Dip first, ask later
Hummus in Joliet Worth Driving For
Good hummus in Joliet starts with a family that takes it personally. Ours is made in house, served with pita crisps or spread right under your bowl, and it comes with three dip siblings.
What is hummus?
Hummus is a smooth dip made mostly from chickpeas blended with tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. In a Lebanese home it’s on the table at almost every meal, scooped up with bread and shared with whoever walked in.
Our parents’ kitchen taught us one rule: sharing food is sharing love. So we make our hummus the way we’d serve it to family, and yes, we’ll let you taste it before you order.
A good hummus should be smooth, a little tangy from the lemon, and rich from the tahini and olive oil. It shouldn’t taste like it came out of a tub from the back of a fridge. If you’ve only ever had the grocery store kind, this is your sign to try the real thing.
Four dips on the AMBA board
Every bowl comes with a dip, and you can also order hummus and baba ghanouj on their own with pita crisps. Here’s the lineup:
Not sure which dip fits your bowl? Here’s our cheat sheet: classic hummus goes with everything, red pepper hummus loves falafel and roasted veg, baba ghanouj is great with steak, and spicy feta is for anyone who wants a kick. Or ask for a taste of each. That’s what we’re here for.
- Classic hummus. Creamy, nutty, lemony. The one everyone starts with. Marked V and GF.
- Roasted red pepper hummus. Same base with sweet, roasted pepper flavor. V and GF.
- Baba ghanouj. A smoky eggplant dip, traditionally made with tahini and garlic. V and GF.
- Spicy feta. Creamy, salty, with real heat. GF, and a crowd favorite.
Hummus vs baba ghanouj: which one?
The difference is the base. Hummus is built on chickpeas, so it’s smoother and a little nutty. Baba ghanouj is built on eggplant, so it’s smokier and earthier, often with a bit more texture. Both share tahini, garlic and lemon, which is why they taste like cousins.
Can’t pick? Get both. Or put one in your Mediterranean bowl and order the other with pita crisps on the side.
How to eat our hummus
Start simple with hummus and pita crisps as a snack. Then try it with protein on top. Warm chicken shawarma over cool hummus is one of our favorite things, and plenty of guests agree. Falafel dunked straight into hummus and spicy feta is another move worth stealing.
Want to go further? Drizzle a little amba on top. Amba is a tangy mango sauce, and it’s the name on our door. Read more in what is amba sauce.
And don’t sleep on fries. Our fresh-cut fries and Phoenician fries, tossed with sumac and served with garlic dip, are made for dunking into whatever dip is closest.
Order hummus for pickup, delivery or a party
Hummus and pita crisps are $8, baba ghanouj and pita crisps are $8, and an extra dip with any meal is +$2. The Family Feast Meal includes hummus and pita for four to six people. Prices are from our in-store menu and can change.
Stop by 1522 Illinois Rte 59 in Joliet, Monday to Saturday 10:30am to 8:30pm or Sunday 11:30am to 7:30pm. Order online for pickup through Clover, or get it from DoorDash or Uber Eats. Planning an event? Our catering team can set up dips for the whole crowd.
“So much chicken. Juicy and tender. The hummus is some of the best I've ever had. Portion size is HUGE.”
Good questions
Asked at the counter.
What is hummus made of?
Hummus is mostly chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. Recipes vary by family. Ours is made in house, and you can taste it at the counter before you order.
What is the difference between hummus and baba ghanouj?
Hummus is made from chickpeas and is smooth and nutty. Baba ghanouj is made from eggplant and tastes smoky and earthy. Both use tahini, garlic and lemon.
Is your hummus vegan and gluten free?
Our classic hummus and roasted red pepper hummus are both marked V and GF on the menu board, and so is the baba ghanouj. If you have a serious allergy, let us know at the counter.
What do you eat hummus with?
Pita crisps are the easy answer. It’s also great under chicken shawarma, with falafel, or as the dip in a bowl. Fries dunked in hummus are not a crime here.
Can I order hummus for a party?
Yes. The Family Feast Meal includes hummus and pita, and our catering menu covers bigger groups. Send us an inquiry and we’ll help plan it.
Come hungry. Leave family.
1522 Illinois Rte 59, Joliet. Mon to Sat 10:30am to 8:30pm, Sun 11:30am to 7:30pm.
