Come enjoy an appetizing dish at Saj & Co. They are open after-hours from Monday to Saturday. You can get there not only by public transit but also by bicycle. The neighboring area is notable for its merchants and parks. Savor your meal at home thanks to their delivery service.
"People think I've been doing this for years, but in reality, when we decided to open the kitchen, I didn't even know how to make bread dough," says Malek Anouti, owner of Saj & Co – Authentic Food Express. Malek opened the restaurant in December 2013, after an aunt travelled from France to teach him how to make the dough that goes into a saj recipe.
The "saj" in the name of the restaurant comes from the traditional dome-shaped clay oven over which Malek stretches his dough before piling on the toppings, such as vegetables, herbs and cheeses.
"The ingredients then cook with the dough," he explains. "That way, the cheese is melting and the flavour of the herbs penetrates the whole wrap. It's a traditional way of making bread that you will find in countries like Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria."
There are plenty of cheap fast-food joints along this stretch of Davie Street, but Saj & Co. is a grab-and-go eatery that sets itself apart with its healthful and authentic Lebanese fare. The popular hummus plate features thick, made-from-scratch hummus served with fresh-baked Saj bread, fresh veggies and pickles. Diners can get their greens with the hummus garden salad, which features chopped spinach, kale, cucumber, mint, tomato, olives and chickpeas tossed with creamy hummus. Feelin’ extra hungry? Savoury wraps and sandwiches are made with yeast-free saj flatbread and stuffed with meat, veggies and a generous spread of hummus.
The convex dome oven, as seen through the front window of this take-out Lebanese restaurant is one indication that everything here is made fresh and to order. Specializing in wraps, Chef Malek rolls out the chewy flatbread dough in front of your eyes, before slapping it on the grill while he prepares the other ingredients for your sandwich. With many vegetarian options, decent portions and good prices, this unique downtown sandwich shop is a must-try for lunch on the go.