The only bad thing about Open Sesame is that other people know it is so good, so it gets really crowded. If you are going on a Friday or Saturday night...even a weeknight, just expect a 30 minute - 1 hour wait. If you have a large group, call ahead and see if you can make reservations. The more people you have, the longer you'll wait. We have found that sitting at the bar is really convenient because not everyone will sit there and the service is faster.
I generally get the Chicken Tawook skewer because it's like crack and I can't not get it. It comes marinated (organic free range chicken according to their original menus) with this awesome garlic sauce. You get tabouli or regular salad, both are good. And hummus. I always exchange for baba ghanoush, because I love it. I love both though.
The vegetarian plate is incredible as well. Their dolmas are handmade and perfect.
The beef can sometimes be overcooked for my taste, but I like beer rare. You can ask for it cooked to order. The kafta is delicious as well.
I have not had the shwarma there because sometimes it takes a long time to be ready, and I have no patience after waiting so long to be seated.
The pita is awesome and they will refill it on request.
I also recommend the Moroccan iced tea, it comes with mint in it.
The seating is so strange. They recently expanded and you can tell they are trying to squeeze as many people in as possible. So sometimes there are awkward arrangements of sitting really close to someone else. But it's also fun like that. We never eat outside anymore because 2nd st. is loud and people tend to smoke a lot right where you eat.
I need to go there right now.
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