Alrayan Market & Restaurant — Restaurant in Murfreesboro

The 5 star reviews you see here are delusional or I must have come on a really bad day. I should have received a refund on a horrible $11.99 lunch buffet, as should have my business associate. I have been wanting to try Al Rayan for several weeks, as it was closed at the beginning of the July for the owners vacation. To begin, I was seated at 12:25pm. I looked at the buffet and side dishes and the food was sparse. I thought surely they would all be restocked. The main courses had foil around the pans so you could not see inside. I took one drumstick and a small piece of bony lamb. I also tried a few of the other sides. My plate was overall sparse, as I always try a little of each dish as to not be wasteful when eating ethnic foods i am not used to. The chicken was very good, as was the eggplant. I went back to make my actual plate, and nothing was in the pans! I told the server I was looking to have some chicken, and he stated they were not planning to make more, nor any of the other dishes. It wasn't even 1pm! I basically only ate rice and a salad for lunch. To their credit, the salad was fresh. No manager came to my table after I asked for food I paid for. I noticed other people getting up looking for food as well. The customer service lacked. I was ripped off, as I did not get any meat except for a small chicken leg, and a couple bites of lamb. The soup was VERY bland, and not hot. This was not what I expected at all when i saw the reviews. I was looking for great food, and what I got was an under stocked, sub par lunch buffet. If the owner ran out of food in less than an hour of a lunch rush of a main dish, they should let the customer know, and cook something in the back in limited quantity, or not be charging an exhorbant $11.99 price in a city the size of Murfreesboro for a salad bar (basically what I had). Too many choices in Murfreesboro for Mediterranean food to have to put up with this place. Opah is awesome, as is the Greek restaurant next to Kroger on Cason Lane. I also like...

The worst worker i ever see. Those they don’t represents Arab. My Dad came to visit me for my graduation and the next day he wanted to buy a quarter of lamp, Without cutting and it was Friday the day after they bring there lamps. He told him i only have the chopped one. I don’t have anymore lamp. I couldn’t believe him so I called him and i asked for a whole lamp without cutting. He immediately said yes we have, i said okay I’m coming now and i only need a quarter he said okay. But before that the guy who cut the lamp start yelling while i was on the phone of the store hearing every single words. He was saying

“ tell him we close, I don’t want to help. I’m done with cutting for the day.”

It was only 5 pm. 4 hours before there closing time. So why the lie from the beginning, why you treat your customers in this way, why you always try to sell what the place need and you force the customers to buy what you want. Bro it’s not your business to sell what you need, i can teach you in your business if you need. You must allow the customers to choose what they need with a big smile in your face. That’s how Arab store are in reality. We only ask for respect that’s all.

Also guys, be careful from there products, couple times I’ve seen an expired products over there.

Go to Nashville Arab store and you’ll see the difference I’m talking about. Difference in treating, hugeeeee...

I found this little gem on Local Flavor. I admit I was hesitant because I thought the restaurant was at the back of the little store that only had a couple of tables, BUT then the gentleman that worked there showed me the real restaurant. It is around the right side of the building in the back with a separate entrance. First, the decor was beautiful! We did go on a Friday for lunch and it should be known that they close at 1 on fridays until they reopen for dinner. The service was quite slow but the food made up for it. The humus was some of the best that I have ever eaten and the falafel was pretty darn good too. I had lamb kebabs with rice and it came with a small salad. I ended my meal with authentic Turkish coffee. If you are not familiar with Turkish coffee just know that it is very very strong, bitter, and earthy tasting but it is something that I personally love. What a wonderful meal and I was absolutely stuffed by the time we left. The gentlemen that worked there were very nice and accommodating. I will...