Al Basha

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  Under new management! - The service was incredible. I stopped by for an after-work hookah during a trip to the Valley and it's one of the best hookah bar experiences I've ever had. They are very attentive and friendly! The head chef even brought me a complimentary cheesecake, which was delicious. I didn't try any of the other food, but they have a new chef and I look forward to eating here on my next trip!

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  Posted on 10.23.12 Ana B.

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  AWFUL.  My boyfriend and I are both middle eastern and were looking forward to enjoying some authentic cuisine.  We walked in for dinner at 8:00pm on a Saturday night.  The restaurant was completely bare with exception to the little boy playing video games near the bar.  We were the only customers on a Saturday night - we were so confused!  (We should have walked out then...)
  
  The restaurant looks like an old saloon that hasn't been updated since the 70's.  The menu is a mixture between american and mediterranean... hummus and fried mushrooms?  Our server was a young girl who was more interested in touching my boyfriend's tattoos than in offering service.  She refused to write our order down on paper, but came back 5 times because she kept getting it wrong - it was extremely frustrating.
  
  Food quality is dreadfull.  I ordered the Kabob Soltani, and both the chicken and beef lacked flavor and spice.  My boyfriend ordered the beef gyro and chicken gyro - and I have nothing nice to say about those either.  The only thing we were able to tolerate were the french fries....
  
  We both went home and suffered the aftermath of Al Basha.  If you're looking to eat here - DONT.  If you own this place - buy better meat, brighter lights, fire your staff and start fresh.

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  Posted on 05.26.11 Bianca G.

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  upon entering, u see pink chiffons wrapped around the wooden poles, the furniture looks really outdated. theres a huge mirror on the left with a running fountain...that looks really shabby.
  
  i ordered the fallafel. it came with a smear of tahini barely detectable. the fallafel was fried to the max.
  
  the babaganou was runny. they didnt screw up the tabouli, but how could they?
  
  the basmati house rice with dates almonds etc, was dry but good nontheless.
  
  i will be going here again, despite slow service and unknowledgable servers who call the babaganou  "the stuff on a plate with the bolita in the middle" or can't pronounce the word arabic, or have any idea what the names are of the food on the menu.
  
  just to confirm, most of the items are blocked off with white stickers. :(

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  Posted on 02.23.11 Bex F.

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  To everyone who even thinks about attending, please read my 1st experience at the Al-Basha restaurant in McAllen, TX.
  
  When you first walk in, everything is inviting and  welcoming . Nothing like a true experience will define the hidden problems behind any restaurant and ownership.
  
  The wait staff is nice, by lacking training. They took some of the party orders and forgot others.We had to get there attention, etc. to get everything.  From taking orders, refill drinks, etc.
  
  There is no Alcohol in the place, yet you are allowed to bring wine only. This was not mention at the time of the reservation. It was revealed at the day of the dinner and after being seated. Please be aware of the $10 charge/bottle service fees.  Also, there menu online is not true, because almost 50% of the meals were blocked off the menu by a piece of white tape, because they dont have it.  Why even open for business if your not ready?
  
  For the appetizers, it was horrible experience. Runny hummus, and lack of texture and shape.  The kibbi was done nicely, the stuffed grape leaves were ok. But be aware, you are being charged for everything, even if you wanted 1 piece of bread.
  
  When dinner time came, meals came out whenever they decided to send them out of the kitchen, unorganized. Some were missing, some with Hair in it and others were not even made, although it was ordered.  At one point, the dinners were coming out 30 min. apart.  I know i might sound harsh, but this is the truth.  Not sure why, especially when the place is new, only 2 months old.   If the kitchen cant handle servicing customers, nor the wait staff, why should you even consider operating a business like this?  The restaurant was about at 25% capacity, not even or close to being half full.  
  
  I was horrified by my the meal.  If a person was ordering "Shawarama", do NOT!  Its is merely a fajita with some  "middle eastern"  wanna be spices.  Who would ever serve Shawrama with sauteed onions and green peppers?  Many things that appears or sounds good on there menu, is horrible.
  
  So, I advice you not to attend there, because the service, food  and the Manager/owner where way below par.  Manager was not understanding, nor considerate for what our party of 10+ had went through at our first  and last time at this business.
  
  I believe that the manager nor the cook have ever been in a restaurant business before and they have a long road ahead of them.  They should be ashamed of themselves and manage  and operate a restaurant business. I also would suggest to get themselves some people skills and business ethics as well.
  
  If you do try it, after reading my review, please be advised and consider what i said.

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  Posted on 02.20.11 Z S.

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