ZAATAR Mediterranean Cuisine — Restaurant in Baltimore

It’s unfortunate. Was excited about this place and each time felt worse about this place. Hope that they listen to criticism and change for the better.

Seems to be family owned. Service is always prompt. Not as overpriced as other places, except for water.

The first thing that struck me was how they push to charge you for water by forcing you to buy bottled. At one point I insisted on tap and was provided that, but last time I went, I was handed bottled water and told no for my tap water request. Them serving filtered water (same as tap) was even more insulting. If they force you to buy water, at least they should give you Spring water. Just weird because I have never been refused free tap water In restaurants. It’s the norm to get tap when you say water. Not at this place. Again, weirdly pushy. That alone made me think twice about coming back again.

It’s wasteful too because they bring out gigantic plastic cups for the small bottled waters to be emptied into. Way too much plastic waste.

They are not shy on up selling you. When I was done ordering, I was asked if I also wanted to order something else.

As a vegetarian I go for falafels. The first time I tried their falafel sandwich, I was impressed by the taste and the toppings. It was tasty and I came back with a friend. Unfortunately, this time they served old falafels, not fresh and green and terribly hard on the outside, what happens when you reheat in old oil food that sat out too long. I hurt my tooth at one point on a bit that felt as hard as a (tiny) rock.

I will think twice now about coming back for reheated hardened dried out falafels.

My middle eastern friend was not impressed and said that the food wasn’t fresh. Also doubted cleanliness of the establishment.

Ordering uncooked food like a salad, I would also think twice.

The other weird thing is they wrap their sandwiches with four layers of foil. Even when you are ending in in! Why? Why the waste? Why not just serve it fresh and open and ready to eat? Why wrap it like you are going to hike with it for miles before a picnic. Again, wasteful.

Tried zataar pie once and it seemed too dark as over baked, almost burnt. Maybe also reheated?

Also tried their lentil soup. It was watery but tasty. The many pita chips served with it were deep fried. Not healthy. I would prefer a thicker soup with a thick slice of country bread but then I guess it would be more European I guess.

I noticed that a great majority of people eating here didn’t look very healthy. Made me wonder about...

There is a old time pub feel to the place with medium toned paneling on the dining room walls, exposed brick columns, wood floors, and a good sized bar on one side. Don't be surprised to find the dining room entry as a steady stream of carry-out customers drop in. The weight staff, and the owners are cheerful, friendly and helpful. My wife and I have enjoyed Indian and Afghani food before and I've also had Turkish, so we had some idea of what the ingredients were and what some of the dishes were. Them menu has more items than most and it was a lot to take in, yet with a bit of time and help from the wait staff we muddled through.

Wife started us out with the Mixed Appetizer Dips, which is served with thin pita cut into quarters, they were pliable and had a subtle flavor. The dips are served in a large three sectioned dish and it is full. It comes with hummus, some of the best I've ever had, baba ghanough, which had a nice flavorful zing to it the first bite may take you by surprise, mohamarah rounded out the dish, this pomegranate and tomato offering was a first for us with complex flavors from its varied ingredients.

I ordered the Chicken Shish Kabob Entree. I'm sorry to say that while the chicken was well flavored it made it to the table a little dry, the mild garlic sauce did a lot to make up for that though. I wished they offered a dark meat chicken option. The grilled veggies and the salad were wonderful. A variety of greens, cucumbers and a dressing with a sharpness from the vinegar were wonderful. The Ali Baba Bread was a major step up from the Onion Kulcha we've had at Indian places.

My wife went with Lamb Chops a favorite of hers, it comes with the same salad and bread. Four well prepared and seasoned lamb chops arrived and she...

Service terrible, portions of meat or chicken entree very small you will get a plate full of rice, lentil soup FULL of SALT. My waitress brought out the pita bread after we were already finished eating. No one stopped by to ask if we needed anything. Inconsistent plates only one entree had white sauce, no other entrees got it and we ordered 2 of the same entrees, grilled pita had no red paste like other pictures. The only good thing I can say is the chicken tasted fine but that's it. I was in town visiting and I've had better Turkish food elsewhere. Guys if you are reading this DO NOT bring any girls here on a date otherwise you will STRIKE OUT, don't say that I didn't warn you! The people next to me had to send back an order of French fries that was cold (which they messed up) and the waiter told them "this is not an American restaurant" and refused to take the order back. I don't understand why on earth this place has anything but 1 star. Read my other reviews I try hard to guide people properly by the truth so don't waste your time. The waitress was garbage, the manager in the white tee shirt was too busy eating food instead of helping staff bring food to table. I was asked tip or skip and I even regret tipping I should have pressed SKIP. So disappointed! ALSO BEWARE they charge 20% TIP WITHOUT ASKING you AUTOMATICALLY and you end up tipping twice! It didn't happen to us because we asked the waitress to see the items that we ordered before we paid. It happened to 3 other families all of who left very upset at this place and the waiter got in a customer's face tonight, just for standing up for his rights! The manager refused to see anyone to fix anything!...