Aladdin's Eatery Mishawaka — Restaurant in Mishawaka

I came to the Aladdin’s Eatery today ( 9th of September 2019, approximately 3-4pm ) with my mother after her doctor appointment. I ordered a beef shawarma and asked if they could avoid adding the spinach (cause the only way I’d eat that is when it’s cooked), but my mother wanted it, so I had it on the side.I guess there was a miscommunication with the server Jessy, because I ended up having ALL the greens on the side.

Now, that was not an issue at all, but what I’m about to tell you next just made me grind my gears a lot: The Manager, Hannah Wallace, was talking to the cooks, laughing out loud about the way my shawarma was ordered, almost like she was mocking my eating preferences. I was sitting on a table that allowed me to see and hear everything that was going on in the kitchen, and I don’t mind when people make fun of me, I usually laugh with then, but it was my mother who wanted the spinach on the side, so she was basically making fun of her, and that’s not right. Also, while laughing at my plate of greens, she grabbed the salad with her bare hands just to show it to her employees what I a fool “yours truly” is, and put it back in the plate.

Jessy ( or Jessie ) came to my table to check on my meal, I explained the situation to her and asked if she could send her manager over. Jessy politely called her over after apologizing for the inconvenience multiple times, even though it was not her fault. I described everything I heard and watched happening in the kitchen.

I made her apologize and made her promise that a behavior like that would never happen again. So I walked to the entrance of the kitchen with her, making sure that she would make me another side of greens without contaminating it with her hands again. But while walking towards the kitchen, she stopped me right before I made it there, slightly raising her voice, telling me that she is the manager and I’m not allowed to enter the kitchen. Me on the other hand, with 9 years of culinary arts experience, and a culinary degree from Italy, already knew that as a client I cannot walk into the kitchen without the proper equipment, and I did tell her that it wasn’t my intention to walk inside, that just I wanted to be able to see her remake my order, the proper way this time. She did apologize for raising her voice, but nonetheless, she did raise her voice on me.

Long story short, the venue had a nice theme, pleasing to the eyes. The tables seemed clean, the server Jessie was hands down the nicest server I’ve ever met in all my food and beverage academic and career experience, and she makes nice smoothies too. The food was not the greatest since all the greens were missing, but I’m sure that if I try it once more it’ll taste good. The manager Hanna Wallace, is something this establishment needs to improve immediately. She was disrespectful and unprofessional until I was able to put her on the corner.

The venue and the server are the only reasons why this place managed to have 2 stars from me.

I’ll be working around Mishawaka pretty soon, and I’ll be going to this “Mediterranean eatery” every day if necessary, just to see if the management has improved.

Anyone who read this, I apologize for the long review, but It was necessary. I still recommend you to visit this place if you are visiting Mishawaka IN, just avoid ordering greens on the side. Although, if you do wish to have your greens on the side, make sure so stand by the kitchen entrance so you can check the quality of your food, Miss Wallace will be happy to let you observe, but if not, let her read this review so she might understand.

Thank you and have a...

I’ve been to this restaurant before and have always enjoyed the food—it’s consistently excellent, which makes this experience even more frustrating. Unfortunately, the front-of-house interaction completely soured our visit.

When we arrived, the restaurant was busy but not overwhelmed. We were the only two people waiting and noticed a couple of open 4-top tables, including a quiet booth in the corner that looked ideal. After waiting about five minutes, a waitress told us we’d be seated—only to be directed to a table right by the front door, with harsh sunlight and constant foot traffic. We politely asked if we could have the booth instead—a totally reasonable and common request.

That’s when things took a turn. The hostess, Savannah, was visibly irritated that we’d asked. We weren’t rushing or being demanding—just requesting a more comfortable spot, especially since we were the first in line. She reluctantly went to clean the booth, but during the delay, about a dozen people arrived in several groups.

After a long wait, Savannah came back and told us the booth was needed for larger parties. It felt less like a practical decision and more like she was trying to prove a point or stick it to us. The booth was small and not meant for large groups anyway, and the 4-top table across from it—just as suitable—remained empty the entire time we were there. At one point she even remarked that she could add a chair to the booth to seat more people, which felt unnecessary and passive-aggressive.

The most disappointing part is that it all came down to attitude. We simply requested a seating preference, and instead of being accommodated—or at the very least, treated respectfully—we were made to feel like a nuisance. When I thanked her (somewhat sarcastically) for being “so pleasant,” she replied with more snark.

It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t the first time I’ve seen Savannah act this way. On a previous visit, I noted her being rude to other patrons as well. It’s truly a shame that one person can take away from an otherwise great dining experience. The food has always been fantastic, but that’s not enough to make up for being treated so poorly.

If you're going to have someone representing your restaurant as the first point of contact, they need to lead with warmth and professionalism. Sadly, that was...

Aladdin’s Eatery Mishawaka serves as a delightful little gem offering fresh Mediterranean flavors in the heart of Mishawaka. My recent visit to this eatery was met with generous portions of vibrant and flavorful dishes, making for a memorable dining experience.

Upon our arrival, it was noticeable that the eatery had undergone recent renovations since my companion’s last visit. The updated ambiance was both inviting and friendly, creating a pleasant environment for a casual meal. The decor and setting enhanced the overall vibe, making us feel welcomed right from the start.

The service at Aladdin’s Eatery was commendable. Our waitress was not only super friendly but also very attentive. She promptly attended to our table and was extremely helpful, even bringing out a can of kombucha to address our queries about their offerings. This level of personalized attention was much appreciated and added a special touch to our experience.

The real highlight of our visit, however, was the food. Each dish was fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor, showcasing the authentic and rich tastes of Mediterranean cuisine. Even though our food took a bit longer to arrive due to the onboarding of new kitchen staff, the quality and taste were well worth the wait. It’s clear that Aladdin’s Eatery prioritizes culinary excellence and customer satisfaction.

Additionally, the eatery boasts a nice selection of wines, which perfectly complement the Mediterranean dishes. We decided to end our meal by taking some dessert home, and the carrot cake was a standout. It was rich, moist, and flavorful—highly recommended for anyone looking for a sweet treat to finish...