TOOT BEIRUT — Restaurant in Rogers

I really struggled with this one. The food was decent, but the whole experience was just kind of odd.

We found this place online while looking for a healthier meal—something with quality meat and vegetables. The Mixed Kebab Plate caught our eye, so we decided to give it a try. When we arrived, it looked like a counter-service setup, but the process from there was confusing. We waited about 5–10 minutes before the man at the front finally approached the register and asked if we were dining in or taking out. We said “dine in,” and he handed us two menus and led us to a table. He then immediately seated another group, took a to-go order, and began bagging up food—all before we were even offered drinks.

While we waited, we noticed our table was sticky, and the menus were literally falling apart. It didn’t help that the man handling everything was wearing gloves—but was touching money, furniture, his pants, and basically everything else, which kind of defeats the purpose.

When he finally came back to take our order, we asked for drinks and the Mixed Kebab Plate. He told us they were out of shawarma meat, but then went to check with the chef. A minute later, he returned and said they actually had just enough for one more plate. (It was only 1:00 PM, so that was odd.)

At this point, we assumed it was a sit-down restaurant. But after placing our order, he handed us the mobile card reader, told us the total was around $38, and asked us to swipe and tip before we had been served anything—not even our drinks.

About 10 minutes later, the chef brought out the food. The menu described four kebabs, grilled vegetables, pita bread, and hummus for $30. Since we’re watching our portions, my wife and I planned to share the plate.

Instead, it arrived on a wooden cutting board, half-covered in French fries and ketchup—which were not mentioned on the menu—along with a bowl of rice pilaf, also not listed. I asked about the vegetables, and the chef pointed to a few slivers of onion and a grilled quarter of a tomato. That was it.

The taste was actually decent. But for what amounted to probably less than 5 ounces of meat, some fries, rice, and barely any vegetables, it didn’t come close to being worth $30 or near as nutritious as we were led to believe it was going to be.

The atmosphere didn’t help either—awkward, cluttered, and run-down. A dirty table next to us was never cleaned the entire time we were there, even after the server pushed in the chairs while still wearing the same gloves he used for everything else.

In the end, it just felt like an overpriced appetizer. As we walked out, I looked at my wife and said, “Well, that was our $30 appetizer—where do you want to go for lunch?” 😅

Disappointing overall, especially considering the hype in the reviews we had seen beforehand. We probably won’t be back.

Update and response to the Owner:

Regardless of what you think a meal for two should be we ordered a platter for $30 that should have been more than enough for two people to get small lunch sized portions out of not to mention you shorted us meat as you scraped the very bottom of your supply. I’d really like you to show me on your menu where the Mixed Kebab plate says anything about FRENCH FRIES, and/or Rice Pilaf. It literally says 4 kebabs, grilled veggies, and pita bread. To me, a foodie with plenty of reviews all across the spectrum you want to argue with me? We said “no, that’s ok” to the additional grilled veggies because your version of “grilled veggies” is a quarter of a tomato and 5 tiny slivers of onions. You are clearly attempting to cut corners and be cheap with the cheapest sides and “veggies” you can come up with. That mixed plate you served us is worth at most $15 not $30 and acting like a sit down spot and then charging us per item as we order asking for a tip every time before the service is even completed is just weird. For your ridiculous rebuttal I will be lowering your rating...

The ambience is simple and cool and the staff are friendly and polite too. As soon as we entered we need to select our food and pay in advance and the food is served at our table. The food is simply the most yummy Mediterranean food we ever had. It was on Sunday noon we planned to give a visit to this place and we are surprised to see the quality of food too outstanding. Food is served hot and the bread, the hummus, the falafel are super tasty. Though the size of the restaurant is bit smaller than I expected but there is enough room between tables and I observed that there are 1 or 2 tables which can accommodate 6 or 8 customers who come as a group but rest all tables are small with 2 chairs which can accommodate 2 customers. I think there are some bigger tables situated outside and people who want to enjoy food outside can enjoy the surroundings too as there is a good park and a pond and has also a good view from the restaurant. We ordered hummus, falafel, lamb burger, Turkish coffee, chicken shawarma. Simply the best food we ever had. we enjoyed every bit of our time we spent there. The Turkish coffee is something pretty new to me and I tried it for the first time and it is so good but I observed that the portion of the coffee is too small or perhaps it is served that way which I am not aware of but the quantity I saw in YouTube are bit larger than what was served. Overall it is a good experience we had and it is going to be a great memory for us. We will visit again and I recommend my friends too to give a visit to...

I am editing my review for clarity and fairness in light of the reply I received from the owner below. The food is tasty and well presented. However, I found the portions to be very lacking and the prices to be a bit high for what you get. Specifically I was disappointed in that the mint tea was pre sweetened and pumped from a carafe, there was no option for ice water in a glass, the french fries were soft and underdone, the shawarma sandwich was thin with barely a sliver of onion and turnip pickle, and the hummus plate while beautifully presented, was extremely thin. Literally a very thin amount of hummus. I am not a large person with a huge appetite, but I would absolutely in fact call it a stingy portion. I understand overhead may be quite high in this location so that may account for the prices being a bit high. The place itself is nice. To be clear, I do understand the difference between gyro and shawarma, having grown up eating traditional Lebanese/Arabic food, as well as greek/Mediterranean. I stand by my two star review, especially when compared to a place such as Ali Baba in Little Rock, which is as down home and authentic as it gets. Obviously the owner hated to see this review and defends his place by insinuating that I don't understand the cuisine, but I do, and I have every right to call it how I see it. I am sorry, because I wanted to love it. Lots of people seem to like it, go try for yourself. In Rogers AR, this is the only option, but believe me, it gets...