Best Hummus in MA?

[sabra18]

After returning from the middle east where they have the best, home made hummus I am trying to find something that compares. I haven't found great hummus in Boston but am hopeful it's out there somewhere. Any recommendations?

[CookieLee]

We were turned onto "Sabra go Mediterranean" by our son. I've had hummus from many places, and have made my own. This stuff is wonderful. They make many versions. Our favorite is "Supremely Spicy", followed by hummus w. roasted pine nuts.
The only other hummus I've had that beats it is from a little deli in Evanston, IL.

[golferdave]

Eastern Lamejeun is tops.

[nsenada]

I like the Farm Grill and the Middle East's hummus. Nowhere that I've tried makes it the way I had it as a kid, and continue to make it, and that is, with freshly toasted sesame seed purée (essentially, homemade tahini). Gives it a real depth of flavor.

[drewinmrblhd]

Gulu Gulu in Salem has the best hummus I have ever had!

[1red111]

Martha's
153 Lafayette Rd
Hampton Falls, NH 03844-2325
[phone]

OK, it's not in MA, but it's closer to Boston than much of MA. I eat at Martha's often and love her homemade pita chips and hummus.

Actually, everything there is homemade as far as I know.

[aadesmd]

Martha's is my go to place for hummus, and my mother swears that this is the only place that she has been to in 50 years that replicates the food she ate in Alexandria. All is homemade, by Martha. So much better than Sofra, at 1/3 the price.

[MC Slim JB]

Hummus isn't just hummus, at least according to my Israeli buddies, who years later still rave about some Tel Aviv hole-in-the-wall that was famous for it. They were skeptics until they sought it out, and were stunned at how good it was: there can be an extraordinary difference.

That said, they looked pretty favorably on the hummus at Jerusalem Pita in Coolidge Corner, specifically the house special asli, a big bowl topped with oil, paprika, and tender whole chickpeas, served with excellent puffy Israeli pita. No hummus connoisseur, I liked it a lot, too.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[SaraASR]

I've been a little skeptical of thie Jerusalem Pita place, but I think it's about time I give it a shot.

[musicrx65]

Have you tried making it yourself? Here's 'Sittu's' recipe: In a blender- put 3 cloves garlic, 3-4T tahini (sesame butter), 1/2 cup Real Lemon juice, salt/pepper, 1/2 t cumin, 1 Cup warm water, 1 can drained cooked chick peas (garbonzo). Blend- eat with pita. (put less water if you like it thicker. garnish with a little chopped parsley

[griller88]

So I would HIGHLY recommend hummus from Breadwinners at Fresh Start bakery (935 Main St Walpole). George makes authentic fresh, no preservatives hummus daily. It can be puchased at the bakery and for sure at Barry's Village Deli in Newton and when it re-opens in the spring Volante Farm in Needham. Don't know where else carries it, but if you call the bakery and ask for George, he will find a way to get it to you.

[bostonbelle]

warm buttered hummus at Sofra = warm buttered bliss

[Alica]

When you say warm buttered, does it actually have butter in it? What else might be in it?

[bostonbelle]

It does. A coworker made a lunch run, and mine also came with a protein (beef, if I remember correctly) that was also quite good.

[sfumato]

You can also get it at Oleana, of course!

[mcupcake]

If you're ever out in Worcester, you need to stop by Ed Hyder's Market. They specialize in Middle Eastern specialties and they make incredibly good hummus and have a wonderfully thin and fresh pita to go along with it. They also have killer lamb kebabs. I usually find lamb very rich and can only eat a few bites, but I devour their kebabs. Ed Hyder's also has wine, all sorts of loose spices and grains, and lots of imported specialties from around the world, in addition to their prepared foods. It's a very old-fashioned store -- a little dumpy, but that's half the fun.

[StriperGuy]

So much fuss about hummus. More garlic, or less, one brand of tahini or another. Add a little cumin, or perhaps some smokey chile powder. Lot's of lemon and good olive oil a must.

Takes 30 seconds to make if you have a food processor. Not much difference between canned and cooked chick peas in my experience.

Fresh homemade is best, but I also don't taste much difference between the various hummuses (there's a good plural) sold in Watertown stores as opposed to supermarket brands.

[janettes]

Well you have certainly got lot's of suggestions! I'm curious what it is that you like about the middle east hummos. I make my own hummos and will soon be selling it a the market my husband and I are opening on Market Street in Lowell. People say I make the best hummos. My original recipe came from a combination of 3 recipies and along the way I've made it more of my own. I prefer it (and it seems others do as well) very lemony but not too thin and not always super smooth. Please let me know what to you is distinct about the middle east hummos.

Thanks

Janette

[Alica]

Do you think there is a great difference between using canned chickpeas and cooking your own chickpeas? I tried cooking my own and I did not notice a big difference.

[MasalaWala]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned Cafe Barada on Mass Ave in North Cambridge. I love the hummus here. It is creamy, lemony, and rich. I believe the owner is Lebanese so it might reflect that regional style as I am not familiar with all the differences. All I know is that I really enjoy this hummus and crave it often!

[LovesFoieGras]

Try one of the many Middle Eastern stores in Watertown/Belmont. We get all our stuff at Eastern Lamejun....

[SeaSide Tomato]

I love the hummus form Eastern Lamejun!!! Their stuffed eggplants are out of this world too. I say that in the interest of CHing vs. my own (strong) interest in having a reliably available supply!

[mtm7654]

Just noticed the date of the original post..............today on Boston.com there's an article about a local couple who make their own hummus and sell it at Formaggio Kitchen-both locations.

[almansa]

ok, I'll bite. What constitutes a good hummus? I make various tasty hummi (imagined plural my own) but you might dislike them all. Back in the day the secret was to use two cans, yes cans, of chick peas, and drain one, reserving the liquid from the other. That was the trick to proper consistency. Do you want lemon? cumin? strong sesame? garlic madness? smokiness? what?

[treb]

Have to agree, today with all the different flavors, it's a personal choice. I like the old traditional type and the one thing I look, aside from taste, for is smoothness.

[sfumato]

If I remember correctly someone on CH was asking about Israeli hummus... and I noticed that Food and Wine recently had an article that included a recipe. I like how they are looking for a very specific texture and flavour here.

Perhaps this will satisfy those willing to make their own? Enjoy!

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/is...

[litchick]

Oleana has a lovely hot buttered hummus. In terms of the best widely available commercial hummus, Sabra brand plain hummus is the closest to what I loved in Israel -- lots of tahini. It's available at Whole Foods, among other places.

[whops]

The Persian restaurant Jasmine on Mt Auburn Street in Watertown has a curiously delicate (and somehow compelling) hummus which can be ordered as a take out.

[bza]

amen. I love me some sevan hummus, but Jasmine's hummus is oh so silky. I wonder if it has butter in it? seems like it would be blasphemy, but I can't figure out how else they get it that rich and smooth.

[hiddenboston]

Why have I not heard of this place? I'm on Mt. Auburn Street nearly every week, especially in that area. Have they been there awhile?

[bza]

As long as I've lived in the area (given, that's only two years). It's not a store, it's a restaurant. I wish it was a bit cheaper, the entrees are in the 12-20 dollar range, but it is delicious. If everything was 4 dollars less, I think I would eat there once a week.

[hiddenboston]

Wow, this sounds like my kind of place. I may try to hit it this week. Thanks for mentioning it!

[beetlebug]

There entrees are delicious. Part of it is that the rice is delicious, especially the ones that have berries and stuff in them. The meat on top is pretty great too. I've never had the sandwiches.

[Infomaniac]

I had the shish kebab rollup sandwich here recently for lunch and it was excellent. Asked and they cooked the lamb med. rare which is how I like it. Rice and hummus I agree are both excellent. Very friendly staff too.

[rouxmaker]

Believe it or not, Marty's Liquors in Newton has great hummus. I haven't been to the one in Brookline.

[musteat]

I don't know if you're interested in making it, but I have a great recipe and will share on recipes board if you want. Need a food processor and it takes less than 10 minutes.

[catsmeow]

It's been about a year since I've had it, but the house made hummus they serve with the bread basket at Siros at Marina Bay is wonderful. I asked if it was possible to purchase it in a container "to go" and they sold me about a pint of it. They put it in a :"doggie bag" type container that you'd take a leftover meal home in. Fresh lemony flavor.

[njoy]

Second on Shadi's - a good source North of Boston. Check out Phoenicia - 240 Cambridge St in Boston. It's Lebanese - they have great baba ganoush too.

[franksnbeans]

Sevan, as folks have mentioned. But also Rousso's market in Watertown/Waltham has excellent hummus.

[fbf242]

seconded. I don't know how "authentic" their roasted-red-pepper hummus is, but it is very tasty, which nice chunks of roasted red pepper.

[redsox23]

In Boston, Sultan's Kitchen, Reef Cafe (Allston), and Shawarma King (Coolidge Corner).

[teezeetoo]

the freshest is in the Mt. Auburn street armenian stores: Sevan is my favorite, but Arak and Massis are very good.

[BJK]

Right around the corner from the Mt. Auburn street Armenian stores, and conveniently located right next to Shangri La, the Eastern Lamejun Bakery makes terrific hummus, tabbouleh, kibbeh, and a whole bunch of other yummy stuff.

BK

[mwbbos]

Yes, this is a great place! Every time I go by there, I pick up a whole bunch of healthy snack food. The Metch is amazing. The hummus is lemony and not too thick.

[Science Chick]

I think you mean "etch"...but I can never find a recipe for this anywhere, so I wonder if it is called something else entirely, or spelled so completely differently.....At any rate, it is AWESOME and I could eat a big bowl of it at one sitting!

[galleygirl]

Metch or Eech...
Here ya go...
http://www.cooking-forum.net/cooking/...

[Taralli]

Make variations of this a lot, being so close to the markets & bakeries of Coolidge Sq. Lately, in the morning, bulgur soaked in chicken stock, fresh grated ginger, nuked, a good squeeze of lemon, & I have a nice, savory breakfast.

[Science Chick]

galleygirl.....YOU ROCK!! I can't wait to make this myself.......

Thanks so much!

[sfumato]

I second this- we like Eastern Lamejune's hummus best. It tastes most like what we ate when we lived in Egypt!

You can also get good tahina/tahini there if you want to try making your own.

[yumyum]

Is Shawarma King the place that makes the hummus with ground lamb that tatamagouche used to love? Does anyone remember? That stuff is the bomb.

[Aromatherapy]

Yes.

[cassis]

The Armenian stores on Mt Auburn St in Watertown all sell their own "in house" hummus, as well as all the breads, pickles, olives etc that are eaten with it.

[Science Chick]

Yes, the hummus at Sevan is to die for, as well as their other prepared foods.

[teezeetoo]

agree - sevan is wonderfully fresh, arak and massis also good

[dianalily]

Chiming in to add that I think Savan has delectable hummus, as well as other food. Not too expensive, either!

[musicrx65]

Where is Sevan?

[GretchenS]

599 Mount Auburn St, Watertown

[smtucker]

If we are onto the markets, I have to say I really like the hummus at Massis, also on Mt. Auburn Street in Watertown. Has a gentle, but noticeable lemon flavor that I enjoy.

[hiddenboston]

I had some outstanding hummus yesterday at the Sahara Restaurant on Route 9 in Worcester. As far as hummus around Boston, I really like the version at Sultan's Kitchen in Boston.

[Pegmeister]

While, not a restaurant, but rather a small gourmet wine, cheese etc shop, Gypsy Kitchen in Quincy Center sells some excellent home made hummus.

[treb]

There's a small restaurant in Methuen called Shadis, excellent hummus, taboulee, and on week-ends raw kibbee. They also have entrees like, kafta skewers, lamb, swharma etc.