Q. How often can you find reasonably priced food that is good, good for you and served quickly by genuinely nice folks?

A. About as often as you can find a fresh vegetable at a cheesesteak joint.

Incredibly, South Philly institution Bitar's fits that bill on all counts. Easily the friendliest staff in the city, the Bitar family and their employees have created a living-room feel at their establishment, where conversations are so lively and fluid that patrons stop just short of sharing their meals with the heretofore unknown diners around them. And the food -- all priced so low you almost feel guilty enjoying it so much -- is worth sharing. Bitar's authentically crafted Middle Eastern cuisine is a multisensory treat from beginning to end, fragrant and enticing, whether you opt for gyros or kabobs, grilled chicken, the signature grilled falafel or sides that include baba ghanoush, hummus or grape leaves. You can eat outside if you like, but the ambience inside, where there also is a great ethnic grocery, is a big part of the fun.

Categories: Bread/other Bakery Prod-Ex Cookies, Restaurants-Middle Eastern, Restaurants

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