Merguez Restaurant — Restaurant in Dr. Phillips

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED. Went to this halal dining option interested to try a different cuisine and were hopeful based on other reviews. Restaurant is located in a nice strip mall and the restaurant itself has decent decor and is clean.

Unfortunately the dining and customer service were terrible. The one woman who was working the register and serving food was 1) extremely slow doing anything and 2) very busy chatting with 2-3 other people (friends?) to be bothered to deal with waiting customers. While placing our order, we clearly indicated the 4 items we wanted and she repeated the order back to us to confirm. Upon payment, I requested the receipt and she said she would bring it out shortly. We proceed to sit and wait with our boys (10, 7, and 2) for 45 minutes without any explanation as to why it was taking so long for a kefta sandwich, a beef gyro wrap, a gyro platter, and merguez tagine. When I approached her about the wait, she had to finish her chat and then tell me, without checking in the kitchen, that it would be 3 more minutes. Okay, I mean we waited this long 3 minutes is no big deal, right? Well, 10 minutes later we start receiving our food: gyro platter was fine, kefta sandwich with salad was literally a plateful of lettuce covered in generic ranch dressing, merguez tagine (over salted but manageable) with overbaked bread, and a chicken shawarma wrap and fries... not a beef gyro. When I take it back to her, she sees me and asks me to wait a moment while serving another couple. After waiting another 10 minutes, she finally returns and tells us she heard chicken shawarma when we ordered the beef gyro despite her REPEATING the order back to us. She politely swapped the wraps and was able to print out a receipt on the spot when I reminded her again (why couldn't this be done when I first asked? I don't know). The problem with the gyro was that it also was smothered with ranch dressing instead of tzatziki/ cucumber/ white sauce. My son barely ate it saying it was making him nauseous and proceeded to eat only his side of fries. Because we were starving, we ate whatever we could and were ready to leave but our cashier/ waitress left to go sit outside with her friends in the courtyard and never returned. Eventually, my wife went and got a container from behind the counter for the rice, packed it up, and we left.

NOT...

Merguez Restaurant- Orlando Wilderness Creek- 2 Stars.

The young leading the young, is like the blind leading the blind; “they will both fall into the ditch.”- Stanhope

15 years ago, a younger and slightly thinner Big Boy was driving around the Las Vegas desert when a hankering for good Arabic food hit. I am Syrian on my father’s side and grew up eating quality Arabic food. I found a local 4 star rated restaurant and headed out to it. As I Opened the door I was almost blown back by the cacophony of sound emanating from the speakers. I felt like I had just stepped into a rock concert and was standing in front of a stack of Marshall amps. I screamed over the music to ask the owner if he could turn it down, he replied with a. “No. Homeland Security has the place wired.” My first thought was, “Yikes.” My second thought was, “How much do I really want Arabic food today?” What does this have to do with Merguez in Orlando, you ask? Great question! Sans the blaring music, the place was packed to the hilt with yelling, screaming, demonstrative gesturing Arabs (it’s what my people do). My mind wandered and I imagined I was at a meeting of Islamic extremists and wondered if this restaurant was also bugged. I am not certain what the hoopla was about, but I can assure you, they were not factoring polynomials! Now, onto the food. I ordered the mixed grill with chicken, lamb and kefta along with a Greek salad and steamed rice. The chicken had to have been under a heat lamp for at least a few hours based on the rubbery consistency in presented to my palate, the lamb was dry and tasteless (served with a side of ketchup no less!), and the kefta was not unlike trying to eat a sponge ball. The only reason this salad could be called Greek was because it had a few crumbles of Feta Cheese thrown on top, otherwise it was pedestrian and nothing to write home about. The steamed rice was fine, I mean, how hard it is to screw up steamed rice? If you are a regular reader of my reviews you will know that Skewers (Melbourne) and Al Houda (Palm Bay) are 50 times better. Big Boy says, “Do yourself a favor and if you are driving by Merguez while in...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Merguez Restaurant in Orlando, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. From the moment I stepped in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the stage for a memorable meal. The interior is beautifully decorated with Moroccan-inspired elements, creating a cozy yet exotic ambiance that instantly transported me to another world.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the lamb shanks. Cooked to perfection, the lamb was incredibly tender and flavorful, infused with a rich blend of spices that showcased the best of Moroccan cuisine. The portion size was generous, and every bite was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality and authenticity. It's clear that the chefs at Merguez take great pride in their craft, and it truly shines through in the dishes they serve.

Equally impressive was the service. The staff were attentive, friendly, and went out of their way to ensure that every guest felt welcome and well cared for. One server, in particular, stood out with their exceptional hospitality, guiding me through the menu and even suggesting a few dishes to complement the lamb shanks. Their genuine enthusiasm and knowledge made the dining experience even more enjoyable.

Overall, Merguez Restaurant is a gem in Orlando's dining scene. With its delicious food, outstanding service, and charming ambiance, it's a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Moroccan cuisine. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu. Highly...