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Taste of Lebanon
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Taste of Lebanon
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A takeout-first Lebanese counter where the play is fast, filling plates built on garlic-heavy sauces, grilled meats, and sturdy sides that travel well. It’s best when you order like a regular: one shawarma anchor, one dip, and something crunchy for contrast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma sandwich, Hummus, Lentil soup
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Big-flavor Lebanese takeout built around shawarma and dips.
Who should go: Takeout-first shawarma people
When to visit: Early dinner for quickest pickup
What to order: Chicken shawarma, hummus, lentil soup
Insider tip: Add an extra side of garlic sauce—this menu runs best with it.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark Street; metered spots are available but can be tight after 6pm. Easier on side streets a block or two west.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are standard.
Noise level: Low — counter-service setting with minimal dine-in chatter.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for takeout during peak dinner hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — falafel, hummus, lentil soup, salads, and multiple veggie sides.
Vegan options: Yes — falafel plates, hummus, baba ghanoush, lentil soup, and salads (confirm sauces).
Gluten-free options: Limited — grilled meats and some sides are gluten-free, but pita is central to the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a sit-down date — it’s best as a casual takeout stop or quick bite rather than a linger-and-talk spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there’s limited seating and no reservations; most guests order at the counter or take food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple plates, mild options like chicken and rice, and quick service work well for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable Lebanese takeout with strong garlic-forward flavors and filling portions that travel well.
Skip if: You’re looking for a full-service Mediterranean dinner or a polished dine-in atmosphere.
Taste of Lebanon
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A tiny, cash-only Lebanese counter built for quick, high-satisfaction classics—shawarma, falafel, and a peppery lentil soup that locals treat like a ritual. Keep the order tight and immediate: one wrap, one soup, one dip, and you’re set. Massive, sustained review volume supports the “always works” reputation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Peppery lentil soup, Falafel wrap
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Cash-only Lebanese counter with soup-and-wrap execution that stays consistent.
Who should go: Lunch seekers chasing shawarma and soup
When to visit: Midday before the tight room fills up
What to order: Chicken shawarma, lentil soup, falafel
Insider tip: Bring cash and add extra sauce—wraps love it.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark Street; metered and can be competitive during lunch rush, easier mid-afternoon.
Dress code: Very casual—jeans, hoodies, and work clothes are standard.
Noise level: Moderate to loud for the size—conversation is fine but this is not a quiet linger spot.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes typical; space is tight and turnover is fast.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak noon hour; off-peak is often no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—falafel, lentil soup, hummus, baba ghanoush, and veggie sides.
Vegan options: Yes—falafel, lentil soup, hummus, baba ghanoush, and several salads (confirm sauces).
Gluten-free options: Limited—grilled meats and lentil soup work, but cross-contact is possible in a small kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a long first date—great food, but the room is tight, fast-paced, and more transactional than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations; expect counter ordering and quick turnover, especially at lunch.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids who eat wraps or soup comfortably; no high chairs and limited space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, no-nonsense Lebanese classics—shawarma, falafel, and lentil soup with unbeatable speed and value.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Middle Eastern meal, alcohol, or a lingering dinner—choose a full-service spot instead.
Taste of Lebanon
8.3
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A no-frills Foster Ave counter that hits on shawarma, falafel, and combo plates that taste like someone cares—even when you’re taking it to go. It’s best as a focused order: one wrap or one combo, plus a small side, so everything stays fresh and hot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Falafel, Lentil soup
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Straightforward Middle Eastern staples executed with real consistency.
Who should go: Takeout regulars and shawarma loyalists
When to visit: Lunch for the fastest turnaround
What to order: Chicken shawarma wrap, falafel, lentil soup
Insider tip: Add one side sauce—then stop; portions add up quickly.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Foster Ave; generally manageable during the day, tighter during evening rush.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, hoodies, and work clothes are all normal.
Noise level: Low to moderate — counter-service room with light conversation noise.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak takeout rush; seating turnover is quick.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of a brief order line.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — falafel wraps, lentil soup, hummus, baba ghanoush, and vegetable sides.
Vegan options: Yes — falafel, lentil soup, hummus, baba ghanoush, and salads without sauces.
Gluten-free options: Limited — plates and salads can work, but wraps and pita dominate the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s better for quick meals than lingering conversation, but fine for a casual, low-pressure meetup.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter service with limited seating, and tables open up quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple flavors, fast service, and easy-to-share plates work well for kids.
Best For
Better for: Quick, inexpensive shawarma and falafel that travel well and stay flavorful.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Middle Eastern meal with ambiance or a long, relaxed pace.
Taste of Lebanon
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Foster Ave counter that lands as real cheap eats because the wraps are filling, the flavors stay direct, and the menu doesn’t punish you for ordering a full spread. The best move is a shawarma wrap plus one side—enough to feel complete without drifting into over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Falafel, Lentil soup
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Filling Middle Eastern wraps and plates with standout price-to-satisfaction.
Who should go: Quick lunches and budget-minded takeout
When to visit: Midday for fastest counter service
What to order: Chicken shawarma wrap, falafel, lentil soup
Insider tip: Add one side only—wraps are already substantial.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Foster Ave and nearby side streets; availability is usually reasonable midday but tighter in the evening.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are completely fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate—easy to hold a conversation, more utilitarian than lively.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes at most; counter service keeps things moving.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of a brief midday rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—falafel, lentil soup, hummus plates, and several veggie sides.
Vegan options: Yes—falafel wraps, lentil soup, hummus, baba ghanoush, and salads (confirm sauces).
Gluten-free options: Limited—many plates and sides work without pita, but wraps and breads are central to the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure meetup than a romantic first date—it’s counter-service and focused on food, not atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system, and seating is usually available or turns over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like wraps or falafel; no special kids menu, but portions are flexible and approachable.
Best For
Better for: Fast, filling Middle Eastern food with excellent price-to-portion value and zero ordering stress.
Skip if: You’re looking for a full sit-down Middle Eastern experience or a more atmospheric dinner setting.
Taste of Lebanon
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A tiny, counter-service Andersonville staple where vegetarian ordering is easy and deeply satisfying—falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, and lentil soup that taste like someone’s been doing it the same dependable way for years. It’s best as a quick lunch run: one wrap plus one side, then be out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel wrap, Lentil soup, Baba ghanouj
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: No-frills Lebanese counter food where vegetarian staples hit hard.
Who should go: Vegetarians who want fast, filling lunch
When to visit: Weekday lunch for the fastest flow
What to order: Falafel wrap, lentil soup, baba ghanouj
Insider tip: Order one wrap and one side—extra plates can be overkill in a small space.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Clark Street; limited availability and can be tight during peak lunch hours. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are completely fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate — small room, light counter chatter, easy for solo dining or quiet conversation.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait, but seating is limited and some guests opt for takeout.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; short line possible during the noon rush but it moves fast.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetarian staples are core to the menu, not secondary options.
Vegan options: Yes — falafel, lentil soup, hummus, baba ghanouj, and several sides are naturally vegan.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some dips and soups are gluten-free, but cross-contact is possible in a small prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional sit-down date — it’s better for a casual daytime bite or quick solo meal than a linger-and-talk setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter service with first-come seating, but space is limited so be flexible or plan for takeout.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids who are comfortable with simple counter seating; no high chairs or kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable Lebanese vegetarian food with no decision fatigue — especially strong for quick lunches and solo meals.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, a relaxed hangout, or a place to linger with a group — nearby sit-down Middle Eastern spots are better for that.
Hours
Monday11am - 5pm
Tuesday11am - 5pm
Wednesday11am - 5pm
Thursday11am - 5pm
Friday11am - 5pm
Saturday11am - 4pm
SundayClosed