Out to eat in Sioux Falls: Healthy, savory Mediterranean cuisine

I usually would not spend my Saturday afternoons in downtown Sioux Falls, but recently I made an exception to try a new restaurant with a friend. 

Sanaa’s serves a delicious variety of Mediterranean cuisine that caters to all people, including vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free individuals, all for a reasonable price. 

When we arrived, I was happy to find how accessible the restaurant is considering it is downtown. I was grateful to find plenty of parking spots, so I didn’t need to stress about parallel parking or parking illegally. 

When we walked in, the cashier immediately greeted us. As we took our time pondering the menu options on the wall, the cashier let us know that on Saturdays, Sanaa’s only offers the buffet. Nonetheless, he was friendly and patient, as he could probably tell it was my first time at the restaurant.

During the week, there are more options than the buffet, prices ranging from $6.75 to $12.95. Fatayer, which is pita bread stuffed with various ingredients, and quinoa salad serve as popular weekday lunch picks. 

After paying $17.95 for the buffet, I filled my plate with every available option: basmati rice pilaf, beef kofta, chicken shish tawook, eggplant tagine and bulgur pilaf. For my appetizer, I tried the bread and hummus. 

My friend selected the same food, except for the bread because she is gluten-free, and Sanaa’s does not offer gluten-free bread. The meal also came with water, coffee or tea to drink. Coke products are available for additional costs. 

For being an all-you-can-eat buffet, the price is reasonable. With the added tip, my meal was still under $20, which is acceptable given the portion sizes.

As I sampled each of these meals individually, I couldn’t help but notice how fresh and wholesome everything tasted. The food is well-seasoned, and the sauces are not overpowering. There is salt and pepper on the table, but the food does not need additional seasoning. 

The chicken shish tawook has a bit of a kick but is not overly spicy. It nicely balances the other meal options, which are more savory and simple in flavor. 

Unlike the other flavorful options, the beef kofta, which is similar to meatballs, was unevenly cooked. The first meatball I ate lacked flavor and tasted overcooked. It made me immediately eat more rice to cleanse my palate. 

Towards the end of my meal, I cautiously tried the second meatball, which to my liking, offered more flavor and was not burnt. The first meatball was likely a fluke since the other meatballs tasted better. 

Next, I ate the rice pilaf and bulgur pilaf, which had similar textures to quinoa rice. The mild, earthy flavors made these options delicious. 

I then tried the eggplant tagine, which is visually unappetizing. The flavors are palatable, but the slimy texture of the eggplant made it difficult for me to eat. Others may enjoy this side dish more if they can handle the sliminess, but I could not. 

While enjoying my meal, my eyes were often drawn to the artwork on the walls. Many paintings of coastal scenes and abstract art are displayed throughout the restaurant. Every piece of art is different and has a Middle Eastern or Spanish influence. Some of the paintings include bullfighting and people riding horses. The art adds to the cultural environment of the restaurant.   

Sanaa, the owner of the restaurant, also walks around greeting and speaking to customers. She smiles at everyone as she moves around checking in with tables. This personal touch is nice to see, as most restaurant owners do not interact with customers. 

The atmosphere of the restaurant overall matches the quality and mood of the food. The old-fashioned, hanging light fixtures provide mellow lighting that gives the place a soft, warm ambiance.

The yellow walls, blue ceiling and tan, tiled floor remind me of nature and complement the healthy, organic food that Sanna’s is known for. 

After we finished our meal, a busser came by and took our dishes. Usually, restaurants that don’t have waiters have the customers clean up after themselves, so I was pleasantly surprised Sanaa’s had an employee in charge of taking dirty dishes away. 

Once we finished our drinks, we stood up to put our cups away, and the busser offered to take them for us. 

As I was leaving the restaurant, I noticed a sign in the back of the restaurant that reads, “Be conscious of what you eat. . . Every bite makes a difference.” 

This sign embodies the experience of eating at Sanaa’s. Every bite is full of freshly cooked, healthy food.