Big Marina Grill & Deli — Restaurant in Columbia Heights

I've been coming here since September 12, 2001. The people are as amazing as the food. The buffet is filled with choices from across the Middle East, Eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, and even South Central Asia. A wide selection on the buffet with a full menu for those interested. Larger parties or families can order family style. Muslim Holidays may have special menus and extended hours.

Appetizers, salads, and soups are always fresh (the baba ganouche is a wonder garlicky goodness and their lentil soups warm the soul). The entrees (try the different fish dishes, the lamb, the bottomless gyros, the goat stew, and the kofta will keep you coming back) are savory, hot, and kept refreshed. Although some busy nights the kofta runs out quick but another pan is quickly brought out. It is that good. The Somali Sambusa are savory, tender, and satisfying. Fresh breads are plentiful from all over the region. There is even a hamburger and fries special for those interested. The burgers look broiled to perfection.

Finish your buffet with ice cream, or far more traditional items like baklava (just the right amount of sweetness) or basbousa. I often order a Turkish coffee to go along with dessert.

Keep in mind there is no alcohol served here. Sodas, tea, and fruit juices are available and included with the buffet cost.

This is a Muslim family-owned restaurant. I've watched the sons who bussed tables as teens grow into the managers. My friends and I are LGBT and my transgender friends are as welcome as everyone. When I need to treat myself and feel welcomed, this is where I go. This is hospitality.

If you choose to visit, and I hope you do, please show the same respect you are given. These folks are...

It is uncommon to experience outright racism these days but I found my experience at this restaurant tonight to be unbelievably racist. We were seated next to a larger group from Egypt & Lebanon. They were loud and boisterous but we were not bothered by it, initially.

However, one of the gentleman within the group then started making racial slurs at Chinese Asians and Africans. At one point, the gentleman started imitating the Chinese language with foul slurs and made a rude reference to Africans. As a Chinese and seeing other ethnic groups being distressed by the comments, one of us spoke to the employees of the restaurant about the loud, racially-intolerant commentary coming from the party. The employee disregarded our concerns and another restaurant patron, unrelated to us, spoke to the cashier for support. No response either.

No one in today's world should be racially-abused and insulted. Our experience tonight completely ruined our meal and it is a poor reflection upon this restaurant that they permit their patrons to be abused by racist people and their behaviours.

This was not the only issue that ruined our meal as the food itself was of distinctly below-average quality. The evidence of cost-cutting is overwhelming and some items of food are of very poor quality. I was especially disgusted with their fish and seafood items. Overall, I am quite disheartened by my experience tonight. I wish for this issue to be shared publicly and anyone who values a diverse, culturally-inclusive community to avoid...

It’s wonderful to have a melting pot of variety on Central Avenue — while I’m not personally a fan of Mediterranean food, they serve up a generous variety of Mediterranean and American-inspired food in their four-station buffet.

For the most part everything was well-prepared and reasonably fresh-tasting. But with some things — their chicken wings, mussels, falafels, and a few select other items, I found them to be terribly dry and unappealing, especially mussels in particular.

But generally speaking, the food was tasty and reminded me of some of the Greek and Arabic food that I had at a couple decisively ethnic churches. The flavors and dishes were consistent with those experiences.

It was slightly awkward though walking in — no one greeted me or welcomed me, like you might expect with most restaurants. Additionally, there’s this unspoken thing that you just go up and serve yourself — beverage included. As a first-timer here, there was no real social guidance or invitation — “please, go fix yourself a plate ...the beverages are over there, help yourself.” So I found my first time here a bit awkward because I was unaware of their particular buffet etiquette.

Also, for what it’s worth, their interior looks worn and run down in spots — the wall next to the table I sat at had several layers of paint coming off and other areas of the wall were pretty dirty.

But in all, it was a decent experience and the food was good. I wish them all the best and great success...