Middle East Lahmajun

- 355 Anderson Ave, Fairview, NJ 07022

If you're a North Jersey resident with a taste for authentic, deeply flavorful food, chances are you've heard of—or already have stacks of—the iconic flatbreads from Middle East Lahmajun. Tucked away in the busy borough of Fairview, this specialty bakery isn't a typical storefront serving hot, single-slice items. Instead, it operates as a commercial production facility that serves as the region’s primary source for high-quality, consistently made, and conveniently frozen Lahmajun in bulk.

For decades, this location has been a pillar for those seeking the true taste of this Middle Eastern delicacy, often dubbed "Armenian Pizza" or "Turkish Pizza." Its history is deeply tied to the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern communities in the greater New Jersey/New York metro area, providing a taste of home and a staple for community gatherings that you simply cannot replicate with supermarket alternatives. This is a must-visit spot for any serious Bergen County food lover looking to stock their freezer with history and flavor.

Introduction / Overview

Middle East Lahmajun is not just a bakery; it is a venerable institution within the North Jersey culinary scene, specializing almost exclusively in one product: Lahmajun (also spelled Lahmacun or Lahmajoun). This dish translates literally from Arabic as "meat with dough" (laḥm bi-ʿajıˉn). It consists of a paper-thin, round dough topped with a savory mixture of minced meat—typically beef or lamb—blended with finely chopped vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and parsley, and heavily seasoned with potent Middle Eastern spices such as cumin, paprika, cayenne, and garlic. Crucially, and unlike its Italian cousin, Lahmajun is traditionally made without cheese or heavy sauce.

The roots of this flatbread trace back over four thousand years to ancient Mesopotamia, evolving through the communal ovens of Anatolia and the diaspora kitchens of Armenian, Syrian, and Lebanese communities. In Bergen County, this bakery carries on that ancient tradition, operating as a vital hub where customers travel from all over the state—and even across state lines—to purchase their authentic product. As one customer noted, the quality and taste have remained remarkably consistent for decades, making a visit here a trip down memory lane for many who grew up eating this regional specialty.

Location and Accessibility

Middle East Lahmajun is conveniently situated in Fairview, New Jersey, a small but vibrant borough in Bergen County. The bakery’s address is 355 Anderson Ave, Fairview, NJ 07022. Anderson Avenue is a central artery that makes the location highly accessible by car for residents throughout North Jersey, including those in nearby Cliffside Park, Ridgefield, Fort Lee, and the broader Hudson and Bergen County areas. For many New Jerseyans, Fairview is considered a prime commuter location, sitting just seven miles from Midtown Manhattan.

This proximity means that while the bakery itself is nestled in a local neighborhood, it draws a massive regional clientele. Those traveling from further away often find the journey worth the investment, despite local traffic congestion sometimes being a trade-off for the excellent location. Public transit access is also practical, as several major bus routes operate along Anderson Avenue and nearby Bergen Boulevard, linking Fairview directly to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City and various points within New Jersey, offering a reliable, if sometimes lengthy, way to reach this culinary destination without needing a car.

Be aware that the bakery is known for having a somewhat unassuming appearance—a "hole in the wall," as described in one review—so keep a sharp eye out for the address to ensure you don't miss this local landmark. The focus here is entirely on the product, not the storefront flash.

Services Offered

Middle East Lahmajun is unique because it functions more as a wholesale provider than a retail café. Its services are tailored for the convenience of bulk purchase and long-term storage, reflecting its role as a regional food supplier:

• Bulk Frozen Lahmajun Sales: The core business model, allowing customers to purchase dozens of Lahmajun at once for storage and later preparation. This method preserves the freshness and consistency of the product until ready to eat.
• Takeout Service: The only service option for customers visiting the physical location. You walk up, place your bulk order, and take it with you.
• Quick Visit Model: Designed for efficiency, the facility is optimized for quick transactions, meaning patrons shouldn't expect an eat-in dining experience or a lengthy conversation, but a fast, professional pickup.
• Variations (Historical Note): While the primary offering is the traditional meat-topped Lahmajun, long-time patrons may recall or find occasional variations like whole wheat or vegetarian options in their chest freezer inventory, depending on the day’s production schedule and availability.
• Frozen Kibbeh (Bulghur Wheat Croquettes): Alongside their main product, they sometimes offer other complimentary Middle Eastern staples like frozen Kibbeh for additional purchase.

Features / Highlights

What sets Middle East Lahmajun apart is not its customer service or ambiance, but its unwavering dedication to producing a high-volume, high-quality, authentic product that serves as a cornerstone for local Middle Eastern cuisine enthusiasts.

• Decades of Consistency: The bakery has been operating since at least the 1970s or 1980s, serving as a nostalgic touchstone for generations of New Jersey residents who grew up with their unique Lahmajun flavor.
• Regional Distributor Status: This location is recognized as a major producer, distributing their signature flatbreads to specialty supermarkets and grocery stores across the entire New York metropolitan area.
• Authentic Syrian-Style Preparation: The Lahmajun recipe is often cited as being in the Syrian style, utilizing a specific, rich blend of ingredients including beef, onions, peppers, parsley, tomato paste, and a generous amount of garlic and spices.
• USDA Inspected Facility: Operating as a commercial entity, the facility adheres to federal inspection standards, ensuring a monitored and regulated food production environment.
• Perfect Freezable Food: By selling the product frozen in bulk, the bakery provides a perfect solution for busy New Jersey families who want a quick, authentic, and delicious meal ready to heat and serve at home, making it ideal for snacks, light lunches, or a mezze spread.

Contact Information

• Address: 355 Anderson Ave, Fairview, NJ 07022, USA
• Phone: (201) 941-5662

What is Worth Choosing

When evaluating Middle East Lahmajun, customers must understand that they are visiting a food production factory, not a cafe. You choose this bakery for the product's legacy, consistency, and unparalleled taste, not for the warm welcome. If you are seeking the absolute best, most authentic, and deeply ingrained flavor of Lahmajun that has been perfected and trusted by the North Jersey community for generations, this is the destination.

The value proposition lies entirely in the food itself. While some customers have noted minor inconsistencies in dough shape and price increases—and yes, the service may be curt—the product’s core essence remains untouched. A customer who has been returning for over forty years attests to its absolute consistency in quality and taste, calling it the gold standard of Lahmajun in the tri-state area.

The ability to purchase dozens of these savory flatbreads frozen means you can bring a genuine piece of Middle Eastern culinary heritage into your own home, ready to be heated and enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon and fresh parsley. For those willing to look past the no-frills setting and focus on the decades-tested recipe, Middle East Lahmajun in Fairview remains an essential stop on any New Jersey food tour.

Middle East Lahmajun

355 Anderson Ave, Fairview, NJ 07022, USA