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July 2021 by T. D.
The cook/server today made me feel very uneasy and the food was just ok. I would not trust this place again. I rang the bell for service at noon on a weekend. After waiting 5 minutes, someone from the business across the hall ran out to me and said the server would be there in a minute. Why did the employee from the kids play area know where the Lazize worker was? Anyway I waited another 5 minutes, and a very disheveled, frantic-looking man runs behind the counter to take my order. I figured he was just having a busy day, so I wasn't upset yet. I tried to give him my order, but he had me repeat each sentence back to him. He seemed a little out of it. He goes back to make the food and chat with a couple buddies who walk around the back to meet him. After a bit the server comes back out to take my payment. He demands straight cash because he said something along the lines of "credit card will charge you more". Something about the way he talked to me, demanded cash, and put it in his pocket rather than in a register made me feel very uneasy. 15 minutes later I got my shish tawook sandwich for $7.99, which is just ok. Not worth the ordeal ever again.
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March 2020 by Megan F.
If you find yourself at the mall on a Saturday night because they have a play place (which Stella refused to acknowledge), toddler anxiety is a thing. Make sure you reward yourself with the best Mediterranean food in Des Moines. The staff is always kind and love to help find a perfect meal. It does take around ten minutes to get because they make it fresh. I always get their hummus, shawarma with Tzatziki and a kebab on the side. Everything is perfectly seasoned and a dream. Tried the hibiscus drink for the first time and wish I had sooner!
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February 2020 by Tim L.
Very good yet simple! Nice staff and a warm inviting atmosphere! Check it out you won't be disappointed...
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February 2020 by Cheryl K.
Would not have expected to find a place to eat with all made from fresh food inside of Merle Hay May. My husband and I have tried several items after our Sunday mall walks and all are delicious. We are now regulars at Lazize. Fresh Mediterranean food. Healthy and delicious!
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February 2020 by Honey D.
The hummus is really flavorless and tastes like baking soda. They need to add lemon and garlic to it. Falafel also bland and flavorless tiny portions for a $10 hummus & falafel meal. No condiments or anything no zoug sauce or mango nothing. The $4.99 price is misleading because if you want rice or a side with it it will cost an additional $3.99
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September 2019 by Deana R.
I ended up being in charge of getting dinner for two buses full of people heading back to Chicago and these people were super great about it even though I was kind of frazzled! They hauled ass to make us 62 falafel sandwiches, helped us lug them out in Aldi bags, and chatted with us about how different dialects of Arabic work while we waited. And the food was great! Thanks, y'all!
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July 2019 by Cory M.
I was really disappointed after reading the reviews. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though because this place is taking up space in the Merle Hay Mall. I ordered with some co-workers a babaganoush plate, grape leaves, a side of rice, salad, and a falafel sandwich all of which was prepared by people who quite literally seemed like they had never done it before. Asking us what we would like to put on it like some sort of depressing Subway. The babaganoush was actually really good but they gave me 4 pieces of the flattest pita I've ever seen. The grape leaves tasted like it was stuffed with rice-a-roni. Save your money and your time. It also took forever.
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February 2019 by Jt T.
I've been wanting to try this place for awhile. Sadly it took a hate crime against this restaurant for me to get in there. The food was great, I loved everything I had. I wanted it all. You could tell the food was high quality. But it was more then high quality it was from the heart. Small cozy space. Very comfortable and inviting. Honestly I can't wait to go back.
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December 2018 by Christina S.
Delicious food! My group tried the lamb, chicken, falafel and all were fantastic. The owner was very helpful with the menu and suggested things for us to try. Will definitely go back!
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December 2018 by Dhriti C.
We had gone to watch a movie at Merle Hay and came upon this place. It's near Kohl's .The food was fresh n delicious. We tried chicken shawarma with rice, chicken sheesh kabab with rice and chicken sheesh kabab with hummus and falafel. The guy was very friendly and the food quantity was just right and the quality was great. You must come here if you like Mediterranean food or want to try the cusine. You will definitely come back for the food and the service
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December 2018 by Kayla S.
The chicken shawarma has excellent flavor!! Owner said that 18 spices are used to give it the excellent flavor!! Falafel was unique - very moist and lighter breading.
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October 2018 by Vanessa M.
After a disappointing meal at Open Sesame, Lazize is a welcome hidden gem at Merle Hay mall. I'm a huge fan of Mediterranean food, so I was happy to see Lazize in my neighborhood. Lazize is a no-frills, authentic little restaurant, with the traditional offerings of good Arabic/Lebanese cuisine. Everything I ordered was very fresh. I loved the falafel, they were flavorful and not dry, as I usually see around this town. The hummus and baba ghannouj are lovely: creamy, tangy and rich, with freshly made pita chips. My mom also had the chicken shawarma. I asked the chef about the preparation of his chicken and he is very methodical and puts much care into its seasoning and cooking so that it will provide that burst of flavor in the shawarma wrap. It's freshly cut from a gyrating tower of grilled chicken - yum! You can put different toppings into your shawarma, but I recommend you keep it simple to tomatoes, lettuce, onions and tzatziki sauce or hummus. The only downside? I think the price point is a little high for the portion size, but not so much as to keep me away. Check it out!
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October 2018 by Dan T.
It's been a busy past couple of weeks and an unexpected car repair put a little strain on my budget... We've all been there I'm guessing. So I really haven't had much of a chance to go out and hit any new places. That being said I had the option to try Lazize today. I ordered the shawarma sandwich (a pita wrap), added chicken samosas, and a side of rice. Just under $11.50. Lazize is in the food court of Merle Hay Mall. I can say if I'm in the area I can guarantee I will make it a point to pay these guys a visit again. And I'm really not a fan of food courts or malls in general... The shawarma sandwich. The pita bread was firm but soft...obviously fresh. The vegetables were good. The sauces and meat were perfect. A light smokey taste that came from a minimal char on the meat. Not burnt...just kissed. As good as the sandwich was I almost preferred the samosas. Crunchy, flakey, crisp, and seasoned exceptionally well. Same perfect cook on the chicken. The real surprise to me was the rice. Long grain. Not undercooked or overcooked. Cooked perfect. No clumping. The last time I had rice this good from a restaurant was probably Safari (Somali/Ethiopian) down on Douglas. It's a rare treat when you can be feel completely satisfied finishing your meal with a simple serving of rice. It's been a while since I've had a meal that was this good from start to finish. Made my day. Would have been even more perfect if I hadn't spilled my soda all over my desk... Missed my laptop and phone so I guess there's that... Oh well.
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June 2018 by Fahim A.
Amazing food. I ordered the lamb kabab and it's the best kabab I had for years. The people are friendly and kind. I am here on business and I found this place on zabihah app. So I wanted to try it out. I would definitely come back here to eat again and again.