Every one of us had one of these days: You're hungry, too tired to cook, you want something that doesn't come in a delivery bag, but isn't a fancy restaurant. Here are four restaurants that are affordable, conveniently located and have great quality food. We tried them, enjoyed them and--like all good friends--decided to share the information. Abu Ammar in Mohandessin: I know what you're thinking: You have been to Abu Ammar and you stood there, outside the restaurant on Syria Street, waiting for your order of shawerma. But I'm not talking about delivery or take away. There are two things most people don't know: 1) Abu Ammar has a small restaurant upstairs. 2) They have very fancy service downstairs: eat in your car. Two ushers near the restaurants will help you park your car nearby and then take your order and bring you the food on a tray that locks onto your car window. Another option would be to go upstairs and sit in the restaurant hall and enjoy your meal there. Abu Ammar is famous for its Syrian shawerma, but that is not the only Syrian dish that they do well. The restaurant offers different Syrian homemade dishes that are both great quality and reasonably priced. Try the lentil soup and the Rayeb yogurt. If you don't know what to order, fear not: Abu Ammar special shawerma platter is the perfect collection of shawerma, rice and small Syrian goodies like keba (Small meatballs) and stuffed grapeleaves. After such a meal the only thought that might pass through your mind is: Tabuola is so overrated… and overpriced. Address: 8 – Syria Street, Mohandessen. Phone Number: 0233360887 Pyramids in Garden City: Pyramids, a take-away spot on Qasr Al-Aini Street, is an ideal place to order fast food that is not technically junk food. If you do not want to go for the sandwiches, consider one of their half-grilled chicken or shish tawuq meals– both are cooked just about right and come with plenty of rice, bread, fries and small salads. They also offer value meal sandwiches with fries and coke. Address: 75 – Qasr El-Aini Street, Garden City. Phone Number: 0227955597 Arabica in Zamalek: This café/restaurant is mainly a spot where you get your breakfast while it's not that crowded with young hip Zamalek crowd. You arrive there early on a Friday morning and sit around the quite place enjoying the solitude and the calmness. Try to ignore the waiters as their service tends to be bad. The food, however, is nice and the prices on the menu are reasonable. Besides, it's one of the rare places to have free wi-fi in the whole island of Zamalek which makes it a good spot to eat breakfast and study or work. The mushroom omelet is amazing and their fruit juices are fresh and tasty, they also offer fateer (Egyptian pancakes) that comes with very interesting flavors that you would not find anywhere else. A friend tried the ‘spicy tomato and goat cheese fateer' and found it delightful. Address: 20, Al-Marashri Street, Zamalek. Phone Number: 0227357982 Mohamed Ahmed in Alexandria: Sometimes you just need to leave Cairo, even for less than a day, you take that train heading to our beloved Alexandria because all you can think of is the sea. Now you have seen the sea and you are hungry. The Greek club is not always the answer, especially when you cannot afford the famous seafood restaurant. Mohamed Ahmed, on the other hand, is a perfect stop for a hungry penniless traveler. The restaurant, located in the backstreets of Mahatet El-Raml Square, is famous for being the absolute best fuul and tamiya experience in the whole city. Do not let the old-styled restaurant fool you. Queen Sofia of Spain, who spent some of her childhood in Alex, visited the place back in the day and left them a thank-you-autography for the great hospitality and amazing food. Other famous visitors include Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz and famous Egyptian comedian Fouad El-Mohandess. The place offers a variety of food including all the Egyptian breakfast staples you can think of. You can adjust the order to fit a breakfast or a lunch for yourself and most importantly, you won't pay more than 20 LE for the best breakfast you had in your life. Remember to try their grilled cheese; it's to die for. Address: 17, Shakor Street, Off Mahatet El-Raml Sq. Al-Manshia, Alexandria. Phone Number: 034873576
