He is part of what makes America great. People from all over the world bringing the cultures and their foods for us to learn what else exists besides chili dogs. I wish I were back home on the east coast. This guy sounds like he would warrant a trip into the city. "The name's so nice they say it twice."
4
Robert - As a fellow Oregonian from Philly, do you really wish you were back on the east coast? :-) But my thoughts exactly - Boy, wish I had a trip to NY coming up because I'd sure love to visit The King!
Well, my breakfast of oatmeal is doomed to just not satisfy today...
6
Next time I am in NYC, I am definitely stopping by...
I got to say, I miss the falafel of my early childhood in Sudan. I never really had similar falafel recently. On a visit of Amman, I was told by restaurateur, the best falafel is made from fava beans not chickpeas, as fava beans are presumably more expensive than chickpeas!, I dont know.
When I was a kid in Sudan, I dont believe we had chickpeas except around Ramadan time..
I got to say, I miss the falafel of my early childhood in Sudan. I never really had similar falafel recently. On a visit of Amman, I was told by restaurateur, the best falafel is made from fava beans not chickpeas, as fava beans are presumably more expensive than chickpeas!, I dont know.
When I was a kid in Sudan, I dont believe we had chickpeas except around Ramadan time..
Wonderful falafel -- the best I've had, and Freddy and his crew are friendly. Fantastic food. But the brick-and-mortar location is so much more expensive than the truck or cart were. I get that their costs are higher, but it used to really feel like a steal, and now it's just another meal option.
...and a better option for Freddy, maybe?
2
Do not miss the spinach pie, either, with the most tender pastry imaginable.
3
OH ! Be still my heart!
7
Road trip in order...
8
Worth the trip. The food is super. Warning, the portions are yuge.
7
As one of the customers of the original cart, let me tell you that this food was worth waiting in line for in the snow, and then eating piping hot on the lean-to counter set up on the supermarket wire fence.
The kofte is also very much worth the trip as well as the falafel.
Let me also add that the truck was truly a model UN of customers.
The kofte is also very much worth the trip as well as the falafel.
Let me also add that the truck was truly a model UN of customers.
16
I will never eat there, living several states away, but thanks for a fun story and long live the king.
12
Never say never. It's on my bucket list all the way from San Francisco, CA.
3
What a review! And what a place! Family run, with passion and dedication.
Now I have to plan a visit, to the restaurant, and the cart.
Gloriously good food does not have to be expensive.
Now I have to plan a visit, to the restaurant, and the cart.
Gloriously good food does not have to be expensive.
8
It would be good to notify people before the very end of the piece that the meat (and presumably the rest of the menu) is halal. Some of us, for moral and ethical principles, do not eat halal or kosher religious cruelty-tortured meat.
1
I couldn't help but notice your insipid reference to kosher meat... how you surreptitiously slid it in, like a frat boy to his roofied g/f, alongside that of halal. King of Falafel & Shawarma neither sells, nor purports to sell, kosher food; end of [that] story. They do, however, sell halal, which is important to those customers who observe the associated requirements. For whom did you think this article was written -- vegans? For whom did you pen your comment -- Islamophobes and anti-Semites?
44
You were going to fly in from California?
I don't eat meat at all and went to the cart for the falafel, and now go to the restaurant for the additions of zaatar, baba, bemyeh and more.
Freddy is a joy and so glad he is part of our neighborhood.
I don't eat meat at all and went to the cart for the falafel, and now go to the restaurant for the additions of zaatar, baba, bemyeh and more.
Freddy is a joy and so glad he is part of our neighborhood.
41
While I do miss some elements of the Chirping Chicken, I'm glad King got a brick and mortar storefront. Reading Ligaya's wonderful description of the falafel reminded me of the delicious Brazilian snacks around the corner at Pao de Quiejo, especially the Coxhina de Frango. Not a fan of eating in at either place but amazing for a quick takeaway. Living in Astoria rules.
4
On second thought, don't come to Astoria. Ever. It's, uh, full of bedbugs. And you'll get mugged! The toddlers even mug you here. Stay away!