Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant Reviews

Sahara is the whole-in-the-wall gem you are looking for. Don't even think twice - just go! They have a picture menu. Order kabobs and plan on taking 1/2 home or stuff yourself silly!

Had a really lovely time here! We were looking for some Mediterranean food after we saw this restaurant being featured on Channel 4 Fox local morning show. The ambiance is really cute and there are a decent number of tables, all well-spaced apart. For appetizers, we ordered the hummus, salad shirazi and sabzi herbs with pita bread and feta chees and OMG it was so good. Would recommend trying for sure. For food, we got the chicken breast kabob, filet mignon kabob and salmon kabob. They were all good portion size, so it’s easy to share if you are with a group and wanted to split a bunch of dishes. The pita was fluffy and the meat was very very tender and rich in flavor. We ordered the chicken skewers for our meals, which are served with some veggies, and white basmati rice. The chicken was cooked well and was really juicy and flavorful. The cucumber yogurt dip tasted delicious with the chicken and was very fresh.

I was in the area for business and wanted something I don't normally get at home. A Persian buffet? Awesome! Yes, it's not huge like those over-blown nasty Chinese buffets, but the quality is fabulous. I loved the hummus, Shiraz salad, and tziziki sauce. The meats were flavorful. I loved the grilled tomatoes that burst in my mouth. The fruit studded rice was amazing. I'm also one of those people that actually likes the burnt rice bits and they had a whole plate of those, too. The pita bread was only ok, not warm and a bit thin.

I went to Sahara for lunch on June 28, 2019. They do not take orders. You must use the buffet. There was no kabob and I waited for 20 minutes and still no kabob. Other food that were available included a stew and some rotisserie chicken. Totally unacceptable food and service.

The pita bread was delicious. The rest is questionable. I actually got a little bit sick from the food that night so I'm not sure how to rate the review. While it was tasty, it left me a little bit queasy and for this reason and others I'm giving it an "below average" rating. The atmosphere was really odd, I felt like I was in the Middle East, which is I guess the point, but not in a good way. I've been to the Middle East, this was definitely authentic in the sense that the ambiance was tacky. The prices were so-so, but not worth the quality of food. The service was very good and friendly and while there was a TV in the background, there was no music and it was awkwardly hushed in the dining room. I would not recommend coming here! It's dreary and there's even a shop inside to buy different grains, products, etc. - sort of a strange place.

Employees are very unprofessional very rude worst customer service ever the food was horrible. Don’t waste your time and go 👎

Food tastes horrible & place is not clean the table was dirty don’t waste your time or money. The prices is not even worth it.

we went by last Saturday and had early dinner, kabob is so good and chicken also, i will definetly go back again

WOW WOW WOW! This is my new favorite restaurant. The food is out of this world, the staff are just the most friendliest people I've ever met, and the place is small cozy but they keep it clean clean clean and very clean. I now come here at least three or four times a week, this is how amazing this restaurant is. I am serious and I am a very picky eater. The beef kabobs and chicken kabobs are the best. The owners I met are very friendly and treat you like family.

Loved this place - plenty of great options in their buffet. Hummus, beef. Chicken, lamb, rice. Will definitely be back

The server was extremely nice and helpful, but the food was mixed. I highly recommend the tender braised lamb shanks in a spicy, turmeric-flavored sauce, but the beef kebabs were overcooked and dry. And the Persian ice cream was awful, very grainy and lumpy (and yes, I know it is supposed to have frozen cream in it, but this was just unmixed stuff).

Food did not taste good at all. 👎👎👎 Restaurant seats was very dirty the spoon was not washed right. I don’t recommend this place to anyone.

The treatment by the staff here is not acceptable by any means . I was accused and not catered to at this restaurant. They served me the wrong meal and I went to fix because the issues couldn’t be overlooked . Instead of being accommodating. They argued with me and refused to fix my order . The waitress refused because she doesn’t make mistakes due to her length of employment . Because of this mistake she couldn’t have possibly made , she called the owner to side with her. I write an honest review on Google and they continue the same accusatory behavior online . If you want to be disrespected and not eat what you ordered . This is the place . This is the rudest service I have ever received. I just wanted to find a good Mediterranean restaurant cause I am new to the area . This one was a rude introduction.

Before leaving Texas, I used to visit this place frequently—several times during the weekdays and at least once every weekend. On a recent business trip to the Dallas area, I was thrilled to revisit my favorite spot with a couple of my co-workers. What a mistake that turned out to be! As someone familiar with Persian cuisine, I was utterly disappointed. We ordered from the lunch special menu: one Kabab Kobide, two grilled chickens, three sides of hummus and Shirazi salad, one soft drink, and two Persian yogurts (Dough). However, the experience was disastrous. 1. The Persian yogurt (Dough) was watery, bland, and tasteless. The mint sank to the bottom of the glass instead of floating, which is a sign of poorly made yogurt. 2. The Kobide kabab was so tough that even a knife couldn’t cut through it. 3. The hummus had an odd taste that none of us could identify. 4. The Shirazi salad was watery and lacked any lemon juice, verjuice, or salt. To say we were disappointed is an understatement. I will never visit this place again, nor would I recommend it to anyone.

The kebabs are an amazing combo of sauces, grilled , i love arabic food ,excellent service! definitely be back

food was great very good...great veggies...feed 8 folks..all hapy ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp.ooooooooooooooooooppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp.opppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 0.o 0ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 0ppp 0. 0. 0. 0ppp.op 0pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp.o.op.o 0ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp.op 0. 0.opreq 00U 0ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp.o 0ppppppppppppp 0 .OPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP..OP.OP 0.OP 0.OP 0OPPPPPPPPPPPPPP 0PPPPPPP 0 0

Food grate. Authentic. Good service. Large portions. Very casual. Middle eastern groceries and merchandise for sale.

Food tastes very disgusting & horrible service I would NOT recommend anyone to go eat at this restaurant.

My wife took me here for my birthday. I never been here. The most tastiest Mediterranean food I have ever had!!! I have tried many Persian restaurants but this place hits home! The labneh was so fresh and authentic and reminded me of home!! And so did the amazing kabobs! All the food was delicious! The place is kept so clean and design of restaurant is so cool. amazing amazing hospitality and the best waiter and server!!!!

Went here for some interesting alternatives to all the "standard" chain restaurants around the Galleria shopping mall, and we were pleasantly surprised. Had hummus, dolmas, and tabouli as appetizers, and they were all deliciously home made. For main courses we had the rice and grilled meat dishes, one chicken the other beef. The portions were both large and very tasty. The meats had been marinated and grilled. Also had the house ice cream with saffron and rose water for dessert; a little icy but the flavor we very good again. I am no expert on Persian food, but this was a very good choice. The waitress was accommodating and friendly. The location is nothing special at all, just a restaurant in a trip mall.

When I visit family in Austin it has become a tradition to order kabob from here. I have never had an issue in the past. I called to place the order since it was large. No answer. The number on the website is the same I have always used but no answer. I drove to place my order. I waited for about 5 min and went to the kitchen to get their attention. I placed my order as always. I assumed I was ordering 6 kubideh meals and 2 of the chicken meals. In the past this was confirmed, however, I was surprised this was not the case when the person was ringing up the order. She was very defensive and told me I didn’t order them as meals when I asked her if everything was in the pans family style with tomatoes, etc. I ended up paying extra for 2 small portions of rice and tomatoes. Needless to say I ended up paying more than usual. I won’t be back.

Given the strip mall setting, our expectations were low. Wow! We were happily surprised. The service is warm and friendly. And they really know how to do a bread basket — we were served a plate of Persian cheese with fresh herbs and pita. The dolmeh are served hot and tasted fresh — not at all rubbery as some are. Excellent kabobs. We tried two different chicken preparations, and both were delicious and perfectly cooked. The tender beef is as advertised. Sadly, the rice was dry and bland, but it was the least interesting thing on the table anyway. We’ll go back for the buffet (which may be at lunch only). And part of the restaurant is a market for a variety of foods.

I have been going to Sahara since 1997 !!!!! I love it every time!!!!! Never a miss here .

The place is very dirty. The restaurant was NOT sanitized the table was dirty the glass ware was dirty. The food is terrible. The food got me very sick.

Great choices of delicious middle eastern food and groceries. The basmati rice and kebabs are awesome along side some fresh grilled vegetables and salads. I recommend to anyone with a big appetite looking for some healthier choices to fill up on.

Good choice for vegan, vegetarian or other wise. Meat is very soft and tender, humus, cucumber salad and biriyani are delicious and fresh.

I went on a Thursday evening looking for healthy food close to my hotel and almost didn’t stop because the parking lot was almost empty and the establishment next door had an alarm that was going off. I figured “why not check it out” and I’m so glad I did. I think maybe their biggest crowds are for the lunch buffet, but I was the only diner for a late dinner. The decor is pretty and tasteful and interesting to look at, especially with the import items for sale. The service staff was attentive and fun to talk to. I felt like I was in a family Persian restaurant, which is something I appreciate. No alcohol available, which fits in with the theme. I ordered the Shish Kabob dinner with filet mignon, grilled tomatoes and peppers and basmati rice. Oh, that rice! It was all so good and the steak was tender and well seasoned. I had a great meal in a nice atmosphere. What more could you ask for? I hope this place is open for the dinner crowd the next time I come back. People need to frequent this place. It’s great!

I lived in Greece for 10 years so I am very familiar with Mediterranean food. I discovered this place through my co workers. They told me if you want the best Mediterranean food you should go to Sahar. I came here for lunch today and I'm glad I did. I got the beef kabob with basmati rice and tabouli salad and potatoes salad. It tasted very very good and fresh. Our server Sara was super nice and treated us like family. Place is super clean and has awesome Mediterranean decorations.

Weekday lunch at @ $12.99 may seem high for this 50 seater restaurant, till you taste the Kebabs they serve. Chicken, ground chicken and ground beef kebabs are very good. In addition they always have a couple of vegetables and rice choices. Add to this day's soup, various sauces and salads to be followed by two choices of desserts, you begin to realize what a fantastic tasting buffet !! Good service and very tasty food. Loved it.

I eat at Sahara every month or so. Each time the food is great and the staff is friendly. I especially like the crispy, bottom-of-the-pan rice, the beef kabob, the tasty, fresh vegetables, and the hearty, spicy entrees in the hot buffet table. The waitress is quick and attentive to my tea or water glass. The girl working the cash register is absolutely beautiful--a reflection of her mother who owns the restaurant with her father. They offer middle eastern spices, teas, coffees, and other items in addition to the great food. The only thing they could do better is provide fresh baked pita bread instead of the packaged bread. They could also offer fresh-expressed juice, too, but considering all the positives they have I can probably get my bread and juice down the street at Tom Thumb grocery store.

THEY ARE SELLING OLD PRODUCTS! I tried to return a jar of refrigerated Kashk that was so hard, jellied and just plain bad. Went to return it and waitress said she'd have manager call me. Sara, the manager called and told me she could not refund my money. It was $11. That is absurd. It showed expiration 3/2025, but. it was bad! She said you used it all and now don't like. it. We'l, she's lying. She can't see a jar over the phone. I could barely get 1 spoon out of jar. It's still full of bad kashk whey. It's similar to yogurt. But this was pretty. solid hard. I've bought this same product at other. Meditarranean grocery stores and it's wonderfully. delicious in my soup. Sahara Restaurant, do the right thing. Take this product back and refund my $11. And get rid of Sara. You do not need a person like that yelling at customers and being rude.

This restaurant has a excellent buffet of Iranian Persian food mix. We call it Mediterranean food. Kabobs are made of Real Halal Beef. They do have Small Chicken grilled in an oven and Sheik Kabobs made of Chicken. They do serve a salad bar with humus,, baba gahnosh, and few other healthy choices. Buffet starts at 11:00AM To 3PM. During Muslim month of Ramadan they do close for their religious observance of the day for fasting and prayer. Check their notice of hours of operation for current time to open.

Rude rude people. Water is free!! They're water tasted nasty I went to hosts they told me go to the back thru can't even handle "busy" lol. They acted like they were slammed crazy

This is a nice unique lovely restaurant. The waitress and owners are super friendly and so sweet. They really work towards making everything so clean for all people. And the food.......OMG the best food I ever have eaten, seriously. I have been coming here now for the last month and it just gets better and better. Service amazing , food amazing, and restaurant amazing. Definitely should try this place out if you have not. The owners son I learned runs it as well and he is super kind and treats you like family. I have taken my friends here and they all love the food as well. I am a foodie and I approve of this restaurant.

Oh' what a nice surprise! I found this hidden gem, and I had to walk to get to it since I didn't have a car handy, but I would do it again! The cuisine in bursting with flavor. I found it very authentic and special. I also liked the pictures on the wall as if from a Persian fairy tail. Loved it! I am looking forward to visiting again in the near future, and if I happen to have a client who likes authentic cuisine and would like to try something new, I would definitely bring them here!

No belly dancers - Sahara is a small cafe. I was turned on to the buffet lunch by a friend who seeks out a variety of tastes. The day I went, there were two kinds of rice, a fried fish, chicken, and beef and lamb kebabs. Vegetables are varied but not as many as meat dishes. There is tabouli and a few salads. Soup of the day varies - sometimes lentil, but today was a sort-of chick-pea soup. Dessert was a saffron rice pudding.

When i went to dallas for vacation i tried these restaurant it was amazing the most delicious kebabs ever nice plate and good prices and tasty buffet

A friend and I have been coming to Sahara for years. We love their lunch buffet. While billed as a Persian restaurant, they offer many traditional Mediterranean items on their menu in addition to the Persian offerings. The all-you-can-eat buffet has a wide variety of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern salads like Tabouleh, Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Tzatziki, cucumber salad, etc. All are fresh and very good. The hot entrees include a wonderful, fluffy safron rice, lamb shank (depends on the day), grilled beef, grilled chicken and lamb. There are hot vegetarian dishes too. Everything is fresh and very good. A pot of soup is also available. There is also a nice Middle Eastern market inside the restaurant where I always purchase my Tahini (sesame paste). While not the best location in town, the strip center is easy to find at the northwest corner of Alpha and Montfort. This place is definitely worth a try!