Kimo's — Restaurant in New York

Flavors were all pretty good, very fresh clean and distinct. On certain dishes, I wish they’d push the envelope a little bit more. If rated solely on flavor - 4/5

Dish and portion sizes - VERY deceptive.

The ful medames turned out to be a salad with some beans rather than the savory rich bean dish. It had a ridiculous amount of mixed greens/spring mix hidden underneath a sprinkling of fava. The beans themselves were undercooked. The flavor (for the tiny amount of beans I got) was banging though. Same thing with the tabouleh- why that needs ANY mixed greens/spring mix with tabouleh is a mystery to me. Finally, I got the hawawshi. The thing looks like a giant, but it’s really just a midget in costume. There was barely any filling - it was basically just a big piece of bread…that took forever to “warm” up (it was premade, they just had to toss it on the plancha, and when handed over was stone cold on the inside). Filling was nice, sauce on the side was better, and there were even more mixed greens to go along with (so much salad…too much salad).

If looking for something quick/in and out style, I’d suggest you avoid or call ahead. I had two cold dishes and one that was supposed to be warm/hot (the hawawshi), and it took a significant time from when I placed order to when I received (the two women worked a single order at a time rather than reading ahead).

The minuscule portions and the never ending salad brought the overall rating down.

EDIT: Re the ful: The issue wasn't so much the size - it was that it was a salad dish and not a bean dish. Ful, in every time I have had it previously, has always been a rich, stewed, hot, crushed-up bean dish with spice, garlic, sometimes tomato, and sometimes peppers. It has never been a cold mixed green salad that with a scoop of undercooked beans. ... Re the tabouleh: Yes, it had mixed greens underneath - that was the issue and why it was mentioned. No tabouleh I have ever had has had a mixed greens salad underneath. It makes no sense to put mixed greens underneath the tabouleh. Tabouleh is already a salad (of sorts). The only reason for the salad to exist, in both this dish and the ful, is to be deceptive about overall portioning. ... Re the hawawshi: There was barely any filling - it was a $14 piece of bread. There was no flavor to "enjoy" in the dish - it was a piece of stonecold bread with mixed greens on the side. ... Re the wait: It was three cold dishes, two of which were scooped from a cold table and the third which could have been put on the flattop while working on other things. It's called multitasking, and successful kitchens do it. Considering your dishes consist of scoops from a cold table assembly line, you are a fast food place and there is zero reason to have more than about a ten to fifteen minute wait. ... ...

I would have tried Kimo's again, but after the flippant response of the person responsible I'm done. Stars are not changing as my initial thoughts were fair.

... ...

Final thought: You guys should consider changing your name from "Kimo's" to "Spring Mix"...

AMAZING!!!!! Welcome to some of the best and most unique kind of take out you can get in the rockaways! Sorry I don’t have pictures this time, but there’s no need!

First off, Mike the owner, naheid (definitely spelt that wrong, sorry my favorite server there :). ), jasmine, and kimo (star of the show of course), are so loving. They have known me by name since day one and call me JAYSON every time I walk in. They always ask how my day at work was, and upon having deeper conversations with the owner, he’s come to tell me he appreciates and adores and loves his customers , and it’s what makes the experience there beyond perfection

Prices are beyond affordable.

The food is ALWAYS fresh. Try the chicken Schwarma, my favorite , and you can get it in a bowl, a pita, and everything is completely customizable to fit your taste. The sweet potato fries are large actual large cut potatoes, and they’re delicious every time. Their bowls are also incredible. The white sauce and chipotle mayo sauces are succulent and are the perfect compliments to every dish.

Also get an appetizer and try the lamb Sambusas with the chipotle mayo….chefs kiss*

Come check out this local gem, and SUPPORT someone that believes in supporting you as part of the community.

When I left today, they said “we love you, and thank you”…and I believe every word of that. Here’s to all of you and the return of that love!!!

CHECK THIS...

I’m not sure how I feel writing this review. I used to champion this place and recommend it to everyone as a top 3 rockaway gem. The first time I tried it was amazing. Yet every other time I come back or order out the quality decreases. I was okay over paying for Mediterranean food due to their lack of competition and their super quality but now - to pay these prices and receive bone dry meat and stale pastries that would make any chef have a stroke. It’s sad. I am actually devastated at how inedible it’s become. I can’t even leave a 1 star review because I know how much potential this place has but today… I was very disappointed. Please look at the images of the food - I like to have the food speak for itself my words are just a bridge to get you there. I have put images of the bowl steak and chicken (dry as a bone) and the baklava and kunafa. Please if you’ve never had real baklava or kunafa google what they look like. I’ve eaten Turkish and Greek styles but whatever they served I wouldn’t give to my worst enemy.

So please Kimo’s I love this place and want it to do better. So do better.

On one positive note the falafel is still very good. And I did call and complain about the pastries so they redelivered a new batch. Which was very nice but the items were still not as expected. Basically not very good...