Tomato and Basil

shut down as of july 30, 2007 and not to re-​open.
this place did have great schwermas, but the guy working the counter was a jerk. that might have closed the deal.

It looks like a hole in the wall (and it is), but the food is great and the owner is very friendly. We stop here whenever we’re in the area and always leave happy. I recommend the mozzarella and basil panini (warmed) and ask the owner to make you a mixed plate of pita and hummus with various extras (don’t forget the spicy olive oil)!

Nothing special but cheap.

I should have know when I saw the ceiling; an undulating sea of grease stains and dust. Filthy. I decided that I would waive my Americanized sense of cleanliness and give this place a go. BIG MISTAKE.
Apparently the personality less counter help mistook my order of falafel deluxe for an order of SALT with a side of falafel-​like ingredients. Let me put this into perspective: The Kettle Brand Salt and Pepper chips I ate after my salt brick of a falafel tasted like lightly seasoned pieces of heaven. If falafel making is an art than this place is the mall-​poster-​shop of the falefal world. Gross.

Fantastic, convenient, very affordable, very tasty Middle Eastern food. If you want a wrap or lavash, this place is fantastic. With this place and another fantastic Middle Eastern place close by which is also excellent, folks in the Union Square/​Financial District/​North Beach/​Oakland (if you really like it) are more than taken care of with re: to Middle Eastern food. Perhaps there are better places, but certainly not at this price. And always excellent, polite service.

When I’m paying 4 bucks for a proper wrap falafel, the interaction lasts all of 2 minutes AND they substitute avocado for eggplant I really don’t care if I get the white glove treatment… that said they’ve never pissed me off and the food is by far the best deal in the neighborhood. I do the vegetarian so can’t comment on the meat but for me… big ups. Mairhaba

BOYCOTT. The prick behind the counter is going to drive this struggling post-​dotbomb meat shack into the ground. This place is not prospering like some of the other restaurants on Kearny Street, and the overcooked chicken and dry stale falafel certainly don’t tip things to their favor.
After giving them business now and then for 3 years, I’ve finally had enough when the cash-​prick gave me attitude for using a credit card, even though he proudly displays the Visa and Mastercard logo on the cash register.
Yeah yeah, blah blah small businesses get hit hard with extra charges, grumble grumble. OH SOB CITY, CAN’T YOU ALMOST HEAR THE VIOLINS SQUEAKING? I run a tiny one-​man business too. This is nothing compared to the thousands of dollars of business that they will now lose as a direct result of Boycott a la Daniel. And if other friends follow me to Baladie, multiply this damage exponentially!
Was it really worth it, Tomato and Basil? Walk a few doors north to Baladie, and enjoy the same goodies without the dryness, and without the rotten attitude that will drive Tomato and Basil into bankruptcy.

Noticeable from afar with their green and red awning, Tomato & Basil offers a good falafel wrap, very filling and for ONLY $ 4. It’s a go-​to place for cheap eats (i.e., under $ 6) and if you’re on a mediterranean food kick. There’s few tables and chairs, though there are a few window seats. The place is not too busy, but they have quick service, nonetheless.

I should preface this review with the fact that i just returned from the middle east, so i’ve been spoiled when it comes to falafel.
that being said, this place is twice as expensive and half as good as just about any falafel place in the middle east. that being said, that translates into ‘pretty good’ for west coast standards. the rest of the meal is substandard, i swear, most of it straight out of a can. it’s not bad, especially for the price, but its far from thrilling.

Best food value on the street, I think. Especially great for Adkins dieters.
The place is owned by a middle eastern family, and their hot middle eastern son is usually working the cash register. The schwermas (sp?) are great! I usually run down here at noon for a half chicken and two different middle-​eastern salads. The baba ganoush and hummus are excellent. Most everything is under 6 bucks.

Woohoo! Great value on good food!
In this unseasonably warm weather, I was craving some cool Mediterranean fare, so I made my way up to Baladie. Alas, it was too crowded, so I shuffled aimlessly back down Kearney. Barely a block away (if that), I meandered into this hole in the wall after spotting their specials chalkboard on the sidewalk that tantalizingly read «Mediterranean Plate, $ 4.95.»
The plate included all of the usual suspects: hummous (garbanzo bean dip), falafel (deep fried ground garbanzo beans and herbs), tabouleh (couscous with parsley and tomato), babaghanouj (pureed eggplant dip), and dolmas (seasoned rice wrapped in grape leaves). Oh and pita of course. The portions seemed quite modest, but it filled me up just right, and I walked away feeling full and satisfied, but not stuffed or weighed down.
The highlight was the hummous. It was ultra-​smooth and creamy, with a little olive oil and spicy sauce on top. Mmmmm. The other stuff was good too, although I thought the tabouleh could have been fresher (I like a LOT of parsley and not too much couscous), and the falafel was room temperature, instead of being right out of the fryer. Overall these are quibbles, though.
Now, the atmosphere of this place is not exactly elegant: even with windows and doors open, it felt hot and stuffy, and the limited seating is bare bones. But I’ll take it if it means I can get a yummy Mediterranean plate in downtown SF for a mere $ 4.95!

The falafel and chicken shwarmas are really good. They include some fruit too (if they have any left — don’t go late or you’ll miss that). Looks a bit dingy and easy to miss, but it’s a good, healthy lunch.

Great schwarma — the chicken is wholesome rotisserie style stuff. So much food that I had to share my leftovers with a homeless guy. Love how they throw in a banana. Thanks for the potassium.

A quaint little mediterranean bistro with great round lunch combinations and excellent panini. If you’re a shwerma and falafel person, this place also comes recommended. Their sides, all served cold, are pretty good with plenty of spices and greco-​roman charm. Not to mention, you get an apple or an orange with your combo. It’s good if you’re looking for a somewhat healthy and/​or light meal during your busy work day.
The falafels are excellent as well, definitely worth it if you’re low on cash and need something to fill you up for the rest of the day!