Ankara #3 — Restaurant in New York

I miss your place sooo much. I had to move on December 1st to a new home much further uptown. The East Village was like a second safe haven or second East Harlem to me. I was born and raised there and had to leave my original home for safety reasons. Staying in the East Village was heavenly. I could not afford to get an apartment there. The first affordable home came to me uptown again so I took it. I was staying in a friend’s home so I had no choice. I miss my falafel sandwich that was on sale and so good. It helped me to get strong and healthy after having covid. I have a heart condition and lupus and I cannot just eat anything at 50 so being able to get food from you was a major ‘bereket’ or blessing. I remember meeting a man who seemed like the boss or owner there when a drunk woman passed out on the floor in your store. He was so caring as we waited for the ambulance to come for her. I loved your tea station and the candy you give out. How I wish I could order bags of that candy like you. Your workers are very kind and respectful. Everyone loves you there. I remember the other man always at the register or giving food to people once told me ‘I remember you’. My favorite spot was always sitting at the door next to the window. Now, you may never remember me since I cannot travel there regularly. It was good to see who appears to be a woman there. Maybe a sister of a worker there with her hijab. She is so blessed to work there. I love your location. You see all walks of life not just a lot of poorer people. Where I live, I am use to seeing a lot of poor people but I love all good people and thank God for giving me my home. If only Ankara was next to where I live or I was next to you. I will miss your rice pudding and your grape leaves filled with rice. I could’ve bought my picky teenage daughter French fries from there. My daughter Zara is half Turkish. I am Polish, Irish and Puerto Rican as a fellow Muslim since 1991. I told her father Omer from Sivas (he’s lived in America and NY for years now) to go to Ankara but he never listened. I bought them mango juice from there and ayran. I tried my first salgam turnip juice from you. I’ll never forget it or everything about your establishment. I only wish I could’ve went with my son there too(he’s half Yemeni from my ex). Teshekkur ederim for everything. The good memories will be...

Worst falafel I’ve had. Love Mamoun’s on St. Mark’s. This place is remarkably bland. The woman sitting at the table in front of me ordered the falafel platter and had a similar experience. She said she was disappointed. The falafel is raw on the interior. The falafel and pita and accompanying condiments (tahini, hot sauce, and tzatziki) are super bland. Zero flavor. The sauces are watered down to the point of zero flavor. I was disgusted. Read the other low reviews: they are right on. This is a DEFINITIVE review. Why am I adding salt and pepper and anything else to a falafel sandwich? Never happened in all of my decades of living. I told one of the workers of my experience and his response was apologetic but also, “have you had Turkish food before?” All Turkish people should be ashamed of his comment if he defends this flavorless, raw falafel and watery accoutrements. I told him he should try Mamoun’s. This place is BAD at falafel sandwiches. Tell a friend. Also, ask to taste a falafel if you must. I hope this place improves and gets it right. It’s in too prominent a location to serve substandard fare. Stars: 0 (for food). The service was fine and I have no complaints. Unless service includes serving trash food, in which case the service is bad, too. Go back to the drawing...

Word has it, it's owned by the previous owner of Bereket. Funny enough this new location is across the street from the old Bereket. When you walk in you see four large rotating spits of different meats. A sandwich goes for $12.99+tax. You can choose between three breads (I chose Turkish Pita and it was toasted!). The meat platters are either small or large and are higher priced than a sandwich. So I chose a lamb gyro and it was nicely layered with red cabbage and lamb. two sauces were given a red slightly spicy sauce and a white kinda watery yogurt sauce. The lamb tastes like how it did back in the day, so that left me satisfied. I miss Bereket and Yatagen. You can eat in, it's a clean environment. A few tables for 2, 4, or 6. Some tea, coffee, and cold drinks too. Located a block from the F train or take the...