With the city turning its attention to the plush new sprawling airport, there is a palpable hurry among people to head out, whether to find an excuse in shopping, go on long drives to Seeb and beyond or give evenings a weekend flavour by indulging in some comfort food while soaking in the sudden newness of the area. There is, seemingly, a contagious desire among residents to connect to all things airport. As if its newness is at a premium and one needs to elbow one’s way to get a share of it. Here we came across the Grill Shack with a panoramic view of the road leading towards the airport.
The Location
Grill Shack is a vibrant burger and bites joint in Azaiba. Having heard of its succulent burgers and juicy ribs, we made a luncheon date with the restaurant that has at its helm Dennis Del Rio whose experience of Muscat’s ever-growing foodie culture helped shape the ambience and menu of Grill Shack. He is now set to open a multi-cuisine restaurant adjacent to it, promising residents a treat for the senses, with its décor and ambience signifying its intent to play a prominent role in the foodscape of the capital.
Located in the busy Azaiba filling station square, Grill Shack is hard to miss food joint, with McDonald’s to its left and the picturesque 18th November Street to its right. There is a feeling of urgency in the filling station, which spills on to the outlets in the complex, reflecting also in the style of service adopted by the restaurant. Self-service enhances the vibrancy of the outlet, with staff manning the counter adding to the live-action in the kitchen behind.
The Ambiance
The restaurant, which opened last November, has given burger lovers an all-new excuse to indulge their palates to an array of exciting hot dogs, wraps, burgers, ‘Shack’ meals, scrumptious sides and colourful ‘Shacktails’ or Mocktails. Priced economically, the restaurant which carries the tagline ‘Ribs and More’ is designed to cater to customers who have a structured equation with their food – fast, casual, tasty and satiating.
Dennis explains that Grill Shack has found its bearing as a restaurant that is in between a QSR and a casual dine-in restaurant. “If a QSR outlet takes 3 minutes to serve, we take 6 minutes,” he quips, pointing out that the difference lies in the fresh fare cooked for individual customers.
There is no reliance on ready, frozen food, except when it comes to fries; the burgers are served on potato buns to present a healthier option, which, as Dennis explains, is less heavy on the stomach and is a better alternative for those suffering from diabetes.
The restaurant follows a minimalistic approach in the presentation to make it more economical and convenient. The food is served in boxes that are easy to take away or eat at the quaintly designed restaurant, with seating options to cater to the tastes and preferences of different diners. There are bar stools for those who prefer their own company, alongside tables for larger groups, as well as an alfresco dining option to get a feel of the happening area.
The Food
Our lunch at Grill Shack began with a refreshing cooler of Sangria. With the weather getting summer-ready, especially in the afternoons, the ‘Shacktails’ on offer are just right to start the meal on a refreshed note. The list of summer coolers on the menu is interesting, with the option to choose from Peach Tea, Strawberry Tea, Shirley Temple, Sangria, Hawaiian Blue and Green Apple Mojito. The drinks are also served in takeaway packs to make it easy for patrons.
We followed the cooler with ‘Shack Chicken Fajitas’ and crispy fries, ‘Shack Double Cheeseburger’ and ‘Shack Ribs’. The Fajita was light with vegetables stuffed in to make it a wholesome meal; bite-size pieces of tender chicken flavouring the wrap with a taste that has endeared Grill Shack to foodies in the capital. The burger imitated any normal burger in the looks quarters, but the chicken patty, laced with cheese and all the veggie accoutrements, trebled its taste quotient. The winner of the day, of course, was Shack Ribs. Lovers of grilled meat will certainly devour this dish in a go. The portion is big and the rib is grilled to perfection; it is soft and tender, with juices giving it the right amount of moisture and taste factor.
Grill Shack is, by all counts, a burger lover’s haven, with a variety of options to enhance the experience every time. And with prices that are best described as economical, repeat visits to this charming shack in the midst of the busy airport zone is a must.