Roland Semaan, Owner of Balade and Balade Your Way in East Village, NYC

Grubhub Partner since September 2010

In 2010, Roland opened Balade as a sit-down restaurant to share the incredible cuisine of his home country, Lebanon. Witnessing the neighborhood’s enthusiastic response to the food, he was inspired to create a fast-casual concept, Balade Your Way, in 2015 to make their authentic dishes more accessible.

What does it mean to serve people in your neighborhood?

Serving people in our neighborhood brings me immense joy. I love providing exceptional service and take great pleasure in seeing our customers relish their meals. It’s deeply satisfying and fills me with pride to know that we have created a beloved community dining experience.

How have Grubhub’s marketing tools helped your restaurant?

Grubhub’s marketing tools have been incredibly beneficial. Offering significant discounts for new customers through their platform has attracted a broader audience, boosting our visibility and increasing our orders significantly.

What’s your favorite dish you serve?

It’s hard to choose, but a few of my favorites include hummus, fattoush salad, and falafel. These dishes hold a special place in my heart as they are my grandmother’s recipes, and we make them from scratch every day, ensuring they are as fresh and authentic as possible.

What is one thing you’d want other restaurant owners to know about Grubhub?

I would encourage other restaurant owners to sign up for Grubhub. The increase in orders and exposure we’ve experienced has been remarkable. It’s a game-changer for reaching new customers.

What does the future look like for your restaurant?

I am excited about the future and hope to expand both of my restaurant concepts. My goal is to bring our unique and authentic Lebanese cuisine to even more communities.