mezeh — Restaurant in Virginia

Hey so everyone who knows me I pull no punches and I called right down the middle because I don't owe anyone any loyalty and I don't endorse any place so if I like it I like it and if I don't I'll tell you why. Maybe it's just the Brooklyn New York rooted in me.

So let me get this out of the way: waterview complaining about a douchebag Hispanic guy working there who gives horrible service. He was off because I didn't see anybody in there fitting that particular description. I saw was working in the kitchen in the back and he was very quiet. Okay so as soon as you walk in what you'll notice is two ladies who are very nice and ask what you'd like to have today. But this comes with a problem. This is my first time in Mezeh and I did say that to them, so I asked what do they recommend. They looked annoyed as it appeared that they just wanted to take my order. So I decided to build my own bowl. I wanted some extra protein so I did get the chicken which was fantastic and obviously vegetables. Who got falafel on the side and they gave me four large pieces and it was fantastic. The vegetables they gave me Russian everything that they gave me including tax was $15.79. did I not paid extra for the chicken it would have came out to $11.65 plus tax. Out there were not that many people but the atmosphere was good and this is a rather sizable place and it looks very deceptive from the outside. The only other thing I wanted to mention is that as far as the help is concerned I just don't understand for the life of me if you're going to work in a people-oriented business, working behind the counter barely spoke any English and it was hard to convey what I wanted. Nothing against that and what language they speak but you would figure that if you're going to work in a customer service oriented business why would the bosses not want to hire someone who can actually communicate the language and the orders. Instead I had to point at everything. Would I come back here? The...

My wife and I have been big Mezeh fans, normally stopping in to eat with our son. Unfortunately today 3/8/2025 we ordered online order#33695354492190720 because my wife is feeling very sick. I drove the 30m round trip to pick up the food.

When I got home and my wife opened her bowl, we discovered it had just the lettuce, rice and chicken but none of the toppings we ordered(and were clearly written on the bowl). I told her not to worry, I'll go back. So I hopped in my car and drove back (leaving my bowl home to get completely cold in the meantime).

What determined me to post this atypical for me negative review was the question asked by a tall gentleman that re-made her bowl - "But you ate a little bit from this bowl, no?" No - my wife did not eat and she is still waiting for me at home, stewing, after she questioned my decision for not checking the order when picking it up.

Mistakes happen (eg: I just made one not checking the order before leaving the first time around) - but this attitude to another human being, and in particular a customer that paid for your service and you made a mistake screwing them over is in my humble opinion inexcusable. You should own up to your mistake and somehow say sorry with a discount, gift card, something. But most definitely you shouldn’t accuse the customer of stealing a few forks of food.

Good luck Mezeh, you stole hours from my life today....

I had possibly the worst and most bizarre service I’ve experienced at any food establishment here a few days ago. My first time visiting was great, and I ordered through the website and received my order a few minutes after arriving. I ordered online again my second time, but was brushed off by the employee when I asked about the order. The restaurant was packed, but numerous people came in and requested their online orders and had them prepared in front of me between customers. I saw another employee ask the first employee about my order, but they just shrugged and went to the back. I waited for around 50 minutes until I ended up asking for a refund, at which point the first employee found my order request and said they would call their manager. They finally gave me my food and complimentary sides. I honestly just wanted a refund because I had somewhere to be, and if I knew they wouldn’t have been able to fulfill my order by the pickup time or even 20 minutes after that, I would’ve gone somewhere else. It was a truly bizarre experience, and I’m not sure whether to chalk it up to the online ordering system or poor service. I wouldn’t recommend coming here unless you have an hour to waste or want...