B-Dooz: An Urban Lebanese Eatery (Restaurant Closed)

It all started when I was born, 32 years ago... back then it was named B12. A snack everyone grew to love for its homey feel, a burger like no other (when burgers were only homemade), fries served in a box, and their tasty shawarma... 

With new owners now, the place is now referred to as B-Dooz and the place is said to have developed to meet today's standards. 

Ordering home a few time already, I though why not give the new setup a visit. Read the previous review and the emotions and experience I had here. I was not sure that I would accept the changes.  

The trendy decor, the new employees and, a new menu, fresh smells, cleanliness... A completely different approach.

B12 is now B-Dooz, with the creation of the B-Doozer, the trendy man. On the Mtayleb main highway is a large burger sign where B-Dooz is located. Next to Georges the barber and facing Miyagi Sushi. This fast, casual urban Lebanese eatery welcomes you for lunch and dinner in a fresh setup. Light wood and red are the colors of food and freshness. 

Outside is a small terrace where lunch can be enjoyed while blending in with the neighborhood and counting the cars going up to Bickfaya. Four tables and those leather covered chairs. Inside is the same setup facing the main bar.

The new menu:

• Starters
• Salads
• Shawarma
• Platters
• Burgers
• Sandwiches
• Light
• Extras
• Desserts

Let's eat:

• Shawarma: Three deliveries to date and the shawarma was good... sometimes better than others with no consistency, the shawarma uses good ingredients and surely can be improved. Two layers of bread are too much for this tiny little sandwich. Inside is more parsley than meat and surely more sauce is added. In my opinion, the meat portion should be increased, they should use less bread (perhaps one and a half pieces per portion) and less parsley.

• The B-Dooz burger: A generous, loaded burger with a good homey meat, a fried mozzarella chunk, tomatoes, tiny Lebanese cucumber pickles, tomatoes, grilled bacon that's not crispy and lettuce. The filling together is enjoyable but the bread, maybe left from last night, is hard, firm, chewy, dry and spoils the experience.

• Hummos with shawarma: When you eat this, you'll understand why the sandwich is dry. The meat is as good as I expected it to be, but dry. Delicious Hummos, a generous plate and a perfect mix, it's just sad that it's dry.

• Submarine: The submarine flavors I've been searching for the last year, this huge sandwich from my childhood is found at B-Dooz. Good filling, but the bread, again, too chewy, surely left in a nylon bag for the day. Experience spoiled.

• The fries: Good quality frozen fries cooked to perfection. But aren't hand cut fresh potatoes better? 

Out of all, my favorite today was the hummus plate with shawarma. I finished it with a fork, no bread needed.

I'd change:

• The bread supplier for sure.
• Keep the bread away from nylon bags and toast them before serving.
• It's too crowded in the kitchen: Six people, doing what?
• The meat shawarma should be moist, tender and shiny.
• I'm not sure why the chicken skewer has to be marinated in garlic? It's served with garlic sauce anyway.
• The sandwiches look way more appetizing on the menu, especially the submarine. Shouldn't they be better looking?

The plus: I loved the hummus! 

The minus: B-Dooz lost its soul.

I was happy to see the improvements and cleanliness of this new diner, a location cared for by professionals. Acceptable food, good ingredients and clear room for improvement, which I'm sure can be done easily … 

But I personally miss the old nostalgic memories which were all erased; come here with no comparison whatsoever with the original place.