Albasha Greek & Lebanese — Restaurant in Louisiana

Short version: It costs more now, which I understand is common these days, but in addition the serving sizes are much smaller - to the point that it almost feels like you've been ripped off.

Full review: I've loved this place for a long time and was excited to grab some food here after not going for a while. I understand inflation is a problem everywhere, but not only is everything more expensive but you get less even at the higher cost; I ordered over twice the food I normally do (to have leftovers) and got significantly less food than I previously would've from a cheaper, single order. A gyro platter and TWO extra orders of meat gave me LESS than what the platter alone would have before, and you've got to nickel and dime everything - including pita, for your gyro platter, since it now comes with only two tiny half slices - so literally just one pita in total - which is laughably insufficient (even with the smaller portions it's not close to enough, and it's even worse considering you also need pita for the included hummus). The worst part is that any rational person expects more than this, you used to GET more than this, so you pick up your order and don't realize that you've got no pita for your food once you're back home. The sides are smaller (the small salad that comes with the meal seemed to be the same size, to be fair, but nothing else), the main serving is smaller, everything is... but it costs more? Pick a lane, man.

Again, I get times are hard for restaurants right now (they're hard for everyone). I get the need to raise prices or reduce serving size... but don't do both. Don't raise your price AND give out way less food.

I would love to continue eating here, I adore the gyro meal and the hummus - they're amazing - but paying for a meal plus multiple extra orders to end up with less than a single meal used to give isn't worthwhile for me. I really hope they fix this.

I would rather simply pay more and get normal servings, because now when I go it's too complicated: Okay, so I'm getting way less meat and need to order more than I used to. Extra meat is now $16 a pound sold in 3 ounce servings, how many extra meats do I need to order to get what used to be one normal order's worth? You don't get enough pita and it's $1 for two extra, how many of those now for a normal amount to go with the other stuff?

It's more money for not enough food - not to mention making me do even the tiniest amount of math in my head which I think we can all agree is absolutely unacceptable - and it really sucks, because I love eating here.

Edit: what's even worse is I've seen others complain that this specific location gives out servings that are too small, and that it's unique to this one; apparently the others give out appropriate serving sizes. This leads me to believe the management of this location is intentionally skimping on serving sizes and I'll most likely drive an extra five minutes and go to another location...

I'd like to preface this by saying I honestly have never taken time out of my day to write a negative review. I love Albasha, and I frequent the location on Sherwood/Coursey. I will continue to order from that location, and I don't intend on ordering from the Prairieville location ever again.

I give people a lot of grace in the service industry - I've worked in restaurants, and I understand it can be stressful and people have bad days.

I placed an order to go over the phone, and one of the items included in my order was a completely different menu item. This was frustrating because I clearly repeated my order again at the end of the initial phone call, as I could tell the young man taking my order was new and being trained.

I called the restaurant back to correct the error, and they asked me to bring in the incorrect item. When I arrived, the young man behind the bar just stuck his hand out for me to give him the incorrect order. I said, "I'm not giving this back, I had to drive all the way back over here for the item I actually ordered." He went to get his manager, and she did the same thing. Like I said, I've worked in restaurants and never asked a customer to bring back in an incorrect order to "prove it". I was not lying, why would I go through all that trouble?

I opened the box and showed the manager the incorrect item, but she insisted on bringing it back to show the kitchen. Okay, that's fine, each restaurant has their own way of doing things. It would have been helpful if this had been stated before, rather than just staring at me with an outstretched hand.

My negative review is solely focused on how the manager treated me during this exchange. She was rude, talking over me, and quite literally shoved the incorrect item back at me after bringing it back from the kitchen (the box even popped open), and sarcastically told me to "ENJOY IT".

I expected a lot more after my nice experiences at the Sherwood location, and I am really surprised at the lack of professionalism and basic human decency I witnessed...

To start with, the prompt and attentive service actually couldn't have been better. That is what really stood out.

The hummus and pita plate was excellent. In fact, the pita bread with other dishes was outstanding. The fried cheese in olive oil and stuff was unique and really quite good. I had the gyro plate and really the meat was a little too done, almost a crisp and was just okay. The lamb shank was cooked to perfection, however was lacking somewhat in seasoning and flavor. My wife had the seafood special and for the price I thought it could have a little more to it. It wasn't anything overly special.

As customary when I visit any Greek/Lebanese restaurant I always try the tabbouleh. I thought it was a little too much parsley, dry, not enough tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, etc. I like mine a little more bulgar-heavy. It really was like eating...