Google led me to Batal, a street food restaurant on the Ballouneh highway. Amazing and mouthwatering photos you want to try! I was excited to see double patties and double cheese, submarine sandwiches and appetizers. Looking and feeling like a professional American brand, I drove up the road to Ballouneh.
I started shooting videos for my Instagram; I was excited to spot my next hero... the place turned me off! I erased my videos and decided to write a review.
The first impression:
- I love the branding!
- A tiny little shop.
- A coca-cola fridge, another Pepsi fridge inside the kitchen.
- One single table.
- An open kitchen protected with glass.
- One man, no cooks!
- No music and no vibes.
- No credit card!? Why?
I ordered and sat at the bar to enjoy my food: the above with two soft drinks for 30,000LBP.
- Classic cheeseburger.
- Omelet and bacon sandwich.
- 3arous Batata.
- Mushroom steak submarine.
One man came back from his break, wore an apron over his clothes and started preparing the food.
Food impression: I was not expecting to like the food... seeing it being prepared until I had the first bite.
Let’s eat and see: good food!
- The burger: I enjoyed the tender bun, juicy meat, cheesy feeling. Coleslaw and a tomato. This burger needs more ketchup, more coleslaw, less cooking of the meat and roasting the bun.
- Toasted fries sandwich loaded with crispy fries and crunchy coleslaw salad. More ketchup!
- Indeed, the steak submarine is phenomenal. A tender, warm bun, tender meat, and very good sauce. Bravo for this sandwich.
- Omelet eggs with bacon and mushroom: even though I would have preordered the sandwich toasted, I liked the filling: juicy eggs omelet, crispy bacon, and soft mushrooms.
What this food need is a passionate cook: everything needs the extra mile to be perfect.
A complex experience if I might say: the photos in social media, shop experience, and flavors do not blend! I was expecting an amazing American diner which turned out to be a local snack. Having an open kitchen was not the best of things to see; your food being prepared this way... until I’ve had my first bite: good food is served here! I enjoyed my lunch and continued my trip to the north.
Batal has been open since June, a street food eatery with Lebanese vibes selling tasty sandwiches at affordable prices.
