Ishtar Mediterranean Cuisine — Restaurant in Fargo

I wish I could rate lower. Also, in the downtown business district... to have only ONE person running a restaurant at noon is insane. The wait was horrible, even to order. We were 2nd in line. She took the 1st order and made it before taking ours. Didn't event take our entire order. Took my partners order (for what he was covering), left me waiting to place my order, and started making his.

Nothing was cooked "fresh." Everything was literally microwaved in the back. We could hear the door being opened and closed and the "beep beep beep" of the key pad and the timer. We wanted to just cancel and get a refund, but we're in our work uniforms and didn't want things to get weird.

The first order was paid for by my coworker, which was our lunch. We ordered a large "world famous hummus" with pita appetizer, expecting to take the leftovers home. $12.99 for a 12oz togo bowl less than half full. But I guess the extra $8 was for visual appeal - it was "pretty." It was definitely NOT fresh-made in-house.

I ordered a traditional Gyro, no veggies, and asked if they would add "feta cheese" (specifically asked for feta and said I didn't mind paying more since it wasn't listed as an ingredient). She said yes. My coworker ordered the beef schwarma. Each was over $12 without sides. I added a side of rice, which ended up being $6.99 for about 8-10oz bowl of basic yellow rice, wasn't even Arabic or Middle Eastern style rice. My partner added fries, which was also $6.99, and it was half the size of a large waffle fry at Chick-fil-A.

As said before, I also wanted to place an order for Togo to take home to my family. Couldn't even place that order until our food came out. The menu listed "Tyropita" as available as two options - with cheese or spinach (which would be spanikopita). I ordered a 6pc of each. That's when she informs me that "it's all together, the cheese and spinach." OK, so it's spanikopita, not tyropita. I placed my Togo order and sat down to eat my lunch. When I unwrapped my gyro.... it was half cold Donner slices - WITH AMERICAN CHEESE half melted over the top. And what wasn't "melted" was the dry and crusty edges, like it had been left uncovered... for a long time uncovered. Nope. Maybe that's how you trick a kid into eating something, but I have actually had Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes all over and never ONCE has it involved "American Pasturized Processed Cheese Food".

I asked the lady if they had feta cheese (kinda the standard) or not - since we were charged THREE DOLLARS for it. Three dollars for a slice of American cheese. She did remake the sandwich and with feta.

The next whattheflock moment was her bringing out a box of frozen tyropita saying she "found some" and asked if I still wanted one order of each. I was stunned speechless. They charge these prices, and everything is pre-made and frozen! The gyro/Donner meat was pre-cooked, then refrigerated, then microwaved halfway warm (still refrigerator cold in the middle).

My coworker's schwarma was absolutely flavorless. No seasoning or herbs or spices whatsoever.

Also, I don't think the wooden platters the food came on are food service approved. It's unsealed/unfinished wood, which you really can't sanitize to commercial use standards.

We spent $60 on lunch, and I spent $23 on microwaved Spanikopita and Tyropita. Will post pics of everything!

PLEASE GO ELSEWHERE. This place could be so much more if they were willing to...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ishtar Mediterranean Cuisine in Fargo, and I must say that it was a delightful culinary experience filled with exquisite Mediterranean flavors.

From the moment I walked into the restaurant, I was greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance. The decor and atmosphere at Ishtar create a charming and relaxing setting, perfect for enjoying a flavorful Mediterranean meal.

The menu at Ishtar offers a wide variety of traditional Mediterranean dishes that are prepared with authenticity and care. Every bite was bursting with flavors that transported me to the vibrant streets of the Mediterranean. From hearty kebabs and juicy shawarmas to flavorful falafels and fresh salads, there is something to please every palate.

The quality of the ingredients used at Ishtar is exceptional. The vibrant and fresh vegetables, tender meats, and fragrant herbs and spices all come together to create a harmonious symphony of tastes. Each dish is beautifully presented and showcases the chef's meticulous attention to detail.

The service at Ishtar is impeccable. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were more than happy to make recommendations and accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences. The waitstaff ensured that our dining experience was seamless and that we felt well taken care of throughout our meal.

Another highlight of Ishtar is their generous portion sizes. The servings are ample, ensuring that you leave the restaurant fully satisfied. The value for money is incredible considering the high quality of the food and the portion sizes provided.

I also appreciate the fact that Ishtar offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. Their commitment to catering to different dietary needs adds an extra level of appeal to the restaurant, making it a perfect choice for individuals with specific dietary requirements.

Note: This review is based on my personal experience and may vary depending on individual...

For those of you reading reviews about “ I don’t know why there weren’t lamb gyros etc”. Those people can get a gyro from Arby’s! This is legit 100% middle eastern food, and as someone who spent years over there it has been a comfort food spot for me!!! As for the comment on the “ humus was bland and I’ve been all over the world”,,,,,, If you’re so worldly, why are you in Fargo? Humus is different in every middle eastern country! Did you try the babaganoush? Probably not!! “Foodies” in Fargo ( which this city is ranked last in food culture), are the reason an amazing Afghani restaurant closed! Saffron rice, momo’s…. Come on people!!!! Ishtar isn’t GREEK food, it’s middle eastern!!! Grow a palate and experience new flavors!! Aka, the lentils are a sleeper!! In retrospect, I love and appreciate the quality food, service and diversity they bring to the area…….. maybe you all complaining of small things could use some...