Chow Down Atlanta

A sandwich is a sandwich is a sandwich, no? Well, not really. Such is the case of the gyro, the pita, and the shawarma. Although the terms are often used interchangeably by many, there are differences in the types of breads, meats, national origin, method of cooking, and seasonings.

In a nutshell. The Greek gyro uses soft pocketless, thick, pita bread. The meat comes from a spit. The sandwich is garnished with lettuce and tomatoes and topped with yogurt-based tzatziki sauce. The pita, a famous sandwich in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, uses a thin, round, airy, pocket bread. Hummus and tahini are common condiments used. The shawarma also uses meat from a spit and a pocket pita bread. However, it is rolled then flattened on a press once filled.

Here are my favorite places for such sandwiches: Cafe Agora, Best Bread Baking Co., and Jerusalem Bakery.

Cafe Agora has the best gyros in the city. The soft, grilled pita bread is filled with tender slices of delicious, marinated meat roasted on a spit. They have two kinds: mixed lamb and beef and chicken breast. Each is equally fantastic. Fresh shredded lettuce and thick tzatziki sauce are both added to complement the savory meats.

Tucked inside an office and warehouse complex, Best Bread was an instant sensation. The bakery doubles as a lunch spot and usually offers two pita sandwiches: Falafel and Chicken Schnitzel. The falafel, which I call a fried vegetable ball, is very tasty here. It has hints of garlic and herbs. Fried to a golden brown, they are stuffed inside fresh-baked, doughy, pita bread. The romaine lettuce and tahini sauce complement the sandwich. But you can’t just have the falafel. You must also try the delicious Chicken Schnitzel that is made with two pieces of tender, moist chicken, lightly battered, then golden fried. Both the falafel and the schnitzel have that tantalizing crunch on the outside which shifts to a soft inside as you bite down. So good.

Shawarmas at Jerusalem Bakery are made with savory pit-roasted meat that is sliced then stir-fried on a griddle. There are many condiments and toppings to go with your shawarma including pickled beets, parsley, pickles, hummus, and tabouleh, to name a few. The rolled sandwich is then pressed in a panini press for a minute. The result is a slightly crunchy, thin pita filled with yummy goodness. By the way, the in-premise bakery makes all the fresh bread.

More info:

Cafe Agora
262 E Paces Ferry Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 949-0900

Best Bread Baking Co.
2080 Peachtree Industrial Ct
Ste 101
Chamblee, GA 30341
(770) 455-6277

Jerusalem Bakery Alpharetta
4150 Old Milton PKWY
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 777-0193

Technorati Tags: gyro, pita, shawarma, Atlanta

There are so many inexpensive buffets in town that leave a bad taste in my mouth. Not only are the places filthy and the food usually not at all good, the quality of food is much to be desired. But not here at Sinbad’s Feast.

First, the place is immaculate. And sophisticated. A clear left-over from the previous tenant Sia’s. There are no tell-tale signs that this is a Persian restaurant except for a side room, the Hookah Lounge, complete with… beds! Daybeds outfitted with colorful fabrics and comfy pillows. I wanted to jump in and curl up!

And then there’s the food. Everything is freshly-made in-house. Owner/Chef PJ, a long-time chef and a Tehran native who has been living in Atlanta for 28 years, concocts the most delicious Persian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern food imaginable. My memories of authentic Middle Eastern/Persian food come from an Iranian uncle who lives in Atlanta and cooks simple Persian food, and visits to Doha (Qatar) and Dubai (UAE) where I’ve been four times. In a couple of those visits, I remember a family friend, a Persian chef and a resident, who prepared the best Fesejoon I have ever tasted. Chef PJ’s is just as good, if not better. His version gave me an oh-my-gosh-this-is-so-good-I-need-a-moment-of-silence. The chicken is so moist and so tender and the ground walnut-pomegranate sauce is simply heavenly.

But that’s not all. The chicken in the Jooheh was so moist even after sitting out on the buffet. The lime, herbs, and saffron flavors are evident in every bite. I love the tasty Koobideh, ground meat seasoned with spices and turmeric, goes really well with Adas rice . My uncle makes Koobideh often and serves it with the same lentils-and-raisins-mixed rice. Everything is good but the stews here are really the stars of the show. Fork-tender meats are simmered in herbs and spices resulting in flavorful sauces that are thick and hearty. I would go everyday just for the stews alone. Incidentally, dishes change daily so you won’t feel like eating the same things over and over again at every visit.

A great ending to every Mid-Eastern meal, a cup of cardamom tea infused with rose water is freshly brewed daily. The food, both in quality and taste, really doesn’t justify the price. So for $8.95 for lunch and $12.95 for dinner, what are you waiting for?

Side Note: Shout out to my Persian cousin AT who dabbles as a very famous graffiti artist and equally famous b-boy in Atlanta

Sinbad’s Feast
10305 Medlock Bridge Rd., Suite C-8
Johns Creek, GA 30097
(770) 622-6409

Technorati Tags: Persian, Mediterranean, Mid-eastern, buffet, Johns Creek, hookah bar

If you want good shawarmas, then this is your place. The meat is juicy, not dried out like some places, the tahini sauce is spot on, and the veggie filling is fresh and tasty. The bread is also made in-house. In fact, they are a major distributor of Middle Eastern breads and baked goods here in the South. Shawarmas come in your choice of beef, chicken, and falafel. All are equally good.

If you’d rather prefer to eat you shawarma with a fork, then the plates are for you. Instead of having the filling assembled inside a pita bread, they are laid out on platters, served with a side of pita slices. They’re exactly the same as the shawarmas, just in a different presentation.

The Lamb Kabob platter, which I didn’t see on the menu, but highly recommended by the owner, was quite delicious. The lamb was well seasoned and perfectly grilled. It came with yellow rice, baba ghanoush, hummus, and couscous.

The Baba Ghanoush is mild tasting but good, nonetheless. There is no overpowering garlic taste which allows you to taste the eggplant even more. The consistency is quite good, too, creamy but with enough texture. The Grape Leaves are a little too tart for my taste but they’re plump and fresh. Six pieces will set you back a mere $2.99.

Assorted pastries are made in the bakery in the back and include the usual baklava, harsah, and wabat, as well as muffins, danishes, and croissants. If Middle Eastern fare isn’t what you have a taste for, fear not as they have pizzas, strombolis, and calzones.

Insider tip:
Open daily from 7am to 9pm.
Only the Alpharetta location has a deli.

The scoop:
Jerusalem Bakery (Alpharetta)
4150 Old Milton PKWY
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 777-0193

585 Franklin Road
Suite 160
Marietta, GA 30067
770-419-1666

Technorati Tags: Middle Eastern, shawarma, Turkish food, ethnic grocery, Alpharetta