Hummus is something worth taking seriously. You might think that those little packets of Sabra with pretzel sticks can pass as “hummus”, but it pales in comparison to the hand-made real deal. Enter Michael Solomonov, the man behind Philly favorites like Federal Donuts and Zahav. His latest restaurant, Dizengoff, is a “hummusiya” (Israeli word for a restaurant based entirely around hummus) on 16th and Sansom, a quick SEPTA ride from campus.
The “hummusiya” name is no joke—everything on the tiny menu is hummus–related, and it periodically rotates out different types of specials to accompany the basic hummus+pita order (prices range from $9-11). My special had cinnamon spiced lamb topped with peas, orange, and pistachio, with a cucumber salad and some Israeli pickles and onions on the side. The hummus itself is incredible. Flavorful and light, the hummus is blended with quality ingredient fresh enough that I could taste each of the added spices and flavors individually and still appreciate the overall taste they create together. The hummus as a whole is so good that the lamb wasn’t even necessary, but it still made for a welcome addition.
There are also several Israeli condiments available if spicy is your thing, and the “hanf” (which literally means “spicy” in Hebrew) really packs a punch. My meal was served with a refreshing frozen mint lemonade drink, called a “lemonnana”. Select craft beers are available.
After my first dish, I moved on to a second plate of hummus containing cucumbers that were seasoned in za’atar, a Middle Eastern condiment made of dry herbs mixed with sesame, thyme and sumac. This didn’t steal the show from the original lamb dish, but it was still fully satisfying and the seasoned cucumbers added a nice touch (and crunch).
While it may be across the street from Federal Donuts (is this cannibalization, Whartonites?), Dizengoff’s Israeli flair is strong enough to pull the curious or health–conscious away from the fried chicken and donuts. If you need some real Middle Eastern spice in your life and you’re willing to venture away from campus (sorry, Hummus), Dizengoff has plenty to offer.
