Assad Bakery

Stopped in for the first time the other day. Hands down the best hummus and tabbouleh that I have ever had (here in the US). The grape leaves were also good. I was pleasantly surprised to also find halloumi there, and proper (imported) Cadbury chocolate. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I will definitely go back.

Pros: best pita bread in town and a large variety of Mediterranean food. The few things I have had the restaurant up front were good.
Cons: the owner of the place that works the counter is difficult to deal with and tries to cheat you.
I went in the other day for some fresh tabouleh. It wasn’t ready and he said it would be about 10 minutes. It was more like 20 but who’s counting?
Well apparently he isn’t. While I was waiting he rung me out for the pound of tabouleh, a sandwich and a bad of spinach pies.
He finally goes to the back and comes out with the container still open and weighs it. It’s like .74 pounds and he goes in the back to add more. This time he comes out with it closed and just hands it to me and says it’s a pound. I dropped it in the scale next to the register and it was still under. I told him and now he tabouleh was out front but he still wanted to go to the back but I insisted he used what was out front. He added it and handed it to me again. I weighed it and he seemed offended that I did that.
Personally I don’t know why he had a problem with me. I go there from time to time and stock up on pita bread.
His son and another guy that work the counter are always very nice but this guy always seems to have an attitude.
I will check out some other Mediterranean stores now. I think I’m done with this place. The tabouleh at Falafel Express is better :)

One of my favorite restaurants in Cleveland period. Everything is made in house, including the many varieties of pitas and stuffed pies. Beef shawarma is incredible – fatty and juicy with caramelized bits. Recommend getting it in the amazing Assad’s Platter, which comes with a ¼ lb. each of chicken and beef shawarma, five pieces of falafel, stuffed grape leaves, beef kabob, chicken kabob, a kefta kabob, hummus, perfectly cooked rice, pickles, cucumber salad, and pita.
Assad’s is also a well stocked Middle Eastern grocery store with fresh spices, nuts, legumes, grains in bulk. Fresh feta cheese behind the deli counter. Top shelf olive oils, tahini, and a great selection of hard to find cheeses/​yogurts too. Produce selection is modest but fresh and inexpensive. The owner is very friendly and takes pride in his store — was glad to answer any questions I had. Definitely worth the 30 min. trek out here from the East Side.

About 12 of us from Cleveland clinic Home Delivery Pharmacy from work decided to do Mediterranean and we all met at Assad Bakery. Clean, great service and everything was absolutely great. The falafel hot freshly made. Their pita bread is their trade mark. We had them prepare hummus, baba ghanoug, labana, variety of pickles, falafel sandwiches, shish tawouk, and taboula. They serviced us hot tea and a variety of home made sweets, everyone were happy. A special thanks to the Chef Talaat, owners Maher and Fred

If you want great middle eastern sandwiches and food, to go, then this is the place to get it.
My favorite is the Falafel.
If you like the fried Kebbi balls, try it there and you can thank me later.
Best kept secrete, is their «Kunafa» or as some write it «Knafe». Wow. We sometime make the one hour drive from Canton, Oh just to get some.

So yummy! The guys who run this place are so friendly and always helpful! The food is made fresh when you order and the chicken schwarmas are to die for!

Mmmm the beard is amazing. Always have everything I want and the sandwiches they make are delicious and always fresh !!

We «discovered» this place last Friday, and planned our Sunday just so we’d have a reason to drop by again.
It’s a little slow, and it might take a few minutes for anyone to acknowledge you, but the food is worth it. When we were there on Sunday, they even had fresh chickpeas! Have you ever had a fresh chickpea? There is a reason the saying, «two chickpeas in a pod» does not exist, because chickpeas live lonely lives in their individual pods.
Also, my dear Unilocal friend PW gave this place 5 stars (actually, everyone who has reviewed this place has, which should tell you something) and he has great taste. Celebrity endorsement!

Assad Bakery is one of the many great resources for Middle Eastern cuisine here on the west side. It is like our own Gaza Strip right here on Lorain Ave. I usually go to Al Manar for a quick pick up of hummus or tabouli. I am friends with a couple of the dudes that work there from back in the day. So customer service at Al Manar has not been an issue. It has for some others. The service at Assad’s is fantastic even with no personal connections or prior shopping experiences. I was referred to as «habibi» which is always a great greeting. I didn’t even need to throw a couple Arabic words out there to show I’m down. The hummus at Assad’s reminds me of the family recipes of friends. It has a more grainy texture and not as smooth or tahini infused as my favorite (Nate’s). The hot pepper sauce and olive oil is a great topper and definitely should be asked for. The grape leaves are fresh and delicious as well. The tabouli is also slightly different here when compared to many local spots. It is not as citrus-​y but more minty and herbal. They have the typical «street meats» as well on rotating spits along with Middle Eastern groceries. I cannot wait to make my way back to Assad’s.

I don’t think I can go a week without stopping here. The food is amazing, chicken shawarmas and grape leaves are my favorite! The pita is made fresh by them and when you go in you couldn’t ask for friendlier service. All the guys that work here are great to talk to and always make you feel welcomed. I’m glad I stopped in this place a few months ago.

After going to 3 other places for ground angelica and barberries, I finally hit the Persian jackpot at Assad Bakery. The owner told me all the area Farsi come to him for Persian goods. The store also offers a diversity of Middle Eastern groceries, while one half of the store boasts a meat spit and bakery. I ordered the chicken shawarma, and it was just about as authentic as the street food I had in Syria. Can’t wait to try the shish kebabs. Definitely check this place out!

I have been on a quest to find the best middle eastern food in this city… you can tell by seeing my other reviews. THIS PLACE IS THE BEST
I have heard alot about this place, and it doesnt get more authentic then this. This place is a actually a bakery with an middle eastern grocery store. They have a a nice grill area where dishes are prepared fresh. Its a local joint, well known for it’s pita bread, and it supplies pita to alot of the other middle eastern restaurants with in the nearby states.
I had there kefta kabob, beef shish, and chicken shish… and it was spot on. The beef shish was the best I have ever ever had… it was so juicy and flavorful. I also had some tabouli salad, which was just perfect. And I ended it all with a nice Knafa for dessert, and this was pherhaps the best knafa I have ever had.
This place uses the freshest ingredients, they make all sorts of things, but well known for their grilled items. They have a bakery where they make thier own bread, and desserts. And I have tried the food and desserts in the local area and none of them compare. IF you real authentic, you go here. This place is so legit, that on certain days they will make stuffed hearts… i was skeptical… but it was pherhaps better than any steak i have ever had.
This is the place for REAL ARABIC FOOD.