“If you grew up eating chicken over rice at halal carts in the city only to go vegan later in life you've experienced the extreme disappointment that comes with ordering falafel over rice without white sauce. It's a tragedy and a reason never to visit a halal cart again. Not at Sam's. Here the falafel is king and the platter is a shrine to the balls of chickpea. The sides and sauces all pack a punch of flavor and keep you coming back for more. The guys who work the cart are really sweet too. These falafels occupy a place in my heart.“
“I know this place just opened, but I extremely highly recommend. A few of my friends came to eat here and so I decided to give it a try. Walking in, I was surprised how there was literally no one there but a ton of workers which I guess was great for me as they were super attentive. I was a bit surprised by the prices were pretty high for something that was supposed to be take-out, but the minute they start making the shawarma, I knew why it was more expensive. I ordered the Chicken Shawarma platter and it was delicious! Perhaps one of the best shawarmas I've had in the city. First of all, they gave us a platter just for all the toppings, did I mention that they are unlimited, that they had. Sometimes the toppings don't have that much flavor, but each one was very complex and flavorful. The chopped salad was light and fresh which balanced out the finely chopped pickles which added a sour taste. The red cabbage slaw which was slightly savory and slightly sour balanced out the onions that had a slight charred on it. I was so delighted by all the different toppings, which is where I think the place definitely shines. The chicken itself was okay, tender but not crazier than normal. Overall, I had an amazing experience and especially with the portion sizes, the platter could easily feed a family of 4 with additional leftovers. I think it will take me at least 6-7 meals before eating it all but I did add some of my own rice to counteract the bounty of flavors. I will say that they don't automatically give you the rice or the fries so big reminder to ask them for that when you come.“
“Their hummus is beyond amazing. The taste of creaminess at the end. How they make it I have no idea. Now I’m in trouble I need get these! So recommend to anyone. Make sure you get falafel and eat it within, the best way to have your falafel. It’s crispy so good. It’s better than any places I ever tried. Highly recommendedVegetarian options: So many options. Just order it if your debating. One of the best. Better than any famous place“
“I've been looking for a place like this since moving to NYC. They're easy to find in London but a little harder in NYC dependent on the neighbourhood. I'm a huge fan of Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian food. The owner is very friendly, the food is authentic and flavourful, prices are excellent - I'll definitely be back again soon!Wheelchair accessibility: Door is adjacent to sidewalk.“
“I was there the other day, I like my shawarma without many bells and whistles, I really like the red pickled turnips, a few pickles, Hummus (NO tahinie - it's do dominant of a flavor) and a touch of hot sauce. I was disappointed observing no turnips, my #1 condiment. Imagine my surprise when he brought me the sandwich and the welcomed sight of turnips was there, yay!! amazing service, the meat was just right, tangy, fresh and delicious, although not an option on the menu, I asked for a chicken / lamb mix and received exactly what I asked for!Calm relaxed atmosphere, simple yet welcoming. Very, very highly recommended!Vegetarian options: Falafel , a great choice“
“Best food option in the area by a long shot. Great falafel, vegan & nut free friendly, generous portions, nice and saucy, and extremely reasonably priced. The owner is super friendly as well. 5/5Vegetarian options: VeganDietary restrictions: Nut free“
“Best shawarma & falafel in the city. Great overall experience. The owner was extremely kind and welcoming. My wife and I went in and placed our order and were treated with a free delicious falafel and some karak chai while we waited on our food. Food did not disappoint and will definitely be going back. Highly recommend to anyone in the area.“
“A great place! Falafel and everything else is absolutely scrumptious and the service is excellent. I go here now several time a week and I just love it. I was so sad when Jerusalem Restaurant closed, but now I grieve no more. Don't hesitate to patronize Zurna.“
“I’ve been coming here for years since they have a small food truck and right now they’re upgraded! I’m happy for them. I love the food here, nice location just right next to Lexington 63 station, good price, the staff is friendly and they also accept Apple Pay and cards.“
“Good hole-in-the-wall falafel place. Simple, no frills, good food. Macdougal street is really cool, a few other nice spots for cheap food......used to be look better before they added the outdoor tents, they really break up the vibe. Maybe if they disappear once the weather improves. Falafel was solid, but a little too messy and the hummus was a bit too runny.Overall: 3.5/5“
“It's 2:30am on a Saturday night. You are drunk and starving. Only two things you can think of is a hot slice of pizza or halal food.Stumbled upon this tiny convenience store serving halal food after a rowdy night of dancing & drinking. Went in and ordered their falafel plate - pretty standard, topped with salad, white sauce and hot sauce.One bite into that falafel and OMFG I was in heaven. The perfectly crunchy outside and the beautifully soft, bright green stuffing scooped along with the buttery saffron rice nicely soaking up the sauces - it just HIT THE SPOT. The spice level was so good and the quantity is enough to finish it in one go and you're back in business.This is really an excellent spot to satisfy your halal cravings, be it falafel or chicken over rice etc. The quality is also better than your regular halal cart.Give it a go & join me in heaven ;)“
“The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the service was prompt. Whether you're a local looking for a quick, satisfying lunch or in need of a dependable catering partner, this Vegetarian Falafel Food Truck has got you covered. I can't recommend it enough!“
“I just ordered a lamb gyro sandwich, and it was nothing short of extraordinary! The succulent lamb was perfectly seasoned, and the combination of fresh veggies and a flavorful sauce made every bite a burst of deliciousness. The takeout service was prompt, ensuring my meal arrived in top-notch condition. This place will quickly become my go-to for mouthwatering gyro satisfaction. Highly recommended!“
“10/10 for the fries, but wouldn't call home for the falafel sandwich. Ba'al Cafe is a tiny shop serving up falafel sandwiches, fries and other Mediterranean style foods. The fillings for the sandwiches were delicious, but the pita was lacking. Unfortunately their pitas aren't made fresh and are store bought. On the other hand, the za'atar were so delicious!! If you're a fan of crispy and flavorful fries, this is your place to go!! The staff here are also super nice, but it does take a while to get your food. We went on a Saturday and there were only 3 employees working. Plus they were missing a lot of dishes from the menu, which was a bummer. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. But if you're in the neighborhood looking for a cheap bite, this is a solid place. Also keep in mind there's very limited seating. You might find it easier to order takeaway rather than dine in. Must try: Za'atar fries The damage: for 3 sandwiches and fries the total was around $30! Hard to find a meal this cheap and filling in NYC“
“I absolutely love this place. I used to eat at OF back in Dubai where they have lots of locations. Now that I live in new york it’s great to be able to taste those flavors across the world, and in an americanized way (think: bowls). I particularly love the chicken shawarma bowl which is so balanced and flavorful. Please open more locations!!“
“If you are on the upper East side near Lexington Ave. ,then you must make it a point to stop in for a slice. Not a large place but the staff is super friendly and the pizza is great. The service was fast as I waited less than 10 mins for 4 slices to be heated up. The eggplant parm pizza I recommend. Also buffalo if you like heat. They have really good flavors and reasonable prices for NYC. Go enjoy.Dietary restrictions: Kosher“
“Passing by a few times and finally today I tried their chicken platter. So glad I did! Chicken is juicy, fresh salad, balance with rice. Since it is my first time I ask for a bit of all sauces. All pretty good. Hot sauce is indeed hot though, thank goodness I can take a hit ?. Not sure if a falafel is part of the order but he did give me one. It was cold but still pretty good. I can imagine how good it will be if it is warm. $10 and they take credit card. A nice lunch choice. Compare to other food trucks around. I would think this is a better choice.“
“Easily one of the best food deals in NYC. 11 dollars for a large bowl with unlimited toppings and four huge falafel that were some of the best falafel i’ve had in the area. Couscous was a little dry but still flavorful and the sauces were fantastic and arguably the best part. Perfect hummus as well.“
“The ordering process is really quick and efficient, the place is clean and the staff are friendly.The food was great and I'd say for the price point and portion size it's probably one of the best bang for your buck places you can go.“
“A convenience store and deli. It has a full menu of typical Middle Eastern. Oasis Deli And Grill is an unexpected find. Has good prices that are so cheap. There's not many places you can get food cheaper than you can here. I got the falafel sandwich for lunch. It's $5 and comes with lots of falafel pieces. The falafel is kind of crumbly but it's still good tasting. Much better than places where it's not fresh. The have choices of sauce. Hot sauce is really good on it. The falafel absorb it and gives the sandwich quite a spice. Hard to believe a convenience store has food this good and fresh. It can be hard to find it. This is past the big stairs on 187th Street.“
“Really solid falafel, if not exploding with flavor, it was still delicious. Almost 5 stars but not quite because of playing it safe with the spices. Perfect ratio of tahini, tomatoes, cucumber, ask for pickles. Actually, you can request any item from their little display and it’s included…feta, marinaded garbanzos, etc. It’s quite good! Pricing is reasonable. Music is good. You just sit at a counter facing the quiet street.“
“These street carts were peppered all over NYC. Am unsure why certain carts have longer queues than the rest even though they were all from the same franchise. Nothing much to comment on the taste. I didn't like the mess on the plate which was heavily slathered in white sauce. Reasonably priced. Portions are huge.“
“Second time here, both for lunch, and both delicious!Had the meatballs over rice with salad and a mint limeade. I asked the server for drink recs and he let me taste all of his faves.Need to come back for the dukka fries because they look amaaaazing.They also still have outdoor seating - Happy to have!Vegetarian options: Lots of flavorful vegetarian options and sauces!“