Comments on: Byblos Lebanese Grill: Burnsville, MN

By: 2012 Lazy Lightning Restaurant Reviews/Rankings | Bill Roehl

2012 Lazy Lightning Restaurant Reviews/Rankings | Bill Roehl — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 13:48:37 +0000

[...] 11. Wicked Palate Food Truck 12. Classic Saigon 13. Saigon Palace 14. Black Stallion Saloon 15. Byblos Lebanese Grill 16. Betty’s Cafe and Pies 17. Pita Plus (closed) 18. Piccolo’s Pizzeria 19. Lone Oak [...]

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By: Nurd52

Nurd52 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:53:51 +0000

I wonder how long this place will last. I went in there for the first time today for lunch.

There were no customers when I walked in the door.

If you’re looking for a hookah though, they have quite a selection on the counter.

The gyro was good (as well as the fries!) but all I wanted was a gyro, but you can only buy the entire meal and not just a sandwich only. I don’t know if this is common or not, but it would have nice to have that option.

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By: Ozzie

Ozzie — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:30:39 +0000

It makes me want to try this place just because of their ethics.

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By: lefty

lefty — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:22:21 +0000

Jenn W.

Where else to you like to eat good food? Your review makes me want to try all of the places you like.

lefty

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By: Jenn W.

Jenn W. — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:51:54 +0000

My husband and I went there last night- we’d been meaning to try it. I’ve been to the Middle East and the Mediterranean so I was super excited to see that this kind of restaurant opened up. We had the pick three appetizer- baba ganoush, hummus and shawarma. For entrees we had one kofta and one lamb kabab. Next time we’ll definitely get two kababs per entree. The food was very flavorful, and the chef/owner even came out to ask me how I wanted my lamb since they cook it med rare and someone didn’t like that. Of course who ever that was must be a complete idiot because its just a sin to over cook lamb. But I digress. I really enjoy that it set up the way it is- more of a counter pick up on the way home type of place which is exactly what my husband and I need. FANTASTIC new ethic option with lots of gluten free choices. This will definitely be a once a week visit. Oh I should also add that I loved the garlic sauce. That is a MUST with the kababs!

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By: Territorial Baron

Territorial Baron — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:11:35 +0000

I thought I’d check back and see if there had been any action here since my last post… I’ve been busy getting ready for the Ren Fest and then also packing up/moving/garage sale-ing 50 years’ worth of stuff from my parents’ house.

@sandy – I noticed the same thing over June & July, and the owner said that he was working on addressing that and normalizing things. Unfortunately, I now have to speak to him about ‘bait and switch’ because the last time I was in I got the same thing I usually order but was served 1/3 less food than previously. I hate bait and switch with a passion, as you may have noticed. I also hate it when the Felafels are all over the place as far as texture and consistency… I’m in favor of the dry & breadlike inside with crispy on the outside version, and the last time around they were almost burnt outside and mushy on the inside. Sad panda.

I did however go check out Shish again, actually twice in two weeks’ time, and I do believe I have found my new favorite middle eastern place. The food is much improved since the last time I was in there. The ambiance – if you could call it that – sucks donkey balls, but the Hummus with Gyro app is exactly what I want when I go to these places, and is actually worth the $. They make Felafels that are polar opposite of what I want, but at least I know that from looking at my friend’s plate.

The only thing that bugged me about Shish is the price of their baklava. And the music they play… I’ll be going back to try some other menu selections.

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By: Jeremy D.

Jeremy D. — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 20:10:26 +0000

So, is it possible that the owners have taken all of our comments into consideration and have made improvements based upon them? I would be happy and impressed if they had – to the point of being willing to give them another shot. Based on the more recent comments, it seems some of the previous issues have improved. Has anyone from the beginning tried it recently?

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By: Bill Yrock

Bill Yrock — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:55:36 +0000

We went to Byblos last weekend.. I thought the food was OK.. was it the greatest ever? no.. but I wouldn’t totally avoid the place..

The service was good.. they hit the wrong button on the register and got our order wrong. They fixed it quickly and brought us more food to make up for it.

The owner was around making sure everything was fine..

It did seem a little spendy for what looks like a quick serve place.. it was around $40 for 2 dinners..

I’d go back again sometime

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By: jorn

jorn — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:32:20 +0000

For me, no matter how good the food is at a restaurant, it’s pretty hard to wash the taste of astrotrurfing out of my mouth. So, for me, I’m kind of happy the food is bad. That way, I won’t feel like I’m missing out on anything while maintaining my bitchy stance on not giving owners like this my business.

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By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:28:29 +0000

I’m bummed to hear the food at Byblos isn’t good, we were so excited when we saw it giong in. I am part Lebanese and for me there isn’t any better food then my moms of course. We will still try it but we will stick to the Med Cruise where we know we can get good food.

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By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:51:51 +0000

I have stopped the individual who is a serial thumbsdowning douchebag from voting on comments. If the abuse continues, I will stop it for everyone.

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By: flo

flo — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:43:54 +0000

Wasn’t me!! I’ve been known to give a Driveby Finger But Never a Thumb!! haaaa. Everyone has the right to their own opinion and tastebuds!!

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By: Sank

Sank — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:51:11 +0000

Someone thumbed down one of my comments and it was totally bengin. I think I’m the victim of a drive by thumbing.

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By: flo

flo — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 22:38:28 +0000

Has anyone been to the Gardens of Salonica?
http://www.gardensofsalonica.com/frontpage?page=3
We were the once & had a Greek salad & Pastitio that we thought was very good.

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By: mulch

mulch — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:32:43 +0000

Sad to hear this place is below par, but enjoyed reading the comments and making a list of some new places, especially the one on 105th in Bloomington which Sank referred to. (in fact there are several hole in the wall ethnic gems in East Bloomington and parts of Richfield… )

MSPD etc, by all means try Aida. Its not great, but its pretty good, nice people, and just get a paper menu and avoid looking at the monitor above the counter with the menu on it. We have been there 2 times in the last month and enjoyed it. It reminds me of Palestinian places in chicago. And i am a sucker for well prepared felafel with quality veggies and hot sauces…

Baron , sorry you got dissed by someone, i also have frequented Wally’s alot when i visit my son who lives near dinkytown. I still like it but i think they may have started low to generate a business and have had to increase both to cover higher costs and improve margins.

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By: sandy

sandy — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:17:21 +0000

Thanks, Baron. I had forgotten about Abdul’s Afandy.

We were seriously underwhelmed by Med Cruise when it opened in its new location. The food seemed very processed/not from scratch and also unappealing.

We have eaten at Aida twice; both times it was very, very good – the only comment I’ll volunteer that could be potentially negative is that I ordered the same thing both times and it was like it was from two completely different restaurants. It was made differently, seasoned differently, served differently, garnished differently, and even contained different elements each time (it was a combination plate). Both were very good – it’s just puzzling.

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By: flo

flo — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 17:50:18 +0000

We’ve been to Byblos twice now.We frequent The Med Cruise and Love Greek/Lebanese food! The first time we got the gyro appetizers & salad with falafel on top. I thought the dressing on the salad was bland .The falafels were an excellent texture and freshmade but could of used some spice or heat from peppers.
The next visit we got the Gyro combo plates that came with meat, fries and a salad.Plus we ordered a plate of Falafels. Again the salad was just lettuce and the dressing was bland .I would like to see a vinaigrette dressing and some Feta & olives ,fresh tomatoes etc on the salads. Everything has those perfect little diced tomatoes and onions that look like they came out of a bag and lack taste.I’d like to see fresh cut veggies!
I liked the fact that he was light on the salt shaker with all his food.We Love the Falafels,the fries,We loved the hummus, it wasn’t as salty as most! We loved the garlic in the food and asked for Garlic Dip which the owner came out both times & chatted with us. He was very nice & seemed to listen to learn from our complaints.He also brought us out alot more Garlic Dip that I Love & He makes excellent without a ton of salt!!
We wish him well & hope he pulls everything together & makes changes so he can stay open!!

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By: Territorial Baron

Territorial Baron — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 23:20:26 +0000

See, MSPD, that’s the thing. Consistency. I’ve eaten there a dozen times since the new Med opened and whether it’s the lamb plate, sampler platter, gyros… It was either mediocre at best, or I-wouldn’t-feed-my-dog-this-what-the-hell-14.95? at worst. If it were consistently average or very good, I’d eat there, at least you know what you’re getting. Since some people are apparently being served good food there, why wasn’t I? The Felafel I got there was very weird indeed…

Oh, I forgot to mention FilFillah on Central in the ‘has Shawirma’ list Again, my handful of visits there got mediocre to “do they even care about the quality” food, but other people have different experiences that were morepositive. And I don’t think I have impossibly high standards.

Bill: I was kidding.

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By: MSPD

MSPD — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:30:30 +0000

Baron, I think Med Cruise still has some quality food when you exclude the buffet. Their “Moroccan couscous” is still one of my favorite lamb dishes in the Twin Cities. Their falafel and some of the other things I gravitate towards there are above-average.

Ansari’s….well….my one visit there didn’t compel me to return. Pretty well-documented on here.

Re: the thumbs down, I think someone is just being a dick. Nothing you said in your original post was controversial at all. I totally agree with you on the latest – someone should show some balls and back up their thumbs down of two very informative posts with some discussion.

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By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:02:02 +0000

It’s not me.

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