Eat This Now: Mashawi Mix Plate at Queen Sweets and Mediterranean Grill

Mashawi Mix plate at Queen Sweets and Mediterranean Grill // Photo by Farima Ferguson

Queen Sweets and Mediterranean Grill is a quaint and charming Jordanian eatery in Lenexa. It appears understated, as it’s tucked away into a strip mall with other Middle Eastern shops, including Holy Land Cafe and Pak Halal Foods.

But this small, casual restaurant is filled with great food options if you’re looking for authentic Middle Eastern fare. In fact, it was a finalist for Best Halal Restaurant for 2022 Best of KC.

When you first walk in, you can either sit at a table for service or order at their counter before sitting. At first glance at the menu, you’ll notice Middle Eastern favorites like baba ganoush, stuffed vine leaves, and shawarma. 

If you can’t decide what to get, they have a Mashawi Mix plate that includes three types of meat: beef, chicken, and lamb. To get the full experience, I decided to go for this meal–although the chicken shawarma plate was a close second.

Queen Sweets and Mediterranean Grill // Photo by Farima Ferguson

The chicken, lamb, and shish kabob (beef) were all very tender and flavorful, but the star of the plate for me was the saffron rice. Saffron is a vibrant crimson spice that comes from the saffron crocus flower. It’s dried and used to season and add rich color to dishes like rice. 

As a first-generation Iranian-American, I grew up eating my mom’s saffron rice. Iranians and other Middle Easterners take their rice cooking seriously, spending hours soaking and steaming rice, including my mom, who would spend hours in the kitchen making saffron rice. 

The rice at Queen’s took me back to my childhood days of eating my mom’s saffron rice for dinner, and of course I still request it when visiting my parents. I love that I can get the same rice just down the road from me. The rice has almost a smoky flavor from the way they steam and cook it, and the saffron adds a combination of tangy and sweet to the rice. The toasted almonds really bring all the flavors together.

The dish also includes a variety of grilled vegetables, including onions, carrots, and bell peppers. The sides were just as delicious and included a small portion of their Middle Eastern salad and their housemade hummus, which is creamy yet tangy. I ordered the single portion, which was plenty of food even if you’re hungry. They also offer a family portion that feeds three to four people, according to online reviews.

Baklava at Queen Sweets and Mediterranean Grill // Photo by Farima Ferguson

Along with their menu, you can also order housemade baklava from their bakery case up front. They have a variety of options, including pistachio and walnut. Baklava is a hit or miss for me as it can be too sweet, but this baklava was the perfect combination of sweet and nutty flavors.

If you’re looking for a casual lunch or dinner spot with authentic Middle Eastern fare, I highly recommend this place.

Queen Sweets and Mediterranean Grill is located at 12247 W. 87th St. Pkwy in Lenexa as well as 4107 N Cherry St, Suite C, Kansas City in the Briarcliff area.