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Falafel Hut
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Event Planning & Services Caterers Middle Eastern, Caterers [Edit]
1115 4th StSan Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 259-0440
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 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
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
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134 reviews for Falafel Hut
Review Highlights
"I'm not a huge hummus fan but I LOVED the hummus here."
(in 43 reviews)
"...place, i am a huge huge fan of the pickles and hot sauce."
(in 13 reviews)
"on this one -- the beef & lamb shawarma is TO DIE FOR."
(in 3 reviews)
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134 reviews in English
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Review from Masood M.
San Rafael, CA
11/20/2011
So, this was my second time visiting the place, and I not only enjoyed the wonderful, tasty food at a great price, but I also met the owner's son that seems like a very nice person. Okay, let's talk food: it is authentic, as the owners come from that region, and it certainly shows in the flavor of food they serve. Ambiance: mainly authntic music, simple, clean place. I highly recommend this place as a great substitute to cafe Aroma, which I love as well by the way.
So, I just read a review that a customer wrote about this place, and I like to clarify few unreasonable expectations, and misjudgments placed on this place. First, I should say that I am not affiliated in any shape or form with the stablishment or the owners, just to get that out of the way.
When eating at Falafel Hut, please remember that you are not dining at a 5 star restaurant. The service is over the counter ordering, and when the food is ready, they ll deliver it to you; now, I am not sure how badly anyone could screw that up!
Ambiance, is mom and pops and it shows; what I really cared about was the cleanliness of the place, and not if they have a original Monalisa hanging from the wall, or there is a water fountain with rapid light change is placed indoor or not!
The food is authentic, and it is how it is served in Arab region, so I am always puzzled as to how some American blond that has never been to that region starts being a international food conosour. And this is not a judgmental, as much as it is puzzling to me!
Overall come in with an open mind, and you will get some great food and yes the price was also mentioned. I am not sure what the person who rated this place expected! The price ranges from $4.00 appetizer dishes to their most expensive combination meat dish that consist of three skewers of shush kabob, chicken and few other items, which I don't think is unreasonable.
With all due respect to the active yelper and with much thanks for her time and opinion, I totally disagree with her.
I hope this helps to come in enjoy some authentic food at a great price with an okay ambiance that certainly has its own charm. -
Review from Joe M.
My buddy and I were looking for a lunch join and the place we really wanted to try was closed for MLK. Instead, we decided to walk down 4th St and see what looked interesting. I noticed there was a Groupon deal for Falafel Hut and it made it worth giving it a try. The menu was pretty pricey with wraps and sandwiches in the $7-13 range and entrees from $12-18, it would have required a deal to get me in here in the first place.
I ordered the falafel and beef wrap which came out to about $13 with tax. When I received it, it didn't look anything like the photo and I couldn't help be feel a tad dissatisfied immediately. Luckily it was discounted. Flavors were just ok, and I found myself adding quite a bit of hot sauce. I've definitely had better, more affordable mediterranean food elsewhere.
Service here is really good and the folks that run the place are great. They've got patio seating so your dog is welcome to join you outside. However, prices are kind of ridiculous if you ask me, and the restaurant is kind of hidden with the counter way in back. If you come with the coupon, definitely give it a try, but otherwise there are much better eats elsewhere.
Food: 6/10
Service: 8/10
Price: $$
Atmosphere: 6/10 -
Review from John B.
Novato, CA
1/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Left falafel hut feeling unimpressed.
I ordered the Combo Shawarma (lamb and beef) and some falafel (figured I may aswell...it's in the name for goodness sakes)...It was all super greasy and I found it to be quite unpleasant.
Why am I still going with a 3 star rating? I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Plus, service was alright. They were able to give me my food in a decent amount of time and seemed nice. -
Review from AMR P.
Novato, CA
1/24/2012
The food here is exquisite! It's a favorite eatery of everyone here at AMR Productions. Overall excellence in dining and service!.
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Review from Alexis C.
Sausalito, CA
12/27/2011
I've been coming to this place since the old location and I still adore it. Good, honest food of superb quality. I consistently order a shawarma, but when I deviate from my standard fare I'm always rewarded. The turkish delight always tastes fresh and delicious and the rose water is another detail to look forward to. Love this place, hope it never changes.
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Review from Jerad E.
Denver, CO
1/3/2012
Came here with my family over the holiday break reminiscing about the time we paid a visit a couple years ago. I love me some falafel, and I couldn't wait for food pleasure town. I dunno if this place changed owners, but it has since been remodeled and the food was not as I remembered it. Each half of my my falafel deluxe came with two giant falafel balls, which sound awesome, except they weren't cooked all the way through :( Really this place has falafel in the name and they couldn't cook them properly?. Hummus and fried eggplant were delicious in my falafel however I could have done with about double the portion in my pita. My dad ordered the lamb shwarma and was heartily satisfied...the house hot sauce is good as well. So overall good, but I'm just really disappointed in the falafel and portions.
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Review from Susan I.
Santa Rosa, CA
11/23/2011
My son and I will drive down from Santa Rosa about every weekend. W e love # 18... LAMB SHAWARMA. The best in the west. The people are great...a father and son business. They are always so nice and polite. I think my son is addicted to the hummus. A trip worth making.
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Review from arthur f.
Larkspur, CA
9/5/2011
My favorite falafel place around. Wide variety of dishes, desserts, and specials. They're even better since they expanded from next door.
A regular craving... -
Review from Lindsey A.
San Jose, CA
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Taste-wise, it's OK. Price-wise, it's simply atrocious. Atmosphere-wise, it's sub-par (especially for the price). Service-wise, it's not good. I hate to be on a negative streak, but here goes the break down:
Taste: The food is bland at best. It serves the purposes of my "plain jane" toddler daughter, but my hubby and I were left wanting some actual flavor on our food. We started with the hummus appetizer, I ordered the kabob plate, and my husband ordered the chicken shwarma wrap. The rice was very pilaf-y, not the light fluffy rice I'm used to at other Middle Eastern restaurants. The kabob was pretty bland; something I could easily make at home. My husband's wrap was the same. The hummus appetizer was a GIANT waste of money. I wished we had just gone to Costco or something and bought the tub so we could set up a stand next door and sell it to people for half the price and twice the flavor. Knowwhatimsayin?
Price: We were pretty damn hungry, so we ordered an appetizer, a big plate, and a big wrap. We paid $40. And you know what, I was SERIOUSLY hungry when we got home. Like I REALLY ate a banana within 30 minutes of eating at this place! Whaaaaat? Also, and this was my big gripe, their falafel wrap is $6. Their hummus appetizer was $6. The hummus appetizer had 1/4 cup of hummus and 1 SINGLE pita bread. Uhhhhhh, who came up with the way skewed price point for their menu and are they on crack?
Atmosphere: It's hot as hell in there on a hot day. Good thing we parked our asses on the patio, where the owners were found smoking right next to us. We couldn't figure out if we wanted to melt indoors or "enjoy" a tobacco tainted meal.
Service: We had to come back for every god-damned thing, because they forgot half the stuff our meal was supposed to come with. It was like we were bothering them every single time even though we were the only customers in this godforsaken place. Get a grip! Clearly they were too hot too and/or in need of another cigarette break.
Aaaaaaaaand, thank goodness the South Bay comes through in the falafel dept. -
Review from Katie W.
6/26/2011
For months, months I tell you, I had been craving falafel.
A big, fat, set of golden brown, fried crunchy moist mouthful of chickpea wonder.
Where else does one go to satisfy this whim?
Why, to the Falafel Hut, of course. I mean - it's in the freaking name.
Well, I didn't see where I could just get me a couple and maybe some baba ghanoush, so I got their lunch wrap special - the greatest deal for a whole lunch under $3 anyhwere going.
Lavosh, hummus, tabbouleh, falafel and tomato. All rolled into an Ethnic Bite from the East.
However.
These are not, NOT fried, crunchy and golden delicious. They are just cooked. Normal. Nothing of greatness, but a good, stand up moist falafel. The flavors surrounding are good too, and that's what this is. Just good.
Golden Falafel - Where in the wordl ARE you?!!
I bet you that Bitch Carmen San Diego knows... -
Review from Alex p.
San Anselmo, CA
7/1/2011
Stopped by there for the first time today with high hopes. There aren't many options in the north bay for falafel (that i've found). i tried to order the chicken shawerma wrap (#10). no chicken in stock, he suggests the lamb and beef. i concede, still craving tahini in a bad way. food prep took over 10 minutes with no line, but i still held fast. i wanted some shawerma goodness. first bite. mouthful of gristle. seriously? i've eaten at many taquerias so i can take it. second bite. gristle. ok WTF. 10 bucks for a gristle wrap?
i might give it another try, but this should kill my urge for at least a month...
update: puked it up. -
Review from Ryan G.
Novato, CA
5/2/2011
I stop here every chance that I get which isn't much. They have really expanded their restaurant from the little hole in the wall it used to be.
Pros:
Food is great. Nothing I have had on the menu has been bad or anything.
Service is friendly and they always have a smile on their faces.
Good location, right on 4th street.
Plenty of seating.
Great for take out.
The beef/lamb schwarma (not deluxe) is to die for.
Food is authentic. I know, I am from America! :P
Cons:
Can be slow to get your food so just don't go in a hurry.
They don't deviate from the menu too much to accomidate for kids or anything else
Overall:
I crave the food there about once a month and have to make my trek. I used to live by there and would have it at least once a week but now I am far far away in Novato and can't make it down as often. Love the place.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Cadina V.
San Rafael, CA
7/10/2011
Totally not what we expected. We have better food. My fiance said a total rip off. We had gristle in the chicken and the lamb gamey with lots of fat.
It was very expensive. The hummus was ok but not worth money
On upside, wait staff was very helpful and nice. -
Review from Sian K.
San Rafael, CA
4/25/2011
I just discovered Falafel Hut on Easter Sunday when just about every other restaurant in San Rafael was closed! I was relieved that they were open, and delighted that they were so incredibly nice. We got dinner to go, and they were very speedy - which was important because I was starving.
I had the falafel sandwich and my husband had the falafel deluxe (whoa, so much variety!). Delicious, fresh, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside falafel. Soft, comforting, fresh pita. Fresh veggies tucked in between the falafel, an unusual, tangy hummus, freshly grilled eggplant and potato on the deluxe version. Are you getting my theme here? FRESH. All the food was very fresh - nothing stale, dry, or wilted. Very impressive for a quick order place. I will be going back. Oh, and bonus: they deliver! -
Review from Jessica R.
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2011
Once every couple of months, when my boyfriend starts periodically yelling "SHAWARMA" at random intervals (I think it's a mild, food-induced form of Tourette's), we know it's time to go back to Falafel Hut. I have to second Ryan G. on this one -- the beef & lamb shawarma is TO DIE FOR. It is SO tender, warm, juicy, with just the right amount of spice... my mouth waters just thinking about it. I also ALWAYS get a side of hummus (with extra pita, please!) -- I'm a sucker for all hummus, but Falafel Hut definitely does it right. The baba ghanoush is also yummy.
Delicious food, service with a smile, and another craving fulfilled. Thanks, Falafel Hut.
As a sidenote, we discovered Virgil's Real Cola in the beverage case here on a recent visit, and loved it so much that we subsequently embarked on a mission to find it in grocery stores (props to Whole Foods in Novato for that one!). -
Review from Ryan M.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2011
Very friendly service and great food. The only place that I feel keeps coconut water in stock just for me! Love the super deluxe chicken shawarma. Definitely pop in and check it out if your on 4th street!
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Review from Joe S.
Richmond, CA
9/10/2011
I've dined at Falafel Hut so many times - whenever I'm near San Rafael I make a bee line for their delicious falafel and shwarma. The food is good, the people are always nice and prompt with the food. I've been here over 20 times and always had good service and food. Love their new larger location.
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Review from Tor S.
Mill Valley, CA
11/4/2011
Prices are terrible, food is OK, and service poor. No wonder they are empty at lunchtime on a busy street.
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Review from Aaron J.
San Francisco, CA
9/1/2011 24 Check-ins Here
Where else are you going to get non-Persian middle eastern food in central Marin? It's very good, too.
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Review from odj R.
San Anselmo, CA
4/16/2011
I've been going here since they were in their teeny place next door. Hands-down the best Middle Eastern food! I've never been disappointed, it's always consistent. LOVE the shawerma, hummus, eggplant salad (the BEST!), babaganoush (sp?), cucumber salad, falafel and dolmas. If I have any complaints, which I don't...but, when they first opened the warm pita were so fresh - they appeared to be homemade...they were SOOOOO good. Then one day they were gone, and now they're your basic store-bought variety. I still love the place though.
I had a party last year and I had them do a large platter - everyone loved it! -
Review from Wade M.
Santa Cruz, CA
9/11/2011
The place was nice and clean. Staff were friendly, food was delicious, however my lamb and beef shwarma was a a little greasy for my taste and I found them to be a bit spendy.
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Review from Ed v.
San Rafael, CA
3/17/2011
I lived in SF for 10 years and enjoyed a good shawarma from the Haight or the Mission, and was sorry when we moved to San Rafael until we discovered Falafel Hut.
Their shawarmas are just as good as anything you can find in the City. The owner is gracious and the prices are reasonable. I'm glad that they have expanded their place. There is more room to sit, and the atmosphere is better -
Review from Breena M.
Greenbrae, CA
12/15/2010
I'm giving Falafel Hut 5 stars. In my opinion, there are 2 styles of Mediterranean food: the fresh, small portioned, fancier style (i.e. Hanna's Italian/Mediterranean) and the straight up combo plate, schwarma, gyro, quick style. Normally, my taste buds just don't agree with option B and I am pretty picky when it comes to Mediterranean... but my boyfriend really wanted to try this place.
Well low and behold this place knocked my socks right off, I was fucking amazed! I had the special vegetarian plate complete with hummus, falafel (best I've had: crisp outside, moist inside MMM) baba ganoush, grape leaf wraps, kabouli, fresh cucumber and complete with warm pita bread... I was impressed to say the least. The guy who served us (wish I would have got his name) was really nice and gave us a two for one deal on the baklava. I will be back in no time =) -
Review from Chi I.
San Diego, CA
1/22/2011 2 photos
I ordered the #28 entree (Shawerma Plate - Beef-Lamb-Chicken) bc it had a little bit of everything I wanted - 3 meats, rice, salad and hummus. I must say it hit the spot; the last time I had shawerma this good was back in NYC last year.
From veggie dishes like the 'House Combo Plate' to super meat dishes like my #28, the Falafel Hut's menu has a lot of variety, so everyone in your party should find something good to eat. For you 'visual' people out there like me, this restaurant also provides a photo menu for your viewing pleasure; that's what sold me on #28.
The atmosphere is casual - you order at the counter and then seat yourself. The take-out menu says they take MC, Visa, Discover and AMEX but I think they only take the 1st two.
If you're in or near San Rafael, stop by this place. -
Review from Mookie M.
Berkeley, CA
1/18/2011
Simply the best hummus I've ever had. I know, you think you know hummus but forget that pre-fab Trader Joe's crap. This is the real deal.
As good a vegetarian platter as I've had anywhere. The pita was warm and fresh. -
Review from Tracey A.
San Anselmo, CA
11/19/2010
Brava! Reasonably priced, quite good mediterranean food, right across the street from the Rafael Theater.
Extra points for amusing menu misspellings: "Foul" for poultry; "Spinich" for the green stuff.
Point deductions for: restaurant flies (ecchh, please shut the front door).
It's an order-at-the-counter joint, a little divey, and doesn't pretend to be anything it's not.
Rose water replaces tap water and smells like something an old-English lady bathes in (sorry, old English ladies). If you can't handle that, ask for a cuppa the plain old stuff.Listed in: Live Large!: North Bay Eats
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Review from Umesh T.
El Sobrante, CA
I happened across the "Falafel Hut" while looking for a place to lunch on a working weekday. I had the the absolutely delicious Chicken Shawarma. It was steaming hot, and juicy, the chicken was full of flavour and the red spicy spread was right up there. The zesty thinly sliced roundels of red onions kicked it up - probably pickled or tossed in lime juice. I believe the pita bread is made in-house.
Alas, I expected a larger wrap for $8 but it was filling nonetheless. It's just that my favourite place in the Mission (San Francisco) fills me up with half a roll at the same price; but I have no complaints --- just saying.
I have read and heard good things about the Falafel, though I am not sure I can resist going for a Shawarma on my next visit (and visit I will; many many more times) -
Review from Dan J.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2011
Great falafels! I always get the falafel deluxe and am never dissapointed. I have had other kabob dishes and they are delicious as well.
Great food...my only slight complaint is that the prices have gone up a bit. I loved the old "hole in the wall" fell of the old place...and the prices that went along with it. -
Review from I B G.
San Rafael, CA
7/6/2011
Love the falafels and also the Veggie Delight. I'm not a vegetarian, but the dish is full of so many good things, I just have to have it! Avoid the beef though.
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Review from R S.
Sacramento, CA
10/2/2011
The lamb and beef shawarma in combination with the hummus and hot sauce are amazing.
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Review from J M.
San Anselmo, CA
Updated - 10/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
Unfortunately, I've decided the Falafel Hut is no longer for me. The service is terrible and the quality of the feed has gone downhill in the past year.
Today, I had the Falafel Deluxe. The eggplant and potato slices were obviously precooked and were straight out of the fridge. Fridge cold.
The credit card/ATM has not worked for about six months - time to take the Visa decals off the door.
There's better in Marin. Rumi in Montecito Plaza is excellent and there's also Mojay's cafe.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/13/2010
Quick review.
The food is very good, I have the falafel every couple of weeks. However...when… Read more »
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Review from Trevor H.
San Rafael, CA
6/6/2011 20 Check-ins Here
My buddy works across the way and he and I met up in the parking lot a couple months ago to grab something to eat, I wanted Burger King and he said he wanted Falafel. I had no idea what falafel was so we compromised. We went and got him his falafel which he started eating mid-drive thru line. There was no escape, I had to watch him eat it in front of me. Same day a couple hours after the bk I went over to the falafel hutt and he got another one and I had my first. Falafel Deluxe no tomato wrap. its almost weekly now. hot sauce num num
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Review from Erik S.
Manchester, NH
9/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is awesome. I'm not in San Rafael often and this was the first time I came here. I ordered a beef & Lamb Shwarma and let me tell you, it was DOPE! My friend ordered a falafel and said it was one of the best he's had.
The restaurant itself is nice, good amount of tables and an area out front if you felt like eating outside. The staff was friendly and I'm sure the next time I'm in this city I'll stop in. -
Review from Austin B.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2011
I love the chicken schwarma! I go there about 2 times a week and it's delicious. Always friendly service and they usually give me some freshly baked pita to much on while I wait. A+
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Review from martin m.
Novato, CA
9/11/2011
very nice falafel and shawarma here.Good service and a nice atmosphere.i visit about once a week for the falafel and shawarma#18.just like jessicas boyfriend the craving is powerfull and wont be denied.
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Review from Mary S.
San Rafael, CA
4/18/2011
I love this place! The falafels are delicious! I always get the falafel and hummus sandwich. It's a little pricey for what it is but that could be because I'm used to $3 falafel sandwiches in NYC that are also very delicious. That being said, I still frequent the Falafel Hut quite a bit - I can't resist a good falafel.
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Review from Andrew L.
New York, NY
7/1/2010
Wow this place is garbage.
For ten dollars I got an oily, sopping wet sharwama sandwich that had some of the most grisly, gamey lamb I've had. I tell you I've had better quality, better tasting shawarma from drty street vendors in backass countries around the world. I'm not surprised that people on this site got food poisoning from it.
And who makes a shawarma sandwich without Israeli salad or the obligatory hummus - these each cost extra? Give me an f-ing break. Talk about nickle and diming you.
Take my advice and save your money, this place really sucks. -
Review from Sammy S.
Alameda, CA
1/2/2008 ROTD 3/25/2008
A plate of creamy hummus, smoky baba ganoush, crispy falafel, and rice-filled dolma's made watching my nephew lose his marbles after the guests of his second birthday decapitated a Curious George pinata, so much more enjoyable.
Without the Middle Eastern grub, the screaming and declarations of "ooo ooo, died" from my nephew would just be sad, instead of sad AND delicious.
Hummus makes everything better, even the murder of your 2-year-old nephews favorite monkey.
Oh, and the olives were perfection. -
Review from Gary E.
11/8/2008
I never thought I'd say this. I'm so sick of burritos. And sandwiches. Seriously, there was a point in my life where I could eat anything as long as it was either between two slices of bread, or wrapped in a tortilla and drowned in hot sauce.
Imagine my surprise; nay SHOCK, when I discovered a Falafel Hut in downtown San Rafael. This was my next spot for lunch.
Ordered the deluxe falafel and a side of tabouleh. And... it was a bit disappointing. I notice a lot of glowing reviews - and I will go back here - but I've had much better. The falafel tasted reheated, but still good - methinks if it was fresh it would be outstanding. Nestled in the pita along with the falafel was VERY tasty hummus, some veggies, and two sad and soggy wee fries that looked a day or two old.
Tabouleh was decent, although I didn't really see a lot of bulgur in there - but it was light on the olive oil which I like.
The cold counter was packed with tasty looking treats that I want to try soon - I was eyeing a feta pie that had my name on it. I'll give it another shot, but for now I'd give it 2.5 fried chickpea patties... -
Review from S T.
Marin, CA
7/8/2011
The falafel here is bomb - I just polished off one of the chicken and falafel wraps and it was pretty delicious. It's really the falafel that makes it, not so much the chicken. They put hummus in there and a surprisingly tasty hot sauce. The chicken was so-so though, and i asked for no hot sauce; even though i ended up liking it, the point is I asked for none.
