The Phoenician Restaurant

Found this local joint with scrumptious, reasonably priced Mediterranean food thanks to Yelp while traveling through the area. We were greeted warmly and immediately served pita and labneh to wet our whistle. The tangy labneh, which I probably wouldn't have ordered, was surprisingly great!

We ordered the kafta kabob platter, which was served with a nice starter salad, plenty of rice pilaf, and two long skewers of tender lamb/beef kafta that were clearly formed by a master ($16). The Mediterranean bowl ($15), recommended by our server, was a very generous portion of hummus, tabouli, rice pilaf, and chicken shawarma. This platter could have been for 2 people, and I was left with a satisfying lunch of leftovers the next day. The included tahini and tzatziki-like yogurt sauce went great with the cumin-y chicken.

interior is a bit dated, and somewhere between pizza parlor and white tablecloth fine dining, but the friendly ownership/service, tasty food, large portions and reasonable prices gave us plenty of reason to return the next time we are in the area. Enjoy it, locals!

We just had the most comically surreal experience at this restaurant. The place is clearly falling apart starting with the porch. But we tried it anyway because of the rave reviews in the past. The waitress was chipper and friendly. The menus are bad photocopies of whiteouted prices. We ordered the special which was really confusing because appetizers were included on the plate or something or other. We got the hummus, which was amazing as everyone had ever claimed. The salads were overdressed with dumps of spices. We ordered kebabs which were also all over spiced. My husband had falafel on his plate. It was inedible it was so dried out. So we concluded the meal with over half of our food not eaten. Paid our check and left. Then as we're walking to our car, a man is driving out from by the kitchen. He rolled down his window, and he stared us down. For not eating our food? We're not sure as he said nothing. Just stared.

Yummy! Good sized portion and quality Greek/middle eastern food. I like them better than Symeons. I ordered the shawarma chicken bowl with half salad and half rice for takeout and no complaints here. There was enough left over for a small lunch or snack the next day...would order take out again!
The walnut baklava was delicious!
Friendly phone and in person service and easy parking.

Prices were amazing and if you go I'm begging you try their HUMMUS it was one of the best things I've tried overall a great place to go out and eat with reasonable prices and great staff and the waiting wasn't to long.

A roomy restaurant with lots of seating, we found the staff to be quite attentive.
For starters, we got the cheese and olives, as well as the yogurt with mint. That yogurt was good with everything!
Grilled meat is hard to do wrong, and the shawarma was excellent! My companion's kebabs could have gone with more seasoning. A minor complaint in the midst and a religious meal. The side salads were also quite enjoyable. We wished we'd had room for dessert, but, alas.
The leftovers were just as tasty, though!

Ended up here on a whim for a business lunch! I was across the road at Utica University for a conference and from a recommendation, the party I was with ended up here. Again, full disclosure, since I was here for work, I did not take photos!

This is classic "don't judge a book by its cover". The place isn't anything fancy on the eyes. We went on in and sat down and discovered they have a buffet as well as an a la carte menu. We didn't even think twice...buffet it was.

Full Mediterranean cuisine (or at least what I know of it). Rice, meats (chicken, beef, and something else with a name I don't remember lol) and a full spread of things like hummus, falafel, and so much more. Again, don't let looks deceive, the food is very, very good.

This is the kind of place that stands out after the fact because while you don't remember it for the look and feel, the food more than made up for it. Not to mention the service. If I am ever back up in these parts, would definitely return!

Outstanding authentic Mediterranean food. Some of the best we have ever had. We found this place while on vacation. Will be back next year. Fun waitress...

Went to the Phoenician Good Friday for fish dinner. We had kabobs, with nice portion of rice. Good salad & bread. They now have a full liquor license and non alcoholic drinks. Wonderful friendly server. The owner came to out table & inquired about our food & service. Really nice man. We will go again when in the area. Give this nice place a try.

Absolutely delicious food! Great environment, with very spacious seating! Service was good as well

The food was plentiful and delicious! I got the sampler platter for 1 and had enough left for 2 more meals!