Mamoun’s Falafel is legendary.
The original location in Greenwich Village has been around since the early ’70s, making it not only the oldest falafel restaurant in New York but one of the first Middle Eastern restaurants in the U.S. Since then, it’s been featured in numerous publications, including the book 1000 Places to See Before you Die, and has nestled itself in the history of the neighborhood. Today, there is a second New York City location on St. Marks Place as well as three locations in New Jersey and one in Connecticut.
So what makes Mamoun’s such a hit? Two words: authentic and cheap. They pride themselves in making traditional cuisine with natural ingredients and signature recipes, and it won’t take long for you to see that their dishes are extremely affordable (the cheapest items on the menu start at only $3.50!).
While there aren’t a slew of choices on the menu, they do have all you could want in a Middle Eastern fast food establishment — falafel, hummus, baba ganouj, tabbouleh, shawarma, and kebobs — all of which you can get in either sandwich or plate form. The sandwiches come with salad and tahini in pita bread, and the plates have 2x the amount of the sandwiches served on top of salad with pita on the side.
I ordered a falafel sandwich for the grand total of $3.50. Yup. It wasn’t huge, but it’s the perfect, quick, easy meal if you’re ever in the ‘hood. And I mean like, pretty much whenever. Mamoun’s is open from 11 AM until 5 AM every. single. day.
I will always have fond memories of this place as being one of 4 food stops I made one long, late night. And I’m not embarrassed to say it! The journey started with Joe’s Pizza downtown and ended at a random McDonald’s in Harlem, and Mamoun held it’s own. Ha, okay, okay, it knocked McDonald’s out of the park obviously. Trade in your next Big Mac for a pita sandwich at Mamoun’s? It’ll be just as easy on your wallet and even better for your tummy. 🙂
Falafel sandwich
119 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012
