Byblos Market

Metairie 2: Orleans Line To Houma Blvd: 2020 Veterans Blvd. 504-837-9777. Map.
Casual.
AE DC DS MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
This is the grocery-and-deli adjunct to the Byblos restaurants on Metairie Road and Magazine Street, but it has its own menu and special attractions that keep it on my mental map of restaurants. Particularly for days when time is short. In fact, this may be the best fast-food restaurant in town. You can come in, eat, and be gone in fifteen minutes if you needed to. And yet eat very well.

WHAT'S GOOD
Behind the counter, a pair of vertical rotisseries slowly turn with gyros and chicken shawarma. The latter is the best in town, made in the most traditional way--not something many Middle Eastern restaurants do. The chicken is roasted, then sliced and stacked on the rotisserie. As it turns, it gets crusty at the edges, and that's the part the chef slices off for you. It comes with a fluffy garlic sauce, basmati rice pilaf, hummus, a salad with feta cheese, and a few black olives for far under $10. It's almost too much to finish. Daily specials of things like kafta kebabs and roast chicken are also here and just as cheap and good.

BACKSTORY
Byblos Market opened in the late 1990s, on the heels of the success of the two full-service Byblos restaurants elsewhere in town. Same owners.

DINING ROOM
It has the look of a convenience store, its shelves and refrigerator cases full of Middle Eastern foodstuffs for those looking to make their own. A row of tables next to the deli makes for comfortable eating, although everything id disposable.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
»Hummus.
»Baba ghanoosh.
»Tabbouleh.
Falafel.
»Chicken shawarma.
Gyros.
»Greek salad.
»Spinach pie.
»Daily specials.
Baklava.

FOR BEST RESULTS
Check the board for the day's specials. You might miss it, and these are usually very good.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
Plastic plates and utensils are unappealing, but it's hard to argue at these prices.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

Dining Environment

Consistency +2

Service

Value +3

Attitude +2

Wine & Bar

Hipness

Local Color

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

• Good for business meetings
• Open Sunday lunch and dinner
• Open Monday lunch and dinner
• Open all afternoon
• Unusually large servings
• Quick, good meal
• Good for children
• Easy, nearby parking

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