The worlds of Syrian cuisine and French baking are not often intertwined, but the so aptly named Exotic Bakeries and Syrian Cuisine proves that this combination can stimulate the pleasure receptors of most every taste bud residing in a college student’s mouth.  Often overlooked, this walk-in sandwich and dessert shop has subsisted for almost 20 years under the masterful guise of Jinan Elkhatib and his wife Monib.  Through providing enormous portions teeming with overwhelming quality, this couple has captured the hearts of savvy Ann Arbor foodies for years.

Located in the plaza at the intersection of Murfin and Plymouth Road, just beyond North Campus, Exotic Bakeries and Syrian Cuisine is a positive island among the sea of negatives that is North Campus living.  For $6-10, a guest can receive any permutation of sandwiches or combos involving shawarma, kafta, tabbouli, hommous, kibbee, and all the other Middle-Eastern favorites that make its cuisine so delectable.  Jinan or his wife will assemble the food right in front of you, heaping on enough tantalizing ingredients to make you wonder why you would ever spend $7 on a Panchero’s burrito again.