Tampa is getting a taste of the Middle East, by way of Chicago. Baba Saj Mediterranean Restaurant & Bakery is set to open near USF at 13585 Cypress Glen Lane, just off E Fletcher Ave, bringing the Chicago-based Middle Eastern concept to the city.
With a focus on authenticity and ingredients sourced from the Middle East and Mediterranean, Baba Saj is most well known for its shawarma sandwiches, which it says are the top sellers in Chicago where they started. The full menu includes a wide range of wraps, pitas, sandwiches, flatbreads, bowls, salads, various saj plates, and Mediterranean shareables like falafel, hummus, and baba ghanoush.
While the food is fresh, the experience is designed as fast-casual dining that you can pick up quickly and take on the road or enjoy inside for a meal with friends. Their promise is simple, fresh and authentic Middle Eastern dining.
The concept got its start as a bakery while the owner developed recipes for a full restaurant, eventually converting the artisanal pita bakery into the first Baba Saj in 2013. It has since become a staple in Chicago and opened more locations around the area. This will be its first location in Tampa Bay…