Frank’s Lebanese Food, Fairfield

February 1, 2010

So on any other normal Saturday, I left The Captain at home to go out with afewlovelyladies. The conversation went a little like this…

Boy: “Where are you off to today?”

Me: “Going to Frank’s for lunch”

Boy: “Who the hell is Frank?”

I suppose I could’ve avoided his sudden spout of jealousy by mentioning that I was going to Frank’s Lebanese Food, but where’s the fun in that?

Lebanese Bread ($3.90)

But whether Frank by name or Frank by restaurant, you should hear people swoon at the mention of it. I’m not an expert on Lebanese cuisine, but ask any of my friends in the know and immediately they start blubbering sweet nothings about Frank’s and his amazing chicken.

Since I’m such a newbie to Lebanese food**, I left the hard work of ordering to my lovely dining companions while I sat with my knife and fork at the ready. The basket of Lebanese bread is like candy to me especially when paired with the smoky baba gannouj so I tucked in with gusto.

Falafel ($10.90)

My eyes bulged at the sight of the Falafels, which looked perfect in all their deep fried glory. In the past, I’ve always dismissed these as nothing but, um, dry balls but obviously that was because I haven’t had Frank’s. Crunchy on the outside, moist and flavoursome on the inside – I immediately wanted more.

The Fattouch salad looked fresh and I loved the colours, but unfortunately I don’t do salads (unless there are anchovies or bacon in it!). Recently I converted myself to tabouli so who knows? I might just get down with the Fattouch in the near future. I did love the crispy Lebanese bread ‘croutons’ in the salad though.

Fattouch (small $4.50 / large $7.90)

But this was what I was after! Charcoal chicken! If you’ve seen my Twitter bio , you would’ve read about a secret vice of devouring whole roast chickens. I just love the stuff and at Frank’s, I was utterly besotted by its crispy skin and juicy meat. Even better when it comes adorned with hommos, garlic cream, tabouli and baba gannouj. Bad breath be damned!

Half-chicken served with hommos, garlic cream, tabouli and baba gannouj ($9.90)

Our other dose of meat laid in the Mixed Plate – Shish Kebab (lamb skewer), Kaftah (minced lamb skewer) and Shish Taouk served with tabouli, hommos, baba gannouj, pickles and grilled tomatoes and onion. I fell in love with the Shish Taouk, a grilled chicken skewer that was super tender and fragrant.

Mixed Plate of Shish Kebab, Kaftah and Shish Taouk served with tabouli, hommos, baba gannouj, pickles, and grilled tomatoes and onion ($11.90)

Lebanese cuisine is still all shiny and new to me but if the food is as good as Frank’s, then I’m definitely seeing the light. The service here is warm, friendly and professional and they take great pride in their cuisine, as evident by the fussing of the waiter to make sure we had the best shots of their food!

Oh yes. I am smitten. Something tells me that The Captain is going to want meet Frank soon but I think he’s going to like him very much.

 

Frank’s Lebanese Food

16 Smart Street

Fairfield NSW 2165
(02) 9724 3000


**Beginner’s guide to Lebanese Food

Baba Gannouj / Baba Ghanoush: smoky eggplant dip with tahini, lemon and garlic.
Falafel / Felafel: balls of chickpeas and spices fried in vegetable oil for a crunchy outer coating.
Fattouch / Fattoush: asalad made from toasted or fried pieces of pita bread combined with mixed greens and vegetables.
Hommos / Hummus: a dip made from chickpeas and tahini puréed with lemon and garlic.
Kaftah: skewers of grilled minced lamb (like sausage on a stick).
Shish Kebab: skewers of lean lamb.
Shish Taouk: grilled chicken breast skewers.
Tabouli / Tabouleh: A refreshing ‘salad’ of parsley, tomatoes, shallots, mint and crushed wheat mixed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil.
Tahini: a paste made from sesame seeds, used in cooking.


{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }

joey@FoodiePop January 31, 2010 at 17:42

That is one fine BBQ chicken! In fact, everything looks so good!

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:00

Yep, and nothing beats a good roast chicken! Umm….

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Steph January 31, 2010 at 21:17

Haha you and your not so secret affair with Frank :D Mmm that chicken is so good, though I have yet to see you consume a whole one, that would be impressive to see!

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:22

Just get me a whole roast chicken, a fork and a tub of gravy and I'll get to it for you lol :D

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billy@ATFT January 31, 2010 at 22:13

me heart good charcoal chicken when did right, and “frankly” speaking, you girls had a lot of fun!

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:22

LOL, *snap*!

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chocolatesuze January 31, 2010 at 22:26

mmm chicken and garlic sauce is so much win!

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:22

Omg yes it is! There's nothing better!

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Joy February 1, 2010 at 01:35

OMG – I am completely drooling like a maniac over my keyboard!! That chicken… That falafel… OMG…. What an incredible meal – I am sooo jealous!! :)

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:23

Best thing of all, it's soooo cheap! It's win-win all round! :)

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billy@ATFT February 1, 2010 at 02:01

And btw, i cant help but keep reading fattoush, as “fat touch”! LOL

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:23

ROFLMAO!

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Lisa February 1, 2010 at 02:25

Haha I'd probably be jealous too! So glad you guys finally made it out to Fairfield. Come back soon for more charcoal chicken!

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:24

No, thank you for your post-Frank dessert! Fairfield actually isn't far from me so prepare yourself for more visits and chicken runs! :P

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@grabyourfork February 1, 2010 at 02:52

I've been to El Jannah but yet to acquaint myself with Frank's. The chicken looks fab, and oh, you can't beat good falafel!

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:25

You should def try Frank's soon. I just tried El Jannah for the 1st time and it was amazing!

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Karherine February 1, 2010 at 03:24

I love leb food. Endless dips and breads and the falafel. Oh yummm. I think I want to be franks friend ahahhahaha. Love all the food shots.

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:26

I'm slowly seeing the light of Leb food. I'm glad to see that it's more than just kebabs! Charcoal chicken is so good!

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The Ninja February 1, 2010 at 05:46

And they say I'm good at innuendo…

Dry balls + sizzling meat skewers = happiness, I suppose. As well as chicken.

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:27

Actually I was *this* close to publishing “Frank's dry balls”. Luckily I spotted it lol.

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Trisha February 1, 2010 at 06:55

Ohmygod! Now THAT'S some Lebanese food right there! Karen.. next time you go back I'm inviting myself.

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citrusandcandy February 1, 2010 at 07:30

No need to! Say the word, and we'll all descend on Fairfield en masse!

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mlle délicieuse February 1, 2010 at 07:39

Great garlic sauce can make almost anything taste better! I've attended a house-party where the food was takeaway from Frank's and OMG!! – there is no other way to describe it =D

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citrusandcandy February 9, 2010 at 14:06

Oh yes, couldn't agree more! The more garlic the better :D

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FFIchiban February 1, 2010 at 11:05

Mmmmm I want some of those moist and flavoursome balls!!! Havent had Lebanese in too lonngggg.. cravinng!

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citrusandcandy February 9, 2010 at 14:06

Next time you're back in Syd, lets go for a Leb-food run!

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wizzythestick February 1, 2010 at 22:24

Not familair with Lebanese food but my goodness your pic sure make me want to learn more!

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citrusandcandy February 9, 2010 at 14:05

Oh goody, I hope you try Lebanese food soon! It's cheap and tasty – win-win!

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organic baby cribs February 2, 2010 at 02:09

I never tried Lebanese food but I find it yummy and the combination is real great! I think I have to try some.

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citrusandcandy February 9, 2010 at 14:05

I certainly hope you do soon because as I just discovered, Lebanese food rocks!

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panda February 2, 2010 at 10:39

i've had a similar convo with my boy so reading this post made me laugh! food looks good but it's a bit out of the way for me :(

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citrusandcandy February 9, 2010 at 14:04

Yeah, it'd be great if we lived near all our fave restaurants! :)

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Conor @ HoldtheBeef February 2, 2010 at 14:58

All looks amazing, I love this food. Completely worth any stinky breath. Great photos!

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citrusandcandy February 9, 2010 at 14:04

Aah, but a stinky garlic breath is a very good breath! But that's just me :P

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Fiona February 4, 2010 at 10:00

love some homous here right now :0

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citrusandcandy February 9, 2010 at 14:03

For me, it always has to be the baba gannouj!

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Margaret February 9, 2010 at 03:06

I am very late to the Frank party, but this place serves the most insanely good charcoal chicken as you could probably gather. I walk past this place all time – some days it's chockers with people, others it's pleasantly quiet =)

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citrusandcandy February 9, 2010 at 14:02

Oh you're lucky to be near a gem like Frank's! I could def do with some falafels now!

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Nito August 22, 2011 at 21:34

lebanese food is great , like filipino food, ala lechon manok. they have a nice sour cream with garlic and olive oil ala alioli

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