Wow, small but powerful, very tasty and large portion. The falafel were very crispy and tender, very traditional flavor. The tahini and other sauces very well done. The chicken Shawarma bowl was huge, not traditional shaved Shawarma, but very good nonetheless. All in all, a very nice addition to the lab, and a worthwhile place to stop for Mediterranean type food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sauce, Single Falafel S, Shawarma
Pamela D.
Beware ... this establishment has no regard for food allergens ... I recently ate at the Costa Mesa location and I have a shellfish allergy. I always look to see if there is any shellfish on the menu, which there was not. After we ate our meal I experienced an allergic reaction. I called the next day to let the restraurant know in the event there was a cross contamination situation, product change, etc. The man who answered the phone was terribly rude, dismissive, and not concerned in the least! Very disappointing and obviously would never to back!
Selam Kassa
Delicious chicken shawarma and falafel !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Single Falafel S, Shawarma
John S.
I've been on a Mediterranean kick recently and I'm always a "bowl" fan. BL has been on my list for awhile, so I tried it on a rainy day today. I ordered the Bowl - 1/2 Chicken, 1/2 Steak, all three bases - rice, spinach and lettuce. And both garlic and Tahini on the side. It was prepared well, the cashier was very nIce and accommodating and the food was good... but it didn't blow my socks off. I enjoyed it but not sure I'd travel to eat here given other options on the area.
Jessica A.
I can be quite critical when it comes to Lebanese food because my husband is Lebanese. I have tried so many local restaurants around LA/OC area and this place hits the spot. I love that the family works here and you can often find dad and sons working here. I noticed they hired a few new employees which wasn't the same when a familiar face wasn't there to greet me with their usual smile. The chicken shawarma sandwich is very good here. Love that it is freshly made. I only wish they added fries to the sandwich but you can always order a side and add them yourself. The tabbouleh salad was not as good but again dad wasn't there, usually that lemony, olive oil, salt dressing takes over my taste buds. The hummus and baba ghanoush is delicious, smooth and silky with the simple pita, makes for a perfect side. Whenever I want fast Lebanese food, this is my go-to spot.
Garrett Thompson
Great place to grab a bite to eat, can’t go wrong w anything on the menuDietary restrictions: Halal ingredients, easy to customize any order
I work in Costa Mesa and go out to lunch everyday. I have my goto restaurants and this is one I can't pass up. I go every other week and always look forward to it. I was at The Lab once and decided to give it a shot and was wildy surprised at how good the food is, everything. I tend to get the Chicken Pita wrap the most, but you can't go wrong with anything. Their special fries and Lentil soup are amazing as well. I'll mostly dine in, but sometimes take my meal around the corner to the brewery that's about 30 yards away and eat there.
Recommended dishes: Zaatar Fries, Chicken Pita
Scott L.
Barbonzai Lebanese Eatery is a family own business opened since 2016 (7 years) and has two locations (Lake Forest, Costa Mesa). This Costa Mesa location is within The Lab-Anti Mall Plaza (also known as the hipster center with no parking spaces). Barbonzai is near Habana/Bootleggers and this location used to be a poke shop. There are many similarities with Lebanese food and Mediterranean food so this is great spot if you are trying to eat healthier. I arrived on a Friday evening and there was a couple eating inside. Ordering Screen: (2.5/5) No one was at the cashier but there was an Ordering Screen. The touch sensitivity was horrible and the stand was wabbly. I was jamming my finger on the screen trying to select food options. I was eventually able to pay with my phone but did not receive any texts. Perhaps I typed in my number incorrectly? One other thing I did see was the $1 soup special addition that I could not add. Cashier Service: (5/5) The older man was so kind and friendly! He informed me that the baked falafel would take 10 minutes which I said yes to. He was also able to add onto my soup request. It didn't seem like a busy time as he appeared standing and picking up a spray bottle. Falafel bowl (4/5): Spinach, lettuce, pickles, radish, rice, and falafels. The falafel was tasty and the tahini sauce was great to dip them in. I have to comment that their rice was also very unique. The only thing that I did not like was the recyclable paper bowl which was wet on the bottom and dampening my table. I would order sides of pita next time and would have loved to see if their pita was made from scratch. Lentil Soup (5/5): Great textures and hearty. I appreciate that it was not salty as well. The bowl also came with crackers which I tossed because the soup didn't need it. Positive Feedback: I wished that Barbonzai could showcase their food or how they make their items. There are restaurants like Sababa Falafel Shop where they present everything behind a glass and make the food in front of you as you order. It would also be terrific if they had more pickled or fermented items like turnips and onions. Overall, this is one of the only places I would come back to in this plaza.
Fadi T
Very fresh food and tasty. WillBe back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Zaatar Fries
Narjes Misherghi
Very tasty food. Glad we discovered it today! Yummy salad bowls and zaatar fries. Clean restaurant. Easy going, laid back spot. Healthy and halal! ??
Only had the baba ghanouj and it was delicious. Very friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melanie Henrich
A great find! The beef shawarma & fries w/ the homemade garlic sauce were delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
bezlebuth
soooo delicious!! the chicken and steak of the schwarma is extremely tender and their hummus is so smooth!! the workers are sweet and definitely seem to put love and care into their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Flavia R.
Delicious heartwarming food! The lentil soup was yummy. The falafel was perfect! Sometimes they're too soft inside but not this one. The tajin sauce was perfect on the falafel and rice and the baba ganoush had the perfect texture. I will definitely come back here again.
Wow, small but powerful, very tasty and large portion. The falafel were very crispy and tender, very traditional flavor. The tahini and other sauces very well done. The chicken Shawarma bowl was huge, not traditional shaved Shawarma, but very good nonetheless. All in all, a very nice addition to the lab, and a worthwhile place to stop for Mediterranean type food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sauce, Single Falafel S, Shawarma
Beware ... this establishment has no regard for food allergens ... I recently ate at the Costa Mesa location and I have a shellfish allergy. I always look to see if there is any shellfish on the menu, which there was not. After we ate our meal I experienced an allergic reaction. I called the next day to let the restraurant know in the event there was a cross contamination situation, product change, etc. The man who answered the phone was terribly rude, dismissive, and not concerned in the least! Very disappointing and obviously would never to back!
Delicious chicken shawarma and falafel !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Single Falafel S, Shawarma
I've been on a Mediterranean kick recently and I'm always a "bowl" fan. BL has been on my list for awhile, so I tried it on a rainy day today. I ordered the Bowl - 1/2 Chicken, 1/2 Steak, all three bases - rice, spinach and lettuce. And both garlic and Tahini on the side. It was prepared well, the cashier was very nIce and accommodating and the food was good... but it didn't blow my socks off. I enjoyed it but not sure I'd travel to eat here given other options on the area.
I can be quite critical when it comes to Lebanese food because my husband is Lebanese. I have tried so many local restaurants around LA/OC area and this place hits the spot. I love that the family works here and you can often find dad and sons working here. I noticed they hired a few new employees which wasn't the same when a familiar face wasn't there to greet me with their usual smile. The chicken shawarma sandwich is very good here. Love that it is freshly made. I only wish they added fries to the sandwich but you can always order a side and add them yourself. The tabbouleh salad was not as good but again dad wasn't there, usually that lemony, olive oil, salt dressing takes over my taste buds. The hummus and baba ghanoush is delicious, smooth and silky with the simple pita, makes for a perfect side. Whenever I want fast Lebanese food, this is my go-to spot.
Great place to grab a bite to eat, can’t go wrong w anything on the menuDietary restrictions: Halal ingredients, easy to customize any order
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Zaatar Fries, Sauce, Tabbouleh Salad, Chicken Pita
I work in Costa Mesa and go out to lunch everyday. I have my goto restaurants and this is one I can't pass up. I go every other week and always look forward to it. I was at The Lab once and decided to give it a shot and was wildy surprised at how good the food is, everything. I tend to get the Chicken Pita wrap the most, but you can't go wrong with anything. Their special fries and Lentil soup are amazing as well. I'll mostly dine in, but sometimes take my meal around the corner to the brewery that's about 30 yards away and eat there.
Recommended dishes: Zaatar Fries, Chicken Pita
Barbonzai Lebanese Eatery is a family own business opened since 2016 (7 years) and has two locations (Lake Forest, Costa Mesa). This Costa Mesa location is within The Lab-Anti Mall Plaza (also known as the hipster center with no parking spaces). Barbonzai is near Habana/Bootleggers and this location used to be a poke shop. There are many similarities with Lebanese food and Mediterranean food so this is great spot if you are trying to eat healthier. I arrived on a Friday evening and there was a couple eating inside. Ordering Screen: (2.5/5) No one was at the cashier but there was an Ordering Screen. The touch sensitivity was horrible and the stand was wabbly. I was jamming my finger on the screen trying to select food options. I was eventually able to pay with my phone but did not receive any texts. Perhaps I typed in my number incorrectly? One other thing I did see was the $1 soup special addition that I could not add. Cashier Service: (5/5) The older man was so kind and friendly! He informed me that the baked falafel would take 10 minutes which I said yes to. He was also able to add onto my soup request. It didn't seem like a busy time as he appeared standing and picking up a spray bottle. Falafel bowl (4/5): Spinach, lettuce, pickles, radish, rice, and falafels. The falafel was tasty and the tahini sauce was great to dip them in. I have to comment that their rice was also very unique. The only thing that I did not like was the recyclable paper bowl which was wet on the bottom and dampening my table. I would order sides of pita next time and would have loved to see if their pita was made from scratch. Lentil Soup (5/5): Great textures and hearty. I appreciate that it was not salty as well. The bowl also came with crackers which I tossed because the soup didn't need it. Positive Feedback: I wished that Barbonzai could showcase their food or how they make their items. There are restaurants like Sababa Falafel Shop where they present everything behind a glass and make the food in front of you as you order. It would also be terrific if they had more pickled or fermented items like turnips and onions. Overall, this is one of the only places I would come back to in this plaza.
Very fresh food and tasty. WillBe back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Zaatar Fries
Very tasty food. Glad we discovered it today! Yummy salad bowls and zaatar fries. Clean restaurant. Easy going, laid back spot. Healthy and halal! ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Zaatar Fries, Chicken Bowl, Salads
Restaurantji Recommends
Really good Lebanese good. Limited menu but all items are delicious. The falafel platter was excellent. Not much seating space.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Zaatar Fries, Falafel Platter, Hummus, Chicken Platter
Only had the baba ghanouj and it was delicious. Very friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
A great find! The beef shawarma & fries w/ the homemade garlic sauce were delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
soooo delicious!! the chicken and steak of the schwarma is extremely tender and their hummus is so smooth!! the workers are sweet and definitely seem to put love and care into their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious heartwarming food! The lentil soup was yummy. The falafel was perfect! Sometimes they're too soft inside but not this one. The tajin sauce was perfect on the falafel and rice and the baba ganoush had the perfect texture. I will definitely come back here again.