08/04/09

Rude Staff.

by mak9315

I just tried to place an order with the girl working there over the phone, and she hung up on me. Twice. She didn't even wait for me to finish talking before she scolded me for not telling them that I wanted the order in 45 minutes rather than 15 at the beginning of my call (My bad. I know). She then promptly hung up on me with a sarcastic "thanks!". I was left a bit dumbfounded... and completely put out at her attitude. I then called to cancel it in favor of a friendlier, closer middle eastern restaurant... and she hung up on me again.

I'm not picky...it seems like it from this review. But this was just ridiculous, rude service. Not coming here for a while.

• Pros: Great food.
• Cons: Rude staff.

07/31/09

Simply Amazing

by MatthewRobert

You will sometimes see people lined out the door to this place, but it's because it is GOOD EATS!... So good! I may go right now just thinking about it!

• Pros: Ask for the baked "Big Bread" first thing and a Peach drink.
• Cons: Smaller than my livingroom & in a Bad Neighborhood

07/15/09

Maybe good food but overshadowed by ...

by InternationalMystique

After considering several restaurants for some time, we both happily remembered Nicholas and eagerly went to the location for dinner. It had never disappointed us in the past.

This time disappointment slapped us immediately. Wait staff was rude, at times completely ignoring us, other times, just acting as if we were inconveniencing them and we were a pain to be served. We were not rude just waiting for attitudes to change. The place was not hosting it's usual crowds so we could not attribute it to the regular overwhelming crowds they have to serve. As we further observed the place we noticed the hostess rushing other diners to finish and leave. We also started to notice how unclean the place looked. I realize the ambiance is humble but this was just plain DIRTY! As wait staff cleaned tables with grungy dirty towels, they simply brushed the food off the tables onto the floor. I looked down around the entire restaurant and realized it was everywhere.

Is it coincidence that a day later, we are experiencing symptoms of having eaten less than sanitary food? :(

• Pros: Cheap food
• Cons: DIRTY place and RUDE wait staff

04/19/09

Must visit!

by dolceardor

We visit about once a month, and go whenever we want amazing food on the cheap. It has all sorts of review wins posted on their door, and they don't lie! We take friends, and they always come away thoroughly impressed. The ginormous, fresh pitas on the racks are enough to knock your socks off, but every single thing follows as well. Try the Turkish coffee- one serving is more than enough for two people to share. The Mezza plates are amazing, and though I keep wanting to try new things, I keep coming back to the Schwarma sandwich. Too good to pass up- the taste is so good it's spiritual! =)

• Pros: perfect taste, cheap, never a "bad" day
• Cons: can be pretty packed

02/23/09

Wonderful

by FatimaL

The food is really good and fresh here. They overwhelm you with pita and you get delicious pita chips on your salad-yum! The baba is really smokey, which took me a while to get used to, but now I love it. They are cash only, so be prepared!

01/15/09

Yummy for my vegetarian tummy:)

by amanda_millie

I was taken to this restaurant on a date a few years ago, and I've been going back regularly ever since. Yes, the space is small and the service leaves a little to be desired, but they've got great food. I've never had a problem with snotty/indifferent service either; everyone's always been real nice to me when i've dined there. Their falafel is perfectly crispy on the outside, and softly chewy on the inside. The veggie kabobs over the uniquely seasoned yellow rice are perfectly marinated; the tabouli has a nice fresh parsley taste. I have dreams about their hummus, and the giant warm pita that comes with it. A waitress was kind enough to slide me a hefty sample of their rice pudding, after i'd been gushing to her about how much we like the restaurant. And I always forget that they do take-out orders, which is incredibly convenient! I only wish that A) the space was bigger.......B)that they took debit cards! get with the times......and C)that they served booze! What is that about, anyways? Every time I've been there I've wished I was enjoying a frosty micro brew with my kabobs.

• Pros: amazing, simple and good food. try the falafel!
• Cons: no booze, cash or check only, small space, the long wait you sometimes endure.

12/17/08

Good food..

by aarthiasdad

Very nice restaurant and great food. I wish they would do more on the ambiance front and also try to reduce the wait times. Looks like the restaurant is doing very well because of the amazing flavorful food. But, I sincerely wish the place has some more decor.

• Pros: Food, Parking, Vegetarian food
• Cons: Ambience, Decor

07/07/08

Amazing! If a resauraunt can keep me coming back for over 8 years like this, it deserves 5 stars!!!

by nattbrisviskar

Before my husband and I were married a friend brought us to nicholas' over 8 years ago and it's still my favorite restauraunt to date. I love the food as always and have turned many friends onto the experience. Ya it's small but I think that's part of the experience they're trying to capture and be quaint and family like. I think the people who gave them bad ratings have issues with their taste buds, or are maybe just cranky. Iv'e never once had a bad experience and will continue to go for years to come.

• Pros: Great prices, excellent food, friendly employees
• Cons: parking only on street

06/23/08

Great food, but no room to eat it

by lola2002

I LOVE THIS PLACE, my fave in Portland, the food is really great and it's cheap (most of the menu is under $10 and you get a lot of it). It's very small though, it's hard to get in, and then when you do you're eating elbow to elbow with some stranger, not for the full figured people!

• Pros: Yummy food
• Cons: restaurant size

06/05/08

Terrible Service! Don't go with more than 4 people, ever!

by vanwyek

Really frustrating because the food is phenomenal and I've never been disappointed in that, but it's become one of those places that's so popular, always a line out the door, that they don't care about losing customers because you're lucky to be able to eat there, right? Wrong! I was extremely polite and smiled at them a lot, but never got a single "you're welcome" or a kind word of any sort. Any time we asked for anything, like napkins or more bread, it was met with indifference bordering on annoyance. I asked for a side of rice to be brought out as soon as possible for my 4 year old who had been starving while we waited 30 minutes for a table... that was the very last thing they brought out after all of the other food, despite my polite reminders. It almost seemed intentional! They acted completely put out that we had 6 people in our group and it seemed as if they were punishing us. If you go there, make sure to go with 4 people or less or you'll never get seated and they'll be annoyed with your presence. Good luck getting in!