Cedars Restaurant & Chicha Lounge — Restaurant in Virginia

TLDR: Confusing Menu and super dry beef but more importantly rude/inconsiderate/ close-minded workers to people of other cultures.

I ordered the Plate Beef Shawarma and based on the menu - I expected to get a sandwich and fries. However, I got a thin piece of bread with beef in it. I was really confused so I went back and asked why I didn’t get a sandwich.

The waiter told me that when I order the platter - it comes like the first picture and not like in the picture next to the menu.

I find this super confusing - how am I supposed to know that the Beef Shawarma Platter - looks entirely different from the picture right next to it WITH THE SAME NAME? Additionally, there’s no labeling in the menu that the platter will be different - just that it has rice/fries to it.

To me, this is like going to McDonalds - and rather than getting a single Big Mac - you ask for a combo meal to get fries. But when you get the Big Mac, rather than a burger - your Big Mac is just a bread bowl with meat squished inside.

I don’t understand how someone who doesn’t come from the restaurants’ culture can intuitively know there is a difference - when the menu, pictures, and item names all communicate a different story to a newcomer.

I wouldn’t have made a bad review for just a small menu confusion. I am more upset that I saw several workers laugh/snicker at me for asking the question. The workers were not considerate that someone, who doesn’t know their culture, didn’t know this difference inherently and asked a genuine question. While I would’ve appreciated a refund or more understanding about the miscommunication, I would’ve appreciated even more the workers not laughing at me and showing consideration given the menus confusing layout.

Also the beef was dry, hella dry

0/10 would...

I've been coming here for a little under 2 and half years. The food is fantastic, the Hookah is super amazing and the service is just as good. You get greeted with smiles and you feel welcomed to step into cedars. The ambiance is just as good too, you'll want to come here a lot just because of the ambiance. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner too. The owner is named Emad. Emad is most chill, helping, and caring owner that i've ever met. There was a time where I needed to sit to finish some work on my computer and my computer was on low battery and I needed to sit somewhere next to a plug in. Mind you the place was a full house, he took time to find me a seat next to a plug in so I can do my work and that is a moment where I could never forget. I come here often to a point where the service already knows what I get on a regular and I couldn't be any happier to come to a place just to chill or to do work. One more thing, It is...

Went to check out this place after seeing the ratings. Was a total disappointment. Taste of the food - we ordered half dozen falafel ($7.42 including taxes) and wasn’t satisfied with the taste. It had NO SALT in it. Tahini was awful. We have had falafel at so many places and this one was not satisfactory at all. So by the time we were waiting for our carry out order, I noticed one of the staff members were preparing something. He added all and did the taste test. Maybe some sauce was lacking and he added more and bam!!! He tasted it with the same spoon after mixing!! And that followed with 2-3 more staff members tasting the food right from the bowl without any tasting portion cups. Finally it went out to be served to the customer in two separate bowls. When I questioned the staff for their conduct, they said it was not for the customer!! I know I wouldn’t be returning to this...