YS Mandi Restaurant

Looks can be deceiving. I found this place on Yelp, but I would have missed it if I wasn't intentionally looking for it. This small, hole in the wall spot is tucked into the corner of an international strip mall that's a few blocks past ASU's campus. Definitely an unassuming spot. No glitz or glam here. But that's not needed or necessary. You come here because you want a delicious, authentic, and stacked meal. Like goat? Or down to try it? Do yourself a favor and get the Goat Mandi. Fall off the bone tenderness, with incredible, bold flavor. Service is also great. Friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to please. If you're down to try some mouth watering Yemeni based dishes with Somalian flare, then you should come to YS Mandi Restaurant.

One of my friends who loves good food brought us here. I'm all about eating at a hole in the wall but I was a little stressed as this wasn't the usual taco hole in wall but a new cuisine. YEMEN. Don't be discouraged with the building. It's a diamond in the rough. I'm obsessed it's delicious. First came the jalapeño hummus and pita Mandi chicken - fire. - this was a great dish and I was very happy. The spicy sauce (it's basically salsa is what all middle eastern restaurants need) Any time I'm in Tempe I try to make it here to eat. And every time I come - I think we need more yemen food in Arizona.

this is one of those International spots that you're not sure what to expect. We almost went to a different restaurant because we could not find the location and it's located back in the corner by a Indian market as you walk in it is very unassuming and similar to eating in a foreign country. There is not much decor, and I woukd not classify the dining area as elegant. I was here with five others and I was a bit apprehensive.The prices are fair and the menu items had standard Mediterranean cuisine with a few varieties. We ordered at the counter and then sat down. And then I tried the food. If you ever remember the raging Cajun chef from Louisiana named Emeril Lagasse, BAM!!!!!!!! The flavors and cooking style was incredible. Even the simple french fries were crisp and flavorful. The green sauce was phenomenal, and the rice was fragrant and flavorful. This food is cooked with love. This is a Mother's cooking from Ethiopia/Somalia and you can taste the difference. Imagine going over to your friends house to enjoy a home cooked meal. That is the inexplainable way the food tastes. I apologize because usually I take lots of pictures of the food but when I went to try a french fry and the next thing I know they were all gone. My Shawarma sandwich had soft and tender chicken meat and was flavored well, and that also disappeared and was gone. The other dishes disappeared faster than a new iPhone 14 left on the street on ASU campus. I can gladly say I did not eat the soda pop can so I have a picture of it and if you've never tried it, it tastes similar to red cream soda.I will be back, I'll bring reinforcements, and I'll take more pictures!

easily one of my favorite spots in AZ, whenever we have family in town we make it a point to visit YS Mandi. the food is always sublime, I've never had Yemeni food before but i'm not convinced it's one of my favorite cuisines. the owners are incredibly gracious people-- if you are in/near Tempe, please support this incredible restaurant!!!

Amazing!!!! Delicious food and huge portions. Prices are awesome too. Staff is very friendly.

The food at this Yemenite restaurant is so good! I got the lamb shank plate and my husband got the gyro plate. Both were absolutely delicious and tasted homemade. The meat portions are going to be smaller than other Middle Eastern places nearby, but the quality of the food is better. Their lamb was so moist and literally fell off the bone as I picked it up. And the yogurt and green sauces they provide was a great complement. Their gyro meat was also flavorful and delicious - I just wish it included more than three strips of meat. If you're having trouble finding them, they will be in the corner of the two walls. They don't have a sign up, so they are quite hidden.

OMGOODNESS!!! This cuisine is to die for!!! Definitely My Number One Favorite Of Favorites! The staff is incredibly friendly & personable, and the food is flavored with "home made love"

Very good food, so good that my picky eater (toddler) who eats less than 10 types of food ask for their rice everyday. Highly recommended.

Came here when they were called Juba while I was in college. New management and name YS Mandi. Def a joke in the wall, but the food is AMAZINGGGGG!! the chicken shawarma is so delicious and the spicy green sauce is addicting. Graduated asu many years ago and still come here when I'm in the area.

Warning. Stay away!! I ordered for pick up. I arrived at the restaurant and they did not have my food. My card was charged which I will be disputing. After seeing how dirty the restaurant seemed, maybe I'm lucky not to have received food from here. I highly question the authenticity of the positive yelp reviews. Beware. This is a scam.