Yalla Seattle — Restaurant in Seattle

I have eaten very little Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine in my lifetime. Most of what I've tried, I haven't enjoyed. Further, I'm a transplant to this area from the Midwest, and I've lived in the South. Food in Washington is generally bland compared to what I'm used to eating. That has been a tough adjustment; I cannot find decent BBQ or Mexican food here. I've found a few good restaurants in the Seattle area, they're just not as plentiful as where I came from.

Yalla was as a pleasant surprise.

Today, I found myself at Yalla for business reasons. As soon as I walked within 10 feet of the counter, my nose detected the most alluring aroma. That mesmerizing scent was the food from Yalla's kitchen. I don't know exactly what I was smelling, I only know it smelled fantastic. Once my business was concluded, I stepped in line and became a customer. I ordered a falafel sandwich with a side of baba ghanouj. My food was absolutely delicious!!!! I ate it all and that was a lot of food for one person. I cannot wait to sample other items on the menu.

After I left, I must have told a dozen co-workers (including two supervisors) about the food. One co-worker walked past me while I was eating and said my food smelled terrific. I even called my girlfriend after work to tell her I would be taking her to Yalla soon.

When you visit, be sure to say hello to Taylor and Inam (my sincere apologies if I misspelled her name). They are super-friendly and welcoming. You can tell they put their heart and soul into their food.

Taylor said Yalla has been open for about seven months. Yalla is a walk-up counter restaurant. It would be a great restaurant in any city, but it's a local business that I strongly encourage you support. If it's your lunch break, or you want to pick up something for dinner, or you're leaving the club, go to Yalla. The prices are reasonable. Dick's may be cheaper, but you get what you pay for. Your taste buds and your stomach will be glad you chose Yalla, and it's a much healthier and tastier option than Dick's puny, mediocre burger.

Take a whiff of your next Dick's burger. It has a funky odor that makes you think twice about eating it. Try the smell test with a falafel sandwich from Yalla. You won't hesistate to take a bite. I am confident your first visit to Yalla won't...

I’ve been walking by this place for years and long before it became the amazing Middle Eastern food establishment that it is. I’ve never submitted a Google or other online restaurant review before, but this place is just so so so special. I’m just floored I’ve only recently learned about this place and tried it for the first time today. I had the Falafel Wrap with Cheese, the Rice Pudding and Baba Ganoush with a side of fermented hot sauce.

The Falafel Wrap with Cheese:

Honestly, I’ve never had falafel this good, ever. The robust flavor and delicate and crispy texture of the falafel in this wrap really ties in well with all of the other delicious things. I went with the cheese add on and would highly recommend. I might have to try it without cheese next time to have true comparison. So yummy, so faluffy!

The Rice Pudding:

I haven’t eaten a lot of rice puddings, but this is such a treat, and it’s actually quite filling. The syrup is simply divine.

The Baba Ganoush, Fermented Hot Sauce:

The baba ganoush is another mouthwatering item on the menu. I had the baba ganoush and the fermented hot sauce to dip the saj in on alternating bites (I love hot sauce). The baba ganoush really stands on its own with its smoky flavor, but I felt like having the hot sauce every other bite really added interesting character to the baba ganoush bites.

I love this place already, and I will be a regular...

Literally my favorite go-to spot that serves up very Authentic very very tasty Middle Eastern Food. I have eaten most of the meat filled wraps with the Lahme Khuruf with the pomegranate and the ground lamb (heaven) and the Jibneh being my favorites. Sometimes the wraps aren't tight enough, so if you are eating and walking, make sure it's wrapped well before you get to steppin'. The hummus and baba ghanouj should be illegal, they're so good.

The bread that they're wrapped in is made delicately by the soft hands of some women, I've just sat there on their bench and mesmerized by the technique and the love put in.

It runs me a little over $20 for a wrap and one of their lethal (because they are addictingly good) mezze pints, but it's worth it. The wraps are generous in size too, so I can usually make it work for 1.5 meals.

One of these days I have to purchase one of the cookbooks they have displayed behind the counter, and if they offer any...