The Egyptian Cafe and Hookah Bar

I've been to the old location many times, the last time about 3 years ago. I live in Florida and after my initial visit, which I enjoyed, I was making it a ritual stop. In the past I went there just for food and ate outside because of the toxic interior air. I do understand it's a Hookah Bar. Anyway, my previous visits always consisted of a hamburger with their rice. On my intial visits the plate was usually garnished with cucumber and such making the it's artistic presentation very appealing. It was done nicely. I left a very lengthy positive review. Also, I always requested water with my food as I rarely drink alcohol or sodas. I like water with my meal and was accomodated each time.This visit, AFTER receiving my meal, which lacked the visual flair of previous visits (plate was not garnished aside from an olive on top of the rice, bun was somewhat smashed), I asked an employee for a glass of water. She was not my server. She responded, "Is bottled ok?". I said no, a plain glass of water is fine. She then tells me that after 7, they only serve bottled water. I responded, that with food water is something that generally comes with a meal. If for nothing else to prevent someone from choking. She said she'd send my server over.I waited a while before my server, who had initially been extremely nice, made her way over to me where I was seated at the end of the bar. I actually had to motion for her. Upon arrival she seemed to know what my concerns were. She said that's the rules of the store. I said, this is a restaurant and not a store A restaurant where you serve food. I also told her I'm 63 yrs old and have never been to a restaurant that serves food where water wasn't provided with the meal. She told me that they're only required to have water, it doesn't have to be free. (That's something that the Food and Beverage Administration in the area needs to be made aware of and concerns of that policy.) Then of course the 18% tip is included.....which is something that is usually reserved for large groups. Of course, adding bottles of water increases the tip margin. This actually can work against the servers, because personally I usually tip higher. However, after the attempt to upsell me, whether it's the servers or the establishment, where in the event that if I want water with my meal ... I'm being required to purchase it, I wasn't going to bother figuring out what would have brought me up to the tip I would have left.So, I guess if you're choking on a piece of food, they're going to crack open a bottle of water and later charge you for it OR watch you choke to death in their restaurant. PREVENTION is the main reason restaurants provide water with a meal. Needless to say, I will no longer be suggesting to my friends to go there when in Indianapolis. I definitely will not be going out of my way eat there anymore at all. The food was good but lacked the pride I had been accustomed to in the past and definitely not good enough to be forced into buying water if you want some with your meal. That's something that any restaurant I have ever been to provides. I will be removing my positive review that I had posted on a previous visit in the past as it no longer represents the restaurant at present.

This place is ok, the service could def be improved and more accommodating. One thing I don't favor is how they check you upon entering, just something I'm not used to seeing, it's not like it's a club. Didnt get a chance to taste the food 'shawarma' my friend had said it tasted delicious tho so theirs a point! wish they had played more Arabic and also a complaint would be the seating they tend to leave the coals right by the booths which can be a very overwhelming smell. Was literally right next to me as I was smoking hookah and caused me to get a headache, good thing nothing major happened but I think that's a huge safety concern to be honest. The bathrooms can be cleaner as well. The hookah tasted very good, which is a huge plus!

Horrible experience. The hookah was GARBAGE and same with the drink. THE WHOLE PLACE SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN. Not even Egyptian to be falsely advertising the culture. Horrible service except for the new guy he really was trying and was extremely attentive.They literally have the worse clay heads which are the flat ones with 0 depth so they stuff the flavor making it burn before you even smoke it.If you want a real lounge experience go to Paradise Hookah lounge!! It was amazing.

Decided to give this place a try even though we weren't trying the hookah. Our server was very friendly. We tried the wings with the Egyptian rub and also shared a mixed kebob plate and some butter chicken. The food was amazingly delicious. I tried a cup of the Turkish coffee which was really good. We will definitely be back.

Disappointing Experience at the Egyptian Cafe and Hookah I was deeply disappointed by the Gentelman at the door poor understanding and. implementation of the "Tobacco 21" law in Indianapolis. Despite the law clearly stating that individuals appearing to be under 30 years old for an ID challenge. The Gentelman at this place insisted that it's the establishment policy to check everyone's physical ID regardless of how old they look. This is what we call in Egypt حافظ مش فاهم. when I raised my concerns with the Gentelman (because I am clearly in my 50s) , the gentleman brushed off my comments with a dismissive attitude, showing a lack of accountability and responsibility. It's evident that the Gentelman at the door was more interested in hanging out with the under age looking ladies at the Table near the door over compliance with legal requirements and customer safety. I understand that laws are strict and that establishment can be fined if they do not adhere. But the laws don't require you to be a complete dumbass. Some degree of common sense is required when you work in the customer service industry. We drove a long time to visit this establishment, and support it given that I am Egyptian. I certainty hope that this is not actually the establishment policy to check every individual's ID regardless of clearly appearing to be way over 30. I sure hope this gentleman just didn't like the way we looked and was exhibiting a form of bigotry or racism of sort. I sure hope that this place have someone with some intelligence.

My favorite hookah spot in the city! Always a vibe and the music is always on point. I recommend any one to come through and enjoy the staff! The food is also great and always fresh! Clean restrooms, clean tables, and clean hookah.

I have a personal tradition that I try the hookah in every city I visit. This time I decide to try this place for hookah, and as a bit of a hookah snob, I have to say the place was okay for hookah. The service was really great, people seemed really cool, and I have to say I really enjoyed the Pizza Gyro the most. It had all my favorite ingredients on it, beef shawarma meat, klamata olives, and jalapeño. I would try another hookah place in the future, but would come here again for that Pizza Gyro.

I met some ladies out at The Egyptian around 3ish that afternoon. Parking wise you can park at Parking lot next to establishment, or pay for street parking. It was my first time actually going to The Egyptian during the day time which is a total different atmosphere at night. Walking in the building there are few stairs, and if you're unable to walk the stairs there are seats in first level. The ladies & I sat on the second floor, just a few steps down from the first floor, we were in the middle by the bar. I ordered a cheeseburger(ketchup, onions, & tomatoes) ,fries, and then I had a delicious Hennessey margarita. The ladies & I did split the hookah, out Server was Kipp, and he was a sweet Server, good personality. Overall, I definitely enjoyed going to The Egyptian Cafe & Hookah bar during daytime so chilled out, and my type of vibe. I'm glad I did try the delicious cauliflower bites which I was very skeptical at first, but will definitely try again. However, the receipt paper ink was so bad hard to read that I didn't know The Egyptian automatically add in the 18% gratuity that I gave the Server an additional tip 20%. I will definitely go back during the daytime.

I had a great experience at Egyptian due to Haley our server very pleasant young lady will return often thank you Haley

Ambiance was excellent. Food was good, Hookah was superb. Had a strange service experience. We wanted to move to a seat with a better TV view. Despite the seats being fairly open, permission from our server, we were not permitted to do so. We were asked to move from our seats so they could set up for a music event. The seats that we'd requested 20 minutes prior were still open, and we were still denied those seats, despite plenty of open seating available. We ended up leaving prematurely with a poor service experience. That was a shame as our first server was wonderful and the restaurant was otherwise fantastic. Felt weird to be essentially "kicked out" when there were tons of open seats.