Open Sesame

by Colin M.

Yep, still amazingly good food.  came here for lunch with some people from work and was seated very quickly.  Besides the two loud and obnoxious ladies sitting next to us, it was a really pleasant meal.Fried Cauliflower was really good.  Chicken Shawaarma (spelling?) is also really good Really good food, got a table for 3 with no wait at noon.   Tasty lentil soup, great chicken…

by Scott T.

Next time I come here I'm just gonna plan for it being the only meal of my day.  I love kafta, and I could barely finish my plate, despite how delicious it was.  Some of my friends were able to cram in froyo afterwards, but I suspect they didn't eat as much as I did.  Or they're just freaks.

by Nicholas N.

This is a nice little place.  The food was just delightful (and the portions were large enough I got to enjoy it again for lunch the next day)!I had some Kafta and Ladyhawk had some falafel.  Both were very tasty and spiced very well.  The Tabouleah and the potatoes were very mouth-watering as well.  I'd definitely go back here and we tend not to visit the same place twice.

by Goose M.Chris G.Fancie L.Katherine L.

Skipping the reviews ahead of me once more, I have to say that I was satisfied overall by my meal of Kabob!So my girlfriend (Sarah H.) invites me to dinner as we're craving something out of the norm. And what better than Mediterranean on Tuesday.Firstly, glad I didn't stay to eat. The scene at the restaurant is simply not style. The food though. Fantastic. We had an order of Fried Potato as an appetizer. I don't know what combination of flavors they used exactly, but the tangy-ness from the lemon flavors gave the Potato an extra dimension in flavor. Potato has it's own texture, but the softness included was to truly savor. My kabob was pretty standard. The meat, (somewhat) soft and savory. I wouldn't say that it was dry, considering I got it medium, and I don't want to say that it was hard, but it certainly wasn't soft.. No complaints considering I was pretty glassy, I dove right in as opposed to enjoying the meal slowly at first. The quality of the rice was up there with the best. Though rice takes very little to do to impress me.  As does the Hummus. My partner in crime got the Open Sesame combo, which included lamb, kabob, and chicken. The lamb doo doo-looking stick was amazing! Full of flavor and pretty damn soft. The look of a sausage, the taste of a queen. The Baba Ghannouj was quite the treat as well. So if looking for a savory cluster of flavors, look no further. No complaints overall, though they could have spared some more Pita bread and utensils. Haha.They serve mediterranean food.That's about all I can say about it. Don't be fooled by the people always milling around on the sidewalk waiting for a table. The resaurant itself has a nice atmosphere, although there are so many tables and chairs, there is hardly room for people to dine. The food is good, it is not any better than the mediterranean food I have had elsewhere. Good for takeout or if there is no wait. If there is a wait, simply go across the street to the Magic Lamp, it's pretty much the same thing.What?!!!!What is all the hype?  There is usually a huge line outside.  I first ate here  15 yrs ago when it was a tiny place.  It was charming and the only place to get Medit food. In the past 8 yrs,  after all the terrorist in the media, people seem to be craving Middle Eastern foods. They expanded.I eat out a lot and wow a line out front Sure lets try it.   Sorry to say the kabobs were good but not George's Greek good. The gyros and chicken sandwiches eh sure I walk out full.  The service is horrible the space is over cramped.  It is a great place to meet people though. " Uh the waitress keeps forgetting my ketchup, since we are essentially sharing a table anyways and listening to each others conversations, you don't mind right?"I still prefer to go across the street to George's better food, better atmosphere and better service.I ordered food to go- ON LINE, mind you- yesterday, and have to say, it was excellent. The service was fantastic, as usual. Very friendly, and my food was ready when I got there, earlier than the estimated time they gave me on line!I got the open sesame combo, and ate the whole damn thing. It was so good. Couldn't finish the hummus which made me sad, but at this point I was too far into food coma, I just wanted to sleep. I got the spicy hummus, and it was way better than I thought it'd be! Would definitely do pick-up again! I really liked the food here. The minus one star is for having non-pretty food. That's right, I…

by Joe M.

Open SESAME! Open your MOUTH! Because this Lebanese place is good. If you want super tender lamb chops, check out this oasis in the middle of Belmont Shore. Let's break down the dish I had, shall we? LAMB CHOPS:First, we start with 9 ounces of lamb chops, succulent and marinaded in a "special sauce" as they put in the menu ( I hope they don't mean the same kind of 'special' sauce one gets from an angry food prep at Taco Bell - yikes!). I asked for medium rare, but the only misstep here was they cooked it a bit well-done. Not a deal breaker because it was still tender and fairly juicy. The flavor though was delicious. The chops were nested on top of fragrant basmati rice with fresh herbs sprinkled on; it was some of the fluffiest rice I've had in a while.SIDES (included) AND DRINK:The dish came with a salad I could eat all day: fresh greens  with tangy balsamic vinaigrette and olives to die for. You get a choice of hummus or baba gannoush; I chose the former. With the soft, warm pita bread, it was a meal in itself. To quench my thrist, I drank their Morroccan tea garnished with nearly a whole bundle of mint. I love tea and good iced tea in this heat is key...this tea was great tasting.And for a nightcapper, I sipped on some authentic Turkish coffee. Robust and so flavorful, I'm still buzzin from its potent caffeine kick!SERVICE:My server was very friendly, attentive, and helpful when I asked for suggestions.  Looking back, I went to Open Sesame way back in the 90s and they've changed their interior dramatically and their Mediterrean/Mid Eastern food has become more upscale and all for the better.

by Keith Z.

Going out to dinner in Long Beach on a Saturday night on 2nd Street with empty stomachs after a twelve-hour work day at 7:30 p.m. may not have been the best idea.  However, this place came highly recommended by a friend's friend.After a nearly forty-five minute wait we were presented with outdoor seating which was right on the sidewalk of the busy main street.  It was a perfect spot for watching the insanity that is Southern California on the cross roads of Los Angeles and Orange County; you get the best and worst of both worlds.  Unfortunately the full ambient experience of the restaurant was beyond our view.  We started with baba ghannouj and some hummus.  I opted to skip these appetizers as I did not want to spoil my ravenous appetite.  My friends seemed to thoroughly enjoy them.I ordered Kabssa which is "Tender chunks of lamb cooked over a low flame with fresh tomatoes and a special blend of spices and herbs, served over basmati rice, cooked with green bell peppers, onions, carrots, raisins, and spices. Sprinkled with pine nuts and almond slivers."  The forty-five minute wait was quickly forgotten.  I have never had anything like it.  The basmati rice was one of the most flavorful foods I have ever had.  My taste buds were all a flutter and salivating.  The texture was rich but not heavy.  The chunks of lamb validated the reason I started to eat meat again; they nearly melted!  The portion was enough to fill up a starving stomach and left enough to take home.My friends also fell in love with their respective selections.  I had a bite of the Chicken Tawook Pita ("Marinated cubes of succulent charbroiled chicken breast, rolled in a pita, with tomato, wild cucumber pickles and garlic sauce") which was outstanding and a taste of the Lamb Kabob ("Skewered cubes of seasoned lamb, charbroiled and served on a bed of basmati rice with hummus or baba ghannouj, pita and a choice of salad") which was delightful.  If you're in the mood for some tasty Lebanese food in Southern California, definitely give this a chance.  2nd Street in Long Beach is close to the ocean which contributes to a nearly almost perfect climate.  Various coffee shops, boutiques, bars, and other restaurant populate this well-known area of Long Beach.

by Meesh M.

I agree with everyone else!Great spot, great food, pretty good service!Can get overly crowded though ~ if you don't like eating elbow to elbow might not be for you and if that's the case then at least order it to go - the combo plate is excellent!

by Goose M.

Skipping the reviews ahead of me once more, I have to say that I was satisfied overall by my meal of Kabob!So my girlfriend (Sarah H.) invites me to dinner as we're craving something out of the norm. And what better than Mediterranean on Tuesday.Firstly, glad I didn't stay to eat. The scene at the restaurant is simply not style. The food though. Fantastic. We had an order of Fried Potato as an appetizer. I don't know what combination of flavors they used exactly, but the tangy-ness from the lemon flavors gave the Potato an extra dimension in flavor. Potato has it's own texture, but the softness included was to truly savor. My kabob was pretty standard. The meat, (somewhat) soft and savory. I wouldn't say that it was dry, considering I got it medium, and I don't want to say that it was hard, but it certainly wasn't soft.. No complaints considering I was pretty glassy, I dove right in as opposed to enjoying the meal slowly at first. The quality of the rice was up there with the best. Though rice takes very little to do to impress me.  As does the Hummus. My partner in crime got the Open Sesame combo, which included lamb, kabob, and chicken. The lamb doo doo-looking stick was amazing! Full of flavor and pretty damn soft. The look of a sausage, the taste of a queen. The Baba Ghannouj was quite the treat as well. So if looking for a savory cluster of flavors, look no further. No complaints overall, though they could have spared some more Pita bread and utensils. Haha.

by Ryan G.

Amazing...Simply Amazing! Chicken Shwarma with Rice. You will lick your plate clean.  Only downside is you'll be burping this dish about 5 hours after consumption.  But Believe me...it's well worth it!! This restaurant deserves the best!  Always friendly, consistent, and excellent quality for the value.

by Nikki T.

I was taken to eat here by my one my friends. I actually had my doubts, but for some reason I was convinced by one of my friends to actually try it out. So I decided to go there, needless to say... AMAZING food! I got the chicken schwarma to start with Rice... I didn't even take a breath before my plate was finished!!And the hummus, delicious, I think we got the spicy version, so definitely try that.I like the atmosphere, I think it's great place for dates, but make sure you arrive early, it seems to be the hot spot, so it's always crowded!