Alamir Bakery, Anaheim

Before shopping at Sinbad Ranch market, Tracey and I popped into Alamir Bakery for lunch. The "bakery" part of the name is misleading. Alamir serves Middle Eastern pizza and . . . well, actually that's it. Even for a pizza place, the menu is pretty limited -- mostly, you're choosing among several cheesy pizzas or a several (ground) meaty pizzas. But the crust is wonderful (Al Amir uses a woodburning oven), and the delicate cheese is sooo much better than mozzarella.

Alamir's decor is simple and clean but attractive with some nice Middle Eastern touches. When we were there, the World Cup played on a big TV. Since Alamir uses (already cooked) flatbread as their crusts, our pizzas came out of the oven really quickly.

I preferred Tracey's pizza -- cheese with olive oil and oregano -- to mine. Topped with ground meat, pine nuts and pomegranate, it was a little blah. But that's what I get for ordering what is essentially a hamburger pizza. Next time I'll go for plain cheese.

Al Amir's prices are ridiculous (in a good way). Generous personal pizzas cost less than three dollars each. A can of soda is a dollar.

All in all -- a great spot for a quick, cheap, tasty lunch.

Al Amir Bakery
2281 West Ball Rd., Anaheim, CA 92804, 714-535-0973

http://www.alamirbakery.com/