Hummus, made from chickpeas and sesame paste, is a common supermarket item these days. But until 2005, no one had considered building a business on the humble dip. That was until the launch of Hummus Bros, a food concept dedicated to the chickpea.
The idea behind Hummus Bros is almost laughably simple: to serve fresh, healthy food that doesn’t break the bank. The menu is limited, but with enough choice to keep customers coming back, and because the majority of items can be prepared in advance, the time from placing your order to receiving your meal can be as little as three or four minutes. This has made it popular with busy Londoners on short lunch breaks but is ideal for anyone looking for fast food with a difference.
A Tale of Two Brothers
The seed for Hummus Bros was planted back in 2003. Christian Mouysset and Ronen Givon, two college friends (not brothers), were looking for tasty food that wouldn’t blow their student budget. A chance lunch at a specialist delicatessen with three basic ingredients on the menu – pita bread, hummus and olive oil – got them thinking. Two years later, in August 2005, after months spent perfecting their recipe, the first place in the United Kingdom dedicated solely to hummus opened on Wardour Street in Soho. A second branch has now also opened on Southampton Row in Holborn.
A basic meal consists of a plate of creamy hummus (made on the premises without preservatives) and fresh, hot pita bread. In addition to this, you can add toppings and cold side dishes from a range of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern delights: barbecued aubergines, tabouleh, falafel, Greek salad and chunky beef, to name a few. Drinks in the form of smoothies, aloe vera, homemade lemonade and fresh mint tea are also available, as are a limited number of delicious but rich desserts: malabi (a milk-based dessert with date honey), baklava (a sticky, honey-drenched pastry) and chocolate brownies.
Hummus Psychology
After graduation, Christian went into marketing and his creative flair can be seen in Hummus Bros. The food is what drives the business, but the whole concept has been carefully packaged. The interior of the branches is modern and uncluttered – in the Holborn branch this means bare white walls and an unpainted, industrial-looking ceiling – and contains long, communal tables. The descriptions on the menu are short and snappy and each place is set with a fun ‘hummus psychology’ mat. While you are waiting for your food, you can find out if you are a diplomat, freestyler or more of a fork commandments-type when you eat your hummus. The staff is friendly and efficient (sadly, not always the case in London) and dressed in t-shirts with the words ‘Give peas a chance’ on them.
Hummus Bros was named one of Time Out’s 2008 Fabulous 50 restaurants. It is rare that fun and food can be brought together and still result in quality. If you are looking for something fast, tasty or just good value in London, those Hummus Bros peas should definitely be given a chance.
Go to the website for more details on locations, opening times and take-away options.
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