"Stalking" Downtown Lunch: Sam’s Falafel
August 12, 2008 by Feisty Foodie
Filed under Cheap Eats, Downtown Lunch, Manhattan, Mediterranean, Restaurants
Further stalking of Downtown Lunch found me at Sam’s Falafel on Friday, despite the momentary torrential downpour. To be honest, I’d read about Sam’s Falafel a short while earlier in Time Out NY, and had wanted to try Sam’s. With Downtown Lunch’s positive review being the final push, I made my way over to Sam’s this past Friday.
I guess the mini-downpour scared away the crowds Daniel encountered on his trip, since there was no one when I walked up and as I walked away to snap the above photo, only one person appeared. This was at 1:15 pm.
For $5, I received the above mountain of food. After I told Sam I loved white sauce, he laughed and said “Oh, it loves you too! It just told me!” to which I responded with an uncertain laugh. I’ve heard all the jokes before, people; I’ve been a white sauce lover for years. (Ranch dressing, blue cheese, tzatziki, white sauce, whatever. I know some guys who refuse all manner of white sauce, possibly for the implications you pervs may take from it, but I just ignore them because I like whatever tastes good. And WHITE SAUCE TASTES GOOD.) Then he bathed my entire order in the stuff.
That’s 9 – NINE, count ‘em – visible falafel balls in the picture. Maybe more hid underneath the couple in the back, I don’t recall, but I left about 4 after I’d gorged myself here. Definitely a super cheap lunch, and next time, I’ll ask for the sauce on the side so they won’t sog up… I initially took these photos as soon as I’d walked away, though I walked back to my office to eat since it was starting to sprinkle again.
Hummus on top of lettuce, some sort of slightly spicy pickled pepper (that I ate and was pleased to find tasty instead of crying hysterically), and a stuffed grape leaf (dolma/dolmade)! I can’t tell you how excited I was to have this in my container.
The inside wasn’t that exciting, but it was tasty nonetheless and a nice addition to the combo plate. I mean, I don’t eat at street vendors that often, but any little extras that are thrown in with my food like that are a nice touch.
Eggplant. Also a nice addition to create an overall well-rounded Middle Eastern meal (I think that’s the right geographic area; my geography is terrible).
But you’re wondering about the falafel. Well, first I have to say, I opened this up and then cursed to myself that he hadn’t given me napkins or a fork. I thought to myself, “That’s definitely going on my review! Grrr!” but thankfully I somehow had a plastic fork in my bag. Don’t ask. But later, upon opening the pita in tin foil (seen in the third photo), I discovered that neatly placed atop the pita were napkins and a fork! So brilliant! So neat and it really does speed up the line, I bet, when they’re busy! (Though, again, as I mentioned, I was there when it wasn’t busy at all.)
As I dug eagerly into my falafel, I just kept thinking about how much food there was. For $5. Hadn’t this guy heard of rising costs? Or expanding waistlines? Thank GOODNESS I work far enough away that I won’t be going here everyday, but damn, that’s a lot of food for $5! I love it!
The falafel itself was crunchy goodness, fried properly and super ‘lish. The problem lay in my own folly of asking for extra white sauce, which was slightly too-tahini/sesame’d for me. The fried balls quickly got a bit soggy, making them a bit unpleasant to eat on their own, but that’s where the warm pita came into play. I really enjoyed the contrasting textures as well – smushy eggplant, crunchy falafel, crisp grilled onions – which added another dimension to the flavor of the overall platter – and the tomatoes, lettuce, and slightly spicy pickled peppers all came together wonderfully with torn bits of the pita.
I definitely foresee myself going back for this wonderful lunchtime meal, and perhaps even braving the messiness of ordering the $3 sandwich. Hopefully that’s more a size I can manage to consume in one hour. (I’m sorry! I had dinner plans that night so I wound up throwing out my leftovers! Otherwise, you KNOW I would have eaten the rest for dinner… yumm, $2.50 for lunch, $2.50 for dinner? BARGAIN!)
Yvo says: If you’re in the area, there is absolutely no reason not to have lunch here (unless you really detest falafel; it happens). The value really can’t be beat, so any of you looking to save pennies but can’t bring yourself to make lunch every day, this is the place for you. $3-5 for a meal that will stuff you silly and is delicious!
highly recommended
Cedar St. (btw. Broadway and Trinity Place), outside of Liberty Park
That is a ridiculously good deal!
oh man that looks delish. hopefully i find a reason to go there one day.
That IS a good deal! Man, if I ever find myself in NYC in the future, I’ll have to make note of all the places you’ve reviewed positively.
I used to work downtown and I LOVED Sam’s Falafel. It is hands down the best falafel in that area. Try the sandwich next time. It used to be $2.50. I think it’s $3 now but it’s also awesome and not as gluttonous as the platter. Also, one time when I was at the stand, Sam’s “partner” told me that Sam makes 6 figures! So obviously he’s doing okay with his prices as is. It’s totally worth standing in line for.
they need to expand into midtown! after reading about Daniel and then you. Doh. Need falafel now!
I come all the way from Jersey City to Downtown NYC taking the path train in summer everyday for lunch. Sam’s falafel. Also I like Alan’s falafel ( which happens to be around in the same place, just yards away).