I get the zaatar and meat pie whenever I'm in the neighborhood. They're really quick, since it's ready. I also tried their meals before with rice, chicken and beans and find it a bit bland. The shop is a small simple shop. Try their salty yogurt drink to complete the meal.
Samyah Ahmed
Great butcher! Fresh and clean cut meat! Super awesome staff.
Umar F.
A true "hole-in-the-wall" type of establishment. Don't be fooled by its small size and ragged exterior. I have been coming here for years, and the food here tastes like home-cooked food. They have some middle-eastern groceries in the back, but all the magic is in the front. The pies are all super delicious - especially when fresh in the morning. The chicken shawarma is also flavorful - with the perfect touch of their garlic sauce. Their prices are very cheap.
Wendy W.
Bay Ridge is a hub for New York City's Middle Eastern community, so it's no surprise that some of the best Levantine cuisine can be found here. Thank you, Etaf Rum, for referencing this eatery/halal butcher shop in A Woman is No Man, thereby reminding me to post my dusty old review. (Side note: I absolutely recommend this beautifully written and heart-wrenching novel. Now carry on, I know you're not here for book suggestions.) Alsalam Restaurant has a great selection of manakish (round, savory Middle Eastern flatbreads topped with various ingredients). Sadly they had no sausage and cheese pies when I stopped by, but I really enjoyed the lahm bi ajeen. The dough was nice and fluffy, and the ground beef combined with chopped red peppers gave this flatbread a meaty, comforting flavor. I also couldn't resist getting a small order of tabbouleh, one of my favorite Middle Eastern sides. This salad made up of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, mint, and bulgur was delightfully refreshing and garlicky. My friend also enjoyed his gyro. I don't often find myself in Bay Ridge, but I'll have to swing by for more manakish on my next visit.
Kathleen W.
This was one of the better "small eateries " I have been to in Bayridge. One can order in the front and everything is prepared in front of you. There is a small counter with about 4 chairs so people can eat.The rest of the store looks more like a grocery store. Ordered a chicken dish,and the cook threw in some pita bread for free.The food was fresh and the portion was large! $8.00 for the dish and the drink. Will return.
Robert F.
Had the mixed grill plate (beef schwarma, kefta, and chicken/beef kebab) and it was excellent. They grill the meat (halal if that matters to you) in front of you. Everyone in the restaurant was very friendly. This place also doubles as a halal butcher shop. I'll definitely be back!
Ferdous A.
This is a rare find in Brooklyn for Arabic food ..the price is reasonable and the food is fresh. Don't forget to try the meat pie.
Karry L.
I can't believe it took me this long to find out this little middle eastern gem near my 'hood, it's combination of deli, quick takeout w prepared food and sandwich and meat market in the back. It all started w chicken Sharwama craving and i was too lazy to goto the restaurant on 86 street bayridge. and yes, their sharwama is just as delicious. The two old men in the front counter were very friendly, I was introduced to their daily specials, you can either get a small or large round aluminium plate w various daily specials w rice and 2 pita breads. there's alot of different breads i'd love to try them out! more kudos they take credit card!
John M.
Restaurant is an exaggeration: just a small lunch counter in front of a Middle Eastern (they don't say which country) grocery. I've stumbled in twice when in Bay Ridge and was pleased both times with the daily special, which seems like the authentic foods they eat themselves as opposed to the obligatory shawarma/doner/gyro we can now get everywhere. First time it was lamb's tongue, which was very tender due to braising or boiling, not at all like the smoked tongue you get on a deli sandwich. This time I had kofte (meatballs) stewed in a sauce with potatoes and tomatoes. Their rice pilaf is very interesting, with pasta strands mixed in, reminiscent of the Rice-A-Roni of my childhood (but probably not theirs). The dishes are highly flavored - definitely cumin - but not spicy. Food is served lukewarm, as is unfortunately common in places of this type, and they don't bother to heat up the bread (very large, thin pitas) at all. But overall it's good, cheap and a lot to eat, to the point that I was too full to try the Arab pastry shop next door as I'd hoped to do.
Nina M.
The meat pie, cheese pie & spinach pies are awesome for breakfast or lunch. Other hot foods available for lunch or dinner. On Friday they have fried fish.
Had such a big craving for a chicken shawarma so I traveled over an hour to get here. I guess that's why I wanted to write this review - in case anyone else is thinking of doing that (short answer: don't). This place is fine if you're nearby, but it's hardly a draw for people in other neighborhoods. The chicken itself wasn't crispy around the edges.. although it was served with a garlic sauce that had an admirable amount of fresh garlic.. the bread it was wrapped in seemed fresh.. and there was a copious amount of cornichons. But somehow the flavors didn't come together that well and the end result was pretty unsatisfying. I think the chicken was the key factor here, as it was mushy and bland. A kid before me ordered two of the shawarma, and maybe he got all of the good crispy parts. Who knows. My search for a killer chicken shawarma in NYC continues..
Russell G.
Chicken shwarmie and the Beef kaffta are literally out of this world.
David R.
All I have to say is meat pie and cheese pie!!!!! The only thing I miss from my days working in Bay Ridge.... Always fresh and awesome munchie killer
Nora A.
Authentic food!The restaurant doesn't look fancy but the food is AMAZING! I absolutely love the way the grill their meats and chicken. Everything is made from scratched.
Atalk W.
One of the greatest restaurants in Brooklyn of all time. I praise them for keeping it fresh, clean, cheap and all out tasty. I have been eating here for 2 years, I do a 15 min drive just to get there and eat there Half-chicken platter(comes with rice, onions, garlic sauce, tahini), all only for $6(a lot of fresh, restaurant quality food for $6). They also have fish fridays, very tasty. Place has no seating here, but I grab the food and sit in my car and eat. and place is always busy and does run out of food by 5pm sometimes. Its great food. go try it, you will not regret it.
I get the zaatar and meat pie whenever I'm in the neighborhood. They're really quick, since it's ready. I also tried their meals before with rice, chicken and beans and find it a bit bland. The shop is a small simple shop. Try their salty yogurt drink to complete the meal.
Great butcher! Fresh and clean cut meat! Super awesome staff.
A true "hole-in-the-wall" type of establishment. Don't be fooled by its small size and ragged exterior. I have been coming here for years, and the food here tastes like home-cooked food. They have some middle-eastern groceries in the back, but all the magic is in the front. The pies are all super delicious - especially when fresh in the morning. The chicken shawarma is also flavorful - with the perfect touch of their garlic sauce. Their prices are very cheap.
Bay Ridge is a hub for New York City's Middle Eastern community, so it's no surprise that some of the best Levantine cuisine can be found here. Thank you, Etaf Rum, for referencing this eatery/halal butcher shop in A Woman is No Man, thereby reminding me to post my dusty old review. (Side note: I absolutely recommend this beautifully written and heart-wrenching novel. Now carry on, I know you're not here for book suggestions.) Alsalam Restaurant has a great selection of manakish (round, savory Middle Eastern flatbreads topped with various ingredients). Sadly they had no sausage and cheese pies when I stopped by, but I really enjoyed the lahm bi ajeen. The dough was nice and fluffy, and the ground beef combined with chopped red peppers gave this flatbread a meaty, comforting flavor. I also couldn't resist getting a small order of tabbouleh, one of my favorite Middle Eastern sides. This salad made up of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, mint, and bulgur was delightfully refreshing and garlicky. My friend also enjoyed his gyro. I don't often find myself in Bay Ridge, but I'll have to swing by for more manakish on my next visit.
This was one of the better "small eateries " I have been to in Bayridge. One can order in the front and everything is prepared in front of you. There is a small counter with about 4 chairs so people can eat.The rest of the store looks more like a grocery store. Ordered a chicken dish,and the cook threw in some pita bread for free.The food was fresh and the portion was large! $8.00 for the dish and the drink. Will return.
Had the mixed grill plate (beef schwarma, kefta, and chicken/beef kebab) and it was excellent. They grill the meat (halal if that matters to you) in front of you. Everyone in the restaurant was very friendly. This place also doubles as a halal butcher shop. I'll definitely be back!
This is a rare find in Brooklyn for Arabic food ..the price is reasonable and the food is fresh. Don't forget to try the meat pie.
I can't believe it took me this long to find out this little middle eastern gem near my 'hood, it's combination of deli, quick takeout w prepared food and sandwich and meat market in the back. It all started w chicken Sharwama craving and i was too lazy to goto the restaurant on 86 street bayridge. and yes, their sharwama is just as delicious. The two old men in the front counter were very friendly, I was introduced to their daily specials, you can either get a small or large round aluminium plate w various daily specials w rice and 2 pita breads. there's alot of different breads i'd love to try them out! more kudos they take credit card!
Restaurant is an exaggeration: just a small lunch counter in front of a Middle Eastern (they don't say which country) grocery. I've stumbled in twice when in Bay Ridge and was pleased both times with the daily special, which seems like the authentic foods they eat themselves as opposed to the obligatory shawarma/doner/gyro we can now get everywhere. First time it was lamb's tongue, which was very tender due to braising or boiling, not at all like the smoked tongue you get on a deli sandwich. This time I had kofte (meatballs) stewed in a sauce with potatoes and tomatoes. Their rice pilaf is very interesting, with pasta strands mixed in, reminiscent of the Rice-A-Roni of my childhood (but probably not theirs). The dishes are highly flavored - definitely cumin - but not spicy. Food is served lukewarm, as is unfortunately common in places of this type, and they don't bother to heat up the bread (very large, thin pitas) at all. But overall it's good, cheap and a lot to eat, to the point that I was too full to try the Arab pastry shop next door as I'd hoped to do.
The meat pie, cheese pie & spinach pies are awesome for breakfast or lunch. Other hot foods available for lunch or dinner. On Friday they have fried fish.
Restaurantji Recommends
Had such a big craving for a chicken shawarma so I traveled over an hour to get here. I guess that's why I wanted to write this review - in case anyone else is thinking of doing that (short answer: don't). This place is fine if you're nearby, but it's hardly a draw for people in other neighborhoods. The chicken itself wasn't crispy around the edges.. although it was served with a garlic sauce that had an admirable amount of fresh garlic.. the bread it was wrapped in seemed fresh.. and there was a copious amount of cornichons. But somehow the flavors didn't come together that well and the end result was pretty unsatisfying. I think the chicken was the key factor here, as it was mushy and bland. A kid before me ordered two of the shawarma, and maybe he got all of the good crispy parts. Who knows. My search for a killer chicken shawarma in NYC continues..
Chicken shwarmie and the Beef kaffta are literally out of this world.
All I have to say is meat pie and cheese pie!!!!! The only thing I miss from my days working in Bay Ridge.... Always fresh and awesome munchie killer
Authentic food!The restaurant doesn't look fancy but the food is AMAZING! I absolutely love the way the grill their meats and chicken. Everything is made from scratched.
One of the greatest restaurants in Brooklyn of all time. I praise them for keeping it fresh, clean, cheap and all out tasty. I have been eating here for 2 years, I do a 15 min drive just to get there and eat there Half-chicken platter(comes with rice, onions, garlic sauce, tahini), all only for $6(a lot of fresh, restaurant quality food for $6). They also have fish fridays, very tasty. Place has no seating here, but I grab the food and sit in my car and eat. and place is always busy and does run out of food by 5pm sometimes. Its great food. go try it, you will not regret it.