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Pablo's BYOB is the latest themed restaurant to hit Islamabad

Pablo's BYOB is the latest themed restaurant to hit Islamabad

Pablo's is named after the world’s most notorious drug baron but are its burgers really addictive?
Updated 24 May, 2017

Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar would never have imagined that one day, in a nondescript corner in Pakistan’s sleepy capital, a burger joint would be named after him.

But such is the power of the small screen and the popularity of the TV show Narcos, that it inspired friends Zoraiz Khan and Ghazi Ali Hassan to theme their recently-opened restaurant ‘Pablo’s B.Y.O.B’ after the world’s most notorious drug baron.

Jostling for position among other food outlets in F-11’s Liberty Square Plaza, Pablo’s is a tiny restaurant with the capacity to seat only 15. But what little space is there has been creatively utilised and the industrial warehouse interior with naked bulbs and exposed wires is true to the theme.

True to its theme, Pablo's BYOB boasts prison bars and hangman's noose as part of the eatery decor
True to its theme, Pablo's BYOB boasts prison bars and hangman's noose as part of the eatery decor

Prison bars hanging over the counter and mugshots of members of the Medellin cartel are displayed on the walls, along with a giant poster of Escobar.

Zoraiz, a recent graduate of the Lahore University of Management Sciences, came to Islamabad a few months ago with the sole purpose of opening a burger joint. “I noticed a gap in the market. There are a lot of apartment buildings in F-11 and E-11 where a lot of young professionals and students live, but there was no fast food joint to cater to them,” he said.

Unlike most themed cafes in the city, Pablo’s is not all about the décor; the food takes centre stage.

Pablo's prides itself on sourcing quality ingredients like fresh buns from Lahore and beef from Mirpur
Pablo's prides itself on sourcing quality ingredients like fresh buns from Lahore and beef from Mirpur

B.Y.O.B. stands for ‘build your own burger’ and the building blocks aren’t too shabby; the buns are brought in fresh from Lahore every day, and the beef is driven in from Mirpur.

With a Lahori chef overseeing the kitchen, Zoraiz contends his burgers can beat the best Islamabad has to offer.

Diners can customise their own burger, or choose from the preset options on the menu, which also offers a small range of bar-styled starters, pastas, burgers and steaks.

There's more to Pablo's than just burgers
There's more to Pablo's than just burgers

For the B.Y.O.B option, customers are given a printed menu and a pencil to mark their choice of bun, meat, salad, cheese, sauces and toppings. ‘Premium’ toppings such as turkey bacon and sweet corn as well as extra meat and cheese are charged separately.

With a variety of options to mix and match, customers can build a burger which combines their favourite flavours. “Some people choose to eat their burger without a bun, which reduces the calorie count. We will also be offering whole wheat buns soon as well,” Zoraiz says.

The Colombian Beef Lord is the most popular item on the menu
The Colombian Beef Lord is the most popular item on the menu

From the menu, the most popular item seems to be the Colombian Beef Lord, which features 180 grams of hand ground beef, topped with cheese, pickles, onions and strips of turkey bacon packed between a soft black cumin bun. The ensemble is held together by a charming little Colombian flag on a toothpick.

The barely-charred beef is the true star of this burger, which unleashes its juices with every bite and requires little adornment. The bun is delectably soft and complements the meat.

Customers like to share their BYOB creations before devouring them
Customers like to share their BYOB creations before devouring them

A close rival in the burger section is the El Padrino’s Mushroom, which drowns the same juicy patty in a creamy blue cheese and mushroom sauce, combined with sweet caramelised onions. But this seemingly rich collection of condiments, teamed with a soft sesame bun, makes a burger that is surprisingly light on the palate and disappears as soon as you sink your teeth in.

Although the owner claims he doesn’t care much for pasta, Pablo’s also offers a delicious Fajita pasta. Unusually spicy for a pasta, the dish combines fiery mexican flavours such as jalapeno peppers, olives and grilled chicken in a creamy sauce.


Originally published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2017

Comments

Ijaz May 24, 2017 02:22pm
Pakistan's insatiable appetite for western junk food continues unchecked.
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Babar May 24, 2017 02:33pm
Hi, usually we get guide prices, whereas here writer Shiza Malik opted not to mention those? Regards
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Melo May 24, 2017 03:05pm
I love Islamabad,would love to move there one day
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Furqan Shaikh May 24, 2017 04:07pm
A restaurant under Pablo Escobar's name, as if he was a here. As a nation we should not glorify criminals or mafia dons just for the mere fact that they had guts to go against the system.
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Weq May 24, 2017 06:22pm
Wow, I love that, these two guys rock, you are the best in Pakistan brothers!
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DW May 24, 2017 07:39pm
Love beef. Tastiest meat in the world!
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George Habbash May 24, 2017 11:04pm
This kind of restaurant chain is already in USA. Name is The Counter.
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shabut May 25, 2017 01:33am
Seriously. Restaurant named after one of the most notorious criminal. I just don't see the cool connection here.
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Ozzy May 25, 2017 01:40am
@George Habbash well sir you can enjoy the beef burger there. Thr one served in pakistan will be more awesome
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JunaiD May 25, 2017 06:53am
I love beef one of the BEST thing in this world
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Skeptic May 25, 2017 12:14pm
Just looking at these pictures of atrocious servings, makes you loose your appetite. Or want to throw up! These are not even man-size. These are meant for hard-core grease gobbling monsters.
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Salman khan May 28, 2017 01:51am
Oh no.. Not another LUMs graduate starting a fast food Start-up !! :). And i am not sure what he is talking about. There are a gazillion burger Joints in F-11. When all the "young professionals" living in those apartments move in the next couple of months when a "Telecom company" that employees 90% of them shifts their HQ, he can sit and admire his ceilings. Mr Young graduate should have done market research instead of decorating the walls in the one month he had :)
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