Viability of Falafal and Espresso bar in dfw

I think you'd do well.. at least I know i'd show up. Those pictures are killing me... Uptown please.

 

I'm addicted to falafels and have been since 1980 and I think alot of Americans do not realize how great they are. I say go for it and it is as good as any other cafe/bar idea I have heard of in a very longtime.

 

There's one in Plano. Look up Falafel Plano TX and you get several links to Falafel & More. They don't seem to have their own website, but urbanspoon has a listing for them.

Falafel & More
3100 Independence Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75075
Tom Thumb
(972) 519-9001 ‎

 

I'm surprised there isn't a falafel food truck providing mobile service.

 

1/2 on-topic and 1/2 off-topic and sacriledge to some but not a Middle Eastern friend of mine. One day I asked her where a good place for falafels is in our area and she said that she buys a high quality falafel ball in the frozen food section at her local grocier so naturally I was excited. After spending about an hour on the phone yesterday I found nothing so is there anyone who knows of these? Oh also am I thinking of a Gyro or does the Falafel has a tzatziki sauce like the Gyro.

I have not had one for many years so my craving is beyond FA's (Falafels Anonymous) help .

My apologies sct4a for my detour but I am desperate!!!

Gregg

 

my first baby food was falafel.

 

This place opened in the Shops of Legacy in Plano:

http://www.mamapita.com/#/home


I've gone a couple of times for lunch and it has been crowded each time.

 

I've eaten at Taim a dozen times. They do a great job. I just wish the mint-ginger lemonade was (i), more consistent, (ii), potent enough to withstand melting ice. Good luck! (Consider adding serious tea service. Tea rarely gets the respect it deserves. Also consider hiring a great pastry chef form one of the better restaurants in the area to come in a couple a times a week to make some desserts for you, as the stuff available wholesale isn't keeping up with what people see/expect when they go to above average food establishments. How's that for unsolicited advice?)

PS Taim is doing the truck thing . . .

 

Another factor in places like Taim is that they season their food at room temp but serve it cold.

I'm thinking of Taim's tabouli salad. It's great, bordering on perfect when it comes up to room temp. But when eaten just after it's served, either as a stand-alone side or as part of a platter, it tastes like sand with a hint of lemon. (We order it to go and have it at home.)

I'd bet that the thing to do would be to have this sort of side pre-portioned and brought up to temp in a microwave oven that's calibrated for this purpose.

Anyway, best of luck. Obviously if rents are high the market(s) you've targeted is hopping, which has to be a good thing.

 

Usually, falafels are served with humus and a tahini sauce (sesame paste that's thinned with lemon juice, water, evoo, etc.) A lot of places also offer an MEern hot sauce (the best one I've had was based on Pakistani-style pickled garlic.)

The white sauce you see in gyros and the like is usually yogurt with cucumber, garlic, mint and/or dill chopped in. I've never seen it served in a falafel sandwich but why not? (There's a seriously strained and salted yogurt, far thicker than what we think of us Greek yogurt in the US, that's served as a condiment with almost everything in the South Med, ME and parts of South Asia. Perhaps that's what you're thinking of?)

 

I don't know how often you come this way, sct4a, or how far off the island of Manhattan you're willing to travel to taste a great falafel, but Humus World in Roslyn Heights, Long Island makes a great falafel sandwich. (The LIRR's Roslyn Station is a few blocks away.)

They pile in red and white slaws, each seasoned differently, paper thin slivers of carrot, tomato and cucumber salad, humus and a flavorful tahini.

I don't know if it's the love these people are pouring into their new venture or the quality standards of a Glatt Kosher kitchen, but their falafels are great, in some ways better than Taim's.

 

Back from the dead!!!!

I just performed a more extensive search and found out that 'Trader Joes' sells the frozen falafel balls I was looking for, woohoo!!! They are opening their 2nd store in Dec which is closer to me but I think I will hit their Kirby location after class this friday and grab a bag or two. Hopefully they will also have a prepared Tahini sauce aswell.

I wish I could remember exactly how the mom/pop falafel shop I ate at 5 times a week in highschool prepared them but I'm certain with alittle fresh lettuce/onions and tomatoes smothered in Tahini I will soon be napping.

I FINALLY FOUND THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here in Tejas, we call 'em Falafel Fries.........otherwise known in Colorado (that NW state of the Republic Of Texas) as Falafel Oysters

 

All I know is that I am craving one BIGTIME!!!!