When we get takeout from Al-Rayan, it’s a bit of an event. We order most of the menu. That’s in part to make the long hike to Murfreesboro worthwhile, but also because the menu is just that good. Owner Hamad Abdelrahman, who emigrated to the U.S. from Palestine, makes everything from scratch. The warm, billowy pitas come with pockets big enough to nap in. Order them stuffed with savory minced lamb, or drag them through a creamy mound of hummus streaked with real-deal olive oil — the stuff that scratches at the back of your throat before the lemony, nutty goodness provides some relief. My personal favorite is the kibbeh, cracked bulgur wheat dough stuffed with a stew of pine nuts and minced beef, then fried golden and crispy. As if the menu weren’t enough, Al-Rayan also features a Middle Eastern bakery and a small grocery well-stocked with Levant staples.
Best Reason to Go to Murfreesboro
