(562) 621-1698

  (562) 621-9048 fax

  Full halal menu

  Alcohol served

  $$ out of $$$$

   accepted

  Reservations not accepted

  Available to-go

  Shisha/hookah available

  No prayer accomodations

  Clean restrooms

  Catering available (more info)

  Mass transit nearby

  Child-friendly premises

  Wheelchair accessible

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★☆☆☆☆ Where is there ANY indication that this place is halal. I have confirmed with multiple people who work there that it is NOT zabihah and it is NOT halal. I have worked in their long beach location and neither location is halal and hasn't for years. There website used to mention the long beach location as halal but they don't even say that on the website or menu or anywhere. Where is this "halal" sign, it does NOT exist. If the owner is claiming the meat is halal he better have receipts to back it up otherwise he's opening himself to a lawsuit. Ask your waitresses and ask for any proof of Halal, you will not find it. Posted on August 13, 2015

★★☆☆☆ This place is on the corner. I have been here 5-6 times. Make sure u make reservation, otherwise wait time will be 1hr to 2hr depending on the day. I went with my boys on a Wednesday, and had to wait 1 1/2 to get a table. Food is ok but nothing great, but since its halal I Ddnt had to much of a choice then wait. This place is good if you are going with your friends bc of the atmosphere. Posted on March 30, 2014

★★★☆☆ It's not bad place to ear but i think it's a bit expensive. We went there for lunch and orderd sheesh tawook and lamp chops it was good tast but we ate in better places. Maybe it has another things that are good but i didnt know. Posted on December 25, 2013

NR No halal certificate or sign and when i asked the waitress said she doesn't know what halal is!! Posted on August 31, 2013

★★★☆☆ Love love their food but is getting overpriced! One time party of 7 dined and baam they charge gratitudity boooooo!!!! Posted on October 22, 2012

★★★☆☆ Loved this place when it didn't serve alcohol and was just on the one side of the street taking up one store front. Anytime I am back in the LA area I go, but I long for the food it used to be. I order chicken tawook, with the rice, fried potatoes and fetoush and always, always extra garlic sauce. I used to dream about this food and now that I have been back with all the changes, it just simply is not as good. It has also gotten way expensive. They charge you for every substitution when they never use to do that. Quite frankly, I loved that the original owner had the moxi to never allow alcohol in accordance with Halal standards and the place was still always full and there was always a long wait to be seated. Now the alcohol just makes me feel uncomfortable and the super long wait to be seated and eat is no longer justified. Posted on January 15, 2012

★★★☆☆ AoA, Loved this place when it didn't serve alcohol and was just on the one side of the street taking up one store front. Anytime I am back in LA I go, but I long for the food it used to be. I order chicken tawook, with the rice, potatoes and fetoush and always, always extra garlic sauce. I used to dream about this food and now that I have been back with all the changes, it just simply is not as good. It has also gotten way expensive. They charge you for every substitution when they never use to do that. Quite frankly I loved that the original owner had the moxi to never allow alcohol and the place was always full. Now the alcohol just makes me feel uncomfortable. Posted on January 12, 2012

★★★★★ Seriously .. Best Resturant ever .. I tried the chicken shawrma and I decided to pick another one to go .. Good place and good people. Posted on December 27, 2011

★★★★☆ Food is good quality with all main Arab dishes in the menu. Good atmosphere. A bit pricy but worth the experience. Posted on March 12, 2011

★★★★★ The food here is always of the best quality and cooked to perfection. The only problems you might have here is the wait. It can get get very busy here and a wait of 30 to 60 minutes is possible on weekends. Since most of the customers are locals they do serve alcohol but the food makes up for that. PRICY ALSO. Not for those bargain hunters. It's located in a trendy area and the prices reflect teh area. This location is a few buildings down from another location the y have. When it gets busy they will send you to the other location if a table opens up their first. Posted on January 27, 2011

★★★★☆ I've been in here twice now, and both times have been great experiences. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I haven't tried much of the actual food, so I can't rightfully rate it. Posted on January 8, 2011

★★★★☆ I had their chicken shwarma with tabooli salad. They give a lot of chicken in the shwarma so that was good. I thought the dish was a bit dry though. However, my friends ordered the kabob tray whcih turned out to be delicious. It had a lot of variety but it was a bit pricey as a tray. But you can get the items seperately too I think. The restaurant was packed but we made reservations earlier so we had a table ready when we got there. Posted on December 14, 2010

★★★★★ The food here is always of the best quality and cooked to perfection. The only problems you might have here is the wait. It can get get very busy here and a wait of 30 to 60 minutes is possible on weekends. Since most of the customers are locals they do serve alcohol but the food makes up for that. PRICY ALSO. Not for those bargain hunters. It's located in a trendy area and the prices reflect teh area. Posted on November 23, 2010

★★★★☆ not sure what all the hype about this place is. its a nice arab spot, pretty standard menu of kabobs, shawarmas, hummus, etc. they have a few locations all on one street block. it gets really crowded during peak times, so plan ahead. be advised, they cant handle large groups, as they just dont have the space to put tables together. the food came fast & the place is very clean. Posted on May 25, 2010

★★★☆☆ This place is over-rated. The food quality is decent and ambiance is nice but the food portions are small and over priced. Posted on April 16, 2010

★★★★★ Lebanese food at its best. I've never really had very good experience with lebanese food but this place blew me away. They also have a restaurant in Manhattan Beach which is partially halal. Check it out! You won't be disappointed....do put your name down though as it's always busy! Posted on December 23, 2009

★★★☆☆ The portions are small, edible, and overpriced. I had way better Halal Mediterranean/Lebanese food else where. Second if it concerns some Muslims; they do serve "Alcohol" and I don't know if they use it on their food to cook with. Overall this place is overrated. The only good thing about it, is the location. Near shopping areas and the beach. Posted on August 18, 2009

★★★★☆ I really like the food here. It is well cooked and for a decent price. Set-up is nice, except if you go on a Friday or Sat. night it can get overly crowded. I had heard rumors the meat was not Zabihah, and when I asked the staff they did not know what "Zabihah" was, yet they said the food was "Halal". Posted on May 2, 2009

★★★★☆ Have to agree with Anonymous. This is by far the most outstanding Lebanese food I've ever eaten and I've never really cared for Lebanese food before. We turned up 10 mins before iftar, we mentioned to the waitress that we were fasting and needed water. Come iftar, she brings out water, our drinks and the appetisers. We were in and out within an hour with their extremely speedy and attentive service. We tried the Sultan Platter for our entree. This was a delicious combo of grilled shrimp, lamb chops and filet mignon served on a bed of rice with your choice of salad and hummus or babaghanoush. I also tried the laban (a delicious salty yogurt drink with mint)...the drink best ever!!! Very refreshing, especially after fasting all day. Situated on a hip and bustling street on 2nd, this is definately a 10/10 in my book! We will definately go back, even if it is 35 miles from home! Posted on September 21, 2008

NR It is good and they have opened up one more location. I think it may be a bit pricey for what they offer. Posted on August 13, 2008

★★★★★ This is a very nice Middle Eastern (Lebanese to be specific) restaurant, right in the heart of beautiful 2nd St, Long Beach. Ambience and location are just awesome, food is excellent, a bit pricey though. Place can be a bit cramped during rush hours. They do serve alcohol though. Their party platter may not be large enough for 6 people, as stated on the menu, specially if those 6 people are starving adults :) Posted on November 15, 2007

★★★★☆ Great Lebanese food-- Open Sesame platter comes with an arrangement of meats along with your choice of hummus or BG and your choice of a salad. There was a line---full of local residents. But the food was definately worth the wait. Posted on September 27, 2007

NR The food is really good here. I particulary fancy the fried potatoes. The place is a little pricey as stated, nonetheless, the food is very flavorful and worth it. Posted on July 6, 2007

★★★★☆ I love the food. The only problem I have is that they serve alcohol so I wont go there any more. They just lost about 50 family members of mine once they stop serving alcohol we will go back there. I dont think they need alcohol to be successful it just take the barakat away. Posted on February 28, 2006

★★★★☆ The food is good but the atmosphere is really good. The street that the restaurant is on is really fun so there's lots to do there besides just eating at the restaurant. Its great to have a halal restaurant on such a lively street. Makes the whole experience really cool. Posted on January 11, 2006

★★★★★ Visited this restaurant twice last week and have to say the food is excellent and the service is quick and friendly. The place has a nice character and is good to go with someone or just by yourself. They do have Halal printed on their menu but also serve alcohol. Posted on December 23, 2005

★★★★★ This is open of the best restaurent i have been to.Their service is good & good seating arrangements.Their combo platter was really good. Posted on September 8, 2005

★★★★★ I know this place since the opening and i love it more and more everytime. The place get bigger and now they put a manager during the day who really care about the buisseness and the custumer as the owner. The decor is amasing ;o) The waitresses haven't change. This is a second house. ps : They do allowed people to bring wine but don't sale it. Congratulations to the Owner Posted on August 19, 2005

★★★★★ The meat is halal for sure, I parked in the back once and witnessed one of the meat deliveries. It came from a known Halal meat store in Garden Grove. I read somewhere that alcohol is served!!! I realy doubt it. Please, confirm. The chef is a graduate of a famous culinary art school in Lebanon. Posted on August 11, 2005

★★★★☆ The back of the menu says halal - I wonder why the owner wants to hide that fact... anywayz - the taste of the beef shawarma was overwhelmed by the dill or parsley added.. The chicken tawook was good though. Posted on June 15, 2005

★★★★☆ I felt the COmbo wansnt too good. But can anyone verify that the owner is still muslim? b/c they seem to have started serving alcohol and that always make me wonder if they really do serve halal/zabhiha food. Otherwise I really liked the decor and setting. Posted on May 31, 2005

★★★★★ I am definetely going to eat at this restaurant again! Mashallah it is one of the tastiest halal middle eastern restaurants i have been to. Its not really a place to go with family because its really small and intimate. I will for sure go to open sesame again! Posted on December 5, 2004

★★★★★ a great place for Vegeterian people, with a lot a choice. A little Restaurant where you feel home right the way. Service is fine and now they extend the place. i love this restaurant and i miss it everytime i'm overseas Posted on November 15, 2004

★★★★★ This place serves great arabic food and the service is very polite. The owner is a known Lebanese muslim. Weekends are very busy! Posted on November 7, 2004

★★★★☆ Very pleased with the food. The chicken shawarma is very very good indeed. And sheesh tawook was also extremely tasty. Posted on October 30, 2004

★★★★★ Excellent place to eat. Decor and food both are really good. Its a cafe style enviroment. Probably is the best middle eastern food I've eaten. Halal meat is noted on the front of the menu. Small place, so probably crowded on the weekends and nights, but definately a place to try out. Posted on July 2, 2004

★★★★☆ Get the chicken taawook, with rice, fetoush salad, fried potatoes and garlic sauce, you will not be dissapointed! I've been here maybe 4 times in this last past month (I don't live very close to the area) and on the menus it says halal-so I don't think there is a problem; seating is a bit tight so go earlier in the day or call in! Posted on March 4, 2004

★★★★★ Quite possibly the best Lebanese restaurant that i ever been to, not counting my mom's house. The food is so gooooooood that it is as if someones grandma is in their kitchen making all the dishes.. And prices are umbeatable. The location is also full of nice attractions... Stop reading this review, just go... Posted on February 27, 2004

★★★★★ I frequent this restaurant and everytime I have not been for a long time I forget how amazing it is when i go back. Great food, nice setting, very well priced and in a nice area. Posted on November 5, 2003

★★★★★ "Fresh and delicious Arabic food. The place is small but very beautifully decorated and almost always filled to capacity. It has become quite the trendy little hot spot for health conscious 20-somethings. All the meat is halal, and the chicken is organic! The hummus is second only to my wife's. And it's just down the street from me, so you can stop by afterwards for tea, insha'Allah!" Posted on September 27, 2002