El Basha Mediterranean Grill

Of all the places I have tried in Omaha thus far, El Basha Mediterranean Grill is easily my favorite. I have been to El Basha twice since I moved here, once during my first week, and once a few days ago with a colleague. El Basha is a very small restaurant with limited indoor seating, and a small outdoor patio with limited seating as well. The menu is posted on the wall above a counter and has very small cursive font. It is difficult to read the menu and the descriptions are not the most helpful if you are not very experienced in Mediterranean cuisine. 

During my first visit, I asked the woman working at the counter about her favorite dish, which she said was the chicken shawarma wrap. Not believing that chicken could be better than beef, I opted to order the beef shawarma wrap combo, which came with mashed potatoes and a side salad. All of the meals at El Basha come with a fountain drink of your choice, which you fill on your own after placing your order. The woman gave me my number and a cup, and due to the amount of people in the restaurant, I chose to sit outside. My meal arrived rather quickly, and upon first glance I thought that the salad dressing had been forgotten. My salad was made up of romaine lettuce, a slice of tomato, and a slice of cucumber. It looked as if the salad had been spritzed with water, but was void of dressing. Upon taking my first bite, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the salad "dressing", was crisp, light, and zesty. In fact, it was some of the best salad dressing I had ever tasted in my life. The beef shawarma wrap was about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide, and was wrapped in foil and cut into two parts. It contained lettuce, tahini sauce, tomatoes, and onion. The beef was very flavorful but slightly dry, with crisp edges. The mashed potatoes were lemony and delicious, with small lumps of potatoes and a zesty tang with each bite.

On my second visit to El Basha, I knew before arriving that I had to have the salad again. Taking the advice I was given last time, I ordered the chicken shawarma salad. My colleague had been to El Basha before, and ordered the hummus and pita bread appetizer, saying that it was the best she has had in Omaha. Once again, I was amazed at the light, crisp, deliciousness of the salad. Savoring every bite, and knowing that I could eat this salad every day of my life. 

 The salad had a dollop of tatziki sauce and two buttered and grilled slices of pita bread. It was savory, zesty, and delicious. My colleague shared her hummus with me, and I was very happy with its rich garlicky flavor. 

I can't wait for my next visit to El Basha, and have told everyone I meet about the amazing salad that has changed my life... I love El Basha!