Heads up: Xheni Fast Serves Up Delicious Food at Unbeatable Prices
Xheni Fast is a restaurant that’s easy to miss. (Xheni translates to Jenny, so it might be labelled as either.) It’s tucked away in plain sight on the main street of Blloku, with just a small storefront extending onto the sidewalk. For almost a year, I walked right by without going in. I assumed it was just another fast food joint.
Wow, was I wrong! One morning, with some extra time on my hands, I decided to pop in. And I’m so glad I did. (And sad I missed going here daily for a year!)
You can find it on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t6K9AF49LjDqwJwR9
Prices That Can’t Be Beat
The first thing that struck me about Xheni Fast was the prices. They were incredibly low, especially for Blloku. It was hands-down the most surprising thing about the place. I assumed from the storefront it was mostly fast food, but there were salads, traditional food, and just good home style cooking. Some highlights are the chicken fillet, peskavica kofte, spicy sausage, tave dheu with beef, and various fresh salads. Combo meals pair a protein with a side or a soup with a salad, pasta or rice. Not for me, but they also offer classic fast food items like toasts, sandwiches, burgers, souvlaki, doner kebabs and hot dogs. The rotating specials keep the menu interesting from day to day.
You can see their menu and prices here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uX1ye0Uz0uWFLg_Aq_sn4R7EKv6jakS8/view
A sampling of prices from Xheni Fast – Soups like chicken soup for 250 lek and bean soup for 150 lek, rice and potato dishes starting at 100 lek, grilled meats like chicken fillet for 180 lek and spicy sausage for 120 lek, pastas of the day for 350 lek, and fresh salads ranging from 150-350 lek.
Popular combo meals pair a protein like chicken fillet with a side for 350 lek, or a soup with a salad, pasta or rice for 350-550 lek. The traditional tave dheu with beef is 380 lek on its own or 530 lek as a combo with salad.
Generous Portions and Fantastic Flavors
I ordered the mixed vegetables and was impressed by the portion size. It was just as big, if not bigger, than what you’d get at any other restaurant.
The roasted eggplant, peppers, and beetroot were standouts. They had a fried or roasted taste, but still tasted fresh. I also tried the Fergese, a slightly spicy dish with cheese, yogurt and peppers. It was phenomenal.
The roasted veggies were so good I ordered them again on my second visit:
I also had the Tave Dheu, a yogurt and beef dish. Once again, I was blown away by the competitive pricing and delicious flavors.
Cozy Atmosphere and Friendly Service
The atmosphere at Xheni Fast is cozy, with a wooden vibe. Everything is kept clean and tidy. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, with plenty of space for everyone.
The staff is really friendly and it’s easy to order in English. As an added bonus, they started accepting card payments, which is really convenient!
A New Go-To Spot
All in all, I’m really impressed with Xheni Fast. With awesome hours, unbeatable prices, generous portions, and fantastic flavors, it’s become my new go-to spot when I’m in Blloku and looking for a tasty, affordable meal. It’s the perfect place to grab some lunch after your morning coffee. Don’t let the unassuming storefront fool you – this place is a real gem!
