Thursday, Apr. 23, 2009
Taste of the Middle East across the waterway
Habibi's Cafe & Market
Chicken kabob sandwich and pickled turnips at Habibi's Cafe & Market in Myrtle Beach. - photo by Ashley Morris for Weekly Surge.
setting the table
Myrtle Beach is a melting pot of restaurants, led by a hefty helping of those that swim in the seafood category. But one little spot has decided to dive into somewhat unchartered culinary waters for this area to serve Lebanese and Middle Eastern fare – and is doing it quite well, in the trusted opinion of folks who have eaten there.
Let’s talk about location: Habibi’s Café & Market opened last year on Waccamaw Boulevard, sandwiched between a pizza shop and Magoo’s Sports & Spirits, next to the corner Bob Evans that sits in the vicinity of the newly reopening Freestyle Music Park off U.S. 501.
A little deli counter and dessert case, a little dining area of table rounds, a little market, with shelves stocked with bulk cans of pickled peppers (and more), dried beans, fruits and spices, plus freezers of pita bread packets and meats. That’s Habibi’s – all set to the symphony of Dish Network’s Arabian Music channel blasting from the mounted flat screen TV during our visit. (Staffers got a kick out of watching my son dance and spin around to the music.)
down the hatch
Grab a paper menu stashed by the cash register and decide on one of Habibi’s dozen sandwiches and platters that not only offer a spice of culture, but vegetarian-friendly options as well.
Mom chose the chicken kabob sandwich, marinated, charcoal-grilled chunks of chicken slid off the skewer, then packed into a pita with lettuce, tomato and homemade hummus ($5.95). The price was more than affordable; the size: mammoth. The pita bundle was pinned together with a toothpick and hung over the sides of the paper plate. Between the balance of chewing and gripping the sandwich, she managed to tell me it was uniquely delicious.
On my next visit, I’d like to sample the skewer combo plate (sans lamb, because I don’t like this meat) of chicken and beef, served with taboule, hummus and pita bread sides ($10.99). (And I need to take a dip into Habibi’s fabulous hummus I’ve heard so much about; order it by the plate, half-pound, pound or two pound portion.)
I decided to venture outside the sandwich box with the vegetarian falafel ($4.95), small fried patties molded out of spiced fava beans and chickpeas. I have to admit, I was a bit leery because I was a falafel virgin, but it was a curiously delish meatless twist on a burger wrap. Punched up with tahini sauce, lettuce and tomato, this pita sandwich, too, was gi-normous. I now have the courage next time to sample additional items like the dolmah (vine leaves stuffed with rice and vegetables and served cold) and baba ganough (a dip of mashed eggplant, tahini sauce and lemon juice).
Staffers slid onto the table a small plate of pickled turnips (looked like discs of red beets) accompanied by a tiny cup of the hottest pepper sauce I’ve ever tasted. I think my eyes started watering when I leaned over for a quick sniff. But it was a nice touch; the turnips were sour with a bitter bite, but better than a side of greasy fries.
To down my falafel, I opted for something other than the soda or water norm from Habibi’s drink cooler: a bottle of sweetly satisfying mango juice ($1.50).
And I couldn’t pass up those enticing trays of desserts displayed in the L-shaped deli counter window. The cigar-shaped Ladyfingers were to-die-for. I should have bought a dozen (priced at only $1 each). It was very sweet of staffers to throw in a free Lebanese version of a strawberry fruit roll-up for my son.
check, please
I loved that we took a trip to the Middle East by just crossing the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. Habibi’s Café & Market may be small, but locals are hearing loud and clear the impact it’s already made on the culinary culture of Myrtle Beach.
It’s simple and refreshingly different. And that’s a good thing, as Martha Stewart says.
Habibi’s Cafe & Market is at 3310 Waccamaw Blvd., Myrtle Beach. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For additional info, call 236-0150.
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