This Middle Eastern restaurant chain is expanding in the US - here's what it's like to eat there

A slice of Lebanon has come stateside, and it seems as though it's here for the long run.

Semsom, a Lebanese fast-casual chain with about a dozen locations in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, is planning to open two more locations in New York City, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Lebanese entrepreneur Christine Sfeir - who in 1998 opened Lebanon's first Dunkin Donuts franchise at age 22 and has grown it to a 30-store operation - started Semsom in 2008.

By 2011, the first franchise opened in Saudi Arabia, and Semsom quickly became the fastest-growing company in Lebanon.

With an ambitious expansion goal by 2020, Semsom is poised to make waves in the fast-casual marketplace.

I decided to see for myself if Semsom has what it takes to tackle America's toughest restaurant market: New York City.