DUNYA fresh halal food — Restaurant in Waterbury

Long time first time on this place. (Long time meaning, I've driven by and have been meaning to eat there for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng time). Sometimes, I just get that feeling of a slam dunk before even walking in. I had read enough Yelp love, and heard from enough reliable sources, to kind of figure this place was going to be just that. Add to that the fact that I'm basically 1/48th Middle Eastern, this type of food is right up my alley.

Got there at just about 1pm on a Friday, few other people in front of me but definitely not mobbed, which I was happy about. Loved the way they have the menu hanging up with huge pictures and descriptions, just awesome. Decided to go with the Iraqi Chicken Plate (actually, I had decided this about 12 hours before), with some Baba Ganoush and Tabouli on the side. The friendly gent behind the counter took my order and assured me it would just be a few minutes. While I waited, I browsed the aisles of super awesome looking ethnic grocery specialties, and scored myself a jar of fancy olives. WINNING!

Food came out in good time, price was right...and dear lord; as soon as I got back to my desk and opened it up, the 2 other geeks in the room were like "Holy cow what's that smell!!!?". I mean it was good, really good. The chicken was really different from other middle eastern types I've had, and had a super unique and mild flavor. So good. And the sides tasted like my 1/12 Middle Eastern Grandmother would make!

Let's just say this, that was my first...but not nearly my last time at Dunya. If you're driving by headed to Nardelli's, stop here instead next time...at least give it a try. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Nardelli's guy and LOVE that place, but this little gem shouldn't be out shined. It's deliciously different and totally freaking awesome, keep them...

Hi everyone, please read the reviews, they’re unfortunately correct. This place really isn’t up to basic standards anymore. It was good a few years ago, not so much anymore. There was a family there while I was waiting, asking the man to change the oil because it was very old and dirty. You could see it on their fries & smell it in the air. So now to my encounter: The young gentleman that took my order doesn’t speak or understand English very well. He was too distracted on his phone. I tried multiple times to explain to him what I’d like to order. I asked what the prices were and he’d just stare at me. There’s no prices on the menu. It really seemed he just made them up because he kept changing them when I’d ask again. So I got my order taken after having to just go with what he said. Finally, after a half hour I received my chicken wrap and falafels. I wish I had taken a picture of them. The falafels were burnt and the lettuce in the wrap was wilted and dark. Not fresh and crunchy. Another example of him making up high prices is: As I waited for my food, I found an item that was 1.99$, the one I brought to the counter didn’t have a sticker, so he tried to charge me 4.99$. I took him to where the others were on the shelf & showed him the 1.99$ sticker. It’s just not a place I’ll be going back to. I like the Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant in New Haven. It’s worth the...

My husband and I love this place so much that we've chosen it as our birthday meals at least 3 of the 5 years we've been in CT. I'm a serious foodie and a great cook. There are few places that we can eat and not wish we'd eaten at home instead. This is one of those places. Everything is fresh, and made on site. The staff is super friendly and accommodating. They are cheap, fast, friendly, and good quality. That's a rare combination. It's very casual, though there is seating inside and outside. All ingredients for everything they make are available on site in the grocery section.

Although the atmosphere is super casual, the food is a little better and cheaper than the Turkish restaurant next door (which is THE place to go if you want decent Turkish food and belly dancing at the weekend).

All in all, I can't recommend them highly enough. I've even had friends from overseas ask to return as their one request in CT before they leave, on...