Corner Café and Delicatessen

A bit of the Middle East in the South End

On the Cheap by Nancy Kalajian

A vegetarian friend of mine, devouring a huge hummus roll-up ($3.95) at the Corner Café and Delicatessen, exclaimed that the last time he'd tasted such good hummus was years ago at the Red Fez, in the same South End neighborhood.

Not only does Corner Café does fabulous versions (either roll-ups or platters) of traditional vegetarian Middle Eastern items like crispy falafel, garlicky baba ghanoosh, stuffed grape leaves, and tabouleh, but there are also 15 chicken roll-ups (mostly $4.95) from which to choose. (The owner's goal is to have a total of 25.) Being of Armenian descent, I was curious about the Armenian chicken roll-up, and I wasn't one bit (or bite) disappointed: it had layers of freshly baked chicken, hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and roasted eggplant. The Chicken à la Popeye roll-up might prompt Olive Oyl to do a saber dance -- it's loaded with fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, feta cheese, red onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and adorned with Russian dressing.

Baklava and other desserts are also offered; you order at the counter and sit inside or out.

The Corner Café and Delicatessen, located at 502 Mass Ave (corner of Tremont Street), in the South End, is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays. Call (617) 536-9700.

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