Usually when people refer to “their local” they mean a pub around the corner, within easy stumbling distance from their front door. Until recently, I didn’t have one of my own. The pubs in my area are seedier than I’d like, so I have adopted Franks, the Lebanese restaurant down the road. Funnily enough, I’d walked past it almost every day for the last four years without even thinking to walk inside, and it was actually recommended to me by someone who lives on the other side of Sydney! I know Howard and Linda from Eat Show & Tell are also big fans.

I’ve been to Franks a few times over the last couple of months and loved it. So when my favourite food bloggers had a day free, they decided to head out west with the promise of great Lebanese food and then ice cream at my place. We started with a Fatouch Salad (small $4.50 / large $7.90) which has lovely crispy pieces of Lebanese bread throughout. It was delicious and a great accompaniment to the other dishes.

You can’t come to Franks without trying the Charcoal Chicken, which is unlike any chicken you’ve had before. The rotisseries are constantly in motion cooking delicious chickens fresh. Half a chicken is served with hommos, tabouli, baba gannouj and garlic cream ($9.90). Take away chicken is also available, which we took full advantage of on Friday night, because it was just way too hot to cook.

We also got some Falafel ($10.90) to share, five pieces of falafel with the same accompaniments. It’s the best falafel I’ve ever eaten, without a doubt, and I was thinking about it for the rest of the afternoon. I think I could have eaten this entire plate on my own. I’ll know for my next visit…

My favourite dish is the Mixed Plate, which is three skewers – chicken, beef and lamb kofta served with tabouli, hommos, baba gannouj, picked, and grilled tomato ($11.90). The meat is beautiful and tender with the right amount of spices and the accompaniments are perfect with the complimentary Lebanese bread. Frank himself is lovely and the staff are welcoming and attentive. Frank remembers me even though I have only been there a handful of times! I’m falling more and more in love with Middle Eastern cuisine and it’s fantastic to have a place so close to home that serves such great Lebanese food.

Franks Lebanese Restaurant – 16 Smart St Fairfield

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