Maronite Rite Annual Lebanese Food Festival

Everything was great. Wished I had tried the grilled chicken. Enjoyed the kibbee and desserts.

This was great! I got the #1 — The Beirut Classic. It was baked kibbee, grape leaves, spinach pie, rice, green beans (loobia) Lebanese salad, and pita bread. I was glad that we ordered an extra spinach pie because that was the star of the dish as far as my wife and I were concerned. I really liked taking bites of kibbee and wrapping them in pita bread. A dont miss item that I want my Unilocalers to know about is the ZLAYBAH! I saw the long line and I asked a worker about it. She said that it was incredible and it would run out in just a few hours and that a lady that has been making it for decades was making it with her secret recipe. I waited in line for 30 minutes for that and it was well worth it! Sitting outside was very nice and we had a great time listening to the band while we ate. I am looking forward to going back next year!

Excellent food! I really think this is high-​quality, tasty, good food with the care of home cooking. I had the vegetarian platter, which had great spinach pies. The desserts are especially wonderful and noteworthy. They are also pricey.
The festival is crowded with lots of people, but we were able to find seating without much delay. They had some traditional dancing inside to watch and a Lebanese pop band (I think) outside under the tents.
The church itself is attractive and worth walking in. I wish I had gotten a tour of it.

Race to 836 8^th Street South (just off I-​65) in Birmingham, where you’ll find the teeming hordes descending upon Saint Elias Maronite Church for all things Lebanese.
In fact, I was surprised to discover how much Lebanese background there IS in Birmingham… If you’re curious, a «Heritage Room» elaborates upon the city’s extensive Lebanese influence via artifacts and related trivia.
This is all augmented by church tours, traditional dancing (Dabki) demos, and a increasingly crowded silent auction. But most important? EATS!
This beloved food-​for-​all reconvenes on a Friday and Saturday, late each April… and what a way to spend Walpurgisnacht! Top off your visit with baklava, walnut– or (mine fave) date-​filled mamoul, stuffed grape leaves, and a smear of homous.
A sample of an item I enjoyed:
#1 THE BEIRUT CLASSIC — Deluxe Baked Kibbee Plate
Baked kibbee, grape leaves, spinach pie, rice, green beans (Ioobia), Lebanese Salad, and pita bread: $ 16.00
The fest typically runs from 10:00 a.m. — 9:00 p.m., closing out to the rousing beat of Amin Sultan, a really rocking, audience participation-​inducing Arabic band.
Suffice to say, you can sweat off at least a mamoul or two, if you put your mind to it. And if your body follows.
Get more information at (205) 252‑3867 or
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Serously, do take a moment to attend one of the guided tours of the church and get a gander at the renovated interior and the beautiful stained glass windows. Then sharpen those canines and on to the kibbee!
BTW, not only is the food GREAT here (you’ll always see neighbors from the Melkite church showing up, too), but the other events and display tables make it a wonderful time all around.
Be prepared to HUNT for parking. And be careful and try not to hit anyone. They may be holding a bag of carryout!
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