Eat in the Middle East at Summer's Ave.'s Newest Restaurant
Eat in the Middle East at Summer's Ave.'s Newest Restaurant
I need to take a second and say a huge thank you to reader Caleb for pointing me in the direction of Middle East Bakery and Grill.
The restaurant, which opened about two weeks ago on Summer Ave., is part Middle Eastern restaurant, part grocery store and part bakery.
While the regular dinner menu is limited to some Middle Eastern basics - think shawarma, tekka, lamb and rice - there's a different, more exotic, special every day. I had the Wednesday fish and rice special. I'm not sure what I was expecting - maybe a tilapia fillet on a bed of rice - but this is what I got:
That's him in the bottom center. I say him, because, while headless, he was still mostly whole. The fish was seasoned and baked and topped with fresh onion and tomato. It was seriously some of the best fish I've ever had. The meat, especially under the bones - was perfectly moist and tender. The plate of rice it came with was massive. And while I ate most of it, it would have been plenty of food for two not-quite-so-hungry people.
I tried the hummus, too. It was excellent - fresh, dripping with olive oil, and a much larger portion than the $4.99 pricetag would suggest.
After dinner, I spent about 10 minutes in front of the big bakery counter. The friendly woman behind the counter was incredibly patient with all of my questions about the treats. I wound up with two big pieces of baklava (the best I've had in the city), cream filled phyllo rolls, and a sweet cheese square covered in soft, shredded phyllo.
Middle East Bakery is open daily until about 8 p.m. (we got there at 7:30, and they were closing up when we left). They take credit cards and cash and all of their meat is Halal.
Go there:
Middle East Bakery and Grill
4514 Summer Ave., Ste. 9
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 552-5296
That's him in the bottom center. I say him, because, while headless, he was still mostly whole. The fish was seasoned and baked and topped with fresh onion and tomato. It was seriously some of the best fish I've ever had. The meat, especially under the bones - was perfectly moist and tender. The plate of rice it came with was massive. And while I ate most of it, it would have been plenty of food for two not-quite-so-hungry people.
I tried the hummus, too. It was excellent - fresh, dripping with olive oil, and a much larger portion than the $4.99 pricetag would suggest.
After dinner, I spent about 10 minutes in front of the big bakery counter. The friendly woman behind the counter was incredibly patient with all of my questions about the treats. I wound up with two big pieces of baklava (the best I've had in the city), cream filled phyllo rolls, and a sweet cheese square covered in soft, shredded phyllo.
Middle East Bakery is open daily until about 8 p.m. (we got there at 7:30, and they were closing up when we left). They take credit cards and cash and all of their meat is Halal.
Go there:
Middle East Bakery and Grill
4514 Summer Ave., Ste. 9
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 552-5296
12
Leave a Comment
Jassbale
How quick was the service? Was this something you could do for a quick lunch, or is it more of a sit-down style?
May 19, 2011 4:28pm
Angela
I am moving to Memphis on the 30th from Los Angeles... I was worried that there wasn't going to be good Middle Eastern food. Thanks for posting this!
May 19, 2011 10:37pm
stephen
super cool. I am a hummus fiend. Can't wait to get there and try it out.
May 20, 2011 9:52am
Kerry (admin)
@Jassbale - It was sit-down style, but pretty quick. I'm sure you could get stuff to go if you wanted to.
May 20, 2011 10:13am
kamel
http://sellandserve.com/
Middle East Bakery And Grill
Open 8am - 9pm Daily
9pm - Midnight Mid-East Cafe Open
Halal Meat
Dessert And Pastery
Fresh Bread
Middle East Food
Close to Aldi
4514 Summer Ave. Suite 9
Memphis, TN 38122
Phone: 901-552-5296
May 20, 2011 1:04pm
middle east
Fillo Finger Rolls
Fillo Finger Rolls
$12.00
Holiday Special Baklava Tray
Holiday Special Baklava Tray
$18.00
Assorted Baklava
Assorted Baklava
$15.00
Fillo Baklava
Fillo Baklava
$14.00
Create your own
Create your own
Diamond Baklava (Walnut)
Diamond Baklava (Walnut)
$15.00
Finger Baklava (Cashew)
Finger Baklava (Cashew)
$15.00
Swar Baklava
Swar Baklava
$15.00
Mini Rose Baklava (Cashew)
Mini Rose Baklava (Cashew)
$15.00
Bird's Nest Baklava (Pistachio)
Bird's Nest Baklava (Pistachio)
$16.00
Bourma
Bourma
$18.00
Ballourieh
Ballourieh
$18.00
Kataifi
Kataifi
$14.00
Bird's Nest Baklava (Walnut)
Bird's Nest Baklava (Walnut)
$16.00
May 21, 2011 6:09pm
middle east
WELCOME TO
MIDDLE EAST BAKERY AND GRILL
901-552-5296
4514 SUMMER AVE., SUITE 9, MEMPHIS, TN, 38122
HALAL MEAT
DAILY MENU … $9.99
MAIN MENU
1. MONDAY: MAKLOUBA – RICE AND CHICKEN (SERVED WITH SALAD OR YOGURT)
1. KABAB PLATE (SERVED WITH VEGETABLES AND BREAD) … $8.99
2. TUESDAY: BIRYANI – RICE AND CHICKEN (SERVED WITH SALAD OR YOGURT)
2. SHAWARMA PLATE (SERVED WITH VEGETABLES AND BREAD) … $9.99
3. WEDNESDAY: FISH – WITH RICE AND SALAD
3. TEKKA (CHICKEN OR LAMB) (GRILLED SERVED WITH VEGETABLES AND BREAD) … $10.99
4. THURSDAY: DOLMA (GRAPE LEAVES WITH SALAD)
4. RICE TOPPED WITH LAMB (SERVED WITH STEW AND BREAD) … $9.99
5. FRIDAY: MEAT STOCK (SERVED WITH RICE AND SOUP)
5. RICE TOPPED WITH CHICKEN (SERVED WITH STEW AND BREAD) … $9.99
6. SATURDAY: TACHEENA (STEW CUBES WITH RICE WITH SALAD OR YOGURT)
6. FALAFEL PLATE (SERVED WITH SALAD AND BREAD) … $7.99
SWEETS AND PASTERIES
SANDWICHES
BAKLAWA, KONAFA, BREAD, OTHER SWEETS
KABAB, TEKKA, FALAFEL, SHAWARMA … $4.59
May 21, 2011 6:11pm
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