Mamoun's Falafel — Restaurant in New York

Mamoun's is a popular shop frequented by the local college kids and a must if you're on St. Marks. They have great options if you're looking for something on-the-go and affordable. I've loved their falafel pita and shawarmas since freshman year of college. Mamoun's mint tea is perfect, especially with spicy food.

Their staff is pretty nice and efficient. The venue is pretty chill, what you'd expect from a yummy sandwich shop. There are a few tables inside and a couple small ones in their permanent outdoor seating area. It can get busy, so you may want a backup plan for when all seats are taken.

The cashier helped me pick my meal based on the restrictions I shared with her. She was really patient, described the ingredients for each meal, and then helped other customers while I deliberated my options.

Shout out to her for pointing out the pistachio-walnut nuance and saving me from a...

Overrated. I had been advised to go there because it's "the" falafel place in NYC. We went on a Saturday night and the place was full, yet not packed, and we ate in. The service was quick and we were a group of three people. Our order was sandwiches (mine was the falafel-pickle one: contents poorly assembled/laddled, and the whole thing just very very, very watery- it must have lasted 3 bites as a sandwich, then it turned into sour dripping mush) , juices (mine was tamarind- great, I liked it) and a couple of sides (one being Falafel- meatball shaped, not particularly remarkable in taste, pasty and greasy in texture, piping hot; the other one, baklava) The other two people had shawarma sandwiches. We made no comments whatsoever about the food after finishing, which I found revealing, but thought was best. I don't think I'd repeat on the food dept, but I'd totally go...

Mamoun's isn't a place you go everyday, but when you're at work and it's lunchtime.. and you're starved and craving some meat you have one less decision to make that day: Mamoun's Shawarma Platter.

Enough delicious lamb to satisfy Nebuchadnezzar's entire workforce as they constructed the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and perfectly seasoned to satisfy every taste bud you have. What's more is you get a choice of 3 sides that are included with your platter; you can get falafel, grape leaves, hummus, or baba ganoush (I usually ask for a double order of grape leaves with baba ganoush).

I wouldn't do this more than once a week, and I would advise you to hit the gym later if you are able (even if only for a few minutes on the elliptical) because it's a lot to take in, and I fully recommend you...