Malak Al Foul

Malak Al Foul (also known as Abu Hani’s) is engaged in a long running battle for the King of Foul (and Hummous) in the greater Beirut area.  Facing close competition from Le Professeur (Mar Elias), and  the newly opened Foul House in Hamra, amongst many many more (some would even swear that Abu Hassan in Bourj Hammoud is so good the area should be re-districted into Hamra. The stakes are high.
Abu Hani (and associates) have been serving excellent Hummus bi Tahini (4,000LL), Msabaha (hummus crushed and mixed with garlic and cumin) 5,000LL, Balila (hummus crushed with garlic and lemon), and of course Foul (with or without hummus) since 1965. Fried eggs (made to your liking) are also a must, and come sizzling on a metal dish. Everything is of course served with a generous overflowing plate of vegetables (tomatoes, pickles, mint, radishes, the occasional rocca). These can be eaten at one of the four tables inside, or seated at the window bar looking out onto a lower Hamra side street. Regulars include the ever changing flow of AUB students, whose parents and grandparents also used to eat at Malak Al Foul, Hamra district employees of all kinds, ages, and social classes, and the local owning and rent-control protected residents alike who are so offended that you would even compare Abu Hani’s to another foul place that they continue to order delivery from Malak Al-Foul even when they are forced to abandon their flat and move to Sodeco (true story).  We’re not partial or anything, but this is a great place for a (hungover or just hungry) breakfast on Saturday afternoon, and they also do takeaway.

*Delivery only available for displaced long-term Hamra residents.