African and Middle Eastern Food and Cooking

Tempe's Hummus Xpress Does Tasty Mediterranean, Subway-Style

When a new spot opens in town, we can't wait to check it out -- and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened, sampling a few item ... More >>

Ten Favorite International Markets in Phoenix

When you're roaming the aisles of your local chain supermarket, it's not always easy to find exactly what you're looking for -- especially if that something happens to be purple yams, Asian stink fruit, Russian black bread, or Turkish coffee beans. Unless you consider 45 ft. of chips and soda inte ... More >>

A Perfect Introduction to African Food: Yassa Chicken

For newcomers to African cuisine, why not make the first dish one of the most delicious? Yassa chicken (known as yassa au poulet) is a traditional chicken dish from the Casamance region of Senegal in West Africa. Prepared with lemons and onion, it is one of the most popular dishes in Africa and ca ... More >>

Israeli Couscous with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Preserved Lemon

Lately, in this In Season/Meatless Monday series, we've taken a look at what I take home from Crooked Sky Farms each week and see what I've done with my CSA share, or part share. This week, I'm using roasted sweet potatoes, but you could use anything like butternut squash, carrots, or beets. I love ... More >>

Three-In-One Khyber Halal Serves Up Cuisine of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India

When a new spot opens in town, we can't wait to check it out -- and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that have just opened, sampling a few item ... More >>

Ten Favorite Vegetarian Entrees in Metro Phoenix

Phoenix isn't exactly known for vegetarian food, but the Valley has several unique, passionate vegetarian-friendly restaurants. Don't worry, you won't find any salads or veggie burgers on this list.

Ethiopian Famous Restaurant & Coffee's Oddball Location Belies the Treats Inside

Aztec Couscous Salad

Aztec Couscous Salad is one vegetarian dish that anyone can enjoy. It makes a great lunch, light dinner, or side dish, and it's quick to toss together with roasted peppers, corn, black beans, and more.

Indo-Pak Deli Meets Driving School at the Corner of Camelback and 19th Avenue

Need a driving lesson but don't want to do it on an empty stomach? Have I got some good news for you. Smaart Market & Deli, a new Indo-Pak eatery and grocery in Central Phoenix, recently opened on 19th Avenue and Camelback (in the strip mall where the Blimpie's used to be) and right next door to Is ... More >>

Brett Vibber's Hummus

Maya Dukmasova Chef Vibber's hummus served with roasted red peppers, garlic, rosemary the chef picks around Tempe and bagel chips​This week we met Center Bistro's Executive Chef, Brett Vibber, who share tales of travels and kitchen values. Today, he gives us his recipe for hummus, a dish th ... More >>

Lunch under $10 at Cafe Lalibela

Alicha Sega Wat and Fosolia wrapped in Injera. Translation: Tender Beef Cubes in Mild Sauce with Spiced Green Beans wrapped in Ethiopian Flat Bread.​When there are only 60 minutes in a lunch hour, most folks with a schedule grab a cold sandwich to save time and money. Cafe Lalibela is o ... More >>

A Quick Guide to Grains

Carol Blonder grains and seeds​ One of our tips for cooking meatless is to prepare a pot of grain over the weekend, mostly brown rice, and have it on hand to add to soups, stocks, and casseroles or to make a fresh grain and vegetable salad during the week. Going meatless one day a week is m ... More >>

How Bazaar

Ethnic food in the house

Downtown Pita Jungle Finally Opens and Turkey Tacos in Today's Eater's Digest

www.loveandoliveoil.com​Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?It's Finally HereHappy early Christmas to us! Just in case you haven't heard, the much anticipated downtown Pita Jungle officially opened it's doors yesterday. Now those us of that live, ... More >>

Ask the Critic: Where Can I Grab Lunch on My Way to the Airport?

Looking for a place to eat on your way to (or from) Sky Harbor that won't break the bank, that'll won't throw off your schedule, and that isn't a fast-food joint?Join the crowd. I've gotten more requests for suggestions on this front than just about any other restaurant-related question, and I'm hap ... More >>

Haji Baba: Lunch $10 & Under

We've been craving Haji Baba's falafel sandwich ever since it made our 100 Favorite Dishes list. A food craving is like a song that gets stuck in your head, but ten times worse: Not only can you not stop thinking about it, you can literally taste it in your mouth and your stomach's not happy until t ... More >>

Pita Jungle: Happy Hour Report Card

Erica O'Neil Pita Jungle's delectable Mediterranean happy hour.​The Spot: Pita Jungle (one of ten locations across the Valley), 4340 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-955-7482 http://www.pitajungle.com/ The Hours: Monday through Friday, from 3 to 5:30 pm. Reverse happy hour is every day o ... More >>

Sahara: Lunch $10 and Under

Long time Tempe residents might remember Sahara from its original location on Mill just Sunbusek Lunch Platter​south of University. All good things must come to an end or in Sahara's case, be torn down to make room for a CVS. Lucky for us they opened a new location last year on the northeast ... More >>

78: Bourekas at Spices Mediterranean Kitchen

​Hungry yet? We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our siste ... More >>

Monday Night Chef’s Table

Al-Hana Restaurant at Baiz Market: Lunch $10 and Under

​For lunch we decide to try Al-Hana Restaurant at Baiz Market. Ok, so maybe the word 'restaurant' is a stretch, more like hole-in-the-wall, but we mean that in the best way possible. Al-Hana consists of a walk-up counter with a half dozen tables and chairs for eating in. It is tucked into th ... More >>

Locally Made: Saber Rouin is Doctor Hummus

Doctor Hummus proudly poses with the mixer that began his business. Lucky for us, he's moved on to bigger and better.​Saber Rouin's father always wanted him to be a doctor. Rouin was born in the North African country of Tunisia. His story begins on the deck of a cruise ship, a Love Boat of sorts, ... More >>

Closed for Business: Efes Turkish Cuisine

​Farewell to a place with real character. Word from a very reliable source is that Tempe favorite Efes Turkish Cuisine has closed; there's no answer at the restaurant's number during scheduled business hours. The six-year-old eatery was well-known for its exquisite kebabs, friendly ser ... More >>

Monday Night Martha: Shrimp and Pearls

Tonight's meal could also be called "the dinner so nice, we made it twice." The recipe is clipped from this month's Gourmet magazine. You can also find it at Epicurious.The "pearls" in the title refer to a spherical semolina-based pasta known as Israeli couscous. Unlike its Moroccan counterpart, Isr ... More >>

Obtain a Kiss Kiss with Couscous

Bantu Bistro Brings West African Cuisine to Central Phoenix

It's only been open for two weeks, but Bantu Bistro has already gained some repeat customers in Central Phoenix. Located in the 7th Avenue spot that formerly housed Melrose Cafe (4447 N. 7th Ave., at Campbell; 602-604-2489), the eatery brings something new to the local dining scene: West A ... More >>

Veggie Boy: Cafe Lalibela

A platter filled with Ethiopian entrees, as served by Cafe Lalibela in Tempe. We hate to sound like a nagging mother, but it might be a good idea to make sure you've scrubbed up good and proper before sitting down to eat at Cafe Lalibela (849 West University Drive in Tempe, 480-829-1939). It's only ... More >>

Veggie Boy: Haji Baba

By Benjamin Leatherman The best falafel I've ever tasted. No seriously, this time I mean it...really. Last month I sang the praises of Phoenicia Cafe in Tempe, particularly about the joint’s falafel. After supping on its version of the Middle Eastern favorite of gound chickpeas and eggplant fas ... More >>

The Dhaba has Indian food fit for kings and Punjabi truck drivers

Fans of Mediterranean House, get it while you can

SHWEET!: Queen Baklava at Haji Baba

Summer Guide: Cheap eats

Got Hummus: Sabeur Rouin

Triple-Time Loser

The Bird rips the Republic and throws the book at West Phoenix

Hat Trick

About as Moroccan as Mo Rocca

Sammy Time

Fresh pasture for downtown grazing

BEST RESTAURANT FOR KIDS

Sabuddy's Israeli Restaurant

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN MARKET

Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli

Kings of Kebab

Stephen Lemons sings the praises of Turkish cuisine

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT

Persian Garden Café

BEST SOLUTION FOR IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK AND I'M TOO POOPED TO COOK

Elie's Deli

Best Place To Go In De-Nile

Blue Nile Cafe

Best Garlic Dip

Pita Jungle

Gheimeh Shelter

They're holding the spices at Scottsdale's latest faux-ethnic restaurant

Ali's Mother and Her Dessert

This concoction is much more than the Middle Eastern equivalent of Jell-O

In the Niko's Time

There's atmosphere aplenty in Scottsdale eatery

Best Middle Eastern Grocery

Yusef's Middle Eastern Restaurant, Grocery & Deli
15236 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix
602-867-2957

Best Potato Salad

Sabuddy Israeli Restaurant
825 West University, Tempe
480-894-8387

Kebab's Big Boy

REAL MILL DEAL