Mediterranean & Mideasthttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2008-02-25T20:55:34ZSquarespaceBirmingham Restaurants: Southsidehttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2008/2/25/makarios.htmlDeborah Lockridge2008-02-25T20:50:18Z2008-02-25T20:50:18Z940 20th St. South
731-7414
Casual Mediterranean food in a building that once was a Kentucky Fried Chicken and more recently a Chinese place. No alcohol served. A February 2008 review in City Scene gave high marks to hummus with sauteed pine nuts, stuffed grape leaves, shish kebabs, ghallaba (sliced chicken, lamb or beef sauteed with veggies). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu includes "everything from quail to swordfish kabobs to burgers to mojadra, which is a sandwich filled with lentils, cracked wheat, onion and salad." Fresh-squeezed vegetable juices are squeezed to order.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: HooverBirmingham Restaurants: Easthttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2007/7/27/costas-mediterranean.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-07-27T03:52:26Z2007-07-27T03:52:26Z3443 Lorna Rd., Hoover, 978-1603
5891 Trussville Crossing Parkway, 833-5555 (New location as of August 2007, replacing Roebuck store)
Italian and Greek food, casual family atmosphere. Italian classics like lasagna, eggplant parmigiana and chicken marsala share the menu with Greek specialties such as Mousaka, Pastichio, and Greek chicken, and Middle Eastern style kabobs and gyros. Their gyros get raves.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: Hooverhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2007/6/18/ali-baba.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-06-18T21:56:11Z2007-06-18T21:56:11Z110 Centre at Riverchase, Hoover (Hwy. 31 just north of I-459/Galleria area)
823-BABA (2222)
Middle Eastern/Persian fare. Casual dress, full bar. Shish kabobs, lamb kabobs, seafood, chicken, vegetarian specialties.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: Homewoodhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2007/6/18/georges-lebanese-american-cuisine.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-06-18T21:55:12Z2007-06-18T21:55:12Z44 Green Springs Hwy., Homewood
942-1962
www.georgeslebanese.com
Recommended by a reader who's a former Birmingham resident now living in Arkansas, who makes a point to visit George's when he's back in the area. A local reader raves about the Beef Shawerma, the hommos and the tabouli. However, comments indicate the food is better than the service.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: Homewoodhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2007/6/18/sams-deli-and-grille.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-06-18T21:53:44Z2007-06-18T21:53:44Z932 Oxmoor Road (Homewood/Edgewood)
871-0383
Open late on weekends. No alcoholic beverages, all outdoor seating. Casual, walk-up-and-order atmosphere offering Mediterranean fare such as hummus, baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, omelets, burgers, kabobs, gyros, breakfast items, baklava, etc.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: Homewoodhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2007/6/18/nabeels-cafe.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-06-18T21:48:05Z2007-06-18T21:48:05Z1706 Oxmoor Road, Homewood (near Homewood park)
879-9292
www.birminghammenus.com/nabeels
European-style, family-oriented neighborhood restaurant and market featuring Greek and Middle Eastern specialties such as Homos (hummus) dip, Taramasalata Dip (red caviar spread), Bulgarian roasted peppers with feta cheese, stuffed grape leaves, avgolemono soup, pasta fagioli, Greek salad, tabouli salad, chicken souvlaki, gyros, falafel, moussaka, pastitsio, eggplant parmesan, Greek style baked chicken, grilled lamb chops and Greek style grouper. Check out the ethnic specialties at the adjacent market.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: Homewoodhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2007/6/18/najis-pita-gourmet.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-06-18T21:47:09Z2007-06-18T21:47:09Z166 West Valley Ave., Homewood
945-6001
This popular lunch and afternoon spot is known for its Lebanese dishes, such as tabbouleh, lentil soup, chicken pita sandwiches, Lebanese chicken with rice, and Lebanese steak and rice. The adjacent bakery produces JouJou's pita bread, sold to Middle Eastern restaurants and available at local grocery stores. An adjacent market is a source for Lebanese and Middle Eastern ingredients.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: Vestaviahttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2007/6/18/the-olive-branch.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-06-18T21:46:27Z2007-06-18T21:46:27Z3236 Cahaba Heights Road, Vestavia
967-4600
A casual Mediterranean restaurant with barbecue-joint ambiance. Gyros, hummus, grilled chicken several ways, falafel, babaghanouj, kabobs, etc.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: Vestaviahttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/pappas-delicious-foods.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-06-18T21:44:33Z2007-06-18T21:44:33Z1066 Montgomery Highway (Vestavia Hills Plaza)
823-4458
This Greek restaurant takes the concept of a walk-up lunch counter to a higher level by serving some fancy items such as lamb, chicken and even swordfish kabobs in addition to the usual burgers, Greek chicken sandwiches, and salads.

]]>Birmingham Restaurants: Hooverhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mediterranean-mideast/2007/6/18/the-pita-cafe.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-06-18T21:43:19Z2007-06-18T21:43:19Z2801 Highway 150, Suite 137-J, Hoover (John Hawkins Parkway, across from Wal-Mart)
402-PITA (7482)
Billed as Mediterranean American Specialties, The Pita Cafe offers the typical Middle Eastern offerings, such as gyros, falafel, hummos and kabobs, along with some American-style fare, including buffalo wings, ribeye steak, French fries and a grilled chilcken sandwich. Plenty of vegetarian offerings, including falafel, vegetable kabobs and salads. A nice alternative for casual eating to the many chains in and around the Galleria area, but a bit slow.

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