Falafel Bites — Restaurant in New York

The small restaurant was clean. The server, Sherri, was sweet and thoughtful. The lamb gyro, home-made lentil soup, falafel pita and grape leaves were awesome. Prices were quite modest given the portion sizes and freshness of the food. Sherri did advise in advance that the gyro might not be exactly as one would find in a Greek restaurant, as this was Egyptian-style. Either way, it was obviously a gyro with all of the expected ingredients plus a bit of extra fresh vegetables. Delicious! I got takeout twice while visiting the area and would absolutely be a regular customer if I lived nearby.

I had read the hostile, computer generated, copy/paste answers to the negative reviews which, to me, seemed suspicious. Whoever manages the online responses for this business should rethink their wording and tactics. I found those replies a little scary and definitely odd, which is why I almost did not even try Falafel Bites. I’m glad I went anyway because I loved the food and in-person hospitality. There was no hint in the restaurant of the online hostility. But there may be others out here who are put off by the angry replies to negative reviews and therefore don’t try the food. We all know that you can’t please everyone all the time, and there are certainly some nutty people out here so, Falafel Bites owners, for your own business, maybe tone down the angry responses? They don’t look good and I’d hate to find you gone when I return on my next visit! ...

I stopped by Falafel Bites for lunch today and left completely embarrassed and frustrated. I tried to order the fish over rice platter but was met with confusion when I asked what kind of fish it was. The staff couldn’t tell me, only saying that “it’s popular in the neighborhood.” Even though no reviews mentioned the fish, I decided to give it a try.

Things went further downhill when I tried to pay with my credit card — they asked if I had cash instead. I didn’t, but I was willing to help out and went across the street to Bank of America to get cash. I came back with a $20 bill, only to be told it was fake. I was also told they still wouldn’t accept my card.

Embarrassed and confused, I went straight back to BOA. They tested the same bill with a marker and a feel test, confirmed it was real, and I even deposited it back into my account. So not only was I inconvenienced, but I was wrongly accused and made to feel unwelcome.

As someone who has lived in this neighborhood for years, I always try to support local small businesses. But this experience left a bad taste. I ended up getting a slice next door where my money is always welcomed.

A lot of these reviews are fake as well. There's no way they should have more reviews than the business next door that's been there for years. Also you mean to tell me there's no one that thinks this place deserves 4 or 3 stars?

And there's no response from the owner because they know...

I’m super excited to see a new restaurant pop up in the area, there are no other Mediterranean restaurants nearby so it was a pleasant surprise!

My boyfriend and I went during their first week of opening and we were welcomed by a lovely woman! She was so sweet and kind!

There were games to play while we waited for our food which we were told is made fresh so it did indeed take about 15 mins!

The Laziza’s were super good I love the green apple!

For food we got the chicken kebab over rice and it was pretty good! I would rate it a 4/5. We saw the Neighboring table get the Mac and cheese and we definitely have that on our list of things to try next time! I really enjoyed the Falafels stuffed with cheese i think it’s the perfect appetizer. I didn’t like that it came out after the meal tho 🥲 but it’s okay I’ll forgive them because it was their first week and they ‘re just getting into the groove of owning their own business!

Those are small potatoes and things that can easily be fixed with time and experience.

I think overall this place has so much potential and once they get in the swing of things It will for sure be a...