Baboush — Restaurant in Dallas

Went here based on reviews, was not impressed. I had chicken that was very dry, others had the short ribs and salmon. Those were cooked fine but bland on flavor. Mediterranean food usually has strong flavors, I suspect they're keeping it "safe". But the food was decent. The real issue and the reason for two stars was our server, Armando A. He was very rude and not attentive at all. We were seated and he brought water and menus and walked off. We thought maybe he was a host because normally when waiters bring water they will introduce themselves and take your drink order. So, after waiting for 15 minutes (on a Monday, 4 other tables there) we started looking around to figure out who our server was. We saw Armando A again and I asked him if he knew where our waiter was. He replied "Oh, are you finally ready?" Which I replied "Yes, we didn't know you were our waiter, we've been waiting to place our drink order and he said "I brought you water so it's fine". Ok, we shouldn't wait so long and have to remind a waiter that we need drinks, and definitely don't need the snarky reply. So we order drinks and I order two Non-alcoholic pomegranate mojitos. He brings us two very clear drinks and I think to myself that pomegranate drinks should be red. So I turn to ask him about it and of course he's gone, so I ask a nice man at the bar. He says "Oh, pomegranate should be red! These are cucumber, let me make you the right ones." And he did, very nicely. So Armando A comes back to the table with our appetizers and asks something about our drinks being different and I explain that we ordered pomegranate mojitos and received cucumber ones, but that a nice young man fixed it so no problem. He said "you got cucumber drinks because you asked for cucumber" very rudely. I wasn't bothered by his mistake until he decided to scold me. I don't like cucumbers at all, so I know I didn't order a cucumber drink! I was done with him after that and let the other people at my table deal with him the rest of the time. When it came time for the check, he handed me a machine to pay with and he stood next to me and watched to see what tip I was going to choose (it gives you pre-determined options). I chose 20% because I'm not a jerk, and he nodded and walked away. He never refreshed our drinks or even asked to, didn't check on us while we ate, and argued with me (a customer, and a lady). Armando A's service will keep us from returning to...

I have been to Baboush more than a few times over the last few years and have recommended the place to friends. The food and service are always on point.

Last night I went to Baboush with family and friends (five of us). There were a few tables taken, otherwise the place was quiet which suited us just fine.

We had the full layout- appetizers, main dishes, drinks, hookah service, and desert. Dropped about $250 in food and drink and we were there maybe an hour and half.

Our waiter was good, food was great, and the manager was attentive. But when I was presented with the check, I realized to my chagrin that for the first time since I found this place, they added 20% gratuity to a bill for five people on a dead Wednesday night.

We were chill and I don't think anyone had to work particularly hard to keep us happy. Further, it was not mentioned to me up front and I don't recall seeing anything posted about added gratuities

It should be my choice to reward good service and that was taken from me. Tipping is an expression of how good or poor the service is. If this is the tack a restaurant wants to take, might as well say tipping is not expected and add the 20% to the food and drink prices on the menu.

As I said, service at Baboush last night was just fine and 20% tip is my default for good service. I give more for above and beyond service. So the 20% itself is not the issue.

The issue is what if the service had been mediocre or horrible, and they stick a 20% gratuity to five top on a dead night? Looking at you Oishii in Plano...

I was a waiter in my late teens and early twenties and I haven't forgotten what that was like. I understand in certain/limited circumstances like large groups why gratuity might be added. But I will not give my business to restaurants who surprise customers with checks that have added gratuities without prior notice or consent and a...

So I was planing to leave a 3 star as the food was ok(I have had better) service was good. Our server was nice and attentive, however we had a table set right next to us with no social destining. My wife and I felt really uncomfortable especially that while inside no one wears a mask so the risk is higher. With that being said after our meal I thanked me server and mentioned to him that food was good and service was great however if he could mention to the manager to ensure indoor seating protocol is followed as at some point they had 8 tables out of the 12 tables they have seated which puts them at 66% occupancy instead of 50%. He asked if I wanted to speak to the manager I told him no it's fine just make sure he knows as it could have been a mistake. As I get to my car I find that the owner/manager (not sure who he was) followed me to my car and literally asked me if I spoke Arabic which I do so I said yes. He goes "you wanna report me ha?" Go report the Americans instead of reporting a Muslim like you. He know that because my wife's hair is covered. Well all I want to say putting my family at risk as well as everyone else just so you can make an extra buck is not acceptable. If you are a Muslim then set a good example and be honest to your self before anyone else and ask your self if you would expose your own family to the same risk you are exposing everyone else to. Set a good example of how to accept feed back and instead of apologizing you followed me to my car while I have my 4 year old daughter with me in the car. Rethink about the entire situation and you will see it could have been easily fixed if you would have simply said sorry it was a mistake and it wouldn't happen again rather than followed us to my car. I will be reporting this to the government to ensure everyone is safe and you are not putting anyone else at...