Elham Restaurant And Bar — Restaurant in Shenango Township

Syrian in background, Elham offers as close to Dearborn, MI (where I am from) flavors and quality as you can get in PA, a very nice surprise for a change, since most of the "middle eastern" restaurants we have in Youngstown have a pretty good idea that "non-arabs" don't have a CLUE as to what to expect with a meal of this sort so in turn you receive chintzy portions; usually common "come with" side dishes offered as "additions" at an additional price and you usually pay a price FAR higher than what I'm use to and where as you "think" your getting some type of gourmet meal. Trust me on this. With this visit to Elham it felt far MORE like home, JUST like it SHOULD be!

Maram, our server, who is PERFECTLY suited for her position by the way, was friendly, attentive and made you feel like a "member of the family" from the moment we were seated. Offering to explain anything you might not understand, she "lit up" like a Christmas Tree when I told her I was from Dearborn, now understanding that we were on the same page and could exchange stories and perceptions! Talk about a real treat and something I really, really miss. She couldn't wait to tell me of her trips there and what it was like for her. Only family does THAT!

After reviewing their fairly extensive menu and listening to Maram's suggestions, we choose the hummus platter (that offers three of four selections plus the garlic lemon addition- OUTSTANDING, by the way) to start and I ordered the large chicken kabob platter w/rice and my partner chose the chicken house platter. Arriving first, the hummus platter with what seemed like "homemade" Syrian bread (totally different from Lebanese, with more of a puffy and moist texture) was mouth watering from the start and I have to admit, each flavored selection was strong and tasty. Surprisingly, the standard hummus lacked the flavor (or punch) I'm use to BUT you tend to find with each Middle Eastern ethnicity, as I said before, the flavors and styles vary a bit. Not bad mind you, just different!

Next came the salads, which they DO offer a standard house or tabouli with the meal, neither of which I care for since Fattoush is the BOMB, but I was pleasantly surprised when Maram asked the kitchen if they wouldn't mind "doctoring up" a house salad with fired pita and the fattoush dressing just for me and they did, at no extra charge! I totally appreciated that!

Next came the entrees which were nice in presentation and portion size. Again, unusual for the Youngstown area restaurants without paying an arm, leg or internal organ, lol! Once you began digging in, I couldn't help but be reminded of how MUCH I miss home! Very distinct flavors; tender, succulent and juicy and prepared just it should be and with just the right amount of visual appeal and "make you hungry" scents! WHAT a TREAT! *My only minor quibble was the chicken was left on the grill for just a "bit" to long for the charring effect and thus the kabobs had a slightly burnt taste but it was NOT enough to ruin the meal. FAR from it actually. When all was said and done, we STILL had enough food to take home for yet another almost full meal (of course, filling up on hummus and pita to start didn't help, lol) and we both were again, surprised, once the bill came given that in Youngstown, it would have costed at LEAST an additional $10-20. Not bad. Not bad at all...

I say, PLEASE give them a try! I was impressed. I seriously doubt you'll be disappointed nor will you come close to flavors like this in traditional American cooking, especially if you LOVE garlic as we do. If you're able, give everything you can a taste test, don't be afraid to ask for samples, just so you can determine just what if any is your favourite. I know this, we look forward to a return visit, especially if Maram is there to put the icing on a meal that was WELL worth the 40 minute drive to PA.

THANK YOU most SINCERELY Elham, for a damn good first time experience! We look forward to coming...

A Wait So Long, I Walked Out Without My Food

Elham’s has incredible food—some of the best Middle Eastern cuisine in New Castle, hands down. But on August 25th, I ordered a pickup meal and was told it would be ready in ten minutes.

When we arrived, I passed an employee outside smoking. No judgment—hardworking folks deserve a break. I walked in to find another customer already waiting for his pickup order… and not a single employee in sight.

Near the hostess stand were a set of double doors, with voices coming from behind them. After a moment, the smoking employee finished his break, came inside, walked right past the two of us, and slipped through those doors without saying a word. Still no service. No greeting. No acknowledgment.

Then a third customer came in. The only other employee I’d seen was deep in the dining area—and they disappeared too. I asked the guy ahead of me how long he’d been waiting. He said ten minutes… and still hadn’t seen a single staff member. At that point, I had only been there for about four minutes, so that meant he’d been waiting for a total of fourteen. I gave it another six minutes, bringing my own wait to ten—and his to twenty. I turned to him and said, “Dude, you’ve been here what, twenty minutes now?” He mumbled, “Yup.” I said, “Okay, well… ten minutes for me now. I gotta go. Good luck.”

Two employees, three customers, and absolutely no communication. Just being flat-out ignored.

I can guarantee you the other Middle Eastern spots in town won’t leave you hanging like this—and your food will actually be ready when you show up.

TL;DR

Food: ★★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★☆

Service: ★☆☆☆☆

Elham’s: A three-star dining experience—if you’re lucky enough to actually...

I was there with a party of nine. We had almost the whole upstairs with the exception of another party that got seated RIGHT next to us (- a star). The table, chairs, and flooring are somewhat dated and could use a refresher. The silverware was some kind of light weight cheap flatware that is basically one step above being disposable, very disappointing. (- a star). Our server was on point with being clean, friendly, and punctual with everything from greetings to presenting the check. Absolutely no problem and she earned greater than 20% gratuity. The food had mixed reviews from the table. I started out with a house salad the lettuce was finely chopped topped with about five pieces of diced tomato and there were pieces of grated carrots throughout. It tasted like bagged salad. I enjoyed the attractive “plastic to go container” of olive oil and garlic dressing. I ordered the lamb house platter and enjoyed it. Big chunks of lamb cooked how I like it. The portion size was a little weak for what I paid but the taste was spot on. They stuffed grape leaves carried a pleasant taste, however the rice was dry and bland. This is the first time I had a kibbi so I’m not sure how they are supposed to taste but the breading was dry and crumbly. Those that ordered the lamb over rice and the lamb salad stated the meat tasted funny and it appeared to be more of shredded cuttings as opposed to nice chunks of meat.

The rest room was immaculate.

Elham’s has potential but they definitely missed the WOW! factor, ranking around just...