04/29/09

Good food Great Location

by sheric77

not sure how authentic the food is but I haven't gotten anything I didn't like. Been there several times, not the best service but I've had worse. Went there on a date and they had a kitchen fire just before we got there and the place was full of smoke and they didn't have any doors or window's open to vent the place out....needless to say we came out of there smelling like smoke.

If you like Garlic it's awesome....they have very very good hummace, and huge portions.

Love the location, however the place could use some tlc and a good cleaning :)

• Pros: best hummace
• Cons: not so clean and dark

06/15/08

bad service tasty food

by CCP2000

Can't comment on how authentic the food is but we enjoy the flavors.

Our last visit was June 14 and they convinced me that they would prefer we took our business elsewhere.

We ordered an appertizer for two, one main course and a salad for the two of us. That is plenty of food since the portions are so large. The waiter asked if we wanted the appertizer and salad brought out first. Great that way we can eat the main course after the salad. We weren't even 1/3 of the way done with the salad when the chicken arrived. While it might have been tasty hot, at room temperature it was not good. The chicken sat there for 15 minutes while we ate our appetizers and salad.

When the server came up and asked how was everthing, I said I hadn't gotten to the chicken yet because I was still eating the salad. He just gave a goofy grin and walked away.

On my way out I told the host that I did not appreciate my main course being served before the salad was even near finished. He said they had a small kitchen counter. Now what does having a small kitchen counter have to do with the progression of service? He then proceeded to give me a a two finger salute and winke which looked more like a "yeah now go away and don't bother me again". Don't worry we won't bother you again with our business.

• Pros: good location
• Cons: could use lesson on service customer service

12/18/07

this restaurant is not even owned by a Lebanese anymore......

by sandrak12

I am Lebanese, So I went to this restaurant because i really missed Lebanese food..

First We asked about the owners name and they told us that the original Lebanese owner sold the place to a none Lebanese guy ( I think he is frome Singapore(I forgot the country name ).

The decoration and style are so far from Lebanese tradition or style.(There decor is more Arabic style and they show desert in the picture which we don't have in Lebanon,)

The food is not in any way Lebanese, the taste and the way of preparing it are different.

It was disapointing to go to this restaurant , I will never go there again....

10/06/07

very bad experience

by bigvedo

I went there because I heard that they serve shawarma which also is called doner kebab. I came there and they had this chubby pale girl try to belly dance. I ordered their chicken and the beef shawarma. First of all we waited like 10 minutes to get our drinks and 30 minutes to get our food. I didn't mind the wait as long as the food was good. When she brought out the shawarma they didn't look nothing like shawarma. It was basically 4 square pieces of meat that are grilled and served on pita bread with the tahini sauce. I had real shawarma before in other countries and this was nothing like it. When we were finished I told the manager on duty that this wasn't real shawarma and he was like "well thats what we have if you don't like it don't come" I couldn't believe it. I know for sure that I won't come there again and eat there wannabe shawarma and look at their fat and pale belly dancer.

• Pros: no pros
• Cons: everything just horrible restaurant

11/29/06

Piles and Piles of Pita

by eggroll85

I think that if youre hungry and in the mood for somethign a little different, try Saleems. For the hardcore middle eastern fan the food is authentic and delicious. If youre new to the cuisine, order a mezza for 2 or 4. Its a great sampler of dips and falafel and the pita never stops. All the servers and friendly and Won, the owner, is usually there and will address any concern (although i have yet to have abad experience).

• Pros: Location, food, service
• Cons: Small venue

09/19/06

Good food in the heart of the Loop

by kellygreen82

I wanted to try this place, and let me tell you, they put garlic on everything! If you're a fan, you should go here. I had a vegetarian dish (the grilled portobello) with some tabouli, and it was delicious. However, they used a bit too much sauce for the marinade. Otherwise, the atmosphere was nice, and the restaurant wasn't crowded.

• Pros: Atmosphere, food quality
• Cons: Parking

08/21/06

The food keeps bringin me back!

by kitc

I wanted to try something different & this is where I ended up. I was very pleased. My favority is the chicken as well as the portabella. Its a cute little place. There is one waiter who was amazing. He was friendly and helping with the menu.

07/01/05

Great Cuisine in the City

by randysloan21

We had a thoroughly authentic lebanese meal while visiting relatives in St. Louis. The falafel reminded me of the food I had while in the great food markets during my travels in the middle east. However, the menu had enough variety to appeal to the less traveled palates within our dinner party. Of particular interest to us all, was the garlic bloody mary, which certainly fulfilled the restaurant's motto, "Saleem's Where Garlic is King."

• Pros: food, atmoshpere, service
• Cons: crowded

04/15/05

One of the Best Restaurants in STL

by marieawad1

The waitstaff is always extremely friendly and helpful. The food is phenomenal!!! Until a few months ago I had never had Lebanese food, now I can't get enough of it. The ambiance is unique and the belly dancing on Friday nights is cool.

• Pros: GREAT FOOD, friendly service, neat atmosphere
• Cons: limited parking

10/23/04

One of our St. Louis favorites!

by new2stl

Wow! Consistently excellent! Great service.

Saleem's is always a treat. The tabbouli is particularly good (fresh, crisp, and lemony), the hummous is tasty, and the baba ganoush is delightful. We've returned several times with various people, and not a single entree has disappointed. A few of the lamb dishes stand out in particular as being well-cooked (TENDER) and well-spiced (TASTY).

• Pros: Great spices, Excellent flavoring