Shalom Y’all on SW Portland/down recently did a mini-makeover and re-opened as Lil’ Shalom. The menu still has some favorites – the corn ribs are back for now! But also a few new options. The menu is more takeout friendly focused on hummus bowls and Mediterranean pita sandwiches, and there is outdoor patio seating along the street if you can’t wait to enjoy your meal. BONUS: right now until September 26 they are offering free delivery within a 5 mile radius from 2:30-5:30pm if you order directly!
Sesame Collective is owned by executive chef Kasey Mills; Jamal Hassan a native Oregonian with a Palestinian & Lebanese father and a mother from the south and experience from his youth helping at his parents’ Lebanese food cart; and Laura Amans. All three have experience together from 2014 onwards from founding Mediterranean Exploration Company. Really good quality Mediterranean food and almost all vegetable centered
For drinks, if you are dining al fresco and looking for cocktails (I don’t think they are offering these to go yet, only the soda or beer or wine in cans) I really enjoy the easy drinking Watermelon Sangria with rosé wine, watermelon, and mint earlier this summer. Still on the menu last I checked was the Turkish Delight Slushy with shalom limoncello, ceylon tea, lemon, reagan’s orange bitters, and orange blossom. Both are dangerously easy drinking actually. They also have some delightful no proof options such as a Luster Punch with wilderton luster, ginger peach tea, coriander lime apple shrub, lime, and orange & cardamom bitters; or try the Little Richard with wilderton earthen, oat milk, ginger peach tea, and nutmeg. They are just as good as the alcoholic libations. Happy hour 2:30-4:30 would be an ideal time to investigate no?
The Hummus with Things portion of the menu is your call of what you want to top on top of your smooth creamy hummus, varying from confit cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, wild mushrooms, to za’atar roasted chicken salad or burnt beef ends. I’ve tried the version with Wild Mushrooms with pine nuts, green onions, harissa, and also the Cauliflower with amba, fried chickpeas, and tahina. Between the two I enjoy the mushrooms version more.
Handheld pita sandwiches include the vegetarian ones starring cauliflower with chop salad, tahina, shawarma spice, amba; or a falafel with arugula, walnuts, and smoked eggplant. Or as an omnivore check out the fried whitefish with spicy tomato sauce, the za’atar roasted chicken salad that comes with green s’hug and potato chips inside the pita (not currently on the menu but it does change often so look for it!) , or their Lil’ Shalomie ‘Burger’ shown here with ground beef and lamb, red s’hug, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese.
For the sides, the Hawaij spiced fries with dill, red s’hug and tahina are a good match for the Lil’ Shalomie, but if you see those Corn ‘Ribs‘ with lime and dukkah dust, do not hesitate. You can also get the Boat O’ Falafel so you can enjoy 5 pieces on its own, served with green s’hug and tahina.
Lil Shalom is open for lunch and dinner 12-8:30 daily. Happy hour is 2:30-4:30pm. There are a few seats for outdoor dining, and a small standup bar while waiting for a table to open up (order before sitting at a table)- but mostly Lil Shalom is geared towards takeout and delivery.
Have you had corn ribs before? Apparently they are a trend right now – have you had this version at Lil’ Shalom?
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