Hereโs the completed review:
โI am Lebanese. I grew up in Beirut and Montreal, and as an adult, Iโve regularly enjoyed amazing Lebanese food in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Mexico City. I remembered eating at Beirut Grill seven years ago during a week-long stay in Denver. The food was so good we ordered it to-go two more times that same week. Naturally, I was excited to revisit the restaurant, but a bit apprehensive about whether things might have changed.
Before ordering, I asked a few specific questions to make sure the food was still authentic. I asked about the riceโLebanese rice is unmistakable: fluffy, long-grain rice with golden brown vermicelli sautรฉed in butter. I was assured it was the same Lebanese rice. I asked about the hummusโauthentic hummus is smooth, light, and creamy. Again, I was told theirs was the best. I inquired about the pita breadโLebanese pita is thin, dry, and comes as separate pouches, not sticky or doughy like Greek pita, naan, or flour tortillas. They insisted it was Lebanese. My husband, curious, even asked about the sushi on the menu, a surprising addition for a Lebanese restaurant. The owner explained his brother was a sushi chef, which seemed like a reasonable explanation. Finally, I asked about their sambousekโsmall, perfectly seasoned meat pies that are uniquely Lebanese. I was assured they were the real deal. Confident in their answers, we ordered the beef shawarma and kafta plates, along with sambousek. The total came to $60.
As soon as we got in the car, I noticed something was offโthe aroma was missing. When we opened the bag at home, my heart sank. The pita was not Lebaneseโit was half-baked, flat, tortilla-like circles. The rice was plain white with a few noodles thrown inโnothing like the golden, buttery Lebanese rice Iโd been promised. The hummus was the most upsetting: a watery, salsa-like dip that seemed to have lost its way entirely. And the sambousek? Forgettable and generic.
Whatโs worse is that they blatantly misrepresented their food. They lied about serving Lebanese cuisine, doubling down when I asked specific questions about the authenticity of their dishes. The experience was deeply disappointing and disheartening, especially given my fond memories of this place from years ago. Unfortunately, this is not the Lebanese restaurant it once was, and I wonโt be returning.
Very friendly staff. The garlic sauce and chicken schwarma recipe was spot on. I got the wrap and had them use garlic sauce instead of tzatziki sauce. Highly recommend seeking this place out if you enjoy Mediterranean food. I'll be back for sure.
Honestly I really loved this little place. The food was fresh and the waiter was apologetic when they didn't have a few of the drink options (we came in about an hour and a half before they closed) I'd rather see them out of things by the end of the day because it means they are using items and is likely fresh. It tasteed fresh too!
Will absolutely be going again if I'm in the area.
We had a fantastic meal here! The juice was clearly made in the back with real fruit (strawberry and mango). The middle eastern appetizer was perfect! It had ALL of my favorites, tabouli, fattoush, hummus and grape leaves. The fattoush had real sumac on it. Plus! Yummy veggie sushi and crispy tempura for our second course. We will go back!
Location: 203 W Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO 80110
A very nice, clean restaurant, and the food is superb!! I had a chicken kafta sandwich, and my wife opted for the curry chicken. She had been there before and loved the food. Both dishes were great! Such full flavor on both, and generous portions as well. Not easy to find, and worth the effort!! They have sushi, too!! Brothers run the place, each trained in both cuisines. Sushi next time!!
Update: 5/3/2024 Had the unagi nigiri and it was delicious. The seaweed wrap was very tasty, and the eel was warm and full of those flavors that make eel one of my favorite sushi "meats". Topping it off was the meal-sized kafta chicken (shared with my spouse). And, another winner! Delicious, juicy chicken with a great cacophony of complementary flavors. The garlic paste very flavorful. And, again, the hummus is to die for! Especially tasty after all those bland supermarket hummus's!
Indyaya Pops
a month agoHereโs the completed review: โI am Lebanese. I grew up in Beirut and Montreal, and as an adult, Iโve regularly enjoyed amazing Lebanese food in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Mexico City. I remembered eating at Beirut Grill seven years ago during a week-long stay in Denver. The food was so good we ordered it to-go two more times that same week. Naturally, I was excited to revisit the restaurant, but a bit apprehensive about whether things might have changed. Before ordering, I asked a few specific questions to make sure the food was still authentic. I asked about the riceโLebanese rice is unmistakable: fluffy, long-grain rice with golden brown vermicelli sautรฉed in butter. I was assured it was the same Lebanese rice. I asked about the hummusโauthentic hummus is smooth, light, and creamy. Again, I was told theirs was the best. I inquired about the pita breadโLebanese pita is thin, dry, and comes as separate pouches, not sticky or doughy like Greek pita, naan, or flour tortillas. They insisted it was Lebanese. My husband, curious, even asked about the sushi on the menu, a surprising addition for a Lebanese restaurant. The owner explained his brother was a sushi chef, which seemed like a reasonable explanation. Finally, I asked about their sambousekโsmall, perfectly seasoned meat pies that are uniquely Lebanese. I was assured they were the real deal. Confident in their answers, we ordered the beef shawarma and kafta plates, along with sambousek. The total came to $60. As soon as we got in the car, I noticed something was offโthe aroma was missing. When we opened the bag at home, my heart sank. The pita was not Lebaneseโit was half-baked, flat, tortilla-like circles. The rice was plain white with a few noodles thrown inโnothing like the golden, buttery Lebanese rice Iโd been promised. The hummus was the most upsetting: a watery, salsa-like dip that seemed to have lost its way entirely. And the sambousek? Forgettable and generic. Whatโs worse is that they blatantly misrepresented their food. They lied about serving Lebanese cuisine, doubling down when I asked specific questions about the authenticity of their dishes. The experience was deeply disappointing and disheartening, especially given my fond memories of this place from years ago. Unfortunately, this is not the Lebanese restaurant it once was, and I wonโt be returning.
Sam Kachar
a month agoVery friendly staff. The garlic sauce and chicken schwarma recipe was spot on. I got the wrap and had them use garlic sauce instead of tzatziki sauce. Highly recommend seeking this place out if you enjoy Mediterranean food. I'll be back for sure.
Megan Rosenblum
6 months agoHonestly I really loved this little place. The food was fresh and the waiter was apologetic when they didn't have a few of the drink options (we came in about an hour and a half before they closed) I'd rather see them out of things by the end of the day because it means they are using items and is likely fresh. It tasteed fresh too! Will absolutely be going again if I'm in the area.
Trudie Mcevoy
5 months agoWe had a fantastic meal here! The juice was clearly made in the back with real fruit (strawberry and mango). The middle eastern appetizer was perfect! It had ALL of my favorites, tabouli, fattoush, hummus and grape leaves. The fattoush had real sumac on it. Plus! Yummy veggie sushi and crispy tempura for our second course. We will go back!
Bill Hรถrger
9 months agoLocation: 203 W Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO 80110 A very nice, clean restaurant, and the food is superb!! I had a chicken kafta sandwich, and my wife opted for the curry chicken. She had been there before and loved the food. Both dishes were great! Such full flavor on both, and generous portions as well. Not easy to find, and worth the effort!! They have sushi, too!! Brothers run the place, each trained in both cuisines. Sushi next time!! Update: 5/3/2024 Had the unagi nigiri and it was delicious. The seaweed wrap was very tasty, and the eel was warm and full of those flavors that make eel one of my favorite sushi "meats". Topping it off was the meal-sized kafta chicken (shared with my spouse). And, another winner! Delicious, juicy chicken with a great cacophony of complementary flavors. The garlic paste very flavorful. And, again, the hummus is to die for! Especially tasty after all those bland supermarket hummus's!