Sahara Grill

I think that when we are writing a review its important that we are critical but we must compare and contrast. It is no different from a road test which are popularised in shows such as Top Gear. An important rule that you can deduce from how they do is that they look at things in its overall class and do not make wild assumptions or have unrealistic expectations. So you don't find Jezza Clarkson comparing the Suzuki Swift with a Porsche Boxster just because they are both small cars. Hence they are treated within their class of car when road tested and comparisons made as such.

So to proceed with this in mind, the class that I see Sahara Grill (S.G) in is not the Boxwood and not even in the class of Carluccios. Its class is the small independent local restaurant, aimed at the 'no fuss' eating out clientele. Leaving behind the issues pertaining to the beliefs of the proprietors or majority clientele that seems to feature in other peoples reviews it has to be noted that S.G does provide both authentically non stunned slaughtered meat and private 'family' rooms which clearly caters for their main customer base.

It has been on a number of occasions that I have eaten in both branches of S.G. since the original opened some four years or more ago. Thus this review is based upon a longitudinal study and not a simple single evenings dining. It is clear that the first matter concerning the restaurants performance is the issue of Customer Service. As is known the catering industry is known for a high turn-over especially in Customer facing roles. S.G from what i can see has maintained their core staff over these four years although there have been some changes. This may well account for those reviewers who felt that they had not received the standard that they were expecting.

I can only offer my opinion that in all cases I have food the staff polite, clean, and knowledgeable of the items on offer. The main criteria that Michelin and other reviewers look for is consistency both in food and service and on the service front I would suggest that they achieve a consistency that is good. Excellence it may not have been but to consistently perform at that level in the UK then you are truly looking at our premier restaurants. It comes back to fair comparison; so to return to a fellow reviewers choice, I believe that just on the issue of presentablity between S.G and Kabbabish ( any of their branches) their is really no comparison. SG consistently performing at a good level whereas Kababbish with a speed at the expense of presentabilty continuum achieved a poor rating. That is without even considering the vast difference between the actual cleanliness of the place compared to SG.

Now to move to the really important issues of food standard ,variety and pricing. It is worthwhile to return to the fact that S.G unlike most of its competitors uses meat slaughtered by hand and which is stun free. This is equivalent in Muslim dietary concerns as to compare chickens raised free range with those in massively constructed barns with no natural light or space to forage. Most other restaurants who grill and/or roast chickens do not use meat of this method due to the extra costs involved. Further the burger meat is from cuts of beef ground and formed, again this is unlike the patties served elsewhere. Lastly they freshly prepare their sauces with the exception of the Bar-B-Que. Again chips are of an outstanding quality unlike those presented in similar classes of eateries. Their salads are always prepared to order and appear fresh and crisp. Fish on offer can be grilled to your specification as it is cooked to order so for those like myself who are particular that fish be grilled just 'on point' are able to request that as nothing is pre-cooked.

Their smoothie machine produces a wonderful accompanying 'desert' The mango smoothie which comes with a unique straw come improvised spoon which is a nice touch. It is thick and yes quiet sweet therefore i found it best taken at the end of my sitting. During the courses there are a number of Sodas to avail yourself of if you have a thirst however Alcohol is neither served nor is it allowed on the premises due to religious reasons. Overall it is fair to say that in its class the menu offers a wide variety of choices and that the ingredients and cooking methods as well as the presentation of teh food is of a very good standard. To see so many beards around you would be expecting to find one day a stray hair as is the case in many a restaurant with less bearded gentlemen working the Grill and pass. However to this day neither me nor my guests have found one. That is unlike the TGI Fridays I ate where I did find one. Here it is fair to say that as far as the consistency and standard criteria go SG is up there with the High Street reasonably priced chains and in some areas beating them.

To concentrate on value for money, it certainly isn't somewhere that one would be taking his whole family whenever they are caught out hungry whilst shopping in Leyton High Road. Firstly it’s not likely that you would be out shopping in Leyton High Road and secondly it’s not really geared towards such foot fall customers. It is however family orientated and ideally would be pre-booked for a family visit. This means that it’s likely that as a customer you will either be celebrating a special occasion or just getting together the whole family for a chance to eat out somewhere that the kids as well as the adults will enjoy.

Therefore keeping in mind its class I feel it offered good value for money. On three separate occasions I ate there as a group (3 persons 4 persons and six persons ). In each occasion the bills of £25 £30 and £35 pounds fairly reflected what was ordered and the quality of it.

By comparison I recently ate with a friend at a similar establishment in another Muslim dominated area of Tower Hamlets. It was poor, dirty and cost £40 with one dish having to be returned due to the appalling quality. It was a most upsetting experience to see the waiters in shirts and ties which clearly were not washed less than fort-nightly.

The Fixtures and Fittings are of a good quality and kept clean. It is really nice to see both the food prep and cooking areas visible to you the customer. It is certainly going to be reassuring when you have to send something back which invariably you won’t in SG.

No fair review would be complete without mentioning an area where there could be improvement and that is with the climate control. In the Leyton branch where the mixed upstairs open plan is lit it can become hot. On a plus side the management were aware of it and had plans to rethink the spot lighting used.

I continue to be a returning customer although not weekly or even monthly that is more down to my love of variety than any other issue. If left up to my six and five year old we would eat there every day. Sadly this cannot be the case with any restaurant until I strike rich.
Comment on this reader review

Independent Foodie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, November 21, 2009

Food takes ages & its over priced - but, i dont know why but im on my way to eat again today!
Comment on this reader review

MZ
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Did not enjoy my Sahara Grill experience.

10 of us went and some of us had to wait ages for our meal. The food itself is bland and way way over priced.

The service was poor and the staff need to attend some kind of customer care course.

Will avoid coming here again
Comment on this reader review

Kamran
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Very good atmosphere, excellent food and service but the price is extremely high for most items.
Comment on this reader review

Saleh
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Thursday, September 03, 2009

I am a regular eater at SG. I have to say their service and food is of a high standard. Their food is always tasty and perfectly seasoned! I always eat out there with friends; I find the atmosphere comfortable and warming.

The only downfall is, it is over priced. I think if you do not mind spending that much then you would enjoy it. I always leave satisfied although my pockets are left dry! lol

On a serious note, I wish well for this company as they were definitely one of the first companies to start the trend of grilled food. I feel if these comments are forwarded to them; I am sure they would make the necessary ammendments needed to satisfy all customers.
View/Add comments (1)

umm zaynab
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Decided to post after reading some of the comments here like 'no one else does the variety of food that sahara does'. I think that individual is severely bereft of any taste and has neither tasted or travelled further than his own road to make such a sweeping statement.' Objectively the first criticism would be the price, if the food is excellent the price can be offset. unfortunately the food is very average and fails to stimulate or excite the taste buds which lets face it even a chicken shop can achieve. The decor is nice and atmosphere is comfortable enough but the service leaves alot to be desired. I thought the service was abrupt . Frankly, I would recommend a kebabish over this overpriced and disapointing place. But there is definitely the potential for Sahara to 'evolve' into something special if they just employ a 'bloody cook' that can cook?
Comment on this reader review

Usama Hassan
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Sunday, May 10, 2009

Excellent menu! Great food, I recommend the T-bone steak and baby lamb chops.

Good service. I’ll definitely go again.
Comment on this reader review

amtrix - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 23, 2009

Sahara Grill is a gourmet restaurant offering a variety of premium quality dishes that are all cooked to order.

The menu includes steaks, grilled chicken with different marinades/finishes and freshwater and white fish.

Some of the dishes command pricing that reflects that. However, the prices are very competative, when compared with restaurants of the same calibre, and thus it would be inaccurate to describe it as 'expensive'. Put simply, you get what you pay for.

In addition to mouth watering freshly cooked food, the Sahara Grill experience is enhanced by exquisite decor. It has always been nice, yet the furniture has still been replaced and improved on, and the restaurant re-decorated, periodically, in a relatively short space of time, demonstrating the committment of the proprietors to continually bettering the environment for the customers.

All the staff at SG are extremely hard working in all circumstances. They make a very real effort to ensure that the customers' experience is a positive, memorable one.

Sahara grill is at the cutting edge of halal grills. It is a superior brand, and it's superiority would be difficult to surpass.
Comment on this reader review

K K
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Only been once and would not go again!

Food is drab, service is poor and it is pricey.
View/Add comments (1)

Tariq A
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Monday, March 16, 2009

Have not been to any better halal grill in england yet. 10 out of 10
Comment on this reader review

ilyas
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, February 28, 2009