Falafel & Shawarma Planet — Restaurant in California

This is by far the most delicious food I have tasted within the Mediterranean food category. I stumbled by this restaurant after having to go to Sacramento for business all the way from Tracy and after a long meeting I wanted something fresh and not too oily. I googled up Mediterranean food near me and this place popped up among the long list of rated restaurants so I figured why not. I went ahead and followed Google maps and almost missed this place because it looks like it's part of the Asian foods market (looked like it was inside of the store). Their restaurant logo is simple and so easy to pass by but I was so hungry that I parked and noticed the pictures on their windows and recognized the food immediately. I went in and it was so quiet and empty that I got scared and assumed it was bad but I figured I drove all the way here so I ordered the shawarma bowl and some baklava. I had almost finished ordering UNTIL I saw that they had KNAFEH ON THEIR MENU!!!! Trader Joe's carries knafeh from Greece and I have waited so patiently to try Palestinian knafeh and I eagerly put in an order for two. I was NOT disappointed!!!! For those that do not know if you go to market's some of the ingredients are hard to find to make at home and even then everyone makes them different so as a non-middle eastern I was beyond excited. From the beginning upon entry and after the transaction was complete the young ladies and young man were extremely kind, friendly and attentive. I had forgotten to bring my prescription lenses and while I was having a hard time reading the menu they were considerate and smiled at me and let me step aside for another client to pick up their ordered item. They were kind enough to explain what each dish was and once I ordered they were friendly and politely answered questions that I had about their food, music, culture background etc. If it was not for the distance I would come here weekly because the food tastes so fresh and really homely especially the knafeh! I fought the urge to eat one entire knafeh on my way home but I did dig into it and I was shocked that it was not overly sweet like the ones sold in the stores. The rice was flavored just right and not oily whatsoever and the chicken was tender and moist like it ideally should be. If you're looking for a legitimate place for middle eastern food that's homely, similar to afghan food and with extraordinary customer service this is the place to visit. Their food tastes like it's home-cooked and the attendants make you feel all homely and the food portions are also a plus! I submitted pictures of the knafeh with its beautiful orange color and pistachios and the chicken shawarma bowl with rice,Tahiti sauce, hummus, cucumber tomato and feta cheese salad and fries. I honestly don't even know why I ordered the fries but I did and they were lightly salted which was good...

Located in the beautiful Florin area of Sacramento, Falafel & Shawarma Planet is a culinary delight that will transport your taste buds on a flavorful journey. I recently had the pleasure of dining there with two friends, and we were all blown away by the amazing food and hospitality we experienced.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the Lamb Shawarma. Each bite was a heavenly combination of tender, succulent lamb and a medley of aromatic spices. The flavors were perfectly balanced, resulting in a mouthwatering sensation that left us craving more. Accompanied by the delectable Lamb Hummus and the flavorful Falafel Plate, our taste buds were treated to a symphony of deliciousness. Every dish was prepared with care and passion, evident in every mouthwatering bite.

The hospitality at Falafel & Shawarma Planet is truly exceptional. The friendly staff, led by the amazing manager, Raed, went above and beyond to ensure that our dining experience was memorable. Their genuine warmth and attentiveness added a special touch to our meal. To top it all off, they even surprised us with a cup of delicious tea at the end, providing a perfect ending to a fantastic meal.

Aside from the incredible food and hospitality, Falafel & Shawarma Planet offers a delightful selection of herbal tea. Their herbal tea is a refreshing and invigorating beverage that complements the flavors of the dishes perfectly. It's evident that they take great care in curating a diverse and enticing menu that caters to different palates.

Make sure to save room for dessert and indulge in their delectable Knaffeh. This traditional Middle Eastern sweet treat is a true delight. The delicate pastry filled with a luscious cheese filling, soaked in a sweet syrup, is a heavenly experience that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Located in the beautiful Florin area, Falafel & Shawarma Planet is a must-visit restaurant for food enthusiasts in Sacramento. Whether you're seeking exquisite lamb dishes, flavorful falafel, or a warm and inviting atmosphere, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. The exceptional hospitality provided by Raed and his team only adds to the allure of this establishment.

Embrace the flavors of the Mediterranean at Falafel & Shawarma Planet. Revel in the delightful aromas, savor the mouthwatering dishes, and appreciate the warm and genuine hospitality that defines this remarkable restaurant. Your taste buds will thank you, and you'll be counting down the days until...

As someone who has enjoyed authentic Middle Eastern cuisine my entire life, I was excited to try this restaurant. Unfortunately, my experience was nothing short of disappointing.

Issues (where do I start!):

Misleading Menu: I ordered their "Combo Discovery!" which was presented as their signature dish. This made the poor quality even more disappointing.

Portion Size: The actual portion was about half of what was shown when I inquired about it. Extremely misleading.

Lack of Customization: They never asked what I wanted in my bowl. Instead, they added whatever they felt like, completely disregarding customer preference.

Quality of Food: Falafel: Cold and dry Chicken shawarma: Flavorless and not fresh 80% of the plate was plain rice

Value for Money: Overpriced for the quality and quantity received. I wouldn't pay even half the price knowing what I know now.

Authenticity: As someone familiar with genuine Middle Eastern cuisine, I found this food to be an insult to the legendary flavors of the region.

Service: Poor, with no attention to customer preferences.

Overall, this was my first and last visit to this establishment. The combination of bad portion sizes, lack of flavor, poor service, and high prices makes it impossible for me to recommend. It's particularly disappointing that their signature "Combo Discovery!" dish failed so thoroughly to showcase the best of their menu. It's a shame to see Middle Eastern cuisine so poorly...