Shahrazad Cafe & Market

Came for dinner, had tabouli, a shawarma (awesome chicken!), and falafel (deep fried chickpea balls that taste like crunchy balls of tasty chickpeas!), with a sparkly apple cider from Holland. Cheap eats and delish. Cool grocery store attached, you should buy and try something new.

What is there not to love except that starting 10/​1, the buffet will only be on Friday? Great food, all you can eat and cheap.

Really neat place with quality products. Prices are reasonable. Have never had any bad experience with them.

Good selection of Middle Eastern and Persian groceries, with fair pricing. The store is clean and well-​organized. I haven’t tried the restaurant yet, so can’t comment on that.
One thing that would make me want to go to Shahrazad far more often and give it a higher rating is a more welcoming atmosphere. Having just moved here from California, I’m used to Persian stores where I’m warmly welcomed and remembered. The owners chat a bit with each customer and take a personal interest in making customers feel welcome and appreciated. This creates a feeling of community and the store becomes a destination where I want to shop, linger, and buy additional items to try out: not just a place to grab a few cooking necessities and leave.
I realize the store isn’t Persian, so culturally the atmosphere may be different for that reason. However, especially since Kansas City appears to have a small Middle Eastern community (compared to cities in California that I’m used to), it seems to me that creating a feeling of welcome and inclusion would be even more important to the store’s success than it might otherwise be.

Here is the reason I am giving a one star review.
We were greeted by a very rude waitress (she is the tall one that works there. Watch out for her) We ordered appetizers and they were cold.
We still decided to give it a chance with the main course. We received our salads that were included with our meals. The lettuce was old and browned and seemed like it was left over from the previous day.
We then received our meals and the rice was hard, dry and cold. The meat that was included was also dry and warm at best. At this point we paid for our appetizers and returned our food to the kitchen and left.
When my wife explained why we didn’t like the food the rude waitress decided to argue with us. This is our first and last time visiting this establishment. Bad service and bad food not a good combination.
By the way we then went and ate at Mr. Gyros down the road after we left (They are 5 star)

We went there for lunch. It’s very clean. We had a big group. I ordered the chicken kabob with grilled vegetables. It was tasty. It was reasonably priced. The service was fast. We went to the grocery store next door. They had a large variety of middle eastern groceries. The people were nice. I would recommend it and would definitely go back. The kids ordered chicken nuggets. They seemed like out of a box. Maybe they can make in-​house ones in the future.

Pros: lots of persian items that satisfy needs for cooking, friendly and helpful staff, reasonable prices, easy parking
Cons: a little unorganized
**Only bought items at market, haven’t ordered prepared food before

Had a chicken kabobs and falafel sandwich. .both were good… this is one of those place where u go for food not the ambience. .need to try their buffet. sadly their lunch buffet is only on weekdays not weekends.

Topeka doesn’t have a Mediterranean restaurant to call its own so almost every time we venture to KC, we try another one there. (If we went to a different one each week in KC, we’d still not have tried them all by the time a year is up.) However, we may never need to try a new one after this.
It was early for dinner, on a Wednesday, almost 5pm. We were in the area, trying to figure out where to go and what we wanted. I searched all of the close restaurants on Unilocal and settled on Shahrazad. It was about 4 miles away from where we were, and easy enough to find, tucked into a stip mall.
When we got there, we were only the second group in the place. The (assumed) owner was really busy chatting with the other table and seemed to not want to be distracted. My hubby took off for the restroom and I started looking over the menu after asking for some water. The menu was just like on the Unilocal link here and I’d already gravitated toward the Gyros. I again asked for water. The husband came back and I suggested we get the sampler platter for 2 and each get a sandwich. Our water finally came, we placed our order and waited.
Another lady walked in, and was getting a to-​go order but was waited on before us. I can’t remember if she actually got her food before us or not, because pretty quickly the sampler platter arrived and we became consumed in trying all the goodies. It was ALL delicious. An it probably would have been enough for us without sandwiches to boot. But, like I said — none in Topeka = treat in KC.
By the time our sandwiches came, the owner/​server was giving us proper attention. Really, there’s nothing to complain about. I was really thirsty and wanted water immediately. It took longer than it should have for my parched self. I can forgive it. He really was quite friendly and did a good job.
The sandwiches were stellar too. We got one Gyro and one Kifta and tried to split them — I couldn’t eat a whole one so hubby ended up eating like ¾ of both. They were absolutely delish.
I can’t wait to go back and try the lunch buffet. :) I am hoping the rest of our family will be open to trying it our on one of our yearly treks to KC for shopping.
So the environment in the dining area was clean and café style décor. Lots of middle eastern décor and a market right next door. The bathroom was gross, looks like a bachelor’s bathroom in need of a deep clean, and I’ll leave it at that. I’ve seen worse, but it wasn’t very good, but not enough to sway my decision to go back — which we will, as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
Four instead of five stars for the service and the bathroom.

This place has kickass Mediterranean fix fo your togo needs. Cheap as hell. Do give them a try, if you’re wondering and feeling a lil adventurous.

I love a good Mediterranean buffet; I was extremely sad when my office moved and we not longer had easy access to Olive Café. However, Shahrazad is a welcome substitute.
I’ve been here twice for the lunch buffet and have been extremely pleased both times. The hummus and baba ganoush are great, as are all of the meat selections. The falafel — my true test — is good, even for a buffet. I especially like the lentil soup, particularly on a cold day. The hot tea is also particularly welcome.
I’ve browsed through the market next door, but haven’t bought anything yet. I’m glad to see they have fresh pita and all the spices I’m used to. Shahrazad may not completely replace Olive Café in my heart, but it’s an equal in a more convenient location right now.

From the minute you walk through the door, your mouth waters. The smells are intoxicating. The décor… not so much.
I happened into this place and am so happy for the wrong turn I took on Metcalf! I had a Greek salad and the kabob plate. Both were outstanding. The salad was just right with Olive oil and feta! The meat and veggies were perfectly cooked, flavorful and just the right of spices and oil. Was it cinnamon I was tasting? Who knows, it was phenomenal! I have to admit, I’m a whore for a tender piece of lamb. I could have eaten just a plate of lamb. but the chicken and beef were lovely too. The kabob plate it’s served on a bed of golden basmati rice.
I didn’t try the humus. I had to draw the line somewhere! I did taste the babaganush. oh my that was a perfect choice. Service was fast and super friendly! I’m looking forward to my next trip to OP so I can explore more of the menu.

Had an order or hummus with gyro meat added, pita, and a Greek salad with chicken. All very good.
They had a buffet at lunch time too, but I am happy I chose to order off the menu. My order was obviously more fresh, and not dry at all. I was there toward the end of the lunch hour, so some of the stuff in the buffet was looking a little dry.
Will definitely be back again when I’m in town, and need a gyro or hummus!

I was thrilled to get another Middle Eastern restaurant and market in the area! The food is excellent, and once I discovered that they offer an all you can eat buffet on weekdays, I was hooked for good. It is rather hard to decide on what to order at a place where everything is so good, and while I don’t eat much, I like to get a bit of their excellent tabouleh while also sampling the soup and different meats. I find the wait staff to be friendly and helpful, and being able to purchase some of the drinks over on the market side (along with other goodies) is always a bonus. Their hummus is a bit on the odd side taste-​wise to me, but the baba ganoush is absolutely excellent.
I must also add that the refrigerator full of wonderful popular drinks from all over the Middle East is the best in town in terms of non-​alcoholic beverages offered. They even offer Uludag sodas from Turkey, a personal favorite, along with multiple Zazouza flavors.
Very reasonable prices, a kids menu, and a casual setting. Don’t bother dressing up, it’s nice and casual, with prices to match.

$ 7.99 all u can stuff yourself with Kifta & Chicken Kabobs? Now that’s what I’m talking about!!! It’s very rare to see a Mediterranean restaurant offer such a wide variety of food.
The staff is very courteous and kind. I also appreciated the clean eating areas as well. The market next door also offers a wide variety of Middle-​Eastern products including tahini, baklava, and other common items.

I give it two cause the owner is a nice guy.
I went there several times and every time one of the girls who work there give my wife dirty looks as they don’t want her to be in the store.

This review is specifically for the restaurant side. (Ran out of time to browse the store, next time though!!)
First off I love a clear sign that indicates pricing. It was right on the door. Price for buffet. Price for buffet plus soda. Price for buffet plus baklava. Walk in, seat yourself and get started.
Lunch buffet was priced very reasonably for the variety and quality of food offered. Our host, a nice young man, was very attentive and kept coming over to check on us and refill drinks. LOVED the tea infused with sage, not a combination I’ve tried before, but I’m hooked!
Husband loved the rice and meats (superior seasoning and very juicy!) … and I was all over the pita bread, hummus and tabouleh. Fresh. Tasty. Well priced. Come for the lunch buffet, something for everyone there!

The people here are extremely welcoming and friendly. The service was very good. Although the atmosphere is not a five star place, more like a diner with plastic plates etc, the food was great and plentiful. Especially if you get the lunch buffet full of falafel, hummus, babganoush (I probably didn’t spell this correctly), meats and fresh vegetables and pita.
For a fun change of pace this is a must try!

Sometimes I wish I could give something 4.5 stars, but seriously, the food and service deserves 10 stars, and I’m torn, between four and 5 stars. The server, who might have been the cook bent over backwards for me. This is for the café, which is delicious.
As for the market, I glanced in and around. Impressive selection that will beckon my call when I have more time. Lot’s of Middle Eastern specialty food in this small, but well packed grocery store. Even Middle Eastern soda in cans, which I find fascinating. I find all sodas from foreign countries fascinating. The employees of both the store and the café are charming, friendly, and I love exploring different cultures. Strolling up and down the aisles gave me a sense of being somewhere else for a second.
I chose Shahrazad Café cause I have read Rob M.‘s review, and I love baba ganoush and falafel. The café is small, and then I read a Unilocal’ review, and fond out it used to be a Quizno’s. Don’t expect a beautifully decorated café. There is one part of the wall that has an aged area, where there used to be an arched painting or wall decoration, and the wall paper is coming off on the corner.
Take out, for me, in this area is never an option as this is way too far from home. I chose to eat in the café, despite the wall in need of good repair, maybe it is being painted? I can ignor the wall, cause wait until you hear about the food, and how good it is. I asked if I was to sit anywhere, and the man at the counter was very polite. He was very quick to take my order (easy for me, baba ganoush, and falafel appetizer). I ordered water, and he bought out a bottled water, and didn’t charge me for it. The bottle of water was a blessing, cause I was on my way to Zumba class, and I had forgotten my bottled water.
The falafel was delicious. It had the correct spice, and was completely Middle Eastern, not Americanized Middle Eastern. There are 8 on the plate. It had a type of sauce but I don’t prefer falafel with any sauce. The falafel was about the size of golf balls. It’s difficult for me to describe how good they actually were. You’ll have to try them yourself, for $ 3.99.
The baba ganoush was equally as good, with fresh pita bread for dipping. The server offered me more pita bread if I needed it.
He was attentive, but not overly. I thought service was good. I had enough falafel to take home for a yummy snack tomorrow. Hopefully, next time I’ll be able to visit the market a bit longer.

3.5 stars… I wish Unilocal had something between 3 and 4 on here!
I definitely had to try this place, as I am a fan of Middle Eastern food. Once the café opened, I was all over it… take out, as per my usual. So here are my thoughts:
The service itself is not that great. The people are somewhat friendly, but not overly so. However, they are speedy so I will give them props for that. With takeout, speed beats friendliness.
I had the ground meat «kifta kabob», which I have always enjoyed at other establishments. It came with rice and your choice of salad or soup, and I chose salad. Got my food to go (smelled delicious), drove home as quickly as possible (as per the delicious smell), and ripped the carry out box open. It had a ton of meat, even more rice, and a really small but fresh looking salad. The salad not only looked fresh but tasted very, very fresh. The kifta was tasty and plentiful… really a huge amount of kifta for the price. Rice was awesome and could feed a small army.
The price seemed fair — $ 9.99 for three good sized pieces of meat, tons of rice and the small salad (along with a bottle of water while I waited). The atmosphere is nothing. It’s an old Quizno’s that has had zero remodeling done. Get takeout… the atmosphere is terrible.
So, I would definitely come back for the food, but only if it were takeout. Again, I can’t see me every putting myself through the punishment of eating here. However, for Middle Eastern food in JoCo, I still see it being a second best to Holy Land Café on 87^th.