As someone deeply rooted in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary traditions, I was appalled by Saj’s blatant misrepresentation of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Their claims of halal authenticity are not only misleading but outright false. The dishes lacked any genuine flavor or authenticity, and the shawarma was an absolute disaster—barely recognizable and poorly executed. The bread served was a fried tortilla, not pita, and the entire meal felt like a mockery of genuine Mediterranean cuisine.
What’s even more frustrating is that Saj seems to rely on the fact that, in New Orleans’ Central Business District or French Quarter, any food can sell, even if it’s devoid of authenticity. They could easily serve hot dogs or pizza and make the same profit, but instead, they choose to mislead customers by pretending to offer something they simply do not understand.
In short, Saj is a prime example of a tourist trap that sacrifices authenticity for profit. It’s a disappointing, misleading experience that I would strongly recommend avoiding.
⸻
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jonathon Knight
Fantastic food, everything was delicious. Definitely coming back! Highly recommend the Goat Cheese
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Linda Fairchild
goat cheese was amazing. paella was great. hummus came without bread and tira misu was frozen. no utensils with to go order.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Goat Cheese
Elyse
We came for lunch last year and it was very good. Last night we tried it again as I remember it being so good. the appetizer portions were very small, food wasn't very good and the woman who waited on us was rude with very poor service. There was only one waitress. The place has zero ambiance. Will not go again.
Nathalie Perozo
Saj has been one of my go-tos for a few years but yesterday’s customer service was truly exceptional. Just past closing time, I called asking if they were still accepting orders — they were able to accommodate my final order for 2025, quickly and graciously. It saved the night and allowed for me to enjoy NYE with a pint and some delicious dips. Will be enjoying Saj through 2026 and beyond!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baked Feta, Beetroot Tahini, Mezze, Saj Bread Falafel and Small Plate
William
The food was absolutely delicious. The wait staff was very attentive. They had a drink which they made called Tamirran soda that is not to be missed. We all enjoyed our meal thoroughly. We started out with their special bread and four little dishes that come with it together as an appetizer. We were so full after our main course we had to take the desserts home. Highly highly recommended.
Lonn Litchfield
Delightful. We really enjoyed everything.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mary
Our reservation was on the later side so the place was not busy when we arrived. There was evidence that there had been diners there as almost every table had the remains of dinners on them. There was only one person serving and no one bussing the vacated tables. The food was delicious and promptly served from the kitchen. My only complaint is that the dinning room was very cold (it was a cold night in NOLA), there was no heat in the place, and we had to eat quickly but our food cooled even quicker.
Mohammad SK
Paid $100 for basically a one course dinner for 2. We ordered 2 basic entrees and 1 side for both of us. Food is small in volume but super greesy. Food is okay but highly inconsistent with price. Atmosphere is great and no in house bar so very suitable for non-drinkers who want food and experience. I highly recommend improving portions and sides if they plan to keep these prices (lamb chops come with 1 pita and 1 garlic no rice no fries no veggies, and they charge you $13 for extra bread and garlic under “misc orders”)
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Kenneth Kinler
Food is absolutely lovely every time we go. The flatbread is great with everything and the pomegranate chicken kebab is to die for. You have to try the baked feta. Sit in the window and people watch while you eat fantastic food.
Lovely people making very tasty Mediterranean food
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jessica Walsh
They canceled my uber eats order and still charged for it. I used to love this place but i couldnt afford 50 of food because it became too late for them to cancel.
Food: 5
Service: 1
Anna B
I got the snapper for lunch and it was such a great dish. Had many different flavors and sides. It also looked pleasing, I forgot to take a pic before eating because it looked so good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dom
This place is a gem! My partner and I went on a Wednesday afternoon, I was unsure bc there wasn’t anybody there, but we took a chance anyways. We are traveling through from the west coast, on a food tour, so we came to EAT!He got the chicken shawarma, I got the Mediterranean salad with a side of fries. I am currently recovering from SIBO, so I can’t have most foods and spices, but was able to tolerate everything. The dressing on the salad was light but flavorful. The chicken was moist and cooked to perfection, the Saj bread was seasoned with a variety of seasonings that just made sense. Would highly recommend this place for a casual date night. The ambiance is cute, great location, and the service was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mediterranean Salad, Shawarma
Edward
Good value for excellent food--we liked everything we tried. It was an anniversary dinner, and a great choice. It's BYOB, which we didn't know, but we had great beverages there, and will return prepared. Friendly staff as well.
A Disastrous Experience at Saj in New Orleans
As someone deeply rooted in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary traditions, I was appalled by Saj’s blatant misrepresentation of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Their claims of halal authenticity are not only misleading but outright false. The dishes lacked any genuine flavor or authenticity, and the shawarma was an absolute disaster—barely recognizable and poorly executed. The bread served was a fried tortilla, not pita, and the entire meal felt like a mockery of genuine Mediterranean cuisine.
What’s even more frustrating is that Saj seems to rely on the fact that, in New Orleans’ Central Business District or French Quarter, any food can sell, even if it’s devoid of authenticity. They could easily serve hot dogs or pizza and make the same profit, but instead, they choose to mislead customers by pretending to offer something they simply do not understand.
In short, Saj is a prime example of a tourist trap that sacrifices authenticity for profit. It’s a disappointing, misleading experience that I would strongly recommend avoiding.
⸻
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fantastic food, everything was delicious. Definitely coming back! Highly recommend the Goat Cheese
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
goat cheese was amazing. paella was great. hummus came without bread and tira misu was frozen. no utensils with to go order.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Goat Cheese
We came for lunch last year and it was very good. Last night we tried it again as I remember it being so good. the appetizer portions were very small, food wasn't very good and the woman who waited on us was rude with very poor service. There was only one waitress. The place has zero ambiance. Will not go again.
Saj has been one of my go-tos for a few years but yesterday’s customer service was truly exceptional. Just past closing time, I called asking if they were still accepting orders — they were able to accommodate my final order for 2025, quickly and graciously. It saved the night and allowed for me to enjoy NYE with a pint and some delicious dips. Will be enjoying Saj through 2026 and beyond!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baked Feta, Beetroot Tahini, Mezze, Saj Bread Falafel and Small Plate
The food was absolutely delicious. The wait staff was very attentive. They had a drink which they made called Tamirran soda that is not to be missed. We all enjoyed our meal thoroughly. We started out with their special bread and four little dishes that come with it together as an appetizer. We were so full after our main course we had to take the desserts home. Highly highly recommended.
Delightful. We really enjoyed everything.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our reservation was on the later side so the place was not busy when we arrived. There was evidence that there had been diners there as almost every table had the remains of dinners on them. There was only one person serving and no one bussing the vacated tables. The food was delicious and promptly served from the kitchen. My only complaint is that the dinning room was very cold (it was a cold night in NOLA), there was no heat in the place, and we had to eat quickly but our food cooled even quicker.
Paid $100 for basically a one course dinner for 2. We ordered 2 basic entrees and 1 side for both of us. Food is small in volume but super greesy. Food is okay but highly inconsistent with price. Atmosphere is great and no in house bar so very suitable for non-drinkers who want food and experience. I highly recommend improving portions and sides if they plan to keep these prices (lamb chops come with 1 pita and 1 garlic no rice no fries no veggies, and they charge you $13 for extra bread and garlic under “misc orders”)
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Food is absolutely lovely every time we go. The flatbread is great with everything and the pomegranate chicken kebab is to die for. You have to try the baked feta. Sit in the window and people watch while you eat fantastic food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Lovely people making very tasty Mediterranean food
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
They canceled my uber eats order and still charged for it. I used to love this place but i couldnt afford 50 of food because it became too late for them to cancel.
Food: 5
Service: 1
I got the snapper for lunch and it was such a great dish. Had many different flavors and sides. It also looked pleasing, I forgot to take a pic before eating because it looked so good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is a gem! My partner and I went on a Wednesday afternoon, I was unsure bc there wasn’t anybody there, but we took a chance anyways. We are traveling through from the west coast, on a food tour, so we came to EAT!He got the chicken shawarma, I got the Mediterranean salad with a side of fries. I am currently recovering from SIBO, so I can’t have most foods and spices, but was able to tolerate everything. The dressing on the salad was light but flavorful. The chicken was moist and cooked to perfection, the Saj bread was seasoned with a variety of seasonings that just made sense. Would highly recommend this place for a casual date night. The ambiance is cute, great location, and the service was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mediterranean Salad, Shawarma
Good value for excellent food--we liked everything we tried. It was an anniversary dinner, and a great choice. It's BYOB, which we didn't know, but we had great beverages there, and will return prepared. Friendly staff as well.
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