Life With Ferris: The Hummus Bowl

The Hummus Bowl in the shopping plaza across the street from Little Coyote had been on my radar since my friend Lee Ballenger recommended it. Why did it take me months to actually try it? I can’t answer that.

But I can second Lee’s recommendation.

That day I did not want a deli sandwich or other standard pick-up lunches on Broad Street; I wanted something a little more on the healthy side after excessive holiday fare. When I passed the Hummus Bowl on the way to the South Chattanooga Branch Library, I knew what awaited after my errands.

I easily found a parking place in the dedicated lot and entered the spotless, sunny restaurant around lunchtime. The lovely gal behind the register, Maram Alabid, is the daughter of the owner, Jinan Alabid, and she answered all of my questions on exactly what to order. I’m picky and ignorant, a bad combination, but she patiently explained what kofta is (spiced ground beef that is Maram’s fav) and what exactly is in taboli (finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, onion, mint, bulgur, olive oil and lemon juice).

Except for a few desserts, every single thing the Hummus Bowl serves is homemade, from the four kinds of hummus to the baba ghanoush (roasted eggplant with tahini, garlic and lemon). Actually, Maram makes the coconut brownies herself, and they are a customer favorite. Sold out the day I was there, she said they were gluten-free, chewy and not chocolate at all.

Serving appetizers, salads, wraps and pita, bowls and kids’ meals, this restaurant accommodates the pickiest eater by letting you construct your own meal. I knew I wanted the bowl, and I started with my choice of protein, 10 choices to be exact, from grilled chicken to falafel to the kofta to tuna fish tossed with dill, raisins and pine nuts. Grilled vegetables were listed under protein, but I didn’t quibble because that’s exactly what I was looking for, and they were yummy. Big roasted florets of broccoli, slices of carrot and squashes were heaped over my choice of a “base,” either basmati rice or Greek salad. I had clicked salad on the self-order screen when I scrolled back because out of the corner of my eye I saw “half rice, half salad,” exactly what I wanted.

The hummus was my next decision, and I had to choose from regular, roasted red pepper, apricot and fig, cilantro jalapeno and baba ghanoush. I ended up with the roasted red pepper but what a decision! Options for my toppings included shredded iceberg, feta, chopped apricots, black olives, chopped figs, red onions and more!

That is a lot of decisions, but we aren’t done. I chose taziki sauce because how can you not, but other choices were house fire sauce, spicy garlic sauce and tahini sauce. Whew!

The kids’ menu includes chicken tenders and French fries along with smaller versions of the adult fare and falafel balls, samosas and feta spring rolls are available for starters.

While I waited on my order to be prepared, I noticed the wide array of happy, thriving green plants along the expansive picture windows, as well as the colorful coverings on the acoustic tiles on the ceiling. Maram explained that her dad, Wahab, tends to the plants, and a friend decorated all the detailed ceiling tiles.

Ready in a few minutes, my yummy bowl came with wedges of pita bread and was divine. I will definitely be back, and in the future will try marinated soy curls for my protein because Maram recommends them, and the baba ghanoush because yum.

The very next time I go I will get exactly the same thing. Except that I’ll add that coconut brownie.

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Ferris Robinson is the author of three children’s books, “The Queen Who Banished Bugs,” “The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds,” and “Call Me Arthropod” in her pollinator series “If Bugs Are Banished.” “Making Arrangements” is her first novel and is available in paperback and on Kindle. “Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity” is a collection of true tales about man’s best friend. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.