Thursday 25 / April / 2024
I love coming across successful stories that ignite a fire, full of inspiration. And this time around I had the pleasure of meeting Tariq Al Bahlani, owner of one of Muscat’s most talked about diner, Big T. As I sat down in his warm company, I got a peek into his business that started from the streets of Seeb, to serving loyal gourmets at his very own eatery.
Tariq is a down-to-earth person who takes pleasure in creating lip-smacking dishes that not only satiate, but also entertain the eaters. He has one goal in mind, that is to become the best chef the country has ever known. And with the taste of his signature burgers, it’s safe to say that he is on to something grand in the field of culinary arts and cooking.
This talented chef has always been a true cook-at-heart, as getting in the kitchen to prepare a dish was an unparalleled joy for him. “Feeding the family was my joy. When I was younger, I would always get excited when there would be a gathering at home and when I was asked to cook,” remembered Tariq. All he wanted was to serve some goodness on a platter. So he travelled to Malaysia to get a relevant diploma that would get him a step closer to his dream, and embark on a journey full of spices.
After coming back to Muscat, Tariq began his cooking journey at fine restaurants with talented chefs and he gained valuable experience. That bettered his understanding of the industry and made him realise that his dream is, without a doubt, possible. Little did he know that he was destined to be his very own boss.
The Big T concept (which is short for Big Tariq) was born at home, as he used to take large orders from his friends and family. Later on he decided to start taking orders from customers who would take a quick trip to heaven, as he is known for making delicious burgers.
One day, Tariq sat and reflected on his journey and asked himself, “why shouldn’t I take it to the streets?” As you’d guess, it was the best decision he made. He started grilling outdoors in settings similar to that of mishkak places, serving you gourmet burgers on the go. His brand became widely known in town as the place to go for a quick bite. The whole concept worked exceptionally well as it was new and innovative. And as much as we love mishkak, a burger grilled on the streets is much cooler.
With help from his high school mate and business partner Basil Al Kaiumi and his cousin Muncher Al Bahlani who is a professional hospitality consultant, Tariq was able to establish his business and take it to another level. Today, Tariq has his own take-away restaurant in North Al Hail, which has simple yet homely exterior seating area where you can indulge in his foodie creations that range from burgers, lamb chops, mishkak, prawns, and fries. With future plans to open up a bistro, there is nothing standing in his way to reach his dream as he is only an inch away from it all. I have tried his signature burgers, and it is to die for. Perhaps I’ll stop by next weekend for some grilled jumbo prawns. — [email protected]
Big T Grills
North Al Hail, Seeb
+968 9600 1622
Opening hours: 7pm to 11pm
