Tarboush, Portland OR

We dined in person here a few weeks ago and the staff was very sweet to take us in before a large dinner party that had coming in that evening. We are very glad that they did because the food here was amazing and our waiter was very nice and entertaining. They had plenty of vegetarian options, which was great for our family, along with some great chicken dishes.

I can’t say enough great things about tarboush! I only go here on holidays (they’re open thanksgiving and new years!) or special occasions because the food is so delicious—i wouldn’t want to spoil it! The owner and staff are friendly.the prices are pretty high but absolutely worth the experience and quality.my favorite items to order are the muhammara and kibbeh laqteen.my younger sister loved the baklava.

TarBoush Lebanese Bistro & Bar is superb! 5 Star rating! We had a family dinner there last Sunday and Pierre as always, was the consummate host. The food was delicious and filling. I highly recommend this restaurant and my favorite dish is the lamb shank.

I liked the food, and the view of Hawthorne, -even when rainy- is beautiful. Nice and attentive service, but everything is still being served
on cardboard boxes and plastic.

I had my lentil soup in a to- go container.

Fortunately, you can still have your drink and unlimited water on real glasses.

BTW, there's an extra. "Table service" on the tab: . ($7). - I forgot to ask if this a "per person" fee, or "per table" fee, previous to tipping.

In the end, It is spendy, so my yearning for Kabob will need to wait until they're fully open.and no more cardboard boxes for me!

The incredibly welcoming (but maskless) host/owner (?) guided us in to a table near the front windows, which was wonderful on such a warm, sunny day. We were alone in the restaurant at the time of our arrival, which would end up being surprising, considering how amazing the food is here.

Service was spectacular.at first. We placed our order for drinks and entrees at the same time: a Mint Lemonade for myself, a pot of the Lebanese Black Tea for the wife, and a smattering of appetizers to split between us: Vegetarian Grape Leaves, Cabbage Rolls, and the Cold Mezza Platter. The entire order came almost simultaneously, the drinks just barely edging out the entrees, accompanied by two massive pieces of piping hot pita bread!

Everything was fan-freaking-tastic! The pita, when torn in half, formed two perfect pockets, into which I stuffed everything I could find: hummus, baba ghanooj, labneh, feta cheese.you name it! A perfect Mediterranean "sandwich" of everything I love! My wife also partook, as well as tearing into the grape leaves (made fresh, not canned) and the cabbage rolls, which some with some sort of savory, pomegranate-based sauce that was unlike anything I've ever tasted, but paired really well with the ground meat within. Highly recommended!

From here, though, things got a little weird. Now, I don't really care about this next bit, but I have a reason for bringing it up, which will become apparent near the end of the review: the entirety of our order was served to us on/in paper plates and to-go boxes. Not unusual, considering COVID and all; I'm guessing that due to circumstances, the count of kitchen staff is greatly reduced, and dishwashers were among those cut, but it seemed out of place in a fancy place like this, not to mention the unnecessary waste, but hey, things are tough these days, right? Unfortunately, this mode of presentation came with an undisclosed fee that we only learned about at the end of the meal (addressed below).

Things continued to devolve as the meal ended, when the host who had greeted and served us so warmly had seemingly.disappeared entirely. We waited about 15 minutes after finishing our meal, watching as another, younger waiter crossed back and forth past the entryway to the room in which we were sitting, attending to the only other occupied table, across the restaurant from us, without once looking our way or acknowledging us. Eventually, we were forced to get up and flag him down in the hallway, in order to receive our check, which took another 5 minutes. Not the end of the world, by any means, but the "abandonment", for lack of a better word, just seemed so out of place compared to the rest of the experience.

Here's the kicker, though. As the check came, we were informed by this new waiter that there was a 10% fee for the "environmental disposal" of the paperware in/on which our meal was served to us. Again, this fee was not disclosed up front, and seemed egregious. Passing the cost onto the customer is one thing, but include it in the cost; don't tack it on at the end. Although I paid it without argument, I feel that this is a move that will alienate customers, and an unwise move, even during COVID. The fee is not only excessive (and can scale to offensive amounts with a large party), it's wholly unnecessary, and raises the already expensive prices to a point beyond their value. I've taken the entire family (+3 kids) to Nicholas on Broadway and fed everyone almost the exact same things as what was ordered here, for nearly half the price.

Despite these complains, my wife declared that TarBoush may be her new favorite restaurant in all of Portland based on taste alone, so I foresee a return visit in the future. I'm also a huge fan of everything we tasted here, but I will be hesitant to return without doing a little research beforehand, to see how things play out as COVID begins to wind down and things return to normal. The quality of the food here is incontrovertibly wonderful, but it comes with an overhead that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Lebanese food and service at this place is super good. Great spot for an appetite of any size. Staff treated us so kindly.

This place is amazing! I got falafel and hummus, both were very delicious. I ordered the food to-go over the phone and the guy who took my order and gave me my food was so kind and even gave me extra pita bread (also delicious). All around amazing restaurant!

Pierre was such a great host to our family! Thank you for the wonderful service and the amazing food! The Kabobs we had were beyond incredible. The garlic sauce with the chicken was also fantastic.

We will be back!

We just sat down and had takeout from this place one of the finest meals I’ve had in a long time we all thoroughly enjoyed everything very tasteful carefully prepared my goodness! Joseph just went to pick it up so you know who were talking about here.

Went there on a Sunday with family. Great food and location! Definitely going back next time I'm in Portland.

The Best Mediterranean food we’ve had, we keep going back! Everything is absolutely amazing, try the lamb

Absolutely amazing place. Must eat here. A slice of Beirut. So authentic I thought they had my mom in the kitchen.

After 3 problimatic delivery orders from this place, they are now on my do not order list. Food flavor is good, value not so much, they command top dollar. All of my orders have suffered from missing items, my one call to the restaurant was answered by a very rude man whom clearly did not want to be bothered with me. Bottom line, you can get better cheaper Lebanese food in this town.

Wonderful food, atmosphere, and service. We had a banquet, and it was divine, every single dish. Our server was prompt and more than patient with our large group and separate checks. I wish I lived there so I could eat such wonderful food.

No credibility on them, some times they say we have HALAL FOODS sometimes say no we have 2 days a week, they got mad if you don't give them a tip even if their serves Wicked

We have been here several times and have not been disappointed. The chicken sharwarma plate is the best. Host, and waiters are always polite and attentive.

Excellent, friendly service and fresh tasting food. I love grape leaves, but it is sometimes hard to find a decently made order. Tarboush's grape leaves are most excellent. The person who was with me loves Middle Eastern (Lebanese in particular) food, but didn't think they would ever order grape leaves. Tarboush made them a believer. A little more pricey than some, but worth it. I have paid more for less, and for a less appetizing meal. Eating here made the end of our Sunday night superb.

This place is great. Best tabouleh in town. I know cause I checked everyone's.

Everything here is great. Take your girl. Take your parents. Take strangers. I don't care. You should check it out though. Awesome food.

What an amazing place. First of all, the place gives out a very nostalgic vibe and second the quality of their food is on a completely different level, SERIOUSLY delicious. And lastly the owner and wait staff are extremely friendly and kind. Definitely recommend this place.

I went here with my family on 12/10/17 for lunch. I ordered kebabs, waiter bring my food it look good.when I take a piece of kebab meat it had a spoiled smell! I call the waiter and tell this don't taste good and smell, I ask him to smell it.he say it's ok I'll just take it away. The bill was $42, I pay $42 dollars with no tip.a week later I look on my credit card statement and the charge is $50 dollars. I call credit card and get that taking care of!
Over all the food is spoiled and the falafel is dry and crunchy and they forge my recipes! DONT COME HERE AND EAT! I will never come back here!