For me, there are few words sweeter than “cevapi.” Well, “cevapcici” is pretty good, too. Both exist to get my mouth watering for Balkan beef sausages. And I’ve found a destination for them that is bound to have me returning again and again.
Balkan Grill in Alexandria is actually staffed by natives of Turkey, but as the gentleman with whom I conversed said, the cuisines have influenced each other for hundreds of years. The result at Balkan Grill is a menu that has Turkish specialties like hummus and lahmacun alongside the favorites that grew close to my heart thanks to years spent living near a vibrant Bosnian community.
Cevapi is essentially a fusion dish itself. It takes the garlicky meat from the Balkan burger patty pljeskavica and forms it into petite kebabs. The juicy little sausages are appealing on their own, but the crown jewel at Balkan Grill is the lepinja bread that’s baked fresh each day. It’s by turns chewy, crisp and fluffy, perfect for soaking up the juices of the cevapi as well as supporting a full sandwich that also includes tomatoes, onions and a shower of kajmak, a creamy, cheesy spread that makes a cevapi sandwich something like a Balkan cheeseburger.
Order a slice of cake topped with dark chocolate ganache to further enjoy the team’s way with baked goods. Then come back soon for more lepinja, filled with everything from cevapi to marinated chicken. I know I will. // 5902 N. Kings Hwy., Alexandria
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