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East Side Pockets
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Restaurants Mediterranean Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
278 Thayer StProvidence, RI 02906
Neighborhood: College Hill
(401) 453-1100
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 10 am - 1 am
Fri-Sat 10 am - 2 am
Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
255 reviews for East Side Pockets
Review Highlights
- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
255 reviews in English
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Review from Casey J.
Providence, RI
3/23/2012
Best falafels EVER. I've never eaten something here that I didn't love.
Great service. They keep the line moving and make sure to remember you if you keep coming back. -
Review from Christine R.
Princeton, NJ
3/18/2012
This was my JAM back in the day when I spent a year as a freshman at nearby JWU- this was nearly ten years ago. So, whenever visits bring me back to Providence, I always make a point to visit and get my chicken kebob wrap. For our lunch before we hit the road, I brought SO here so he too, can relish the yumminess that is East Side Pockets.
Anyway, my chicken kebob wrap was sooo good. The chicken when they cook it, does not dry out at all, and the pieces remain moist and flavorful, that it almost competes with all the other things you get in your wrap- but doesn't. I get mine with all the sauces, including tahini, tomatoes, lettuce, and onion. SO GOOD. SO got the steak wrap, and he really enjoyed it as well. Their wraps are pretty big in size?, but I was so hungry, that I finished mine in no time.
Anyway, it's affordable, and pretty healthy otherwise. Stop by, you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Philip C.
Providence, RI
3/17/2012
It doesn't get much better than a place that serves up fresh, fantastic food and remembers their customers. These guys should be proud.
I came here for the first time under the advice of a friend. Based on that decision, maybe I'll allow my friend to advise on all my life choices. I ordered the chicken pocket with everything in it. It came with fresh off the grill chicken, hot sauce, banana peppers, lettuce, olives, feta, and creamy tzatziki sauce. They knew I was a first time customer and threw in some falafel for bonus points.
I went for my next level pocket maneuver by coming back three days later for the same with some falafel in my pocket. Heaven was a place firmly gripped in my hands.
Again they remembered me and again gave me something else for free.
Great food and great service! I can't ask for more! And I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Brandon R.
Cumberland, RI
5/24/2012
The first time I went here, I think I was a little overwhelmed by all the new flavors. It was good, tasty food, but being something I never really had, it scared me a bit. When I finally built up the courage to go back again, I fell in love.
Now I'm a guy who loves toppings, and ESP has just that. Hummus, hot sauce, tabbouleh, veggies... yummy! I change up the choice of meat each time I go, but I always get a pocket with everything on it. While each ingredient is still distinct and flavorful, they meld together wonderfully without towering over one another.
Definitely worth a try! -
Review from Dee W.
5/24/2012
Hands down the best falafel and dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) in Providence and beyond! PLUS they understand what VEGAN is!!! So when you order just say "dairy free" and they get it, which is awesome. Also this place is C-H-E-A-P!!!! And the Falafel wraps are HUGE. I just seriously love this place and I've eaten falafel in like 30 different states and a few different countries. Go there now.
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Review from Tonya R.
Providence, RI
5/21/2012
Best falafel I've ever had. The price is cheap for a huge amount of food and the service is efficient. Haven't tried the kabobs.
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Review from Jeff J.
Boston, MA
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is awesome! Food, service, cleanliness A+
Tip: Go light on the sauces. -
Review from Sara H.
3/16/2012
This place is my Gyro Hero.
I will seriously power down every single bite of these delicious gyros with extra tzatziki, onions and tomatoes. OMG...I need to leave work now and go get one! -
Review from Brandi M.
3/10/2012 2 photos
I finally made it over to East Side Pockets for lunch today and I have to say this is my favorite restaurant in providence so far. I got the falafel salad, they had all the extras that I love. My mom got a chicken gyro that was massive, full of meat. Also had to get some tabbouleh salad and hummus to take home, they made sure to give me some flat bread along with the hummus and tabbouleh.
Everything was so tasty and such a good price, can't beat it really. I'm sure this will soon become one of my staple restaurants. -
Review from Mandy D.
3/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Om nom nom nom.
Some of the best grub on Thayer St. I recommend the Middle Eastern platter. It's got a little bit of everything on it, which is perfect since I can never decide what I want.
The grape leaves are the best I've ever had, and I especially love that they douse them in tzatziki yogurt. The rice inside is cooked perfectly and is well seasoned.
They also have the best felafel in the city, and probably the best hummus too.
Not only is the food awesome, but the prices are fantastic. Don't just walk by this place. It's a gem. -
Review from Jenna K.
Manhattan, NY
4/8/2012
Soooo good!! Delicious falafel, the line moves surprisingly fast, and I love all of the topping choices! The spinach pie is actually really good and interesting too... It's almost more like a soft flat bread pizza.
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Review from Matt S.
Eugene, OR
3/7/2012
Nearly 15 years after the first time I ate at East Side Pockets (Summer of 1997, they were giving out free falafel samples and, I swear, my buddy and I were the first two people to walk in the evening they opened). . .the falafel still kicks ass.
Everything changes on Thayer Street, constantly, and East Side Pockets in probably one of only 3 or 4 businesses that have been there going back into the last millennium. I only get back to Providence every few years, and I'll be really disappointed if they ever disappear. -
Review from Rebecca S.
Providence, RI
5/2/2012
So good. So, so good. I lived in NYC for 3 years and never found any falafel that was even close to being this good. If I could, I'd give them 10 stars.
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Review from J R.
Providence, RI
4/23/2012
Had the Kafta Kabob pocket all the way. Was quite impressed, good amount of meat in there, and unlike most places, I didn't have a puddle of tzatziki, yogurt, and hummus as the bottom of my wrap.
Now... just need to find a place that does doner kababs and we'll be in business.... -
Review from Chris K.
Bristol, CT
4/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Just incredible food fast, fresh, and CHEAP! Biggest Gyro I've ever had and absolutely delicious. I am in Providence once or twice a year and will make sure to make this a must stop.
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Review from Samantha P.
Providence, RI
4/14/2012
East Side Pockets was recommended by the girl who does my hair. She seems to know what she's talking about and I trust her opinion. Since today was such a nice day out I decided to walk up to Thayer and try this place out. She recommended that I try the combo pocket with falafel and chicken... with everything on it. I must say... she was right. I've never tasted such good falafel. Everything about it was delightful. While this place was extremely busy when I went it, they were efficient and got through the line relatively quickly. I will, without a doubt, be back many times. Great food.
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Review from Emily C.
12/25/2011
East Side makes a mean gyro. I visited Providence over the Christmas weekend (boyfriend's family lives in RI) and had to hit up some of Nick's favorite hotspots. EAST SIDE MADE THE CUT. And why wouldn't it?? Family owned eatery with crispy & enormously tasty falafel and giant lamb gyros that made me pretty much black out from overwhelmed tastebuds.
Nick ordered a pocket that combined lamb AND falafel (in addition to all the fixins) which was a total win that I'll opt for next time. Pricing was pretty dang decent and portions were beyond hearty. I loved Providence to begin with but THIS little spot makes me want to visit more often! -
Review from Joe C.
Woonsocket, RI
4/30/2012
The RI staple is the real deal. The family is so nice to me when I go in and of course the food is fresh and always consistently great. The place is always busy for reason. I have been eating there since it opened and the wrap I got then is the same as I get today. A must try for anyone.
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Review from Mark T.
Fall River, MA
1/20/2012
Hands down the best pockets you will find anywhere in Providence. The chicken falafel combo is amazing, as is the chicken kabob pocket... The counter service is fast and efficient, but it definitely helps if you know exactly what you want when asked...
Get there just before noon, as the place gests crowded in a hurry. Seating is limited to about 12-15 people, so takeout is often your best option... -
Review from K D.
Tuckahoe, NY
10/15/2011
I love East Side Pockets!
I took my beau a few weeks back. He had the chicken Caesar pocket and I had the felafel pocket. I love that you can walk up to the counter and have the sandwiches customized to your liking as they are being made. Pita bread - the basis to the sandwiches - a staple...is absolutely delicious at this restaurant. It is very fresh - soft and tasty.
You may have to circle for parking and put a few quarters in the meter but it is totally worth it. Whether you stay or go the sandwich making process is so efficient you'll be in and out in no time. You'll leave satisfied and with a full tummy. -
Review from Rob K.
9/23/2011
The Chicken Kabob Pocket was so good that I left my jacket behind because I was too busy daydreaming about the pita, even though I just finished eating it.
Everything on the menu looks heavenly, and with the right mixture, it's ready to give you those feel good exotic burps for the remainder of the night.
I went with the Chicken Kabob Pocket. Grilled chicken, marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, fresh garlic, oregano, and organic spices (whatever that means.) As for toppings, I started requesting a couple, when the boss behind the counter interrupted and said he would just put everything on it.
I didn't fight him, but I did watch what everything meant.
Hot sauce, hummus, lettuce, tomato, onions, hot peppers, pickles, tabouleh, tahina, and yogurt cucumber sauce.
What a combo.
In conclusion, I'm passed out in a hotel room in downtown Providence, and while all the Brown students are busy being brilliant, I'm alone in my MC hammer pants, writing a yelp review about pita pockets.Listed in: Irresistible New England!
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Review from L.M D.
Providence, RI
3/19/2012
Hands down, the best falafel......Usually a long wait out the door, but surprisingly it goes fast.
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Review from Bill H.
10/2/2011 3 Check-ins Here
East Side Pockets is my favorite falafel joint. The sandwich assembly is brutally efficient; you'll be ten people deep in line and have your own delicious wrap paid for in just over five minutes.
The falafel itself is great -- moist, with great flavor and texture. Meats are top-notch, too. When I'm visiting Providence, I usually get a combo pocket so I can get both falafel and either gyro meat or chicken.
The ingredients are fresh and plentiful, and you'll have your choice of greens, hot sauce, tahini, etc.. The wraps are brilliantly constructed. Despite the relatively thin wrap, I've never had a wrap fall apart on me, and they're always clean enough to walk and eat (though I wouldn't recommend this approach).
Pro tip: Leaving a dollar in the tip jar will get you a handful of pastries. Great way to leave with a little baklava chaser. -
Review from Alma C.
Providence, RI
4/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
East Side Pockets shapes their falafel in the shape of a donut to lure in the New Englanders--i swear, they can probably put the falafel on a hook and fishing pole and people will still bite.... in any case, their antics are working, b/c whenever I come here during lunch, the line of addicts snakes up and down the small hallway and sometimes out the door like a tangled rope. The owners run a tight ship and the wait is minimal even with a dozen people in front of you. And if you do wait, chances are you be rewarded w/ a free falafel bite for your patience, and yes, you'll be hooked.
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Review from Stephanie K.
Riverside, RI
10/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
After my very disapointing trip to the arcade I went to thayer to revisit my after babyhead spot for drunk eats. This place is like that security blanket its always there for you.
I had my old fav chicken kabob and it brought back so many amazing memories.)
I also love seeing all the same people behind the counter. -
Review from C. D.
Providence, RI
3/6/2012
Best falafel that I have tried in Rhode Island.
Excellent service. I moved out of the state for a few years and when I returned and first went back to East Side Pockets, the main man behind the counter remembered my usual order.
It lacks some of the extra sandwich ingredients that you would find in New York City (i.e., red cabbage, sauteed onions, eggplant), but all of the basic ingredients are always fresh.
The baklava is good (I like that it's gooey), but I wasn't crazy about the gyro (I'm a gyro snob, though).
Chicken and falafel combination with extra tzatziki is the way to go. -
Review from Melissa F.
Chicago, IL
9/8/2011
So, I'm kind of into this thing called Yelp (look it up sometime if you want). Yelp told me that East Side Pockets was ahhhhh-mazing, like 4.5/5-style ahhhhh-mazing. Of course, I decided to test this out.
The space at ESP is pretty crowded and cramped, making take-out a great option most of the time. Of course, an added benefit is that you get space-age-esque cylinders of tinfoil-wrapped goodness that you can take around town like you're one of the Jetsons. Anyway, the line moves quickly enough, you tell the nice people behind the counter exactly what you want, and then you grab a Coke Zero if you're me.
Despite being sad that there was no chicken schwarma option (or any schwarma), I got the falafel. Falafel is usually way too dry, but not here! The falafel was the perfect texture, and the creamy hummus and not-hot-but-still-tasty hot sauce added a lot to the veggies and falafel (even if the bread was a bit tough). The sandwich was delicious, filling, and wonderfully priced, making it pretty apprent why ESP has some of the best food in Prawwvidence. -
Review from Irene Y.
Manhattan Beach, CA
1/4/2012
A very popular place among the college kids for a good reason! This place serves delicious fresh falafal and kebob wraps for a great price. That's why there is always a line! A good place to try if you're making a trip to Brown's campus and thayer street. There is a decent amount of seating in the back.
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Review from Aly K.
9/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Quick, Cheap and Tasty! What else do you need?
East Side has great food without the wait. The long can seem long, but it goes quickly.
The falafel is delicious, either in a wrap or by itself. The Chicken Caesar pocket is out of this world! One of the best I have ever had! -
Review from Jay D.
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really like how efficient this place is... don't worry if the line is long it won't take long. Their pita chips are delicious and so are their grape leaves. Yum! There is a reason why it's busy... and has lasted on Thayer St. IT IS GOOD.
Street parking only. A couple seats outside, does have inside seating.
If you like a lil hummus in your life this is your kinda place. -
Review from Jose D.
Kingston, RI
3/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The falafel is terrific, and the price is perfect!
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Review from Amanda C.
7/10/2011 4 Check-ins Here
This is one of my hands down go to places on Thayer Street. The prices are so good and the service is the best out of any quick dinning establishment I have ever been in. If I ever move away from Providence, this would be on my Top Ten of Most Missed places.
I usually get the Falafel Pocket with everything. For $6.50 (Tax included) you get a monstrous pocket filled to the brim with three, perfect falafels. They are always so crispy. They do not let their product sit out and I do not think I have ever gotten a soggy falafel. Since I was with a fellow meat eater, I decided to get steak on mine because we were splitting it. He was hesitant at first because the falafel is so good, but his girlfriend is a vegetarian and I said look, "You are never going to be able to have steak on a sammie with her!" For about $0.75 more, we got a generous portion of thin steak. The marinade they use must be great because I got a faint taste of mint.
I really do love this place and I hope they stay in Providence for a long time!Listed in: Missing You Providence
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Review from Lisa S.
6/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hubby and I were strolling down Thayer street this weekend and when hubby said he was hungry, I knew the perfect place to take him - Eastside Pockets!
I've eaten here a few times before and knew my husband would enjoy their food as much as I do! I love Mediterranean food and try to eat it whenever the opportunity presents itself! I ordered the gyro and chicken plate (I had enough food for dinner too)! Hubby got the falafel and grilled steak plate and ate every bite! He was satisfied and sold on this quaint diner. The only thing that would have made our lunch nicer would have been if we could have sat at one of the outside tables, but they were already happily occupied.
Although we were full, we had to share a piece of homemade baklava as it always reminds me of the Greek neighbors that lived across the street where were I grew up.
Bottom line, if you are near Thayer street and craving hummus, falafel or a tasty gyro, stop by, you won't be disappointed! -
Review from Cory K.
Updated - 7/11/2011
Received a great follow-up from East Side Pockets. I figure because this place is the holy grail of kabob in Providence one negative review wouldn't hurt- if you already love it then you don't need to look it up on yelp, and if you've never been there are plenty of rave reviews.
I should have mentioned that I have always enjoyed their food. (I don't eat falafel often) but I just wanted to give my two sense on their pies.
A friend recently recommended the mince lamb- I'll be in to try it soon!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/6/2011
Tried their Meat Pie and Spinach and Feta Pie and was very underwhelmed.
Granted I went in looking… Read more »
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Review from Jean R.
12/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
In the mood for quick fast Mediterranean then this is your place! Yummy falafel, salads, jedra, baklava and of course the wraps! Super yummy! When I used to live around the corner from this little piece of heaven I totally needed an intervention! For my waists sake, I've since moved.
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Review from Jay E.
Providence, RI
9/4/2011
Hands down East Side Pockets serves the best falafel in Rhode Island. Their food is always fresh, large portions at reasonable prices, and friendly service.
Highly Recommend. -
Review from felix c.
Black Mountain, NC
7/16/2011
East Side Pockets is as good as a pocket place can get. The ingredients are fresh, the sauces are delicious, and the service is fast and friendly. Every time.
I agree that the ambiance a little lacking, and it's better for takeout, but even so, there's almost always a seat, and the place is always clean. -
Review from Shiloh B.
Rumford, RI
1/28/2012
I love this place. Best falafel in Providence! You will not be disappointed with anything on the menu
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Review from K S.
Providence, RI
1/19/2012
MMMMMMMMM, falafel! East Side Pockets is absolutely delicious and great bang for your buck. The combo pockets are yummy, as is everything I've had, and the price point is perfect. It's on Thayer Street, so unless you get really lucky or happen to go at a dead time (doesn't happen very often, but Brown vacation periods are a good starting place), parking is difficult. I usually park on a side street, and walk up to Thayer and get a tasty pocket to go.
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Review from Anthony T.
Providence, RI
4/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Quick, cheap and delicious. I highly reccommend the kafta. Everything is consistent everytime and always fresh. Friendly staff also!
