beirut restaurant

I hate getting lost (but love seeing others in such a state). I pride myself on an innate sense of direction most commonly associated with the male gender of our species. When it inevitably happens, though, I get frustrated and angry (not at myself, mind you, but at the louts who designed the road layout in whatever area I’m currently lost).



So, yes, I got a bit turned around in my efforts to find Beirut Restaurant in Troy, NY. Good things had been said about the family-owned Lebanese eatery, and I was anxious to try their take on the pita wrap. I ended up taking an unintentional tour of the Capital Region, but being the stubborn mule that I am, I drove until I found the place, thinking to myself that it had better be worth it.

It wasn’t worth it. Let me amend that--I’m glad I found the homey little restaurant, but I won’t go back unless I happen to be in the area. I certainly don’t want to smear the place, as the owner and his father are just about the nicest folks I’ve encountered in this area--super-sincere and going to great lengths to please.


Let’s talk about the food. I got the chicken shawarma ($5 plus tax). The pita, although a step up from that of The Phoenicians, was sad, thin, and droopy. The chicken, however, was spiced to perfection with a variety of seasonings that I couldn’t even begin to list. It was moist and succulent, too, but clearly not the shaved-off-the-spit type--it was in big chicken-tender-like hunks which weren’t a joy to rip apart. The tomato and lettuce (the least relevant ingredients, of course, but important all the same) were practically nonexistent. And the garlic paste--good gracious. It’s pure garlic, and simply not my cup of tea.

I hate getting lost.

Beirut Restaurant
184 River Street
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 270-9404