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Lebanese Butcher & Market
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Restaurants Middle Eastern Grocery, Ethnic Food, Middle Eastern [Edit]
150 Hillwood AveFalls Church, VA 22046
(703) 533-2903
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
34 reviews for Lebanese Butcher & Market
Review Highlights
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Hyunoo P.
Falls Church, VA
When there is a lady to impress with tender, locally sourced lamb chops.
This is my butcher.
When I'm tired of super market new-zealand-imported frozen lamb at $16+ per pound.
This is my butcher.
When I want to have my intentions understood 75% of the time.
This is my butcher.
When I want to wonder if what I'm getting violated any health codes on its way to me.
This is my butcher.
Here is an anecdote to explain my 5 stars since most everyone else is skirting on the 4...
I wanted a whole rack of lamb. There were none in the case. Butcher pulls out an entire lamb carcass, breaks it down right there, and in 5 minutes I had my rack of lamb. That's service. -
Review from Chunnu B.
Ahhh! A good hole in the wall! I never would have known this place existed had I not been taken there (earning this individual the title of "someone special" because this place is an awesome little find!) It's sitting in this small strip of shops next to I don't know what. Make sure to look for the restaurant/butcher sign because the entrance is pretty small.
Small restaurant on one side and small halal butcher/grocery store on the other side. Love it. We had the baba ganoush and chicken feteh, both which were so very delicious. Get them both! They had just started making the baba ganoush when we ordered too, so it was as fresh as baba ganoush could get. Don't worry, the chicken pieces in the feteh were perect and plenty. They don't hold back here.
Just f.y.i. though - shared between two hungry people, the baba ganoush started to get filling. We got through half of the chicken feteh before feeling full. I am not one to be wasteful though, especially of yummy food - we ended up killing both dishes.
His tummy was happy, my tummy was happy, and the food so yum the caged beast known as "Chunnu didn't eat anything all morning and sat in traffic for an hour at 9:30 AM" vanished. All was good. -
Review from Jeff W.
After further review, I've decided to up it to 4 stars. I've come back several times since my first visit and everything I've had has been great, the service has been fast and friendly, and the prices are generally very reasonable. Some of the apps are a bit pricey ($6+ while you might expect them to be closer to $4) and some platters can get up there too ($14+). But their sandwiches are really inexpensive and it's easy to make your own little custom combo.
Last night I got the falafel appetizer and the lamb fateh. Falafel were big, moist, and flavorful. It comes with a basket of flatbread and a plate of veggies and pickled raddishes. Pretty filling for one person, so definitely worth being shared.
But then the lamb fetteh! Wow. Just wow. I had never had this, or heard of it before, but it was glorious. It's basically a bowl of fried pita chips topped with unbelievably moist chunks of lamb marinated in a yellow curry type sauce, and then topped with thick yogurt, roasted pine nuts, and spices. Crazy good, and really really hearty. After my round of falafel and the fetteh I had no room for the just-made warm rice pudding the guy offered me a taste of. If you know how much I like pudding, that should mean something to you!
The selection here is outstanding with all the traditional lebanese dishes you could want, appetizers and dips galore, platters of meats, lamb brains, and shawarmas and sandwiches of endless variety. Every time I come back I'm excited to try something new. The place is small, but I highly recommend coming with some friends so you can order several platters and share it all. And their 10-appetizer combo for $20 is a great deal. Hopefully one day I'll get a chance to order it!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/1/2008
3.5 stars
Nice little spot with cheap prices and authentic lebanese cuisine, but I wasn't wowed.… Read more »
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2/1/2008
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Review from Brendan J.
Washington, DC
3.5
Nice family run place. The space is a little small but there are several tables.
We initially thought we were supposed to order at the front since they have the big menu hanging up there, but eventually someone told us we could have a seat and gave us the little takeout looking menus. There was only one server and she seemed a little overwhelmed, but service was aight overall.
We started with the green bean appetizer. It was delicious. Kind of like Greek style green beans where they're stewed with tomatoes and onions. Really good with hot toasted pita. I got the beef skewer - I guess it was the Lebanese style kubideh but not as spiced as other versions I've had. Made it taste more like hamburger. Dining companion got the chicken tawook kabob. They were tender and juicy, but really really bland.
Dinners came with some pretty tasty rice, grilled onion and tomato, tahini sauce, and several types of pickles. There were carrots, beets, onions, and cornichon pickles. I think the carrot and the beet ones may have been homemade. The pickles were tasty but really acidic - I had to stop eating them after a while since they were burning my tongue.
There was also something in both dishes that had a strange, kind of flowery taste. Maybe it was just one of the spices used in Lebanese cuisine and I'm not used to it. Not sure whether or not I like the flavor.
Payment was a little weird. You take your check to the market and pay there. There wasn't a place for tip on the receipt so we went back to the restaurant side and left it on the table.
I'd probably go back if in the area again to check out other items on the menu. The market has lots of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern items and the prices at the butcher seemed pretty good. -
Review from Cass H.
Falls Church, VA
I ate at the Lebanese restaurant last night and while the food and service were really good, it was only about 30 minutes later that both mine and my fiancee's stomachs felt really cramped, and for the last 24 hrs. my gas has smelled really, really terrible. I don't think we got food poisoning or anything like that, maybe I'm just not used to Lebanese food, but I've never had such problems from a simple shawarma and dolmas (grape leaf wrapped rice) before. For this, I give three stars. I live right around the corner from the place, so I'll probably give it one more shot. I'll update after my second experience.
Update: 48 hrs. later, and no change in condition; as my fiancee says, 'Stinkaria!'
Update: 1 week later. I went back around noon on a Sat. to get a Turkish coffee and some kind of simple snack. I went in, and there were two ladies in full chador finishing up and readying their bill. I grabbed a menu and sat down. Close to 10 minutes later, no one had even paid me any attention, though I made eye contact with the woman behind the grill, and I saw the waiter guy by the counter, just kind of standing there. This was ridiculous, what am I supposed to do, shout for service? So I got up and walked down the street to the Vietnamese place for coffee and summer rolls. Down to two stars, and I won't be back. -
Review from E C.
Arlington, VA
Went to the butcher shop for the first time today because I was fed up with never finding any lamb at the supermarkets in the area. I think this may become my favorite spot to get specialty or specific cuts of meat. I asked the butcher to get me 3 lbs boneless lamb shoulder; he cut it into chunks for me (perfect because I was making stew anyway). The total was $29. I don't know if that's expensive or reasonable since I have nothing to compare it to, but I DID find exactly what I was looking for!
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Review from Scotto B.
North Beach, MD
Though it can be a little tricky to find (either that or our GPS has issues with Mediterranean cuisine)
The decor is pretty standard sit-in fare, save for the lovely fountain / altar on the West Wall and the turkish music being played in the background.
Our server was new, but was very well acquainted with the menu, and suggested more than a few tasty items, but we decided to go with our favorite standbys for any Lebanese Restaurant - Babaganouj, Hummus with Pine Nuts, and Falafel w/fries.
It was all fantastic, with the the Babaganouj probably the best of the lot. It had a wonderfully smooth texture and smoky flavor that can't be beat.
The Hummus was well-textured especially due to the pine nuts, but fairly flavorless... the pita bread zipped it up nicely... the wedges arrived warm and soft, and seasoned enough to be a tasty dish on their own.
The portions on the Falafel were European standard, which may seem small to someone from the USA - fortunately, the fries rounded out the plate comfortably and we left feeling very full and satisfied.
After our meal, we ended with a Turkish coffee, and hit the butcher shop on the side, to pay the bill... very well laid out, a good deal of non-meat stock, including Egyptian candies - product placement is key, and they were right by the cash register. Even full as ticks, we had to try some... it was nutty, nougatty goodness.
We will certainly be back!
Pros: good price for quality food, exotic atmosphere, friendly, knowledgeable staff
Cons: Portions may seem a little small to the uninitiated. -
Review from david m.
Washington, DC
It's a takeout or eat in. It also has a little grocery store attached. I love the Lamb Schwarma comes in a bread pita grilled lamb picked radish in some delicious yogurt sauce. I know what im eating for lunch today!
Washington post listed it as one of the best sandwiches in the area that's how I heard about it. -
Review from Simeon T.
Washington, DC
This place is the best for take out and you're not feeling pizza and bad Chinese. The food is very good, and very cheap which fill out the criteria for me for good take out. I love both their lamb and chicken shwarmas, and anything else they make with lamb is great too. The hummus is pretty standard, but their baba ghanoush is out of this world. I live less than 10 min from here so the food holds up really well on the ride home which is a good thing because I wouldn't like to sit down here...bad chairs, bad lighting, and the table tops can be a little sticky.
What's makes it above and beyond the best take out spot though is that while waiting for your food you can visit the Lebanese market/butcher which is attached to the restaurant which offers interesting products you won't find in most grocers like really good pita bread and middle east spices, and an interesting array of refrigerated premade foods, as well as great fresh meats including calf brains, can't beat that with a stick!...well you could but that would be gross. -
Review from Marc M.
Since the fire that ruined their old digs, the Lebanse Butcher and Market has moved down the street from their original storefront. They currently only have the market and butcher shop, but have said that they expect to reopen their restaurant sometime in February or March 2011! Hip hip, hooray!
Listed in: ATF (All Time Favorites), Club Med
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/7/2009
I like this place a lot as I'm a fan of authentic spots. The halal butcher is right on with my… Read more »
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4/7/2009
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Review from meredith g.
Washington, DC
we trekked out here for the shwarmas before the holidays, having read about them in the Washingtonian. I got the chicken and my husband, the lamb. the sandwiches were pretty yummy and warm, small and tightly rolled. each shwarma came with different sauces-we both liked the one that came with the chicken better.
when we were here the grocery was hopping. it must be a great place to get halal meat. the dates looked yummy as well. -
Review from Jen N.
Arlington, VA
I'm just here to post a shout-out for the middle eastern desserts at the Lebanese Butcher. They are absolutely delectable!
If you crave rose-water-scented cookies ... you must stop by. If you only know that you LOVE baklava... you must stop by. Treats are sold in the deli section of this restaurant... pick up some of their assorted fresh ones. -
Review from marc a.
Arlington, VA
I really enjoyed eating at the Lebanese Butcher. Delicious kabobs, shwarma, and I love the pickles they serve. Two downsides: the lambs brain appetizer was tasty enough, but would have been much better if it were lightly battered and pan fried like sweetbreads. It was served in a little broth and was just a little too soft for my liking. The other thing that was a little bummer was the salty yoghurt drink they served, which seemed to lack the yoghurt tang you get with these drinks most of the time.
Other than that, outstanding. Their rice is absolutely delicious, so if you can order something that comes with it I recommend it. I thought the lamb kabobs were also a highlight, and mixed grill my gf ordered came with a powerful garlic sauce that was a beautiful compliment to the lamb.
After dinner we wandered into the small store next door and it really looks like it has some nice stuff to explore. Unfortunately, they had run out of harissa so I'll have to go back again and eat until I burst at the restauanrt. -
Review from Nikki D.
New Orleans, LA
This place is GREAT!!! I get my ground Kafta Meat here and they have only the best Halal meats....which for me is similar to kosher....
I highly reccomend getting ground Kafta and making Kafta in pita....with some pickled veggies and pickled lemon.....you would think pickled lemon would be odd, but the taste is like nothing I can even describe. I've even started pickling at home....wow, I'm a nerd.
Chicken Shawarma is also TOPS!!! -
Review from Julie W.
Washington, DC
Been to the restaurant once (lunch) and the butcher twice.
Restaurant: Amazing shawarma. Had the chicken and the beef/lamb - they were done in different styles but both tasted amazing. better than what i've had in the middle east. i was so sad to finish them - my mouth wanted more. baba ghanouj was excellent too. there are about 100 other things on the menu, so I will be back.
Butcher: he's my goat man. i live in DC but go out there to get goat because he's the only guy I know that always has it. Just a good old fashioned butcher shop where you can get your meat exactly how you want it. It's in the back of a little store that's packed full of middle eastern food staples - it feels about a million miles away from falls church. -
Review from John B.
3.5.
I would suggest that you shouldn't order shawarma at a new place unless you've tried something a bit more adventurous. If Bill O'Reilly knows (kind of) what it is, it's probably no one's specialty. Rumor is at some Thai places that negative attention is paid to dishes commonly ordered by Americans. I don't know whether or not this is true, but when you go to a place like Lebanese Butcher, take note of what natives order. And then compare to what non-natives order. If there's a disconnect, why not trust the natives?
Get the lamb ouzi and as many sides as your party will allow. -
Review from Karen L.
Santa Monica, CA
Definitely not the best Lebanese I've tried.
My lamb shwarma sandwich was completely soggy and mushy after just a few minutes in the foil wrapping. I had gotten it to go--I recommend eating in the restaurant and not getting to go if you're ordering a sandwich. The sandwich was really small and didn't have that much meat in it. I don't think it was worth the price.
The baba ghanoush was delicious.
The meat in the grocery section looked amazing, but I didn't buy any. -
Review from art f.
Annandale, VA
Excellent value but next time I'll come for carry-out.
Good fresh hummus. I had the special: an ordinary lentil soup preceded a generous serving of stuffed cabbage with two large pieces of lamb. I think they were neck bones but the meat was lean, flavorful, and fell off the bone. An accompanying yogurt sauce went well with both the lamb and cabbage. All this for $12.
Atmosphere is classic cheap eats. A large table with a messy infant was not cleaned up. The soup spoons are plastic. The waitress was pleasant and responsive, but they need a bus boy.
Next door is a crowded butcher shop that also sells cheese,togurt, olives, and assorted Lebanese delicacies. -
Review from C C.
McLean, VA
BUTCHER REVIEW:
Having read some of the good reviews, I walked in and ordered 2 pounds of lamb shoulder. Without any questions, they pulled some meat from the display case and wrapped a tray for me. Total charge, $16.47 for 3 pounds of "meat". Great service? That's what I thought until I got home. Here's what I got:
* I GOT SCRAPS!! There were tiny cuts off the end of the ribs and neck, most of it bone. There was maybe a quarter pound of meat (which they used to hide the bones below.)
* I ONLY GOT 2.25 POUNDS!! When I put the ENTIRE PACKAGE on a scale, I saw that I was shorted over 3/4 of a pound. I double checked my electronic scale with other packages. Dead on. Clearly on the sticker it said 3 pound. Someone needs a new scale.
At least the meat was actually lamb.
I will NEVER go back. Either they are total dishonest or completely incompetent. If you can't trust their business practices, how can you trust the meat. -
Review from Robert H.
Arlington, VA
The butcher is a very good place to go for your non-pork meat items. Cut to order so you can get meat with the right amount of fat rather than the stuff the supermarket has stripped clean. And if you want goat this is it. Don't ask for pork or ...!
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Review from Jason G.
Arlington, VA
This should have been four stars, but there was a crazy bunch of scenarios that happened when I shopped the store next door, which shouldnt impact the food stars, but it sort of does since its all part of the same shop. Anyway, the Lamb kabob was pretty decent, some pieces were dried out, some where good, but all the acompanyments were awesome and well prepared. The pickled radishes and cucumbers were awesome, the rice was well spiced, the little semi raw marinated onions with sumac were great with the kabob, the sauce with it was good, and the grilled veggies were a good compliment to it all. If you are getting the platter, you do NOT need an appetizer. However, that did not stop Mike T. and I from ordering it. They were out of the normal humus with pine nuts (OUT OF PINENUTS?!!??!) but they offered to substitute hummus with meat? Who heard of that before, not this guy, but we got it and it was crazy awesome, meat juices mixed in with the meat, on top of really good hummus. So ok, that was all good, now begins the crazyness.
So while going next door to pay, and get some turkish delight, they were sweeping up the floor. And trying to sweep me up too. They were kind of sweeping like right onto me. I gave them a nasty look, but the dude kept on sweeping kinda onto me and towards me, like in a shoo, get out gesture almost. I finally found said turkish delight, and went to pay, and found myself semi-interrupting a very lengthy discussion about receipts and sales. It was all in Arabic, which I dont understand, but let me tell you, I do understand that it went on for nearly 4 minutes as I stood there, literally waving my box of sweets around saying I want to pay. It was so surreal that if my Mike hadn't been there I would have thought I was totally insane. If that wasnt weird enough, a delivery guy from the local hallal delivery truck was dropping off an entire skinned animal and was having a heated discussion with the butcher there about how he couldnt use it because it was a goat, not a lamb. The butcher was pointing out to the delivery guy what the difference was, as he touched the skull and stuff right around the eye that was staring right at me across the counter. Its a bucher shop, so that was actually kind of cool, but tie that into the sweeping onto me and the ignoring of my attempts to pay, and it was kind of crazy. For good measure, on the way out, yet a different guy kept sweeping crap onto my feet as I went out the door. So 4 stars for the food, but one star for the asshats running the store (where I had a previously very good experience a few years ago.) -
Review from Bonnie F.
Falls Church, VA
Bought flank steak once and veal chops once. Both were so tough I had to throw them out after cooking. Won't go back!
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Review from Kim K.
Falls Church, VA
I always ask myself why I don't eat here more often. I've eaten here twice, all told I've had the hummus, falafel appetizer, and falafel sandwich. I've tasted the grape leaves and one of the meat dishes (some sort of sausage). The food I've tried was all very tasty (I love falafel, and am picky about it), the service is prompt, and I think the prices are pretty good. I wouldn't call this a date restaurant by any means, but it's an excellent fast dinner option. I really should eat here more often.
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Review from Mikkela T.
Finally! I've been told about this place and not been able to get myself out there. But now I have. It was for lunch on a Saturday. I have a chicken shawarma flatbread sandwich. It was good. There were taste elements (pickled radish?) and garlic dressing. Again, I've got a thing for chicken shawarma. And I like seeing the giant rotisserie hanging out against the back wall. The lady here told me to eat first, then pay. I did. The sandwich was not huge but it was good. I think it cost about $5. The restaurant is small with lots of small tables. I imagine it gets hectic. Lots of "atmospheric" decorations. I was alone so I looked at the waterfall niche. And the attached butcher's store is a cavern (because the shelves are so close together and they are stacked to the rafters!) of treasures.
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Review from Jason Y.
Arlington, VA
The Lebanese Butcher and Restaurant is great. It is a grocery/butcher that added a restaurant. At the grocery...I have bought their babaganouj and spinach boureks, which are both good. At the restaurant, I've tried various dishes, all of which were good and inexpensive.
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Review from Susan F.
Washington, DC
How can there only be 1 review of this place? It rocks. The food in the restaurant is nummy, to say the least, the service good, and the prices cheap. Plus, the butcher next door is to die for if you're looking for fresh, cut to order meat. I asked for 2 sirloins and the butcher then asked me how I was going to cook it. He cut the steaks based on how I was going to prepare them. Phenomenal.
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Review from Michael T.
Alexandria, VA
My kids and I ate lunch at the Lebanese Butcher recently. This was my first time at this restaurant and it will not be the last. The decor is not much to speak of, and the service was okay; however, the highlight of the restaurant is the cuisine. We shared appetizers of hummus and tabbouleh salad. Both were fresh and bursting with flavor. I tried the falafel sandwich, which was just the right balance of spices, sauce and pickled vegetables. My kids both tried the chicken shawarma sandwich. The chicken was lean and nicely marinated. I'd like to come back for dinner some evening.
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Review from Lance N.
Fairfax, VA
Went there last night (thursday) and it wasnt crowded but there were people in there so you know it aint some deserted hole in the wall.
So my mother and I were waiting for my bro to get there and so we scroll through the list of appetizers and thought to myself, "meh...typical lebanese food...." and so i read the list, baba ganoush.... hommus.....lamb brain.....wait a minute! LAMB BRAIN!! WTF!!!!!! EEW!!!! omfg! BRAIN???? from a LAMB?!?!?!!? ......i ordered it XD
hah! that shiet was .........was interestingly different. Sort of like... the lobster's yellow insides (i think its liver). But has a fried garlic/onion taste to it. But yeah, try it! its interesting. Lots of vitamin B12, but according to my research it is 2003% or your daily intake to cholesterol. It took a little time to come out but i rather have it properly cooked with attention to detail and presentation. This aint no fast food joint so i expect my food NOT be treated like a fast food joint. So those of you complaining about how long it takes for it to come out, go to mcdonalds.
Anyway... so the babaganoush was really good. It tastes alittle more different than most places. It was very nice. Fries really are good!!!!! crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. I also got the quails too. Man that was good, they actually grill it! and its really juicy and crispy, thats a must. Too bad we were too full to eat it all. Their shawarmas were very good too, better than most, if not all, the places in this area.
The atmosphere can use alittle more pick up. maybe new paint, better doors, a better TV. They were playing middle eastern music videos and it was really um.... lets just say it was very ....distracting....yeeeee :D
anyway, u get MORE for wat u pay for. a dish can feed 2 people. We got some other stuff like lamb something....fetteh? or ouni? What ever its called.... Very nice presentation and they give ALOTTT. -
Review from Sara B.
Washington, DC
This Lebanese/Turkish restaurant is small but cute. The service and decor is a little bare but the prices are great, the food is authentic and the selection is wide. (Oh, and the only waitress who works there every day is really nice)
The portions are also generous. I always like to come here with a girlfriend (or two!) and split their stuffed grape leaves platter--it comes with a dozen lamb-and-rice stuffed grape leaves, served hot, a giant chunk of lamb shank, a few pickled vegetables and some pita bread and cucumber yogurt sauce. Huge, great for sharing and only $12ish. Their baklava is also pretty good for dessert. I grew up going to their butcher shop with my mom (it's slightly overpriced but good quality halal meat--the Halalco around the corner is a better deal). -
Review from shehzad s.
McLean, VA
a friend of mine told me about their cheesesteaks----GREAT CHEESESTEAKS. Freshly butchered meat fried lightly. The bread is thick and crusty, and the toppings are fresh. Kind of like the cheesesteak you'd make at home but are too lazy to prepare on your own.
Excellent value for the money.
Service is kind of slow---you're better off carrying out.
French fries here are a must.
I've never even gotten around to trying their arabic food-----the cheesesteaks do it for me every time! -
Review from Janis B.
Washington, DC
I ordered Lamb & Rice for my party. It was delicious. Everyone loved it.
The lamb was very tender and the rice was very good. I would order
again. -
Review from Michelle B.
Arlington, VA
It was the first time we went to the restaurant. Heard about it through word-of-mouth. We went for the lunch buffet and we were surprised at how good it was. We will be going back and bringing friends.
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Review from jenn w.
Washington, DC
Pretty standard but what I imagine is authentic Lebanese food. The lamb kabobs were ok (a bit on the dry side) but the yummy hummus and AWESOME baklava from the grocery part of the store makes up for it. Another plus - the prices are cheap!
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Review from Laura B.
Annandale, VA
Admittedly, I am not familiar with Lebanese cuisine. But I am a fan of Mediterranean and I heard good things so I thought I'd give it a try.
The place is real sparse in decor and small (which always get me excited--places like this have the best, most authentic food!) and next door to a butcher, I may return to shop there, the meat looked amazing.
I was really intimidated by the menu, I didn't recognize anything. Even hummus was spelled differently.
I had the lamb/beef shawarma because I heard it was good (Washington Post review). I felt like the service was a little slow, but maybe it was just because I was really hungry. The waitress was really friendly--when I said I wasn't sure what to order she laughed and said "everything's good!"
When my shawarma came (with very hot fries!) it was quite good. I felt like the meat itself could have been a little more favorable, but it was extremely fresh. It was wrapped in a pita that was lightly fried and crispy. There was a pickle inside which I thought was odd at first, but added a wonderful flavor. The fries were average, just package and fried. But they were cooked to order. I will definitely be returning to try more things. It is a very interesting place with fresh food at a great price. I just need to learn how to pronounce the menu items...
