Khalil's — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

I was very excited to see the return of Khalil's. This restaurant has always had a very special place in my heart. I was first introduced to Khalil's by my grandmother who spent many years working in the Middle East. Khalil's reminded her of all the warm and wonderful people who made her long trips abroad so much more bearable. It was not just the high quality of food. It was the high caliber of people who made the restaurant a welcoming place.

Eventually Khalil's became a place I made my own memories with my own family. My fondest memory is when I was all done being pregnant with my son. I would come in, and they would laugh and say eat this Sleek to have a good labor. I am happy to report I had the easiest 3-hour labor in the world. I am sure it has something to do with the Sleek.

I was sad when they went on hiatus. This is a family business. They chose to close down for a few months in order to rally around the wonderful patriarch whose dream had provided so much for his family and the community. A few months turned into a few years.

I'm thrilled to report that not much has changed since 1980's. After all, the food has always been on point. The Mezza platters are extraordinarily beautiful and delicious starts to meal. I had the one with Falafel and the spanakopita. The falafel is crunchy, spicy, loaded with just the right amount of tahini, and chickpeas. The spanakopita is light and buttery and crunchy crispy deliciousness. It is served on a tasty bed of lettuce and drizzled with excellent feta cheese. I think the baba ganoush is not as smokey as it used to be. Maybe I'm older. Maybe it needs a little more smoke. The hummus is always the right perfectly creamy texture. All of this is served surrounded by Syrian pickles and crunchy vegetables. There really isn't a "garnish" on the plate it all works together in a synchronous deliciousness.

Of course, I had the Sleek. As always, the Black Eyed Peas are the perfect texture, not too soft and bushy. The Bulgur wheat is flavorful without being overbearing. The onions are fried to a perfect crispy gloriousness. And all combined together with the kale it makes for a most satisfying meal with their signature rice pilaf. The rice pilaf is always served with freshly roasted almonds garnished on top, which makes it feel extra special.

My husband had the lamb shank. It is served also with the rice pilaf. It is a hearty filling meal. Be prepared to to be absolutely satiated.

My son had the chicken kebab. He's a little bit picky, since I do a lot of cooking at home. But, he cleaned his plate. Tender pieces of chicken are spread over a lovely bed of the rice pilaf. Each piece is perfectly seasoned.

All of the meals come with the Khalil's signature salad. I kind of miss the iceberg lettuce. But I am not unhappy with seasonal mixed greens. I understand times change. People want more from their lettuce leaf these days. It doesn't matter what kind of lettuce they make the salad with, as long as it comes with their special homemade dressing. And it does! That has not changed.

I think they are still finding their rhythm. It's hard to do something new when you have so much history behind you. I'm just glad to have been part of the story for as long as I have. And I hope you have an opportunity to join in. It's a nice place to go and feel welcome...

IN RESPONSE TO KHALIL'S POST:

Firstly, I, as well DO NOT take kindly to being called a liar. Especially since I was sharing MY personal experience from your place of business. What I shared can hardly be deemed a false accusation while there were five people giving me awkwardly uncomfortable looks and repeatedly asking me why I had not yet received my meal. I shared what occurred to me verbatim, meaning as it occurred. As I stated, this was my first experience with the group, and I abhor making a scene under any circumstances because that is not my nature. However, that will not stop me from expressing or communicating my experiences pleasant or otherwise.

Secondly, you have a great relationship with the Black Community? Good for you…Happy to hear it. I would never have mentioned it had the events occurred differently.

Thirdly, you may have repeatedly asked the group about their meals, but at no time were you at my end of the table asking that question. Quite frankly, what is most bothersome to me is that in your so called repeated attempts to ask the guests about their meals, you still did not notice that not everyone had their meal or even come over to me “say sorry for the delay but your order ticket got stuck to someone else’s ticket”, or “ it fell on the floor” or whatever was the cause of the delay. Yes, it is my responsibility to point out when something is amiss. Since I was seated facing the windows, I looked over my shoulder around quite a few times to see if someone was near so I could address the issue…No one was in the room, and finally I stood up to leave the table in search of my order, however when I turned around, saw the plate coming to the table and I sat back down.

Fourthly, you could have been in business long enough to have served the Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. The simple fact of the matter is that you were not focusing your responsiveness on each individual but rather the group at large. Otherwise, you would have noticed my situation. Do not blame the customer for your error in not paying attention to each person at the table. It is NOT my responsibility to ensure that you serve each customer. My background is in corporate management at an executive level allowing me to dine in the finest restaurants all over this country, as well as stand up eateries and little so-called “greasy spoons” and I am well acquainted with excellent and mediocre customer service. As a business owner, to blame the customer for you not bringing their meal in a timely manner is not what I would expect. I’m the one who had to pay for your lack of not keeping track of the orders you collected.

Yes, dining experiences should be a relaxing and enjoyable one. If you are not providing adequate service, do not expect someone to not share their experience in the public forum provided to alert anyone who may have similar experiences. Never once was I destructively vindictive, and there was no need to read my mind because for approximately ten minutes, clearly everyone was eating except me. No worries, I will not be paying for that experience again.

I pray you remain in business for another 51 years and that Lord G-d and His Son Yeshua continue to watch over and protect your business and family. Peace to...

I had the most extraordinary dining experience at Khalil. Khalil's Middle Eastern cuisine is, without a doubt, the best I've ever had the pleasure of savoring.

My husband and I arrived just an hour before closing on a Friday evening, expecting a rushed experience, but were pleasantly surprised from the moment we walked in. The warm welcome we received set the tone for what would become an unforgettable evening.

We opted for the Mixed Grill from their Prix Fixe menu, which included a delightful array of hummus, baba ganoush, a fresh salad, an exquisite entrée, and to top it off, heavenly baklava for dessert. Each dish was a flavor explosion, and I genuinely cannot pick a favorite – they were all that exceptional.

What truly elevated this dining experience, though, was the staff. They went above and beyond to make us feel at home, ensuring that our evening was nothing short of magical. Khalil is clearly a labor of love, a cherished family business that deserves all the recognition it can receive.

To cap off this remarkable evening, Michael, a member of the family, joined us and serenaded us with the most beautiful songs, while telling us the fascinating history of the restaurant's beginnings. It was a personal touch that made this evening truly unique.

In all honesty, I cannot recommend Khalil enough. You absolutely must experience it for yourself. It's more than just a meal; it's an enchanting journey through Middle Eastern cuisine, culture, and warmth. Khalil deserves every award out there, and I'll be eagerly returning to savor their exceptional dishes and hospitality...