Prince Lebanese Grill — Review by Food Network
North Arlington, United States — Lebanese
Guy Fieri visits Prince Lebanese Grill, a former fast food drive-in turned Lebanese restaurant run by the owner known as the Prince, who emigrated from the Middle East 30 years ago. The reviewer raves about the authentic, fresh Lebanese cuisine including perfectly seasoned beef, creamy rice, crispy falafel, and traditional sides prepared with high-quality ingredients and traditional spice blends. Every dish impresses with its simplicity, flavor, and care in preparation.
What was great: Hummus, beef and chicken shrimp, falafel, mashwish (beef tenderloin), rice peel off, tender fillet, tabbuli, baba ganoush, fresh ingredients, authentic Lebanese preparation
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
Guy experiences a comprehensive tour of Prince Lebanese Grill's menu, starting with creamy hummus that he describes as the best. The beef and chicken shrimp combination showcases the restaurant's commitment to quality proteins. The standout mashwish features beef tenderloin seasoned with Montreal steak seasoning, mustard seed, coriander, and allspice, then marinated for nearly 24 hours in imported Lebanese olive oil and apple cider vinegar from Skenkity. The rice peel off, made with fried uncooked pasta, basmati rice, and a complex mixture of 14 different spices, arrives with perfect creamy texture and a hint of vinegar. The tender fillet is lightly seasoned and served alongside the incredible rice. The tabbuli features parsley, tomato, bulgur wheat, spices, and mint, while the baba ganoush eggplant dip impresses throughout the meal. The falafel nuggets come 12 to an order, perfectly crispy on the outside with distinct spices detectable on the inside, served with tahini sauce, pickles, tomatoes, and bread.
The Experience
The drive-in setting maintains its classic charm while serving authentic Lebanese cuisine. The Prince himself, who immigrated from the Middle East 30 years ago, brings his nickname and culinary heritage to North Arlington, Texas. The operation is family-run with the owner personally involved in preparation, using his mother's traditional methods and never buying canned foods. Service is attentive, with dishes arriving hot and ready. Regular customers visit twice weekly, testament to the restaurant's reliability and quality.
Value & Pricing
Specific prices are not mentioned in the transcript, though the generous portions and high-quality ingredients suggest solid value for authentic Lebanese cuisine at a casual drive-in setting.
Notable Moments
When you've got the need, the need for Lebanese, this is where you go.
The most tender beef I've had. The rice is out of this world. It's just like perfect.
It is simple food, but they take their time.
The Verdict
Prince Lebanese Grill is an essential stop for anyone seeking authentic Lebanese cuisine prepared with dedication to traditional methods and premium ingredients. The Prince brings genuine cultural expertise and passion to every plate, making this unassuming North Arlington drive-in a hidden gem for Lebanese food enthusiasts and anyone curious about Middle Eastern flavors prepared the right way.