arzak al qawther egyptian fast food

Fast food chains are a no-no for a seasoned traveller. What is the point of travelling far only to end up munching the same muck culinarily careless people stuff their faces with back home?

There are a few exceptions to this rule: like Singapore's ..., a chain of South Indian fast food eateries.

A late departure from Luxor and an even later arrival to Cairo (it beats to traffic jams even Bangkok and Moscow!), left us ravenous well past midnight. Luckily, later suppers seem to be a part of the national lifestyle: a little brighty lit shop at the end of our street was full with snacking Egyptians. Arzak al Qawther may be styled after Mickie D's but you can easily ignore the burgers and French fries and choose out of their rather extensive Arab food: from baba ghanoush and falafel to the pinnacle of Egyptian fast food, kouchari - the same concept as the Quebecois poutine - a mix of vermicelli, fried potatoes and mince, drenched in a rich sauce.