Exotic, with fries

So we're sitting at our desks, trying to think of what to write about the Egyptian Café & Hooka Bar in Broad Ripple, when Nina starts reminiscing about the fries.

"Let me tell you what those fries did for me," she said. "If I've had dreams about potatoes, this café made them all come true."

And yes, she's saying that about a café that specializes in Egyptian cuisine and hookas.

We went there for lunch, sitting on comfy, low-riding cushions in an Egyptian-themed dining area with the fruity smells of hooka tobacco in the air.

We probably couldn't have swung a two-for-$20 dinner here, but lunch was easy.

Clocking in at $19.75, it was worth it to us to fork over our own 8 bucks for a white grape and mint-flavored hooka.

One Coke: $1.95

'Nuff said!

Chicken shawarma: $7

Slow-cooked, tender pieces of marinated chicken (here's where Nina interrupts, "Oohh, I just want to talk about the fries") with tomato, parsley, onion and sesame paste, wrapped in a warm pita blanket. And on the side -- all together, now -- some delicious french fries. Flavorful and slim, these crisp sticks were an unexpected American bonus to our Middle Eastern meal.

Chicken souvlaki: $7

Same basic idea as shawarma only this one's cut into chunks and coated with cucumber-y tzatziki sauce and topped with lettuce, tomato and feta. Yes, this also came with fries. For an afternoon delight, it was the perfect size. That's what she said.

Strawberry-banana smoothie: $3.75

With a few bucks to spare, we ordered this at the owner's recommendation. Although a little pricey, it was the perfect, fresh complement to a salty lunch and a light hooka.