Cheap Eats 2005

The usual suspects-hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanouj-are tasty and generous, but what puts Alexandrya's veggie mezza platter ($6.75) over the top is the just-right falafel, crunchy on the outside and steamy-soft on the inside. This easily overlooked slip on Portland State's eastern edge makes its mark in the details: the toasted wrapper on the marinated-beef shawarma sandwich ($4.50), or the baklava's judicious rosewatery moistness, which gives equal time to the dessert's nutty flavor rather than drowning it in cloying syrup. For a beverage adventure on the side, try mixing mango juice into the date-rosewater potion jallab. (IG)

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.