Malooga — Restaurant in Philadelphia

During a recent trip to Philadelphia, where I accompanied my wife for a business meeting, I decided to explore halal dining options near our hotel. A quick Google search led me to this restaurant, and I decided to give it a try. Although I had made an online reservation for 9:30 PM, I stopped by around 7:30 PM to see if they could accommodate us as walk-in customers. To my delight, they quickly found us a table, and I asked them to cancel my later reservation.

Warm Welcome and Excellent Service From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by an incredibly welcoming and friendly staff. Our waitress, in particular, stood out—she was personable, took the time to explain a few dishes on the menu in detail, and even made thoughtful recommendations. I jokingly mentioned that I was there to review the restaurant and asked for the best food and service possible. She laughed and assured me we wouldn’t be disappointed.

The Food The food arrived promptly and exceeded our expectations. We ordered the lamb and beef shish kebab served over a bed of rice with a Greek-style salad (a refreshing mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce). The dish was well-prepared, flavorful, and satisfying.

My wife opted for the shrimp dish called "Shrimp Fahsa," a unique and delightful surprise to my palate. The dish featured shrimp in a rich tomato-based sauce combined with potatoes and a distinct herb that reminded me of the wild mint used in traditional Algerian dishes like "Batata Fliou." It arrived sizzling hot and was paired with Yemeni flatbread, elevating the experience to something truly extraordinary.

We also shared a serving of hummus, which was creamy, well-seasoned, and generously portioned—perfect for sharing.

The Atmosphere The ambiance of the restaurant was lively and inviting. The place was bustling with diners, creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere. We were even visited by the chef, who shared his journey into the culinary world and his passion for cooking. His enthusiasm and professionalism were infectious, adding a personal touch to the overall experience.

Final Thoughts I absolutely loved this place! From the warm service to the flavorful dishes and the lively atmosphere, it was a fantastic dining experience. If you’re ever in Philadelphia, do yourself a favor and visit this restaurant—you...

I came here back in September last year and always put off making a review. But the food was so bad that I absolutely had to make a review and warn other people who've ACTUALLY had Yemeni food.

The food is absolutely whitewashed and tastes nothing like food I've had in Brooklyn(ex. Yemen Cafe) and Dearborn Michigan. The food tasted WATERED DOWN and the restaurant smelled like dogs. I was nauseous with the dog smell and flavorless food. There were basic things that tasted decent like Shish Taouk platter but it's one of the most basic dishes to follow in any middle eastern restaurant.

The lamb Fahsa was flavorless and nothing like what I've had at family owned Yemeni restaurants. The meat and gravy wasn't the same, the meat wasn't soft and in a really low quantity, the gravy was soupy, and I think I recall potatoes and okra in the Fahsa- I've never had potatoes in Fahsa. The potatoes made the dish harder to eat because they were flavorless and mouth-burning. Maybe this was just a different recipe for fahsa but I always questioned if the potatoes and okra were added in the flavorless dish to make it more "exotic" but somewhat familiar to it's customers. We also ordered a soup which was basically Lamb Fahsa without the meat, it was the same exact broth. So I'm assuming this fahsa is veggie-based.

I was really looking forward to eating here but nothing here tasted similar to the spices and seasonings I've had before with Yemeni food. I had to add salt to almost everything I ate.

For dessert, we had Kunafa. Guys, how do you mess up kunafa. The kunafa barely had any syrup, it was kind of soggy, and the cream in the kunafa wasn't sweet at all. It just tasted bad.

If you don't want authentic Yemeni food, come here. If you can't handle seasonings of another culture, come here. I came here from New Jersey thinking a 5-star Yemeni place had to be amazing, but of course it was a complete disappointment. Go to a family owned restaurant where the restaurant doesn't cater to the palette of people who are unfamiliar with their cuisine. The staff was extremely friendly but this is one of the worst food experiences...

I made a significant effort to dine here today: over an hour's travel + 30 minutes finding/paid parking. Despite multiple empty two-top tables being available, the host refused to seat me because I was alone. Their exact words: "I cannot put you at a table for two since you’re by yourself."

This is not only illogical (empty tables generate $0 revenue), but deeply disrespectful to solo customers. No reservations are required, and no prior warning of such a policy exists. I’ve never been denied seating as a solo diner anywhere else.

My time and money (parking fee included) were completely wasted due to this discriminatory practice. If you’re a single person hoping to enjoy a meal, avoid this restaurant. Management clearly prioritizes hypothetical couples over real, paying customers.

Note to Management: Train your staff properly. Solo diners deserve equal respect. Empty seats cost you far more than accommodating one person ever could.

————————————————————- Update

If your security footage contradicts my claims, I encourage you to post it publicly. The recording will clearly show: Me standing unacknowledged at the entrance for 10 minutes* while your host was present Zero greeting, wait time estimate, or apology during this period Engagement occurring only after the couple at the right-side table departed

You mention an incoming group – yet failed to explain why a solo diner couldn’t be seated at the window table or even offer a wait time. This contradicts your own justification. Address this issue so no one else would face the unpleasant and...