Aliquippa, Pennsylvania… The boom of the Steel Mills brought an interesting and ethnic element to a town bursting with pride and tradition. Social clubs were established by the immigrants settling in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Instead of having bars on street corners, there were social clubs that were harbors for various ethnic groups. To this day, Social Clubs such as the American Italian Club, Croatian Club, Serbian Club, Ukrainian Club, and others, keep this rich tradition alive. One of these clubs known by many as one of the areas best kept secrets is the Lebanese Club. Let us explore.
First things first… The Lebanese Club is a private club for its members. Their kitchen, however, is open to the public on Friday and Saturday currently, from 4pm to 8pm. It is here where you can enjoy truly authentic, Middle Eastern Food. Now that we covered some logistics, let us dive into the food.
The Lamb – As you can imagine, Lamb is one of their specialties. It is juicy, luscious, and flavorful. Lamb, as you may know by default is “gamey” and requires more attention when cooking as opposed to beef and chicken. The Lebanese Club chooses the correct cut of lamb, seasons it adequately, and cooks to the correct temperature to keep it juicy. You can order it by itself, or you can also order their famous Mixed Plate, which includes Lamb, Grape Leaves, rice with sauce, House Salad, and it is served with Pita Bread.
The Grape Leaves – The key to good Grape Leaves is the leaf itself. Have you ever had a Grape Leaf that is stringy and hard to chew? The Lebanese Club uses a soft Grape Leaf that is easy to roll. They remove the vine, which is the part that is stringy and hard to chew. They are stuffed with ground beef, rice, and their own blend of seasonings. To add the final level of flavor, they are finished with fresh lemon juice. They are delicious and some say are arguably the best in the area.
The Lebanese Club also offers traditional Middle Eastern appetizers such as Spinach and Meat Pies. They offer a Lamb and Chicken Salad with a house made dressing that is bursting with flavor. They also have a Lamb Burger and chicken dishes. Finally, you can order a side of French Fries which is simple but compliments most dishes exceptionally well.
The Lebanese Club Final Take:
ONE of BEAVER COUNTY’S BEST KEPT SECRETS
As always, my final take… In my opinion, tradition, history, and culture are important. Growing up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, you realize when you grow up how your environment, cultures, and upbringing shaped you as a person. Change is inevitable, you must roll with the changing times and adapt. However, we must not forget our roots, ancestors, and where we came from. They made the sacrifices and created the foundation for us to enjoy the wonderful lives we have today. If you are looking to change it up, take it up a notch, and explore a new dining adventure, The Lebanese Club will not disappoint. Combine wonderful people with passion for authentic food, tradition, and freshly made from scratch ingredients, the results are nothing short of spectacular.