Shami Falafel — Restaurant in Hackensack

Over the course of multiple visits, I have come to appreciate the excellent quality and flavors they offer.

Shani Falafel offers a variety of mouthwatering options, but their chicken shawarma sandwich stands out as a crowd favorite. The chicken is tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. It is complemented by fresh and crisp vegetables, along with their homemade sauce that adds an extra layer of zest. Each bite is a delightful burst of flavors that keeps me coming back for more.

The falafel at Shani Falafel is equally impressive. The traditional recipe results in perfectly crispy on the outside, yet moist and flavorful on the inside falafel balls. The combination of spices and herbs provides a satisfyingly authentic taste that leaves me craving them repeatedly.

To complete the meal, I highly recommend trying their French fries. These golden and crispy delights are cooked to perfection, making them an ideal accompaniment to any dish. The fries are flavorful and offer a satisfying crunch that will leave you wanting another bite.

One aspect that sets Shani Falafel apart is their commitment to consistency. Each time I have ordered, whether for delivery or dine-in, the food has been perfectly prepared and packed with care. The flavors are always vibrant, and the presentation is impeccable, showcasing the attention to detail that goes into every dish they serve.

Another factor worth mentioning is the reasonable pricing. Shani Falafel offers generous portions at affordable prices, making it accessible to a wide range of customers. The value for money is exceptional, considering the high quality of both the food and service.

I highly recommend Shani Falafel for a delicious and satisfying dining experience. From the exemplary service to the consistently flavorful chicken shawarma, falafel, and scrumptious fries, every aspect of Shani Falafel exceeds expectations. Treat yourself to a truly memorable meal and discover the culinary delights this establishment...

For folks like my wife who swear by reviews, here's some food for thought - before you decide to visit the restaurant. This is not really a place that one visits to sit down and eat. Most clients were picking up food they'd previously ordered. There are only four tables, two for 6 guests, two for two guests. So, if you want to sit down and eat, there may not be room. The restaurant itself is tidy and brightly lit, the decor unimpressive. My wife tried to order one of the beef and chicken kebab platters only to be informed that that beef kebabs were sold out! She settled for the chicken kebab platter. My children ordered the beef shwarma over rice and the chicken kebab over rice. I ordered a chicken shwarma sandwich. The wait for the food was about 20 minutes. The baba ganoush we ordered as a starter was delectable. However, the beef and chicken dishes were a big disappointment. The meat was totally dry, the chicken kebabs resembled something that had been cooked the previous week, stuck into the microwave and brought out; it was tough as leather. My sandwich was satisfactory, but I am not sure there was anything uniquely Syrian about it. It mostly resembled a Subway wrap. The garlic sauce meant to be served with it was just plain old mayonnaise. Overall impressions: A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! When we informed the maitre d about the dried meat, she blamed one of the servers, even though it was the former who cooked the food. We are certainly not returning to this...

I've been driving by Shami Falafel in Hackensack for a few months now and finally decided to stop in and get takeout, and I'm happy I did.

When I got home with my order, I was delighted at the size of the falafel, which are made with ground chickpeas, and they are the first I've seen studded with sesame seeds.

They were prepared to order while I waited in a cast iron skillet on a stovetop.

The Falafel Platter has 6 pieces of falafel with hummus, tahini sauce and pickles ($9.99). I also took home a small Tabbouleh Salad ($5.99), a small Arabic Salad ($5.99), and a bag of pocket or pita bread ($2.50).

I warmed one of the pocket breads in a toaster, cut it in two and made two small sandwiches, each with two falafel, pickles, hummus and tahini, and ate some of the two salads on the side. I was stuffed, and I have enough leftovers for another small meal.

I'm looking forward to trying other items on the menu, including fava beans, muhammara, stuffed grape leaves and baba ghanouj, all of which I enjoyed growing up. Both my parents were from Aleppo, Syria, and my mother was a great cook.

The family that owns and runs the restaurant are originally from Damascus, Syria, or "Shami."

I picked up a paper menu on the way out and some of the prices are outdated. Prices that appear online...