Haji Baba
Restaurant, Grocery/Bakery/Deli
Profile
$ - inexpensive
Mediterranean
Short on Looks, Long on Food
I'm not exactly sure why the sign for Haji Baba is so faded, because the Sun is behind this grocery, deli, and restaurant, but it's a good representation of what you'll find inside: a disheveled, dilapidated place, BUT (and that's a BIG "BUT") with simply incredible Mediterranean food! Throw in some of the lowest prices in the Valley for veg food, and you won't care what the place looks like.
You don't go to Haji Baba for glitz or spritz. You go there to eat. And eat well you will. (The veg menu items are very similar to that of Sahara restaurant on Mill Ave. and Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli on 16th St.)
There's the standard appetizers, and veg combos of them; falafel sandwiches; fava beans, etc; all very good.
The restaurant is closed Sunday, but the deli is open, so you can get some of their amazing appetizers (hummus, baba ganoush, grape leaves, etc.) 7 days a week.
Haji Baba may not look great inside or out, but one bite of the food will make you forget about all that.
From the 101, Exit at Broadway and go east to McClintock. Hang a right there and travel north to Apache Blvd. Take a left onto Apache and look for the store on the left in a strip mall.
Added by Steve Carlson on Oct 9 04 (updated Jul 30 05)
Reviews
Good food. Vegetarian choices are clearly labeled on the menu. The Greek salad has lots of fresh feta cheese. The dressing is so good. The stuffed grape leaves plate has 4 warm stuffed grape leaves, hommos, and tabouli. The hommos is light and tasty. The best part is, the servings are big, so I can take home the leftovers and there is enough for lunch the next day.
Nothing beats their $2.29 falafel sandwhich (don't get the combo or dinner, just get the sandwhich). Their hummus and baba ganouj are delicious as well. This is a great place to take people from out of town, and a great place to go if you don't have a lot of money to spend.