Middle Eastern

Leena’s Food Oakland Ave. $ No Panther Funds

Unfortunately, we don’t have many… Leena’s Food Oakland Ave. $ No Panther Funds

Unfortunately, we don’t have many options when it comes to Mediterranean fare in Oakland. For some reason, while there are seemingly limitless options when you want something Asian or south of the border, if you’re jonesing for some Greek food, you’re limited. On the upside, that unassuming little shop called Leena’s — formerly located in a van on the street — is on top of it.

Few people are aware of this, but good falafel is essential to any burgh’s retaining major-city status. This is why we should feel fortunate to have Leena’s. Not only do they serve falafel, the falafel they serve is damn good.

On top of that, they boast the “best gyros in Pittsburgh.” This may very well be the case. If you’re feeling carnivorous, get your Greek fix with one of these filling, cheap, ridiculously tasty treats. The quality definitely will not disappoint. — Daniel Richey

Ali Baba’s 404 S. Craig St. (412) 682-2829 $$ No Panther Funds

An icon of Oakland’s ethnic food scene, Ali Baba’s is one of only a few Middle Eastern restaurants remaining in Pittsburgh. Located on South Craig Street, it’s only a few blocks away for curious students eager to get away from the greasy cheeseburger cuisine of central campus.

Offering an assortment of standard Middle Eastern foods, Ali Baba’s is a safe place for those who are a bit hesitant about ethnic foods. From Greek salads with traditional lemon and herb dressing to meaty kabobs, everyone’s likely to find something of interest on the menu. For vegetarians and vegans, Ali Baba’s provides options customers are unlikely to find elsewhere in Oakland — from hummus and salads to grape leaves.

Ali Baba’s is causal dining for the both lunch and dinner hours. The restaurant is small and quaint, but the waitstaff is fast-moving and friendly. It’s a good bet for someone who’d like a sit-down meal, but is still in a time-crunch. — Megan Smith

BaBa D’s 3531 Forbes Ave. (412) 687-2515 $ No Panther Funds

Many Pitt students and hospital employees crowd the dining room of BaBa D’s for lunch. Even though only two waitresses cover the 15 tables in the restaurant, the portions are big and the food is tasty.

The menu includes traditional Middle Eastern dishes like hummus, falafel and shish kabobs. The parsley-intense tabbouleh is a standout. If you aren’t feeling particularly adventurous, or you just need to get your cholesterol fix, cheesesteaks and burgers are on the menu too.

If you’re hungry and alone, that’s OK — you may find yourself dining alone together with a cute cardiologist at the next table. — Clare Perretta

Khalil’s II 4757 Baum Blvd. (412) 683-4757 $$$ No Panther Funds

Who can argue with the “Original House of Shish-ka-Bob”? Khalil’s II boasts some of the finest Middle Eastern cuisine in Pittsburgh. The restaurant received numerous awards from the likes of Pittsburgh Magazine and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The chicken and lamb shish-ka-bobs are particularly well-regarded. It also serves shrimp and beef ka-bobs. Also notable are the homemade soups. If meat isn’t your thing, don’t worry, there’s an extensive menu of vegetarian-friendly dishes. In fact, the restaurant seems to be a local favorite of vegetarians. They have a variety of specialty cocktails, along with a full service bar. The atmosphere is casual and parking is no problem. Next time you crave quality meat on a stick, visit Khalil’s II. — Chad Eberle

Nellie’s Sandwiches and Deli 3524 Fifth Ave. (412) 683-7144 $ No Panther Funds

The sign in the window promises “Homemade Good Tasty Middle Eastern Food,” and with the scent of garlic wafting from the kitchen into the tiny, cozy dining room, it’s easy to mistake Nellie’s Sandwiches and Deli for your mom’s kitchen. That is if your mom’s weeknight dinners include dishes like Mjaddra, made of lentil and rice pilaf, Baba Ghannouj, which is roasted eggplant dip, and Baklava, a flaky pastry stuffed with butter, honey, and nuts. Items range from the self-explanatory, such as Salad and Rice, to those requiring a menu key, such as tarator sauce, which is a mix of tahini, garlic and lemon. — Amanda Sammons

Salim’s Middle Eastern Food 4705 Centre Ave. (412) 621-8110 $ No Panther Funds

The enormous refrigerator cases of imported cheeses are the first things you see. The floury smell of warm pita is the first thing you smell. And the first thing you bump into is the cell phone kiosk.

Salim’s, the tiny Middle Eastern delicatessen on Centre Avenue, is an unlikely place to buy a Nokia, but rosewater, dolmades and cell phone service are all available. Off to the left of the little shop is an even smaller dining room where you can have a seat and have a sandwich of baba ghanouj on pita, a chunk of mouth-puckeringly salty feta cheese and a bowl of lentil soup.

Or you could just, y’know, buy a new cell phone. — Clare Perretta