With all of the Greek and Lebanese restaurants in Baton Rouge it is easy to confuse one hummus with the next. But many students do not realize the dramatic differences.
Hummus is the creamy, tawny dip that accompanies many Greek dishes. Most people are unaware that this ethnic dish is merely a type of Mediterranean bean dip.
The ingredients in hummus are few. A basic recipe for the dip includes chickpeas or garbanzo beans, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, and tahini, a paste made of ground sesame seeds.
The taste of hummus varies from restaurant to restaurant, depending on which ingredient the establishment chooses to dominate the dish. The dip can taste nutty, lemony, or like a plate of beans.
In the search for the best hummus in Baton Rouge, this Reveille reporter put five popular Greek and Lebanese restaurants to the test.
Albasha’s Greek & Lebanese Restaurant on Citiplace puts patrons in the mood for hummus through Greek music and a casual dining atmosphere. This cozy restaurant hosts the best hummus.
The flavor is robust and nutty with a heavy tahini taste. The texture is creamy, yet not too whipped or watery.
Although it is garnished with olive oil, the dip is not greasy. Most
importantly, Albasha’s hummus is served warm, as opposed to slightly chilled.
Second place goes to Atcha’s Bakery for having the most flavorful hummus. This bakery and exotic food store off Nicholson provides a very casual eating experience.
People who enjoy food with a tang will love this hummus.
Atcha’s dip has a strong green olive essence. This unique zest must come from the bright green olive oil and green olive used as the garnish.
Although this hummus has the most flavor, it is also the chunkiest.
Roman’s Café on Airline Highway ranks in third despite its European cafe feel.
This hummus does not scream tahini or olive. Roman’s whipped dip has the flavoring of a really delicious sour cream.
Perhaps this hummus would taste better on a gyro sandwich or even on a chip rather than with pita bread.
Coming in at fourth place is Serop’s Café on Corporate. The interior of the restaurant is perfect for a date, yet unsuitable for a hummus lover.
The hummus’ lemon flavor overpowers the entire dip. Soon after the pita bread washes down the sour taste, a slightly bitter aftertaste is left in the mouth.
Also, this hummus is far too oily. Serop’s does a great job turning a fairly healthy dish into a heart attack on a plate.
Unfortunately the closest source of hummus to campus is the least tasty. Arzi’s Restaurant off Chimes has the same problems as Serop’s. But the hummus is worse, and the interior is not nearly as romantic.
The most noticeable flaw in the recipe is too much liquid. This hummus is too runny.
Arzi’s hummus is quite lemony, and the aftertaste is more bitter than Serop’s hummus. It tastes like the lemon and tahini are fighting for dominance. Either way, the bitterness is upsetting to the palate.
Although the making of a delicious hummus lies in the recipe, bad pita bread can destroy any dip. In order to enjoy hummus fully, the pita bread must be savory.
The most fabulous pita in Baton Rouge is at Atcha’s bakery. The bread is fluffy, yet thick. It is served fresh and is not spongy like the other pita breads.
The main drawback to Atcha’s is it is the only restaurant that does not offer large amounts of pita with an order of hummus. But for a dollar, a patron can buy a bag of the delicious homemade treat. The bread is most definitely worth the extra dollar.
Hummus can be found at any Greek and Lebanese restaurant, but consumers should be aware of what makes hummus good or bad. Diners must beware of the bad hummus.