Wikipedia Falafel

Have you ever had falafel? It’s one of my favorite Middle Eastern foods When I speak of falafel, I’m actually referring to a falafel in a flour or pita wrap with lettuce and an assortment of other goodies, such as tomatoes, onions, and sauce. Falafel in America is probably different from falafel in Middle Eastern countries – just like Panda Express is different from Chinese food. Even within America, there are variations.

Falafel from Haymarket, Boston: An older man, with odd mannerisms, owns a small store next to the open-air Haymarket. His falafels are cheap, refreshing, and delightful.

Falafel from Central Square, Cambridge: These falafels are a little heavier, but still have the same melt-in-your-mouth goodness that all falafel wraps should have.

Falafel from Harvard University Dining Services: Dry, tasteless, and disgusting. Most students have their first and only taste of falafel in the dining hall, and are extremely surprised when I say that falafels are delicious.

Falafel from New Haven, Connecticut: Not bad at all, but tasted more like fast food tacos than true falafel.

Falafel from street carts of NYC: Just like the city and its residents, these falafels are hearty and heavy in sauce. This falafel was greasy and good, but next time I’ll know to go light on the sauce.

I still have a lot more falafel tasting to do – a handful of cities is not enough to transform a dilettante into a falafel connossieur. If I get a chance, I’ll even fly around the world to taste falafel. And when I’m all done, I’ll open my own falafel shop – He’s Falafels.