Sahara Grill — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Our lunch at this restaurant marked the final meal of our trip before heading back to New York. I discovered the place through a Google search, as it was conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from the convention center where my wife was attending a meeting. With plenty of time before catching our bus, we decided to give it a try.

The Setting The restaurant is large, spacious, and ideally located, making it an excellent choice for both locals and visitors. As the first customers to arrive, we were greeted warmly by the staff, and the waiter invited us to choose any table we liked. The calm and inviting atmosphere set the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable meal.

The Menu The menu offered a classic selection of Lebanese dishes, including a variety of meat and falafel combinations, hummus, and other traditional options. One dish that caught my attention was couscous. Curious if it was prepared in the Algerian style, I asked the waiter, who explained that it was typical Lebanese couscous. Coincidentally, the waiter was from Algeria, which led to a pleasant conversation about culinary traditions. He also made some excellent recommendations for our meal.

Our Orders I opted for a combination platter featuring a mix of chicken, kufta, and beef, served with grilled vegetables, including cauliflower and eggplant. Instead of the standard rice, I requested hummus as a substitute, and the restaurant accommodated the change without hesitation.

My wife chose a classic chicken platter and asked to replace the rice with French fries. The server graciously agreed to her request, further enhancing our dining experience. Both dishes were accompanied by a fresh, generously portioned salad included with the meal.

The Experience The food was delicious and satisfying, showcasing the rich, authentic flavors of Lebanese cuisine. The meats were perfectly seasoned, the vegetables were expertly grilled, and the hummus added a creamy, flavorful element to my dish.

As we enjoyed our meal, the restaurant began to fill with customers, creating a lively yet comfortable atmosphere. It seemed to be a popular spot among locals, a testament to its quality and reputation.

A Thoughtful Gesture Toward the end of our meal, the waiter offered us tea, a thoughtful and hospitable touch. He also invited us to return later in the afternoon for sweets and more tea. While we appreciated the warm gesture, we had to decline as our bus back to New York was waiting for us.

Final Thoughts This restaurant is an excellent halal dining option with flavorful dishes, a welcoming ambiance, and attentive service. Whether you’re a local or visiting the area near the convention center, it’s a place worth experiencing. I highly recommend stopping by—you won’t be...

This place is horrible. If I could give it zero I would. Firstly, when the waiter was taking our order he had an attitude.We specified that we want no onions in the chicken shawarma. He kept saying “I know, I know”. Then, the waiter gave us only one jug with 4 glasses. We came with a group of 9. We politely asked him for 5 more glasses and more water. He said he was going to bring it and he did 30 minutes later. Our food finally came and we were excited because we were out celebrating a birthday. I took a bite out of my chicken shawarma and I tasted an onion. I pulled it out and put it in the plate. I thought maybe they only put one inside by mistake. I took another bite and again I tasted an onion. I stopped eating the shawarma and left it in the plate. A couple came inside at about 9 pm and the waiter walked up to them and yelled “Look at the time!” The couple apologized and left. I was mortified. They close at 10 and they kicked this couple out. And if they wanted to close early he could’ve said it nicely. We finished our food and asked for the check. The total was $168 which is outrageous. The food was so bland and had no flavor. We paid with visa and then left. The next day we checked to see if the bill was taken out yet. To my surprise it wasn’t. I decided to give it some days for the bill to be taken out. It still wasn’t. Then I read some reviews about how they wait a long time until taking out the bill and additionally taking out a very large tip. Now, 3 weeks later the bill still hasn’t been taken out. Please do not eat here. The service is terrible and same as the food. And if you do some how end up eating here please, please do not use visa. They’ll steal your visa information and take the bill out when you...

Very disappointing experience.

Our family called more than two hours ahead and confirmed with the owner whether he could reserve our party of 10 for a Saturday night. (We knew the city would be busy as it was the Saturday after Eid, college graduations, and a rally in downtown). He said yes on the phone so we arrived earlier than our time, but told him that we would respect the time we mentioned and wait outside. In the meantime, another large party came in and seated themselves, and the owner did not make any mention of us being ahead of them. We waited about an hour more for seating. Even after being seated, no staff attended us nor asked for water. The owner also took the order of other groups that came in after us, which we found extremely rude. One of our family members eventually called him over to remind him that we had not been attended yet. We asked for appetizers first but they came after the entrees. Additionally, my cousin and I went up to the counter to see how much longer it would take. And the owner handed us plates to take back to the table with him. At that point, we didn’t care because our parents were hungry. But totally not professional behavior. The food was just average, nothing extraordinary compared to other Lebanese food we have had. The experience was very off-putting and has unfortunately turned any entire family of avid Mediterranean food eaters away from this establishment.

Hope this review is seen and encourages improvement for...