Category Archives: Middle Eastern

Taboon Bistro

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**** (4 stars)

This hard to find restaurant faces the courtyard in the middle of the twin office buildings at the Universal backlot entrance. There is a lovely outside seating area under the portico.

The extensive menu offers every Mediterranean dish you can think of, and a few oddballs (Philly cheesesteak?)

Servings are generous, to say the least. My Veggie plate would have served two, particularly given the accompanying sides of salad and pickles. The Falafel was a bit dry, and I’ve had better hummus, but the Baba Ghanouj was the best I’ve had.

Taboon Bistro
5911 Turkey Lake Rd
Suite 102
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 720-7664
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taboon-bistro-orlando

Sayat Nova

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**** (4 stars)

Most of the items I tried at Sayat Nova were fine, but not stellar. The hummus appetizer was a bit grainy but okay, and it was served with fresh warm pitas. The number 2 combination at lunch features a nice assortment. I really liked the salad dressing, and the stuffed eggplant was good. the Plaki was pretty thin and rather flavorless.

But the Spinach Boereg was phenomenal–a perfectly flaky philo triangle filled with scrumptious sautéed spinach. I would definitely go back just for this one item, and probably try some kebabs or other items, too.

Service was very friendly, and the decor is neat, although I ate on the sidewalk because it was a beautiful day.

Sayat Nova
157 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-9159
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sayat-nova-chicago

Naf Naf Grill

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*** (3 stars)

This is basically a middle eastern Chipotle. You choose a salad bowl or rice bowl or pita, a main ingredient such as falafel or shawarma, and then pick the accompaniments. There’s not much point in choosing the pita, because the bowl comes with a pita anyway.

The falafel was nice and crunchy. I had it on a salad, which would have been rather dry and bland had I not added hummus, which is $1.50 extra.

Combo meals come with a drink and a side. I chose the fries, which were actually house made potato chips. They would have been good had they been fresh and crisp, but mine were soggy.

For about the same amount of money I could have gone around the corner to Olive Mountain and had table service.

Naf Naf Grill
1629 Orrington Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-8470
http://www.yelp.com/biz/naf-naf-grill-evanston-2

Hubbly Bubbly Falafel Shop

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***** (5 stars)

I first had falafel many years ago in Los Angeles, so that’s how I expect it to be, and Hubbly Bubbly does it just that way, slicing the pita in half and filling each half, rather than rolling it up. I like the fact that you can select from an array of ingredients as you walk along the counter.

They also have “bowls” and Halal meats, so there are many possible combinations.

Sides include a sort of potato puff and “crispy” cauliflower, which is fixed in the fryer, without batter. I tried both, and though the potatoes were a bit heavier than I wanted, the cauliflower was delicious, and almost completely drained due to the lack of batter.

The owner, George, took time to explain to every new customer what all the options were, and provided free samples of things to try next time.

My new favorite place for falafel in Orlando.

Hubbly Bubbly Falafel Shop
3405 Edgewater Dr
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 985-5841
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hubbly-bubbly-falafel-shop-orlando

Flame Kabob

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*** (3 stars)

This little end spot on a strip mall used to be a counter service Indian Place, but now it’s Middle Eastern, and offers table service. There’s a lot of nearby competition, from Bosporous and Cedar’s, so I’m not sure what differentiates it, other than they have a few outside tables that are pleasant. Lunch service is “leisurely” to put it in the best light.

Flame Kabob
7536 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 248-2280
http://www.yelp.com/biz/flame-kabob-orlando

The Olive Mountain

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**** (4 stars)

This place offers really authentic Middle Eastern food and at lunch the prices are crazy cheap. A great falafel sandwich, delicious side of hummus and a beverage is under $6. That’s nuts! PLus, it’s full table service, and the owner is always there to make sure things go right. Great restaurant.

The Olive Mountain
610 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-0380
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-olive-mountain-evanston

Cedar’s Restaurant

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***** (5 stars)

I’ve traveled the world and have yet to find better middle eastern food than at Cedar’s. Service is friendly, and the hummus and tabbouleh can’t be beat. The felafel is never greasy, and the pitas are baked fresh and replenished multiple times during your meal. Perfection.

Cedar’s Restaurant
7732 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 351-6000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cedars-restaurant-orlando

Habibi

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***** (5 stars)

Excellent Lebanese food, especially the hummus and tabouleh. The space is nice, but small, with only two booths and a counter, so the emphasis is on to go orders, but it’s a pleasant place to eat in, and the platters look as good as they taste. Because each item is prepared to order, it’s not exactly fast food, so be prepared to sip on a bottled drink while you wait for your meal.

Habibi
2451 S Hiawassee Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 802-4242
http://www.yelp.com/biz/habibi-orlando-2