Sabra Opens Georgetown Pop-Up Restaurant Devoted Entirely to (Duh) Hummus

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Pop-up restaurants are going corporate. Hummus-maker Sabra will be shilling its products with a month-long eatery in Georgetown called Hummus House. The temporary restaurant will serve daily lunch and dinner starting at 6 p.m. today through Oct. 26.

“The focus and star of the restaurant is really hummus,” says former Food Network Star contestant Mary Beth Albright, who will serve as Hummus House chef. “A lot of people eat hummus plain, but we’re putting on a lot of different combinations that maybe people haven’t thought of.”

The menu features hummus dishes almost exclusively: sundried tomato hummus paninis; a microgreen and farro salad with hummus vinaigrette; a “global tostada” that layers tortillas with hummus, guacamole, and cilantro-lime slaw; and of course, just plain hummus. Some other highlights include made-to-order hummus and an “East Meets West” platter that includes three hummus samplings with topping combinations like edamame, crystallized ginger, and sesame oil or roasted pepitas and pumpkin oil.

Hummus House will also sell grab-and-go items from local vendors including Capital Candy Jarcandy, Chocotenango chocolate, and Whisked! cookies. Chickpeas from D.C.’s 2Armadillos, vegetables from Alexandria’s Arcadia Farm, and a pickle platter with Falls Church’s Fresh Crunch are also featured on the menu. Plus, the Hummus House will host a variety of community events in its upstairs space, including free yoga. (Lululemon is tomorrow evening.)

The pop-up is Sabra's attempt to reach the 70 percent of households that, according to its market research, do not buy hummus—or may not have even heard of it. “We have a great opportunity to give people their first experience with hummus,” says Tracy Luckow, Sabra’s global director of insight. “We have great menu items for the hummus novice, and we also have really exciting recipes on our menu for hummus aficionados that will stretch their experience with hummus.”

Aside from the fact that the hummus manufacturer has a plant nearby in Richmond, Sabra chose D.C. for its first pop-up location due to its burgeoning food scene and the debates about healthy food policy that happen here.

The entirety of the proceeds will go to the Future Farmers of America. Sabra is paying for staff salaries, so no tips are required or even allowed.

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Hummus House, 1254 Wisconsin Ave. NW; (202) 333-0500sabra.com/hummus-house

Photos courtesy Sabra