Master Falafel — Restaurant in City of Rochester

I have now been here twice. You need to visit. It seems that this place just popped up over here on Monroe and I am glad they did! I saw it a few weeks back and walked in, asked for a take out menu. At that time they told me the menu will probably change so check the website. You can call in you order or GrubHub or toddle on over and order.

The inside is pretty sparse, cream colored walls, a big flat screen telling you about foods from the region and letting you know about some famous people who are of Syrian decent. A big mural on the main wall. They have some inside seating, the kitchen is open and they have a glass case full of what I believe to be homemade Baklava and Rice Pudding. The baklava is house made and just the right amount of sweetness. Get it.. seriously!

To order either online or in person.. you walk up to a small counter to give your order.. The menu board is above the counter or if you have questions ask whomever is behind the counter.

On our first visit:

We ordered a few things.. yes get some falafel any version on them. I got the original, it comes with a great dipping sauce and pickles yes I said pickles.. long, thinly cut ones. They are fried and warm and almost have a meaty taste to them and it's chick peas kids and herbs and spices. These were yummy! Get an order to try if you have never had them.

I ordered one of the pitas, I liked what they are doing with this. The pita is thinner, things are rolled inside and I believe toasted/pressed. What I got had such flavor from the first to last bite. What I got was:

Shish Tawook Pita, filled with Chicken, Garlic, Pepper Paste Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato's, Onions, Pickles and Pomegranate Molasses

This was so flavorful and the pomegranate molasses gave it just a nice hit of soft sweetness and the pepper paste sauce gave it a slight punch. I WANT MORE! (I ORDERED IT AGAIN! On my second visit)

My husband got the :

Gyros Pita: Lamb, Beef, tzatzki sauce, lettuce, tomato's, onions and pickles.

He said it was very good and asked for more sauce to go.

I tried his gyros and I liked it and like mine I liked the idea of the tomato's and etc being cut up rather than huge slices of vegetables that become a mess. But that's just me.

We got an order of fries to share, they were tasty , salt and a few other spices nothing crazy and anyone would like them. I just wished they were hotter this is minor. I gave them a quick 30 seconds in the microwave when we got home.

All in all they have a nice thing going and I will be back. Like any place things take time to get things rolling.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

You can walk over if you live close, bike or whatever. Street parking.. yea it's Monroe Ave.

Cheers...

Was hungry and wanted something quick and “light” . Remembered seeing this place and thought it might be a good idea, and it was! Walked in, was greeted and began to read the very large and legible Menu. Had to take a moment and think carefully because the hungry in me made me want it all, but I didn’t want to over order. I ordered an appetizer of Baba, the Chicken Shawarma pita, and the kids size Falafel, which came with hummus. To go. After a few minutes ( about 5) it was ready. Brought it home and dove in. First the Baba, huge portion which had a substantial drizzle of fig balsamic (which I’m a huge fan of) that I didn’t expect. Hadn’t tried Baba with fig balsamic in the past, so I was trying to process the flavors before I dove in. My apprehension was correct because although I love the flavors of both, I wasn’t sure if they would be good together, and they didn’t. In my opinion, The sweet tangy flavor of the balsamic overpowered the Babas subtle earthy softness and made it taste just wet and flat (at first), after the balsamic flavor passed I could taste the gentle notes of garlic and cumin in the Baba. I will remember to ask for the balsamic on the side next time. The Chicken Shawarma was absolutely amazing. Enough chicken in the top and bottom of the pita, as well garlic sauce, and the extra side of tahini made it perfectly tasty and satisfying. The Kids Falafel meal I ordered just to try the falafel (I’ve tried many) and see if it was up to par. and as falafel sometimes can be, it was a little dry. My guess it this falafel is premade in advance for timing, creating the “overdry” texture. The hummus was delicious and extras of olives, pickled onions and greens were tasty as well. Will order again very soon and try some...

Our new favorite place to go!!! If you are like my wife and I and have been searching Rochester for anything that might even resembled the taste of a true falafel. Happy to report the search is over. This place much exceeded my expectations. My wife, who is from Israel, was shocked to find a place that truly tasted like home. Came here for the first time a couple days ago and I could not get the wonderful taste out of my mind to the point where I just drove up to have lunch and they did not disappoint. Everything is made fresh right there with great care and attention to detail. The owner is a great guy….he is kind and patient and answers any questions you may have about the menu. My wife, who is from Israel was so happy to find a place that had that home taste to it, while myself, who is not from Israel, am just glad that this taste is here in Rochester. Couple other notes… -They have easy off street parking -all equipment is state of the art including easy to use and read registers. -There is a very clean restroom available. you can do takeout or they have plenty of tables to stay and dine. I think the menu is excellent. Rather than choosing to have an entire book as a menu in which there are many items sub par , they chose to have a one page, easy to read.menu in which they specializes in making all the items on their menu, the absolute best you will ever have and at a very affordable cost. They truly are the masters at Falafels and much much more! Also try the Baklava for dessert, I ordered 4 of them just to...