Sahara: Lunch $10 and Under

Long time Tempe residents might remember Sahara from its original location on Mill just

Sunbusek Lunch Platter

​south of University. All good things must come to an end or in Sahara's case, be torn down to make room for a CVS.

Lucky for us they opened a new location last year on the northeast corner of McClintock and Southern.

Sahara is a modest, pocket-sized family owned and operated eatery with an intimate setting. A couple of booths line two walls while the rest of the space is filled with a handful of tables. Windows on two sides allow for the overhead lights to be kept off allowing only natural light brighten the cool, well put together room. A welcome escape on a hot summer day.
But as nice as the place is, you're not there for the ambience, you're there for the food. Lucky you. Sahara has been churning out some pretty amazing Middle Eastern food for more16 years.

Sahara offers a lunch platter Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. For just $7.50 you can get a good sized portion of either Gyro, Chicken Tikka, a Kafta Kabob, Falafel, Veggie Sunbusek, or Spinach Sunbusek served with pita bread and your choice of two sides

Red Lentil Soup

​that include salad, rice or hummus. Having been here on several occasions, it's safe to say that every option is a good choice. Just make sure you get the hummus. Their version is light and creamy with just the right amount of lemon. Definitely some of the best in Tempe.

For a real treat, order the the Gyro Pita Wrap: a well-seasoned mix of lamb and beef wrapped up in a pita with lettuce, tomato, pickle topped with cool tzatziki sauce. For just $5.50 it's a steal. Splurge and spend the extra $2 for a cup of lentil soup. This was the first time we tried the soup and we will never make the mistake of not getting it again. The soup alone is enough to keep us coming back

Gyro!

​Sahara is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. until  9 p.m. and Saturdays noon till 9 p.m. Closed Sundays.