18 Things You’ll Know If You Grew Up In Lebanon In The 90s

N.B This post was originally published in February 2015.

It’s time to cherish the memories y’all. And if we forget the past, then we are doomed to eat escalope and salade panachée-only menus forever…

Add your own 90s memories in the comments section below!


1. McDonald’s opening in Lebanon was actually a thing.

(Image via habeeb.com)

Totally the place to hang out in 1998.


2. Checkpoints were regular business.

Post-war nation alert: keep your identification documents handy at all times.


3. You couldn’t take fancy pictures in downtown because there was no downtown.

It would’ve been pointless anyway because Instagram didn’t exist.


4. Eating out was a much less confusing endeavor with the unified 90s restaurant menu.

You knew it was either going to be escalope or salade panachée. Sometimes both.


5. Your alcohol selection was also very limited.

(Image via blogbaladi.com)


6. Going to the airport was a horrific sight for the eyes.


(Image via The Guardian)

The Beirut airport emerged from the civil war in a nearly obsolete state, and reconstruction on it didn’t start until 1994.


7. You had to go clothes shopping in Verdun because there were no malls around, and Jiyeh was the top beach destination.

Jonas (Jiyeh) was pretty much the Eddé Sands of the 90s. Believe.


8. As for workout spots, it was definitely Panacea, the first mega-gym in town.


9. And ZINC was quite the hipster pre-party venue.


10. Oh and let’s not forget about Dunkin’ Donuts, arguably the Starbucks of late-90s Lebanon.


(Image via blogspot)

The first Dunkin’ Donuts opened on Zalka highway in 1998.


11. Haifa’s 1996 interview with Zaven on Télé Liban made national headlines and was arguably the kickoff of her career.

She discussed rumors swirling around about her controversial affair involving Lebanese politicians.


12. Jamming to Elias Karam songs was nothing short of hip.


(Screenshot via YouTube)


13. Hani Shaker was the cure for your heartbreak.
*drops mic*


14. And you actually bought Walid Toufic cassettes.




15. You still own a stack of VHS tapes somewhere in your warehouse.


16. This lady set the standard in terms of fashion and beauty.


(Image via Ebay)


Blonde, wild and beautiful (someone is actually selling this issue on Ebay for a discount price of $22.75 if you’re interested).


17. Rollerblade rides were the best.

There’s probably still an old pair lying around in your backyard.


18. And last but not least, you (or your mom) were totally into TV workouts because of her.



Please tell me you remember the opening song…


Bonus Pick: this hit 1990 commercial.