Owner Mike is a very friendly guy and quick to greet you upon entering this medium-sized, nicely decorated restaurant. Menu included the traditional mediterranean fair and the prices were excellent, something I generally criticize Byblos' competition, The Mediterranean Cruise Cafe (expensive). The food. Simply amazing with tons of flavor. The meat plate was excellent and the tabouli was fresh and bursting with flavor. The hummus and bread were also highly recommended. However, the best part of the meal for me was stuffed grape leaves. WOW! Overall, I loved Byblos and have made it my go-to spot for all things mediterranean. Mike has a wonderful thing here. I find myself craving this food, a lot. A+
(5)
Jeff M.
Wow so good the first time. What a let down this time! We ordered lamb, chicken, and beef kabobs. The lamb portion was so tiny (enough for two bites) and it was extremely overdone and tough as shoe leather. The dishes we ordered were all rice and we were charged 35$ for the order.
(1)
Monica L.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! I don't like to leave a bad review for a local business, but this place really has awful food. I've gotten take out here twice, the gyro meat is dry and not well seasoned. And they charge to put cucumber sauce on the gyro, that should come standard! Most recently I ordered the "Byblos salad." I wish I took a picture, it wasn't fit for a dog. The salad is made of the same iceberg lettuce and chopped tomatoes used on top of gyros and mixed in with pita bread. It was soggy with cheap odds and ends that I threw it away. Honestly this should be taken off the menu. I love to support a local business but can't give credit where credit isn't due.
(1)
Tina T.
My bf and I stopped in last night. Neither one of us have had Lebanese cuisine so we were pretty excited to try something new. We shared the shawarma appetizer with a side of pita and the gyro "sandwich" which is actually served in a pita. Both dishes were a combination of ground beef & lamb. My first impression of the restaurant wasn't great. It was dark and not very inviting but I was able to look past that once our food arrived. Both dishes were delicious. The meat was so incredibly tender and flavorful. I no longer wanted to share and wanted my own gyro. HA. Our server was friendly but had a dry sense of humor. He didn't bring plates or silverware either.
(4)
Ken H.
Hidden gem in the suburbs. Atmosphere is what you'd expect in Burnsville. The place is clean, comfortable, plenty of tables... all fine. The service is attentive, quick, accommodating, genuine... great. The food is better than what I've had in the Twin Cities (my only experience). Really fresh tabouli, good basic hummus, great baba ganoush, excellent falafel, meats all really well spiced and tender. Really healthy delicious food south of the river, really well executed.
(5)
Madelyn L.
My friend and I just tried this place and loved it. Neither of us have had Lebanese food before and asked the waitress what she recommends for a couple of newbies. She suggested the Taste of Lebanon, which has a little of everything. It was great and very filling.
(4)
Craig B.
The best hummus in town! Great food and excellent service make for a wonderful experience.
(5)
Joe B.
A real find in an unlikely spot. Best chicken I have ever had. Mike (the owner) works some real magic. Good food. Good people. Good times.
(5)
Frank L.
Plain tasting gyro Byblos was my choice for a lunch while working in Burnsville. I was looking forward to a nice gyro. Unfortunately I didn't find it here. The gyro was comprised of a few slices of plain-tasting gyro meat with a very bland yogurt based sauce, no flavor at all. It barely had any meat at all/ usually they're heaping with gyro meat- not here, only a few slices at most. The sauce tasted like plain yogurt/sour cream, and actually detracted from the taste. It wasn't taziki as I have been served myriad times in other joints. My fries were piping hot and plentiful, a large serving indeed, not a spec of salt or flavor on them. No salt in table either. Water had a chemical taste. Service was decent, no complaints at all and waiter is owner, he was a nice fellow and I hear him over some advice about eating the garlic sauce and going back to work, thought that was pretty nice of him. I hate giving two stars but this was the plainest most flavorless gyro I have ever had.
(2)
Steven D.
Cheese cake it's so amazing it's hard to even get it it's a must have, besides that the food is fabulous! And Mike the owner is a wonderful host and his sweet tea is great
(5)
Drew S.
Had a great lunch of shawarma. A bit spicy which was a nice change from what I'm used to in Detroit area restaurants. Mike the owner was very friendly and his recommendations were spot on. I will be back!
(5)
Brian B.
Byblos is great! I just visited for my first time and I will definitely be back. I was recommended the schawarma chef special by Mike, which isn't on the menu but has a bit more to it than the standard. I've had schawarma all over Africa, Europe and the Middle East and I can say this tasted really great! The price was right also. I'll definitely be back to explore the menu more.
(5)
Lisanne W.
Very good food, service was just ok but the food is worth it.
(4)
Gray B.
OK first things first, get a full bar liquor license. No, not because I'm boo hoo-ing that I couldn't have a long island with my gyro, it will just help with step 2. Step 2 - buy some stools, turn the counter across on the other side of the restaurant where the servers are shout-greeting every person that walks in into a real bar top. Step 3 - put a host stand in front of the door where that awkwardly placed table is and hire a host for dinner rush. Don't worry, he or she will be 16 and will work for peanuts. There! Now we're on our way to doin stuff like them real sit down restaurants do! ANYWAYS Grain belt on tap? Cool. Waiting 25 min for a gyro? Not cool. Finding the gyro meat to be bland and mushy, bland tabbouleh, bland rice and no real pita bread to be seen (just a lame cub foods "pita pocket") Not cool. Blasting Lebanese public access karaoke on all overhead tvs? OK that's so awkward its almost cool in an ironic sort of way. Our server was nice but got my friends order wrong, which honestly isn't the end of the world and not a factor in my score( I'm a server I get it) but when the wait for our food is pushing half an hour,(again, kitchens fault, not servers I totally understand) it would have been nice to get the right thing. Anyways, she offered to take the plate back but we were pretty hungry at this point so he opted to just stay sad and eat what was brought. Table next to us heard us laughing at the Lebanese(?) lady gaga covers and told us they were so bothered they asked their server to turn it down and the server said no. This also doesn't negatively effect my review, in fact the one star goes out to that server who told them no because...shut up annoying customers.
(1)
Jen W.
The food was absolutely delicious!!! This is the second time I've been here and I will be back again soon. If you are looking for authentic Lebanese food then look no further! This establishment quench your garlic craving!
(5)
Gordon M.
Best Lebanese food that I have ever had. The sampler for two is enough for four people and delicious. The humus incredible and the chicken kabob out of this world. The falafel is perfect. Desert was also delicious. There was one dish that was a mix of yogurt and something else. Incredible.
(5)
Jaden G.
This place is absolutely fantastic! The owner is very friendly and will likely greet you if you dine here. The lamb was very good and I think I had the best hummus I've ever tasted here. Definitely worth a try.
(5)
Simon K.
Excellent food and service. Very authentic recipies and atmosphere. And by far the BEST CHEESECAKE in the world! All for very reasonable prices
(5)
Ann J.
Fantastic food, wine and good service... In fact, the service is almost too good. We used to come here for our monthly book club on Tuesday nights. But, the owner (pretty sure he was the owner), checked in with us so much that it was actually disruptive to our book discussion. I know it sounds crazy, but yes, I am complaining that the service was too good and landed on the side of annoyance. So, the lesson is that this is not a good place for a book club. However, it's a great place to eat if you love Lebanese food... Because it is VERY, VERY good here.
The food was very good. I had the Biblos salad with gyros and my mom had one with sharima. The waitress was very friendly and helpful. The owner came out to our table and asked us if we were enjoying our lunch.
(5)
Aaron E.
The second time we came to eat at Byblos my wife and I were greeted by name. To some that doesn't mean much. But to us it says that we were important enough to the owner for him to remember that small thing. Besides that, the food is pretty good! We will definitely go back!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Steve B.
Owner Mike is a very friendly guy and quick to greet you upon entering this medium-sized, nicely decorated restaurant. Menu included the traditional mediterranean fair and the prices were excellent, something I generally criticize Byblos' competition, The Mediterranean Cruise Cafe (expensive). The food. Simply amazing with tons of flavor. The meat plate was excellent and the tabouli was fresh and bursting with flavor. The hummus and bread were also highly recommended. However, the best part of the meal for me was stuffed grape leaves. WOW! Overall, I loved Byblos and have made it my go-to spot for all things mediterranean. Mike has a wonderful thing here. I find myself craving this food, a lot. A+
(5)Jeff M.
Wow so good the first time. What a let down this time! We ordered lamb, chicken, and beef kabobs. The lamb portion was so tiny (enough for two bites) and it was extremely overdone and tough as shoe leather. The dishes we ordered were all rice and we were charged 35$ for the order.
(1)Monica L.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! I don't like to leave a bad review for a local business, but this place really has awful food. I've gotten take out here twice, the gyro meat is dry and not well seasoned. And they charge to put cucumber sauce on the gyro, that should come standard! Most recently I ordered the "Byblos salad." I wish I took a picture, it wasn't fit for a dog. The salad is made of the same iceberg lettuce and chopped tomatoes used on top of gyros and mixed in with pita bread. It was soggy with cheap odds and ends that I threw it away. Honestly this should be taken off the menu. I love to support a local business but can't give credit where credit isn't due.
(1)Tina T.
My bf and I stopped in last night. Neither one of us have had Lebanese cuisine so we were pretty excited to try something new. We shared the shawarma appetizer with a side of pita and the gyro "sandwich" which is actually served in a pita. Both dishes were a combination of ground beef & lamb. My first impression of the restaurant wasn't great. It was dark and not very inviting but I was able to look past that once our food arrived. Both dishes were delicious. The meat was so incredibly tender and flavorful. I no longer wanted to share and wanted my own gyro. HA. Our server was friendly but had a dry sense of humor. He didn't bring plates or silverware either.
(4)Ken H.
Hidden gem in the suburbs. Atmosphere is what you'd expect in Burnsville. The place is clean, comfortable, plenty of tables... all fine. The service is attentive, quick, accommodating, genuine... great. The food is better than what I've had in the Twin Cities (my only experience). Really fresh tabouli, good basic hummus, great baba ganoush, excellent falafel, meats all really well spiced and tender. Really healthy delicious food south of the river, really well executed.
(5)Madelyn L.
My friend and I just tried this place and loved it. Neither of us have had Lebanese food before and asked the waitress what she recommends for a couple of newbies. She suggested the Taste of Lebanon, which has a little of everything. It was great and very filling.
(4)Craig B.
The best hummus in town! Great food and excellent service make for a wonderful experience.
(5)Joe B.
A real find in an unlikely spot. Best chicken I have ever had. Mike (the owner) works some real magic. Good food. Good people. Good times.
(5)Frank L.
Plain tasting gyro Byblos was my choice for a lunch while working in Burnsville. I was looking forward to a nice gyro. Unfortunately I didn't find it here. The gyro was comprised of a few slices of plain-tasting gyro meat with a very bland yogurt based sauce, no flavor at all. It barely had any meat at all/ usually they're heaping with gyro meat- not here, only a few slices at most. The sauce tasted like plain yogurt/sour cream, and actually detracted from the taste. It wasn't taziki as I have been served myriad times in other joints. My fries were piping hot and plentiful, a large serving indeed, not a spec of salt or flavor on them. No salt in table either. Water had a chemical taste. Service was decent, no complaints at all and waiter is owner, he was a nice fellow and I hear him over some advice about eating the garlic sauce and going back to work, thought that was pretty nice of him. I hate giving two stars but this was the plainest most flavorless gyro I have ever had.
(2)Steven D.
Cheese cake it's so amazing it's hard to even get it it's a must have, besides that the food is fabulous! And Mike the owner is a wonderful host and his sweet tea is great
(5)Drew S.
Had a great lunch of shawarma. A bit spicy which was a nice change from what I'm used to in Detroit area restaurants. Mike the owner was very friendly and his recommendations were spot on. I will be back!
(5)Brian B.
Byblos is great! I just visited for my first time and I will definitely be back. I was recommended the schawarma chef special by Mike, which isn't on the menu but has a bit more to it than the standard. I've had schawarma all over Africa, Europe and the Middle East and I can say this tasted really great! The price was right also. I'll definitely be back to explore the menu more.
(5)Lisanne W.
Very good food, service was just ok but the food is worth it.
(4)Gray B.
OK first things first, get a full bar liquor license. No, not because I'm boo hoo-ing that I couldn't have a long island with my gyro, it will just help with step 2. Step 2 - buy some stools, turn the counter across on the other side of the restaurant where the servers are shout-greeting every person that walks in into a real bar top. Step 3 - put a host stand in front of the door where that awkwardly placed table is and hire a host for dinner rush. Don't worry, he or she will be 16 and will work for peanuts. There! Now we're on our way to doin stuff like them real sit down restaurants do! ANYWAYS Grain belt on tap? Cool. Waiting 25 min for a gyro? Not cool. Finding the gyro meat to be bland and mushy, bland tabbouleh, bland rice and no real pita bread to be seen (just a lame cub foods "pita pocket") Not cool. Blasting Lebanese public access karaoke on all overhead tvs? OK that's so awkward its almost cool in an ironic sort of way. Our server was nice but got my friends order wrong, which honestly isn't the end of the world and not a factor in my score( I'm a server I get it) but when the wait for our food is pushing half an hour,(again, kitchens fault, not servers I totally understand) it would have been nice to get the right thing. Anyways, she offered to take the plate back but we were pretty hungry at this point so he opted to just stay sad and eat what was brought. Table next to us heard us laughing at the Lebanese(?) lady gaga covers and told us they were so bothered they asked their server to turn it down and the server said no. This also doesn't negatively effect my review, in fact the one star goes out to that server who told them no because...shut up annoying customers.
(1)Jen W.
The food was absolutely delicious!!! This is the second time I've been here and I will be back again soon. If you are looking for authentic Lebanese food then look no further! This establishment quench your garlic craving!
(5)Gordon M.
Best Lebanese food that I have ever had. The sampler for two is enough for four people and delicious. The humus incredible and the chicken kabob out of this world. The falafel is perfect. Desert was also delicious. There was one dish that was a mix of yogurt and something else. Incredible.
(5)Jaden G.
This place is absolutely fantastic! The owner is very friendly and will likely greet you if you dine here. The lamb was very good and I think I had the best hummus I've ever tasted here. Definitely worth a try.
(5)Simon K.
Excellent food and service. Very authentic recipies and atmosphere. And by far the BEST CHEESECAKE in the world! All for very reasonable prices
(5)Ann J.
Fantastic food, wine and good service... In fact, the service is almost too good. We used to come here for our monthly book club on Tuesday nights. But, the owner (pretty sure he was the owner), checked in with us so much that it was actually disruptive to our book discussion. I know it sounds crazy, but yes, I am complaining that the service was too good and landed on the side of annoyance. So, the lesson is that this is not a good place for a book club. However, it's a great place to eat if you love Lebanese food... Because it is VERY, VERY good here.
(4)Nicole S.
Mike, the owner, is always over the top friendly and EXTREMELY accommodating to those of us with allergies. When we've been there, he's asked every table if they have any allergies he needs to worry about and he makes sure all of his staff is very careful in preparing your food. I can not tell you how wonderful this is for those of us with allergies - eating out is usually a big ordeal and, honestly, often avoided so we don't have to deal with the headache of impatient staff and potentially unsafe food. I don't worry at all here - such a pleasant relief! Aside from the above, for all of you who don't have allergies to worry about, you must know that the food is great and authentic. I'm not sure where a previous reviewer's family is from, but my husband is also Lebanese. His father grew up in NE Mpls in the Lebanese community (my husband's grandma is from Lebanon) and his family has grown up eating Lebanese food as long as he can remember - including homemade, of course. My husband went as far as to say that Byblos' food is better than Emily's in NE Mpls on our last visit - pure sacrilege in his family! The restaurant isn't anything fancy, but I don't need pretentious décor or an upscale location to keep my stomach happy. Food delivery is slightly slower than most restaurants his size, but that's because it is cooked FRESH to order. I can wait 15-20 minutes instead of 5-10 for the real deal, indeed. Patience is a virtue, right? Anticipation is part of the pleasure, right? Right. Oh, and Mike often likes to drop off little goodies for you to try that he's got in the kitchen cooking up, the first time was a little Shawarma juices for my husband to dip his fries in, he about died. Last time, it was a few extra morsels of fried cauliflower for me - yum! The Kafta, Shawarma, Gyro and basically all of the meats are to die for - give them all a try by scoping out the meat lover platter. Delish! For your gluten free diners, the gyro meat is gluten free (as is all the meat) - unheard of in any other Mediterranean restaurant I've visited! For you traditionalists, we haven't asked yet if he'll prepare his kibbeh raw, but maybe next time... So, if you want a little middle eastern/Mediterranean food with a flair - please give Byblo's a try and keep Mike open for business. He deserves it.
(5)Sylvie P.
The food was very good. I had the Biblos salad with gyros and my mom had one with sharima. The waitress was very friendly and helpful. The owner came out to our table and asked us if we were enjoying our lunch.
(5)Aaron E.
The second time we came to eat at Byblos my wife and I were greeted by name. To some that doesn't mean much. But to us it says that we were important enough to the owner for him to remember that small thing. Besides that, the food is pretty good! We will definitely go back!
(4)