Arabic Express — Restaurant in Tucson

Edited: We've now returned a couple times, and while the food is still delicious, it's very inconsistent. We've ordered the same dish pictured here every time, and it's been different every time. The selection of meats is different as well as the amount of food included. It's disappointing to have no idea what you're getting when you order, so even though it's good, we probably won't return as much as we expected to. (And when we've asked about the differences, they just keep saying that it depends on the chef. Which seems odd for a restaurant.)

My husband and I have been on a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food tour through Tucson, if you will. We've tried many restaurants now, with most being perfectly edible, but not necessarily places we longed to return. Until now. We randomly stumbled upon Arabic Express on an impromptu lunch date, mostly because they were open for an early lunch. We ordered the Mashawy Plate which came with a sampling of meats, rice, pita bread, and hummus. (I was especially impressed that when I mentioned the possibility of ordering a hummus appetizer, our server told us we'd get some with the entree we ordered -- honesty, I like it!) When the food came out, it was beautifully presented and then tasted even better! So much flavor without being overwhelming. It was plenty of food for both of us (I would doubt that any one person could finish it alone -- but you'll certainly want to) and if memory serves, we didn't have anything left. Far too delicious to stop eating! We'll be back downtown soon and plan to make a return visit -- I recommend you...

An Unforgettable Experience from Start to Finish!

From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was transported straight to the heart of the Arab world. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with elegant décor that beautifully blends tradition and modern comfort. The soft Arabic music playing in the background added a magical touch to the atmosphere.

The service? Absolutely outstanding. The staff was incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. They made us feel like honored guests, always checking in without being intrusive.

Now the food – wow. Every single dish was a burst of flavor and authenticity. The hummus was silky smooth, the kebabs were grilled to perfection, and the rice was fragrant and perfectly seasoned. Even the bread was warm, fresh, and just heavenly. You can taste the love and tradition in every bite.

Portions are generous, prices are fair, and the overall experience is simply exceptional. If you’re looking for a true taste of Arabic cuisine with top-notch service and ambiance, this is the place to be. Highly recommended – I’ll definitely be...

We rarely rate anything as a 5-star experience across the board, but based on our first dinner at Geronimo’s/Arabic Express, that's what we're doing here.

We shared the Foul Mudammas off the breakfast list (available all day) which involves spicy creamy mashed fava beans topped with diced tomatoes and fresh mint garnish and pita bread for $12.00, and a Gyro Plate (Gyro meat, rice, salad, pita, tzatziki) for $17.00. Both were excellent, and better yet, different in taste and presentation from what you usually get in Tucson at your bog-standard Greek, Turkish, Mediterranean, etc., eatery.

While these folks seem to do a brisk take-out business, we were the only people eating in. But that doesn't diminish the fact service was great, and the young woman who waited on us actually seemed to care if we were pleased.

The dining area is attractive and spotlessly clean.

Parking in West University is tough when school is in session. Better to ride the Sun Link Streetcar and jump off at the University/Tyndall stop. From there it’s just a...