Ba'al Cafe

• Cuisine(s): Middle Eastern
  Price: $$
  Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards
• Features: Takeout
  Serving: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack Food
  Alcohol: None
• Reservations: Not Accepted
  Parking: Street

Description

Quizzically named after one of the Old Testament's false gods, Ba'al is a Middle Eastern carryout (with a few tables for eating in) that has some nifty ideas, in spite of its rather brief menu. One is za'atar fries--French fries shaken with a seasoning mix that includes sumac and the desert spice called za-atar, which tastes like an astringent oregano. There's also a labne' sandwich (most selections come with a free apostrophe) that features cucumber, harissa (a spicy red paste), and strained yogurt; and the usual babaganoush, falafel, and tabboule'. For breakfast, the eggs baked with cheese and caraway is a rare oddity, and worth savoring.