El Toum

Sami is so warm and welcoming, he puts care into his costumers experience! I highly recommend the mix grill for 2. It has EVERYTHING! Lamb, lamb chops, beef kafta, chicken kebab, beef kebab, falafel, hummus, fried and pita. Everything was well seasoned and delicious. My new favorite place!

El Toum in New York is truly a special place. From the moment you walk in, the décor and atmosphere immediately transport you to the Middle East, with an authentic and welcoming vibe that makes the experience even better. The restaurant is run and attended by its owner, who is very friendly and takes the time to give recommendations. That personal touch really makes a difference. I ordered a chicken shawarma with hummus, but they served me a lamb shawarma with hummus instead. Normally, I never eat lamb and in the past I’ve never really liked it. But I decided to try it, and it was a complete surprise — absolutely spectacular. The lamb was tender and full of flavor, the salad was fresh, and the hummus was outstanding, definitely some of the best I’ve had. This is without a doubt a great spot if you’re looking to enjoy an excellent hummus and a flavorful shawarma. A place worth visiting and repeating.

I’ve had good Lebanese/Mediterranean cuisine, and it is not at this place. I had tried El Toum a few times shortly after they opened and wasn’t impressed — the food wasn’t good and the interior felt a bit grimey. I never understood all the rave reviews this place seemed to get. Since I live down the block and the restaurant is always bustling (and constantly written up by sites like Gothamist and Eater), I decided to give it another try. We asked to sit outside and were told menus would be brought over. After about ten minutes of waiting, my husband had to go in and ask for them. The staff apologized, but it wasn’t a great start. We ordered the artichoke appetizer, hummus with cauliflower, and the chicken mushrooms. The artichoke dish was disappointing — it seemed like jarred artichoke hearts tossed with walnuts and golden raisins, microwaved, and served with a thin, over-toasted pita. The hummus was creamy and the roasted cauliflower and tomatoes on top were nicely seasoned, but again, served with that same unpleasant pita. Of the three dishes, this was the best, but not enough to make me want to return. The chicken mushrooms entrée was underwhelming. The chicken lacked seasoning, the balsamic tasted harsh rather than smooth, and the sweet potatoes were just dry, unseasoned chunks on the plate. The zucchini and carrots were fine, but nothing memorable. On top of that, the wine glass I was given had dried food crusted on it, the interior still feels skeevy, and even the table we sat at was sticky. Overall, I can’t understand the hype. While the hummus was solid, the rest of the food, atmosphere, and attention to detail fell short — again.

I ordered 3 courses and a pot of tea and this generous man charged me 40 bucks. I had artichoke hummas, mixed kebab with lamb, kofta & chicken, and a pistachio knufa for dessert. Thank you for making delicious and healthy food for an affordable price. I will be back.

This was such an incredible find and just so perfect in every way that if I lived in the neighborhood, I’d probably be a regular. Walking in, you’re confronted with a cozy and warm space with just a few tables, perfect for a date night. And the host, a towering man, was so welcoming and friendly - treating us and other guests almost like family. The food was exceptional - I had the beef with hummus while my partner had the lamb, and both dishes were perfectly cooked and full of flavor, not to mention being reasonably priced. An outstanding meal in every way, I’ll definitely be returning.

Owner was very sweet and welcoming,Food was amazing, meat was juicy and tender! This place is amazing! Definitely coming back here again.

This place has become one of my favorite restaurants. I drive all the way from the Bronx just to eat here. The food is delicious, the prices are great, and the service is second to none. Everytime I go there I see other patrons extremely satisfied and simply happy to be there. A lot of locals stop by to pick up their order and just to say hi to Sammy. I would go as far as to call it a staple in this community. I've recommended it to most people I know, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for quality food and good service. I tip my hat to Sammy and his staff for this hidden gem.

Absolutely fantastic food. Fries had a perfect crunch, salad dressing was so fresh and the kebabs were juicy. Though the highlight really is the owner, a true gem of a man the world needs more of.

A small business owned neighborhood restaurant that really feels like a neighbor. The food was amazing. The hummus came with beef, pita bread, and salad -- making it the perfect combination. The subtly citrusy salad really balances the nutty hummus. The beef and hummus combo is out of this world. THE KNAFEH!! Omg, it's soo good! It's not on the menu, but I've had knafehs before and I loved it, so I had one. I swear the people sitting next to me ordered one too after watching me eat the knafeh. I couldn't be quite over how good it was. The chocolate baklava was also really good! The service was amazing. The chef/waiter/(potentially) owner of the place was so friendly and he gave us an extra el toum when he saw my partner digging into his last spoons of it for his lamb shawarma. The price was also reasonable -- the perks of being in Jackson Heights/Queens. We had the hummus and beef, lamb shawarma, Lebanese tea, Knafeh, and Baklava for less than $50 before tips. Overall, I'm really satisfied to have found this little middle eastern food gem in Jackson Heights. Will come back and bring more friends!

Well, first and foremost, this tiny spot is so intimate and cozy, I see why it's always packed with folks. The owner seems to be the cook which feels even more like home, it's like you've found your place to stay. The food was absolutely delicious, although the hummus did have a tiny too much garlic (but if that's your thing, go for it, but I did enjoy it a lot). The tea was lovely, not too strong, and definitely not bland. It was one of the nicer mint teas I've tried. The chicken shawarma was downright aromatic and delicious, my only tiny complaint would be that when I got a side of salad, there was a tiny hair in it. I found it towards the end of my meal.

Really delicious chicken shawarma wrap. Great relaxing ambiance, and the owner is kind

El Toum in Queens, New York, is a fantastic little spot! It's small but super cozy, making it a great place to relax and enjoy some delicious Middle Eastern food. The service is top-notch, with the staff paying close attention to every need. The food is amazing, and the best part is that it's all very affordable. If you're in the area and want some great Middle Eastern cuisine without spending too much, definitely check out El Toum!

The food is delicious. The chef is super friendly. He remembers our names. He treats his customers like friends. It is Jackson Heights. Go and support this local business!

My friend recommended El Toum. He lives a block away. He is discerning though. I like much more jazz than he does. We listen to jazz, is what we do. We also eat out, often in Jackson Heights, which must have the best ratio of ethnic food to the population, whether measured by diversity, cost, quality, or some amalgamation. My friend and I had dinner. We were the only occupied table indoors. The business did well by take out and a pair of outdoor tables that were occupied by diners the entire time. My friend is a fan of falafel made with fava beans, more common in Lebanon than elsewhere. He intends to have this restaurant cater his upcoming birthday party. We had that falafel. It was tasty. I'm not enough of a connoisseur to distinguish between what I ate and what I've eaten at other venues. It was fried delicately. I'd order it again quite happily. We also split two sandwiches, lamb and beef kofta. Those also were excellent. They were remarkably well priced. The total tab was less than I had anticipated, considerably. Some of the savings can be attributed to the BYOB aspect. I picked up a six pack around the corner. It was easy enough. They offered use of the bottle opener. I love Queens. There is so much to explore just in the blocks around this establishment. I intend to add this specific eatery to the rotation. I wish them well.

El Toum is a great place to take friends and family - the Lebanese food is amazing! This time we ordered the mixed grill for two which included kebab, lamb, chicken, kofta, falafel, lamb chop, hummus, french fries and vegetables accompanied with pita bread. It was such a great combination of flavors and textures. The lentil and Swiss chard soup was also delicious! The owner is really welcoming and accommodating. It definitely gives us a sense of community that we don't always get eating out elsewhere. Not to mention that it's BYOB, so you get to bring your own bottle of whatever you want! All in all, every time we go we have a great time and I look forward to going back soon.

Ate here today by myself for dinner after work as well. This was my first time eating Lebanese food and feeling curious about what to try, buy and eat. I had tried and brought the lamb wrapped shawarma, fried falafel and pita dip with hummus. It was pretty good, tasty, tender and delicious. The service there was great and attentive that I didn't feel rushed about what to choose. Finally, I would definitely eat and come back again! :)

El Toum = friendly owner, great food, and it really nice to sit outside on a nice, warm day. We've stopped by for lunch or dinner for a local date night or family dinner. We've had the chicken and lamb shwarma, chicken mediterranean, and the mixed appetizer of hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouli, falafel, and pita bread. Their garlic sauce is fire --- DELICIOUS. We will definitely come back again soon!

My friend insisted we go and we loved it! The owner or manager? named Sam treated us like ol' friends and served us many dishes, chit-chatting. We had the best ever Hummus and the specialized lemonade. It was so great that I sent my kid to the place the following day to get MORE. And very well priced.

Really good food but the owner is what makes this place special. Very personable and gives great recommendations. We'll be back

Ordered the 1/2 Chicken special tonight. The chicken was cooked to perfection, the potatoes were cooked just right and vegetables were so fresh. Food is always good. Great restaurant.

A neighborhood gem! Such tasty food (love the soups! Lentil, Carrot ginger!) everything is made fresh and the owner is so friendly and relaxed, love the cute interior too.

The service and atmosphere are top notch. The food was excellent as well. The menu has great variety of vegetarian, vegan, and meat dishes, which is a huge plus. Will definitely be returning!

Nothing in this place an disappoint you- Food is amazing. Can not beat the service here. "Enter as strangers leave as friends" True statement.

After seeing the write-up about great sandwiches in Eater I decided to pop in and give it a try and it does not disappoint! The lamb shawarma sandwich (which eater incorrectly labeled lamb leg sandwich) and the kofte sandwich were both seriously good. The sauce is garlic forward and the pita is so thin and delicate! It's a little messy to eat so be prepared for that. Personally I think the lamb sandwich would be that much better if the meat was sliced thin like a roast beef or something. In a time when going out to eat is outrageously expensive, I think being able to come with someone else and share two big sandwiches out the door is a very fair price!

I love this place!!! Every time I'm there I feel like family. The food is all so delicious and fresh and healthy! Reasonably priced.

Had a fantastic meal. Took home side of tabouli and put it on everything I ate for days. So yummy!

Today was my first time going here after a recommendation from a friend in the jackson heights neighborhood. It was absolutely delicious! I had the chicken kebab with salad. The chicken was slo tasty and tender! My nephew and friend gave me to try their chicken shawarma dish and it was amazing as well! Sammy was super friendly and attentive! It's a small and very cozy place. I loved that they play Arabic music making it an awesome experience. I definitely will return!

We came in with a couple of friends today. Jackson height is not known for Lebanese food but we were pleasantly surprised. We ordered the appetizer combo and lamb/chicken shawarma. They are really tasty and healthy. The toum (garlic sauce) is specially impressive. Owner Sammy shows his unparallel service and hospitality. We felt right at home for our first dining experience in El Toum. I would give the top rating for this place

The food! The service! The food!!! Order delivery .. go.. up to you, but definitely enjoy the delicious food and the QUALITY. We never feel guilt spending a little extra, and we always have leftovers. The staff is amazing and.... THE FOOD!!!

Delicious fries! My favorite things here lol. Falafel wrap is also good. It's totally decent (just not as good as my two fave falafels out there).

We know El Toum for its warm, personal service in house and its fantastic menu dining in, so we inquired about catering for a small event, and Sami worked with us to create a menu of apps, entrées, and dessert. He was so kind, professional, and easy to work with. The food was phenomenal - our guests raved about the mezze spread (muhammara and baba ghanoush especially). The kofte, chicken kabob, marinated lamb, and branzino were *chef's kiss* next to tahini and toum. Sami's walnut semolina cake and knafeh were also just perfect. We could not ask for more (except maybe more leftovers) - definitely recommended for both stopping in for a meal and catering!

Been here twice now, both as takeout options for weeknight dinner. Put an order in through Grubhub or by calling and the food is usually ready within half an hour. From my last couple visits, have had the Cornish Hen ($17), Fillet of Salmon ($15), Falafel Platter ($12), and the Babaganoush ($5). Both the cornish hen and salmon come with a side of potatoes, grilled veggies, and pita bread. Chicken is moist throughout and has good flavor, best to add some sauce with it. Salmon needs no extras as the fillet tastes fresh and is topped with roasted tomatoes. The first time I had the falafels they were on the greasy side; this was vastly improved on my second trip, which also has a side of tahini sauce for dipping. Babaganoush has a bit too much oil, though the kick of spice was a nice surprise - good to pair with the pita or falafel. Glad this spot is doing well even though I miss the original (Juju's) iteration here. Solid option for something different in the area.

A jewel of a place!!! The food here is absolutely phenomenal. It taste like home made food your grandmother cooks. Everything on the menu is phenomenal but lamb chops are on point?

El Toum needs a lot of help/work. This is a converted bagel shop that the owner decided to close and rebrand and open as a Lebanese restaurant. Unfortunately, they didn't give the interior a wipe down when they converted the restaurant. The interior is dim and greasy and gives the dingy feeling that this place has been there for years when in reality this location opened in November 2020. Toum, the name of the restaurant is a Lebanese garlic sauce. DO NOT ORDER THIS, it is inedible. Toum at others restaurants is a delicious garlic whip that is smooth and flavorful, El Toum misses the mark entirely. The first time we had the chicken shawarma sandwich it was so overwhelming it was hard to eat. Deciding to give them a second try we ordered the sauce on the side hoping they had refined the Toum recipe. Nope, thankfully we decided to ask for the sauce on the side so we were able to enjoy our sandwiches. The other items we have had were decent. The lentil soup flavorful. The pies are yummy. Skip the kibbeh, they don't use pine nuts and the "crust" is grainy. I want to see El Toum succeed. I hope they give the place a deep cleaning and refine the Toum sauce.

New restaurant in Jackson heights! I was looking for new spots in the area when I came across El Toum. I went in about 5pm and placed my order, the owner was super cool and very nice. It was about a 15 minute wait, which isn't bad. The food was fresh, and it was delicious! If you get the sandwich get it on the pita, the Lebanese pita bread is longer and thinner then a regular pita bread. The chicken kabob over rice was great. The chicken was nice and tender, the rice had raisins, and other spices which made it very flavorful. Portion size was great too! Check this place out if you're in the area !

I hate to say it but the I was not satisfied with our takeout order. The chicken shawarma was old and dry. Bad move on the person who chose to serve this old food to their customers. Will not order again. Even if the falafel sandwich was good. Be better.

Maybe the best falafel we've ever had -- perfectly crispy on the outside and really moist inside. And the hummus and the baba ganoush were delicious. All the food has nice little additions that make it special -- some pickled radish in the side salad (I think) , raisins in the rice that comes with the excellent kofta, and a garlic sauce for the kofta. Can't wait to visit and try more of the menu.

The food here is excellent, and the service and people working here couldn't be nicer. We regularly do takeout here as the space is small, but it is always filled at lunch and at other times during the day. Highly recommended if you like middle eastern food!

Delicious food. My wife said that the owner was very nice when she went to pick up our order. It is wonderful to have a Mediterranean style restaurant in the 11372. Healthy and delicious.

Gimme that falafel dammit! Finally, a delicious Lebanese place with good falafel in MY hood?! (Mind you, it is difficult to find good Lebanese in all of NYC). I judge hard when it comes to how the f**k you make that shawarma and how that falafel gets treated - thankfully Sami is serving up something fierce in both areas. I'm waaaay too excited about this spot because a slice of home is always welcome. Definitely try the babaganoush, chicken shawarma, mint lemonade (cuz that's how us Levantines do), and the falafel. In fact just try the whole damn menu! I'll be coming through again soon!

Great selection of Lebanese platters, sandwiches, and more. Falafel was perfectly cooked and loaded with veggies incl pickled turnips. Next time I'll request more tahini to go along with the hot (but not too hot) sauce. The mint lemonade is perfection! Thrilled to have this place in JH

Came through for lunch and I would definitely recommend it. There's a small seating area inside with a couple tables outside- love the interior honestly. The owner was incredibly friendly and personable. I'd come back just to chat with him again, but the food was also great. We ordered a kofta and chicken sandwich. Very light ingredients, well-seasoned meats, and just a lovely sauce to go with it. Next time we're going for a platter and baklava. Really looking forward to it

If your a fan of middle Eastern foods and you should be, this small gem is for you. I say small gem because there's only five tables inside. That said, your there for the food and the food is delicious. Sammy (the owner and head chef) is an amazing grill master. I could tell you more, but eating is believing. Your welcome.

If friendly was a category, El Toum gets an 11!!!! Each time I have visited, I am created like an old friend who just came back to town. But if friendly isn't your gig, the food will not disappoint. El Toum is serving up beautiful shawarma that isn't heavy handed in the spice department and maintains its moisture. The sauces are perfectly cool and don't drown out the main flavors of the protein. If I needed to criticize anything, it would be the dessert offerings. The pastries tend toward the dry and dense side but in no way are they memorable in a negative light.

I'm mad at myself for not trying this place sooner. Ordered the chicken shawarma and kofta platter with the el toum appetizer. Everything was so good and fresh. I loved the rice that came with the meat, the raisins were a nice touch. The garlic whip (toum) was out of this world! Extremely garlicky and flavorful which tasted delicious mixed with the rice and meat. Owner was also super friendly. Prices are great. This will become one of our neighborhood staples!

Outstanding food and services. Sammy was super hospitable and accommodating. Food was unique and very tasty. Great find!! We'll be back.

I ordered take out and unfortunately did not enjoy the experience at all. The lentil soup was cold when we picked it up and the other food was hot (within 20 min of order like they said) . I ordered falafel on a pita and a chicken wrap and ended up with both on a wrap. The falafel was pretty good but the chicken was gamey. Yeah I didn't know that was possible either. I really hate wasting food but I couldn't eat the chicken or the lentil soup. My husband ate half of the chicken and found a bunch of the flavors on the bottom of the wrap instead of spread out and commented that it would have been good if they spread it out since to him it was very bland (I still stand by my gamey comment)

The owner is such a wonderful host. We feel so welcome everytime we go and the is spectacular. A community staple!

Entered a stranger, left a stranger. Not sure why I didn't get the same friendliness and service as others who came. Prices are reasonable. I got a chicken shawarma wrap for lunch and it did the job. The toum was more garlic than whip, which I am not used to. Overall I can see myself going back, but I don't feel as welcome as I did at Shahi Darbar.

Had the lamb schwarma plate and lemon ricotta pancakes (wasn't expecting this from a Lebanese place). The service was top-notch, the owner is super friendly, and the prices are so reasonable for the quality of food you get. Highly recommend

Being a local I'm the area I've passed this place by a ton of times before realizing we had a Lebanese place right under our noses. Finally was able to try the Chicken Kebab (which came with grilled tomatoes, rice with raisins, pita, and a mixed salad) and a side of Hummus. The atmosphere of El Toum is cozy and welcoming and the quality of the dishes I've had were amazing -- by far one of the best Mediterranean dishes I have had in a while. Although they have only been around since January El Toum is quickly rising to be a favorite. Highly recommended if you're ordering out or happen to be/live in the area!

One of my favorite places in Queens. Sammy cooks up authentic Lebanese cuisine, and his service is amazing. The restaurant has a nice, welcoming atmosphere. This is basically the only Lebanese place in the area, and it's great!

This place is OKAY. I was pretty excited that we had a Lebanese place in the neighborhood because I really love the food. That being said it was pretty disappointing. The kibe were grainy, not as smooth as I would like. The chicken in the shawarma sandwich was good, but the toum sauce was WAY too garlicky. It tasted like a bunch of raw garlic was thrown on the sandwich. Toum sauce is normally a very delicious garlic whip. Get the sandwich without toum! Spinach/cheese pies were pretty good but nothing to write home about. All in all it's a bit of a disappointment, but not the worst food I've ever had.

Loved the falafel. The meats were beautifully prepared as was all the other food we ordered. Very savory! Friendly and welcoming service. I'm normally not a huge fan of small places but this one works, it's pretty cosy and I loved the merch on the walls. Will be back for sure!

Was always a fan of Juju, the cafe that was there for many years before El Toum. Sami the owner was always a delight, always happy to see his customers and drew a loyal following, rightfully so. I was shocked when it closed but was elated to see Sami was behind the counter at El Toum. The chicken Shawarma was absolutely delicious, packed with flavor. If you live in Jackson heights please visit, you will not regret it.

Arguably, the best falafel I've had. Almost succulent. For sure, all the other items we ordered were. We shared two combination platters, one of the appetizers and one of the entrees. These are pretty generous portions. Between two grown men, we were fairly stuffed. The meats are really delicious and the presentation was great, I wish I took a photo. I think, it's a family business or at least had that feel. The service was super nice. It's a small place but the ceiling is very high and, especially if you sit by the window, it doesn't feel cramped. There are also tables outside. All in all, definitely the great discovery of the area and possibly the best quality food of this category I've had yet.

I had the pasta and it was delicious. My husband enjoyed the hamburger (without special sauce) and fries. Friendly staff who were attentive and definitely concerned with making sure the customers enjoyed their food. Certainly would recommend this restaurant.

I Mediterranean food and was delighted to learn that this amazing restaurant opened up in my neighborhood. El Toum exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend the Lentil Swiss Chard soup and chicken shawarma. Both were wonderfully flavorful. Sammy, the owner is an amazing person too. I can't wait to go there again and check out some more of the delicious offerings. So should you.