Nawal's Mediterranean Grille — Restaurant in Big Rapids Township

We had a pretty bad experience and I wanted to share the story. We were in Big Rapids and we wanted to try some Mediterranean food, and the photos here looked pretty good, and to be honest the interior looked pretty good also. We sat down and watched as the wait staff walked past us multiple times without asking what we were interested in. In fact one of the wait staff came by and said sorry you haven't been helped, I'm not your weight staff, but can I take your order. We ordered an appetizer of garlic hummus with water while we waited for our server to come, which never happened. We also never got our water. But we did get the hummus, which unfortunately tasted very bad. It was fuzzy or fizzy, like it was carbonated. I looked it up online and it either meant that we were allergic, which we weren't, or that the hummus had gone bad, or possibly had too much baking soda. Nonetheless we were frustrated, and went to check out and pay for the unfinished hummus before leaving. While we were checking out, the owner called us from behind the counter and instead of apologizing for the bad hummus, tried to defend it saying they made it yesterday. It was very off-putting, considering how most of the interactions were negative, and then the food was completely negative. Hopefully you all have a better experience...

My wife and I stopped by here on the drive back to Illinois. I ordered hot Egyptian tea, which was black and herby with no sugar. The presentation was spectacular. We loved the salads we each got (Brian for $15 and the Susan for $12). In fact, the Brian was one of the best salads I’ve ever eaten. It had an interesting house-made oily lemon zest dressing with a subtle flavor, and generous lamb garlic sauce on top.

We also ordered bread pudding which was tasty and took a spinach pie to go. I personally wasn’t a fan of the spinach pie’s flavor (be aware that cheese is not feta), but for veggie lovers it’s a generous spinach filling.

One item of complaint: we were charged for two $15 dollar Brian salads when one was the $12 Susan.

Ordering advice: Do not be shy about having another server take your order if the one that came up to you first is too busy cooking to come back after you decided on your order!

The other desserts on display looked so good, and we will definitely want to come back one day and try them! This is a gem of a place in this...

My best friend, who happens to be a vegetarian, came to visit, so took her to this place to try it out for the first time and it was amazing!! I have had mediterranean food before, but never an Egyptian take on it. The owner was pleasant and the atmosphere was cute and had the cleanest bathroom that smelled amazing! The spinach pie was warm, flakey with the best texture and flavor. The spicy lentil soup of the day was so comforting and the melange of spices made my taste buds dance with joy. The Egyptian tea was that came in a special stay hot the whole time we were eating, kept us warm from the cold and with digestion as we shoved more food down our mouths. Falafel had chunks of garlic that was a very special delight!! And Koshary was interesting for this was the first time trying it and this too did not disappoint! Got a togo of lamb gyro for my husband, and was close to swilling the sandwich whole for it was that delicious!! It is definitely a hidden gem but worth passing all the other restaurants in Big Rapids to go here. Highly recommend...