Noor Somali Restaurant — Restaurant in Salt Lake City

I want to start off by saying that this WAS my favorite place in SLC. But with much careful consideration over the last few visits, and with a heavy heart I am re-reviewing this place. This place was my go to spot for years. We used to dine here a couple of times a week. The place was a “hole in the wall”, but the food made up for it. The entrees came with a bowl of soup (marag), a bottle of water, and even a banana if you wanted-it’s part of Somali cuisine. The entree portion was huge, it almost lasted 2 meals, all for just $10! I know, it sounds too good to be true, but it wasn’t. I told all my friends and family about this place, and I got everyone hooked on Somali food.

Unfortunately, this place isn’t like what it used to be. Over the last two years, everything went downhill. Yes, they renovated the interior with a fresh coat of paint, nice tables and chairs, and new tv’s with menus on the screen—but the food quality is horrible. I don’t know how or why there’s a sudden change. They even raised the entrees’ price to $13. I have nothing against raising prices, due to inflation, and the rising cost of goods. However, it has to be justified or else you’ll lose customers, and that’s never good for business. I went from frequenting this place several times a week (no joke), to a few times a year now, sadly.

After today’s visit, I could no longer hold off on this review. We ordered the Chicken Soukar (small pieces) with rice and Beef Steak with Saltato (spaghetti). The chicken soukar looked nothing like we expected. It was stir fried in mixed veggies with a side of spinach, and the rice didn’t seem fully cooked-it had this strong masala smell. Same with the saltato with beef steak. The spaghetti and the meat were just bland, it tasted like nothing.

It’s unfortunate that one of my favorite restaurants really became like this. It’s sad that I have to write this review about a place I once dined so frequently. I have heard several negative reviews from the same people I once recommended this place to. Although I can’t recommend this place anymore, fortunately my love for Somali food didn’t end with them.

I hope management can take this review constructively, and improve the quality of their food. I’d love to come back and enjoy a delicious Somali meal like before.

Previous 5 star review:

This is my favorite restaurant in SLC. It's a small mom and pop place, and a hidden gem. I never tried African food before, and fell in love with Somali food there after. Everything is delicious here, but my favorite and must try is the Sambosa (triangular meat filled roll), complementary Marag (broth soup), and the Saltato (spaghetti pasta) with breaded chicken...

As a west african, this was my first time trying Somalian food.

We ordered the lamb dish, chicken skoor, pasta and rice. I was also going to try their ambusa and chapati but they ran out.

Both lamb and chicken dishes had strong personalities. Flavors were aromatic, vibrant and colorful. On the musical scale, i'd say they hit the high notes for me. The flavor profile I'd say is cousin to the middle east /arab food I've experienced so far (not shocking if you know a little bit about berber population etc..). For an introduction to Somali food, it could not have started any better; I will explore other Somali restos in the area out of curiosity and for comparison purpose but I'm not sure how they will be able to top this.

Service is not americanized ( no waiters or waitresses, etc), no prices on the screen. It's more like a takeout place that happens to have cpl tables should you...

Excuse me and Excuse me some more. I was on a trip from Allentown, PA to Los Angeles and stopped by this place on my way back East. Let me just say that I cook, I am a food connoisseur (of sorts) and am frequently asked to cook for people.

I have not tasted fish this good since I was on a trip to Cameroon, Africa in a place called Buea located right next to the ocean where they catch the fish, clean it, and cook it right in front of you with diverse spices.

I do not understand how the owner can make the fish have such delicious texture and flavor. The greens, rice, beans EVERYTHING, was scrumptious.

If you love good food, you need to do yourself a favor, stop looking through Salt Lake City, Utah for a place to eat, and eat here immediately. You do have to wait a little bit for your food but...