I've posted several reviews of ACI Halal on 2nd/Linden in Allentown (610-439-8782). Another recent visit was impressive enough to merit yet another entry, as each experience seems to best the previous.
Although the entrees, sandwiches and combination platters look appealing, I invariably migrate to the appetizers for a light lunch. "Appetizers" is a misleading term, as most of the dishes are closer to salads. I selected the tabule (tabbouleh ) and mercimek kofte (red lentils, cracked wheat, onions and spices). The tabule featured more parsley and less mint than Middle Eastern-style tabbouleh; nonetheless, an ideal amount of lemon juice provided a refreshing, piquant flavor. The mercimek kofte (the "c" is pronounced like a "j") arrived molded into five thumb-sized rolls and were dense, delicious and filling. My guest's entree came with mercimek corbasi (lentil soup) which was passed across the table to me. (Thanks, Kathleen.) This was one of the best ethnic soups I've tasted. Hearty, tangy, and chock full of lentils and other veggies, the soup was worthy of its own meal. (A bowl is only $2.25, so that might be my next visit.)
Others have reported to me that they've had equally positive experiences here. The restaurant seems busier every time I go. It's easy to see why.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Subscribe
Posts
Comments
8 comments:
Great article! I too love to eat here.
Michael, you blog is an excellent resource for the Valley's dining needs.
Perhaps you can link www.theLVmenus.com in your website.
Take a look for yourself. Many people are coming out and helping compile information that can serve as a great resource.
I would love to hear back from you Michael. Please send me an email at admin (at) thelvmenus.com.
my wife and i have gotten take out sandwiches from ACI Halal (kofta and lamb) and they were excellent. looking at the menu though i thought their prices were a bit steep. so i personally would only ever get take out sandwiches.
my favorite middle eastern place by far though is:
soumaya & sons bakery
264 Fullerton Ave
Whitehall, PA 18052
(610) 432-0405
they have the very best stuff for extremely reasonable if not downright cheap prices: fresh baked pita ($1 a bag), hummus, babaganoush, tabouli, lebne (yogurt dip), grape leaves (with meat or without), spinach pies, meat pies, cheese and egg pies. with the pita that doesn't sell they make the most delicious pita chips. everything is homemade! they also make kibbe pies (out of this world good and my personal favorite, especially when heated up), and baklava 9my wife's favorite). they also make a sesame seed paste-like desert which is really yummy.
besides these homemade items they also sell homemade falafel sandwiches (4 stars), beef shwarma sandwiches (4 stars) and chicken shwarma sandwiches (3 stars--they've always been a tad dry).
they also have a nice selection of cheeses (different fetas and other interesting middle eastern and eastern european types) and olives (maybe 6 different kinds).
there's also a grocery area where they sell olive oil, spices, mixes, pickled veggies, drinks, and other stapples (olive soap is pretty interesting). we always wind up buying the dips they import which come in jars--bell pepper, tomato/eggplant, and eggplant.
their freezer section has pita bread and some interesting halal flat meat pies.
they also sell interesting houkas, glass wine pitchers, board games and drums.
a terrific place to return to many times over for all kinds of different foods and items to both eat and cook with at home.
i can't praise this place enough. it's a bright shining star among lehigh valley eateries and stores.
(p.s. right down the street from it is Stravino's, an awesome Italian market--staples, pre made food, salads, sandwiches, cheeses, meat, etc)
quite expensive ....i was shocked with their prices.
I just happened to stumble onto your website, and i found it very informative. it was just the website I've been looking for. I've lived in the Valley all my life, and lately I have been dying for new food, and been wanting to try out different hole in the wall type restaurants.
one place I would like to recommend that I'm surprised you haven't reviewed yet would be Olive Branch the address is 355 broadway, in Bethlehem. Fantastic middle eastern food, thats run by a married couple. This place is real tiny but the couple that work there are extremely nice, and make amazing food, the grape leaves are amazing. check it out.
I posted a note about Olive Branch in 2005 about it: http://www.beyondscrapple.com/2005/05/olive-branch-south-side-bethlehem.html.
But I've been back several times. Food is always top notch. Turkish coffee is the best I've had anywhere.
I love Aci Halal! I think they're prices are very reasonable and the service is excellent. The only problem I really have with the place is it does take a while to get your food so you really ave to be ok with sitting for a little while. They tend to only have one girl waiting tables. I forget her name, but she's such a sweetheart! We have always been beyond satisfied with our visits there and the waitress is so nice we always tip very generously!
Helpful blog, bookmarked the website with hopes to read more!
I like browsing your website for the reason that you can always bring us fresh and awesome things, I think that I should at least say a thank you for your hard work.
- Henry
Post a Comment