ZDAR Food — Restaurant in Richardson

This is a very traditional Middle Eastern (Syrian) restaurant. It is run very much like one from the Middle East. Although they have dine-in seating, this place really wants to be a to-go only one. This is seen in their scarce & sporadic countertop & shelf inventory throughout the restaurant.

Their focus on customer service stops after you put in your order at the register. If your food is late coming out, despite calling ahead, very little apology is offered. And no concessions. You stand there and wait with very little chit chat.

The food quality, however, is amazing. The portions are just right for the price; perhaps even a little generous ... As it should be for the culture.

I have yet to try their shawarma sandwiches. Why? They are almost always out in the evening. Their shish-tawwuq plate (chunks of chicken pictured) was pretty good. I highly recommend it. Their lahma bi-ajeen (roughly translated to meat and dough), which is the round 6-in diameter picture below, is pretty light and filling. A household favorite is their Turkish Pizza; which is the long meat and cheese cut up boat in the picture below. And finally, their cheese pies (two small cheese boats in the picture) are pretty good at $1.49 each; and more importantly, rival any akawi pie you can get in the area.

I have had the accidental pleasure of having breakfast at this place. Again, their customer service was weak, and I'm being nice. But the food was like having breakfast at my aunt's place in the Middle East.

Normally, this place would be 3.5 stars at best. In reality, they are 4.25 stars carried heavily by the quality and uniqueness of the food ... Until someone else...

None of the employees here wore mask nor glove to comply with COVID-19 state law. There were about 5-7 employees, family of 4 were eating on the table including two kids, 1 customer in line & myself. One of the girl ( employee) used spit out of her mouth to open up the the plastic bag to insert food for carry out customer. We also have observed that they have served to to the a family on the table without mask several times. I went pick up my food & question why there in Heath First sign by the door & on glass by the cook. She start lying that they have been wearing it. When I said I have video & picture she & her colleagues started arguments instead of apology for failure to follow the law. If the camera inside of the store works, it can be prooven what I have observed. Two of girls (employees) were smoking just by the door outside when we enter the restaurant, which didn’t bother me till noticed no mask, no gloves. They were eating, texting, talking on phone, making food all at the same time like this would have been a normal environment. This cannot happen to a public place when the whole world is in danger. They are not just putting themself in danger, but us too as customer. I have picture & video if anyone willing to challenge my allegation. Some of the employees started getting their mask during my complain & tried to proof that they have mask. They shouldn’t be in the business if they can’t follow the most important...

I went into Zdar today to place a small catering order. When I walked in there was a gentlemen at the register along with two of Zdar's employees. I stood behind him and waited for my turn. It was about 5 minutes into the wait where the employees still have not acknowledge us. The man was furious and left. I proceeded to the register. I informed the two employees that I wanted to place a small catering order. The female employee asked if I was Arab. I told her no. She then asked if I spoke Arabic. I told her no. She then started speaking Arabic to the male employee. He pointed at the menu. While I grabbed the menu she continued speaking Arabic to the male employee and then told me When is this for? We are very busy, we cannot take your order. I informed her that it is for Saturday (two days away) and it is a very small order (I was only ordering dozen cheese pie and a dozen meat pie). She didn't even care to listen to what I was saying or allowed me to finish. She kept saying we are busy, cannot take your order. I informed them both that is fine there are other restaurants that can take my order and left. So maybe if I was Arab or spoke Arabic you would've taken my order?? POOR CUSTOMER...