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Came here right off the Amtrak just as a casual Friday lunch to celebrate my partner's birthday. Simple but yummy food - I really enjoyed Cauliflower Shawarma, and the Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade was refreshing, cold, and just the right amount of sweet. I'd recommend Little Sesame as a fast-casual spot with something different than your usual Chipotle or Cava. The hummus is also very very good!
A New Yorker is rating this place. little sesame truck came to NYC! Staff members gave us hummus and crackers :) I was so happy to hear that their promotion is from DC! We were there not long ago. When we were return, we def check here out!
Service here was SPEEDY! The only thing I tried was the chocolate soft serve (which is vegan!) and it definitely put the soft in soft serve. Despite scarfing it down, it was definitely melting very quickly. The soft serve was flavorful without being overpowering. Would want to return to try the vanilla tahini soft serve!
I am reviewing this business off of the food and experience I had. I would absolutely come back to give it a second try, but was not wowed by my first visit. I came here for a business lunch and was immediately struck by A) how busy this place gets from 1pm-2pm and B) the lack of accessible seating. There were very few spots for two people to eat and have a conversation: four two-seater tables inside, approximately 10 high-seater chairs around a long bar inside, and five or so tables outside. When I arrived, there were only high seaters available. I hate when places utilize this seating style because as a relatively short woman, I am often not able to reach to place myself elegantly into these seats. The food itself was decent. I had the Heirloom Tomato melt and added in fried hot peppers. I was glad I made that addition because, for one of the most expensive items on the menu, there was not much food/variety there in the sandwich. I think the hummus bowls might be the better move here. I LOVE heirloom tomatoes and would try that in the bowl the next time. I also had the sesame ice cream. This was tasty, but melted far too quickly inside to properly enjoy it. I wish they offered multiple sizes so I could choose the smaller one and not have to had wasted so much.
A solid downtown lunch option. I recently went here to get a chicken shawarma to go and was able to get it in under five minutes. The chicken shawarma was fine, although it could have used more shawarma. The pita was warm and fresh and the shawarma was seasoned well.
Oh, Little Sesame! With your hummus and pita, how I adore thee! Yeats back I used to frequent the Chinatown location. Since that closed awhile ago, I'm happy to see thus one still standing! While I don't get to enjoy it as often, it is still a treat. On my most recent visit, I had the Cauliflower Shawarma bowl (yum) and finally tried the oat milk soft serve. Yessss! My bowl was missing the pita (sad face) so minus one star as I had left the area and couldn't return for it. The location is downtown which means the core lunch hours are busy. Not uncommon to see the line at/out the door but it moves pretty quickly. There are a few tables to eat in but I'd plan for to-go/takeout. A great lunch choice that is vegetarian and vegan friendly!
This was by far one of my favorite eats in DC! The employees were super friendly and efficient. The food was super flavorful. I opted out for the chicken shawarma pita. From the fresh herbs, the roasted veg, the green tahini, all the components worked well together. Not to mention that they don't skimp out on the chicken and the pita is super fluffy! Also make sure you save room for dessert! After I ordered my sandwich, I asked for a sample of the soft serve (which they gave a super generous amount of) and I knew I had to have a full serving after my sandwich. They have a great vanilla/dark chocolate oat milk soft serve which is extremely smooth and just the perfect amount of sweetness. I got mine with some soomsoom crumble, which is essentially a sesame bark/cookie that adds a great texture to the smooth soft serve.
Close your eyes, take a bite from your dish and you are instantly transformed to another region. A marketplace in Tel Aviv, Israel? A small stall in Rabat, Morrocco? Algiers perhaps? All candidates for that trip of your imagination folded into a bowl of GOOD hummus. Hummus as it is, is a simple dish. Ever-present at the table in the Middle East, acting as both a filler and condiment, this dish can be both the main dish or the backup singer. My chief complaint about hummus in the US is that somehow Americans got used to a hummus that has barely any Tahini (sesame paste), and for those who know hummus, it's like having a hot dog with no ketchup (sorry Chicago!) Enter Little Sesame. Its name alone implies the added ingredient in the hummus. Tahini! Thina! Whatever you call it, there it is. Subtle, building the flavor of the already flavorful paste. Top it off with roasted squash, flavorful greens, crunchy chickpeas and flavor-packed olive oil, and what you get is a dish unlike other ever-so-common-in-DC run of the mill hummus places. This? This one shines at every corner. Staff is friendly and efficient even at lunch crunch hour and food is fresh. This is almost "fast food" but only because of the time it takes to be served to you. Don't confuse this with sub-par fast food joints that littler DC. Little sesame does it right! Give it a try. Two last tips: leave room for the oat milk soft serve. Get it with Halva. You'll thank me later. This is also a great solution for those who want a non-dairy ice cream. Get TWO pita breads. One is just not enough!
Are you a hummus fiend? Have you ever looked at a giant tub of hummus at the grocery store and had a random urge to just eat the whole thing in one go? If so, Little Sesame is the perfect place for you! Not only will they give you a giant heaping of hummus, their store-made hummus is some of the best hummus you'll ever eat! It's perfectly rich and creamy, with a prominent but not overwhelming sesame flavor from the tahini, and it's an amazing base for literally anything on their menu (or anything in your fridge if you want to buy a tub of their hummus to enjoy the Little Sesame experience from the comforts of your own home). Their bowls are all fantastic, with a generous portion of their delicious hummus topped with a smattering of perfectly cooked veggies or meat, and paired with a warm, fluffy pita. Their "Keep it Classic" is, well, a classic for a reason -- topped with roasted chickpeas and tahini, since you obviously didn't get enough from the hummus itself. They also add a nice drizzle of their cilantro jalapeno hot sauce to add a good kick of spice and acidity to break up the rich hummus. I usually opt for one of their seasonal offerings, particularly any bowl that features their partnership with Fly By Jing! My spring / summer favorite is topped with mint, peas, and green beans, which are just such a refreshing contrast against the hummus. The drizzle of Fly By Jing chili oil gives the bowl a great hint of spice, but also an intense umami, and I love topping any of their bowls with their perfectly soft-boiled 7-minute egg. If you're looking for something sweet, Little Sesame also has more to offer than just giant heapings of hummus! I love their oat milk soft serve, which you can get in either their decadent vanilla tahini or chocolate Turkish coffee (or, if you're indecisive like me, get their twist). I love that they have the basic vanilla / chocolate, but executed perfectly and with a slight twist. I love topping it with their halva or home-made sesame crumble for the perfect summery mid-day pick-me-up. Beyond their outstanding food, Little Sesame's service is also fantastic -- everyone is super friendly, and the service is efficient. They're usually pretty busy around lunchtime, but if you're in a crunch, you can order ahead online and get your food within 10-15 min.
Came for lunch today with a couple of friends. I ordered the Seasonal Chili Crisp Roasted Squash Bowl, which was very good and very filling. The bowl came with a tasty pita. Also ordered a container of Pumpkin Spicy Hummus, which was good. The Hibiscus Lemonade was flavorful and refreshing. There's not a lot of seating in the restaurant, but we were able to grab two small tables in the corner and sit for about an hour. The restaurant is very well lit and comfortable. The Staff were helpful and friendly. read more
So much yum! We came in just for the ice cream - so this review is just about the soft serve. It's the perfect little sweet treat for a warm day. They have indoor seating and a cute little outdoor seating area as well. For soft serve, at the time we visited, they had vanilla tahini, cinnamon apple, or swirl. They have a few mixins. We each got a different one. The cookie seemed to be a favorite. The halva dust tasted good but the texture may not be popular for a lot of people. The service was great, very friendly and extremely fast given the lunch rush. I really enjoy their store bought dips and I can't wait to come back in and try other menu items! read more
1 year ago
Came here right off the Amtrak just as a casual Friday lunch to celebrate my partner's birthday. Simple but yummy food - I really enjoyed Cauliflower Shawarma, and the Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade was refreshing, cold, and just the right amount of sweet. I'd recommend Little Sesame as a fast-casual spot with something different than your usual Chipotle or Cava. The hummus is also very very good! read more
1 year ago
A New Yorker is rating this place. little sesame truck came to NYC! Staff members gave us hummus and crackers :) I was so happy to hear that their promotion is from DC! We were there not long ago. When we were return, we def check here out! read more
5 months ago
Service here was SPEEDY! The only thing I tried was the chocolate soft serve (which is vegan!) and it definitely put the soft in soft serve. Despite scarfing it down, it was definitely melting very quickly. The soft serve was flavorful without being overpowering. Would want to return to try the vanilla tahini soft serve! read more
I am reviewing this business off of the food and experience I had. I would absolutely come back to give it a second try, but was not wowed by my first visit. I came here for a business lunch and was immediately struck by A) how busy this place gets from 1pm-2pm and B) the lack of accessible seating. There were very few spots for two people to eat and have a conversation: four two-seater tables inside, approximately 10 high-seater chairs around a long bar inside, and five or so tables outside. When I arrived, there were only high seaters available. I hate when places utilize this seating style because as a relatively short woman, I am often not able to reach to place myself elegantly into these seats. The food itself was decent. I had the Heirloom Tomato melt and added in fried hot peppers. I was glad I made that addition because, for one of the most expensive items on the menu, there was not much food/variety there in the sandwich. I think the hummus bowls might be the better move here. I LOVE heirloom tomatoes and would try that in the bowl the next time. I also had the sesame ice cream. This was tasty, but melted far too quickly inside to properly enjoy it. I wish they offered multiple sizes so I could choose the smaller one and not have to had wasted so much. read more
A solid downtown lunch option. I recently went here to get a chicken shawarma to go and was able to get it in under five minutes. The chicken shawarma was fine, although it could have used more shawarma. The pita was warm and fresh and the shawarma was seasoned well. read more
Oh, Little Sesame! With your hummus and pita, how I adore thee! Yeats back I used to frequent the Chinatown location. Since that closed awhile ago, I'm happy to see thus one still standing! While I don't get to enjoy it as often, it is still a treat. On my most recent visit, I had the Cauliflower Shawarma bowl (yum) and finally tried the oat milk soft serve. Yessss! My bowl was missing the pita (sad face) so minus one star as I had left the area and couldn't return for it. The location is downtown which means the core lunch hours are busy. Not uncommon to see the line at/out the door but it moves pretty quickly. There are a few tables to eat in but I'd plan for to-go/takeout. A great lunch choice that is vegetarian and vegan friendly! read more
This was by far one of my favorite eats in DC! The employees were super friendly and efficient. The food was super flavorful. I opted out for the chicken shawarma pita. From the fresh herbs, the roasted veg, the green tahini, all the components worked well together. Not to mention that they don't skimp out on the chicken and the pita is super fluffy! Also make sure you save room for dessert! After I ordered my sandwich, I asked for a sample of the soft serve (which they gave a super generous amount of) and I knew I had to have a full serving after my sandwich. They have a great vanilla/dark chocolate oat milk soft serve which is extremely smooth and just the perfect amount of sweetness. I got mine with some soomsoom crumble, which is essentially a sesame bark/cookie that adds a great texture to the smooth soft serve. read more
9 months ago
2 years ago
Close your eyes, take a bite from your dish and you are instantly transformed to another region. A marketplace in Tel Aviv, Israel? A small stall in Rabat, Morrocco? Algiers perhaps? All candidates for that trip of your imagination folded into a bowl of GOOD hummus. Hummus as it is, is a simple dish. Ever-present at the table in the Middle East, acting as both a filler and condiment, this dish can be both the main dish or the backup singer. My chief complaint about hummus in the US is that somehow Americans got used to a hummus that has barely any Tahini (sesame paste), and for those who know hummus, it's like having a hot dog with no ketchup (sorry Chicago!) Enter Little Sesame. Its name alone implies the added ingredient in the hummus. Tahini! Thina! Whatever you call it, there it is. Subtle, building the flavor of the already flavorful paste. Top it off with roasted squash, flavorful greens, crunchy chickpeas and flavor-packed olive oil, and what you get is a dish unlike other ever-so-common-in-DC run of the mill hummus places. This? This one shines at every corner. Staff is friendly and efficient even at lunch crunch hour and food is fresh. This is almost "fast food" but only because of the time it takes to be served to you. Don't confuse this with sub-par fast food joints that littler DC. Little sesame does it right! Give it a try. Two last tips: leave room for the oat milk soft serve. Get it with Halva. You'll thank me later. This is also a great solution for those who want a non-dairy ice cream. Get TWO pita breads. One is just not enough! read more
Are you a hummus fiend? Have you ever looked at a giant tub of hummus at the grocery store and had a random urge to just eat the whole thing in one go? If so, Little Sesame is the perfect place for you! Not only will they give you a giant heaping of hummus, their store-made hummus is some of the best hummus you'll ever eat! It's perfectly rich and creamy, with a prominent but not overwhelming sesame flavor from the tahini, and it's an amazing base for literally anything on their menu (or anything in your fridge if you want to buy a tub of their hummus to enjoy the Little Sesame experience from the comforts of your own home). Their bowls are all fantastic, with a generous portion of their delicious hummus topped with a smattering of perfectly cooked veggies or meat, and paired with a warm, fluffy pita. Their "Keep it Classic" is, well, a classic for a reason -- topped with roasted chickpeas and tahini, since you obviously didn't get enough from the hummus itself. They also add a nice drizzle of their cilantro jalapeno hot sauce to add a good kick of spice and acidity to break up the rich hummus. I usually opt for one of their seasonal offerings, particularly any bowl that features their partnership with Fly By Jing! My spring / summer favorite is topped with mint, peas, and green beans, which are just such a refreshing contrast against the hummus. The drizzle of Fly By Jing chili oil gives the bowl a great hint of spice, but also an intense umami, and I love topping any of their bowls with their perfectly soft-boiled 7-minute egg. If you're looking for something sweet, Little Sesame also has more to offer than just giant heapings of hummus! I love their oat milk soft serve, which you can get in either their decadent vanilla tahini or chocolate Turkish coffee (or, if you're indecisive like me, get their twist). I love that they have the basic vanilla / chocolate, but executed perfectly and with a slight twist. I love topping it with their halva or home-made sesame crumble for the perfect summery mid-day pick-me-up. Beyond their outstanding food, Little Sesame's service is also fantastic -- everyone is super friendly, and the service is efficient. They're usually pretty busy around lunchtime, but if you're in a crunch, you can order ahead online and get your food within 10-15 min. read more
8 months ago
3 years ago
I came in on a whim while walking by so I only had the Turkish coffee soft serve and wow I love a vegan treat that doesn't substitute the health benefits for the taste! It's so cold and refreshing and doesn't make you feel guilty after. I am a girl that loves the flavor of coffee but not actual coffee so this was a nice balance for me. I will definitely be back to try other stuff! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
I had a phenomenal experience here. The employees are extremely kind and patient - we came in about 15 minutes before closing to order takeout, and although we were mindful of the time, we didn't feel rushed at all. The hummus was amazing - it was fresh, creamy, and well-seasoned with mint and dill. The pita complemented the hummus perfectly - I wish I had ordered multiple pitas for later! Finally, the oat milk soft serve was creamy and balanced - Little Sesame is the perfect midday meal. read more
Great place for a quick and healthyish lunch! We got the chicken shawarma pita sandwich and the cauliflower shawarma pita sandwich. I thought the flavors were super well balanced with the chicken, roasted peppers, tahini, and herbs (I think there was dill, parsley, and mint?) and it was really stuffed, so definitely a filling meal. By far the best part was the pita - perfectly soft and airy. Definitely will be back to try the other menu items! read more
Oh. My. Goodness. I came in on a hot July afternoon for a quick bite, and when I saw tahini soft serve on the menu, I had to go for it. I got it with soom-soom crumble, which added such a lovely crunch and an additional nuttiness. The soft serve is dairy free, which isn't necessarily a selling point for me, but I do notice that I don't feel weighed down by it. More importantly, it's delicious. It's sweet, yet savory. What a great treat! I'll have to come back to try the food. Also, the interior is really cute! I love the color scheme and plants. read more
Little Sesame opened in early August 2018. The register is at the opposite end of where you walk in, seats to the left, high tables and chairs to the right, water station to the rear right, and a partially visible kitchen behind the front counter. Lots of plants including Zanzibar gem and golden pothos adorn the left wall. I ordered the #3 Hummus Bowl, which includes a "whole roasted cauliflower, tahini, everything spice, and green onion." It was served with a warm pita. The hummus dish tasted great---fresh ingredients, good balance of unique flavors, and a stunning visual appeal. It was either not a whole cauliflower or was a very small whole cauliflower. I was thinking a big head but it was actually chopped-up pieces (makes it easier to eat, of course). Here are few things to consider: 1. The interior is very small and seating is limited. Maybe because I had just dined at Flower Child yesterday, the contrast seemed stark. There is outdoor seating (i.e., four fenced-in tables), which my coworker and I made use of yesterday with the 70 degree weather! 2. The menu lists some ingredients that I conclude most people wouldn't recognize. Kombucha everyone has heard of at this point (though I still couldn't describe it apart from it being bitter), but what does "everything spice" include, what is "za'atar", what is a "10 hour egg" and a "7 minute egg", what is "taalia", what is "halva dust" and "soomsoom", and what is "green schug" and is that the same "schug" that's in the #6 or is a different schug? I wonder if most visitors know what "amba" is (I do, being Indian, though). The reality is that there is Google, but another reality is that hungry people are attracted to convenience and some are even spontaneous and would probably prefer not to look these things up. I've added a glossary to the bottom of this review. 3. The heat level is not indicated on each of the dishes. One, two, and three chilis could address that need. I asked the cashier if "everything spice" was spicy, and the cashier said no but that I could add green schug to make it spicy. The green schug was not spicy; it tasted like pesto and had no heat to it. The pickled red peppers that my coworker got were very spicy but the cashier didn't mention those. Overall, food was tasty and filling ($12 or so with no beverage purchase), the hospitality was warm and affable, and the ambiance was inviting. I'd come back. GLOSSARY Amba = tangy mango pickle Everything Spice = not spicy Green Schug = fresh green hot (but not spicy) peppers with coriander, garlic, salt, and black cumin Harissa = hot chili pepper paste Taalia = an Egyptian condiment with roasted garlic, cumin, and coriander Za'atar = herb mix of dried thyme, oregano, and marjoram read more
Me and my cousins were super excited to finally meet up and try this place out. We came in right at noon and luckily it wasn't too busy but filled up shortly after. The dining room doesn't have too many seats or much standing room. I ordered the Chicken Shawarma bowl and added a 7 minute egg (in between a soft boiled and a hard boiled egg). The hummus bowls also came with a pretty thick, warm pita. The hummus was topped with pickled red onion and a healthy amount of chicken which I loved. I really loved the pita and wish I would've ordered an extra one (only another $1) since I had a good amount of hummus and chicken leftover. Their red hot sauce was a good compliment and a small kick to it. My cousins wanted more texture so if you want that, I suggest adding the crispy chickpeas (it helps). My favorite part of the meal was dessert because we ordered their soft serve. They have vanilla tahini and dark chocolate Turkish coffee with a variety of toppings so we ordered a swirl. Definitely worth $5 based on the size alone but the flavors were so unique and complimented each other. The toppings also helped give it a nice crunch as well. We're definitely coming back to try more stuff and maybe put more add ins. Of course, we're going to also order more soft serve next time too. read more
This place has changed considerably since I first reviewed it, having moved from a tiny basement to a central downtown shop at street level, and having expanded its menu and added dessert. Their trademark hummus bowls are now complemented by sandwiches and coconut-based soft serve. The hummus bowl I got was described as "winter greens", which ended up being mostly brussels sprouts, quite a lot of them in fact. Not my favorite, but they were roasted pretty well and I enjoyed the bowl. There wasn't much to the little side salad, though it was tasty as well. The coconut soft serve dessert is a fairly impressive addition; it's not the sort of dessert that tastes like a dairy product, but it's good on its own merits, and comes automatically with a topping. It's pricey for fast food, but it is nice fast food. It's not a vegan place, but it's definitely the sort where you can eat vegan and have a good experience. And it's definitely one of the better quick options you'll find in the area. read more
3 years ago
The chicken pita was good--I was hungry and it wasn't so tiny I was disappointed. A little expensive for just a sandwich. It was soggy for a 9-5er sandwich as well. I thought the fresh herbs were odd additions at first, but the overall effect was good once I was in the middle of the sandwich. No bags, but it's nice they were environmentally friendly. The service was fine and the ambiance was decent. Wouldn't be upset to have someone suggest meeting here but I'd probably eat everything with a fork. read more
Still salivating from my first trip to Little Sesame I decided to return with a few friends to their brand new, bigger location. On a Friday night the spot was HYPE, who knew that TGIF meant hummus bowls for everyone? I've got to be in my 30's.... I was still pleased with my food which was healthy and filling but there were a few things that could have been better: + Roasted cauliflower was served semi cold + The dairy free soft serve was a bit icy and thin tasting. Attendants should work on their swirl skills because mine kind of flopped over to the side and didn't event fill the top of the cup. I was still impressed with their flavors which was vanilla tahini and dark chocolate turkish coffee. I just could see the flavors being a little bit more pronounced and creamier (perhaps try alternative milks -- I know great dairy free soft serve exists, just not here). read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
I loved this place when they were in Dupont, but I much prefer their new spot. It's brighter, more spacious, has easier access, and offers better hours. The inside is gorgeous. I went with the classic hummus (hummus, zhoug, tahini, roasted chickpeas) and it was just as delicious as before. The hummus is huge--I ate some for lunch, and then had enough for three breakfasts. I can't wait to try some of the pitas (because their pita is amazing) and salatim. But what really blew me away was their tahini soft serve. It was super creamy and amazing, and I loved the option of adding halva dust, because that's a good life choice. It's super close to work so I'm guessing I'll be a regular here. read more
Delicious hummus bowls bursting with flavor and warm fluffy pitas! So glad Little Sesame opened up last year - finally an authentic and healthy hummus spot. The #3 Cauliflower Hummus bowl was packed with flavor from the roasted cauliflower and hummus peppered with spices and topped with tahini. The small bowl was surprisingly quite filling. The warm pita was perfect for dipping and mopping up all the delicious hummus! The #11 Roasted Eggplant Pita Sandwich hit the spot! The eggplant is perfectly cooked with crunchy pickled onion topped with garlicky Tahini and spicy Green Schug made of hot green peppers neatly tucked into a warm and fluffy pita pocket. To my pleasant surprise, the sandwich wasn't overstuffed and didn't leak. It's gets super crowded during the lunchtime rush - get here a quarter of noon or after 1pm on the weekdays. I got here around noon and luckily there were only a few people ahead of me. When I was finished and got up 20 min later, the line wrapped around the corner with over 10 people waiting outside! I love the diverse vegetarian options. Can't wait for the 6th street location to open up near my office! read more
2 years ago
If Israel's hummus ruined all hummus found in the USA, run to Little Sesame. The hummus is on the same level (it better be since the recipe is from Israel). Little Sesame is a beautifully designed shop in downtown DC serving up hummus in all shapes and sizes. They started off making entree style hummus plates. You can get different vegetables on it and now you can even get a chicken shwarma on one. They recently slip into the wrap business catering to the lunch crowd. For dessert, you can get Middle Eastern flavored (i.e. tahini) soft serve. They also sell house made drinks like their purple lemonade (perfectly balance of sour and sweet). All of the food is superb, but their pita...wow. It's the best in the city. Maydan has good pita, but Little Sesame trained them on pita, so the best pita award goes to Little Sesame. There's plenty of seating inside and out so stay awhile AND always pay the extra $1 for another pita. You won't regret it! read more
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More info about Little Sesame
1828 L St NW
Washington, DC 20036
Downtown
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(202) 975-1971
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http://www.eatlittlesesame.com
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