Rudy's Mediterranean Grill And Turkish Cuisine — Restaurant in Columbia

I am not one to leave bad reviews for local establishments. My usual belief is, if I don't like a place, I just don't leave a review. On the other hand, I always leave 5 star reviews for stellar service. In this case, a 1 star review is warranted. And not because of the food!

The food was roughly 4 star quality - pretty good overall. The problem had to do with not only paying for an overpriced meal but feeling bilked in the process. We apparently made the mistake of having lunch on Mother's Day - a table for 10 to celebrate three fabulous mothers and one birthday. Upon receiving our Mother's Day "special" menus, the first thing many of us noted was just how expensive the items were. The restaurant is nice enough looking but fifty dollars for lamb chops, forty dollars for gyro meat - it just seemed very excessive. Nonetheless, because we were there to celebrate, nobody said anything and we enjoyed a decent, albeit way overpriced, meal (spending over $500 in the process). They also added a 20% service charge for the privilege of overpaying for the food. I don't normally mind service charges for large parties, and usually tip extra (but those are typically 18%, and not on top of an already overpriced bill).

Because the pricing was so egregiously high, on my way out, I decided to pay closer attention to the permanent (non-Mothers Day) menus taped to the windows. Low and behold, every item (with exactly the same descriptions) was around 25% cheaper than what we paid - which by the way, still would have been expensive, but not quite the gouging we received. One obvious recommendation for them - if you're going to rip your customers off, maybe don't advertise it on your windows. Another much better recommendation, don't rip off your customers!

The restaurant business is entirely about building relationships with your customers, so they want to come back. Ten of us went there, got ripped off, and will never be back. Had we paid the regular, non-Mother's Day price, we might have returned (the food really was decent) but I cannot EVER support an establishment that treats their customers with such contempt. I recommend others stay...

The service and food was really bad. I wanted to eat ground beef kabob, The waiter insisted to have lamb kabob no matter how much I have asked thank you I want the ground beef meat kabob, he never said they do not have it he ended up bringing different type of kabob. Me and my husband were hungry so we ate whatever he brought. I also ordered eggplant mixed with pepper the waitress brought very different type of dish. He brought eggplant, tomato and some kind of spicy meze( Ihad never ordered). Kabob came with bread and had stuffed grape leaves. Bread was very good, but staffed grape leaves was from convenience store. I am 100% sure their staffed grape leaves was neither restaurant made nor homemade. They just buy stuffed grape leaves from any store and they heat and serve it. I can immediately tell differences between "canned stuffed grape leaves" and homemade staffed grape leaves dish. My husband is fast eater, and I am slow eater. I was still eating while the waitress came and started cleaning the table, she took my salad and my water without asking me, I was in shock. I did not finish my kabob yet. It was only 20-25 minute we were there. There were a lot of chairs tables were empty, I did not understand why the waiter was so eager to kick us out?! Anyway I think owner does not know what is going on there. This restaurant could be improve better, I liked lightning in the dining area. The service was horrible and especially waitress must be trained. I even showed the barbecue picture that i want exactly this barbecue he brought us very different barbecue. He simple could have say we do not serve this kind of kabob that is all. Anyway, they have to work on their waitress and they should hire someone who understand Turkish dishes and speaks English, otherwise they will end up losing their clients. Not...

If you’re looking for a true taste of Turkey, this restaurant is an absolute gem. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting atmosphere that instantly makes you feel at home. The menu is a culinary journey through Turkey, offering a perfect balance of authentic flavors and high-quality ingredients. The freshly baked lavash bread, served warm and fluffy, paired with creamy hummus, sets the tone for an unforgettable meal.

For appetizers, Rudy's combo platter is a must-try, featuring classics like dolmas, baba ghanoush, and spicy ezme—all bursting with flavor. Moving to the main course, the Adana kebab and Iskender kebab are cooked to perfection, with tender, juicy meat that’s perfectly seasoned. The accompanying rice and grilled vegetables elevate the dish even further. Vegetarians will adore the stuffed eggplant (İmam Bayıldı), a hearty, flavorful dish that captures the essence of Turkish cuisine. And don’t skip dessert—the baklava is flaky, rich, and perfectly sweet, while the kunefe is a decadent combination of crispy pastry and gooey cheese, topped with just the right amount of syrup.

Pair your meal with a cup of Turkish tea or a rich Turkish coffee for the perfect ending. The staff’s attention to detail and eagerness to share the story behind each dish make the experience even more special. In short, this Turkish restaurant is a treasure for food lovers. Whether you’re familiar with Turkish cuisine or trying it for the first time, you’re in for a treat. It’s a dining experience that will keep you coming...