Oh my gosh, the lemonade. It really is the best lemonade I've ever had. And the baklava- this is the real deal. So far that's all I've had after stopping in today, but based on those two items alone I'll definitely be back! read more

This place is legit - just go, eat, and be happy. I am not from the middle east, but I am from Detroit and I would argue we know good greek and arabic food. The Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli is amazing. I had the combo plate and a meat pie and it was exactly what I was craving. The flavors of everything were on point, the people were very nice, and I enjoyed browsing the store while waiting. I will be back again and again. The only thing I did not like was that I was hoping to have leftovers but the combo plate was just one good sized meal. They also have the "fluffy" pita bread with no pocket, and I prefer thinner halves with a pocket, but that is personal preference, and anyway not the highlight of the meal! read more

Delicious food and reasonable pricing for the portion size. Haven't found anything I don't like here. My favorite by far is the Lebanese chicken paired with the homemade lemonade. I always take home fresh made pita bread as well from the market side of the store. It's super fluffy. Parking can be an issue and there is limited seating, but it's worth the food. read more

One of the best places I regularly go to in Phoenix. Amazing customer service. Everyone who works there (including the owner) always has a smile on their face. The food is excellent. The gyro, shawarma, and falafel plates and sandwiches are very tasty. I love their lemonade! I believe they use orange water on their lemonade. Their baklavas and bird's nest are delicious as well. If you do decide to go there during lunch time on the weekdays, they do get pretty busy. Accommodate for this. If front parking is full, there is a parking lot in the back. read more

Excellent food, inexpensive, very friendly neighborhood feel. We had dinner here last night and it is the real middle eastern/greek/lebanese thing at very affordable prices. Everyone made a real effort to make us feel welcome. Not fancy. Plasticware and paper napkins, but that fits this bakery and restaurant. An old fashioned place that we would be happy to come back to when we are in the area. The owner treated us to baklava and coffee after we had told him we saw a review of the place on local TV and gave me a tour of the olive oils they carry. You cannot go wrong here. Open till 7 PM, so go earlier. read more

Hands down the absolute best falafel sandwich ever tasted - the house made hot sauce is exceptional and a perfect compliment to the sandwich. Lemonade is out of this world delicious. Authentic food and authentic people - perfect experience. read more

This place is amazing! They food is fresh and authentic, and there are many choices for people of all diets, including many options for vegetarians like myself. Try the Greek salad, it is incredible and the dressing is so good! The market has great options, like gluten free pitas and a variety of hummus options. This place is definitely one of the most authentic Middle Eastern options in Phoenix, and the owner is so friendly and personable. The whole staff really goes out of their way to make it a great experience. read more

1st off: I'm reviewing the restaurant, not the store. The food was exceptional in my opinion, and the staff were extremely helpful and pleasant. I'll be back! read more

The best pita every and baba ghanoush that is so creamy and not too smoky. Love the service and the kindness shown tone by the man who helped me. This is a wonderful family owned place that makes Phoenix so special. Amazing food. read more

Stop. Hummus time. That's right. This grocery story slash eatery is a perfect for for all your Mediterranean needs. If you're looking for items to purchase and take on the go, they have everything imaginable, hummus, pitas, meats, canned goods... Just about everything! However you can also dine in an order some of their delicious homemade food. I enjoyed the chicken kabobs accompanied with hummus and a greek salad. The meal was filling and fabulous. The hummus had a lot of flavor and the chicken was perfectly seasoned. I will definitely be returning to enjoy more and take some goodies for the road. read more

I love this place! The food is excellent. I usually get the hummus, dolmades and the Gyro. Always excellent and the staff is so friendly! There is also a store there, so you can buy spices, canned items and frozen items for later. A true gem in Phoenix! read more

Nothing I could say in this review could possibly convey the amazing experience that we had here at Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli. This was THE BEST place at which I have eaten in all my visits to Phoenix (off and on annually over the last 10 years) and I will be back (multiple times) every time I visit from now on. Why is it that the taste of the food is so often inversely proportionate to the fanciness of the restaurant, at least when it comes to ethnic restaurants? The fancier the decor in an ethnic restaurant, the blander the food. Stated differently, what is it about the mystical siren's call of the hole in the wall ethnic restaurant? Does the chef assume that because his food is head and shoulders above the rest that he needn't waste money on decorations? Or is it simply that the mom & pop chef with his traditional recipes handed down from generation to generation will never be matched by the cookie cutter american culinary school education? This restaurant is very unassumedly named The Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli, though it is also a restaurant and grocery store. It doesn't look like much from the outside, nor the inside, and would probably fly under most people's radar if it was not for word of mouth passed through Yelp. Can you see the diamond lurking under the layer of carbon? I sure can. The proprietor, Isam (yes, we're on a first name basis now and you will be, too, by the end of your first visit), is quite a character guaranteed to put a smile on the face of even the WORST sourpuss. Before our first visit we called him by phone to make sure the restaurant would be open when we arrived and he was friendly and welcoming. When we finally arrived he welcomed us like old friends. I ordered the grilled combo and my coworker ordered the Lebanese Chicken. Both plates came with a choice of Greek Salad of Tabbouli with a fresh warm pita and rice. I wasn't sure which to choose, so Isam guided me gently toward the Tabbouli which he makes FRESH 5 TIMES EVERY DAY. Yes, you can tell this man is incredibly gifted in the making of Tabbouli, which is a thing of beauty, colorfully decorated with red and green pepper rings, white couscous, tangy red tomato, crisp white onions, and ruby toned sliced beets over dark greens. It is beautiful, but tastes even better. I ordered a diet soda in spite of the prominently displayed Yelp tip recommending the lemonade ("Your life will change as you discover the super powers you've acquired from the lemonade.") as I'm not usually a big lemonade fan. My coworker ordered the lemonade and I ordered the birds nest baklava with glistening green pistachio pieces covering the top to eat while I waited for the food to arrive. My coworker took one sip of the lemonade, which is made with honey and rose water - SHEER GENIUS - and couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was. I traded him half of my baklava for a taste and couldn't BELIEVE how amazing it was - TRULY LIFE CHANGING. Isam brought me a large cup of this elixir of the gods and made my entire day. When our meals came I was thrilled with my perfectly seasoned kebabs with three kinds of meat - chicken, lamb, and spiced ground beef, all of them cooked perfectly and all of them delicious. The rice was not basmati, more like a pilaf, but was incredibly flavorful. Alex said his Lebanese Chicken was amazing, but refused to share any with me. The owner brought us over a complimentary Turkish coffee, a lemonade, and a pistachio baklava - all amazing!!! Isam also gave us a lesson in appreciating coffee. He taught us how to sip it and about his secret ingredient (cardamom). He grinds his own cardamom fresh from the seeds, which cost $100 per pound and I guarantee you are totally worth the expense. He showed us both the seeds and the ground versions and let us smell them, pure heaven on Earth. Isam says that the cardamom works on your nervous system to relax you; I certainly felt relaxed when I left, but I think some of that might have to do with the owner's charm rather than the coffee. When we left, we stopped up at the counter to say goodbye to our host, because it just felt more like a family visit than a restaurant visit. You can just walk out of a restaurant, but you don't walk out on family without saying goodbye. I made a return visit several days later and not only did Isam remember me, but he came out from behind the counter to give me a hug and asked where my friend was (I had just dropped my coworker off at the airport). I ordered the Lebanese Chicken and one of his heavenly lemonades. Isam once again brought me a Turkish Coffee (this stuff is addicting) and a baklava to enjoy with it. I enjoyed my second visit as much as my first; Isam gave me a menu and invited me to come back again during my visit. He even gave me his phone number and told me to call if I needed anything. I will definitely be back!! Relaxes you, works on your nervous syst read more

husband & wife team own this spot that frequently gets crowded during the lunch rush. was told the location has been around for more than 4 decades. the recipes and care are apparent at Middle Eastern Deli...been here multiple times and the crowd is always cool, the service is always friendly, and the FOOD is always on point. homemade pitas, best falafel i've had anywhere is always piping hot, good sides, great chicken. the small kitchen belies the bevy of flavors. even the sides of hummus that come w/ the combo plates are clearly fresh/homemade. for me, the bakery case is hit or miss - it's definitely authentic and some of the flavors, such as dates, pistachio and olive oil in a dessert are probably too potent for my (dessert) taste. i personally favor the savory side here. i only wish there were more spots like this in phoenix. it would then truly be a great food city, like Chicago or San Francisco. we need more authentic places like this and LESS "Sam Fox Concepts" which are basically high-priced Cheesecake Factories. at Middle Eastern Deli, the prices are also on the high-er side: $12/$13 for a combo plate, $2 for a small lemonade (made w/ honey and rose water - YUM). however, it's WORTH IT when the higher prices are for good-quality ingredients and a family lineage of delicious recipes. the inside can get a bit cramped but this is what you'd see up and down the streets of New York...if Phoenix were an older city, more spaces like this would exist and it wouldn't seem like such an anomaly. big city charm off 16th St in central Phoenix...who would've thought? awesome. read more

Had a great lunch here with my friends Sherry and Brandon. The two owners (I am guessing here, but father and son?) were very friendly and attentive. I had the baba ganouj pita with lettuce and tomato, and everyone else's food looked great (a chicken pita sandwhich and amazing looking lentil soup). I was throroughly entertained by a middle eastern television show (satellite I guess?), and the great mix of locals and business people. The market section is also great- you'll find loads of bottled cooking oils, spices, pickles and other pickled veggies, canned eggplant, cous cous and pastas, as well a fridge section with nice looking prepared foods. Will definitely return! read more

Love this place. They have the best lemonade in town and wonderful Mediterranean food and sweets. The deli/bakery also has a store with many foods from the Middle Eastern region. The employees are helpful. One of my favorites is the Lebanese Chicken platter. It is a generous portion and comes with a good sized salad and pita bread. Their Gyros are also wonderful as are their sweets. There is limited parking in front but there is a large free fenced lot behind the restaurant for you to park in. Be sure to check out all the take away food in the coolers. read more

I can't say enough about this place. I love to get lunch there, and leave with stuff to-go. They have some incredible home-made olives with different spices. I am an olive snob and can't say enough about them. You can also get hummus and baba ghanooj to go, as well as their freshly made (they are a bakery) pitas. They also have some interesting mixes, canned beans, etc. They have a lot of Sadaf products which is cool because I used to actually mail order from them once in a while! On the lunch side, I love all their vegetarian food and often get a vegetarian platter or falafel sandwich or plate, etc. Their tabouli is out of this world good - lots of fresh mint and parsley, lemon juice, it's perfect if you are into the Lebanese taste. I've never ordered meat there but I've seen other people order it and it looked great. The food is delicious and home made tasting. Their baklava is superb. Split some with your lunch mate. If I were to succinctly describe their food it is fresh, healthy, authentic, and delicious. I gave it 5 stars. Not 5 stars like a fine dining type restaurant - 5 stars because they do their type of ethnic food with unfailing perfection and authenticity and consistency across multiple visits. Middle Eastern Bakery is keepin it REAL yo! ( blatant fishing for cool ratings!) read more

This place is amazing! I just rediscovered this place today after not stopping by in years. Its under new ownership now (past 2 years or so). The food was so delicious! I'm Middle Eastern and know good Middle Eastern food. This was hands down some of the best in the valley. The falafel was Perfect: crunchy outside and moist inside- so flavorful. The Grape Leaves were some of the best I have EVER had. I am typically not into grape leaves but this place has made me fall in love with them. The hummus was so good, tastes like its just been made fresh for you to order. The bread was amazing too. Nothing like fresh from the oven hand made Arabic bread- I could live off of it alone... They are known for their homemade lemonade so I had to try it. Delicious! Naturally sweetened with honey and made with rose water- very unique flavor that put a whole new twist on Lemonade. - A Must Try. It hit the spot after a long day rock climbing in the sun :) After such a delicious meal I also had to try some of their homemade baklawa. I'm not usually into desert but couldn't pass it up after such a great dinner... It was so good! Tasted like it had just been made that day- light fluffy, not over sweetened or too filling. I had it with some traditional Arabic coffee- such a great finish to a great meal... after trying it I ended up buying 8 more deserts to take home for my family to try too :) This place is fantastic. I am so happy I found it today. I love good Arabic food but it is often hard to find in Arizona. This place is diamond in the rough and definitely worth stopping by... The food was definitely spectacular, but I think one of the best things about my whole experience here was the service. Esawm, the owner, showed one of the most beautiful things about the Middle Eastern culture- their hospitality. I came in 2 minutes to close (not ever even realizing) and I was graciously ushered in and welcomed. I sat down for dinner and received great service and conversation. I was treated just like I was family. Since it was my first time at the Bakery since the new ownership, I was even given my dessert and coffee complimentary! I got a chance to meet and talk with all the staff and everyone was so nice and friendly. I love mom-n-pop places. All in all this place is great and I strongly recommend it. I know I will be back very soon- probably within the week- my new favorite place to eat! :) I was so impressed with this place that I plan on having my wedding catered by them. Definitely a MUST TRY! read more

This place has the best gluten-free pitas and middle eastern pizzas in the freezer section to take home and enjoy. There is nowhere else to buy them in the state! I'm planning make the trip each month to stock up while I enjoy a delicious hot meal. The owner is extremely sweet and hospitable. The lamb and beef plate is delicious with gluten-free sides. And yummy desert options that are gluten & dairy-free!! His menu is 98% gluten-free! read more

Best fresh baked pita bread ever! If you're looking to have an amazing falafel pita, this is the place to get it. You can grab a quick lunch here and eat at one of their little tables outside, or you can grab some food to go. They have a great selection of olives, cheese, salads, falafel, baba ghanouj, hummus, stuffed grape leaves and much more. If you're looking to prepare a Middle Eastern recipe, you can probably get the majority of your ingredients here. They have tons of imported spices, and lots of cookbooks too if you need help deciding what you want to make. They also sell cool Middle Eastern mixed music tapes and CD's, as well as little knick knacks for your kitchen. The sandwiches aren't huge, but they're tasty and the prices are fairly reasonable for what you get. Definitely give this place a try if you're in the mood for delicious, authentic Middle Eastern food. read more

This is my favorite Mediterranean food restaurant. Their menu is amazing and the lemonade is fantastic.

A great neighborhood gem offering something different. The pita is excellent. Warmed up with a little olive oil and they become the best snack this side of blueberries. The gyros are also tasty and a nice and lighter deviation from the heavy Kronos variety that we see everywhere else. read more

I decided to come here for lunch and I got the shawawma plate with rice, spinach and yogurt, hummus, and a house-made pita. The shawawma was tasty, the spinach and yogurt everyone were really good, the rice was a bit over cooked, but I add the sumac powder and butter and it even makes it better. The hummus was kind of bland. The cashier lady awesome, very friendly. I would come here again. read more

get their veggie combo. great place to buy feta and olives! the rosewater lemonade is so refreshing! sweet owners! read more

Probably the best I had. Serves fantastic, and the owner is good. Prices and food were in order, and there are no words worthy of praise.

This is your classic family owned spot and it comes through in their service and food. I recommend the Lebanese Chicken and Baklava for dessert. Keep up the great work Isam and Tina! read more

Best lemonade I've ever had! Definitely will not want any other after this one! Great family atmosphere and a wide variety of middle eastern products! The pita and flat bread are amazing and fresh!!!! Plus they have homemade Lebanese Halawa...try the one with pistachios....which is amazing!!! Sooooo good!!! read more

I eat here at least twice a week, great food and great customer service. I have a hard time ordering anything but their Greek salad with gyro meat so can't recommend much else....but it's addicting and fresh. read more

Excellent, low-key eatery with great, friendly service. Delicious falafel, hummus, labneh and lemonade (I suspect that other items are also top-notch, but I didn't try them). Highly recommended! read more

I really enjoyed this place. I ordered the combo platter which consisted of roasted beef, lamb and chicken skewers, on a bed of rice. The lamb was my favorite. I recommend the lemonade! You can really pick up on the orange water that it's made with. For dessert we tried the baklava which was superb! Next time We will try it with their Turkish coffee. The nice owner or manager tried to get us some before we left but we were in a hurry. We will be back that's for sure. read more

This place was amazing. The homemade pita bread was so good. We visited while on vacation and I would've eaten here every night.

The mixed grill plate, fresh hummus appetizer and freshly made labaneh are delicious. The chicken kabob is very juicy and tender as is the lamb kabob. Ambience is divey but who cares the food is amazing and service with a smile. I would definitely come back here. read more

Amazing service! Such nice people, it's so refreshing to find a jem like this. Plus they have the best gluten free pitas, and plan on making gf baklava! So excited! Can't say enought great things about this place! Looooooove it! read more

Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli is one of my favorite places to eat. I use to go a lot back then, when the owner Alex somehow disappearred to the Middle East ( maybe finally getting married ). They use to stack their portions with a lot of meat. Since new ownership, they are cut back on the protons but the food is awesome as usual. Their mix grill and chicken kabobs are a must try. With the aromatic smell of their rice along with a side salad with greek dressing, it compliments the meat very well. Their homemade lemonade was very tasty and the owner is very nice along with his staff. Kinda like home cooking except when they get super busy, be prepared to wait awhile, but well worth it. read more

Such a wonderful experience! My daughter was in town and she and my son and I went to have lunch here for the first time. I don't see my daughter often, so to have such a nice experience with my kids is wonderful. The owner gave us complimentary Turkish coffee and baklava . Besides that wonderful gesture the food was delicious and everyone there made us feel special, like we came to their house for lunch. read more

Just delicious! I got the chicken kabob and it was perfect! The meat was so moist and seasoned perfectly and the rice was amazing. The owner is just the nicest person and the service is great! I can't say enough good things about this little hidden gem of a restaurant. read more

Isam, owner, is so friendly and helpful. I would go back just to support him. It helps that the gyros are delicious, the pita is fresh and soft. Lemonade just might have an addictive ingredient in it :). I will be back for more! read more

The people who run this place are so nice! I like to get their frozen dolmas and the last time I was there they gave me a free lemonade just because I admitted I'd never tried it. It has rose water in it and it was sincerely great. I'm so glad this place is right here in my neighborhood. read more

Simple & delicious middle eastern food, fresh pita & amazing arabian coffee...an institution!

This place is sooooooo awesome!!!! I eat here at least once a week. The staff is friendly and the environment is awesome. If you don't know what to get they always recommend something good. lately I've been getting the lamb Kabob. read more

The owner here will gladly, without fail, devote time to helping each customer decide what they're looking for. Because of this the line tends to get backed up. This is just about the only downside to the place, which is otherwise amazing and staffed with some of the friendliest people in Phoenix. I highly recommend stuffing yourself to the brim with falafel, taboule and tzatziki. DO NOT leave without trying the lemonade. It's bizarre, almost jarring at first, but it'll get you hooked. read more