My family and I took my sister for lunch at Shadi's for her birthday today and being of Middle Eastern descent, we were disappointed. To start, our waitress seemed put out because we asked for a table that had enough light to be able to read our menus and she did not hide her irritation at our table change. When she came to take our order, she was so rushed and stressed, despite a lack of crowd that she instantly had us all feeling just as stressed, and she couldn't seem to understand the most simple request. We ordered an appetizer of grape leaves, which arrived surrounded in what looked like tomato juice. Our waitress left so fast that we didn't realize that there wasn't any yogurt or laban brought with it. Laban, like syrian bread, is eaten with almost everything, and for us to have to ask for it, and to have to pay extra for it was, in my opinion, an insult to Middle Eastern dining.
The grape leaves had the right tang and they weren't mushy, but there's a very important spice missing and the tomato juice-no, no, a really big no, it ruined them and gave them the flavor of stuffed cabbage instead. The leaves were also stringy and tough.The laban, once brought, was like cream cheese, it was far too thick. Laban is supposed to be thicker than yogurt, but not so much that it takes muscle to scoop it up!
Upon delivering our meals, our waitress uncomfortably squeezed through my sisters to deliver some plates where she could have had more finesse than to just shove them aside and joke about it. She seemed to try to be making up for her earlier attitude, but I have to say, she was a terrible waitress. She also blew the secret about the birthday cake, which was supposed to be a surprise.
Some positives were the lamb on the stick, kibbee balls, and hommus dip as a hot appetizer, which were all well-prepared. The atmosphere was nice when we switched tables from the dark corner; but more lighting would certainly be welcome.
Our dining experience rates a 2 out of 5, due to the fact that the grape leaves were the one dish all of us were looking forward to and were most diappointed with, but also because dining is more than just consuming food. Equally as important as the quality of the food is the quality of the overall experience itself, and a less-stressed, less chaotic, more gracious server would have made all the difference.
Nice change from the previous restaurants at this location. Â Food was pretty good, but not exceptional. Â Few things keep this from getting 4 stars. Â Please don't serve me pita bread in a plastic bag in a basket with a paper napkin. Â Please bring my food to table while it's still hot. Â Plenty of wait staff, but wasn't very fast or warm, though they said all the things they needed to to be polite. Â I will give them another try.
Review Source:I did another review on the other listing for shadi's, but figured i'd update over here since this one is popping off a bit more. What the hell happened? I hadn't been to the methuen location in quite sometime so maybe this happened a while ago. I had lunch here a while ago, and it was alright, grape leaves a little bland as my review on the other listing stated. I figured i would try again for dinner, one night about two weeks ago, got essentially the same order as last time (arabic platter with salad and fries) again, the grape leaves were tasteless but even worse everything about my previous visit that was at least okay was awful. My fries were soggy and not at all seasoned, my kibbeh was dry, as was the chicken my girlfriend ordered. Sultan's right down the street is far more affordable and a lot tastier.
Review Source:Shadi's, the Middle-Eastern restaurant that's been a staple for the blue-hair set for generations has reopened in Andover. Â The new location is a nice modern change from its previous older location in Methuen. Â The service was efficient and courteous.
The problem I had with my lunch today is the same problem that I've had with Shadi's in the past: the food. Â I ordered a falafel plate, grape leaves, rice, and a salad. Â The falafel was nicely done, although the side of jalepenos was a curious addition (are jalepenos typically served with Lebonese food?). Â The grape leaves were overcooked and filled with mushy rice. Â The meat was hard to find. Â If you are going to charge $9.95 for five grape leaves, serve a more generous portion of meat. Â They were also dreadfully underseasoned. Â The rice was, again, terribly underseasoned. Â Although I am not of Middle-Eastern descent, I can manage to make a tasty stuffed grape leaf. Â My friends that are of Middle-Eastern descent, tell me that my grape leaves have more of an Italian taste; but, the leaves are flavorful.
How Shadi's manages to serve such bland food and receive positive reviews is a testament to how little we will settle for when dining out. Â If I feel this way why did I return? Â Because my favorite Middle-Eastern restaurant, Aladdin in Salem, NH recently closed due to the owner's illness. Â A friend told me that Shadi's was back up and that their food had improved. Â Sadly, it hasn't. Â I will continue my search for a fine restaurant that serves good, tasty, seasoned, Middle-Eastern food. Â Shadi's, for me, is not it.
On a Monday night, in North Andover, and nearly every table taken.
The word must be out. Â Vegetarian grape leaves were the best I have ever had and there were lots of them. Â The falafel sandwich was large enough to save half; did I mention how many grape leaves there were?
Good service, nice look and feel. Â Will be back soon!
Ordered take out from here the other day. The woman that answered the phone was extremely rude. When I informed her of my daughter's food allergy she told me  'just dont order her anything from here.' Not very accomodating. I will say that the chicken shwarma was very good, fresh ingredients, but lacked a bit in flavor. Fries were ok, but again had no salt.  i will try again in hopes that we have a better experience.
Review Source:Was devastated when the restaurant burnt down on Christmas. Â I drove down with my dad to witness it for ourselves and there was so many locals there. Â It showed how much everyone loved the place. Â
Have been waiting so long for them to re-open and was a little disappointed that they were moving to North Andover. Â I felt that it would take away from the original feel of it. Â
Ordered take out and as usual the food was amazing. Â Grape leaves are the best around and their baked kibbee is wonderful. Â It seemed almost better but it could just be because I have been craving it!!!
The restaurant was beautiful but they seemed over-whelmed. Â The host had to walk back for the take our order leaving no one up front to greet the diners. Â It was better before when you would head back yourself towards the kitchen.
I was also surprised and disappointed that there were no handicap spots out front. Â My mom had gone for dinner and had to park by the gym and walk. Â That needs to be addressed!!
Went to the new Shadis in North Andover tonight for takeout. Â We have been going to Shadis forever.
The new facility in North Andover looks fantastic. Â They did a great job renovating. Â Very clean. Â Very airy.
The food has always been very good. Â It is even better now. Â
We had the Kafta sandwich and it was the BEST we have ever tasted.  The grapeleaves  were delicious and plentiful.  The Veggie combo was fresh, tasty and had the most delicious feta ever.
If you like good, homemade food at an amazing value, go to Shadis. Â Also, the staff and management are very friendly.
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