Al Madina Grill — Restaurant in Cincinnati

I always get the chicken shawarma sandwich and I have visited maybe 8-10 times over the last 3 months. Ive always enjoyed my sandwich from the seasoned moist meat, fresh salad toppings, magnificent garlic sauce, the lovely soft warm bread and the plentiful portions. I have not been disappointed in the sandwich at all, (to me the price of $11 is reasonable). My husband enjoys the leg quarters which are served on Monday with rice, salad, and bread. The staff has been really nice and professional to me (I’m African American and have read some of the other reviews that speak on it so I thought I had my .02 cents). I’ve always felt welcomed and feel they recognize me as a regular so I immediately see smiles. The area has been clean every time I’ve visited and I’ve walked in upon opening and caught them last minute a couple times before closing. You can park right in front of the restaurant and if need be across the street in Kroger’s parking lot (but don’t get towed just watch your car). The only fault I have with this place is that I can’t make the food at home myself 😩. Whomever the cook and the staff are in 2025 you’re greatly appreciated by my husband and I!!!! It truly takes discipline to only visit once a week! This place has become one of my local favorites!!! Wish they sold the pickles and garlic sauce in to go bottles cause I can’t...

Good shawarma and kebobs. The food quality was a little better years ago when a Pakistani guy was running the place, but it's still good quality food. And at least the new owners kept his fresh Nan bread recipe, instead of doing what almost every other Mediterranean (Eastern Arab) restaurant in the region does, which is to use store-bought pita bread. Great hummus but to have to remember to remind the guy to put olive oil and paprika on it. Good tabuleh as well..

Al-Madina is a good place to get a sandwich, but they close FAR too EARLY, espescially given the college commercial strip location, and they should consider serving coffee.

In fact, just skip the coffee guys and just STAY OPEN at a decent hour, I'm not the only person who complains about this in the community everyone I know always complains about your hours. Why is it almost everyone who comes to Cincinnati and opens an establishment makes the mistake of having the weirdest hours? Thus sending all their evening business to the few places who maintain actual city hours. This is a city, not a village.. and the restaurant name is al-Madina (the city) not al-Qariya (the village)..

Anyway, my complaints aside, yes I recommend it, go there they have good food some is vegetarian friendly and the meat...

Update: I've been coming here for a long time, but my recent visit might be my last. The service from the new guy at the counter (young, thin, curly hair) was the main reason. It was clear he didn’t like his job and had no respect for the customers. He was rude to the customer in front of me and to me as well. When I ordered, I saw him grab the bread for my sandwich from the bottom of the pile. I asked him to get one from the top, and he annoyingly replied, 'It's all the same, bro,' while making a weird face. If it's all the same, why bother pulling from the bottom in the first place? I didn’t like his attitude, and honestly, I didn’t enjoy the sandwich either. He clearly doesn't care whether the customer is happy with the food. Even if I decide to come back, if I see he's working the counter, I’ll probably just leave. I really like the owner, though. He's always friendly, greets with a smile, and makes a mean sandwich.

I had the Chicken shawarma sandwich, and falafel sandwich. I liked both, the...