AlBeik’s Lebanese food is great to go

By Pete Dulin

Traditional Lebanese sandwich shops focused on takeout were the concept behind AlBeik, a fast casual eatery at 131st and State Line that opened just over a month ago. Owned by Diana Ammar and brothers Saleem Fahda and Ahmad Fadha, AlBeik (pronounced al-beck) offers limited seating and serves a steady stream of to-go customers. Whether dining in or grabbing food to eat elsewhere, the food is truly a taste of Lebanese cuisine that also mirrors native meal preferences.

“We created a sandwich shop that’s similar to what’s popular in Lebanon – fast and casual,” said Ammar.

The co-owners chose the South Kansas City spot along State Line because “it was a perfect location to reach people in Missouri and Kansas. We looked at multiple spots but chose this one because it’s near great neighborhoods,” said Ammar.

True enough. A schoolteacher and her teenage son, who live in a neighborhood “five minutes away” popped in and introduced herself to Ammar. Turns out that the teacher works at the school that Ammar’s young energetic son attends and greeted the curly-haired boy by name. Meanwhile, multi generational Lebanese families and couples young and old were among the guests spotted dining in over two consecutive days. Other Southlanders also walked in and tried the new neighborhood spot for the first time.

Common dishes exist across the Middle East, such as baba ganoush, hummus, and falafel. As Ammar pointed out, “The spices differ. We prepare food 100 percent the Lebanese way.”

An eye-opening and palate-pleasing example was the order of falafel. The fritters were perfectly crispy with a fluffy interior. A single bite revealed a warm, aromatic spice blend that I didn’t anticipate. Most falafels are rather bland or might have a slightly more prominent presence of herbs such as parsley that don’t necessarily boost flavor. AlBeik’s falafel featured a blend of cardamom, cumin, black pepper, and other spices. The closest comparison I could conjure was ras el hanout but that fragrant spice blend is associated with Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. At AlBeik, I felt like I was trying a Lebanese mother’s secret recipe. Sure enough, it was Ammar’s distinctive spice blend. Each bite convinced me that I was tasting a family recipe exactly like she prepared at home.

The other notable difference in AlBeik’s offerings involved another staple, pita bread. Unlike the thicker bready pita bread one might find in Mediterranean cuisine, Lebanese pita bread is light and paper thin with a subtle sweetness. Ahmad Fahda shared the secret behind the flavor, but you’ll have to ask a family member in the halal kitchen why the bread tastes different and delicious. The thinness works in your favor, providing a better ratio of bread to fillings that allows the flavor of the food to more fully express itself.

Appetizers include the aforementioned falafel, creamy hummus, and baba ganoush, a smoky dip made from roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice meant to be swabbed up with pita bread. Fried crispy cheese rolls will satisfy just about anyone’s appetite who favors cheese. Arayes kafta packs grilled pita bread with ground beef, onion, parsley and spices.

The fattoush salad is a fresh medley of finely-diced tomato, cucumber, radish, lettuce, red cabbage, and other vegetables tossed in a pomegranate molasses dressing with a lightly sweet-tart flavor. Crispy fried pieces of pita bread on top add crunch and heft to the salad.

Less adventurous eaters can opt for the grilled smash burger or chicken sandwich. But why, when variations of those common dishes are everywhere? Surely they are tasty but when in a Lebanese sandwich shop…

Kabab Orfali is a savory charbroiled beef kabab with hummus and biwaz salad (parsley, onion, sumac, and lemon juice) wrapped in pita bread. Highly recommended. Be prepared for the salty pucker of the magenta-colored turnip pickles served on the side.

Other sandwiches are made with charbroiled ribeye, beef, or chicken that’s skewered and grilled first before assembling the sandwich. The grill adds a light smoky kiss to the meat.

Chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, gyro, and a falafel sandwich are other familiar options.

The platters are a reasonable choice to feed a family or large group. Options include a combo of three skewers (chicken tawouk, beef kabab, and ribeye), two skewers of choice, and a charbroiled half or whole chicken. A vegetable platter with an ensemble of mezze is also available. Platters include pita bread, pickles, and garlic sauce.

One month or so in business, Ammar found that more first-time guests, including other Lebanese people, are finding AlBeik. It’s a heartwarming sign as hungry parents and restless kids arrive for a taste of homemade food.

“We’re seeing new faces who are Lebanese from Kansas. People are becoming more aware of our grab-and-go concept and like the authenticity of what we’re doing,” said Ammar.