Habibi Cafe Westwood California

Every reviewer is always torn between his personal tastes and what he sees is the taste of the general public.  Perhaps that's why it's so hard for me to give an awful review to a successful restaurant that's always full of people. Maybe being a middle eastern myself  that causes my standards to be a bit high. Perhaps the crowd that comes to Habibi is less interested in the Hummus and more fascinated with smoking a Hookah close to UCLA. Habibi is  usually packed with college students wanting to mingle and smoke a Hookah.
But for those wanting a Hummus not a Hookah  I say - AVOID this place.

The Hummus tasted old and generic. I  felt it had too much garlic and I love garlic. So stating that something has a strong garlic after taste-  is not a comment I've ever used.

I also ordered their Falafel sandwich which comes in a small pita. There were about three Falafels in it overall and at the end I still felt hungry and unsatisfied. It costs $6.00 which is double what I would have paid if I would have ordered three one falafel in a small pita.
The Falafel came in the sandwich without hummus which was also dissapointing.

Their Falafel plate is $14 which I feel is robbery .

The Falafel is good but not great. I give it credit for being fresh - but the taste was nothing to write home about.  That said the way it was served was dissapointing. Tiny pita that doesn't really resemble a middle eastern pita - with a hole. It's more like a puffy Burrito or one of those things you get at a Greek restaurant. That contributed to the messy eating experience with this. It was also wrapped in an unusual way that made the entire meal uncomfortable and everything kept falling out of the sandwich.
If you're a college student on a date - don't eat the Falafel - cause you're almost guaranteed to look like a fool.

I wanted to check their take out as well and ordered a Hummus to go and got it in a paper box which was a first - Cheap paper that became soggy and added to the awful taste of the Hummus.
Also, they were extremely ungenerous with the Hummus. They served it in a very small quantity - oh and they dizzled some olive oil which helped make the box even soggier. This treat will run you $5.95 which for the size I felt was overpriced.

They don't accept Mastercard or Visa for under $10 - which means you can't just go in there and order a falafel sanwich . I waited to get the Falafel to go for over 20 minutes even thought there was no one there. The place has bad service and is very slow. Guess people who go there aren't in a rush.

If you're a college student and want to sit with friends to smoke a Hookah I'd recommend this place.
For food - I suggest go elsewhere.

This Hummus is one of the worst Hummus I've tasted in Los Angeles - and so I give this place a one star - only for the atmosphere.

AVOID. AVOID. AVOID if possible!

Is Hummus mentioned in the bible?

I found a really interesting article in another Hummus blog: HUMMUS101
It quotes a famous Israeli author, Meir Shalev's conclusion that Hummus was mentioned in the bible.

Here's what Hummus101 blog wrote:
"The first documented use of chick-peas to make humus in the middle-east, is from the age of the crusaders. What few people know is that humus was also mentioned in the old testament.
On the first time Ruth and Boaz had met in Bethlehem, he offered her some humus: “And at meal-time Boaz said unto her, Come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar” (Ruth 2-14).
This is a mistranslation of course. The original word in ancient Hebrew, is “Hometz”. Which not only sounds a bit like “Humus”, but also resembles the word “Himtza”. The Hebrew name of chick-pees.
True, “Hometz” in modern Hebrew is vinegar. But you don’t really think Boaz was so rude as to offer Ruth to dip her bread in vinegar, do you?"

Well, Hummus Guide's meticulous blogger did some checking of his own and based on various English translation of the bible it seems that indeed some translations don't refer to the Hebrew word of HOMETZ, as vinegar but translate it as Roasted grains, meaning that Boaz gave Ruth Roasted grains to dip her bread into - i.e. a roasted grain dish - which is very likely Humus.


So it is possible that Hummus is biblical.

Thanks to Hummus101 and thanks to Meir Shalev the famous and great Israeli writer for noticing this.

Here's the link to the original Hummus101 blog about it:
http://humus101.com/EN/2006/10/10/6/

The Lebanon war of hummus

This article was copied from Ynet - Israel's leading news source affiliate of the largest newspaper in Israel:

http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3794608,00.html

Hundreds of Lebanese chefs reclaim Guinness record with world's biggest hummus plate
AFP
Published: 10.24.09, 18:32 / Israel Culture
Hundreds of garlic-loving Lebanese came together on Saturday to make the largest hummus serving on the world's biggest plate, claiming ownership of the dish with a new Guinness world record.

The previous record was held by an Israeli company.

A Guinness representative was on hand to certify the record set by 250 Lebanese chefs and their trainees, who joined efforts to mix over two tons of the chickpea-based dip.


The Lebanon war of hummus
Hundreds of Lebanese chefs reclaim Guinness record with world's biggest hummus plate
AFP
Published: 10.24.09, 18:32 / Israel Culture
Hundreds of garlic-loving Lebanese came together on Saturday to make the largest hummus serving on the world's biggest plate, claiming ownership of the dish with a new Guinness world record.

The previous record was held by an Israeli company.

A Guinness representative was on hand to certify the record set by 250 Lebanese chefs and their trainees, who joined efforts to mix over two tons of the chickpea-based dip.

Under the watchful eyes of the adjudicator, they poured 1,350 kilograms (2,976 pounds) of mashed chickpeas and 400 liters (13,525 ounces) of lemon juice into the mega-sized pottery dish, cheered on by hundreds of onlookers.

The chefs gathered around their dish upon receiving the Guinness certificate and sang an a capella version of the national anthem before joining hands to dance the traditional dabke in celebration.
Organizers have hailed the event as "a patriotic event of national scale.

"El Hommos Lebnaneh (Hummus is Lebanese) is an attempt to break the current Guinness world records of hummus and tabbouleh, reaffirming the Lebanese proprietorship of these two dishes," said a statement issued by the industrialist association and food syndicate, which planned the event.

A battle over hummus and tabbouleh between Lebanon and Israel - two neighbors still technically at war - emerged last year and efforts have been underway ever since to clearly identify such dishes as exclusively Lebanese.

The official awards ceremony is set to take place Sunday evening, when Lebanon hopes to break another world record for the largest bowl of tabbouleh.

In August, the small northern town of Ehden gained an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for producing the largest ever kebbe - a dish of minced meat and cracked wheat.


Photo above and it's copyright belongs to AP.

Hummus Pizza

Talk about Blasphemy. I noticed the world wide web is full of recipes for Hummus Pizza.
Hummus is room temperature and goes with nothing but Pita bread - so the idea of burining it in a Pizza oven is too wierd for me. But then again, maybe I should be more open.

Here's one of the most popular recipes that appeared in the top three of Google search taken from Family Oven website:
http://www.familyoven.com/offsite?r_id=20962&u=http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Hummus-Pizza/Detail.aspx

Submitted By: POODLEMOLUC
Photoabove By: LANEANN
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 30 Minutes
Servings: 8
"This pizza uses hummus instead of the usual red sauce - a unique and healthy pizza for those bored with the traditional. Top with your favorite veggies and cheese."
Ingredients:
1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust
dough
1 cup hummus spread

1 1/2 cups sliced bell peppers, any color
1 cup broccoli florets
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees C (220 degrees C).
2. Roll out pizza crust and place on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of hummus over the crust. Arrange sliced peppers and broccoli over the hummus, and top with shredded cheese.
3. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the crust is golden brown and cheese is melted in the center. Slice and serve.

Most popular Hummus websites on Alexa

Almost Yom Kippur Eve - The Jewish holiday of reflections. So for all our Jewish friends we decided to show respect by reflecting as well.
Checked on Alexa, one of the websites to check popularity of websites to see who are the top ten Hummus related links online and we're still not there.
So for all the fans out there- do let your friends know about us and do send us info about new Hummus eateries we should write about.
Hopefully soon our website will inch it's way to be in the top ten.
There is still very little Hummus reviews worldwide. The top ten related Hummus websites are mostly restaurants or Hummus manufacturers.

As for the top ten. Here they are:

* 1. Hummus Bros
hbros.co.uk

Mediterranean restaurant which claims to be the first eatery in the UK where hummus is used as a base for the main course. History, press, feedback.
o hbros.co.uk is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 1,918,011
o Category: Regional > Europe
o Keywords: hummus bros, hummus bros london, humus brothers special offer, hbros, humus bar restaurant

* 2. hummusplace.com
hummusplace.com

o hummusplace.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 2,064,760
o Keywords: hummus place, the humus place, humus retaurant upper east side

* 3. trainz.cz
trainz.cz

o trainz.cz is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 1,568,947
o Keywords: trainz csu, trs 2009, hummus trainz, auran dls, trainz.cz
4. sabra.com
sabra.com

o sabra.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 937,921
o Keywords: sabra, sabra hummus, colombe jacobsen, sabra.com

* 5. tribehummus.com
tribehummus.com

o tribehummus.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 1,055,301
o Keywords: tribe hummus, free t shirt, tribe, free tshirts

6. Summer Fresh Salads Inc.
summerfresh.com

o summerfresh.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 5,751,719
o Keywords: fresh salads, summer freshed, summer fresh salads, www.summerfresh.com, summerfresh

* 7. Vaření.cz
vareni.cz

Nabízí české i mezinárodní recepty v katalogu s možností vyhledávání, aktuální články o vaření, tipy a triky pro domácnost, gastronomický slovník pojmů, diskuze a možnost tvorby osobní internetové kuchařky z receptů.
o vareni.cz is a top 100,000 site
o Rank: 82,173
o Category: World > Česky
o Keywords: pangasius, recept, lasagne, musaka, chilli con carne

* 8. A Dreamer s Guide - Dream Moods
dreammoods.com

Dream Moods is a free online source in helping you interpret your dreams. Features dream dictonary, discussion forums and articles related to dreaming.
o dreammoods.com is a top 50,000 site
o Rank: 12,993
o Category: Science > Social Sciences
o Keywords: dream dictionary, dreams, dream meanings, meaning of dreams, dreammoods

* 9. חומוס להמונים
humus101.com

הכל על חומוס: היסטוריה, תרבות, ערכים תזונתיים, המלצות על חומוסיות איכותיות, וכמובן - מתכונים. איך להכין חומוס, מסבחה, טחינה, חומוס-פול ועוד.
o humus101.com is not in the top 100,000 sites
o Rank: 462,331
o Category: World > Hebrew
o Keywords: חומוס, humus recipe, מתכון חומוס, hummus recipe, אבו חסן
o From the site: Everbody in the middle east eat Hummus. Although considered an Arab dish, Israelis too consider it to be their national delicacy. In recent years, hummus has gone global, and you can find it anywhere in the world - sometimes reffered to as “Houmous” or “Humus”. This blog is about Hummus, regardless of sex, race, religion or color. It is about the love for Hummus and the things you can do with it - including making it yourself. ... More...

* 10. Coupons - Couponsurfer.com - Free Online And Printable Coupons For G
couponsurfer.com

o couponsurfer.com is a top 100,000 site
o Rank: 82,786
o Keywords: coupons for groceries, red lobster, free coupons for groceries, coupon surfer, free coupon
o From the site: Welcome to CouponSurfer.com - Just click, point and save - it's that easy! Our mission at CouponSurfer.com is to save you money when you shop by offering top brand-name deals and coupons as a free service for you. We offer hundreds of money-saving coupons for groceries, clothing, gifts, shopping, toys, travel, and lots more. ... CouponSurfer.com Offers 2 types of Coupons: 1. On-line Coupon - These coupons are used at On-line Stores like Buy.com, PETsMART.com, and others. ... More...

Muma - Melrose Hummus

Melrose used to be a trendy place in Los Angeles until several years ago when the Grove shopping mall opened nearbye and sucked out the life out of this hipster's paradise.
Many of the hip and fun stores closed and the street started looking more like a ghost street.
Even the Hummus restaurant there like Wholesome Pita closed.

Now a new attempt is being made to open a new Hummus place with a twist and being a huge fan of Melrose I went to this place hoping that indeed they'll nail it.

The place is called Muma and the interior design and the way they serve shouts FRANCHISE. They are trying to do to Hummus what Pinkberry did to frozen yogurt.

Unlike many of the other Hummus restaurants which look like a cheap low class rundown diner- Muma has a cool and hip look which makes the tiny place feel much more spacious and fun.

They have fresh vegetables and salads that are made on premise and have interesting options for the Hummus.

The Hummus itself is good and interesting.

Their Falafel is fresh and made to order and their Pitas are also fresh.

The place is still brand new and caters to 3 different crowds:
Orthodox Jews living nearbye in La Brea/Melrose area
Israeli's working on Melrose
Vegeterians looking for a fun and tasty place in the Fairfax district.
Hipsters wanting a fast and clean meal on Melrose after shopping there.

One of the things that always dissapoints me with new places is how fast they surrender to mediocrity after the first few month's of existence.
This place is new and the two charming and charismatic owners are working there hard to make sure the food is fresh and tasty and hot for every customer.
The fans have noticed their hard work and the place is full most of the day.
I do hope they will stay this way and not give up their desire to make the best Hummus on Melrose.

Muma's is aiming directly for the Chipotle crowd. Those wanting a fast meal in a clean place that's both tasty, fast and hip but also will give them a full meal for under $10. Chipotle seem to have a lot of repeat customers that come there almost daily to eat cheaply.
Time will tell if the same concept will work for Mumma.

As they are located so close to the ultra Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of La Brea and Melrose they will hopefully attract some of the same crowd that used to go to Wholesome Pita. But in order to survive in the competitive Melrose Avenue they'll hopefully manage to get the hipsters to adopt this place to.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this place.
It's inspiring to see young people try to bring new life into a traditional meal in such an exciting way and especially in LA which is such a hard town to bring anything new to.

I also hope they don't fall into the trap of a lot of middle eastern places that eventually try to hike up prices believing Israeli's, Jews and Arabs are suckers. They might be for awhile but eventually all places that had crazy prices for Hummus went under. Hummus and Falafel are the Pizza of the middle east and as such should be priced accordingly.
As their new competitor on Fairfax, Pita bar and Grill turned from a sweet darling to a disgusting, stale Pita serving, lousy Hummus making place in less than 6 month since they opened and also hiked up the price and so lost quite a few clients in the process - I truly hope this sweet new place doesn't look at the conduct of the current crop of middle eastern restaurants but rather at what it could become- the middle eastern Chipotle chain.

Good luck guys and may the force of chickpeas be with you.


Their info:
http://mumarestaurant.com/
7275 Melrose Ave
LA CA 90046
323-936-7697

Hummus on Google

One of the interesting things is to see the popularity of different Hummus combinations on Google.
Well, based on a quick research as of September 2009 here are the numbers: ( Thanks to Google Keyword search)


hummus recipe 90,500

hummus recipes 33,100

hummus dip 4,400

hummus 368,000

It's a pretty impressive number until you check on words like Pizza and Hamburger and are humbled.

Seems like Hummus still has a long way to go before it becomes a little more popular in the ultimate virtual world of Google.

The world never sleeps.

Two more restaurants to avoid in Los Angeles

In the last few month's I've eaten in mostly horrible LA restaurants and so preferred not to write any new review cause it annoyed me.


PITA BAR AND GRILL
Fairfax Avenue. Fairfax district. Los Angeles. California


A new restaurant that opened strong and got a half decent review in this blog. They had a special deal where one could get a pita with Falafel and a soft drink for $5.
The first 3 month were a dream. Fresh Falafel, Fresh pita and pretty good hummus.
But all that changed.
No more special deal.
Now for $5 one gets onlythe Pita without the soft drink.
The Pita's are no longer fresh - but a day old.
The amount of Falafel's has been reduced by about 30% in each Pita.
I gave them a second chance before writing this review and the same thing happened so I guess it's no longer just a one time thing.

Sadly PITA BAR and Grill have joined my AVOID LIST


HABAYIT RESTAURANT
Phone 310-479-5444
11921 West Pico Blvd
LA CA 90064

Another new place I tasted was HABAYIT RESTAURANT.
They're pretty good.
The Hummus isn't Lebanese but rather a Polish Israeli take on the classic dish - but for an Israeli Glatt Kosher restaurant it's pretty good.
But the prices of everything else is so ridiculous that I can only give it an AVOID rating.
I hate it when restaurants that have a GLATT KOSHER rating believe they can overprice cause they think that religous Jews are dumb.
But the place was full for lunch so I don't know what to say.
Here's the lunch menu they gave me:
Entrees:
Meetballs $15.95
Kebab $15.95
Schnitzel $15.95

Falafel Plate (with 2 pitas) $10.95
Shakshuka $9.95

Falafel Sandwhich $7.95
Hummus Sandwich $6.45

Hummus plate $6.45

Salads to go (Per Lb) $9.95

The place looks like a super cheap diner. It's not located in the easiest to find place. It's mainly looks like a place to grab a quick and fast lunch.
but these prices puts a meal with a Hummus opener plate and a soft drink and a coffee at $25-$30 per person. FOR LUNCH.
So I don't know who's their clientele.
It's neither for those wanting a fast and cheap lunch - cause it's too expensive.
The place looks too cheap for a business lunch - so it's not a place to invite a person to discuss business.

I guess it's a place for Israeli's wanting a Glatt Kosher place and a little bit of Hummus but nothing else.

Their minimum delivery policy is $40 so they're not fit for a single person craving a fast one either.

A pity- the place could have been so much more successful if they would lower prices and have a real lunch menu with decent pricing.

Anyways, for now it's an avoid.
Big time!

BEST SUPERMARKET HUMMUS

Even thought originally we intended to review only restaurants, diners and fast food stands- due to requests we've decided to also include reviews of Supermarket Hummus for those interested in getting your daily dose of Hummus when there is no time or no decent Hummus place in your area.

Supermarket Hummus is never as fresh or tasty as the ones made fresh daily- but there are a few companies out there that make Hummus that's pretty good and can be an almost decent substitute for the real thing.

SABRA HUMMUS

I personally like Sabra the most. Their Hummus is good, consistent and is readily available in many supermarkets around the US.
You can check their website:
www.sabra.com
They also have a store locater to find them in your area:
http://www.sabra.com/store-locator/store-locator.aspx

TRADER JOES - AVOID
Many like their Hummus- but I'm not a big fan- even thought I love Trader Joes as a brand. The Hummus tastes like a vegiterian dip and a lot of their hummus options- don't even have garbanzo beans in them and they don't even have the hummus color or taste. So I suggest to avoid for now- until they decide to make a real Hummus that tastes like Hummus.

Los Angeles Hummus: UPDATE: TOP TEN PLACES TO AVOID IN LA,

THE AWFUL LIST:

Seems like there's a new trend in LA. Middle eastern joints have hiked their prices to filthy greedy territory. Who would have thought that going to a run down, noisy, dirty and mediocre tasting middle eastern diner could cost as much as going out to an expensive high class steak house in Beverly Hills.
I made the decision to avoid going to these places. I believe that only if people avoid them will they either have to lower their prices or eventually close- making the point that Hummus joints cannot treat their clients like total suckers!

AWFUL Aroma: THE WINNER OF THE DISGUSTING LIST

Aroma cafe,the awful Israeli diner was one of the first to realize they could over charge for Israeli food. They realized some Israeli's are suckers and they'll pay extra to be able to sit among other Israeli's in an Israeli hangout in the Valley.

But now there are a lot of additional places that have replicated this model.

AWFUL NANA: RUNNER UP TO MOST DISGUSTING LIST TOPPER

NANA in the PICO ROBERTSON area, is another one of the places I strongly recommend to avoid. It's simply awful.
I hated the food.
I hated the service.
I hated everything about this place.
and the price ... OUCH.
It's for suckers.
Or as Israeli's call them: FRYARS.
But for some reason, it seems that there are a lot in the Pico Robertson area and it's a shame!

AWFUL ITZIK HAGADOL: ANOTHER WINNER IN THE TOP FIVE DISGUSTING LIST

Then there's Itzik Hagadol.
Gadol means large in Hebrew.
The only thing that's large in this restaurant is the bill you'll get for extremely mediocre food and Hummus that's just as bland.

CAYENNE AND ZAHLE: ET TU BRUTUS?

The sad thing is that our Lebanese friends have learned from Israeli restaurants and immitating them. Take two restaurants I used to love : CAYENNE on Beverly Blvd and Zahle in North Hollywood. Their pricing is disgusting. For now, my recommendation is AVOID!
Perhaps the hardest for me is to write a negative review about Zahle. Even thought they've hiked their prices- their Hummus is still superb.
That said: sadly, I am joining those who won't return there in the near future.

Yesterday I went to Zahle craving a Falafel plate, a small Hummus and a salad.
Very basic plate? Right?
Wrong.
They stopped having these plates and each one must be ordered separately.
They have a new super expensive menu.
A plate with 4 Falafel balls now cost $7.00

I paid for my very basic Falafel meal $25 (Without drinking anything, without desert, cofee, sides, etc...)

For a basic falafel meal with only 4 Falafels.
I left feeling angry, cheated and ripped of.(Not to mention hungry)

So for now my recommendation is avoid even this worthy place. Hopefully their prices will come down .

I looked at the menu and realized that a meat dish and some sides would bring the price of a meal easily to $50 per person.
Why would anyone waste 30 minutes driving to this place that's not in most people's way - just to sit in a cheap restaurant and eat super expensive basic food and pay so much is beyond me.

Sad that the recession has caused both Israeli's and Arabs in Los Angeles to become super greedy.

But as so many restaurants are closing all over the city- I'm sure new ones will soon open and hopefully some of them will be middle eastern with normal pricing.

USA: CALIFORNIA: POMONA

Lately I have tasted a few new and awful Hummus restaurants in LA.
I'll soon update.
Then, a chance visit to Pomona led me to discover this remarkable Hummus restaurant.
Their Hummus is great. Simply great. They also have a lunch buffet with lots of beef for about $9.00.

If you're ever in the Riverside county and would like some good Hummus. This might be the place to go.
It's not fancy. Very down to earth and close to Western University.

I tasted Aladdin Jr. II
There's also an Aladdin Jr. #1
The one I went is located at:
PPh. (909)623 4333
296 W. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766

Here's the link to their website and the address of the first one.
I give it a **** (4/5)

http://www.aladdinjrrestaurant.com/
3161 N Garey Ave
Pomona, CA 91767
(909) 593-3887

Germany: Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Koln, Munich

Germany is a large territory and we're just starting with Hummus places. We'd love to hear from all of you to update this list. We got recommendations for this group of Hummus restaurants from a friend, but we'd love to hear your thoughts on these restaurants if they deserve to stay on our list of our Best Hummus in Germany.

DUSSELDORF

Sahara
Has a shisha lounge and live music.
Hüttenstr. 1
40215 Düsseldorf, Germany
0211 2095214‎

MUNICH

Sababa, Altstadt
Westenriederstrasse 9, 80331 München
+49 89 23237881
www.sababa-munich.com

Sababa is still up in the air as to it's Hummus. It's a middle eastern place that based on it's name in Hebrew means cool/hip/relaxed/not formal ...
(It's a slang word)
The name seems to cater to Israeli tourists and to a Jewish audience that knows the meaning of the word.
Some websites have recommended their food, but we couldn't decide yet about their Hummus.

Koln
Al Salam
http://www.alsalam.de/
Hohenstaufenring 22
50674 Köln, Germany
+49 221 216713



BERLIN
Maroush
http://www.maroush-berlin.de/
Adalbertstraße 93
10999 Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
+49 69 536171


HAMBURG
Mazza

This restaurant is very classy and elegant. It's on the upscale and not cheap. It's a high end middle eastern restaurant which is rather unique as usually middle eastern restaurants are on the cheap side. But it's very elegant for a middle eastern place and we'd love to hear additional thoughts on their hummus- to know if the high class of the place has elevated it to new heights or has overlooked the bassis of this cuisine?
Their info:
http://www.mazza-hamburg.de/
Moorkamp 5, 20357 Hamburg
+49 40 2841917 70

USA New York: Article from NY TIMES

My friend Amy, just made me aware that the NY TIMES ran an article today about Hummus joints in NYC. I included it also in the NY section, but for those following this blog I thought to share it in real time as it's so cool that Hummus is starting to catch on in the US.

Dipping Into an Israeli Trend
o

Article Tools Sponsored By
By LIGAYA MISHAN
Published: April 1, 2009

IN Israel, hummus parlors spark the kind of furious debate reserved for barbecue joints in this country. Pilgrimages are made to track down the best chickpea purée, and recipes are closely guarded secrets.

Hummusiot, as these eateries are called, have of late begun sprouting in New York.

HUMMUS PLACE

109 St. Marks Place (First Avenue), East Village, and other locations; (212) 529-9198 or go to hummusplace.com.

The signature dish is eerily smooth, almost whipped in texture. It comes dusted in paprika, with olive oil pooling in the center. The taste is seamless, the sesame and the garlic in a state of equilibrium.

A ladling of whole chickpeas ($5.95) brings snap, while layers of fava-bean stew, white tahini, and hard-boiled egg ($5.95) give it depth and sensuousness.

Opened in 2004, Hummus Place was a pioneer among New York’s hummusiot. It’s now a mini-empire, with a fourth outpost coming soon. But its original location, on St. Marks Place, still has a cozy neighborhood feel, decked out in warm yellow and burgundy, with polished crockery on the walls. The menu, once confined to three iterations of hummus, has grown. But the newer offerings — such as unctuous stuffed grape leaves ($3.50) and cakey falafel ($3.50) — are an unremarkable sideshow.

NANOOSH

2012 Broadway (69th Street), Upper West Side, and another location; (212) 362-7922 or nanoosh.com.

Nanoosh bills itself as a “Mediterranean Hummus Bar.” It touts its organic ingredients, but has the prefab look of a franchise, with lots of blond wood and a giant blowup of a mint sprig.

Above a communal table hang light fixtures made of acrylic panels filled with dried chickpeas. Oddly, however, chickpeas are not among the many hummus toppings available, which include sun-dried tomato pesto and grilled chicken breast.

The namesake Hummus Nanoosh ($12.50), with ground beef, gets swamped by limp mushrooms and onions. Unadorned ($6.50), the hummus is appropriately thick and creamy, but could benefit from a sprinkling of pine nuts ($1.50).

HUMMUS KITCHEN

768 Ninth Avenue (51st Street) and another location; (212) 333-3009 or hummuskitchen.com.

Hummus Kitchen aspires to a lounge-y vibe, with an aesthetic that might be described as Levantine modern: brushed concrete, wood floors inlaid with mosaic tile, wrought-iron globe lamps hung from the ceiling.

The hummus has pleasing body and a pronounced nuttiness, whether paired with chickpeas, fava beans, juicy eggplant or wild mushrooms ($6.95 each; $8.50 for a sampler).

Nearly all the appetizers are in the mixed platter ($8.50). The worthiest are the falafel — surprisingly light, with the thinnest veneer of crust — and the bureka, a flaky pastry bulging with feta, eggplant and sun-dried tomato.

The lemonana ($3.50), fresh lemonade poured over a sprightly mint slush, injects a shivery tang into the garlicky palette of the meal. The drink is practically a side dish.

MIMI’S HUMMUS

1209 Cortelyou Road (Westminster Road), Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, (718) 284-4444.

The newest of these hummusiot also happens to be the best.

Mimi’s Hummus opened in February on Cortelyou Road, the Restaurant Row of Ditmas Park.

The tiny square shopfront is sunny and airy, with only eight tables. Perforated wood planks, swooping up to the ceiling, are a clever update of Middle Eastern latticework.

The owner, Mimi Kitani, is Israeli, but her mother grew up in Morocco and her father in the Kurdish region of Iraq. Culinary traces from each country surface in her well-edited selection of small plates.

The menu notes “All dishes are homemade,” and that’s evident in the vibrancy of the flavors. Ms. Kitani’s aunt grinds the za’atar spice mix by hand in Israel. Crimson-stained turnips are fished out of a pickling jar brimming with garlic cloves.

The velvety hummus takes five forms ($8 to $9). In one version, bright with lemon, it serves as a bed for whole chickpeas that have the bite of beans properly soaked overnight. In another, the same hummus base turns earthy and fragrant when finished with cinnamon-laced ground beef and pine nuts.

As a complement, the stuffed grape leaves ($6) are moist but sturdy, collapsing only once in the mouth. Cauliflower, not the sexiest of vegetables, gets a swagger from a bold toss of parsley and tahini ($5). It nearly upstages the hummus, and could inspire a following of its own.

http://events.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/dining/reviews/01unde.html?ref=dining

EU: HUNGARY: BUDAPEST

Taken from the NYTIMES:

Hummus Bar
Address VII. Kertesz u.39, Budapest
Phone 1/321-7477
Cuisine Vegetarian
Price Menu items 200 Ft-1,000 Ft ($1.10-$5.40/60p-£2.85)
Reader Rating
(0 stars, 0 votes)
Rate This
Log In to Rate This Venue | Register Now
Hummus Bar
Work:
VII. Kertesz u.39
Budapest, ,
1/321-7477
47.50219119.065161
Frommer's Review

This is the most popular hummus and falafel bar in the city. You can eat in, seating is upstairs, or you can take it with you. Either way, the food is delicious and very inexpensive. Several varieties of hummus and salads are offered to go with the falafel. While you are waiting, don't be surprised if you are offered some tea or samples of other items. All of the limited choices are made fresh.

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/hungary/budapest/70911/hummus-bar/restaurant-detail.html

EU: FRANCE: PARIS

Chez H'anna, Le Marais
This place is more known for it's Falafel, but well, it's Paris...So one has to compromise on their Middle Eastern cravings...

54 rue des rosiers, 75004 Paris

Another place someone recommended, that doesn't appear anywhere online is:

Chez Liza

For take away:

Al Diwan, Champs Elysées

30 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris
+33 1 47 20 18 17
www.diwanparis.com

USA: Florida, Miami

ETZEL ITZIK

some reviewers liked this place for the Hummus Crave in Miaimi. It's an Israeli place and has a strong Israeli vibe for good and bad.
We've also heard their Falafel is worth trying.

Here's their info:
18757 W Dixie Hwy
Miami, FL 33180

USA: NEW YORK NY (NYC)

Hummus Place.
There are a few of them around the city. I've never tasted them, but a few people have highly recommended them. They've also received a critics pick by NY MAG:

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/hummus-place01/

Check their website:
http://www.hummusplace.com/

Upper West Side
212.799.3335
305 Amsterdam Ave.
(Bet. w.74th and 75th st.)
Delivery available
from 84th st. to 64th st,
from West End Ave. to Central Park West

Greenwich Village
212.924.2022
99 Macdougal St. (Between West 3rd St. and Bleecker St.)
Delivery available
from 10th st. to Broom st.,
from Hudson st.to Broadway

East Village
212.529.9198
109 Saint Mark’s Place
(Between 1st Ave. and Ave. A)
Delivery available
from 14th st. to Houston st,
from Broadway to Ave. C.

West Village
212.924.2022
71 7th Ave. South
(at Bleecker Street)
Delivery available
from Prince St. to 14th St,
from Broadway to West Side Highway.

NY TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT HUMMUS IN NEW YORK CITY APRIL 1 2009

USA New York: Article from NY TIMES



Dipping Into an Israeli Trend
o

Article Tools Sponsored By
By LIGAYA MISHAN
Published: April 1, 2009

IN Israel, hummus parlors spark the kind of furious debate reserved for barbecue joints in this country. Pilgrimages are made to track down the best chickpea purée, and recipes are closely guarded secrets.

Hummusiot, as these eateries are called, have of late begun sprouting in New York.

HUMMUS PLACE

109 St. Marks Place (First Avenue), East Village, and other locations; (212) 529-9198 or go to hummusplace.com.

The signature dish is eerily smooth, almost whipped in texture. It comes dusted in paprika, with olive oil pooling in the center. The taste is seamless, the sesame and the garlic in a state of equilibrium.

A ladling of whole chickpeas ($5.95) brings snap, while layers of fava-bean stew, white tahini, and hard-boiled egg ($5.95) give it depth and sensuousness.

Opened in 2004, Hummus Place was a pioneer among New York’s hummusiot. It’s now a mini-empire, with a fourth outpost coming soon. But its original location, on St. Marks Place, still has a cozy neighborhood feel, decked out in warm yellow and burgundy, with polished crockery on the walls. The menu, once confined to three iterations of hummus, has grown. But the newer offerings — such as unctuous stuffed grape leaves ($3.50) and cakey falafel ($3.50) — are an unremarkable sideshow.

NANOOSH

2012 Broadway (69th Street), Upper West Side, and another location; (212) 362-7922 or nanoosh.com.

Nanoosh bills itself as a “Mediterranean Hummus Bar.” It touts its organic ingredients, but has the prefab look of a franchise, with lots of blond wood and a giant blowup of a mint sprig.

Above a communal table hang light fixtures made of acrylic panels filled with dried chickpeas. Oddly, however, chickpeas are not among the many hummus toppings available, which include sun-dried tomato pesto and grilled chicken breast.

The namesake Hummus Nanoosh ($12.50), with ground beef, gets swamped by limp mushrooms and onions. Unadorned ($6.50), the hummus is appropriately thick and creamy, but could benefit from a sprinkling of pine nuts ($1.50).

HUMMUS KITCHEN

768 Ninth Avenue (51st Street) and another location; (212) 333-3009 or hummuskitchen.com.

Hummus Kitchen aspires to a lounge-y vibe, with an aesthetic that might be described as Levantine modern: brushed concrete, wood floors inlaid with mosaic tile, wrought-iron globe lamps hung from the ceiling.

The hummus has pleasing body and a pronounced nuttiness, whether paired with chickpeas, fava beans, juicy eggplant or wild mushrooms ($6.95 each; $8.50 for a sampler).

Nearly all the appetizers are in the mixed platter ($8.50). The worthiest are the falafel — surprisingly light, with the thinnest veneer of crust — and the bureka, a flaky pastry bulging with feta, eggplant and sun-dried tomato.

The lemonana ($3.50), fresh lemonade poured over a sprightly mint slush, injects a shivery tang into the garlicky palette of the meal. The drink is practically a side dish.

MIMI’S HUMMUS

1209 Cortelyou Road (Westminster Road), Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, (718) 284-4444.

The newest of these hummusiot also happens to be the best.

Mimi’s Hummus opened in February on Cortelyou Road, the Restaurant Row of Ditmas Park.

The tiny square shopfront is sunny and airy, with only eight tables. Perforated wood planks, swooping up to the ceiling, are a clever update of Middle Eastern latticework.

The owner, Mimi Kitani, is Israeli, but her mother grew up in Morocco and her father in the Kurdish region of Iraq. Culinary traces from each country surface in her well-edited selection of small plates.

The menu notes “All dishes are homemade,” and that’s evident in the vibrancy of the flavors. Ms. Kitani’s aunt grinds the za’atar spice mix by hand in Israel. Crimson-stained turnips are fished out of a pickling jar brimming with garlic cloves.

The velvety hummus takes five forms ($8 to $9). In one version, bright with lemon, it serves as a bed for whole chickpeas that have the bite of beans properly soaked overnight. In another, the same hummus base turns earthy and fragrant when finished with cinnamon-laced ground beef and pine nuts.

As a complement, the stuffed grape leaves ($6) are moist but sturdy, collapsing only once in the mouth. Cauliflower, not the sexiest of vegetables, gets a swagger from a bold toss of parsley and tahini ($5). It nearly upstages the hummus, and could inspire a following of its own.

http://events.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/dining/reviews/01unde.html?ref=dining

BROOKLYN

Hummus to go at Sahadi Market
Damascus Bakery, both on Atlantic Avenue

Hummus place got a critics pick in the NY MAGAZINE. Since it's a magazine we respect and love we're quoting their recommendation and the direct link to the review:

To chickpea connoisseurs, making hummus is a fine art, one they seem to have mastered at this sliver of an East Village storefront where the single-minded menu consists of several thick versions of the Middle Eastern spread, accessorized with puffy pita, pickles, and hot sauce. A proprietary brand of imported white tahini is the not-so-secret ingredient, giving the spread its pale-beige color and ineluctably rich flavor (the hummus operandi tending toward the smooth and nutty versus the coarse and lemony). Purists can order it relatively unadorned, with just a swirl of good extra-virgin olive oil and a dusting of cumin, paprika, and parsley, or up the bean quotient with two variations on the theme: one topped with warm, soft whole chickpeas (masbacha), the other with earthy, slow-cooked favas and a sliced hardboiled egg (called foul, pronounced “fool”). — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/hummus-place01/

Hummus Place
Critics' Pick

109 St. Marks Pl., New York, NY 10009
nr. First Ave. See Map | Subway Directions
212-529-9198

Japan: Tokyo : Best Hummus

MY LEBANON
Tokyo is not a Hummus capital but to satisfy one's Hummus crave there's MY LEBANON.
Here's some info about it from two websites:
http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/628/restaurants.asp
http://www.mylebanonjp.com/press.htm

UK- :LONDON HUMMUS

MAROUSH
In London there's a chain of restaurants called Maroush. Lebanese. And they all serve great hummus.
One in Knightsbridge on Beauchamp Place. One in Mayfair (on a corner of some street I can't remember). And a whole row of them on Edgware Road, close to Marble Arch and Oxford Street.

www.maroush.com

Israel- South- Hummus

Most of the great Hummus comes from the North Of Israel. Some is also in the center. The south is somewhat harder.
Not that they don't have hundreds of Hummus joints but there just isn't the same level of mythical Hummus there.

Perhaps the best is Halil in Ramleh, but I treated that as center rather than as South but technically some could place it in the south.

Israel- Center- Hummus

Ramleh

Ramleh is one of the Hummus capitals of Israel. There are a lot of places there and most are great.

HALIL
Kehilat Detroit 6
Rating: *****

Perhaps the most well known and best Hummus in Ramleh. Some would argue in the whole of Israel. They are known not just for their Hummus but also for their Mesubache which is a Hummus dish- Hummus with warm Chickpeas cooked. Try it.


Bahadonness:
Bialik 130 Ramat Gan
Rating ***

Good Hummus. Really good Hummus in the hearland of the Tel Aviv Metro district.

Hummus Givatayim
Katchenelson 65 Givatayim
Rating ***

Like the above. A good Hummus in the Tel Aviv Metro district.

Israel- North - Hummus

ACRES:

SAYID
Rating ****
Everyone seems to like it. I'm not crazy about it, but how can I argue with everyone...
In the middle of the old market in Acres. Just ask and hopefully the people there won't guide you to one of it's many competitors.
It's open every day till 2:00 pm except Saturday.


Nazareth: Dianna
Rating *****

Since Israel is a Hummus Capital, I decided to divide Israel into three main parts- North, Center and South and write about the wonderful Hummus places there.
Nazareth has one of the best Hummus restaurants in Israel and in the world. Check it out. Also try their Kabob which is exquisite.

Israel- Tel Aviv Hummus

Ali Karavan
Rating: ****
Considered by many the best Hummus in Tel Aviv- this tiny place is open for very few hours a day and closes in the early afternoon. Come there around 11:00 am and expect to wait for a miniscule table. The Hummus is good. Many love it, I felt it's not great!

Israel- Jerusalem Hummus

Jerusalem has a lot of great Hummus joints, both in East and West Jerusalem.

Philadelphia
****
East Jerusalem. Can be scary and dangerous to get to as it's in East Jerusalem- but considered one of the best Hummus places around.
9 Al-Zahra St.
Jerusalem
02 - 627 62 27
Link:
http://www.dinnersite.co.il/jerusalem/philadelphia.htm

Additional places:
Shiva
Pacha
Pinati
Abu Shukri (Abu Gosh)

THAILAND: Bangkok, Koh Samui Island, Changmai: Best Hummus

The following review was written by an avid traveller who has lived in Thailand for over a year.

"Being a huge hummus lover I've got to admit that there's no decent place for Hummus lovers to get a real Hummus experience in all of Thailand. It's strange cause there are so many middle eastern and Israelis travelling in this country every year. Here are a few of the places, that do sell Hummus- but they all got 1-2 stars in my book:

BANGKOK

These Hummus restaurants are popular with both Israeli and other middle eastern tourists in Kawasan road in Bankok.

Non of these three places have great Hummus, but they will satisfy immediate Hummus cravings for those travelling for a few month and needing a quick fix of Hummus.

1. Israeli connection

2. LaMetayel

3. Shoshana

Rating: *


KO SAMUI

Ko Samui doesn't have decent Hummus, but there's a decent Falafel joint that has Hummus. It's located near Beit Habbad opposite Crystal restaurant.

RATING: **

CHANGMAI

Jerusalem Falafel on Moon Muang near Thapae Gate is probably best.
It gets mixed reviews some love it some hate it. But at least it's there.
35/3 Moonmuang Road
Chiang Mai 50300 Thailand
+66 53 27 0208

Rating **

USA: California Los Angeles Hummus

Los Angeles has a lot of various Hummus serving restuarants. Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Armenian and Israeli among others.
There is something in the Hummus served in many of these places that just doesn't taste like the authentic Hummus that can be eaten in the middle east.

BEST: GYPSY CAFE
Rating: *****
This used to be my favorite spot.They are easier to get to and more centrally located than Zahle but they're also more expensive. They're located in the middle of Westwood which means a parking nightmare and it's taken me just as much time to find parking in the area as it would have taken me to drive all the way to Zahle.

That said they give larger portions than Zahle so it's a close call between the current champ and the runner up.
Still a Hummus plate costs $7 which some feel is highway robbery for the white gold.

Their Hummus is simply divine. One of the best Hummus restaurants in th US.
They also have amazing Falafel.
They're mostly a Hukkah place so be prepared to inhale a lot of smoke while eating your Hummus. Their Falafel and all their other foods are also great. But the Hummus- is their cherry topping.
Their website is:
http://www.gypsycafe.com/

Across the street there's a much more popular Hookah place that also serves food. While the crowd in the place across the street is younger and hipper. For Hookah smoking and for crowd viewing go there. But for Hummus go to the Gypsy cafe.

Hours of operation based on their website:

"Gypsy Cafe opens at 9am Monday thru Friday and 10am Sat and Sun serving breakfast and coffee our full menu is available from 10am daily.
We are open 365 days a year
We are open daily until 2am
Sunday thru Wednesday
Open until 4am Thursday thru Saturday
For parties & catering please call 310 824-2119 before 11.30am."

Their address:
940 Broxton Avenue,
Westwood Village, 90024


ADDITIONAL PLACES:

LEBANESE HUMMUS

SUNNIN
Rating ***

Wonderful Hummus. Tastes authentic and fresh.
The problem with this place is that it's a fast food place rather than a regular restaurant.
It's relatively inexpensive. Hummus is $3.65 for a small sized Hummus (Which is tiny) and $4.65 for a larger dish - which is still small but can serve one adult (assuming he's not too hungry)
Falafel is about $8 a plate and a meet dish is about $10
They serve on ugly disposable plastic plates and seating is uncomfortable. It feels very authentic.
They're now renovating a large space across the street. I wonder if once they move to the more upscale place if they'll raise their prices and like other middle eastern restaurants and lose the charm this place had.
It's seems it's always full. It's a little gem.
Sunnin Lebanese Cafe
1779 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel:(310) 477-2358


CAYANNE CAFE
Rating ** 1/2

Cayane on Beverly Blvd is a wonderful and intimate Lebanese restaurant.
Their Hummus is good. It's not in the same league as Gypsy cafe, but there's a quiet nice vibe at this place and so we recommend it even thought their Hummus still leaves much to be desired.
Their Hummus is priced decently, but the rest of the meal is expensive. Maybe too expensive.
Their Shukshuka sometimes is great- when served in a pan and sometimes mediocre if served in a plate. Try to get Sam the owner to make the Shukshuka and serve it in the pan- then it comes divine. The best Shukshuka in LA.
Their website:
http://www.cayennecafe.net
They are located on Beverly Blvd. between Formosa and Detroit.

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday-Sunday 9:00am-10:00pm
Friday-Saturday 9:00am-11:00pm
Monday Closed

Parking:
Street parking available on Formosa Ave.
2-hour restriction before 4pm, No restriction after 4pm

ISRAELI HUMMUS

BEST FOR PARTIES:

Hummus Bar
Rating ***

18743 Ventura Blvd
Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 344-6606


Good Hummus but the highlight is the Laffa pita which is fresh and hot. Try their Laffa Pita with Zaatar it's heavenly.
This place is ideal for parties as they can combine tables to form a huge long table that can seat nearly 50 people. their prices are not cheap but also not expensive.

ZAHLE
RATING ** 1/2

I used to love this place cause they have divine Hummus- Some would even argue the best hummus in LA. But recently they've hiked their prices and they're too expensive to recommend.
I'm very dissapointed with their pricing for food- but the chef gets an A++ especially for their Hummus.
This place has an identity crisis.
It's too run down to invite anyone for a fancy meal or a date- and it's too expensive to go out with a friend to eat out at a fast friendly local joint. It's also not in most people's way- it's in North Hollywood about 30 minute drive (without traffic) from Hollywood.
They serve tiny portions of everything so expect to pay around $50-$100 per person for a full middle eastern meal.
I repeat $50 - as in FIFTY DOLLARS is what an average meal will cost you.
Maybe it's just me, but for that price- it'll be cheaper and more satisfactory to go to an upscale Sushi restaurant in Beverly Hills and not to a run down place in North Hollywood.

But back to their Hummus.
Their Hummus is $4 a plate.
But everything else is in too expensive.
They don't have a mixed plate with Hummus, Falafel and Salad. You have to buy them as separate dishes and it'll run you $25 without drinks. JUST FOR FALAFEL...

So for now, until they return to their senses- and to normal pricing- I suggest to avoid.

Lebanese Restaurant. North Hollywood.
12916 Victory Blvd. (Coldwater Canyon Ave.) North Hollywood, CA 91606
Phone:
818-769-1936

Aroma
Rating: AVOID!
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE SUCKER MAGNET. EXPENSIVE. NOISY. AWFUL SERVICE. UGLY BEHAVIOR BOTH OF THE STAFF AND THE PEOPLE COMING THERE AND ENJOYING TO ARGUE AND SHOUT AT THE MEAN AND UNHELPFUL STAFF.
PERSONALLY I ALWAYS TRY TO AVOID THIS PLACE THAT MAKES ME CRINGE AND FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE FROM THE MOMENT I ENTER TILL THE MOMENT I LEAVE.

Many Israeli's know Aroma Cafe which has two branches one in the valley and one in Los Angeles. They are popular places and the perfect place to see a lot of Israelis sitting together. But in terms of their Hummus, it's a two thumbs down. Their hummus is mediocre at best and it's way overpriced. Expect to pay between $50-$100 minimum for a very light meal that will leave you craving for more.
The place has slow and horrible service and not all their other dishes tasted fresh.

Haifa
Rating: **
Haifa restaurant has mediocre Hummus as well, but it's the place many Jewish Angelenos think about when they think about a Hummus restaurant.
It's located in the Jewish area of Pico-Roberton.
8717 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035-2205
Phone: (310) 550-2704

Pita Bar
Rating: **
This very down to earth place is located in the old Jewish neighborhood of Fairfax street which is now changing and becoming a hipsters paradise. This restaurant reminds the visitors to this street of its glorious past before becaming the new center for Skateboard fans.
It replaced the famed restaurant Shula and Esther and it's food is very similar to Haifa. The place feels very authentic but the Hummus is mediocre at best. Still it will satisfy most people with an urgent need for some decent Hummus and it's Kosher.
* Middle Eastern, Kosher
* 519 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles 90036
* (Btwn Clinton St & Rosewood Ave)
* Phone: (323) 653-9024
Mon-Thu: 11am-11pm Fri: 11am-4pm Sun: 10am-11pm


NANA
RATING: AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!

Located in the Pico Robertson Area- It's competing with Aroma for the ultimate sucker magnet.
It's expensive, awful and I recommend to avoid.
That said a lot of Israeli's sit there- which proves that indeed a sucker's born every minute.

ITZIK HAGADOL

Another place for suckers.
RATING: AWFUL. AVOID!


Middle Eastern Fast Food Chains

ARMENIAN HUMMUS:

Zankou Chicken
Rating: *
Some love it some hate it. It's an Armenian chain and so perhaps they're flavoring is more specific. It's a bit more expensive fast food chain - Chipotle style if you wish to compare- so don't expect a lot from the decor. It's mostly for fast and ultra cheap meals. Their website for various locations:
http://www.zankouchicken.com/

FROM THE EXPERTS:

CHOWHOUND LINK:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/328259

YELP:
CAROUSEL
Rating **

Many reviewers on this popular website think the two Carousel restaurants are the best.
CAROUSEL
AnArmenian/Lebanese restaurant that's quite popular. It's located in little Armenia close to Thai town - quite east for many Angelenos.
Their Hummus is mediocre and they give small portions as well.
That said, they give much larger portions of meat. So just for Hummus go elsewhere, but for an overall meal and if you like Armenian spicing it's a place to consider.

Here's the link:
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=best+hummus&find_loc=Los+Angeles%2C+CA&ns=1&rpp=10#mapCenterLat:34.0524876261/mapCenterLng:-118.243103027/mapZoom:10/cats:mideastern/sortby:composite_rating/mapsize:small/show_more_search_options:true

HUMMUS GUIDE

For some people, Hummus is like wine. Unlike wine which is much easier to find around the world, even if not local but only imported - Hummus is harder to find cause great Hummus is fresh and made on the spot so one can't buy an import at random seven elevens. That said, luckily, there are Hummus joints everywhere, so hopefully with the help of all of you we'll be able to create a list of the best Hummus joints around the world so that no matter where you're travelling around the globe- you'll have a quick guide to satisfy your Hummus craving.

Please help and send us feedback for any great Hummus joint you found.
Also, do send us comments about bad places you've experienced as well.

Thanks

Dan