Al Zain is a very special place I hold dear to my stomach. For years it was my solid last minute cheap delivery spot, the neighborhood family owned restaurant was always just one call away when that special 11:45pm falafel-babaganoush-shawarma-chickenkebab craving hit. Because that kind of hummusy hankering comes up quite often. But lately I’ve been skipping the midnight soggy Middle Eastern nosh, going straight to the Las Cañitas source for some live Al-Zain in action.
One falafel, two falafel, three falafel, eight. Crispy, crunchy, well seasoned and right out of the fryer, maestro Al Z sure ain’t garbanzo-beaning around with these nugs of love. A bit different than an Israeli version smothered in tahina or hummus, these balls come with a mild yet tangy (and slightly watery) yogurt garlic sauce that is key for soaking and drenching. (Always ask for extra yogurt sauce.) You can order the falafel al plato (above), or the falafel sandwich, and neither top 40 pesos.
I’ve never gone loco for Al Zain’s hummus, it tastes a bit too peanuty for my liking, but I’ve also never been failed by the eggplant dishes: the puré de berenjena (eggplant puré) is babaganoush-like, rich in eggplanty flavor, smokey with that olive oil drizzlings (shown above). The babaganoush might just be my favorite thing on the menu, it’s more like a mashed eggplant salad, super garlicky (and oily) with tomato, onion and some kind of nut added to the mix. A must order.
Big and satisfying (that’s what she said), while this shawarma will never blow your brains out, it’s a solid rendition packed with seasoned meat and all the fillings. I should also note that other dishes like fataier and sfija rarely fail, nor does the parrilla dishes like kebabs and kaftas, served with surprisingly good French fries that are fun and crinkled.
If I could be reincarnated for a day, I’d wanna turn into a middle aged bushy eyebrowed Syrian man who hangs out at Middle Eastern restaurants and smokes hookah at 3pm on a Tuesday.
After remodeling the space a few months ago, they have moved the shawarma stand out of the large main dining to a small almacén type spot next door, where they also sell most of their food to go. Tabbouleh, babaganoush, great pita bread, lavash bread (warning: lacks salt), hummus, empanadas arabe, and spicy sauce — head to the counter and grab your faves for semi homemade dinner. (Photo above: Al Zain)
I like to remix the babaganoush, yogurt sauce and lavash or pita bread, throwing some chicken on the grill, adding a cucumber, tomato, roasted red pepper chop salad and piling it on the thin flat bread.
Al-Zain (or Al Zein)
Arce 488, Las Cañitas
4775-1402
Tues-Sun 12pm – 12am
Average price: 90
*Al Zain doesn’t serve alcohol
Rooney Fox says
I moved nearby Al-Zain recently and it seems my schedule never quite matches theirs. I’ve called for delivery and they either do not answer or tell me they are closed. I’ve gone to the restaurant many times and it is either closed or the persons there tell me that they are not opening yet. The only time I actually sat down and ate there, I paid for my food and asked the server for some hummus to take home. He told me to ask for it on the counter so I could pay less for it or something. The men at the counter told me that they were closed, so no hummus. I said I had just eaten there and just wanted something that was right there and packed up to take home. Again, no hummus. I had many shawarmas from here years ago when I worked a block away and I was always served politely every time, so I have a very nice memory of this place and was quite happy to have it close to me when I moved. Whatever.
Sandra Tempsy says
I always wanted to study and practice the recipe of babaganoush, One of the food that I always enjoyed in every restaurant in Italy.
mwalimu says
Respectfully, anyone who knows good hummus and falafel (from travels in Israel, Jordan, Syria), will find Al Zain extremely disappointing. It’s not rocket science to get it right, they just take the lazy, “foreigners” don’t know better attitude approach – the same approach that bad Chinese restaurants take. A falafel from Al Zain… lettuce, tomato, falafels from the mircowave, a stingy dollop of tahini, that’s it. Honestly, pathetic, with the bread being the only saving grace. As a vegetarian, can’t attest to their shwarma, but if it’s like their hummus and falafel, I would guess it would be pretty lame by any kind of international standard.
Here’s how it should be done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwPkSbgBeYs
If you come across a proper Falafel place, let us know. I agree, it would be great to have one in BsAs.
The Wanderita says
This is EXACTLY what I need to find here in BA. Love me some sha-warma
Angela Mathers says
LOVE this place. Their food is seriously to die for. I think they’re still amazing after their renovation, although I’ve heard a lot of people disagree with me.
oliviaamter says
They used to have (good) desserts before their renovation! Some delicious rose water soaked shiat. Solid though…very solid.
Anonymous says
Do you have any idea why the outside sign says Al Zain and the menu they give you inside says Al Zein. It’s a bit strange.
Al Gore Geous says
this weather really calls for some al zain but they are not open on Mondays for Allah’s sake!!
Withers says
Ha – i literally just got home with some Al Zain to-go and this article comes up. Nothing is better than chilling at home on a rainy sunday with a smorgasbord of middle eastern deliciousness.