Habibi Restaurant — Restaurant in Portland

We drove into Portland yesterday to eat here after seeing the reviews online. The food is Okay, tasted good, but was not by any means, special as far as Portland Lebanese goes. The low rating is because of our service. The only thing I can really say is that it was STRANGE. First, we were THE ONLY people in the restaurant the entire time we were there. Upon entering, we were told to "go sit at a four person table". Our waitress crouched to talk with our son, but ended up just being weird with him and saying "No" to every drink he asked for. When she finally started to take our order, she only took my husband's drink order and then left. We asked twice for water before getting any (the only drinks we received at all) and we had to get up and get our own silverware and napkins from another table. Our waitress then sat down in an empty chair to take our order, extremely lethargic, and told us she could not take the onions off my son's pizza because it is just a premade mix of the ground beef and toppings (ew!). After she flopped our food down in front of us (couldn't remember who had ordered what of the three of us), she never came back to check on us or how the food was. She didn't even bring us a check, we had to go up to her and inquire about paying, as she completely ignored us after our food came. Like I said, we were the only people there the whole time! Do not waste your time or money for mediocre food and lousy service! There are way better places to go...

This was a really enjoyable experience with well prepared food, flavors, and service.

The restaurant is very cozy, but has plenty of seating. Decorated with lots of flare reflecting the food and culture of the restaurant theme and it's cuisine.

We started with the lamb and lentil soup which was rich and hearty. The lentil soup by it's self was full of great flavor, but when topped with the bits of lamb shawarma, it really took a whole new dimension of amazingness.

Their tabouli salad was freshly prepared and bursting with flavors like it should be. Sometimes you get this dish and it has been sitting around to long or the ingredients are not the freshest, but everything was perfect with this tabouli salad.

For mains, the kafta casserole is another flavor bombshell that will delight your taste buds. The flavorful meatballs along with the rich tomato sauce rocks it with the saffron rice that it comes with. Of course the chicken kabab was a tasty and meaty great choice that had the charred grilled flavors from the fire it was cooked over.

Prices were not bad and selection was fairly extensive to satisfy just about every flavor and portion mood. The service was friendly and attentive, so all in all, this was a very good experience and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this...

I’m pretty sure it's a health code violation when employees are eating off the line, and it was a gross sight to see. I observed a staff member pick up with his hands and eat to his mouth at least 4 times while seated facing the kitchen, and he was in the kitchen in front of the fryer. He later grabbed our skewer with his hand and plated it. As he approached our table I asked him if he had grabbed our skewer with his bare hands; he replied that he grabbed the "end" of the stick. I am certain what I saw.

It was a disgusting event and dinner.

This place has def gone downhill since our first visits! At payment I told the owner "as a professional I want you to know I personally observed your staff eating in the kitchen and delivering food...". He (presumably the owner) then told me "oh no, it's ok my staff eat whenever they want! They wash their hands after!" I was absolutely aghast! I saw him grab food and eat, then plate up other peoples food and deliver from the kitchen. No too mention I'm sure he was grabbing off the cold line and stuffing his mouth, too.

Stay away is my advice. The Kibbah was by far the worst I've ever had in my life! My meal was totally ruined. The feta pathetic, bread pathetic -- guy eating as greeting was disgusting! Do I call the health dept...