Sahara Cafe - Thirst Quenching Fare

More often than not, I am "in the mood for something healthy" to eat which can be a challenge when finding an affordable restaurant on the Westbank. Sahara Cafe, located at 401 Realty Dr in Gretna always meets that requirement. Delicious, healthy combos made with middle eastern flavors always leaves me feeling satisfied and not overdone. Located next to a Middle Eastern grocery (definitely worth shopping at), this family owned restaurant is simple and sparse. Don't let its humble appearance fool you - the food is fantastic. Recently, Kevin and I took our friend for lunch (or rather, he did. He foot the bill!) and are happy to say, he enjoyed it just as much as we did. We started the meal off with some meat stuffed grape leaves, that come with a light yogurt based dip. With two a piece, this appetizer was gone in no time. The combination of a warm entree and a cool sauce is something I can't get enough of. These grape leaves are small and don't feel like too much, yet they're also hugely filling. Our friend ordered an eggplant sandwich that looked crunchy and was delicious according to our companion. Kevin and I split the lamb special that came with rice, salad (so incredibly fresh!), hummus and pita. The lamb was perfectly cooked, the rice was just enough and the salad...I always eat my salad first! The portions are large and with an appetizer, our entree was big enough for both of us. We still left feeling full. Lots of Mediterranean places make their own tea but Sahara makes the best one in the city. Whatever their secret is, it works. Sahara has great desserts, though I try not to indulge. The Baklava is gooey and flaky as it should be. If you have room, order it!