Good middle eastern food in the OC

[odlaram7]

I'm looking for really good middle eastern food, specifically a place that serves homemade fresh pita bread. And I don't know how to say this without coming off wrong, but it needs to be somewhere where a 20 something white girl wouldn't be too horribly out of place. (I once walked into an Indian restaurant where everyone was Indian, which is obviously not a problem, but they gave me weird looks and it was clear that I was not welcome).

As a point of reference, my favorite place when I lived in NYC was The Bedouin Tent in Brooklyn. So authentic, fresh, and friendly. Thanks!

[junglekitte]

I can think of good Middle Eastern food but not where they serve house made pita bread. I'm curious to hear if there really is one that I am not thinking of....

But if you want good Middle Eastern food (and yes, as a "white girl" you can feel comfortable there) I would recommend Cafe Matinee in Lake Forest. http://www.lebanesecafe.net/ I would generally skip their entrees and order a ton of mezze (appetizers). Their hummus, labne, kibbeh, fattoush, tabbouleh, sausages, cheese pies, etc are all excellent. Good service as well.

[kerosundae]

Your concern about being a "20 something white girl" didn't come off wrong. I have stepped into middle eastern joints and felt like I was on the dinner menu (this was before I was 20 something and I was never white but that's besides the point), but I've only experienced this in the Parisian suburbs where 20 something white girls get raped by muslim teenagers in basements by the dozens per year; I've NEVER felt uncomfortable anywhere in the OC and I love being the only non-whateverethnicfoodI'meating in that restaurant.

I haven't been to any of the restaurants in Little Gaza/Arabia in Anaheim, but when there are so many within a 2 block radius, something's bound to be good!
these threads have some suggestions:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/436276
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/382201

[Encinitan]

I live in San Diego. However, I sometimes travel to Orange County, primarily in the Irvine area.

Wholesome Market is a international supermarket in Irvine that actually has a food court, serving all varieties of ethnic fare. Buy they absolutely kill when it comes to Persian fare. There is one dish, Ghormeh Sabzi, that IMO is absolutely to die for (although I am not an expert in Persian cuisine). They have a few tables in front for seating. And, oh, the prices are insanely cheap. They also bake their own lavash flatbread, as well as other breads.
http://www.wholesomechoice.com/index.php

[urban_geeza]

Wow I think we could have done without the rape comment man. Anyway I totally and completely recommend Caspian14100 Culver Dr Irvine, CA 92604 [phone]!! They make fresh Pita and the building is like a sultans palace. They have live music and belly dancing. There is also House of Kabob II 92 Corporate Park Irvine, CA 92606 [phone].

[a_and_w]

Evan Kleiman interviewed Gustavo Arellano about restaurants in Orange County's "Little Arabia" on Good Food this week:

http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/gf/g...

[Das Ubergeek]

What specifically are you looking for? Mezze? Sphiha/manakeesh/"Lebanese pizza"? Sit-down service? Persian? Armenian?

We do have quite a lot down here so if you can be specific we may be able to help.

Incidentally, most places in LA in general buy their bread from one of a few distributors. Few make it in-house and those few generally are bakeries.

[Joani Macaroni]

see my previous review at: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/636096

You didn't mention what part of OC but if you're looking for take-out/pick-up meals or a caterer, stop in at Kerostena's when you're in the area. The pita's not homemade but just about everything else is and VERY fresh - nothing that comes out of a can is used. Family-run and the proprieters are Egyptian/Christian. This cafe is in a nice mall in a nice area just north of the 22 fwy off the Valley View exit. No basement either. ;-)

[bernardo]

Slightly across the county line from OC in Belmont Shores lies the epitome of non-intimidating (clientele, staff, chow, prices) Middle Eastern, Open Sesame. Casual, familiar fare at fair prices favored by a youngish beach crowd. Pleasant & tasty if not adventurous or inspired. Not far up the street George's Greek serves a cousin cuisine to Arabic, with lots of lemony flavors, kebabs and lamb chops. Again far from gourmet, but fun & a good value to boot. Come to think of it, not too much in the way of fine dining along this strip, but diverse cuisines and moderate prices means no one goes hungry either.

[odlaram7]

Thanks everyone! These all look good. I don't have a particular cuisine in mind since I'm not super knowledgeable. All I know is that I fell in love with the Beduin Tent in Brooklyn (I lived in NYC for 6 months), but I don't know if they represent a specific cuisine. Also, I'm in La Habra (north oc).

[SeaCook]

You're in La Habra? Have you tried Younan Mediterrean Terrace? It's on Whittier & Beach where the Albertson's is. I eat there regularly. I don't know if they make thier own pita but their hummous is really good. This past week I had a lamb & okra stew there that was really yummy. It was a special. BTW I live up in the Heights.

[wendy8869]

TeeHee. I was reading this and just by coincidence I am eating that okra stew as I type. I was craving it and had to pick some up on my way home (in the heights :-). They have it as a special but it seems to be there everytime I go by recently. Good stuff. I also really like their boureke (the spinach and feta in filo), and I agree, the hummous is good.

[SeaCook]

Small World! I also like their rice. The rice is one of the critirea I judge a good ME place by. Good borek, good kibbeh. Just good ME food.

[pogen1]

The Magic Lamp on 2nd street in Long Beach is amazing. Homemade little pita breads served piping hot to your table. Their chicken tawook, fattoush as well as hummus is to die for. It's across the street from Open Sesame (another recommendation here) but is always less crowded and the portions are bigger.