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Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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"Falafel lululul ... yuck, no wai " was my usual response to anyone that offered it to me.
I've had falafel years ago and didn't not like the chalkiness, dry sand like texture balls that reminded me off dry horse poo. (srry, i get carried away) My friends would eat it and say it's good for you or that it's healthy ... ah yeah, usually the nasty items are always good for you :)
Then one day, my vegetarian sister dragged me along and I tried it just because I was feeling courageous and I was forced to order the banana shake.
I opened up the package, mimicked everything my sister did with my exceptional peripheral vision so it looked like i knew what to do, lol. Took a bite and BOOM, fireworks appeared! The hot sauce is the chinese rooster brand (not the Sriracha) and I love that sauce 'cuz it makes everything better! The falafel was good because it was somewhat fresh which complimented that fabulous hot sauce.
I tell ya, if it wasn't for the hot sauce ... I would have taken a few bites. The power of Hot Sauce, yeah baby!
4 stars is for the potential the falafel sandwiches have when made fresh - i've come here plenty of times as a treat during lunch break or if i happen to be near by on the weekends and enjoy getting my hands messy but i came recently and the falafels were lukewarm and seemed like they had been sitting there for a while - kinda disappointed.
5 stars is for their banana shake!!! always excellent!
(also, i've found it to be perfect to balance the spiciness of boiling crab if you ever try that place! )
Falafel sandwiches - meh (not nearly as good as NYC's)
Fresh fruit smoothies - AWESOME. loved my strawberry banana..I sucked down half the cup before even touching the food. I had no idea there was a chocolate banana one..have to go back to try it!
Onion rings - also AWESOME. those suckers were still delicious and crispy after sitting out for half an hour.
Overall - I'm a fan, but I've had better.
First time today and I got to say I wish I tried it sooner. Food was great, I had the Gyro and it was worth the $4. A bit messy to eat but there was plenty of napkins to take care of that!
Right when we pulled in to the parking lot, I was kind of hesitant to get out of my car because the line was too long for me, but we waited and did not wait long at all. After being in line for about 5 minutes we got our food five minutes later! There was a lack of customer service and you have to hunt for a table, hence the 4 star rating. Overall good eats!
FALAFEL plus a bananna OR strawberry milkshake.....IT'S A WRAP!!!
cheap, easy to get to/find, classic look.....just go here already!
After a few trials, I like the food here for what it is but customer service needs some attending to.
Oh, I never mentioned that they have indoor setting. Cool I guess. =/
My first visit:
No, I didn't like this place. The famous banana shake they have, no, I can make that…
Read more »
I love the falafels plus the hot red sauce with it!! Everytime I'm in the Bay Area I hit up this place all the time. I've tried Pita Chips elsewhere, but I really like the ones here, it's gotta be the spices they put on it. The Pita bread used for the sandwiches are rather thin, so while eating them be prepared for it to fall apart and make a big mess. Certainly not something to eat on a first date.. LOL! if you're not a fan of this type of cuisine, eat a deep fried burrito and enjoy a delicious fresh banana shake. Can't wait to get back and gobble down a falafel sandwich :D
The falafel sandwich and banana shake combo is awesome! Sometimes the sandwich gets messy as the pita starts to fall apart, and your fingers get a little greasy and covered in hot sauce, but its well worth it.
There always seems to be a line, but it moves fast, and you have to be quick to grab a just vacated table. There is a small indoor seating area, but most everyone sits outside.
A solid 4-4.5 star establishment, great food, decent prices, would be 5 stars if they didn't close so early.
1020+ reviews. Is there much more to be said?
The drive-in, hearkens back to an older time, the twist here being instead of burgers and fries, you can eat a falafel instead...oh crap, you can eat a burger and fries here too.
Review fail.
Their falafel's are 5 stars all the way! Simply becsause I thought I didn't even like falafel's cause all of the one's I've ever had were dry and flavorless. Until.... I tried Falafel's Drive Inn! They changed my mind about falafel's forever. Now THAT has got to be five star material.
Crunchy, cripsy delicious savory outside. Tender, moist, garlic and herb filled center. Top it with the tart garlic yogurt sauce. YUMMMMY.
Cheap, big portions and very filling.
Price: Fairly cheap, around $5 for a falafel sandwhich, which is a whole meal in a pita.
Speed: after getting through the massive line for the lunch rush, quick. Can't knock them for having a line!!
Healthy: meh, with all the fried stuff not so healthy, but it is vegetarian. I supposed you could order non-fried stuff like the baba ganoush or hummus, but really i don't come here for that.
Taste: so good. They do it right here. As usual, i'm not speaking to the authenticity of the preparation of the food, I'm no expert, but their food is delish. Other places where i've ordered falafel, they're cold, hard, or dry, or combinations thereof. But since this place has such a high turnover rate, you aren't eating falafels that have been sitting around under a lamp for hours drying and hardening, your eating ones that were made fairly recently. they're warm, they're moist, and they're chewy.
Ambiance: kinda outdoorsy, with a hint of post-modern revival...IT'S A FRIGGIN FALAFEL STAND!! it's not a restaurant, although I think they do have some indoor seating available. It's just a bunch of picnic tables and really, that's all that it needs to be. parking kinda sucks, but again, can't knock them for having customers.
5 stars, this place is great on all levels (except for health, but you can't win 'em all all the time)
Oh, and they don't take credit cards, only debit and ATM and there is a fee, which i kinda resent, but oh well.
come here one night just about 10 mins before they were close, my friend and I were afraid that they are about to close soon. To our surprise just after us there is at least 5 more customer... so what a busy little place.
anyway.... got to admit.. their falafel is very yummy. we also order something lamb wrap... sorry forgot the name.. my friend and I agree that the falafel was better.. i think we were both expecting to taste like meat, but the lamb is mix with something else so to me I was disappointed cause I can't really taste the meat. So next time i will skip that for sure.
we didn't order any drink... bad idea... we were both very thirsty after our food.. so next time I will make sure to try their banana shake.
Awesome... Read the other reviews and you will see what I mean. Everything here is good, and I have had most of it as I have been going here since I was a little kid. It has been here since 1966!!
My faves are: Koubby, Hummus, Pita Chips, Gyros and of course, the Falafel. Did I mention, BANANA SHAKE? They make them with fresh bananas - yum!
I won't go on - you can look at the other 1000+ reviews of this San Jose classic. Just try it out, if you haven't been here. It's part of living in the South Bay...
Q: What's a falafel?
A: Meatballs (but usually chickpeas), cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, tahini sauce (and/or hot sauce) all in a pita sandwich. Yum!
I've been to San Jose so many times. I'm kicking myself for not having tried the Falafel Drive-In until this past weekend! I had to get the falafel and banana milkshake combo that everyone has been talking about. It was a good sign to see huge piles of bananas in the kitchen. That's when you know it's fresh!
I got the falafel with the hot sauce. The guy at the cashier said it wouldn't be that hot so I thought it would be mild. I WAS WRONG! I don't like spicy so it was my mistake risking it. After taking off as much of the hot sauce as I could, I bit in and it was still delicious. Why get a burger when you can get a falafel? After I eat it, I don't feel like I've eaten something horribly bad for me. It's got cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes! And not just little thin slices like on a burger.
The banana milkshake was perfect for me (except that it was in a styrofoam cup, come on people, we are living eco these days!). I know a lot of people like thick milkshakes but I actually like it when it's drinkable. If it's too thick it's basically soft served ice cream in a cup and that's not what I want. I want a drink! There is no overly sweet, artificial banana flavor because they use the real fruit. So good! I also ordered a side of onion rings which were very tasty. Burgers were so yesterday. This is America's new meal!
I had a dream the other night.
I dreamt I was about to bite into a Falafel's Drive in "Falafel Sandwich" - 2 crispy chickpea balls nestled in a soft pita pocket, marinated in tahini + yogurt sauce, with generous helpings of ripe tomatoes, leafy lettuce and crunchy cucumbers...and then I woke up.
That was the only time I've ever wanted to cry from waking up from a dream. Damnit. How can you be so cruel?
Healthy, they are not but yet, they taste astonishingly fresh. Deceiving those falafels are. Coupled with a considerable amount of their ketchup (ketchup + hot sauce mix - genious!), you've got heaven in your hands.
I only order the falafel sandwich here. Everything else is... meh. But what a sandwich! I recommend this to anyone who's looking for cheap eats in the area.
I couldn't resist stopping by today.
It's been a long time, my love.
Never again will I go this long without your delicious balls.
I heart you 4eva.
OH-EM-JEE! Get the small falafel and the pita chips already!! Don't forget the fresh banana shake.… Read more »
There you are.
You sassy, soft, stuffed pita.
You're barely staying in one piece, fighting to contain the marinated beef gyros chunks, lettuce and tomatoes. You're swimming in just the right amount of tahini.
You have been a love of mine for more than 18 years now.
I am rarely in San Jose. On this fine October day in between rainfall I stopped in and proceeded to enjoy the large gyros and pita chips.
While waiting for my number to be called (and controlling my salivation) I heard someone order a chocolate banana malt shake. That took me way back and I smiled when I realized that even the younger folks have found the delightful bliss in the Falafel's Drive-In Banana shake and all its various configurations.
The menu is simple. Falafels are simply awesome. Small Gyros or Small Falafel is a frugal meal that could fill even the largest of eater.
One word of advice though... You may want to allow yourself plenty of time. The line gets to be very long and the staff does everything they can to pump out food quickly, but this could be a problem if you are in a pinch for time.
There has not been another falafel joint I have found that can compare. That is saying a LOT.
This time I made sure to swing by and get my fix.
Gotta love this place! I really find myself liking it more and more each time I go.
Today was the first time I actually ate there (as opposed to take-out), so I'm mainly reviewing the food. I had a kifta kabab with fries (my usual), and I shared a hummus plate with a coworker. I love the kifta kabab, and chose it today since it was the more filling choice, but I have to say the hummus is my favorite. I crave it. When I get it as take-out, I wipe every last bit up with some pita bread. The hummus single-handedly has me coming back for more.
My one real problem with Falafel's is that it's way on the other side of town. It's not fair! Not their fault, though. Just lucky for everyone who lives and works close-by!
I haven't been here in awhile but today I was craving some Falafel. Is it just me or has the prices gone up? Oh wells. So I had the kebob falafel and it was gooood. I washed it down with my favorite banana milkshake. Food here is consistently good.
I hate how there is no parking during lunch hour and even after lunch hour. Also the long line sucks and the amount of seating is small. Had to take it to go and by the time I got back to my office, my falafel was already falling apart. =(
I like big balls and I cannot lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when garbanzo beans are in pita bread
With some veggies and some red
Sauce, wanna eat every inch
Of that big falafel sandwich
With a banana milkshake
It tastes even better than cake
Oh gyros, I wanna get with you
And bite your beef steak
My stomach tried to warn me
But that meat you got makes me so horny
Oh, rump-o'-smooth-balls
You say you need to have some sauce
Well you get two kinds, two kinds
A red one and a white one
I've seen them prices
To hell with food cost rises
It's cheap, peeps
Just a few bucks for a huge heap
I'm tired of restaurants
Not giving you what you want
Come to Falafel's Drive In in San Ho
It'll leave you wanting mo'
So, fellas! (Yeah!) Fellas! (Yeah!)
Has your girlfriend got the hungz? (Hell yeah!)
Tell her to eat it! (Eat it!) Eat it! (Eat it!)
Eat those healthy balls
Baby got balls!
Weird. Over 1,000 reviews, most of them 4 or 5 stars. I think Yelpers tend to get carried way with their little enthusiasms.
This is an OK place, not great. I love the hot sauce they use (haven't seen it elsewhere) but the portions are skimpy, the prices a little too high, they put too much salt on everything, and they use pitas that come apart in your hands. I might eat here again, but not if I'm seriously hungry.
Delicious! The service was fast, the place looked clean, and I enjoyed my experience.
My friend, Bernard-o and I was driving around checking out artsy stuff and we saw Falafel's Drive-In. He told me how they have the best Gyros ever. A Mediterranean style sandwich with fresh lamb and a combination of vegetables.
As soon as I looked at the menu on top of the cash register I saw Baklava! Man, it was such a happy surprise to see Baklava. I've tasted one of the best Baklava from NY and couldn't find any here in CA. So I ordered their Baklava and strawberry smoothie. The Baklava was sort of expensive but the price fits it's taste. Delicious! I gobbled it up right away and I also tasted Bernard-o's Gyros. That was also delicious. I am definitely coming back to that place.
Two thumbs up!
Still a fan. Always fresh ingredients! Delish.
I've had many a falafel in my day and so far these have been my favorite. I love that the greens… Read more »
I recently moved here from SF and I probably don't need to tell ya'll - a good falafel place is crucial to survival. Tried this place on the recommendation of a San Jo native - and it did not disappoint! The falafel sandwiches are fantastic! They can get a little messy (can someone please teach these dudes how to wrap a sandwich so it doesn't drip all over?) The homemade pita chips are also a good choice - yummily seasoned. And if you're in the mood - the banana shake is also a great way to round out your meal!
The seating situation can suck - outdoor & sometimes packed, but trust me, it's well worth it!
Guy Fieri totally knows his stuff because this falafel haven is hot!
Featured in Diners, Drive ins, and Dives, this cute little stop serves some mean falafel. The parking lot is always full and all of the seating is outside. Their menu isn't extensive, but you don't need much more than their falafels, pita bread, hummus, and special spicy sauce. Although I haven't tried it, my boyfriend raves that their banana milkshake is bomb. If you like falafels, or want to give them a try, this spot won't disappoint you. Scouts honor.
Let me sum up my review with an ACTUAL conversation I overheard while chomping down on my pita:
Dude #1: (After taking a bite) You know, this is really the best falafel I've ever tasted.
Dude #2: Really?
Dude #1: Ya..I mean, I've tried falafels in Europe, Canada, and L.A. Out of all of them, this place is still my favorite.
MY FUEL FOR SHOPPING AT VALLEY FAIR & SANTANA ROW.
Don't judge this place too quickly when you drive past it on Stevens Creek Blvd. I almost missed it when I was driving to VF to go shopping.
Being spoiled in Berkeley for having tons of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern places, I needed to get my fixin' for some Falafel. The falafel balls were crisp & flavorful. Mmmmmmm... The banana shake??? So light and creamy. Not what I expected from a banana shake at all. I downed it like it was the last banana shake on earth.
Sidenote: ATM/CC surcharge - $0.90. Tons of parking in the rear.
Grab a falafel & a banana shake. You'll get your food right quick. For a great price, you can't go wrong.
Nothing special. We would come here from time to time since the wife likes this place, and also when in the neighborhood.
For me their falafels are a bit salty. This might be the reason why it's popular. The pita after a while crumbles while eating. The lettuce are not crisp - probably due to the hot falafels. They could use a little lemon squirt on the white sauce or something citrusy to balance off the fried and salty taste of the falafels. ( their latino cooks will like a little lime in there)
My kids aren't impress with the hotdogs and fries, not even the banana shake. The gyro is processed meat - something that you might find at a food court.
My sister and I are a fan of Guy Fieri's DDDs. So when I was living up north near her we decided to check this place out.
I was a little leery to try the falafel, so I stuck with the gyro while my sister got the falafel and banana shake combo. We both tried each others and while I was a little sad I didn't get the falafel, the gyro was awesome! I also, being the complicated person I am, sheepishly asked if there was any way they could make me a CHOCOLATE BANANA shake. The guy kinda laughed at me and said "of course"
I'm sad I'm not still living in Northern California cause this place was delicious. But I didn't quite understand when people ordered hamburgers at a FALAFEL drive in...hmmm...
No reason to choose anything else on the menu other than the Falafel and Banana shake combo (I only say this because:
A) it rocks
B) I can never manage to order anything else. As I wait in line, I think maybe Falafel salad, or that kebab thing looks good, but invariably when I get the windo and can see all those little balls of heaven being dropped into the vats of fat, words fail me and Falafel combo it is!
Pretty good falafel but too expensive
Have been to this place a few times. Food is not bad but pricing is out of control! Falafel is meant to be poor people food; these guys are really expensive...
As this is my first review on Yelp, I figured I might as well review the first place I used Yelp for: Falafel's Drive In.
I was staying at a hotel on Stevens Creek during a trip to San Jose (prior to moving to the area), and needed a place to grab lunch. Yelp suggested Falafel's which was ridiculously close by. The surrounding area isn't the greatest and it is easy to drive by Falafel's if you're not looking for it specifically. The sign outside is an old-fashioned drive-in sign with a parking lot in front, picnic benches, and an ordering window. I think they have recently opened up indoor seating as well.
The food is fantastic, although slightly pricey for falafel. Still, totally worth it. The best option on the menu is the Falafel Sandwich - Banana Milk Shake combo. Don't remember the exact price off the top of my head, but it's about $8. The falafel is crunchy, the ingredients seem fresh, and the shake, delicious. I've been back several times since and it's great every time.
I was overly excited and ambitious when I came here for lunch after a few-months hiatus, and got a large falafel. It was falafel overdose, but I didn't care b/c it was so damn delicious. I had severe falafel food coma at work that I wasn't sure I'd recover from... until my friend sent me this link:
http://www.imdb.com/ti...
As long as it was Falafel Drive In's falafel, the death would be worth it.
Their falafel is the standard I compare all falafels to. Everything about it is delicious, the 2… Read more »
Banana chocolate milk shake and falafel sandwich does a body good. This is the best drink/food combination in the world.
Don't order the dolma...it is pretty plain and borderline gross.
My partner and I stumbled upon the Falafel Drive In a few years ago and fell madly in love. The large falafel sandwich and banana milkshake can't be beat! The combination of spicy and creamy are heavenly and I wish I lived closer to San Jose so I could eat there on a weekly basis instead of bi-yearly.
Damn, now I've got a craving.
This place must have changed ownership recently. I was so disappointed and want my money back including gasoline to get to them. They asked me if I wanted the large or the small falafel and I usually go for large. Well it was just large with more lettuce and nothing else. The sandwich fell apart and every one was complaining about the same thing. The falafel shrunk in size and it was not worth it at all.
I am so angry that I want to call those people all the names in the book, but I would rather not because I know my friends might be reading this and they know I don't usually swear. But I can say this, new owners, go to hell. I am never coming back and you will lose a whole lot of business. Not just mine, but every one else that is used to the quality we used to get. Ba-Bye.
I don't think there is a better falafel place on this planet than this one. 100% fresh and tasty. I… Read more »
The absolute best Falafels anywhere - Or at least in the Bay. I've been coming here since I was 4 years old. I never get tired of it.
First timers should try a small falafel and a small hummus. Sooo good.
Trust me - Just try it.
This place is a seriously a hole in the wall that is a MUST. It is the best Falafel i have ever had and the owner is so nice he keeps you coming back for more. I remember the first time I went there, he came by and brought some extras for us to try. I was shocked and so pleased that he wanted us to try something new. It was fabulous.
LOVE THIS PLACE.
I've been coming here since before I knew what tahini was ;D Seriously I've been to a few Mediterranean restaurants, but Falafel's Drive In is hands down the winner. Usually go for small gyro which are just the right portion. I've had the falafel sandwich, but I prefer the individual balls, goes great with the hot sauce/tahini combo. They also serve burgers/fries here, but lets be serious.. people don't come here for the american flavor, haha. Banana shake special is very banana-y, but if you like that, go for it. Hummus is large and tasty and comes with pita bread.
If you're looking for little change in your savory palette, I can definitely vouch for Falafel's, great food/service/value.
"Falafel!" is such a fun word to say. It totally warrants an exclamation point when in written form. Today i decided to go-a-falafeling! at lunch. You can really beat a $6 meal that is filling and tastey.
I invited one of my co workers who was a falafel! virgin. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This was her first time falafelling!
I only noted one problem, there was construction going on and we had to endure hammering all through lunch. It would have been nice to have the hammering stop and resume after lunch. But the workers kept on going even after the drive-in was full of patrons eating. minus one star.
Cupertino, CA
Category: Middle Eastern
San Jose, CA
Category: Middle Eastern
Sunnyvale, CA
Category: Middle Eastern
San Jose, CA
Category: Middle Eastern
San Jose, CA
Category: Mexican
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