REVIEW: Albasha Greek & Lebanese Restaurant

1958 North U.S. Hwy. 190
Covington, LA

View the website

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Overall:
Service:
Atmosphere:
Food:
Price:

Pros: Near perfect gyro and chicken shawarma.
Cons: They don’t have a location next door to our house.
Bottom Line: Really good Greek & Lebanese food at a great price!

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In the middle of a half mile stretch of Hwy 190 where there are not one, not two, but three Thai restaurants, sits a lone Greek and Lebanese restaurant, Albasha. Albasha has several locations in Southeast Louisiana – we were big fans of the ones in Baton Rouge, and, fortunately, the Covington one does not disappoint. Greek and Lebanese, in our opinion, is a great category of cuisine in that it is appealing because it is "ethnic" - it's cuisine from another region of the world - but it is also not overly intimidating. Most dishes use relatively standard ingredients and simple cooking methods, so there isn't anything that should scare away timid eaters. It's a great introduction to global cuisine for those with trepidation.

The restaurant itself has an open, bright feeling without seeming cheesy or fake. It's a nice enough place to bring a date but casual enough to stop in with the family and kids.

On the menu, Albasha offers a significant number of appetizer options, many of which are vegetarian. The only downside is there are no “sampler platters”, which are great for pleasing a diverse crowd or for introducing this style of food to some newbies. We started with the meat-stuffed grape leaves. These were delicious, as was the creamy sauce with which it was served.

In the entree category, you can’t go wrong with the Greek staples – gyro (lamb) and chicken shawarma platters. (If you can’t decide between the two, don't fret - there is a combination platter.) The chicken shawarma is juicy and delicious. The gyro, however, is near perfection. Tender, flavorful, and almost melts in your mouth. That is what’s great about well-executed Mediterranean food – it’s simple, but so delicious. No crazy preparation tricks, just well-marinated, slow-cooked delicious meats. The sides stand their own as well. The hummus is very good and has the right amount of boldness, the salad is solid (though they seemed to have switched from an oil-and-vinegar-dressed salad topped with feta crumbles to a salad topped with a creamy feta dressing), and the rice is decent yet forgettable. Overall, Albasha makes one of the best-rounded platters that we have tried in the area. And they really stand out where it counts – with the meats. Not to mention they serve generous portions at reasonable prices (the platters are just over $10).

Albasha offers a wide range of Greek and Lebanese dishes and executes them well. If you're the kind who doesn't like to venture out of the ordinary, Albasha is a great place to cautiously break out of your rut. Give it a try once, and we're sure you'll be back for more.