East L.A.Grill — Restaurant in Lancaster

Overall we had a good dining experience here. Out waitress was sweet even though I had a LOT of questions. All of the food was good. The service was accommodating. She was really nice and took good care of us. It was pretty clear that she was a little shy, and not super experienced at serving, so if you are a demanding jerk, maybe just stay home. Things we loved: The shawarma pizza was fantastic. It is not something we have seen before, and it was really delicious. I would go back just for this dish. Kabobs, rice, hummus, all very solid, no complaints! And the Turkish coffee was made fresh, the way it should be. We have seen other places that make up batches and try to keep it warm, but this was good, fresh, and had excellent foam. Things we didn't love: I'm glad they had garlic sauce, but I prefer mine thicker, and heavier garlic. Seems like maybe this is mixed with some milk or something? It was still good. Im just obsessed with garlic sauce and like for it to hurt my belly. They mentioned that sometimes they use corn chips on the fattoush. We requested pita chips, so we never actually tried the corn chips. They could potentially be really good. But we have never ever seen that anywhere else. There were also a lot of flies. It was a pretty warm day, in a pretty old building. Me personally, Ill swat them away and keep going for good food, but if you can't hand that, it may not be the place for you! Overall it was not the cleanest looking place but there was nothing that stood out as gross. No mold, no smells, no obvious uncleanliness. Just a little down home place. Pricing: Overall, I would say a good deal. The shawarma sandwiches with a side were considerable amount of food for about $12 4 soft drinks was $10-- so even a little less than average nowadays The PIZZA, omg the PIZZA was less than $17 and 2 people could have gorged themselves on that alone. I think the pot of coffee was about $7 and we got about 5 servings out of it. The one pricing that was a little out there was that the 3 kabob meal was I think $41. Now, it was a lot of food, and it was beautifully displayed, and it was good. But that 3 kebab mixed grill meal for 2 in Lexington runs an average of $25-$30. In addition, in Lexington restaurants if there is an upcharge for lamb it is usually $3-$5. Here, it was $10.50. (I imagine getting halal lamb in Lancaster is a hard thing to do) These particular prices are not listed on the menu, and were not quoted when ordering. Which is okay for me. We were out for a special dinner, and even if I didn't know the price I knew that I was probably ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, and I didn't ask the price. Rumor has it: I read a lot on here and other places about the owners and the workers. And I feel like I read as much good as bad. In person, I didn't really interact with the owners, but it was a slow time in the restaurant, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves with their employees. Another thing I saw customers questioning was whether or not the meat is halal. The owner says it is, and I know it can be gotten. There are halal butchers in Dearborn that deliver to Lexington several times a week. Its expensive, but it's out there. However, when our waitress was listing off the meats for the kebabs the first time, she listed pork, which of course, can't be halal. I THINK she probably just misspoke. Next time, I asking. And if it is on the menu, I'm ordering it. Overall takeaway: Food was good. It's better than some we have had, less good than others. If you just want kebabs and shawarma, i might drive from Berea or Richmond, but not Lexington. There is honestly just better Middle Eastern food at better prices in Lex. BUT I would 100% drive from Lex for that Shawarma Pizza! And if you are already out there in the backwoods of central KY, what are you even waiting for? I know you don't have anything better to eat! Oh, and if it matters to you, cause it matters to me, my platter did include a pickle bowl, and there were pickled...

Stopped in because I heard the food was good, but the owner/cook was apparently overworked and so he started hollering about needing to close because he's "not a slave". He kept saying ugly things to the other employees and maybe me? ... was hard to tell who he was verbally abusing. I walked out... the food couldn't be good enough to put up with that whiny abusive crybaby.

UPDATE: Owner replied that I was a bigot who judged him based on his background. You can see from my review above that I judged him solely on his hostile behavior to customers. He's correct that I didn't try the food: because I wasn't interested after listening to him whine and holler about me showing up 40 minutes before they closed. Diversity and inclusiveness are admirable goals and should not be used as a strawman to distract from poor customer service skills and abusive language by a crybaby owner. Most people are happy when they have customers. I was excited to try their food as it had been recommended to me by multiple members of the community. However, the food can't be good enough to put up with this garbage and attempt to avoid accountability for his behavior by implying that (a) it never happened and then (b) it happened but I must be a bigot. Better to just say "sorry I was having a bad day" than doubling-down...

This is an incredible restaurant in a surprising setting. When you eat here you will receive every plate perfectly cooked, and beautifully and carefully plated. It is clear the owners have a passion for their food.

It is an unexpected experience. In a past life a diner, the menu is an odd mix, with items like deep-dish pizza mixed with colorful, eastern Mediterranean platters including grilled and spice-crusted rack of lamb and pork tenderloin.

We have only been for dinner, and only ordered the Mediterranean dishes, but the experience is insane. The falafel is the best my wife and I have ever had. It is incredibly spiced, seasoned, and crispy. Every meat protein is amazing. The rice is excellently seasoned and aromatic. The plating is absolutely beautiful. Honestly, the experience dances on the line of fine-dining, but in a humble KY town diner. The prices you pay are very reasonable, especially for the quality and care they put into their food. It is accessible, yet elevated.

The salads are also a standout, the shawarma wraps are incredible, and the owners are charming. We loved introducing family to this...