We all know white people love hummus, but I challenge you to find a bigger hummus-loving white person than myself. I’ll eat it with veggies; I’ll eat it with chips; I’ll eat it with quinoa (ultimate white person move right there). I will straight up dip pizza into that shit. There’s no food I can’t turn into a device for delivering hummus into my mouth.
Do I consider myself a hummus connoisseur? You betcha. So here are my top picks for where to consume the mother of all Grecian dips in OKC.
Café 501
This is the second time in about a week that I’ve professed my love for Café 501, but they just dominate at all my favorite things so whatever. I dig their hummus because they know how to mix it up. We’re talking chickpeas blended with lemon juice, garlic, harissa (hot chili paste) and black beans, topped with feta cheese and roasted red peppers. Then they give you these crispy pita chips that are basically French fries that make you feel better about yourself. I could eat this all day every day.
Ol’ Gyro
A coworker raved about this place, so half of the creative floor made a lunch trip here on Friday. First impression: Hole-in-the-wall, family-owned joint that was taken aback by the sheer amount of people entering their establishment. I could go on for days about their stuffed grape leaves, but their hummus was the main event. Ask for the spicy hummus (special off-the-menu item — you’re welcome) and prepare to stuff your face. I did, and someone told me that I “eat with a reckless abandon that is really admired.” No shame here.
Picasso Café
Order the Trio at Picasso Café, and all future appetizers will pale in comparison. Let me break it down for you: You have one bowl of perfectly textured hummus with the ideal lemon juice-to-garlic ratio; another bowl of tangy and chunky tapenade; then a third bowl of the creamiest spinach-artichoke dip you will ever have the privilege to put in your mouth. Grab a plate, be daring, and mix all three together. That pita bread won’t know what hit it.
The Red Cup
Here’s where we get really crazy and slather hummus between two pieces of toasted wheat bread. I present to you one of my favorite sandwiches in OKC, unassumingly dubbed The #7. This thick and garlicky hummus mixes with fresh spinach, red onions, Roma tomatoes (I hate tomatoes and sub mushrooms) and spicy brown mustard. It’s crunchy, creamy, and everything a good hummus sandwich should be.
Upper Crust
So apparently Upper Crust is known for its pizza? Crazy, I know. When it’s lunchtime and I feel less inclined to shovel in the cheese and bread, I go for the Long Stem Artichoke Salad. Prepare yourself for a plate covered with crispy flatbread and topped with hummus, roasted artichokes, pistachios, spring mix and grape tomatoes (I sub kalamata olives), served with mustard aioli dipping sauce. If you want your hummus served with a side of sophistication, go for this dish.
