Sumac earns praise for bold Middle Eastern flavors, fresh ingredients and generous portions, with falafel, muhammara, shawarma and the house pita often described as standout items and many reviewers calling the pitas some of the best in town. The menu includes strong vegetarian and vegan options and both dine in and takeout experiences are described as reliable and quick, with friendly service. The ordering flow at the counter and occasional extra charges for add ons can feel cumbersome and some dishes are described as oily or dry or pricey for smaller portions, but portions are usually large and the overall quality is strong. The ambience is warm and convivial, staff are noted as friendly and attentive, and the restaurant is seen as an authentic option that delivers consistent quality and memorable sides, making it a solid choice for a satisfying meal with friends or family, even if some visits lean toward the higher end of cost.
Amazing atmosphere. Great service. Unbelievable dishes authentic Middle Eastern flavors very generous dishes
I would go back there again & again & again check with a
A great Middle Eastern place - wonderful tasty falafel, some great salads, & really don't sleep on the fries. The drinks were really good as well! Portions were in the large side, & even splitting with my husband, we were pretty full. Looking forward to trying it again soon!
Oct 24, 2024
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So I'm sure many people will disagree with my ratings but here is why. Food Fries: frozen, pasty, covered in their seasoning which lacks salt & anything to wow you. I don't like ketchup & had to use ketchup to add flavour & moisture & then realized this & stopped - waste of money period! Don't sell inferior product & sell at home made pricing. Picketed beet: very good, crisp & fresh Pita: nicely warmed with zatar seasoning was good Green cabbage salad: with lean on, dill, cabbage & some sort of creamy substance - maybe mayonnaise (mit certain) & tahini not sure, was good Hummus spread topped with seasoning & olive oil, average & too smooth. Shawarma: a big let down. It's as if they cooked the shawarma before, heated it up on a skillet with some oil to moisten it, then sprinkle shawarma seasoning all over it making it dry & over cooked. Not so good. Salad cuit (cooked tomatoes salad) was excellent. Kefta (middle eastern hamburger): not fully cooked, seasoning was so so & lacked moisture. As a non sauce person I found myself needed to dip in to ketchup to add flavour & moisture - & I don't like ketchup. & they are really small burgers so it should be easy to cook it right. Overall I round that the value to not be so good. I just recently went to a middle eastern restaurant offering the same food, & it was plentiful so much so that two people could eat it & the quality was high & fresh as can be. Shawarma moist & juicy & not recooked & overdone with powder seasoning all over it. This is not (to me) the way it is in the Middle East, it's their version. If you're looking for true middle eastern in afraid this is (for the most part) not it. It's not bad, & it's not great, it's just ok - but for the portion I feel pricing a little high. The staff are nice & knowledgeable & the interior is nothing fancy but clean & nice & people aren't packed in so you have good personal space. Parking in the area is a real challenge & for me it's not a place I would go a 3rd time. I did come here when they opened & thought the food was a little better or perhaps my memory escapes me. Nonetheless, À chacun ses goûts taste.
Love middle eastern food, & kept seeing this one recommended.
Had late lunch (2pm) on a Friday afternoon. Serious problem with acoustics. Although the restaurant was nearly empty, the noise level was deafening. Every conversation + music echoing & reverbing off the high bare walls.
Service was less than stellar. Although the restaurant was empty, the server refused to turn down the music & seemed completely unconcerned that the noise level was too high. Having to order at the counter was a bit weird, given that there were lots of servers. A different server offered us hot sauce, which we both accepted, but forgot to come back with it until we were finished eating.
I quite liked the food, especially the walnut puree thing. The kefta was good, the hummous very creamy, & the cooked salad was rich. Though pricey if you're used to Boustan, Amir, or Basha, everything was tasty.
It seems to have potential, good food, good location, fresh airy decor, but the execution is off. Must do something with the acoustics. & the sourpuss servers.
Think I'll just go back to Boustan for now.
Sep 13, 2015
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Tried this restaurant but would not go back. The food was less than average, & definitely not worth the price. I get better middle Eastern food at the fast food chains than that restaurant. It's inevitable to wait for more than half an hour as you can't make a reservation. The ambiance is loud, not in a good way, & the music (hip-hop) really not suiting the place. Tried the kafta, the meat was chewy & dry. The mouhammara (red pepper paste with walnuts) was good, the baba ghannouj (eggplant side dish) was average, & salads average or less than. The owner was there & was very rude.
