Get to Know Egypt without Leaving Burke

The great Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu once said "The world may be known without leaving the house." It is with this thought in mind that I invite you to experience Old Cairo Grill. The Egyptian-born owner opened the restaurant in 2009 as a way of sharing his original home with the people who live here in his new one. With affection in his eyes and sincerity in his voice he told me, "I look at food as a window that you can peak at another culture [through]."

This mission and philosophy is apparent throughout the restaurant. Fast-casual dining style makes the food accessible to the whole community via affordable prices. Every item on the menu is made entirely from scratch, even the hummus. Best of all, all of the recipes are noticeably original. This means that even if you've eaten, let's say, rice pudding, a hundred times before, the Grill's rice pudding will make you stop and take notice.

Last night was my first time eating at Old Cairo Grill. I began my epicurean journey with the Mezza Sampler ($10.50). It included hummus, taboulah, baba ghannouge, a kibbeh, two pieces of falafel, two stuffed grape leaves, and a very thin flatbread. The bread was prepared very simply in order to allow the other items to stand out.

I tore off a small piece of the bread and sampled the baba ghannouge (eggplant dip) first. It was incredible. A very strong smokiness was the first sensation to hit my palate. Garlic, chunks of soft eggplant, cumin, and coriander ran together in an exciting medley of flavors. Though I usually find the acidic flavor of baba ghannouge to be overpowering, this time it was less intense and complimented the other flavors instead of taking over the dish.

A bowl of bright green taboulah was set next to the baba ghannouge. This traditional Middle Eastern salad consisted of parsley, onion, tomato, oil, bulgur wheat, lime, and mint. The fresh herbs and lime juice screamed with freshness. I appreciated the subtle differences in ingredients between this taboulah and the taboulah I buy at the grocery store.

On the other side of the taboulah rested two warm falafels. Old Cairo Grill uses a special blend of herbs and beans to maximize flavor and produce a soft, clean texture. Crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, these falafels stand out among the rest. A sprinkle of coriander on the outer crust enhanced their aroma, and the naturally bright green color on the inside created a visual spectacle.

After enjoying my falafel I moved on to the Kibbeh. Kibbeh is a kind of fried dumpling that contains a mix of ground beef, bulgur wheat, onions, pine nuts, and spices. I cut into it with my knife, revealing a thin crispy outer crust, soft inner crust, and crumbly meat filling. Though it was fried, it was not greasy. I took my first bite and discovered that sweet spices were incorporated throughout the beef. The taste reminded me of the smell of Christmas. It was wonderful.

Next to the kibbeh were two stuffed grape leaves. The first thing I noticed about them was that the leaves themselves held the rolls together well, but were not chewy and did not leave stem-like pieces in the mouth as this dish commonly does at many other restaurants. The meat filling was warm and had a very pronounced beef flavor. It reminded me of the beef and vegetable stew my dad used to cook for my little brother and me when we were kids.

The last component of the Mezza Sampler was the hummus. It had a very strong sesame flavor and was dusted with cumin. Unlike store-bought hummus, it had a slightly gritty texture that testified for its authenticity.

Finished with my appetizer, I moved on to my first entrée course, Koshari ($5.50). A common Egyptian street food, koshari is a mix of pasta, rice, chickpeas, caramelized onions, and tomato sauce. It is delicious, filling, and nutritious. When the owner brought this dish out to me I was struck by its warm colors and the rich, sweet aroma that rose from its caramelized onions.  I mixed everything together, as is traditional to do before eating koshari, and took my first bite. Soft noodles, thin grains of rice, firm lentils and soft lentils created a collage of textures for me to experience. The flavor was sweet with a very subtle spiciness. Despite the fact that this was my first time trying it, the robust flavors and fun elbow noodles made it feel like comfort food to me.

It wasn't long before my next course, Lamb Kabab ($10.50), arrived. The aromas of cinnamon and lamb struck me right away. The meat was served on a bed of buttery rice, next to a fresh and citrusy house salad and a sesame sauce called tahina. I bit into a piece of lamb that was a little chewy, but I was pleased to find that it did taste distinctly like lamb, and not like beef. Cinnamon and cloves paired with the meat beautifully. Dipping the lamb into the potent tahina brought out new flavors in the meat.

Before long it was time for desert. I ordered Baklava ($2.00), Rice Pudding ($3.50), and a warm cup of Turkish Coffee ($2.50). The baklava had a soft and flakey pastry shell that tasted like a buttery shortbread cookie. Chopped cashews filled the inside and crushed pistachios garnished the top. A syrup penetrated the shell, but did not make the desert overly sweet or drippy.

As I mentioned earlier, the rice pudding at Old Cairo Grill is very distinct. It contains a unique Egyptian syrup that, when used properly, has a fruity, earthy flavor. Texturally, the pudding was thick and smooth and the rice was soft. It was ultimately delightful.

A cup of thick Turkish coffee concluded my meal. When poured, it had the same light brown surface that freshly brewed espresso is famous for. My first sip was sweet, smoky, and wildly aromatic, bursting with the flavor of cardamom. As I pulled the cup from my lips I felt the smooth, powdery finish on my tongue that is signature of Turkish coffee.

At long last the evening ended and it was time to leave. I walked out the door and into the night, not only with a full stomach and a smile on my face, but also with a more travelled palate.

Old Cairo Grill
6030 Burke Commons Road
Burke, Virginia 22015