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| - I am conflicted. Haji-Baba, as a restaurant, has some five star strengths and some one star weaknesses. The strengths: very large portions of food, all of which are appealing even to people who are not familiar with middle eastern cuisine; low prices; an ethnic grocery attached which is a pleasant diversion while you are waiting for your food.
The weaknesses: virtually everything is underspiced, so you get tired of it after two or three bytes. Apparently, lemon and garlic are spices-non-grata in this kitchen, and even salt and pepper are used sparingly. For $2.60 you get enough hummous for two, as an appetiser, but you won't want to finish it. It reminds me a lot of paste. And the pita (bread) was going stale. Exceptions: their take on a meat-stuffed eggroll, and, believe it or not, the gyros. Also well-spiced: a variety of sauces which helps offset the blandness of the food. I must also comment on the tabouleh (which here means ground parsley) served as a huge mound on most plates; it would feed a baseball team, but it, too, is tasteless. Other, much smaller, issues: it can get crowded, the ambiance does not exist, and they have an odd system for paying your check which puts you in a line with the people buying groceries and can be slow.
Hints:
1. Order the Combination plate. For $12 it is definitely enough for two average appetites and you don't get bored so easily.
2. They have a large grocery using the same name 3/4 mile east. The restaurant is a smaller place hidden away in a strip mall.
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