This Paterson restaurant is one of the best in the US. Everything to try when you visit

Al Basha has been serving incomparable Middle Eastern food in Paterson — flavors that draw people from all over — for 25 years. Ethereal hummus. The most tender chicken kebab. Fresh, vibrant tabbouleh.

First in small, humble digs on Main Street, it’s now in a brand new, big, airy dining room on Crooks Street — a modern oasis of soothing neutral colors, plush cloth-covered banquets, modern lighting fixtures and floor-to-ceiling windows.

So it’s not what you’d call an overnight success.

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But this week, it has made national news: Along with 46 other restaurants, Al Basha was included in the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list.

Owner Yaser Baker said receiving this nomination was truly appreciated — and it motivates everyone to continue raising the bar.

“We are honored to be recognized among the top restaurants in the country,” said Baker, who said his sons, who are also owners, feel the same way. “Our success is due to our dedicated staff and their commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience for our customers each and every day. Awards like this would not be possible without support from the local community. We look forward to welcoming back all of our loyal customers and new guests alike.”

What makes Al Basha stand out?

Al Basha has a completely new address, a completely new look, a new outdoor garden and … we love it. But it was a long journey to the sophisticated dining experience you can expect now.

Original owner Yaser Baker grew up in Ramallah, Palestine, with a great love for food. In the sweltering summers, he worked in an ice cream shop, creating refreshing treats for locals and tourists alike. After moving to the U.S., he practiced his culinary skills on a ferry boat on the Hudson River — honing recipes and techniques.

He opened Al Basha in 1998, and it became a magnet for food lovers in the know. Soon, his sons, Ammar and Mohammad, joined the business, bringing innovation and modernity to the restaurant.

Then they opened on Crooks Avenue. The food? As good as ever, if not better.

How many have you been to? Check out USA TODAY’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year.

What to order at Al Basha

Pita. They’re homemade — in Al Basha’s bakery, right down the road — fluffy, warm and chewy and, honestly, reason enough to go to the restaurant. They’re perfect for dipping into the dips that, no matter what else you may want, you just have to get, including its famous hummus.

For the inaugural list, there are 47 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year 2024.

Hummus. Fans, and there are many, say Al Basha has the best hummus in the region and we agree; it is absurdly velvety and refreshingly lemony — and yes, terrific.

Mazzah. Get a sample of it all: Baba ganoush (a slightly smoky eggplant purée that’s divine); mouhamara (a wonderfully sweet roasted tomato dip heady with the taste of fresh ground cumin); labneh (ultra-creamy yogurt flecked with fresh dill); and tabbouleh (loaded with fresh parsley, snippets of juicy tomatoes, and hints of lemon and garlic with just a smidgen of grain to bind it).

Meat platter. The restaurant is famous for its variety of shawarma and kebabs, including one of the best chicken kebabs in our midst. Depending on your platter size, the serving, the restaurant says, is from one to six. But we’d say more like three to 10; the portions are huge.

See the full menu.

Did you know?

Al Basha just opened Basha in The Bronx — not a restaurant, not a pop-up, a kitchen dedicated solely to third-party delivery apps like DoorDash and GrubHub. Now New Yorkers can order hummus and shish kebab, shawarma and kebbah, and enjoy it without leaving their dining rooms.

Details: 387 Crooks Ave., Paterson, N.J.; 973-345-8558, albashausa.com.

USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year: How the list of best restaurants was decided

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: This Paterson restaurant is one of the best in the US. Everything to try when you visit