Raya's Lebanese Restaurant

This wasn't particularly good and probably a little overpriced for what it is; however, they were one of very few restaurants open on a Sunday afternoon between 3-5pm downtown. Anyone who's looked for take out during those hours in the city probably knows what I mean. Had the gyro and the chicken kabob. Gyro wasn't bad but there are much better options downtown for gyros. Chicken kabob was dry and lacked flavor. I'm rounding them up to 3 stars because of availability. If Cincinnati wants to be recognized as a destination city - hosting the MLB allstar game in two years - you can't let the city turn into a ghost town on Sundays. Thanks to Raya's for trying to buck that trend.

To Mary who wrote this misguided, if not atrocious review about this establishment. I am a regular customer at Rayas. When I read your review about racism I was shocked and angry. I went to Raya "owner" and talked to her regarding the issue.  In reference to the first incident she did not remember specifics but said that she makes all "take out" orders pay before the food is made. Mainly because on a weekly basis she gets many people placing orders and not showing up afterword, causing her big financial losses. I assume you were dining in and the black gentleman was taking the food out. This is why she made him pay before as she does all her takeout orders regardless of ethnic background.

Secondly! The tip jar incident. Raya said that she remembered that incident in particular. The African American in question frequently visits the restaurant and asks the same question "are you hiring?" He has been caught pilfering from the tip jar on camera. Raya along with her assistant "Devylin" often argue because Raya would not file a police report against him. Devylin one of the assistants said that last week she saw a person stealing from the tip Jar on Camera and when she confronted the person she was threated to be maced and beaten up if she called the police. Devylin added that people steal or attempt to steal from the tip jar on a daily basis.

Mary, before you accuse someone of this heinous accusation please verify and seek the full story. Raya is an incredibly strong woman.  Her entire family is overseas, her husband died last year, she goes to after hour tutoring classes to improve her English skills, nor does she drive a car, all while running a business singlehandedly. I witnessed Raya on many occasion giving homeless people food at no charge regardless of race, color or gender. There are plenty of racist people out there but Raya is not one of them. Your misguided remarks were uncalled for.

I am absolutely horrified after returning from this restaurant. While the food was good, the behavior of the workers was disgusting to say the least.

When my brother and I walked in and sat down, we saw the employee (i think an owner?) speaking with another costumer who happened to be black. She was making him pay for his meal before she would bring his food out because she didn't trust that he would pay. He was incredibly nice. Nothing about him would make anyone think he would steal from the establishment. It was so insulting. She didn't make ANYONE else pay this way.

All ready pretty turned off, my brother and I continued our meal when another black man walked in to ask if they were hiring. He also was incredibly polite and nice. He asked, "is this a family owned restaurant or are you hiring?" She completely ignored him and snapped to him that "everything is on the menu!" He asked again, trying to clarify what he meant. She wouldn't give him the time of day and then started yelling at him to "get away from my tip jar! Don't stand so close to my trip jar!" It was horrifying. He moved, but then tried to ask her one last time. She finally said that it was family owned and stormed into the back room, making sure to yell to another employee "watch my tip jar!" before she left.  

These descriptions don't even sort of give the despicable nature the of these events justice. I still can't believe I just witnessed that. It makes me sick to my stomach. Never in my life have I seen such a inappropriate, disrespectful, blatantly racist scene take place.

Please don't give this place your business. So many restaurants deserve it more.