Athena Greek & Lebanese Grill — Restaurant in Shreveport

I came here on a recent Sunday afternoon, on a sudden whim with a potential housemate returning back to the area after being gone, previously never having visited this hometown delicacy for its delights.

The place features a full line of hookahs outside (though I dont smoke, the attending server assured me of their authenticity, in case you don't like the cheap stuff) There is also models showcased inside the dining area.

We sat down to a nicely divided menu and quickly went to entrees, and I, the appetizers as well. After I had eyed the fried cheese, my date quickly verified it as a good choice, so I ordered that, along with the hummus-chicken-rice plate. My date, had chosen another similar entree.

First the appetizer, accompanied with the house salad, which did not contain Iceburg, rather the greener, quality mix, adding a finer vinaigrette also. I didn't anticipate getting this, and given quality enjoyed it more. I next approached the fried cheese logs, laid out in a tasteful star pattern and EVOO bedding the plate. The hummus came just moments after the appetizer, and I soon discovered what a great combination the baked bread, oil, cheese and hummus were. You can do what you want, I enjoyed it. The chicken was lightly grilled but not exactly dry, and shredded. I quite enjoyed this with the off-white rice (consult the menu for specifics of kind).

All in all, I found this to be a well designed experience of articulated craft, with knowledgeable waitstaff and management who themselves care, being fans of the food. If you want an authentic middle-east restaurant experience, whether in town for a couple days, a few options, and curious, or just have a quality girl (or guy) with you, who is interested in cultural experiences, and not the usual american dining careless binging (I don't recommend dating unintelligent people for many reasons) then this will be the place for you to try because lets face it, this is the south; but in Shreveport, this is a well deserved 5 stars, and you'll win big points with the right ones. This restaurant really inspires the culture not readily found in this part-time, slave driving manic southern city. This is the truth, and finally, I took a nice girl here that...

DO NOT EAT HERE! DISRESPECTFUL & RUDE OWNER!!!

I normally eat Athena once a week & love it but today was very unpleasant. They forgot my salad dressing and the lentil soup was watery/smelled sour. I discussed my concerns with the hostess and she went to the back to advise I requested a refund. The son told her I couldn’t get a refund because I already left the restaurant with order.

An item was missing from my order and the soup smelled sour & was VERY watery. The son came from the back & asked did I taste the soup. I advised I’m not tasting ANYTHING that smells sour or watery. He said his dad is the OWNER and he made it fresh this morning. I let him know I order from here once a week & it’s normally thicker. I could see onions and carrot's in the soup. Their Lentil soup doesn’t look like that. I became upset and requested my refund because I refused to eat the soup & I had to burn gas coming back to get dressing. It was simply inconvenient.

The hostess goes back to the owner & tells him my order total and he comes walking from the back fast, pulls $10 out of his pocket & tells me to never come back. I immediately told him trust me….i won’t. The customer service is horrible. He then tells me to shut up and we got into an arguing match in the middle of the restaurant!!!!

HOW UNPROFESSIONAL!!! Telling me to shut up when you messed up my order and the food quality is poor. Mind you….i was the only person there ordering…it was a literal ghost town. Now I know why it was empty! It’s not my fault that you don’t have any business so you refused to give me a refund!

Bad energy. Horrible customer service. Disrespectful & Rude owner.

I WILL...

Lunch sampler was pretty good. However for dessert I ordered coffee and baklava.

The coffee came with a small pile of white powder on the saucer that the waitress said was "cream"

The baklava was stale and I could not cut it with the knife provided.

When I informed the waitress she did not apologize or acknowledge the bad pastry but simply said, "We don't have any other knives"

😆 As if the knife rather than to stale pastry was the problem.

She walked away and I had to call her back to ask her to remove the inedible baklava from the bill.

She did so but then up charged the coffee so the bill was the same amount.

Never acknowledged or apologized for the bad food.

Before I posted this review I decided to try to make it right in private by calling and talking to "Nasim" at the number provided in other bad reviews here.

The person who answered said Nasim (whoever that is) was not in and then got very guarded and defensive.

Accidents happen. Stale pastry gets served.

What makes the difference is the professionalism to rectify the situation. And customer service calls for at the minimum acknowledging the error.

That did not happen.

I won't be back and cannot recommend Athena to others.

• UPDATE* Called the manager. He was apologetic and gracious.

He told me they addressed the issue and made sure their staff now knows how to handle this better.

I was just traveling through Shreveport, but the manager said anytime I come back they will comp my lunch.

I won't be able to take him up on the offer but it was nice of him.

I'm willing to write this off to a bad day. The food that was not problematic was very tasty.

I'd say, give...