Khoury’s Mediterranean Restaurant will hit the 15-year mark in Las Vegas this year, and its Lebanese cuisine is certainly deserving of local institution status. Everyone knows the Village Square spot is one of the best places in the Valley for mezza, a selection of small plates including hummus, baba ghanoush, labni-matoom yogurt dip with garlic and mint, fried haloum cheese and other savory bites to mix and match with warm, toasty pita bread.

But the less familiar parts of Khoury’s menu are just as satisfying, starting with some of the other appetizers. Add interesting textures and fascinating flavors to your spread with bamieh ($8), tender okra with garlic, onions, tomato and cilantro, or the sharp fava bean dish known as foohl ($8), served hot and seasoned with lemon, olive oil and garlic. For a heartier opening bite, samboosak ($10)—mini bread dumplings—are stuffed with lamb and almonds.

Speaking of lamb, the gyro is naturally one of the most popular items at Khoury’s, but the lesser known street-food standby lahm bi ajeen ($8) is a must-try, perfect to slice up and share or as a filling lunch all by itself. Finely ground lamb is blended with tomatoes, parsley, onions and other spices and folded into an extra toasty pita to create a portable, craveable snack. Grab a side order of avocado jalapeño hummus ($11.50) for dipping.

At dinner, gyros, shawarma, kabobs or Khoury’s signature baked garlic chicken grab the spotlight. If you want something with bolder flavors, try sujuk ($14-$18), a spicy beef sausage of Turkish origin rich with garlic, sumac and red pepper. It packs legit heat without overpowering the other seasonings, and it’s wonderfully complementary to all those cool, creamy dips on your table.

KHOURY’S 9340 W. Sahara Ave. #106, 702-671-0005. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.