Albuquerque, NMMiddle Eastern

Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery on Central Avenue SE in Nob Hill was founded in 2007 by Haytham Khalil, who is from Jordan. Gil Garduno rated it Very Good and wrote that its falafel sandwich stands up to any in Albuquerque, maybe any in New Mexico. Best bets include the shawarma combination plate, the shish kabob combination, and the pistachio baklava. Order the falafel sandwich or the shawarma combination, and finish with the pistachio baklava.

Al-Qud's Mediterranean Grill & Grocery on Montgomery Boulevard NE, run by the Abdeljalil family, earned Gil Garduno's highest Extraordinary rating. On the Levantine side the hummus is creamy and garlicky under a dusting of sumac, the falafel crisp outside and moist within, and the dolmas and tabbouli are made from scratch, all scooped up with the house-baked pita Gil Garduno called the best in New Mexico. Order the vegetarian extravaganza platter of dolmas, falafel, tabbouli, hummus, and baba ghanoug, and add a lamb shawarma.

Cafe Istanbul on Wyoming Boulevard NE pairs a Middle Eastern grocery with a Turkish and Levantine kitchen. Gil Garduno rated it Very Good and praised hummus he called to die for, along with the falafel and shawarma. Best bets include the shawarma, baba ganouj, hummus, the vegetarian plate, and the spinach pie. Order the hummus and falafel to start, then a shawarma plate.

Pars Cuisine on The 25 Way NE, open since 1984, sets its Persian cooking alongside Levantine mezze that Gil Garduno rated Excellent. Start with the mazeh combination, the falafel, and the tabouli, and save room for the Persian dessert plate of baklava, sohan asali, and rose-water bamieh. Order the mazeh combination and the falafel, then the Persian dessert plate.