Hummus seems to be the new buzzword around London as both the Hummus Bros locations are full of lunchtime City slickers and students. A fantastic concept with healthy, filling and delicious food.

The Venue
About a five minute walk from Holborn tube, the Holborn Hummus Bros location is quite hard to find as the signage is very discreet. Situated behind a modern glass frontage on Southampton Row, you have to look hard to find it. Inside the space is a takeaway counter, lots of benches and shared table style seating. You also can head up the funky steel staircase to the upper floor where there are more seats and a bar. It’s modern and cool but without being over the top.

The Atmosphere
Hummus bros is full every day. Queues are expected outside the building for the takeaway service and there are always people waiting for the seating area. There are students and health conscious business professionals all buzzing around trying to get a slice of the action. The two founders of the company themselves are often on hand to answer any questions and explain and recommend their specialties. It’s a great bonus having them there as they certainly know their stuff and can help you chose what best goes with what. Overall it’s a lively and fun atmosphere that appears to be full of very happy customers.

The Food
For those of you thinking that if you wanted to eat hummus you could go and buy a tub from your local supermarket and eat it at your desk – as it’s cheaper and easier and who wants to fill up on garlic chickpeas anyway… you’re wrong. This is superior hummus, made with love.

Depending on how hungry you are, you can either choose a small or a large bowl of hummus. Once you have made your mind up you then choose a topping: mashed brown fava beans, mushrooms with caramelised onions, slow stewed beef, guacamole or chicken. Prices start from £2.80 for a small and £4 for a large, but even the more expensive options are cheaper than £6. The hummus arrives beautifully presented in a white bowl with a generous topping of chunky guacamole – jalapenos and other extras are on offer for 50 to 90p. You also get a fresh, hot pitta bread to scoop it all up with – white and wheat are available, along with gluten free substitutes. Conveniently (especially if you have a meeting in the afternoon) the garlic is served on the side, so it’s totally up to you if you wish to add garlic to your hummus.

The hummus is a perfect smooth and wholesome base for the tangy and chunky guacamole. The chicken topping is sauteed in a light and fresh tomato sauce and also makes a great addition to the hummus. A Greek salad (£3) is prefect side dish. Everything is chopped very finely and the ingredients are all very fresh. The smoky barbecued aubergine is made with tahini and is as you would expect, delicious, especially on a hot pitta. There are also daily specials such as homemade falafel salad or Moroccan meatballs, which are a brilliant alternative to hummus, should you choose not to sample any.

Hummus Bros also serve puddings, including a homemade chocolate brownie (£2) that’s gooey and sweet. You can also have baklava, a rich pastry with chopped nuts served with honey (£1.80), or malabi (£1.50), a homemade turkish milk-based pudding with the consistency of panna cotta. It’s delicate and wobbly, served with a thick molasses sugar – out of this world.

The Drink
Just as good as the food. Fresh mint and ginger lemonade will remind you of being a child on a warm summer’s day. Fresh ingredients and a sharp tang make this a great lunchtime refresher for £1.70. The aloe vera juice (£1.70) is sweetened with honey and tastes delicious, like a very mild apple juice, but with the benefit of it being a natural cleanser so it gives you a natural energy boost, too. There are also fresh juices available and a wonderful mint tea infusion which is served with fresh mint leaves. A brilliant way to help all the food go down.

The Last Word
Give peas a chance is the Hummus Bros motto. Anyone not willing to accept hummus as a delicious and filling meal is losing out, big time. The food here is fresh and full of flavour, great as a lunchtime meal or a light dinner. Excellent food at very reasonable prices.

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