ANNE ARBOR, MI — The secret to good falafel? Mix of spices from Jordan.
It’s more of an expensive, custom-made spice blend from Jordan, first ordered in 1983 and bought from the same supplier today, according to Mohamad Hussein, owner of Star’s Café in Ann Arbor.
“We pay triple the price for it, but it’s worth it,” said Hussein, who co-owns the restaurant with his brother Ratib Hussein.
The spices are so specific, he says, that when a restaurant had to order an emergency order from another supplier, customers immediately noticed it.
Falafel flavored with a blend of cardamom, paprika, mustard, white pepper, garlic, onion and cumin, available on its own or as part of Falafel Deluxe, served with hummus, tabouli, tomato, pickled cucumbers, lettuce and tahini. sauce.
While Star’s Café claims to serve the best falafel in the state, it’s certainly not the only dish on the menu. Other popular options include chicken shawarma, cauliflower sandwich, and lentil soup, the latter of which is served all year round.
“We can’t do without lentil soup,” Hussein said. We’d be in trouble, to be honest.
But there is at least one other secret to good food, Hussein said.
“We are generous here. We always give more than people ask for,” Hussein said. “Everything we do here is fresh from scratch. So it matters a lot.”
The Star Cafe, 2575 Jackson Ave., is open Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Find a restaurant online, on social media, or by calling 734-996-0299.
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