Desert Moon Grill

🇱🇧 LEBANON / Levantine foods fully infused with charcoal and smoke from the grill make this eight year old Little Arabia spot worth returning to for big meals.

🇱🇧 LEBANON
📍 888 S. Brookhurst Street,
Little Arabia, Anaheim
🅿️ Ample parking in plaza
🥤 No Alcohol
🌱 Vegetarian Friendly

📸 All photos by Jared Cohee
for Eat the World Los Angeles

Astute diners that have been coming to Desert Moon Grill since its opening in 2016 may have noticed changes in decor and the clothes worn by staff. Back in the years before it was sold to its current Lebanese owner in 2019, servers wore traditional Jordanian attire and the menu reflected this with a nod towards its Amman-born chefs. It quickly became a favorite of Jordanians in Little Arabia and anyone else wanting quality Levantine foods.

Eventually the restaurant was sold so that the owner could focus on another place in Chicago, and knee-jerk reactions online complained about the quality of dishes. The speed bumps of ownership transfer seemed to have evened out fairly quickly though, and the place is still cruising five years later with the kitchen crushing it even at times in the middle of the afternoon when the vast space is practically empty.

Even though Desert Moon is now firmly Lebanese, it does have a pan-Levant vibe. While the code word “Mediterranean” is used and no one nation is referred to in the menu, it will be clear to those that have dined in restaurants with chefs from all of these nations. The scenes of the desert still on the exterior windows might seem more appropriate for its Jordanian roots, but no one seems to be complaining these days.

Ten years ago before any of this was happening, the building hosted a Sizzler. This can be imagined even though the decor has been thoroughly upgraded to reflect the current menu and the lack of canned foods plopped into containers on an all-you-can-eat buffet. The upward trajectory of Anaheim’s Little Arabia is almost etched in the recent history of this simple building, a couple doors down from fabulous Nablus-style Palestinian knafeh.

No matter what the meat-eating tendencies of your companions might be, start every single meal here with the Desert Moon vegetarian sampler ($19.99, above), which gives a table of four just about everything they could ask for. Four pieces of freshly prepared falafel form a border between their excellent hummus and some of the best baba ghanouj you will have so far away from Lebanon.

A good portion of feta cheese also comes with this plate, and some grape leaves that will make everyone wonder if they have had better. If there was a Southern California competition, these would be at least amongst the medals. Along with the basket of puffy pitas that come with any meal and arrive still warm from baking, satisfaction has already been achieved well before any entrees are near the table.

If you are sharing with friends or family, the Desert Moon mixed grill ($29.99, above) also makes a lot of sense. Three lines of mesquite-grilled meats arrive in the form of a shish kebab, kofta kabab, and chicken tawook. Along with those pitas ready to be wrapped around them, all three meats are full of the smoke from the wood charcoal that cooked them.

Two types of rice, grilled tomatoes and onions, and a portion of toum join the meats, making for an incredible variety of different bites. Spread the latter over everything for an explosion of garlic flavor, and make sure you do not have an important business meeting or hot date afterwards.

Wraps make great additions for groups, but can also be eaten by those that need a quick meal on their own. No matter whether you select one of three meats from the platter above, a fish filet, falafel, or chicken or beef shawerma, the freshly baked thin bread will make your decision the right one.