Any good Middle Eastern restaurants/bakeries?? (Phoenix, Tempe: live in, stores, kosher)

[Sunvixen]

Trying to name something OTHER than the RED WINGS that I may miss once I move, I realized that it was impossible (last time I was in Phoenix) to find a Middle Eastern/Lebanese restaurant with Kibbee Nyi (Niyeh) anywhere on the menu! Let alone, GOOD Kibbe Nyi!! (It's lean RAW lamb and wheat and spices, in case you've never had it and it is DELICIOUS!! Please, I do NOT want to hear about the dangers of eating raw meat. I've been eating it for 20 yrs and I'm okay so far. Thanks)

There are so MANY good Middle Eastern places up here that we've become spoiled by the great Kibbe, tabouli, fattoush, lamb kebabs, kafta, labneh, shwarma sandwiches, flatbread with zahtar, baklava, ohhh, and that baked cheese/cream of wheat square with the warm orange flavored syrup! (There is a store that makes only THAT in Dearborn!)


I can't imagine there are any REAL Arabic bakeries in AZ, are there? (I've never seen anything like the bakeries in Dearborn, MI!)

Also, any good Lebanese/Chaldean/Greek grocery stores out there?

[exit2lef]

Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli, 16th & Osborn, Central Phoenix
Baiz Market, 20th & Roosevelt, Central Phoenix
Phoenicia Cafe & Salaam's Market, Forest & 7th St., Tempe
Haji-Baba, Apache b/w Dorsey & McClintock, Tempe
Yusef's, Cave Creek & Greenway, North Phoenix
Cafe Instanbul, Dorsey & Apache, Tempe

I'm not sure if any have the raw lamb, though.

[Sunvixen]

So are these places YOU'VE been to? Is Middle Eastern food popular out there?

I called around last time and nobody had kibbe, but I may take a few minutes tomorrow and call and see if they've added it. Thanks!

[exit2lef]

I've been to all but Baiz; I plan to try that one soon. Yes, Middle Eastern food is popular, especially near the ASU campus in Tempe. It's not like Dearborn where there are long stretches full of Arab businesses, but look at some of the strip malls around town and you'll see some good places.

[uconn99]

I can't imagine there are any REAL Arabic bakeries in AZ, are there? (I've never seen anything like the bakeries in Dearborn, MI!)

Try Connecticut or Mass, many Lebanese live in those states and there are plenty of bakeries with what you are talking about.


As for Arizona, there isn't a ton but the places listed above are good and do the trick, although I have never seen raw Kibbe, only cooked into balls. My family (dad's side is Lebanese) always cooked the flat Kibbe which I never see out here.

[Sunvixen]

Thanks folks!

I think I remember seeing a thread about somebody thinking of opening a Lebanese place in Phoenix...if he reads this: PLEASE...RAW KIBBEE ON THE MENU!!!

[steve22]

Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli on 16th is great, as is Cafe Istanbul in Tempe. But no, neither of these restaurants serve Kibbee Nyeh, unfortunately. Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli does have a grocery section, and they carry lots of authentic Lebanese and Kosher whole foods.

As for raw kibbee, I also love it, and I never did find a place in PHX when I lived there that served it, much to my dismay. Years ago when I lived in MI, I recall there was a Lebanese restaurant in Dearborn at about Schaefer and Michigan Ave. (can't remember its name) that had FANTASTIC Kibbee Nyeh.

[Sunvixen]

Originally Posted by steve22

Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli on 16th is great, as is Cafe Istanbul in Tempe. But no, neither of these restaurants serve Kibbee Nyeh, unfortunately. Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli does have a grocery section, and they carry lots of authentic Lebanese and Kosher whole foods.

As for raw kibbee, I also love it, and I never did find a place in PHX when I lived there that served it, much to my dismay. Years ago when I lived in MI, I recall there was a Lebanese restaurant in Dearborn at about Schaefer and Michigan Ave. (can't remember its name) that had FANTASTIC Kibbee Nyeh.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

I had a coworker tell me that she heard of a couple restaurants out there that WILL make kibbee niyeh for you IF you call them a day or two ahead. They said there is no market for it...yet. So, you MAY be able to finally get some if you call around! I know we have a couple mid-eastern delis up here where you can call a day ahead and get some of the BEST Kibbee on earth. There is kibbee and then there is incredible Kibbee. I have no doubt if somebody out there get a great cook and puts it on the menu, it will take off. Of course...I say this without knowing the local ordinances. Perhaps the issue is with the RAW meat and not the lack of interest?

[Synergy38]

Screw the Red Wings first of all Secondly, GO FLAMES GO!!

Although I have been a Coyotes fan since 2000 and watch every game so i'll have no problem being a huge Coyotes fan once i'm down there.

Good question though.

Is there a German/Austrian Club/Restaraunt in Phoenix?

[Sunvixen]

[quote=Synergy38;3128014]Screw the Red Wings first of all

quote]


Wow...you mean... Well, I SUPPOSE I could find the time before I move...

Ba-da-dum-dump!


I'll be here all week, folks.