March Single Shot- Barada Kabob

It is not often that I try a new place by myself, but I did and thought I would write about it (Hence the name single shot. I was by myself.  See what I did there?)  There is a small fast food style restaurant in Valparaiso called Barada Kabob.  I was looking for something for lunch today other than the ordinary fast food options, but didn't want a waitress as I was by myself and I always thought that was weird.  I looked online, and from the pictures of this place it looked like a small lunch counter, so I went.  Boy was I glad I did!  First let me say that when I go out by myself what I am looking for is a comfortable place where I feel comfortable sitting by myself, reading a good book.  This place offers this.  There is one or two tables off to the side, but most of the seating is at a counter that runs along the length of the windows.  Everybody is facing out in high back swivel chairs, so you can easily turn and talk to the people around you, or if like me, you are by yourself, you can face the windows without being disturbed.  OK, enough you want to know about the food, and not how it also makes for a comfortable reading nook for Sally ;)

This restaurant offers Arabic food that is rare around here and unheard of around here in a fast food style.  They offer beef kabobs, falafel, hummus, shawarma, halva, and a bunch of other stuff I've never heard of.  If you go with your less adventurous friend, there is also a hamburger on the menu ;) When I went in I was greeted by a very young cashier who looked to be about 16 years old...maybe.  Super young, but also super sweet.  He could tell by the length of time I spent staring at the menu that I was a newbie.  He sweetly offered me a free sample of his favorite thing on the menu.  I don't remember what that was, but it was good.  In the end I decided to go with the shawarma because it is something I have had before, so I knew I would like it.  It was really good.  I made mine a combo meal which came with fries and a drink, but next time I might skip the fries and order two ;)  I can order two because it's supper cheap.  Everything on the menus was right around $3.00, which was a nice change from the day before when I paid $11.50 at Panera for half a (stale) sandwich and a cup of soup ;)

I am so happy I found this place today.  I probably wouldn't go there for a dinner date or anything, but for a small lunch I would totally go back.  It would be worth the 20 minute drive just to go there and enjoy a small lunch and get some reading done.  In fact, I'm already planning on going back during Spring Break to try the falafel ;)

Overall Experience: 4 STARS
Price:  Offer to Pay (SUPER CHEAP)