Dateline: Giza

In a post earlier this year, I mentioned that it doesn't surprise me that a wonderful feast for two can be had for an investment the size of a week's unemployment check. What's more amazing is to be served a quite good meal that costs no more than an hour or two of minimum wage.

I had an exposure to the extreme end of that spectrum recently at Felfela, a take-out stand practically in the shadow of the pyramids. Falafel with tahini on pita can be had for a single Egyptian pound (exchange rate: 5.62 pounds to a buck).

Egyptian falafel is made of ground fava beans, rather than the more common chickpeas, blended with spices including fresh coriander leaf (a.k.a. cilantro), parsley, lime juice and spices. The crispy-fried Felfela version was drizzled with tahini and tucked into light, fresh pita. Another version Cousin and I tried featured tender, garlicky grilled eggplant on the same pillowy pita.

Madame Mumtaz, our fearless leader, suggested we order our falafel without salad (garnishes of tomato and lettuce). Several people in our group went for the full treatment without ill effect.

We enjoyed a tasty, satisfying dinner for two for less than the cost of the largest Starbucks latte. Cheap at twice the price.