Al Ryan — Restaurant in Lynchburg

((Sorry this is a really long Review lol)) ((Go to Ali Ryan’s Downtown Lynchburg*))

I love cooking (and eating 😋) Mediterranean/Greek/Jewish etc.. food, even opening my own vending restaurant in the first International Day Festival which that opportunity was because I won an award for my Greek food I made for CVCCs International Day when I was schooling at CVCC (Central Virginia Community College) and thenCity of Lynchburg needed more “exotic” style food vendors for the cities festival (they literally begged me haha it’s okay though ;-). ) so after telling myself I’d be an idiot to pass an opportunity like this up plus me and my kids were in the parade holding the Israeli 🇮🇱 Flag…

I managed to pull everything off (with setting my kitchen on fire by accident making the chicken- AND made profit my first go around too..) where am I going with this?

Well, at the time we did not have a truly AUTHENTIC Mediterranean/Arabian/Greek/ etc.. restaurant let alone with a good selection of delicious food. I couldn’t afford to start a business downtown like I wanted (All good) but hoped someone would open an authentic place with good Greek Food. Well now there’s a place thankfully!

I discovered Al Ryan on Google because tonight I am making Slauvaki on Greek bread with Israeli Salad/& Feta, & tzatziki sauce and needed some sides and a dessert so I found this place that was open and tucked downtown on newly renovated Main Street.

First off the owner is extremely kind and generous, secondly it’s like a little nook it’s got seating Inside downstairs and private seating upstairs (there’s a couch etc..), And not only does his menu carry a good selection of delicious food but he also sells other things too!

He’s got several Hookahs and also Fyi- A BEAUTIFUL Antique Schwinn Bicycle (Beach Cruiser style) Dark red Metal Frame and nice handle bars with brakes for sale… It’s definitely worth the buy because I would get it if I didn't already have a bicycle :-) (A schwinn :-D ) for Sale $150 bucks

I forgot to ask him the prices of his Hookahs but I’m sure they are a fair price and authentic! Plus (#shoplocal) The Smoke Hub is down the way a few doors down and you can get the supplies for the hookahs. I actually went in there and made a purchase while I waited on my Food to be made at Al Ryan’s. I’m a regular customer at the Smoke Hub and Also the Smoke Shop (in Madison Heights..).

Anyhow, I posted all these pictures- the falafels, hummus, etc.., pita chips, and baklava are all from Al Ryan the rest I made but they surely saved the day! Because I didn’t think to get anything for a sides… (I forgot when shopping..) .(OOPS).

This is a SUPER Long Review phewww!! But I wanted to give a super review because my experience was awesome :-D So go check out Al Ryan’s show some local love & Support! 💕 -(Anna Smith) … Anna Taylor (Radio) is my media name I have a podcast at: anchor.fm/annataylorradionow I’ll give a shout out on my...

My husband and I stumbled upon Al Ryan on a quiet Saturday evening, our first time in Lynchburg. We had eaten a big Southern lunch, so wanted just a light meal. We were so happy to find Al Ryan, because we had lived for 30 years in the Middle East and knew some mezze would hit the right spot. At first it looked like they weren't open, no diners were seated inside, but the chef/owner welcomed us and said he mostly did take away orders at night. Within a few minutes we learned that he is Jordanian, from Shobak, and we knew a few members of his tribe who had positions in Amman the capital. We ordered hummus babaghanouj and falafel. We kept chatting while Mr. Nayif Hababneh prepped our order. We wished we had been hungry enough to order Jordanian Mansaf, a hearty national dish of layered flat bread, topped with rice and chunks of lamb stewed in a fragrant yogurt onion sauce 😋. It seems business has not recovered fully since pandemic days, and many downtown offices remain closed. But Nayif still cooks from quality halal meats and fresh produce. He apologized that his babaghannouj and hummus lacked the usual level of garlic used in Jordan, since most of his local customers don't care for such a punch. It came with pita chips and some soft Flatbread. Falafel were well seasoned and nicely crunchy. We enjoyed this surprise reunion with Jordan via the personable Nayif. Worth going for a meal in person and to learn something about Jordan and this gentle man's life in Virginia. There is a bedouin-style lounge with floor cushions for dining in the traditional way, that can be booked for groups....

Literally the best falafel I’ve ever had. It was perfectly crunchy on the outside, and the inside was so fresh and green and moist. It was genuinely like it melted in my mouth. I love falafel, and it’s going to be hard for me to eat it any other way now that I’ve had it from this restaurant. The gentleman who owns and operates the place was so kind as to give me tips for making it at home, but I know I’ll never be able to make it as good as he does. He was very friendly and fun to talk to.

I also got the hummus, Baba ghanoush (I probably misspelled that), and samosas, which were also delicious and you could tell it was all freshly made.

The cigar place next door has got to be breaking health code violations or something, because they definitely don’t have appropriate ventilation, which unfortunately does mean you can smell a bit of the smoke from next door in this restaurant. I’m normally pretty sensitive to smoke, but I was able to eat inside without a problem—but it’s something to be aware of. If you’re worried about it, order it as takeout. I live about an hour away and will definitely be going back to eat here now that I’ve discovered I can get authentic middle eastern cuisine without spending $1k+ on a...