Habibi's International Market Manteca

I stopped in the other night and picked up a falafel sandwich, baba ganoush, and lavash. I picked up the lavash as I realized that I had no bread or grains at home, and was too hot and tired to go elsewhere just for "bread". The owner cut it up for me and let me know that it could also be frozen. Mine won't last that long. ;) The baba ganoush has a wonderful slightly smoky flavor. Beautiful texture too. Spread on the lavash it makes a lovely snack. Best for last: falafel sandwich. The sandwich is a wrap which is toasted. Mine had hummus, tahini, falafel, cucumber, onion, lettuce, a touch of shatta (middle eastern chili sauce) and the falafels. The falafels are scooped and fried to order. I am smitten! I live these because they are (for me) fried to perfection. They are NOT hard crunchy, overfried, balls that I have encountered elsewhere. And the flavor they have is wonderful. I would happily eat them all by themselves. My sandwich was so good, I went back last night for another. The sandwich comes with fries or fatoush. I went with fattoush. Fattoush is a salad with cucumber, greens, onion, tomato, and herbs with a pomegranate vinegarette. Habibi's tops theirs with fried pita pieces. The pomegranate dressing is a perfect balance of sweet and vinegar with the pomegranate flavor coming through clearly. I look forward to going back and not just for the food. The owners really made me feel welcome and we had lovely chats on each of my visits.

I love this place!! The owners are so nice! They are my new family! Diana and her husband are so amazing! If they don't have what you are looking for just let them know, they will do their best to get it for you!! Give them your business even for small things. I love the chicken shawarma �