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Argan Moroccan Cuisine - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Moroccan Restaurants Mediterranean Moroccan, Mediterranean [Edit]
132 S 17th StPhiladelphia, PA 19103
Neighborhoods: Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center
(215) 568-8354
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
69 reviews for Argan Moroccan Cuisine
Review Highlights
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"I always have the slow cooked lamb sandwich." In 4 reviews -
"I was not a big fan of the baba ghanouj." In 6 reviews -
"plus mint tea, which I'll get to in a moment." In 7 reviews
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69 reviews in English
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Review from Douglas H.
Pomfret Center, CT
5/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Never had Moroccan bread like this, it was really good. Much better than a pita or naan.
The slow cooked lamb sandwich had good seasoning, very tender. Let the owner pick the sides to go with your meat selection.
Also had mint tea and a side of humus.
Everything was really good, I am glad I finally stopped in on the last day of my trip. -
Review from Brian S.
Hockessin, DE
9/23/2011 1 photo
Delicious slow cooked lamb sandwiches served on freshly baked Moroccan semolina bread.
A treat to behold but alas Argan has closed... -
Review from Marc V.
Morton Grove, IL
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Moroccan Bread was a delight! Just baked, right out of the oven, piping hot with very spicy filling in the middle. It was an explosion of flavor to my tastebuds.
I would have given it at least 4 stars but we were there for lunch hour, and it took 40 mins from the time we sat until the time we received our food. They are very very very busy during the lunch hour crunch. My quick lunch ended up to be a 1 1/2 hr lunch break. Luckily my conf call was not important so i did not join.
Only a cook and a friendly lady (probably owner) who was manning the tables, clean up, taking orders, delivering water, cashier, and everything esle in between.
Perhaps next time I will check it out during dinner. -
Review from Mike K.
8/10/2011
Dropped in at Argan for a quick bite to eat.
They have a decent number of lunch options, but I was drawn to the make your own sandwich, which comes with your choice of meat and three vegetarian options from a dozen. The list was impressive, but I went with the kofte - Moroccan meatballs - onion & peppers, white beans and cucumbers.
The bread they use for the sandwiches is baked from scratch on premises and tasty. Even though they serve it like a pita sandwich, it's leavened and much closer to a roll than a pita. However, it's denser than a normal country or kaiser roll. The outside is dusted with cornmeal and the inside has a decent springiness to it.
Between the bread and fillings this should have been a good sandwich, but it was missing something really important - flavor.
I could taste the lamb in the kofte, but I couldn't detect any spices or herbs. The cucumbers mercifully made a good showing, but the onions were weak, and the beans, which looked as though they were cooked in a tomato sauce, tasted like plain, unseasoned beans.
Prices are fair for lunch and dinner and the atmosphere is casual and laid back.
I like Moroccan food and wanted to like Argan more, but I have to agree with Vince E. - it's too bland. -
Review from Jessica T.
Philadelphia, PA
2/20/2011
Really flavorful, interesting food at a reasonable price makes Argan BYO a solid choice for lunch.
If time is short Argan might not be the best bet, truly fresh food is hardly ever fast. I'd say it took about an hour from start to finish for our chicken platter & haloumi salad lunch this Sunday. Total price? $24 before tip for an incredibly satisfying meal.
The chicken platter was bright yellow & from the way it was wolfed down, I'm assuming pretty delicious. My salad had a huge chunk of grilled & seasoned haloumi, fresh white bean salad & mixed greens. It was perfectly dressed - not too oily, not too bland.
Caveats? Located several steep steps down from 17th St & definitely not universally accessible. No Amex & $9 minimum for cards (if that's an issue).Listed in: Vegetablearian
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Review from Omer I.
Philadelphia, PA
7/31/2011
Overall good experience for dinner. Yelp shows this as one $ -- i.e., that it is relatively cheap. Dinner entres are between 11 and 23 dollars a pop, most between $15-20, so this place is not a cheap dinner destination.
Service was good but somewhat slow. Food was very flavorful -- my veggie kabobs featured some very well-seasoned red onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and tomatoes, all delightfully charred. The rice was enjoyable but not memorable. Nary a sign of the raisins and walnuts I was promised on the menu. Friends who had the chicken kabobs were very impressed with the flavorful chicken and commented on how moist and tender it was.
I'd return, but probably only for lunch, which appears to be much more affordable. -
Review from Emily K.
1/25/2011
My unconventional office decided that for our holiday lunch we wanted to have Moroccan. But Moroccan delivered. Large amounts of Moroccan - on our turf. So we walked on down to Argan, who, coincidentally, do not do this type of catering, and said: "Look. We would REALLY like to eat your food for our holiday lunch. Can we make this work?" And they said "Hokay - we try." And sure enough, we walked on over one cold cold blustery day, picked up stacks of delicious Moroccan in big ole trays, and walked them through center city, Philadelphia. All for a very fair price. Now THAT is service.
And to boot - the food is fantastic - even better in large quantities. The Baba Ghanoush - one of the best in the city. The Merguez - pink and tight (yes), flavorful and delicious. The Braised Lamb Shank - the star. Tender and lamb-y with hearty Moroccan flavors seeped to the core.
I cannot wait to try lunch here the conventional way. -
Review from Bob O.
Cherry Hill, NJ
I have serendipity to thank for discovering this local gem. I initially noticed Argan a little over a year ago when heading down the steps to Bonte, which is located directly next door and thought "hmm, Moroccan - that sounds interesting, I'll need to check that out"
I'm glad I did. Argan serves up some of the best build-to-suit, quick-serve sandwiches in the city, hands-down. A far superior bang-for-your buck than similar concept eateries in the city (I'm looking at you, subway).
Pick your protein (or veggie spread), add 3 toppings watch them stuff it inside a freshly-baked warm bread pocket (think cross between pita and corn bread) along with a large handful of field greens and prepare yourself to devour one of the best sandwiches, ever.
My personal favorites for Meats are Spicy Beef (quite spicy) and Morrocan Meatballs (Beef meatballs with spices). I hear the lamb is quite good, too. Skip the chicken.
Not into meat? get the babaganoush (roasted eggplant, lemon juice, garlic, Tahini). I challenge you to find a better version anywhere.
For toppings, carrots are a must (marinated and slightly acidic). I also usually add zucchini, which is roasted to perfection, and green beans for crunch.
Well worth a shot, if you're in the mood for something different. -
Review from Catherine L.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 12/7/2010
I don't know if it's the cold weather or that I've been in the mood for comforting food as a result, but the sandwiches at Argan have really hit the spot lately.
My fave? The slow cooked, fall apart, tender lamb, with baba ghanouj, zucchini and white beans on their in-house bread.
It's always a bit of a wait if you're ordering to go (there's only two back there in the kitchen), so keep that in mind. They've recently added some fabric covered benches with pillows to cozy up the joint. I approve.
So even if the flavor profile is relatively safe you can't argue with fresh ingredients, that delicious lamb and the sinful, smoky, tasty baba.Listed in: So Long, Farewell, Auf…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/28/2009
I am spent. After the culinary debauchery that is Christmas, I was looking forward to my Monday… Read more »
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Review from Alexandra W.
Philadelphia, PA
8/12/2010
Yesterday, Erin F. and I held hands and stared into each other's eyes over lunch at Argan.
That sammich. Hummus, lettuce, carrots, zucchini, and tomatoes. Ugh, so good. I didn't finish mine at lunch so I wrapped it up and put it in my purse to take home. Unfortunately, my u-lock was also in my purse so I ended up putting a very flat sandwich in the fridge.
BUT! When I finished it all of 20 minutes after I got home, it was still SO GOOD.
They do have a $9 credit card minimum, which I find strange because the majority of the items on their menu are $6.99. But, you can't fault the business for wanting you to buy more. -
Review from Erin F.
8/11/2010
A few brief moments ago I got back from lunch with Yelp's very own Alex W. at Argan. It is pretty much exactly one block's distance from my office building doors and it is delicious.
I ordered an iced coffee, served in one of those tall, thin glasses, identical to those at Fig's, my friendly neighborhood Moroccan restaurant - are these glasses authentically Moroccan or is this a coincidence? WHO KNOWS!!!
I also ordered hummus sandwich with tomato, carrots, and potatoes. Any restaurant that offers potatoes as a sandwich filling earns a special place in my gullet (I see you Zorba's, sneaking fries into my hummus sandwich). The tomatoes were perfect, the carrots and potatoes were the perfect consistency - just soft enough, just enough bite, and not bland. Word. The bread was a little fluffy, which I liked. I've had enough thin, chewy pita to last me a lifetime, okay.
Excellent sandwich, at just under $10 for lunch, the prices are reasonable, the atmosphere and service is very agreeable. I recommend.Listed in: Lunchy Munchies, Sandwiches Worth Crying Over
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Review from Nathan F.
Wayne, PA
5/18/2011
After walking past Argan hundreds of times, I decided to stop in here with a couple of friends for lunch today. My experience was, well, mixed. So, I'll do a plusses and minuses thing:
POSITIVE:
- The main part of my lunch, the lamb kabobs, were amazingly good. Skewered on bamboo sticks after being marinated in who-knows-what for who-knows-how long, these were incredibly juicy, just tender enough, and full of flavor and spice. Certainly some of the best lamb I have had in a long time.
- The location is right in the middle of everything, and is easy walking distance from public transit and the offices of Center City West.
- The price range is pretty low for the quality of food received, but...
NEGATIVE:
- I don't think anyone came out full. The two skewers of meat I had consisted of 3 relatively small pieces of meat. It may have totaled up to 4-6 ounces. The yoghurt was just a small bit, enough to dip some of your lamb into. The sandwiches my friends ordered didn't come with any side dishes, yoghurt or the like. They looked more like food truck food, which is by no means a bad thing, except smaller and a couple of dollars more.
- The rice that came with my dish was bland at best. It tasted cold and was soggy.
- The service was very slow and inattentive. No water was brought to the table, and I never received the mint tea that I ordered.
- Very little of the food seemed truly, well, Moroccan. I've had Moroccan food at a number of places, but this seemed more generic Mediterranean than anything. The spice is the only thing that really said Moroccan cuisine to me.
CONCLUSION:
If you want to try some Mediterranean food, but aren't sure if you like it, or if you are only sort of hungry for lunch, check out Argan. If you have any sort of an appetite though and are looking for good service with your food, check out one of the food carts in the area, or search out another Moroccan/Middle Eastern restaurant nearby.
There's a part of me that still wants to try their dinner selection, but I am afraid I'll leave wishing I had more (but not necessarily in a good way). -
Review from Meredith B.
Philadelphia, PA
12/4/2008 ROTD 12/20/2008
I want to eat lunch here every day for the rest of my life.
Their baba ghanouj is better than mine, and I spend hours roasting my own eggplant! They make their own pitas out of cornmeal, and bake them behind the counter, which makes the whole place smell yeasty and delicious, not to mention warm... A serious plus in winter. And the pitas themselves are to die for- warm out of the oven, light and fluffy, simply delicious!
The sandwiches are fantastic- at $7 a pop, they're on par with the rest of the area, and fully customizable- you get your choice of meat, then three veggie toppings to go on it, and it all gets wrapped up in one of the pitas. Mmm... the pitas. The flavors are really good, and strong, which makes for a super tasty sandwich! I recommend the lamb- it's slow cooked, and just falls apart- no gnawing required for this sandwich. They stew together tomatoes and peppers with spices, which can add a nice kick to your sandwich- and they have carrots that they blanched, chopped, and put with herbs and vinegar to make for an amazing extra flavor in each bite.
Their baba ghanouj, if I can rhapsodize for a minute, is perfect- it's smoky without being too smoky, garlicky without being overwhelming, and just the right texture- sweetish and perfectly cooked. In case you haven't figured it out, baba ghanouj is one of my favorite dishes- and this was so good I sat in my office and licked the container clean. With no shame. And you can get a container of it with one of their pitas for only $4.
Seriously, guys, I'm in love! -
Review from Karen F.
4/16/2009
OK. Now I will eat my words. I went to Argan last night at 6:30 for the THIRD time and it was the charm.
The first night I wandered it at about 7:45 PM. The doors were wide open and there were 2 little kids running around and 2 men eating at a table.
Turns out they close at 7 and it was just family. Meanwhile I stood at the counter (alone) for a good 2-3 minutes watching them sweep up (it was dawning on me by then that they might just be CLOSED - duh!!!!). So finally one of the men came over to the counter and said "Sorry, we close at 7".
OK. No biggie.
So a week or so later I show up at 6:45. I study the menu and WOWZA - the prices are high. So I walked out.
But last night - FINALLY - I got a chance to eat here. The place was empty - save for 2 men behind the counter. I stood at the counter watching them chop vegetebles for 3-4 minutes. They said nothing to me. I waited, and waited, and finally one man said - "Are you ready to order"? I was - and ordered a Zaaluk (eggplant salad) sammy with tomatoes, cukes and crunchy blanched green beans,
but the pita bread - wow - so fresh. They do, in fact, bake it there.
I did not like the $7.48 price tag - for a veggie sandwich - that seems steep - but I will be back to try the lamb for sure! -
Review from Julianna K.
Haddonfield, NJ
3/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
I ate here for the first time on Friday and I must say it was an enjoyable experience. The appetizer of various spreads, including hummus and some other things I can't remember now, was really delicious, as was their bread. I ordered the chicken kababs for my entree and though it was tasty, the chicken was a little over-cooked and dry, but the seasonings they grilled them with were yummy. And the waitstaff was super friendly. The owner even came over to our table to make sure we were happy with our meals.
I've heard this place is pretty good for lunch so I definitely want to get back there and try it out.Listed in: FOOD!!!!
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Review from Chris B.
Philadelphia, PA
1/12/2009 2 photos
I had to look twice to find this nearly below-street restaurant, but once you stoop down low and enter, you're greeted with a clean, warm dining area and a counter at the back brimming with Mediterranean sandwich components.
My wife & I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon amidst a steady flow of customers and ordered two of the 'build-your-own' sandwiches, about $7 each.
Check out the pictures above. Slow-cooked lamb for her, spiced lamb & beef sausage (Merguez) for me.
Along w/ greens, you get 3 veggies to go w/ each sandwich...toppings laid out ala Subway...sandwich stalwarts like roasted peppers, cukes, tomatoes are there, along with white beans, green beans, marinated carrots.
What impressed me most was the bread, not a wrap or pita, but a soft fist-sized loaf with a corn-meal dusted crust just firm enough to hold your sandwich stuffing together.
Laid out around the kitchen area in various stages...one sheet proofing over the steam-table...another few laid out above the warm oven, a tray cooling fresh from the oven and another tray of loaves that the cook was steadily splitting and stuffing with whatever you wanted to pick...I wish I could buy a few loaves to take back home.
There are cheaper lunch options in CC, but you're paying for the time & care spent on ingredients and I'd gladly support that. -
Review from Vince E.
11/18/2009 2 photos
Def: BLAND: (Adj) Argan Moroccan Cuisine
I haven't had such a bad meal in a long time.
First, when I think Moroccan I think small plates, flavorful, spicy. Belly dancers? Instead we got the opposite.
Argan serves only salads and sandwiches. However, very "Bland" sandwiches. Everything about it was BLAND. I ordered the lamb sandwich with peppers and hummus (~8). The bread was a sliced roll, thick, dry and cold. The meat was the only thing warm about it, but not entirely flavorful. The peppers had no taste, the hummus was like eating tofu.
The same with each of my friends as well. We ordered the hummus to try, and really it was the same bland hummus, and served, not with flatbread, but with the same cold, dry, bread cut in slices.
None of us finished our meals. And I dont usually waste food. -
Review from Nadine J.
Washington, DC
12/18/2010
I had been meaning to try this place for over a year, and now that I have, I'm kicking myself for not going sooner. Tried it for lunch earlier this week -- lamb sandwich with white beans, babaganoush, and peppers....amazing. The semolina/cornmeal bread pocket alone would have sufficed to make me happy.
Inspired by lunch, I threw out Argan as an option for a group BYO excursion on a friday. It was also a hit. People got everything from kebab plates to the sea bass -- food all around was well-priced with portions large enough to satisfy but no so oversized to the point you feel guilty for not taking home a doggy bag. The couple that owns this place is super nice and were accomodating to our large (and noisy) group. Definitely a great change of pace/setting from the usual Italian BYOs that abound in Rittenhouse. -
Review from faye s.
Philadelphia, PA
1/14/2009
I wasn't a huge fan of this place, simply because I don't think sandwiches are real meals (sorry, I need rice). I didn't like the hot and cold thing going on with the sandwich-- hot meat, cold veggies, and cold bread. Grilled zucchini should be hot, for crying out loud! And they didn't have rice, even though it was listed as a side order. Boo =(
Their saving grace was the baba ghanouj. It was easily the best I've had.
Not sure if I'll go back, but I'm sure I would have given it another star if I could replace the bread with rice. -
Review from Gregory L.
Philadelphia, PA
10/26/2010
I liked this place at first, but every time I go back I think it gets a little better. The lunch sandwiches are a real find, and I love the familial feel of the place (the owner makes your sandwiches, I'm pretty sure its his wife ringing you up). The corn pocket thing the sandwiches come in are made fresh and taste that way.
Anyway I hit this place up at least every other week now because for $7.55, tax included, its the best value for least processed, most tasty lunch around. -
Review from Oski B.
San Diego, CA
9/20/2009 2 Check-ins Here
Like me, you've probably passed by this place a bunch of times while walking up and down 17th. No disrespect to Jared Fogle (i.e. Jared the Subway Guy), but I'm glad I finally went in to try it because the sandwich was a very welcome change from the $5 dollar footlongs I've been known to pick up on the way home from work. This sandwich will cost you about $2.50 more than the five-dollar-five-dollar-five-dollar footlong, but it was well worth it.
I deferred to the owner to make me a sandwich. He suggested lamb, zucchini, carrots, and one other item which all sounded tasty to me. Contrary to the poor saps whose sandwiches were soggy by the time they got home, mine was still in excellent condition after the 10 minute stroll. Yum. -
Review from Kevin T.
Los Angeles, CA
7/31/2010
Argan is a hidden treasure that will send you to Morocco.
The restaurant brings back great memories from Morocco. It's rich cultural decor is not a facade for americanized Moroccan food- rather its a prelude to transferring you into its culture.
Started with a rich cup of cafe ole (latte). Then I ventured into the Moroccan Eggs with tomato meatballs and sautéed onions. the dish came with mini toasts, along with sunny side eggs cooked just right. A few bites into the dish I realized the spices became the spark of the whole experience.
to sum up:
-great service
-cozy atmosphere
-authentic food
-very inexpensive
-perfect cup of cafe ole -
Review from Deann M.
11/2/2009
I went to Argan with a pretty big group of people and the lunch rush was just about to hit. I got there five minutes before my group and since you order at the counter, I decided to get my order in before it got too busy. This was great for me because my food came fast, but the rest of my group had to wait. I was well finished before the rest of the party even got their food.
Most people were going for the lamb, but I decided to try something different. I chose the meatballs which were bursting with the flavors of coriander, cumin, and other spices. You can pick three veggies to go with your meat selection (or if you are a vegetarian there are several options for you as well). I picked zucchini, potatoes, and cucumbers. The zucchini was sauteed in a little oil, the potatoes were made into a potato salad with a slight hint of vinegar, and the cucumbers made a nice refreshing crunch. The flatbread was fresh baked with a crust of cornmeal on the outside and a spongy center that sopped up all the flavors of the sandwich. It was an amazing combination, and I with so many options I will definitely be back for more. -
Review from Bobby P.
11/23/2009
I ordered a lamb sandwich with cucumber, tomato and white beans. The meat was nicely marinated and went well with the other ingredients. It even had a touch of spiciness to it that wasn't in my fiance's chicken sandwich. Contrary to Vince E., I liked the cornmeal dusted bread and thought it held everything together nicely.
I was not a big fan of the baba ghanouj. I like mine chunky, with bits of recognizable eggplant. This was blended to the point that it was too creamy - almost as if there was mayonnaise involved. There wasn't much eggplant flavor, and the only redeaming quality was that it came with more of the bread.
I'll probably go back again at some point in the future if the urge hits, but not for the baba ghanouj. -
Review from Annie W.
Philadelphia, PA
6/21/2011
I've been here several times. I always have the slow cooked lamb sandwich....I love it...The lamb is so good..very fresh and they let u pick 3 different type of veggies for your sandwich. For 6.99 + .50 for tax is not a bad deal....The sandwich is a decent size.
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Review from J R.
Philadelphia, PA
10/8/2009
I was in the neighborhood yesterday and decided to check out this little place on 17th street, located below street level a few steps away from the Sofitel.
Had the lamb pita. It comes with your choice of 3 vegetables, I had the white beans, zucchini and carrots. The lamb was very tender but I found the sandwich lacking in any assertive flavor or spice, which I had expected from a Moroccan restaurant. The pita bread also has a strange texture, and kind of disintegrated from contact with the warm lamb. Since I've never had a Morrocan sandwich I don't have much to compare to. Lets just say, it was a filling sandwich but nothing that made me say WOW I want to have that again.
Others below are raving about the baba ghanoush so maybe I'll give it a try next time I'm nearby for lunch, though I doubt I'll make a special trip. -
Review from Jamaica Y.
Philadelphia, PA
8/29/2009
Cash only? Is this some type of joke?
I'd been dying to go here, and was pleased with the outcome. I had a hummus and vegetable sandwich on a bread akin to a pita (excuse my ignorance of Moroccan cuisine) and thoroughly enjoyed it. My friend enjoyed her food as well... a similar sandwich made with eggplant.
To the dismay of my lunch date, they were out of the milk and honey, and the guy manning the place when we got there did not seem to know how to operate the cash register. Further, I was pretty annoyed at having to walk to the ATM to pay for our meal. Any sit down restaurant should take debit!
Good food. Nice ambiance. Four stars. -
Review from Kristian S.
Fort Washington, PA
8/26/2010
The hidden gem down these stairs is the unique Moroccan bread! So, I was so dissapointed when I got there for dinner last night and they were out of it. If that's why you are headed there, you may want to call ahead!
Still, had a nice dinner. My husband and I shared a kebob platter, which comes with rice, and the Mediterranean platter, which has a nice selection of everything. Perfect amount of food and our bill came to about $28.
Not as cheap as their amazing $7 sandwiches at lunch, but still a great price in this neighborhood.
BYOB! -
Review from Lena S.
Philadelphia, PA
3/27/2011
I'm one of those annoyingly indecisive types who can never pick where to go for dinner or what I want, etc., but the night we came to Argan I knew I had a hurt for Middle Eastern food and needed it satiated stat. It turns out Argan was mere feet from where we were staying the night for an unplugged, living-large birthday weekend. I generally am not that crazy about Moroccan food specifically (while I like prunes, raisins, lemon preserves, etc., I don't like them stewed with savory spices or proteins quite so much; I am also partial to bigger toasted couscous balls instead of the smaller-grained, fluffy variety). That being said, Argan's menu seemed to have a variety of options that I was still okay with, and we wanted to go somewhere cozier and more intimate rather than somewhere bustling and clattery or noisy. The fondness we felt towards our dinner made us circle the sidewalk like vultures the next morning until the restaurant opened for breakfast (standard brunch fare--omelets, eggs, homemade granola and fruit--but with unique touches, like lamb sausage as a side or Moroccan meatballs in tomato sauce with eggs or Kalamata olives added to a spinach/feta Greek omelet.....plus mint tea, which I'll get to in a moment).
The complimentary semolina bread and marinated olives brought to our table as a starter was the sort of special touch that I always wish for when eating out. The fluffy, grainy semolina round was tasty and the olives tangy and juicy, complemented by an added hint of tomato to their brine, but what made this extra-memorable is that my father is OBSESSED with the semolina bread he snacked on as a child, and this bread is what he's always looking for as an adult but never finds. Once he was at a nifty little gas station convenience store-cum-Middle Eastern-imports depot in their hometown, and they were selling giant bulk bags of semolina flour....which he promptly bought and lugged home, demanding my mother try to recreate the breads of his youth. My mom made a variety of valiant attempts, but he was never quite satisfied; I'm pretty sure this personal loaf of light-yellow bread is precisely what he is seeking. I look forward to treating him one day soon.
Back to the meal at hand: as an appetizer we had the Platter of Spreads, served with grilled pita triangles. The hummus was good but could have used a little more salt, but I was okay with it 'cause I tend to be judicious with the salt anyway, so it wasn't a huge turnoff to me personally. The zaalouk and shakshuka had just the right amount of either tangy sweetness or slow burn spice, respectively.
As an entree I had the Vegetarian Couscous; I expected this to be a little bland, but instead it was just the right amount of savory, sort of like a comfort food bowl that will leave you full and warm without the sensation of feeling heavy or like you grossly overate. The cabbage, carrots, and other veggies were tender, and their broth/juices made the mound of couscous (which I generally wouldn't have been that fond of) appealing. My meal was followed up with Moroccan mint tea, which, after first trying at a Moroccan restaurant in Paris, has haunted my dreams; honeyed-sweet with much mint, a small, jewel-toned glass of the stuff is all I need for dessert. -
Review from Mark B.
Philadelphia, PA
2/10/2009
I'm a big fan of this place. I stop by at least once a week for lunch. Their choose your own sandwiches are great- I just had the kitfo (Moroccan meatballs), and it was so good that I wish I had another right now. I also like the beef and lamb. I like that they offer fresh spinach. My other favorite sides are the potatoes, white beans and zucchini.
Delicious and perfectly filling. -
Review from Retset Y.
Philadelphia, PA
11/2/2009
After reading a review of this place on http://unbreaded.com, I had to give this place a try.
This place does not disappoint at all. The staff is friendly and the place is clean and smells sooo good.
I ordered the lamb with roasted peppers, white beans and tomatoes. DELICIOUS. A friend ordered the meatballs which she said was great.
My only complaint was I had to wait about 15 minutes for my sandwich because they were baking the bread fresh. I was starving but it was worth the wait. -
Review from Holly L.
Philadelphia, PA
9/8/2009
I went here around 12:45 on a weekday and it got pretty crowded quickly. There were only two people working the grill and register and it only took 10 minutes to get my meal to go (when I was behind at least three other orders), so I was pleased. There's one small table to eat outside so if you'd rather enjoy the weather with a group, you'd probably have to take your lunch to Rittenhouse Square, which was pleasant.
I ordered the baba ganoush sandwich with white beans, eggplant, and roasted peppers & onions. It was good, not too mushy. The bread/pita thing - the cornmeal made the difference as the coating. It was unique, but not the best I've ever had. I was definitely full, though. -
Review from Abby W.
4/4/2011
One of my go-to lunch spots. I always get either a baba ganoush sandwich with carrots, zucchini, and white beans or the lamb sandwich with baba ganoush, carrots, and zucchini. Their baba ganoush tastes like bacon. Seriously. Don't ask me how or why just enjoy its delicious smokiness coating the perfect fluffy semolina roll as it cradles all of the other delectable fillings you've selected. $6.99 for a solid lunch that won't leave you hungry or weighed down, you just can't beat it.
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Review from Wei T.
Tried Argan for the first time a few weeks ago... had a fantastic sandwich for a great price. The chicken was really tender and the sandwich was stuffed full of great toppings. Service was great as well - the waitress could see that I was in a dilemma... I couldn't decide on which three toppings I wanted, so she let me choose a fourth for free. ; )
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Review from Jamie S.
2/21/2011
I had a feeling the slow cooked lamb sandwich would be my favorite, and it was- so soft and with just enough flavor to hold up to the vibrant vegetables and baba ghannouj eggplant spread. Iceburg lettuce is pretty much useless; I was impressed that Argan uses quality mixed greens inside all of their sandwiches. The meat sandwiches ($6.99) come with 3 vegetarian options, and you can choose from both the vegetable list and the spread list. From the ones I tried, the white beans and the carrots were my favorite, the carrots brighten up the whole package and the white beans add to the texture. I have to admit that in general I am on Team Baba Ghannouj and not Team Hummus, so while I didn't get to try the hummus, both the baba ghannouj and the zaalouk (also made of eggplant) impressed me and would easily please any vegetarian as the featured ingredient.
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Review from Theresa D.
Philadelphia, PA
6/3/2010
I know a lot of folks feel that $7 is a bit steep for a sandwich; I'm just not one of them. It's close to work, and I don't know of many other lunch options in the area (aside from a slice of pizza) that are that much more affordable. The sandwich fills me up, though, so I guess if you needed to add sides to feel satisfied, it would be a little pricier. But I digress.
In my opinion, the sandwiches are where it's at, one sandwich in particular. I'm by no means a vegetarian, and the lamb is indeed tender and tasty, but the thing I come here for is the shekshuka sandwich. Savory, spicy peppers and roasted tomatoes with herbs and olive oil in Argan's amazing pillowy semolina pockets. Once you add your three veggie choices (I get white beans, cucumbers, and carrots), you have a hearty, transportable lunch perfect for eating at your desk - or better yet, in Rittenhouse Square.
Argan's staff is sweet, too. The woman behind the counter used to warn me me every time that "shekshuka is spicy" until she got to know me.
All in all a solid lunch option, especially if you're craving a little spice. -
Review from Gisela G.
Philadelphia, PA
4/27/2010
This little gem, slyly hiding underground on 17th St., is my go-to for a quick lunch when I'm on a Rittenhouse shopping blitz break. I loves me some M.E. cuisine, and at Argan, I can get a scrumptious pocket sandwich stuffed with nice veggies and meats for next to nothing.
I'm also a big fan of the owner there. He's a quiet, stoic kind of guy, but always remembers me from when they first opened.
I'm pretty fond of the bread they use. It's a semolina pocket which is fluffy and light, quite unique. I always tend to get the lamb or the merguez with some onions and peppers plus white beans. The baba ghanouj and the hummus are both fine in my book.
And a bonus for me, in the summertime, is snagging a spot on the only tiny little table out front, which is nestled into the entrance, down the steep steps under the facade. It makes for perfect incognito people watching as noontime crowds shuffle by. -
Review from stephen s.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 2/15/2011
I can't get enough of Argan! So good!
Listed in: Sansom Street !!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/19/2010
I've been here a few times for lunch and it's crazy delicious!!! Just be careful you don't close… Read more »
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Review from Sara L.
Philadelphia, PA
7/29/2010
I came here today after having meant to try it for ages and ages. I was craving lamb and couscous, and was slightly disappointed to know that you couldn't get couscous at lunch, UNTIL I ordered the lamb sandwich which came in couscous bread (semolina, which was a little crumbly, but only at the end). I had the lamb with the white beans, carrots, and zucchini and it was fantastic. Definitely hit the spot. Also tried the fresh made mint iced tea, which I am loving. Mint tea is one of those things that when done well is great, but is so frequently mediocre, that I almost never order it. I'm glad I gave it a shot. Definitely will have to go back to try some other items!
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Review from Steven W.
Philadelphia, PA
11/29/2010 8 Check-ins Here
I have gone to Argan for lunch at least once a week for the past 4 months. I now have my entire team at work going with me and the owners know my entire crew. The staff is super friendly and very willing to explain the menu to first timers. I was actually mad when it made the "cheap eats" edition of the Philly Mag because it made it a little busier during lunch. As some other folks on here mentioned, it seems to get more awesome each time you eat here. Everything is very fresh and they add a little extra spice for me. (Ask for Shakshuka as one of the veggie options on your sandwich if you like spice!)
