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Barakat Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
11-551 Richmond StreetLondon, ON N6A 3E9
(519) 850-8080
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Barakat Restaurant
Review Highlights
22 reviews in English
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Review from Hina Q.
3/15/2012
I have lived and visited many different middle-eastern countries and I must say, this restaurant is an excellent representation of middle-eastern food. I have been to a lot of restaurants and gained a lot of weight here and there from doing so...all in search for authentic middle-eastern food...and Barakat restaurant is the place I fell in love with.
It isn't the ambiance or the staff or the restaurant itself that I am giving the stars for, but the food. It's all about the food at this restaurant. At peak hours there is a line-up and finding a seat might be hard so make sure you don't go during that time...or just call ahead and find out. Otherwise, GO and ENJOY!! -
Review from Farees K.
1/14/2012
If you are looking for a good representation of middle eastern fast food, this is it.
Don't go for the service or ambiance, that is not what this place is about. Go for great food and a very reasonable price.
I am very glad to see London with some great new ethnic food. -
Review from Jerry C.
Delaware, ON
5/13/2012
very friendly staff, the food is good, if you want a lot of meat, this is the place to go.
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Review from Peter L.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2011 1 photo
I study at UWO, live in Toronto and travel the world and believe it or not, Barakat's food ranks right up there with what you would find in Egypt. Every ingredient is fresh, every flavor delicately paired with another, and the price is reasonable. I recommend all of my friends traveling to London with a penchant for Middle Eastern Food to try Barakat, and they are never disappointed.
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Review from James L.
Sarnia, ON
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Avoid long line ups by calling ahead during peak eating times. Place has a high taste vs. price ratio. Staff is friendly food is tastey and healthy. The place is popular so be prepared to wait your turn in the assembly line... It is worth it.
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Review from Cam Y.
Toronto, ON
1/2/2012
I have driven from 1 hour away to have their chicken schwarma plate.
Living in Toronto, I am always trying to find a middle eastern place that comes even close and never succeed.
Garlic sauce is amazing. Chicken is crispy and flavourful.
Their wraps are also very good, which explains the late night lines and pre-made stockpiles.
Scratching my head at the less than perfect yelp reviews... -
Review from Roma M.
9/19/2010
Having lived here for a few months I succumbed to the temptation of Barakat's more than I'd have liked to, and I pretty much have two things to say.
-There falafels are alright, but you can tell they aren't freshly fried.
-I'd rather have the Fatoosh(sp?) salad than a main entree at Barakat.
The hours are great, obviously for the pub crowd, but considering the food and service, I know I've had much better Middle Eastern in Toronto.Listed in: Falafel
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Review from Benjamin T.
2/20/2010
I'm not going to start this with a typical "I live in Toronto, and...." because I think it is stupid to discuss Toronto unless I am willing to drive to TO for a shawarma, which I am not. Yes, Henry F. that is aimed at you.
The food is great, the service sucks. There are few times I will tolerate borderline-abusive service in favor of good food, but this is one.
Last time I ordered here, the unibrow behind the counter beckoned a group of blonde bimbos behind me to come forth and place their order. This, despite the fact that I arrived before, and was standing in front of them.
However, justice was soon served as I stood back and watched with amusement as five twenty-somethings attempted to order food without meat, nuts or oil.
I emerged victorious thirty minutes later with a shawarma, and a new appreciation for my intellectual, good-looking and non-narcissistic wifey. The world is mine again. -
Review from ali m.
Toronto, ON
9/22/2009
Yep, it is the best. Every shawarma I've eaten elsewhere pales by comparison.
If you're absurdly hungry (or if you happen to be 2-4 less hungry people), order one of the combo plates - stacks of meat and everything else that goes on the shawarmas, plus a bag of pitas. -
Review from Marc J.
London, ON
7/23/2010
Like everyone else I find the food really good but avoid going there because the service is so lousy. If you know the system (i.e., you realize there is no system and are OK with that) then you'll love the place. But you can't go in there expecting to order, pay, receive your food and leave. More like: order. Wait. Remind them. Wait. Get the food. Wait. Pay. Leave.
I disagree that the folks there are rude. They're not rude, just a bit aloof. They do in fact want to make you happy, but don't really know how to keep things organized when it gets crazy busy. The old guy is also very nice to kids and will maybe even remember you if you come back often enough.
OK so you understand that, and have arrived either when there's no crowd, or when you're not so hungry you're ready to eat your arm off. In that case you'll enjoy their offerings of Lebanese take-out food. I find their falafel to be really excellent, featuring not just the usual chickpea interior but also some sort of nutty goodness in there too. Salads/sides are nice too. The platters are good value - two of them will easily feed a family of four. Baklava for dessert is also very good (and can be had for free if you're nice, or if you're under 5 years old). -
Review from Sandra M.
4/23/2011
Like the food all right but when I order and have to wait I'm not sure where to look. The people behind the counter seem to be in a world of their own and staring at a vantage point across the street, around the block or maybe even Mars. Who cares? I'm not here to talk. It's the food that counts and when you're craving a chicken shawarma, this place delivers.
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Review from Crystal C.
London, ON
6/15/2010
Here's the thing about Barakat. Good food, bad service.
We eat there quite a bit as we live closeby. I usually get the falafel pita or the chicken shawarma. Both are very, very good and very well priced. We often get the hummus appetizer to-go because their hummus is SERIOUSLY THE BEST EVER. It's so, so creamy with the perfect amount of tahini and just...so yummy.
However, I find the guy at the cash register to be very rude. He does not make eye contact or ever give a simple "hello" when you approach the counter, infact he is usually watching TV. I usually go in with my husband but when I am by myself, the guys behind the counter give me a creepy vibe...they leer at girls all the time. Creepy, creepy dudes.
So, I'm a bit torn. I don't like the staff AT ALL, but the food is good. I guess it kind of balances out...? -
Review from Angela M.
6/30/2010
I went in with some high expectations for the chicken shawarma. It seems that everyone who has been here has had it, and it came highly recommended. I trusted your reviews and I entered with such high hopes...
I have the firstly say, the interior is a bit... dreary, and dirty looking. You see that big nice sign outside as your drive by and think "that is going to be a nice little restaurant". Well, it isn't.
The guy was of course, rude, didn't make eye contact, and with the swarm of people standing in the front of the counter waiting for their food, it took me 5 minutes to realize that there wasn't anyone actually ordering.
Now for the food. I got the chicken shawarma with a medium salad. The salad was alright, although I am pretty sure it would have been better if half the lettuce leaves weren't wilted.
As for the chicken shawarma, If the guy didn't go overboard with the pickles, it may have been better. Granted, I like pickles, but I was starving, and at my first bite, I was disappointed to find that the shawarma was overpowered by the pickles.
I wouldn't mind coming back here again, definitely not a dine in sort of place. I am definitely going to try to find better shawarma though -
Review from Imran K.
Montréal, QC
4/18/2011
Great shishtaouk, and I know good shishtaouks. It takes them 15-20 mins to prep a shishtaouk do it's really slow. Service isn't so good at the cash. No other real good shishtaouk options so I still go there quite often.
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Review from Joe B.
London, ON
9/23/2009
Barakat is awesome...... Great food at great prices. If you are looking for some of the best shawarma in London, this is the spot. Be advised that depending on what's going on and the time, there can be a bit of a line as you order your food from the front counter but the staff does all it can to get the food out. The lines are a testament to how good this place is.
I highly recommend. -
Review from Brian V.
2/22/2010
When I'm in town, I get the Chicken Shawarma from Barakat ; it is awesome!
Just had 2 for lunch and I'm happy. They are NEVER bad. -
Review from Tash T.
1/26/2010
Oh Barakat. Your shawarmas are unparalleled in flavor and consistency. I have searched far and wide in San Francisco, and nothing comes close. How I miss your delicious hummus and tasty falafel. I do not miss the way the staff ogled the female customers, but for one last shawarma I might tolerate it.
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Review from Nicole H.
7/28/2010
I found the falafal pita I orderd to be pretty good, not the best I've ever had but not bad at all. All the empolyees seemed polite and professional. I found the establishment to be clean and the booths comfortable. The air conditioning was super awesome too on a muggy day like today. No complaints at all and I expect to be back again.
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Review from Will B.
Toronto, ON
8/10/2009 2 photos
The BEST shawarma I've had in Canada. EVER!
I was first introduced to this place by my roommates in college, back when they were located next door. It became a regular stop for me after church on Sundays and whenever I'm in downtown. You walk in and you are always greeted by "big guy billy" or Jamil (the owner) himself. Both chicken and beef shawarmas are delicious and never too greasy, which is usually the problem i get with other restaurants. I always order their Hommos to-go and snack on it at night. It is amazing.... very garlicky, smooth and not a single clump! Big guy billy always tell the story how he sends buckets and buckets of this hommos to his family in Calgary. I definitely understand why. I wouldn't want my hommos made any other way. The falafels are also great! They usually take awhile to prepare your food because they will entertain you with stories to no end. I honestly don't mind because I know my shawarma is being prepared fresh from the spit! I've since moved from London but whenever I make a trip, I make sure to stop by and order my favorite chicken or beef shawarma and a small tub of hommos to go! -
Review from Janet F.
London, ON
2/27/2011
I usually crave shawarma for the great mix of crispy chicken with hummus, tahini, onions and pickled turnip. But I was seriously disappointed by Barakat's version. It was about 8pm on a Saturday night when my roommates and I decided to head over here for some delicious food. However, I found the servers to be detracted and slow. Then they didn't even make my shawarma fresh on the spot. They had a tray of pre-made chicken shawarmas ready. All they did was heat the wrap in a panini grill. Now, I can understand wanting to make some ahead of time for the post-bar rush. But at 8pm! It wasn't even that busy. If the cooks were just a little more efficient (ie actually make the food instead of talking to each other), then they might be able to serve everyone on the spot. I've been to plenty of shawarma places and I've never had to wait long for a fresh one...so why can't they. Not only was I disappointed by the freshness and services, but since my shawarma wasn't made to order, it did not include enough sauce and turnips to satisfy my craving. Next time I'll find another place for shawarma, because it's just not worth it if it's not fresh.
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Review from Alan K.
London, ON
2/1/2011
Bakarat is probably the finest Middle Eastern place in London. For a smaller meal, I usually get their shawarma or shish tawoook sandwich. For a slightly larger meal, I'll go with the fattoush salad (very refreshing) and Tony's special plate (Shawarma, hummus, garlic sauce, veggies, and pita bread on the side). The meat is consistently moist and tender (and also halal if you're a practicing Muslim) while the freshness of the vegetables, bread, and sauces really comes through. It helps that Barakat is a very popular place and so there's a very fast rotation of their produce. Although the service is quite disorganized and sometimes a abrupt, it doesn't detract from the quality of their food. A winner for sure.
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Review from Henry F.
London, ON
12/30/2009
Don't know what all the hype is about. Just regular bland food. You guys havn't tried Shawarmas from places like King Shawarma or Ali Baba Shawarma (both in Toronto). Once you've tried those, that is when you realize how good shawarmas can be. There was a guy who use to work for Barakat and when in Toronto, he would go to King Shawarma to eat. Get that! Barkat is clean and tidy from what I see, as it should be. I hear they are doing great business. Continued good luck to them.
