Backyard Dining Traditions at Bok Bok

​By: Bob Gourley
 
There is a lot of good food that is shared at backyard feasts. The folks behind the budding Bok Bok chain of restaurants like to use their own backyard experiences to fill their menu items. Even though the place doesn’t feature BBQ as a lot of home-cooked bashes do, they feature a lot of healthful Mediterranean dishes that are flavorful.

​A visit to the recently-opened Henderson location was a discovery trip for me. The first thing I noticed were the rotisserie chickens turning.
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The almost-finished birds had a rich, golden color that looked great. In fact, if you want to buy one, a whole chicken with fresh pita will only set you back $12.00.
    
Sandwiches are highlighted with a Shawerma Pita that features flame-broiled and marinated tri-tip that is wrapped in the bread with roasted tomato, tahini and piaz. There are other versions with falafel, chicken and marinated beef.
    
If you are in the mood for soup, they offer two: lentil with potato, Swiss chard, lemon and spices plus chicken noodle with potatoes, carrots and celery. Salad fans will want to consider the Batata with potato, green onion, parsley, lemon juice and more.
    
Come hungry and be prepared to feast on one of their plates. I usually get the Rotisserie Chicken Plate with either a quarter or half chicken with rice pilaf and fattoush, which is a middle-eastern salad. They prepare it fresh to order and you can pick the ingredients you want.
 
Watercress, green onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers are included. One thing they add are small pita chips that put a nice crunch on the proceedings.
    
The plates also come with a choice of either hummus or mutabbal which is an eggplant dish that is certainly not as well-known as hummus is. I recommend hummus because it is some of the best you will find in the valley.
 
It has a rich, thick consistency to it that is satisfying with every bite. Also filling the plate is rice pilaf that has a decidedly darker appearance that you usually see. It doesn’t seem to add much to the taste which is already moist and tender.
    
They also offer a veggie plate with made-to-order falafel, sarma and quinoa that is served with tabouleh or salad. Most vegans would feel quite at home with all of the veggie options that are available.
    
Middle-eastern desserts usually have a healthful aura to them and you will find that to be the case here. There is of course a Baklava with layers of filo pastry and walnuts soaked in rosewater syrup. But they also have Ashtas, a concoction of shredded filo dough with pistachios and sweet cream. Gatnaboor is rice pudding with cinnamon.
    
You can feed your kids in a healthful way with the youth meal with chicken, rice and a choice of hummus, quinoa or other options. Apple juice is also included. They have the usual soft drinks but you may want to try something a little different - Tan a traditional yogurt beverage.
     
The folks behind Bok Bok must have had some great backyard feasts. Their traditions are nurturing a new generation of fans.
    
Bok Bok, 725 S. Green Valley Parkway #150, Henderson. (702) 984-0534. www.bokbokchicken.com.