It’s fun to watch the lady behind the counter pat dough into rounds and load it into the open-mouthed brick oven on a giant paddle. It’s more fun to eat it when it comes out as warm pita bread. The “Mediterranean pizzas” ($9.99) they bake in the same oven provide a comfort in the fluffy crust warm from the oven that paper-thin crusts just can’t provide. Try the pesto chicken with artichoke hearts and feta. The entrée plates — shawarmas and kabobs of beef, chicken, and lamb — are affordable ($9.99–$12.99) and come beautifully plated with oven-warm pita bread, house-made hummus, and faultless saffron rice. Stamp of authenticity: at lunch time the place is packed with Middle Easterners and North and East Africans. Bonus: there’s a full smoothie bar that puts Jamba Juice to shame.
Three of us lunched at this restaurant located in the Vons square at the corner of El Cajon and College during the week of 2/7/11. You order at the counter, and your food is brought to you. My two friends each ordered vegetarian platters of different types and were very pleased with the quality of ingredients, preparation, and portions. I ordered lamb shish kabobs, and they came with hummus, pita, salad and pilaf--plenty of food (I couldn't finish it all.) I had specified medium-rare for the kabobs, but they came out well done. (It is hard to convince wait staff that you want your lamb rare.) Although overcooked, the lamb had been marinated in a spicy mix and had good flavor. The menu also offered several chicken and beef sandwiches and plates. The waiter (the manager?) was also willing to make substitutions to combo platters. Among the appetizers were the usual suspects: baba ganoush, hummus, tabouli, spanakopita, and so forth. They were fresh and zesty. Beverages included bottled and canned sodas, fountain sodas, iced tea.
Good value, friendly service, clean and bright surroundings.
Sign in to comment
Sign in
Login or Sign up.
or Connect using a Social Profile