Bites Nearby: Falafel King an Oasis in West Bloomfield

6540 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 248-855-6929

I can admit, without a shadow of a doubt, that Middle Eastern food is nearest to my heart. My family owns a deli in St. Clair Shores, so I've grown up eating hummus, kibbeh, tabouleh, meat pies and baklava.  

Falafel King reminds me why I enjoy Middle Eastern food so much. Most importantly, I ate my entire meal without using utensils. It may sound barbaric or juvenile, but eating with my hands is a simple pleasure.  

The reason you can forgo utensils at Falafel King is the fresh-baked, fluffy pita bread. As you may know, fresh-baked pita is one of the most addictive foods on earth. Even after you've eaten a dozen or so, you'll continue to eat.  

But you're not eating pita alone; you need to try the falafel.

It is easy to mess up falafel — the texture could be off, the flavors not bold enough — but at Falafel King, you're in good hands.  

Each patty has a hole in the center, allowing for more even cooking. This gives superior texture and crunch. Add to that the generous spicing, and you have a truly memorable falafel.

Quite literally, a meal could be made out of the falafel and pita bread. Oh, and don't forget the toum (garlic sauce). There is a muted garlic punch in this toum, and it is creamier than most — different in a good way.

Of course, I didn't stop at falafel. For just $8.95, the lunch special is impossible to pass up. Choose an entree, and salad, hummus, rice or fries are included.

Kafta kabob is related to hamburger — charbroiled ground meat that is heavily seasoned and grilled on a skewer. Moist and tender, a piece of kafta together with toum, a couple of fries and a scoop of salad makes a wonderful sandwich. Remember, no utensils.

It has been ridiculously hot these past couple of weeks. If all of this hot food has you overheated, don't fret. Upon your arrival, request a fruit smoothie. Smoothies are made to order and include plenty of fresh fruit mixed with yogurt and ice. Nice and frosty, these healthful cocktails can help cool down a hundred-degree day very quickly.

Falafel King is casual, set up like a diner. The food is the star. Everything is super fresh and tastes great. Come for the falafel, but try other dishes, too. From what I hear, the chicken shawarma is fantastic. Looks like I'll have to go back and try that.

Recommended dishes: Falafel, toum (garlic sauce), strawberry-banana smoothie

Prices: $1.50-$21.45

Credit cards: All major

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Joe Hakim is a food blogger and photographer for TheHungryDudes.com.