Noor Mediterranean Grill builds business and reputation

On a recent chilly Tuesday night around 10 p.m., the phone was ringing off the hook at Noor Mediterranean Grill; the non-stop noise coming from the telephone served as a testament to the strong reputation the restaurant has built since its opening just over a year ago. The restaurant has been so successful, in fact, that owner Arsen Karageozian is looking to expand his business to an additional second location. While waiting for dinner to arrive to the table, Mr. Karageozian chatted with the Daily, offering everything from business advice to hints about his new restaurant in the works.

When asked how Noor has evolved over the last year, Mr. Karageozian stated that he “didn’t change a single item” on the menu. “Everything is selling. So why am I going to change?” Elaborating, he explained that given its success, “If you look at it [the current menu] that way, don’t touch it.” Clearly, Mr. Karageozian is a stauch believer of the motto, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" -- and Noor is anything but "broke."

Despite record snowfall this winter, business for the restaurant has stayed busy. In fact, in the words of the owner, “With the second and third [snowstorm] … it was crazy busy.” He partially attributes this success to the location of the restaurant just off of Powder House Circle. If students feel like venturing out, they can stop at Noor without having to make the full walk from Tufts to Davis Square.

Mr. Karageozian also noted the impact of the snow on the relationship between Powder House Circle restaurant owners. He said that since Noor is housed in a building that only has one owner, the restaurant owners themselves really “have to help each other” in shoveling out the sidewalks and making sure they are accessible for customers. He joked, “If you see the back of my restaurant, you’ll have a heart attack,” due to the huge piles of snow moved into the area.

Even for the non-Tufts community, the restaurant is in a good location, drawing in customers from Medford, Somerville, Arlington and more, and the restaurant's delivery option adds to its accessibility. As witnessed on Tuesday, deliveries are constantly being sent out to the surrounding area. The popularity of Noor is a large factor in the owner’s consideration of expansion. Though vague with the details, he said this new restaurant should come about in the “near future,” with “a little fancier” atmosphere. Curious potential patrons should envision similar food to the falafel and shawerma currently available, but in a restaurant with “fancier tables, fancier seats.”

Fortunately, while waiting to hear more about what this new location will offer, patrons can still go to and enjoy Noor.  Prices for all dishes are very reasonable for students, especially considering the huge portion sizes which, for many, can serve as two meals. The "Noor Works" was $10.79, and came served as a large wrap filled with hummus, chicken shawerma, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes and a heaping mound of fries, delicious when dipped into tahini sauce. The dishes are a favorite amongst students, who love both the medley of flavors and the reasonable prices. Senior Katherine Koch, an Arabic and international relations double major, ordered the falafel plate ($8.99), noting that “you can tell that [the hummus] is fresh." Fellow senior Matthew Reynolds, also a double major in Arabic and international relations, thoroughly agreed about the quality of his meal, saying that “the tang of the salad dressing was on point” in his side salad accompanying the equally superb "Chicken Shawerma Dinner" priced at $11.49. 

Noor's relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to go off campus with friends on a weekday night for a quick break from homework or as a starting point to a weekend evening spent in Davis Square.

Noor is located at 136 College Ave, Somerville Mass., 02144. They are open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sundays. Orders can be placed at (617) 625-6667 and online.