by Alan M.

MMMMmmm  Ya Hala is delicious.  Food is always good, anything on the menu is satisfying and in large enough portions that leftovers are almost a guarentee.  Staff is a little iffy, i've had mixed experiences, varying from barely service to friendly and very enjoyable but not overbearing.  Overall the food is worth it and incredibly affordable.

by AfterMidnight E.

They gave me free bocklava sp?!  The chicken shawarma is the bomb!

by Jonathan S.

food was ok at best.  the service was absolutely horrible.  we waited 5 mins at the door to be told to seat ourselves, and there was only one other party in the entire restaurant.  the two taking care of business spent most of the time hiding in the back chatting.  after sitting, nobody showed up for at least 5 more mins.  then they took the order and nobody was to be seen for at least 20 or 30 mins until the food was ready.  i almost got up myself to go and refill my water and lemonade.  bottomline...decent food, terrible, horrific service.

by Danny V.

As far as Middle Eastern cuisine goes this joint is quite pedestrian (even sub par). The shawarma is so-so and tasted as if it had been reheated. As for the service - Half our order never came and the staff seemed as if they could really care less. Do yourself a favor and take your money elsewhere. Denver's undisputed best middle eastern restaurant,  Jerusalem,  is so close -  take the time to drive a bit further for the quality. In fact there are at least 4-5 middle eastern restaurants in this neighborhood that all do better (Try Damascus for homemade Pita). Don't let the new sign and paint job fool you, there is nothing worth stopping in for here.

by Justin F.

Sucks

by Jelena W.

It's not perfect, but it's a Middle Eastern food fix, and as anyone who's had really good Shawarma will attest, sometimes you just really, really need one. The taste stays with you for hours after you dine, and will suddenly float across your taste buds at the strangest times, prompting you to pull in at the first Middle Eastern restaurant that you see- which is what happened to me.The baklava was delicious, but the shawarma was only okay, and the baba ghanouj was far too dry, lacking the delicate oil that separates it from hummus. I believe that what they call 'Honey Pudding' is actually nahmura (sp? as I don't know how to spell it in the English alphabet), which is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that is far less sweet than one would expect from the name- the flavor is very unusual. Try it, but don't try it with any expectations.

by William P.

This place offers mediocre food, in a rather casual environment, but I give it 2 stars because I have been to at least 3-4 mediterrenean restaurant here in Denver that have much better tasting food than Ya-Hala.At least the food is affordable, but both times I have been here the meat has tasted really salty, and my rice hasn't been flavorful and fluffy, as it should be.I must admit that I didnt have a problem with the service, though I notice that people consistently complain about it. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe it was because the place was kind of empty both times we have been there allowing the staff to give us attention (maybe that should have been a red flag!)

by Emery W.

The other reviews are spot on. This place has great food, but REALLY lousy service. The waitress actually turned her head away every time she walked by the table to avoid me catching her attention. Free Pita and free refills for my coke don't mean anything at this restaurant.

by Travis C.

Don't be alarmed of the rough exterior. This place is all about the food, as a good restaurant should be.  The chicken shawarma and the chicken stevano are a little spicy so if you're a sensitive to spicy foods, stay away from these choices.  I'd recommend the Lamb Chops for those that cant stand the heat.This place has a variety of unusual (to my American palette) desserts.  The baklava is standard Greek format.  The rice pudding is refreshing with its mound of whipped creme and pistachio powder on top. The real treat was a gelatinous pudding called "Honey Pudding".  Unusual with its more flan-type consistency rather than pudding, but its flavor was something new. Very good nonetheless.I don't think i've ever had "currant" so I tried the Vitmo drink. It was good, but I was waiting for the big Kool-Aid Man to come crashing through the side-wall, as it tasted alot like Kool-Aid, or a good Icee-Pop.If you're worried about the decor, then this isn't the place for you, but for good food that covers the Mediterranean expanses, this place is fantastic!Forget the other middle eastern place over in DU, break away from the standard and try the excellent food at Ya Hala.

by Jamie L.

I think the only place with worse tasting Middle Eastern food is Jerusalem. After some things a friend who worked here told me, I would never eat here again.

by Karli F.

I am writing this review 24 hours after my experience there and I am still reeling with disappointment and anger.I'll set the scene for you:  Saturday evening 6:30pm.  We pull up and walk in the door where we are "noticed" by a young teenager at the counter.  We wait a few seconds for him to greet us or tell us where we can sit.  Nothing.  So I ask if we seat ourselves or if we should wait.  He asks how many and motions in the dining room, which we all assumed meant "Please seat yourselves."  We wait for menus for about 15 minutes.  Finally that same boy comes to the table with menus and asks us what we want to drink.  We wait another 15 minutes to order.  When he comes to take our order I was not quite ready but my friend was.  The kid wouldn't even look at him and ignored his order, making some sort of head nod gesture that must have meant "Bug off, the lady must order first."  So I ask for the Chicken Shwarma but I'd like one falafel with that, I'll pay the upcharge.  The boy says "Nah."  Not "No I'm sorry we can't do that."  So I think he's joking and we all start laughing.  Then I sense he's not joking so I ask again and he says no again.  I just order the falafel appetizer to appease him.My boyfriend's entree arrives.  That's it for 10 minutes.  Our soups come (soup or salad, pita bread, and hummus come with the entrees).  Then my falafel comes.  Then our entrees come.  We never get any pita bread or hummus.  About 15 minutes go by and we finally flag someone down to ask for pita bread and hummus and the kid (a different one) acted like he had no idea what we were talking about.  10 minutes go by and we explain that it comes with the meal and we want it.  A few moments later one pita (ONE--cut into four triangles) is thrown on our table.  Then the kid touches the top one with his bare hands.  ????  We never got hummus.  My friend's appetizer finally shows up and he explains he doesn't want it since it didn't come as an appetizer.  The kid tries to argue saying "It is yours, you ordered."  After huffing and puffing he took it away.  We never got refills on drinks and never got hummus.Over the course of our experience we see people get up and leave, having never been waited on.  We see patrons leaving their tables to go refill their own drinks.  We see people waiting 10 minutes to pay.  Mostly, we see other patrons looking around in bewilderment at the site before us.  Everyone is laughing and can't quite believe it's really as bad as we all notice.When we finally go to leave, I try to explain to the boy that we never got refills or hummus and we got too little pita to even go around the table.  I try to calmly explain that we would just like hummus and pita to be taken off the bill.  This seems like a fair compromise.  The boy looks at his co-worker and none of them seem to know what to do.  So they disappear--didn't tell us what they were doing.  Then a man, who I assume was the owner, comes out.  Before I can explain the situation, he is already screaming at us.  He screams that we don't even want to pay the right price and if we wanted hummus all we had to do was ask.  I, again, calmly explain that we did ask twice.  Then he screams, "Fine, on the house then."  I say we'd like to pay what is fair, but they all walk away from us.  We were going to pay with card, but since they all walked away, we were forced to leave what cash we had on the counter.  It was $15 (the original bill rang up $30).  They still didn't return, so we walked out.  As we were getting into the car, the owner comes running out of the store, screaming, "This isn't even half price."  (Actually it was, but we'll just ignore his math skills).  I walk up to him and ask him to calm down and please listen to my legitimate concerns over the terrible service.  He continues screaming that they worked 30 minutes on our meal and they were so busy and how dare we be so rude to them!  I just walked in and gave him my card and they charged full price for everything.  I left there shaking with fury and guilt.  But why should I have had guilt over this?  I wasn't asking for anything for free, I just felt we shouldn't have paid the entree price (when they have sandwich prices available--which don't come with the extras the entrees do).  This was not an unfair request.  I was also trying to explain that the service was seriously lacking and this is coming from someone who can put up with a whole lot!  Overall, the food we did get was fantastic and I'd love to go back, but I never will.  And I will do my best to tell everyone I know to never go there.  Anyone who treats customers with such disrespect and anger, should suffer the consequences of any company with bad customer service.  There is a saying, "It takes years to win a customer and only seconds to lose one."  Well, he's lost more than just me!

by Elizabeth D.

This is very good Syrian/Middle Eastern food. Along the S.Colorado Blvd strip within two blocks of Ya Hala are several, but don't bother, this is the best around. While the place is funky, (they all are), don't let that stop you from having fabulous flavors. Try something out of the ordinary Pita sandwich, try the Lebni, a plate of delicious yogurt and spices, or the chopped tomato, cucumber and pita chip salad. And be sure to have some of the skewered meat, the chix breast or spiced lamb kefta are both great. For dessert venture into the rice pudding, like no other on the planet. This is adventure eating!

by Arian S.

I did a take out order so I didnt get to experience the crappy service everyone is writing about. I ordered the veggie combo which was excellent. It had maybe 8 or 10 different things in it, half of which I didnt recognize. Kinda expensive though at a whopping 12.99. The shawarma sangwiches are more reasonably priced though.

by Kathleen A.

Came here for lunch one day because I was sick of eating the same lean cuisines and american food day in and day out. This place looks a bit run down but don't let the exterior fool you. I got the chicken shawarma sandwich with a side of fries.  I don't know much about good Middle Eastern food so I really have nothing to compare this to, but it was FREAKING FANTASTIC! However, it lingered on my hands and breath literally the rest of the day. I did not leave a crumb of my sandwich behind, but the garbage can containing my empty bag under my desk smelled so potent that I had to get up and move it away. I tried washing my hands a couple of times over but still could not get the smell out. However, it was worth it to eat this delicious sandwich!

by Erin J.

dude, THANK YOU. i've been racking my brain trying to figure out how this place makes it into the best of westword every year. i just saw the average review on this place and felt validated.this place is filthy. i mean, really really dirty. the service was slow and messed up our order. and, when i got my food, it wasn't great. it was just ok. like so mediocre that i didn't eat and left it.

by Chris H.

We stopped in for a family dinner yesterday. The food was excellent, but the service was unattentive and the dinning room generally dirty.I'll go back, but I won't take my mother or guests again.

by gavin g.

We used to have Ya Hala on a monthly rotation and we are now dropping it from our schedule. The mediocre food is not enough with the complete lack of service. On our last few visits, Ya Hala has been "staffed" by a couple surly, mopey teenagers that I swear are being forced to "work" there as some sort of family punishment. Consider yourself lucky if you can get more than a grunt out of the guy, as he literally DROPS your plates randomly on your table. The girl is only present long enough to get your order, and then is gone-never to be seen again. Most recently I noticed that EVERY occupied table (5) had to request their beverages and silverware twice (after food had already arrived). I also noticed that our table was not the only one with forgotten orders.As far as the food goes...ho-hum. The garlic dip was still garlic-y. But the falafel and baba-ganouj were quite bland. What little hummus we were given was creamy but covered with WAY too much paprika. The pita was stale.I have no problem with the "rough" decor, and I used to be ok with the slow service because at least it came with a smile and the food was much better. Now it just seems like no one cares. That's fine with me, from now on I am hitting the other Middle Eastern joints in the neighborhood.

by Christina W.

My husband and I are big fans of middle eastern food. I had always driven by and never felt inclined to go in until I saw that it had been voted best M.E. food in Westword. Once we tried it, we loved it! Prices are great and the food is amazing.It is definitely your typical/authentic hole-in-the-wall restaurant which I absolutely love. The staff doesn't speak english very well and it doesn't have an amazing atmosphere, but I go for the food.The meals are very large--I always get the chicken kebabs which come with soup or salad and a personal plate of hummus. The lentil soup is amazing and worth the trip there. I tried the salad once and did not like it. The dressing is a mint vinaigrette and I am not a fan of mint. Oh and the baklava is delicious.

by Derek F.

Ya Hala is a weird place.  They have very good food but as everyone else mentions they also have non-existent service.  It's plain irritating to eat there.  It's also your normal Middle Eastern restaurant dirty and beat up.  Not as bad as Jerusalem but in the same ball park.  They have a great lentil soup and wonderful Baklava.  If you have plenty of time and conserve your beverage you'll have a good meal.

by Tracy O.

I absolutely LOVE any type of Mediterranean food, so I was SO excited when I saw this place rated as the "best in Denver". I have NO idea how this place continually makes Westword's Best list. It is TERRIBLE.  The food is sub-par, the hummus is funky and pasty, and the service...oh the service...lackluster and RUDE. Horrendous seating. The place is also filthy.I couldn't finish my food, and I did NOT ask for a to-go box. I always ask for a to-go box. My boyfriend had the kifka, which is apparently what they are "known" for, and while he said it was "good" it wasn't worth going back for, ever. I do NOT recommend this place to ANYONE.

by Jimmy C.

Ya Hala, I both love and loathe you, and how in good conscience could I recommend you to anyone? But your food is good, and it drives me nuts to see great reviews for the terrible fare at Jersusalem just down the street. I love your chicken gyros, different, and superior, to any I've had. But fair warning to those who visit, the service can be abysmal. I find it kind of entertaining watching the two teenagers that wait tables meander through the restaurant. The girl is completely capricious in who she'll serve, the guy is better and probably would be a good waiter in a different setting, but is dragged down by the indifference of the place. He's actually a sweet kid, moved to the U.S. as a teen from Tajikistan, talk about a transition. Anyways, go for the food, which does come out hot and reasonably fast, but be prepared. Often Ya Hala is fine, though one time I walked in and there were 7 empty tables, but every one of them still had used plates and the remains of food on them.

by Tyla T.

I have never had this type of food before and I like it,  but I will not be going back to Ya Hala. My boyfriend goes alone a lot and finally got me in there.The service was so horrible and rude, I will never personally return. They ran out of rice and I even had to seat myself then they skipped us and took the older couples order (cause younger couples are cheap, right??) I can't really judge the food, I liked it but I think the service was so terrible I could never return to compare the food.

by Andreas H.

Two nicely made gyro sandwiches for under $10?  Excellent!The Superb:  The Prices.  The young guy at the counter was very nice.The Average:  We had the gyro sandwiches that were tasty, filled with gyro meat, tomatoes, some lettuce, onion, and tzatziki.  All of which were quite tasty.  The location is fairly run down and feels like it has stepped out of a time-warp from the early 80's, but I think it only adds to the charm.The Horrid:  Nothing horrible!I think if I lived closer this would probably be an occasional lunch spot.  I'm curious about their other menu items.

by Jared W.

I actually really like Ya Hala.  I've read the negative reviews, and I can understand some of their complaints, but I will still keep going back.  Yes, I have fought the flies.  Yes, I've thought the service was weak.  Yes, the place isn't the cleanest around, although they did recently paint which helps.  And yes, the salad is not my favorite.I keep coming back because I think the food is great for the money.  The Lentil soup is fantastic.  I like the hummus.  I like the gyro plate.  I like the beef shawarma.  I like the kabobs.  I like the falafels.  I even like the baklava.  So with so many items that I do enjoy I am willing to tolerate the negatives.I'm not sure where all these middle-eastern fans are eating that are super clean with great service and no flys.  House of Kabob?  Jerusalem?  Sinbad?  Hookah Cafe?  They are all pretty much the same as far as environment goes.  You want the food...you deal with the rest.Give it shot.  It's worth a try...

by Barbara s.

I've been here several times with varying degrees of bad service.  The teenage girl behind all the eye makeup has the worst customer service skills ever -- she also avoided my eye contact last night and I was just there to pick up a called in order.  I crave their vegetarian platter once in a while.  I mean, CRAVE.  Wish I didn't have to deal with the girl, but the teenage boy was nice and funny.  When the older man is there, it's nominally better.  Don't see how they get Best of either, but then again, I have that craving and can't give it up.

by Angela A.

This place is a little scary looking from the outside, but they have made some cosmetic updates.  The inside isn't much better. The food is average, however it has won best Middle Eastern food awards in the past. The service is lacking and I haven't been overly impressed with the food.I don't think I would take any friends here!