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| - I had the pleasure of living across the street from this treasure for about 6 years. I'm still lucky enough to work close by. Let me be clear. I 'm reviewing Haji Baba as a GROCERY STORE first. Then I will give you some insight into the prepared food for take-out or in-store dining.
This is one of the few stores in Arizona where you have several choices for pita bread--it's also the ONLY place I've found for whole wheat pita.
There are several choices for Feta cheese. Danish, French,Greek...same with olives--there are choices.
I ALWAYS buy my tahini here. All the prices are very inexpensive.
Need spices??? They have them all. At about 25% of the price you would pay anywhere else.
The best way to describe Haji Baba is that it is a REAL grocery store, with REAL prices, for REAL people. It is NOT a "specialty store" with trendy items and inflated prices. They sell food items that you will actually use. The bonus here? You won't find a 10 year old can or jar of something.
On to the "restaurant" portion. Haji Baba is better if you think of it as a take-out joint that happens to have places to sit and eat. They do have tables and they do perform table service, it's just got zero charm. You go for the food, that's it.
Okay, food. The lamb tongue sandwich is to die for. Let me repeat. The LAMB TONGUE PITA SANDWICH. GET IT! Their baba ganouj is also darned tootin' tasty. Actually, I sometimes dream about their baba ganouj.
I'm not crazy about their hummus, maybe because making hummus takes 5 minutes and mine is bomb? But it's not bad.
Gyros are good and not greasy. Greasy gyro meat is a pet peeve of mine.
Chicken shwarma? Yup, that's good too.
I'm sure I've had something to eat here that I was a little disappointed in, but I honestly can't remember what, or when
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