Eat Arkansas

I like that place a lot. I like the spicy gyro curry, the spaghetti is good if not spectacular and I like the stews they serve over rice. I always have the hummus and Jerusalem salad. And the nice lady always refers to me as "young man." So, yes. I like that place a lot.

I have to second the vote for the gyro curry stuff (which is actually the yellow stuff up front in the second picture) - that stuff is very very tasty! Also, the falafels are quite tasty and they will make it as spicy as you want with the red stuff (no clue what it is).

Don't worry Belly Boy - you aren't the only one who hardly eats anywhere else in the River Market anymore. We usually have lunch at the cafe then canolis from Scapettos for dessert! Yum!

My introduction to food from the Middle East took place in, of all places, (West) Berlin. My fellow-lieutenant and I were double-dating, and my date happened to be Jewish.

We went to a suburban neighborhood I wasn't familiar with and entered a place that looked a lot like the old Shakey's, except for the El-Al posters on the walls. TV screens were playing silent comedies (Keaton, O & H, etc), and middle eastern-sounding music and Euro-pop played from the sound system, and the tables seemed to be filled with young, attractive professionals or student-types, speaking German and Hebrew and smoking cigarettes and drinking beer and wine.

I looked over the menu and said "I don't know what any of this stuff is. What should I get?" "The falafel is good--that's what I'm having." Okay, falafel it was for me, too, and OH MY, was it tasty.

I'd already ordered a second helping before I thought to ask just what was in it, and was surprised to be told "chickpeas"--I'd actually thought it was some kind of meat, but I hadn't really looked at the inside. The second time around I did look, and the green color both surprised me and confirmed what I'd been told, although I still didn't know what chickpeas were.

Long story short, I returned there many times, both alone and with others, and sampled pretty much everything and was never disappointed. After that, I've always gravitated to middle-eastern cuisine, wherever it's been available--occasionally even home-cooked--and was delighted when it at last became available right in the heart of Little Rock. Wish I could visit Middle Eastern Cuisine more often. Never a disappointment.

I usually get the falafel sandwich...that's a fried hushpuppy-looking thing made of fava beans and fairly spicy. It comes served on pita with baba ganoush and the salad mixture. The hot red sauce is asian chili paste.

What about tabouli, babaganoush, hummus? Served with fresh pita? Tzaiki sauce? Please pardon my spelling of these divine delicacies. There are two places in LRAR that have mentionable Middle Eastern food. One is Leo's on Kavanaugh and the other is The Terrace at the Corner of Rodney Parham and Green Mountain/Hinson.
The Fresh Market has Greek yogurt (Face) that is wonderful and addictive.
There are several boxed tabouli selections. I prefer to make my own. It is so easy! Buy a good Bulgar Wheat, and follow the directions on the package for expansion. I also add minced cucumber,tomato, parsley, spring onion, and a tad more fresh lemon juice. It is wonderful by itself, with pita, as a side dish instead of a green salad, a delicious lunch or a light supper. Oh, I add LOTS of minced parsley and a tad bit of fresh mint when I can find it.