If you don’t yet know about the family-owned Palestinian deli Baba’s Pantry, you should. We not only named it one of our Top 40 KC Restaurants in 2022 but national outlets have sung its praises as well (Bon Appétit dubbed it Top 10 New Restaurants that same year). Baba’s owners are now onto their next endeavor – opening a Palestinian bakery right next door.
“With the success of the Pantry, we just knew there was so much more we can offer,” says Kamal Kamal, one of Baba’s sons who helps operate the family business. “We’re all excited to continue the brand and the storytelling that we’re offering.”
Baba’s Bakery is expected to open within the year (1019 E. 63rd St.). The space in East Brookside is only slightly bigger than the Pantry, so seating will still be limited. They are unsure whether the wall between the Pantry and the bakery will be knocked down, or if the two spaces will be kept separate, Kamal says.
Whereas Baba’s Pantry is a reflection of Palestine’s market culture, the bakery side will have a more domestic spin, “like a Palestinian home,” says Kamal.
The bakery will sell traditional Palestinian desserts like baklava and knafeh (a Middle Eastern sweet cheese dessert topped off with a layer of crispy shredded pastry dough), along with family recipes and modern Middle Eastern takes on traditional baked goods.
When it comes to putting a Palestinian twist on classic desserts, Baba’s Pantry’s babanolis are a great example. Flaky filo dough, also used in baklava, replaces the cannoli and is filled with a Middle Eastern cream complete with pistachios and rose water.
“Palestinian culture is such a melting pot of so many different things,” says Kamal. “There’s Turkish influence, Persian influence and African influences in Palestinian desserts. We want to continue playing with Palestinian diaspora food, and acknowledging our ancestors and traditional roots in Palestine. I think that mix is going to have unique things that you won’t find anywhere else.”
If you’ve tried other pastries at Baba’s Pantry like the celebratory Maamoul cookie, you can thank Kamal’s brother Omar, who often creates the dessert recipes at Baba’s. He’ll be spearheading the Bakery’s pastry program, even developing a homemade pita recipe. In the spirit of keeping it in the family, Kamal sisters Yasmine and Hannah will eventually join the bakery as well.
According to Kamal, the bakery is a way for the family to “pay homage to the amazing talented women in [their] family who have made some amazing desserts and sweets.”
“They have some amazing recipes we can’t wait to share with Kansas City,” says Kamal.
