HUNGRY CAMEL — Restaurant in Fairfield

The Hungry Camel in Fairfield, Iowa was a fantastic find on my latest road trip😋

I arrived in town hungry for lunch and had a variety of restaurants to choose from.

I was in the mood for something different from the diner food I enjoy so much (& so often), so when I saw the Hungry Camel, with its five star rating my mind was made up!

And I was thrilled that their high rating is completely deserved, the food and service are nothing short of spectacular!

The couple responsible are originally from Israel, and the authenticity of their cuisine shines through.

The location is one of those hidden gem, hole-in-the-wall places, cherished by those in the know. A few small tables in a spartan dining room, with most of the patrons during my visit enjoying carry out orders.

This is absolutely fine with me as I appreciate establishments that are solely focused on providing stand out service and the highest quality dishes, as they definitely are.

They have been in business for four years, with Helenee running the front of the house with grace & charm, and Nisan creating food so delicious in the kitchen that it seems like magic.

As soon as I had ordered I was given a shot of richly brewed coffee flavored with a touch of cardamom, perfect!

I had a falafel wrap, with hummus, cabbage, fried eggplant, tomato, cucumber, onion, pickles, tahini, and parsley.

I also had a side of baba ganoush. It was the best example of this dish I have ever tasted, hands down.

The wrap had a densely layered complex flavor profile, with bright herbal and savory, earthy notes. The falafel was fantastic in both flavor and texture, and made me yip with joy!

I also sampled their harissa, which is eye-wateringly spicy, but so dang good I wanted more. Again, probably the best example of this condiment I have tasted.

I would absolutely recommend the Hungry Camel even if one has to take a long road trip to get there, and if one is anywhere near Fairfield,...

Best Shawarma ever? Quite possibly! I've been all over the world and never had it quite this good! The meat, veggies, seasonings, and sauces make the perfect harmony of flavors...and then the fresh made pita bread is like the icing on the cake! It's simply amazing! The falafel is amazing as well, it's not too dry like I've had so many other places. The texture and flavor is fantastic.

The owners are awesome and they really put a lot of love into every bite!

Fantastic! Simply...

I have eaten here a handful of times now - customer service is always on point. Everyone is very upbeat and helpful. The wait was about 10 minutes and they give you tea while you wait. The chicken and beef shawarma are always great. The garlic sauce is VERY strong - heads up. Delicious plates - highly recommend if you’re in town. There are even really good milk chocolates at the register.

Small inside - about 4 tables for seating and a few chairs for the...