their signature meat. Also had spicy hummus with pita bread, spinach and cabbage salad, cilantro zucchini, Jasmine or basmati rice. They had some meat pies that I tried, and to wash it all down with some nice refreshing water. The bakery was on site and fresh coming out of the oven, so you know the pita bread was on point. The spicy hummus was great and the heat did not beat you up immediately, it kind of snuck up on you. The cilantro cucumber was a nice Twist on a grilled or sauteed cucumber. The rice was cooked to perfection and not stuck together due to over cooking. The spinach and cabbage salad was phenomenal. Some sort of Italian or Mediterranean dressing they used. Last but not least the andalous chicken which was in a tomato base sauce. It was oh so tender that it almost fell off the fork after picking up. When I sat down with the tree of food I was in all of how much food was on the plate for a mere $15. I was trying to figure out how I was going to eat all of that and was 100% sure that I would need a to-go tray. Based on how awesome the food was there was nothing left except for one piece of pita bread that I could not eat. That was because they give you two with each meal. I said at the table debating on if I should grab a to-go plate for my wife or bring her out. I opted for the former. They had a lot of different meat choices that I definitely want to try them all from lamb shank 2 snapper...