Al-Tarboush Deli
602 Westgate Ave, Saint Louis, MO, 63130
Al-Tarboush Deli Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Pies
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Sandwiches
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Al-Tarboush Deli
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Pies
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Sandwiches
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Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Saint Louis for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saint Louis for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
602 Westgate Ave
Saint Louis, MO, 63130 - Phone (314) 725-1944
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Richie D.
I had to make one more visit before I returned to Chicago. I had high hopes this time around, unlike when I first visited and saw the 'blah strip mall-esque' entrance. I hate bashing places that have so much going for them, but there's a point that you must offer a "humanitarian forewarning." Prior to writing this review update, I had spoken with another Yelper about my return experience and they said to run with it, so I will now that I have permission (and your attention)... I went in A-T for a quick lunch between occupational trainings. I was talking to a friend while multi-tasking on trying to decide on what to eat. My friend helped me out by recommending the Pickled Garlic Chicken Pita something that featured tough chicken and a crusty garlic paste--Stick to the falafels! Now let's blame my horrible memory of remembering this food items name on the fact that there was a COCKROACH crawling up the cash register counter! Since I have lived in several developing countries and am from Chicago it doesn't bother me, but I tried to hide the sneaky stinker from my friend, then knock it on the floor with a menu in order to later discreetly stomp it. I felt bad killing the critter but we all know how rapidly those suckers reproduce and seeing the delicious falafels always sitting out on the pan and other toppings open at all times, I thought it was for the best. Proceed at your own warning...and yes the falafels are still some of the best!
(2)Nikki L.
A nearly hole in the wall off the main U City Loop thoroughfare. I've had the falafel, shish taouk and gyros many times over. They are served hot with a crispy pita wrap. For many years the shish taouk was my favorite...it still is, but now I'm loving the falafel. All very delicious. I discovered this place sometime around 2002 or so and loved it so much, that I actually hired them to cater an international banquet (among with other vendors) that I was organizing at a local university.
(4)Tiffany N.
Love the tabbouleh. Everyone I've ever seen working here has been quite nice. I'm really gonna miss living down the street from this place.
(4)Kelly S.
So very tasty. On my first visit i sampled both a beef and chicken shawarma and a lamb gyro. We then picked up a tub of the garlic baba ganoush and the spicy hummus for later eatage. Said eatage is occurring right now. Everything (save the gyro), was more than worth the price. lots of great flavors for very little money. (Bring cash though) Yes, the pita bread could have been a bit heartier to help hold our sandwiches together, but i'd rather a too-thin bit of bread than not have as much of the great marinade and sauce to go with it. The gyro was fine, but it was made with the pre-sliced gyro meat you find most places. That doesn't really matter, with gyro house down the street and so many other great things on the menu. i've heard lots of glowing reviews for the falafel, but it's going to be hard to tear myself way from the shawarma on my next visit.
(4)T J.
ppl are real friendly there. Altho everything is cooked in the microwave, the gyros are GOOD. the spicy garlic hummus - GOOD. went back the next day and got some more
(4)Jay C.
Great family! Great Food!!
(5)Victoria W.
Their gyro is GREAT, especially the tzatziki sauce. Falafel is delicious as well. The shop owner is also very kind and friendly.
(5)Sunil K.
I don't know what lucky star this city was sitting under, but The 'Boush is the kind of gem you find in a much bigger and more diverse city than the Lou. (I'm allowed to say that stuff...I'm from here!) Eat here once and you coming back all the damn time. It's definitely not your run of the mill college gyro joint, I promise! I go out of my way grocery shopping just to pick up a tub of their hummus/baba, it's that good. Other favorites: Spinach pie, Gyro, doner.
(5)Angela S.
I first went to this place because a friend from the LA area had told me that I have not tried a proper falafel (the one's served at WashU didn't count apparently). I was excited to try this place because I was a fan of the falafel served at school and wanted to eat a more "authentic" version. Well I was not disappointed. I stuck to the falafel and my friend got something with lamb in it. We also got the grape leaves side dish from the fridge. Everything tasted so good! The grape leave side dish was a little pricy compared to everything on the menu, but definitely worth the price (side note: it taste much better than what it looks like). I was also surprised by all the groceries that it offered. I don't know how to cook middle eastern food, but if i did/ in the future attempt to learn I would definitely go there to get groceries. I haven't had a chance to go back, but I know that my school's falafel will not satisfy my cravings anymore so I will definitely be back. It's a smaller, unimpressive restaurant. What it lacks in the atmosphere it makes up with the food. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting to try something new or anyone new to the STL area looking for a middle eastern food fix.
(4)Jennifer H.
Some days I think I could sustain solely on falafel. And I probably wouldn't complain too much about it. Al-Tarboush, located on the Delmar loop has other dishes, too, all of which are tasty, but for me, their falafel is king. The hummus and the sandwiches at Al-Tarboush are great, perfect for having a light lunch while shopping on Delmar, or grabbing a snack before a movie at the Tivoli. Oh, and take some spinach pie home with you for later. You'll thank me for it. BTW: Al-Tarboush also sells hookahs and hookah accessories, like pipes and charcoal, at competitive prices.
(4)James A.
Great place! I love the falafel and the shawarma, both of which are generous in size and totally saturated with flavor. The shawarma is sloppy and garlicky, which is definitely a plus, as far as I'm concerned. I also appreciate the fact that Al-Tarboush sells a limited range of groceries: olive oil, bags of pita bread, plastic tubs of tahini, and so on ... a great place to pick up a lazy, last-minute contribution to a potluck, and pretty much the closest thing to a grocery store on Delmar. If they stocked a wider range of groceries, I imagine I'd be in there almost every week. Very friendly service, too.
(5)Stephanie S.
Hmm. So, ever since trying falafel at Pita Plus a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVING it, I've been traveling the globe in search of more delicious falafel. Well...I haven't really traveled the globe. Just St. Louis. And the falafel at Al-Tarboush Deli? Completely forgettable. Oh, don't get me wrong, the place is nice. The service is friendly, and the prices are VERY reasonable. But after trying the delectable piping-hot falafel at Pita Plus, I just can't get down with Al-Tarboush. I suppose I've been spoiled by Pita Plus. I read that the falafel was made fresh here. Well, maybe today was an off day for the owner, because I placed my order, and less than TWO minutes later, my food was ready. The baklava (I tried the walnut flavored one) was very good. No complaints there. However, the falafel seemed not-so-fresh, like it had been sitting in a warmer. It also didn't have that crunch that I've come to enjoy about it. It was lukewarm, soggy, and half-heartedly stuffed into the sorry excuse for pita bread. Sorry, Al-Tarboush. Pita Plus also kicks your ass when it comes to pita bread. Did I mention that there was WAY too much tahini in my falafel sandwich? Maybe it was a combination of that and the flimsy "bread" that made my sandwich fall completely apart upon my first bite. Hmm. Okay, I'm done tearing this place apart. On the plus side, the baklava was VERY good, like I said. And the falafel, although lukewarm, was seasoned pretty well. The portion sizes were also pretty generous. If I hadn't had falafel anywhere else, this would probably be pretty good. But I've had much, MUCH better falafel elsewhere. I probably won't be back, unless I'm in the area and have a hankering for some baklava.
(2)Rick S.
$5 for some pretty damn good falafel. Add some hummus and it's even better. The chicken shawarma was ok and shawimming with sauce that covered any taste of the chicken. Another negative about it was that all of the lettuce was the yellow bitter innerds of a head. Yeah that kinda sucked... oh well. It still was pretty damn cheap. The baklava was great though. Reminded me of being a kid again. The other thing that is cool about this place is that they have a huge variety of hookahs and tabacco flavors available, not that I partake. If I did this could be a great place to go.
(3)Kevin D.
Pretty darn good middle eastern food. I especially like the variety of baklavah, including some with pistachio. Yummy.
(3)James B.
Man, I love this place! The food here is outstanding - make sure you try the chicken shish tauk sandwich (sp?). Also, grab some of the snacks out of the fridge to go!
(4)Jennifer G.
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES OF ALL TIME. i highly recommend their everything. best most friendliest staff ever. i feel weird and bad about myself if i don't get there at least once a month. i've only had their falafel once (i'm not a huge falafel type of girl) so my love has nothing to do with that. i'm all about the shish taouk, the chicken schwarma and their hummus and pitas and tabouli and hot sauce and (yes, i realize you can get it at shop 'n save) and prices and friendliness and consistent goodness. i
(5)dean d.
I'm not a fan of precooked-then-heated-up-to-serve establishments, and this is one of them. it would have scored a much lower grade than i have given it but the truly authentic stuffed grape leaves and the spinach pie were very flavorful.
(3)Amy S.
I've been searching for a middle eastern place as good as this for a long time! My friend took me here and from the looks of the place on the outside, I wasn't expecting much. It is very unassuming. Not really a restaurant in its own right, its more of a place where you come and take your food away to sit outside on a sunny day. The ower/manager was so sweet and seemed so happy to see us. He gave us suggestions of what was good that day and we both got falafel and tabbouleh. Two of my favorite dishes made perfectly and at a good price.
(5)j g.
Moving from a Middle-Eastern and Greek neighborhood in Queens to St Louis has been...an adjustment. Al-Tarboush is the best Lebanese food I've found in St Louis--and one of the places I've come to enjoy most here.
(5)Jasmeen S.
This place just didn't live up to my expectations. I've had some awesome gyros and this one was just OK... kinda disappointed. I had a taste for one and it was kind of late so I was forced there through hunger. I read other reviews and decides to give it a try. Plus it was my bfs first time having one so I had high hopes lol. It's just I've had like really good ones =p Overall it wasn't that bad but like I said I've had better, but for a quick fix its fine
(3)Jodi D.
I drive all the way from St. Peters just to have a Falafel...
(5)Jake K.
Let me start by saying I'm a big fan of little whole in the wall places. Spent 2 years in L.A. and I found that these places are some of the best and most authentic. This place is a whole in the wall and my wife and I loved it. The food is great, the staff was friendly and helpful. One thing we were excited about is we now found a place to get Kibbee Nayee. It isn't on the menu, but they said we can get it with a weeks notice. They have Kibbee which is deep fried lamb and rice. Kibbee Nayee is raw lamb mixed with cracked wheat and onions. My wife eat this a lot when we go to Detroit to visit family.
(4)Michelle H.
Al-Tarboush has great falafel, and the best hummus I've ever tasted. Their baklava is also delicious. The place is cheap and the owners are nice. I just had a gyro here, however, and it wasn't so great. The gyro meat was out of a box, the pita bread was not fresh at all. I was very disappointed, and wished I would've stuck with the falafel like I originally planned. So, while I like most of what Al Tarboush has to offer, there are much better places to get a gyro.
(4)Sarah F.
Exceptional falafel. So fresh-- dad makes it for you right there in the back. All my years in San Francisco, and most every place there would make all the falafel balls ahead of time and keep them in a warmer. No warmers needed at Al-Tarboush deli! Simon bought a hookah at their shop, too, and we've been enjoying strawberry flavored tobacco up on our rooftop all summer long. Besides hookahs, you can purchase their hummus, tabouleh, dolmahs, and tahini to go. Yum! Don't be fooled into the sit-down place, "Ranoush" across the street. Al-Tarboush is the o.g. place, with food from the Motherland.
(5)Jim S.
This is where I got my Hookah supplies while in college. Staff is very friendly and the food is surprisingly good. I miss very much Al-Tarboush!
(5)Lulu W.
I absolutely love Al-Tarboush. I always take out-of-towners there and, with out fail, "the place with hookahs on the wall" is mentioned after their visit. It's family-owned. Has a small assortment of tobacco, hookahs and even groceries. I've said it once and I will say it again, they have the best falafel sandwiches I've ever had. Their Baba-ganoush is also amazing.
(5)Will F.
I've had a major jones for some good falafel from a quick, order-at-the-counter kind of place for about 18 months. Obviously, the jones couldn't have been that debilitating, since I didn't actively seek out any falafel. Still, when one day at work Stefanie E.'s review popped up on my welcome page, I rejoiced. I work in a library, so I rejoiced quietly. I finally (6 days later) made it over to Al-Tarboush today. It's precisely what I'd longed for: tasty, fast, friendly, AND locally owned. And chickpealicious. The owner is a jovial and personable Lebanese silver fox. He could melt you with those eyes, and he's a nice guy to boot. Disclaimer: I know nothing about falafel, except that I've never known a falafel I didn't like; ergo, I can't tell you anything about Al-Tarboush's quality relative to other places. However, I was satisfied. For a $4.99 falafel wrap in under 5 minutes and for some positively scrumptious baklava (with three flavors to choose from! Walnut, almond, and pistachio.), head over to Al-Tarboush. You'll fall in love. I can't wait to go again and try the shawarma - I have a definite soft spot for shawarma*. ------------------------ * I was thrown off by this spelling. I'd only ever had shawarma in Holland, where those crazy Nederlanders spell it "shoarma."
(5)Jaffa A.
I've been going to Al-Tarboush for years. And why not? You can get great falafel cheap and fast. It's often hard to find tasty, fresh, fast, and cheap rolled into one, but that's exactly what you're getting when you order falafel. It's one of the best falafel in town ( I'm also fond of Cafe Natasha's on South Grand) and it's really difficult for me to order anything else. Sometimes I order something in addition to the falafel, such as the stuffed grape leaves, but I love falafel and I know it's going to be good. Today I actually ordered something else! I got the tabouli and spinach pie. Both were good and I'm glad I gave some other menu items a try, but I'm sure it will be back to falafel again next time. Try it with hot sauce. They also sell tubs of tabouli, hummus, dolmes, baklava, and a few other things as well as sodas and juices. There is a strange and small collection of grocery items. It seems that they have recently done away with some of the groceries to make way for tons of hookahs and hookah tobacco in countless flavors. The interior is simple, aside from the items offered for sale. The place is family owned and operated for the most part. I most often see the cheerful dad who asks me where I've been if it's been a while, or one of his daughters. All are friendly.
(5)Lyndsay L.
The best falafel I have had! I wish their pita was a little more to my liking though. When I describe a perfect pita it goes like this..."steamy and pillowy". And their pita wasn't. Still, I would go back in a heartbeart and do not hesitate to rate it a 5! Also had the hummus and the shish taouk. The shish taouk was out of this world! Haven't had that in years since my hometown(s) are not interested in Middle Eastern fare apparently. Hummus was yummus. Left completely stuffed but walked it off in the cool little neighborhood it is in. Service fast and friendly and I got 10 or 15 percent off with my student ID! I live 5 and a half hours away but if I go back to St Louis, I will absolutely return!!! Glad I did not choose the place across the steet with the white waiters in their fancy long black aprons smoking out back! I was going for authenticity and that place surely would not have been it!
(5)Joshua F.
I've been coming here for well over ten years, and I think I've only ever ordered one thing - the falafel. It's great, the absolute best in St. Louis! This is a family operation, and the service is always excellent. Sometimes the wait can be long around lunchtime, but "long" in this case actually means five minutes as opposed to one. Anyway, five stars for Sam and his family at Al Tarbousch.
(5)John H.
Favorite place to get falafel. Maybe not as good as Pita+, but really close. Plus you'll get kinder service than at Pita+. Love the pita they use as well. Wish there was a middle eastern bakery in St. Louis that made that kind of bread. Other "sandwiches" are absolutely well worth having as well.
(4)Stefanie E.
You can't smell anything from the street. It's not like there's an aromatic pull forcing your feet inside. In fact, Al-Tarboush is a bit off the main drag of the U-City Loop, so if you weren't into venturing down unattractive, slightly slovenly streets, you might miss it altogether. But you won't do that. Not now. I am here to guide your feet - and your stomach - to the loveliest falafel I've had thus far in St. Louis. I've been going here since college, and that was longer ago than I'd like. So to say I can attest to the fact that the falafel, or anything else, has never waned in the flavor department over about a decade, is an honest assessment. You can get said falafel free form, all golden and greasy, or stuffed inside thin pita bread, mingling with lettuce, tomato and tahini sauce. Either way, you'll come out in the cheap and very satisfied. The tabbouli is also noteworthy, though I should mention it's not bulgur heavy as is most tabbouli. It's very parsley heavy, and has just the right amount of onions, tomatoes, lemon juice and olive oil to balance it all out. People tend to get their goodies to go, but there are a handful of tables inside. And whatever you do, don't miss out on the pistachio baklava baskets.
(5)Jen L.
Oh, man... How I miss Al-Tarboush! This is the place to fulfill your Mediterranean cravings - from hummus to falafel you cannot go wrong here. Also, their tabouleh is to die for, so fresh and zesty! Definitely avoid Ranoush on Delmar and just poke around the corner to Al-Tarboush. You will not regret it.
(5)Zach X.
I'm not all that knowledgeable about this place - have never gotten anything other than tubs of various things from the deli / fridge section - but those things are all super tasty. Spicy hummus and tabbouleh in particular; the feta is also dope. These items may seem a little overpriced when you buy them but they are worth it. And the family (I assume?) that runs the place is really friendly.
(4)Shawn B.
Many people love the falafel and I don't doubt its good. However I have not tried it because I have been stuck on Shish Taouk for about four years. WOW! This is one of my all-time favorite dishes. An interesting combination of simple ingredients to delight the palette. Dill pickle spear, mega garlic sauce, and spicy chicken are wrapped in a pita then oven toasted. Shish Taouk makes mouths happy! The atmosphere is fun and hookah filled, but the small size of this place makes conversations easily overheard.
(4)Nick S.
I have been to Al-Tarboush Deli too many times to count only because the food is that good. My friend first introduced me to the place about a year ago as she demanded I try the falafel. At that time I was very timid about trying any new cuisines. I thought to myself [about the falafel], "What? Chick-peas? Tahini sauce?" But, after my first bite of the freshly made wrap, I could see why their was so much hype for this place. The owner and his family who work there are all very courteous and friendly to those who enter. The dishes are served fresh, fast, and made to order. The prices rand from $3-$6 per item. I would totally recommend Al-Tarboush Deli to anyone visiting the Loop and/or for anyone who wants a quick and different meal.
(5)Jennifer F.
Love this place! They make my favorite falafel in St. Louis, plus I can walk there from my house. The people that work there are so nice and I think they are all family members. It's off the main Delmar Loop on a side street but worth checking out. They sell really good side dishes and pita bread out of the coolers too.
(4)J B.
Down in the U-city loop, the self-proclaimed King of Garlic sits on his throne, ruling the corner of Westgate and Delmar with a firm, fragrant hand. Saleems' is a benevolent dictator, but not all routes to excellent Mediterranean food lead through his kindgom. A humble merchant, Al Tarboush Deli, sits in Saleems' shadow, plotting neither overthrow nor upheaval. Offering simply a quick, casual, reasonably priced alternative to the relative oppulance of the land where "Garlic is King." Al Tarboush is a small, slightly shabby storefront deli and convenience store behind Seki's and caddy-corner from Saleems', just off of Delmar on Westgate. I'm not a health inspector, and my personal habits can be less than fastidious, but a dining experience is often like a ride in a good roller coaster. You know (or suspect strongly) that no harm will come, but without at least the illusion of danger, where is the thrill? There is a blue and white "A" pasted in the window, so who am I to argue, especially when the food is so unique and tasty. I've sampled many, but not all of the items on the menu. My favorites are the schwarma and the falafel. Both are sandwiches rolled in a thin pita. Both are finished with lettuce and tomato and a healthy, tangy slathering of tahini sauce. Both are tightly wrapped in paper for the illusion of transportability and ease of consumption, but the contents will decorate your blouse or tie if not careful. This is where the similarities end. The schwarma is stuffed with strips of meat. "Braised" seems too lofty a description of the preparation; "stewed" seems too prosaic. The beef simmers in a kind of creamy and tart liquid. I'm pretty sure there's parsley and onions in there, among more exotic spices. I suspect sumac is involved in some way. The falafel--ground, chick-pea fritters--are not mealy, but dense and satisfying. They are made by hand and deep fried in small batches, in plain view of the customer. To call the kitchen "open" would be considered "puffing" in the real estate business, but it lends to the charm of the place. They offer a couple simple salads: lettuce, tomato, red onion, parsley, and dressing. It is the dressing that elevates these salads above their unremarkable components. The dressing is a vinegar and oil, laced with purplish, pungent, pucker-inducing threads of sumac, a berry common in Mediterranean cuisine. When too heavily dressed, the salad can test one's stamina. But when perfectly dressed, as is the case 90% of the time, it is bracing and refreshing. As far as I can tell, the two salads offered differ only in size, price, and the presence or absence of toasted pita chips. I'm a glutton, not only in quantity, but for that challenging yet addictive sumac, so I go with the big one. The shop itself is small, as I said. It has a few benches that appear to have been salvaged from an old Hardee's. Actually, I think they must have been taken from a Hardee's in Japan or some other place where the diners were petite and the portions were small. The refrigerated cases hold canned and bottled drinks, bags of pitas, tubs of hummus, feta cheese, olives, and other items for taking home and ruining in the privacy of your kitchen. The walls are lined with a selection of hookah pipes and other exotic tchotkis. The operation seems to be a family one, the lovely young women who sometimes run the counter all share a dark and alluring family resemblance. The gentleman who usually resides behind the counter with a regal but friendly bearing is a humble vendor of mediterranean delights. Or perhaps a contender to the throne.
(4)Jake W.
If felafel making were an Olympic sport, Al-Tarboush would represent the U.S. -- and win the gold medal. There is no better felafel anywhere. Period. End of story.
(5)Undergroundfor T.
I have risque dreams about the schwarma. No, this is not a fancy-nancy place to sit down and waited upon tableside, but it doesn't matter, because the food is orgasmic. You and your mate will have a romantic time grunting in between bites of expertly prepared culinary delights. You must take some tabbouleh home with you, because you will be the envy of your co-workers at lunch. The interior consists of a deli-case, a counter where you order and pay, and a few tables and chairs. The family-owners exude that hard-to-define blend of curtness and all-encompasing warmth. Please tip them at the counter: they deserve to keep this place running. No, there aren't belly-dancers, or a fancy bar, or germy pillows to park your butt on- just really amazing grub. Keep on truckin' Al Tarboush, with yo sexy viddles!
(5)Stephanie M.
My favorite falafel coming from the girl that lived in LA and Chicago. MMMM! I love the family that owns this place, so warm and kind.
(4)May A.
Wow. I just had my very first falafel about 5 minutes ago. It was delicious! I can't believe I've been missing out on this for all these years. My husband tried to introduce it to me, but I was too stubborn to listen. Al-Tarboush is a mom and pop type of place. They are very friendly and welcoming. Plus, the prices are so reasonable. I've just found my new favorite food!
(5)Kenley M.
Al Tarboush is the best place on the loop to score quick take-out fare. Falafel is definitely the way to go, with perfectly crisp patties and a very flavorful sauce. Supporting family businesses should always be this delicious.
(3)Tim E.
great shawarma and other delights. not much room for eating, so you'd be best taking it to go. reasonably priced and yummy!
(4)Rob C.
Fast food takeout sandwich place for falafel and shawarma. Very unassuming storefront and easily missed on the side street.
(4)Amy B.
I will drive far out of my way to pick up Al-Tarboush. The food is incredible and the service is always excellent. The limited table space makes carrying out ideal, but you will be taken good care of should you choose to dine in. You will notice that the owners know a lot of their customers by name, face, or order. That is because the food keeps people coming back. For starters, get the falafel sandwich. It is by far the best I've had in a long list of other restaurants. Try it with the spicy relish if you're interested in an extra kick. I can't say enough good things about the rest of the menu. You can't go wrong with the Zatar pita, dolmadas, meat and spinach pies, chicken schwarma, hummus, or tabouli. Literally everything they make is high quality. That includes their homemade shisha! They have several fresh and creative flavors that are inexpensive. Give them a try if you're in the neighborhood. There's a reason many of their customers are regulars.
(5)Fernanda C.
The food is absolutely amazing. I ordered 12 pieces of falafel and it was the best I have had since I had my aunt came over from Palestine. Definitely a place to eat out but if you are picky about looks then the restaurant isn't going to bring much ambiance. The Staff is incredibly nice and helpful. The prices are very well set and comfortable if you like middle Eastern food. Cheaper than a restaurant but with equal or higher quality! If you are in the neighborhood I'd recommend you trying it out for yourself.
(5)Kat V.
Quite honestly, major awesomeness! The beef shwarma was a bit tooo salty for my taste. The little beef pies were soooo good. Perfect size. The baba ghanouj was very delish. Smooth. Parking is a bit of a pain, but this hole in the wall is well worth it. They sell a lot of hookahs including disposable ones too. Who would have known that there is such a thing as disposable hookahs?
(4)Peter B.
I went here today with a friend for lunch as I had a restaurant.com coupon I wanted to use. I ordered the gyro with hummus and he had the hummus wrap($3.99). They were both very good and reasonable. There is not much selection here as they seem to focus on what they do well. I also like the selection of hookah pipes and tobacco available. There is room for about 10-15 people to sit inside this place.
(4)Andrew F.
All the food here is really good. The spicy hummus - amazing! The baklava - holy crap, not to be missed! But the falafel here is truly the best in the city.
(5)Akshay S.
This by far is the absolute best falafel and Lebanese restaurant I've ever been to. The food was amazing and was served to us extremely fast. The woman working as the cook and cashier was the most friendly and bubbly person ever. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody in the St. Louis Westgate area!
(5)Vazz Z.
The owner is very friendly and makes everything fresh to go for each customer. The falafel wraps are heavenly and always satisfy my cravings. They're not too expensive, either.
(5)Lizzy L.
I came here with a restaurant.com gift certificate and LOVED this hole in the wall with yummy gyros and hummus! It's a tiny little restaurant and you serve yourself with napkins, plastic utensils, and water, but the owner and staff were really friendly. At first we weren't sure when to pay when we were ordering at the counter, but the owner told us, "Sit down. Eat first!" when we tried to pay first. We ordered a lamb gyro, lamb and rice sandwich wrapped in pita, and a garlic hummus appetizer. The appetizer came with a huge dollop of hummus and about 7-8 slices of pita bread. The hummus was creamy and smooth and tangy--we had enough to take home too. I really liked my husband's lamb gyro, which came with a soft chewy pita, creamy sauce, lettuce, and lamb. My lamb and rice pita bread sandwich reminds me of a burrito--it also had some creamy sauce, lettuce, onions, and slices of lamb. We contemplated getting some baklava but were too full after eating our 2 sandwiches and hummus plate. The best part is that the whole menu is super affordable---each sandwich is $7 and the hummus plate was $4.50. A few people came in and got their food to go, and they have a front counter with options for takeout including some other meals, pies, and baklava. I'm glad we discovered this place and will be back when we're craving gyros!
(4)Jamie H.
My husband and I tried this place based on the Yelp reviews. We had the beef and chicken shawarma sandwiches, and they were amazing. They were friendly and courteous. We also had an almond baklava and a pistachio baklava. Both were wonderful. We definitely will be coming back next time we're in The Loop!
(5)Debbie S.
I just adore this place. The owners are sweet and kind, and the falafel is amazing! Seriously. Every time I go there I think to myself, "It's just falafel. How good could it be?" And then, once again, I'm blown away at how delicious it is. I don't know how they do it, but it's the best falafel I've ever had! It's also a cheap and easy lunch on the go, when you don't have time to make something at home. I keep telling myself I'll try other items off the menu, but the falafel just keeps bringing me back!
(5)Josh S.
I just moved to the neighborhood and wanted a quick lunch other than my usual places, like chipotle. This is definitely what I'd describe as a "hole in the wall", which some of the best food can come from. Once entering you see some hookahs on the shelves. a few tables and some grocery items for sale. The guy at the counter was very friendly. I got the falafel and it was FANTASTIC! I'm looking forward to eating here more and trying out more items in the menu. Outdoor seating would give this 5 stars from me.
(4)Meagan M.
I had my first ever falafel here and it was and continues to be one of the best. It has been there for ages (at least 15 years) they have lots of things to take home (packaged hummus, baba ganoush, pita, fancy feta... Hookahs and all the accoutrements) its a small place, but the food is tasty and very reasonable and the man who owns it and his family have ALWAYS beven incredibly pleasant. I'd recommend this place just because of him, but the food is 100% worth it.
(5)Hao X.
This place is still a solid 4 stars for me. I've come here countless times with the bf. I love their falafels, tabouli, garlic hummus, grape leaves, and beef shwarma. I like buying a large variety of stuff and eating all the hot things for one meal and all the cold things or another. It works out great! The prices are reasonable, the people are friendly, and it's super easy and convenient for me to come here.
(4)Liz V.
Ordered the chicken and rice sandwich. Delicious! Order was ready quickly. Would definitely go again!
(4)Rebecca W.
My fiancé and I ate here for a lunch dinner and it was absolutely delicious. From the outside the restaurant does not look very appealing but never judge a book by its cover. The man who took our order was very friendly and welcoming to us. We ordered the garlic baba ganoush as an appetizer and it was out of this world. The pitas which came along with it were the best I have ever had. My fiancé got the traditional gyro and I ordered the falafel. We were not disappointed by anything that we ordered and will be back another time!!!
(5)Matt S.
Total hole in the wall, on a side street off Delmar, around the corner from Ranoush, I feel like this place could easily get ignored by people looking for Mediterranean or Middle Eastern on the Loop. Not hating, and don't take this the wrong way, but your place kind of smells funky, like body odor...it's probably some herb or spice I haven't gotten to know well, though. I actually came here for a late dinner (past closing time to boot) with a friend. It was a really nice weather that night, and I guess they'd decided to stay open late for hookah, so we got lucky. The employees working past closing were incredibly nice about it, really welcoming. It's not fancy fine-dining. Don't come here expecting it to be. We both got lamb gyros and I'm pretty sure they're prepared and put together with a microwave and a toaster oven and whole lot of love, right there in front of you. I don't think this place has a designated kitchen, just a prep area. The gyros were pretty tasty, though, if you ignored how they were put together. You eat among store shelves filled with hookah supplies, foods, and other knick knacks for sale. It's quite an experience. I don't recommend this for a date or anything, unless that's your thing.
(4)Tian Q.
I was on foot and I'm too cheap for Ranoush, so I settled for Al-Tarboush. I had the chicken shwarma and walnut baklava. The food here isn't bad but The Vine is still my number 1 Mediterranean place to go because it's better, cheaper, and an actual sit-down restaurant. My chicken shwarma was pretty big (but also almost $7) and fairly tasty. It just didn't quite wow me. When I ordered the baklava, I expected to see a big triangular/rectangular/square piece. Well, I guess for a price of $1.50 I'd just get a kit-kat bar fun-sized version. I know it's mostly for takeouts but since the place is still set up for the occasional eat-ins like me, I wish they could've at least taken a little more effort to make it more accommodating for us. For starters at least get bigger styrofoam cups (how much more would that cost??) so I don't have to go on the scavenger hunt (seriously) to find the water pitcher every so often. Nice people though (obligatory add for almost every review).
(3)Greg S.
Everytime I eat here, I am taken back to my vacations in Israel, eating Shawarma and Falafil on the beach. Seriously, Al Tarboush has such a warm inviting atmosphere to it, even though the decor leaves much to be desired. The friendly owner, you can call him Baba (means dad in Arabic), always has a smile and a warm greeting to offer and so do his sons and daughters who work there. The food itself is also very good. They load the pita wraps with homemade tahini and fresh herbs. The meat is well marinated although not the best quality ever. They marinate the shawarma meat over night so I would recommend that over the kafta meat, which is like mince. I wish the portions were just a tad bigger because I usually leave there not feeling quite full. Nevertheless, try their baklava. I really like the pistachio one. Also, and here is the joie de vivre, try the guava and mango juice boxes: they're delicious! Al Tarboush is also a mini Middle Eastern grocery store. They sell stuff like date filled cookies, fresh made babaganoush and hummus trays, as well as a vast array of hookahs and hookah accessories. Baba's son told me once that when he was a kid he used to steal pistachio backavas from his mother's freezer and eat them quickly while they were frozen. I asked for a frozen pistachio backlava and it was awesome. I recommend trying.
(5)Amy L.
For those of you who hail from Chicago suburbs, you should know that this place is no Pita Inn. They happen to know the owners and they claim they're better. After 3 meals here, my final verdict is no. I appreciate the variety and prices, but their food just can't compare. I am a fan of flavor and their meat just doesn't bring it. I am sorry but Pita Inn puts them to shame, especially when it comes to beef sharwma.
(3)Blaine H.
As many have said, the Falafel is excellent. It's also a great place to get great Hummus, Taouk, and most other Middle Eastern specialties. It is a very good place to go, if you want a casual takeout or sit-down place to bring friends on a sunny day. The staff is friendly and the deli is clean and inviting. The Loop is just a few steps away, so if you choose to eat at Al-Tarboush, you can walk off the great food. It is testament to the the quality of food that I still remember the last time I was there. It was a few years ago. Not surprisingly, I highly recommend this gem in the Delmar Loop.
(5)Ms. Reviewer M.
Ordered lamb gyro. Probably the worse gyro I've ever had. And I've been to other countries and has better gyros. The sauce was runny and transparent. Reminded me of milk. The meat seemed barely cooked. THe chicken rice sandwich was good, decent. Will not be back
(2)Jacob W.
I consider Al-Tarboush to be a great little deli and market. Some folks might not get too excited about the deli's decor or size, but they truly excel in what I think is most important for this type of cuisine: they have the best baba ghanoush, tabouli, and hummus in St. Louis!
(5)Carrie M.
The staff here is AMAZING and so so friendly! If they are out of what I came for, they make it on the spot! Best tabbouleh in st. Louis! Love you guys! Keep up the good work!
(5)John W.
After two visits I feel I have sampled enough of their cuisine to suggest this is a cool little place in University City with good food and friendly people. What it isn't is your romantic getaway, but a nice place to stop in and have lunch or "grab and go". I have had the beef and chicken shawarma and another chicken dish that I can't pronounce as well as the falafels on the side. They come served like a wrap. The service is fast. I start with a pair of falafels and end with one and only one piece of the pistachio baklava. The place is small with a few tables crowded together. The store shelves are lined with hookah pipes and colorful boxes of flavored tobacco. If anything suggests I like the place, I went there twice, in a row.
(5)Stewart P.
I have been here several times and service and food is always excellent for this hole in a wall deli. I almost always get a falafel ball (often freshly fried and with sauce) so get one if you like falafel, you can see them sitting on the pan just behind the counter. I always get some baklava (almond and walnut?) and usually take a few pieces home. I do also love the falafel wrap, first time I ever had one was here and didn't know people made those. On this trip I had the gyro ... which was presented in a soft pita bread and with a nearly perfect of balance in meat, sauce and veggies. I would easily get it again. The owner is always there it seems with other family handling the counter. Love small run family places and try to get to them over a chain. I would easily recommend them. Parking at lunch time can be a bit competitive but go other times and it won't be as much of an issue. They are not open for dinner.
(5)Christopher W.
Best falafel sandwich I've ever had. Not a very impressive interior, which is what makes the quality of the food so surprising! Will return here as often as possible.
(5)Hilary L.
Fabulous falafel and service!
(5)Jody B.
I used to live in Israel, and for years I have been on a mission to find the Middle Eastern flavors I love. I give this place 3 stars because the people who work there are super nice and their hummus is tasty. However, most of the food at Al Tarboush leaves something to be desired. I have visited here a few times because it is convenient, and I keep hoping to have a better experience. Alas, no luck yet. If you are looking for fresh cooked-to-order food, you have come to the wrong place. The hot food is pre-made and sitting in a warming drawer. You can watch as they pull it out of the foil, microwave it and then assemble your sandwich with the microwaved "fresh" food. I've tried the kafta, and it is kind of like a hard flavorless log of meat (which is exactly the opposite of what I'd expect from a normally sumptuous and flavorful dish). The gyro is better, because it has a lot of flavor. However, it comes in pre made rectangular strips--like it was shaved off a block of gyro loaf made by a restaurant delivery service. The falafel has been sitting in a bowl under a warming lamp every time I've gone, so I've never brought myself to try it. I worked in restaurants for years, and I know that warmers make food soggy. And their pita is clearly not homemade because they sell the same pre made pita by the bag in their grocery section. The prices are totally reasonable for the items they sell... but I wouldn't pay anything to eat that kafta again. So, if you're in the area, maybe forgo the sandwiches and just take the to-go hummus from the fridge. That you will enjoy.
(3)Sarah S.
Being a falafel lover and finding myself in the Loop at lunchtime today, I decided to hit up Al-Tarboush for some eats. I was greeted by the owner, who looked like he was the only one there. I ordered the falafel sandwich (add feta and taziki) and a cheese pie. I knew it was a start to something not so good when the owner told me the cheese pie was frozen and did I want it heated? Then put it in the microwave. Fail! It was in a bread like shell, not phyllo dough like most (all?) the cheese pies I've had elsewhere. When I bit into it, it was all feta and onion inside. Also, the bread was the consistency of microwaved bread. I wasn't a fan. The sandwich just didn't hit the spot for me. The "pita" was store bought (you can see the packages from the counter) and wasn't very fresh. It was more like gyro bread than pita. It was wrapped around the fillings instead of being a pocket, which made it for a messier eat. The falafel was ok. It wasn't hot - you could see it sitting out on the counter. It tasted decent, but wasn't very crunchy (my preference). The lettuce tasted fresh, feta was good, and taziki was good, but didn't bring it to the level I was expecting. I only ate half the sandwich because I was disappointed. I don't think I'll be back. I'd rather drive the extra 15 minutes to Pita +.
(2)Keith D.
I was planning on going to Ranoush for a late lunch but on a recommendation went to Al-Tarboush Deli right across the street. Wow...what a surprise. Fist comment: don't judged it on looks. This is a small family-owned, no-frills deli with a few tables. But the food is amazing, fresh and affordable. Vic B's comment on the falafel is spot on. I liked it better than Ranoush's. We tried a lot of food...hummus, grape leaves, baklava and more and it was all very good and served up pretty fast.. The prices are reasonable and the owners are VERY friendly. They asked us several times if we were happy with our food. They don't serve alcohol, so if you want a grown-up drink with your meal you'll be disappointed. But if you like middle-eastern food, add them to your list.
(5)Jessica L.
Decor: small, family-owned and comfortable. On the left are hookah things to buy; the right are refrigerated items you can just grab and go and in the center are some tables and chairs and of course, the counter you order at! Service: I have always had great service- prompt and courteous with big smiles. Love! Always puts me in a good mood Food: Puts me in a better mood! They make it right in front of you so you can go ahead and watch. I've had their chicken schwarma, which is a decent size and pretty healthy (i think, lol) and I've had their home made baba ganoush (which is always gone within 2 days of bringing it home, lol) Overall: quick and yummy! This place is easy to look over and dismiss, but I want people to come and eat here more, it's yummy!!
(5)Benjamin G.
I've been going to Al-Tarboush Deli for years. I get two falafels with extra tomatoes and tahini and a side of tabouli every time. Great food. Fast and friendly service.
(4)Christina O.
great to-go lebanese food. the baklava, falafel and hummus are delicious and they have all things hookah-related for sale.
(5)Duncan M.
With the great weather we had right before the snow storm, my friend and I went on a walk and ended up here around lunch. It's really small place, with seating for about 10-14 and it's kind of a little market too, so there isn't much space, but the food is outstanding! They have some of the best Falefil sandwiches I've ever had, the lamb was just outstanding. Not a place for dinner, other then maybe carryout, but considering the cost, it's just overall a fantastic place to eat. Note, while I am not a fan of grape leaves, my friend mentioned that the ones made here are some of the best in the city.
(4)Alan L.
It's fair. My hummus falafel was just a tad bit too hummus-y for me and I thought it was a little salty too. But the food is quick and easy and cheap and it's different from a lot of other places so it's good for variety.
(3)Bethany N.
This place is so yummy!!! Loved the grape-leaf rolls!!! and the falafel was fantastic too!
(5)Jonathan K.
Really good falafel just off the Loop. The hummus was great, and we took home a fantastic garlic hummus as well. The shwarma was pretty solid but the meat was not as good as I would have expected. They have a few Middle Eastern grocery items along with a very large selection of hookah as well. They have always been very nice and the food is extremely cheap, they even have a 10% discount for students paying in cash!
(4)