I hate to be that guy, the guy who leaves bad reviews. Yet, this restaurant really disappointed me. I was excited to try it when I found it on google. I called twice, no answer. So I decided to stop for pickup. I ordered a $17 lamb kabab platter to satisfy my stomach after a long day of no food. I also ordered Moroccan tea, it was $7 but I wanted to get a taste from home. I received a large plate of rice with 4 small pieces of lamb and couple slices of tomatoes and cucumbers. No problem maybe the taste will compensate for this. Not really, it was not as tasty as the name of the restaurant states. I put it to the side and took a sip of the $7 Moroccan to find out it was not even close to be tea. It was as we say in Morocco “water and ululates”. I felt scammed to be honest. I will take down this review after it reaches management so they can do better. Please do better.
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: The Family Platter
Lee Clarke
I probably don't have enough vowels in my name to pass judgement on this place, but it was a little confusing to order lunch. I thought I was ordering the pita lunch special, I ended up paying more and not getting the sides and drink. Pita was delicious but they server should make it more clear what the options are.
Food: 5
Service: 2
Steven Johnson
Summary: Expensive, questionable food handling, language barriers, but decent flavors.$65 (with mid tier tip) for two pitas, 3 sides, and a drink.?, this is way too expensive, yes even in 2024.Food handling and storage could be better.Meats could be stored in a more organized and tightly wrapped manner.I didn't see any meat being flame grilled or cut off skewers like some reviews and pictures suggest. Honestly it's just a bunch of hot trays with food that's been sitting for obvious hours at a time.Gloves were barely worn, of the two guys working the front, one glove was on, the other guy mainly used utensils to scoop, but would touch around the lids and containers after answering the phone, handling currency, etc... Not the worst handling I've seen, but needs improvement.Food was decently flavored, however the pitas are factory made, and don't survive well if you get it to go.The gentlemen taking the order, in my opinion could have been a little more helpful to understand the menu and explain things. Possibly just the cultural differences but he seemed to have an attitude and was short with words.Diining experience was bad, tables not in the best shape and the finishes, drywall, paint, tiles, etc... are in need of some TLC.For the price they charge, I expect a much better overall dining experience.Recommendations as a customer, order online or over the phone, don't order pitas or wraps, stick to the platters, which come with more rice than the side of rice, and get it to go if you live close.Recommendations to the restaurant owner and staff: Lower your prices on simple items like pitas, offer some potatoes or fries with them for the price, maybe a combo special with a drink.Put some fresh paint, finishing touches up.Have someone a little warmer taking orders and answering questions.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Michaeloscar F.
Initially from the start I entered and it felt off. Something about the service and how I was treated didn't make the food any better. However what I can say is the overall structure of the restaurant is nice and clean which is always a must. The one downside although was when my food was done I tasted nothing that I'd consider coming back to get it which was disappointing. I ordered the falafel bowl and the falafels were good while the rice, veggies, and everything else was cold or soggy. The falafels although tasted great for my first time. With all the bad stuff out of the way this place most definitely has other dishes that I must try before I make a statement about it but overall I can say I would not consider coming back based on the first impression.
Khy
The meat was just dry and didn’t have any type of flavor but the lady is sweet as she can
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Rifat Tuzcuoglu
Finally we have got tasty Mediterranean in Virginia Beach Blvd. I tried Saffron rice with chicken with 2 sides salad and eggplant (moussaka) was delicious. Wanted to try all but super happy to have nice Mediterranean restaurant to family and our guest . Super clean. Hope they will succeed. Shawarmas, diners are so juicy and flavorful. It is tasty kebab Mediterranean Cuisine and they serve Halal:)))loved this place:) tea was great too:) so many smiles:) little update after one year:( little more spicy and less portions:( a lot of rice but there was portion problems:( hope they don’t loss quality anymore lamb was Chevy:((((too.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Jose Martinez
So I’ve been on a shawarma kick lately and the place got me started again was closed and I was fiending for a shawarma….enter Tasty Kebab.A very simple establishment at a strip mall, open bay, open kitchen, deli/server style food prep line. The seating bay is very simple, yet clean. Very friendly lady and a lone cook holding it down rather well! Good indeed!The shawarma ordered was a chicken on a pita with veggie toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, pickled veggies…..this transported me straight back to the Middle East. Flavor, texture, and just goodness…it’s all there. It was overly stuffed, it was a battle to handle and eat, but that was a good battle!! The shawarma is good and authentic.The signs on the restaurant did advertise Halal, so very good for people that seem Halal cuisine. They offer vegetarian/vegan platter as well. Simple place, simple menus, and complex wonderful flavors. Good job. A must stop. Highly recommended!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spence (Spencetastic)
Have been looking for a Kabab/Shawarma place that cooks in house and doesn't buy the prepackaged "gyro" meat. Wad delicious, flavorful, and about as authentic as your going to get in the VB/Norfolk area. I will definitely go back when I'm in the area again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
celeste taylor
One of the first places I tried when I moved down here. They do not disappoint!! The food is great!! I like trying different things and boy oh boy, wonderful flavors, great portions, I love, love, love it!
I ate the family plate today with my friends and after 3 hours , I started to throw up. If you want to eat beef or Lamp , you need dog tooth. It was unsuccessful. Cabbage doesn’t have any taste I don’t know why they serve that. Drinks doesn’t have any taste and they don’t have any ice in the machine. When I asked for a bottle of drink , they gave it to me and did not charge me ? My friends are feeling very bad right now too. I don’t think that I will come back here again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Amanda D.
Excellent customer service!! The food is amazing and authentic!!! Clean place and will certainty be going back!!!
Janina Alvarez
Food was amazing and service was great
Damien J.
Once again, Yelp has us folks informed of new businesses popping up in the area. With the 7.57 deal in play, checking them out is even better. So, Sophia and I joined up with a new friend from our social group to see if this place lived up to reviews. Well, we were in for a surprise to say the least. At first glance, the decor inside was really good. Spotless and enough tables to fill a nice little crowd. We were greeted by staff once we walked in and off to ordering we went. Unfortunately, that was when the decline started. Upon checking in, I noticed there was no deal popping up on the app. I even did the QR code scan, but nothing. Turns out the 7.57 deal is nowhere to be found on their business page compared to the rest that's advertising deals. And I even checked in 3 times on my phone, but to no avail. And the lady behind the counter looked confused when I was trying to explain what was happening. To save the argument, I went ahead and just ordered at the regular price thinking I would have leftovers to eat at home for dinner. Well, that's where the situation went more downhill. I selected the lamb and beef bowl with everything except a few items. I selected garlic sauce since they were out of tzatziki, which is no biggie. I asked the lady what was in their house hot sauce. Apparently, there was a language barrier because she just spread it on the bowl. She couldn't tell me what was in it saying, and I may've heard incorrectly, that they don't make the sauce here. Huh???? I did sort of a double take. I've never worked in the food industry, but I'm sure if folks work at any restaurant, they should know what ingredients go in meals or sauces. Some people have allergies and can't eat certain things. However, I just went with the flow and tried the food. Well, it was a thumbs down. The protein looked like big chunks instead of thinly-sliced meat and appeared to be dry. Seasoning was in the meal, but it did not work. And the person who was with Sophia and I actually picked meat out of her wrap. Not good at all. And to top things off, our new friend had to make a b-line to the bathroom right before she went home. When you read this, please don't assume I'm a Debbie Downer or one who slams a business. This here was a complete disappointment. From the deal not working to the food not tasting good to not knowing what's in a sauce, it was a total letdown. I am for small businesses and hoping they succeed in a market that has its ups and downs, especially post-pandemic. Are there bad days? Absolutely. Can they rebound? Absolutely. But this here did not live up to the hype. And also, their location isn't the best where they're hidden behind an Aldi and people can blink and miss it while driving by. I do hope they're able to fix the kinks that are present, but as a customer, I don't see myself coming back. Sorry :(
Dennis C.
Tasty Kabab is a family owned Mediterranean style restaurant, one with some unique Moroccan influences, that opened its doors at JANAF Shopping Center in October of last year. It is tucked and hidden away among a row of stores in a newer and outermost strip section of the JANAF complex that wasn't there when it first opened back in 1959. I had a hard time finding it during my first visit. There is a Game Stop to its immediate left and an Edible Arrangements to its immediate right. A Verizon store is also nearby in sight. Their cuisine features Halal meats and fresh ingredients with a variety of Kabab platters, Shawarma dishes, Moroccan Tagine dishes, Pitas, Wraps, Falafel, and more. This is a counter service operation, where you pay for your order first at the register and wait until it is ready. I enjoyed the following dishes during three lunch time visits this month: CHICKEN SHAWARMA BOWL: Slow Roasted Marinated Chicken, Hummus, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Purple Cabbage, Fried Eggplant, Pickles, and Banana Peppers over Saffron Rice. I also ordered a slice of Pita Bread to go with it, mainly for decorating my bowl. This was the dish I ordered for my Yelp 757 Deal. The person at the register didn't seem to understand the Yelp deal at first, perhaps due to a language barrier. I did my best to put her at ease while showing her the Yelp deal on my phone and also on the display by the register. She eventually understood, and the deal went through successfully. The Saffron Rice and Chicken were placed in the bowl first. I then told the person working behind the counter which of the toppings I wanted, and she added them accordingly. I declined all of their sauces, as I have never liked the look of sauces drizzled on my food. They offer three sauces--Garlic, Tahini, and a House Made Hot Sauce that includes mayonnaise, a condiment that has never agreed with me. When it was ready, I took it to my table to enjoy. The combination of ingredients and their flavors blew me away. The Saffron Rice was divine. This was truly one of the most outstanding Shawarma bowls I have ever enjoyed. I also had enough left over to take home for a second meal: My Rating: 5 Stars. CHICKEN TAGINE: This is a traditional slow-cooked Moroccan dish, one that comes with Braised Bone-In Chicken, Onions, and Assorted Spices. The version here also came with their Saffron Rice. The Tagine also refers to a North African cone shaped clay or ceramic pot with a lid, which is used to cook their Tagine dishes. The chicken was tender and juicy, easily falling off its bones and melting in my mouth with an explosion of flavor. This one lasted me for two more meals when I took the rest home. I would have liked just a few more onions in the mix. My Rating: 4.5 Stars. I also enjoyed the following Sides with this dish: ROASTED POTATOES: They were a bit on the cool side and did not seem to hold their temperature well in the steam tray behind the counter. I only ate a few of them and took the rest home with the rest of my Chicken Tagine. Once I reheated them at home, their roasted flavor and texture came roaring back in full force with the warmth with which they were meant to be served. My Rating: 4 Stars. MOUSSAKA: This is a classic Middle Eastern Eggplant dish and one I had never tried before, providing me with a new culinary adventure. I loved its taste and texture, and there was a mildly spicy sauce underneath with a nice kick that added to my enjoyment. My Rating: 5 Stars. CHICKEN KABAB BOWL: Grilled Chicken Kababs with Cucumber, Tomato, Purple Cabbage, Red Pepper Sauce, and Banana Peppers over Saffron Rice. Large chucks of Chicken Kababs were slowly grilled behind the counter as I watched and then added to the Saffron Rice. I followed the same procedure as before with their Chicken Shawarma dish by picking out my desired toppings and turning down the sauces. The Chicken Kababs were tender and tasty, combining beautifully with the other ingredients and busting with flavor. Once again, I had enough left over to take home for a second meal. This dish also came with two
Meat was so hard and chewy no flavor ☹️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
I hate to be that guy, the guy who leaves bad reviews. Yet, this restaurant really disappointed me. I was excited to try it when I found it on google. I called twice, no answer. So I decided to stop for pickup. I ordered a $17 lamb kabab platter to satisfy my stomach after a long day of no food. I also ordered Moroccan tea, it was $7 but I wanted to get a taste from home. I received a large plate of rice with 4 small pieces of lamb and couple slices of tomatoes and cucumbers. No problem maybe the taste will compensate for this. Not really, it was not as tasty as the name of the restaurant states. I put it to the side and took a sip of the $7 Moroccan to find out it was not even close to be tea. It was as we say in Morocco “water and ululates”. I felt scammed to be honest. I will take down this review after it reaches management so they can do better. Please do better.
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: The Family Platter
I probably don't have enough vowels in my name to pass judgement on this place, but it was a little confusing to order lunch. I thought I was ordering the pita lunch special, I ended up paying more and not getting the sides and drink. Pita was delicious but they server should make it more clear what the options are.
Food: 5
Service: 2
Summary: Expensive, questionable food handling, language barriers, but decent flavors.$65 (with mid tier tip) for two pitas, 3 sides, and a drink.?, this is way too expensive, yes even in 2024.Food handling and storage could be better.Meats could be stored in a more organized and tightly wrapped manner.I didn't see any meat being flame grilled or cut off skewers like some reviews and pictures suggest. Honestly it's just a bunch of hot trays with food that's been sitting for obvious hours at a time.Gloves were barely worn, of the two guys working the front, one glove was on, the other guy mainly used utensils to scoop, but would touch around the lids and containers after answering the phone, handling currency, etc... Not the worst handling I've seen, but needs improvement.Food was decently flavored, however the pitas are factory made, and don't survive well if you get it to go.The gentlemen taking the order, in my opinion could have been a little more helpful to understand the menu and explain things. Possibly just the cultural differences but he seemed to have an attitude and was short with words.Diining experience was bad, tables not in the best shape and the finishes, drywall, paint, tiles, etc... are in need of some TLC.For the price they charge, I expect a much better overall dining experience.Recommendations as a customer, order online or over the phone, don't order pitas or wraps, stick to the platters, which come with more rice than the side of rice, and get it to go if you live close.Recommendations to the restaurant owner and staff: Lower your prices on simple items like pitas, offer some potatoes or fries with them for the price, maybe a combo special with a drink.Put some fresh paint, finishing touches up.Have someone a little warmer taking orders and answering questions.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Initially from the start I entered and it felt off. Something about the service and how I was treated didn't make the food any better. However what I can say is the overall structure of the restaurant is nice and clean which is always a must. The one downside although was when my food was done I tasted nothing that I'd consider coming back to get it which was disappointing. I ordered the falafel bowl and the falafels were good while the rice, veggies, and everything else was cold or soggy. The falafels although tasted great for my first time. With all the bad stuff out of the way this place most definitely has other dishes that I must try before I make a statement about it but overall I can say I would not consider coming back based on the first impression.
The meat was just dry and didn’t have any type of flavor but the lady is sweet as she can
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Finally we have got tasty Mediterranean in Virginia Beach Blvd. I tried Saffron rice with chicken with 2 sides salad and eggplant (moussaka) was delicious. Wanted to try all but super happy to have nice Mediterranean restaurant to family and our guest . Super clean. Hope they will succeed. Shawarmas, diners are so juicy and flavorful. It is tasty kebab Mediterranean Cuisine and they serve Halal:)))loved this place:) tea was great too:) so many smiles:) little update after one year:( little more spicy and less portions:( a lot of rice but there was portion problems:( hope they don’t loss quality anymore lamb was Chevy:((((too.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
So I’ve been on a shawarma kick lately and the place got me started again was closed and I was fiending for a shawarma….enter Tasty Kebab.A very simple establishment at a strip mall, open bay, open kitchen, deli/server style food prep line. The seating bay is very simple, yet clean. Very friendly lady and a lone cook holding it down rather well! Good indeed!The shawarma ordered was a chicken on a pita with veggie toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, pickled veggies…..this transported me straight back to the Middle East. Flavor, texture, and just goodness…it’s all there. It was overly stuffed, it was a battle to handle and eat, but that was a good battle!! The shawarma is good and authentic.The signs on the restaurant did advertise Halal, so very good for people that seem Halal cuisine. They offer vegetarian/vegan platter as well. Simple place, simple menus, and complex wonderful flavors. Good job. A must stop. Highly recommended!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Have been looking for a Kabab/Shawarma place that cooks in house and doesn't buy the prepackaged "gyro" meat. Wad delicious, flavorful, and about as authentic as your going to get in the VB/Norfolk area. I will definitely go back when I'm in the area again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
One of the first places I tried when I moved down here. They do not disappoint!! The food is great!! I like trying different things and boy oh boy, wonderful flavors, great portions, I love, love, love it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb, Falafel, Chicken Tagine, Chicken Bowl with Rice, Saffron Rice, Chicken Shawarma Platter
Restaurantji Recommends
I ate the family plate today with my friends and after 3 hours , I started to throw up. If you want to eat beef or Lamp , you need dog tooth. It was unsuccessful. Cabbage doesn’t have any taste I don’t know why they serve that. Drinks doesn’t have any taste and they don’t have any ice in the machine. When I asked for a bottle of drink , they gave it to me and did not charge me ? My friends are feeling very bad right now too. I don’t think that I will come back here again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Excellent customer service!! The food is amazing and authentic!!! Clean place and will certainty be going back!!!
Food was amazing and service was great
Once again, Yelp has us folks informed of new businesses popping up in the area. With the 7.57 deal in play, checking them out is even better. So, Sophia and I joined up with a new friend from our social group to see if this place lived up to reviews. Well, we were in for a surprise to say the least. At first glance, the decor inside was really good. Spotless and enough tables to fill a nice little crowd. We were greeted by staff once we walked in and off to ordering we went. Unfortunately, that was when the decline started. Upon checking in, I noticed there was no deal popping up on the app. I even did the QR code scan, but nothing. Turns out the 7.57 deal is nowhere to be found on their business page compared to the rest that's advertising deals. And I even checked in 3 times on my phone, but to no avail. And the lady behind the counter looked confused when I was trying to explain what was happening. To save the argument, I went ahead and just ordered at the regular price thinking I would have leftovers to eat at home for dinner. Well, that's where the situation went more downhill. I selected the lamb and beef bowl with everything except a few items. I selected garlic sauce since they were out of tzatziki, which is no biggie. I asked the lady what was in their house hot sauce. Apparently, there was a language barrier because she just spread it on the bowl. She couldn't tell me what was in it saying, and I may've heard incorrectly, that they don't make the sauce here. Huh???? I did sort of a double take. I've never worked in the food industry, but I'm sure if folks work at any restaurant, they should know what ingredients go in meals or sauces. Some people have allergies and can't eat certain things. However, I just went with the flow and tried the food. Well, it was a thumbs down. The protein looked like big chunks instead of thinly-sliced meat and appeared to be dry. Seasoning was in the meal, but it did not work. And the person who was with Sophia and I actually picked meat out of her wrap. Not good at all. And to top things off, our new friend had to make a b-line to the bathroom right before she went home. When you read this, please don't assume I'm a Debbie Downer or one who slams a business. This here was a complete disappointment. From the deal not working to the food not tasting good to not knowing what's in a sauce, it was a total letdown. I am for small businesses and hoping they succeed in a market that has its ups and downs, especially post-pandemic. Are there bad days? Absolutely. Can they rebound? Absolutely. But this here did not live up to the hype. And also, their location isn't the best where they're hidden behind an Aldi and people can blink and miss it while driving by. I do hope they're able to fix the kinks that are present, but as a customer, I don't see myself coming back. Sorry :(
Tasty Kabab is a family owned Mediterranean style restaurant, one with some unique Moroccan influences, that opened its doors at JANAF Shopping Center in October of last year. It is tucked and hidden away among a row of stores in a newer and outermost strip section of the JANAF complex that wasn't there when it first opened back in 1959. I had a hard time finding it during my first visit. There is a Game Stop to its immediate left and an Edible Arrangements to its immediate right. A Verizon store is also nearby in sight. Their cuisine features Halal meats and fresh ingredients with a variety of Kabab platters, Shawarma dishes, Moroccan Tagine dishes, Pitas, Wraps, Falafel, and more. This is a counter service operation, where you pay for your order first at the register and wait until it is ready. I enjoyed the following dishes during three lunch time visits this month: CHICKEN SHAWARMA BOWL: Slow Roasted Marinated Chicken, Hummus, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Purple Cabbage, Fried Eggplant, Pickles, and Banana Peppers over Saffron Rice. I also ordered a slice of Pita Bread to go with it, mainly for decorating my bowl. This was the dish I ordered for my Yelp 757 Deal. The person at the register didn't seem to understand the Yelp deal at first, perhaps due to a language barrier. I did my best to put her at ease while showing her the Yelp deal on my phone and also on the display by the register. She eventually understood, and the deal went through successfully. The Saffron Rice and Chicken were placed in the bowl first. I then told the person working behind the counter which of the toppings I wanted, and she added them accordingly. I declined all of their sauces, as I have never liked the look of sauces drizzled on my food. They offer three sauces--Garlic, Tahini, and a House Made Hot Sauce that includes mayonnaise, a condiment that has never agreed with me. When it was ready, I took it to my table to enjoy. The combination of ingredients and their flavors blew me away. The Saffron Rice was divine. This was truly one of the most outstanding Shawarma bowls I have ever enjoyed. I also had enough left over to take home for a second meal: My Rating: 5 Stars. CHICKEN TAGINE: This is a traditional slow-cooked Moroccan dish, one that comes with Braised Bone-In Chicken, Onions, and Assorted Spices. The version here also came with their Saffron Rice. The Tagine also refers to a North African cone shaped clay or ceramic pot with a lid, which is used to cook their Tagine dishes. The chicken was tender and juicy, easily falling off its bones and melting in my mouth with an explosion of flavor. This one lasted me for two more meals when I took the rest home. I would have liked just a few more onions in the mix. My Rating: 4.5 Stars. I also enjoyed the following Sides with this dish: ROASTED POTATOES: They were a bit on the cool side and did not seem to hold their temperature well in the steam tray behind the counter. I only ate a few of them and took the rest home with the rest of my Chicken Tagine. Once I reheated them at home, their roasted flavor and texture came roaring back in full force with the warmth with which they were meant to be served. My Rating: 4 Stars. MOUSSAKA: This is a classic Middle Eastern Eggplant dish and one I had never tried before, providing me with a new culinary adventure. I loved its taste and texture, and there was a mildly spicy sauce underneath with a nice kick that added to my enjoyment. My Rating: 5 Stars. CHICKEN KABAB BOWL: Grilled Chicken Kababs with Cucumber, Tomato, Purple Cabbage, Red Pepper Sauce, and Banana Peppers over Saffron Rice. Large chucks of Chicken Kababs were slowly grilled behind the counter as I watched and then added to the Saffron Rice. I followed the same procedure as before with their Chicken Shawarma dish by picking out my desired toppings and turning down the sauces. The Chicken Kababs were tender and tasty, combining beautifully with the other ingredients and busting with flavor. Once again, I had enough left over to take home for a second meal. This dish also came with two