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Category: Middle Eastern
Neighborhoods: Little Italy, NolitaSpring St-Lafayette St (6)
Bowery (J, M)
Prince St (R, W)
Most of there stuff is really good. But the falafel is pretty bad, taste like its cut with things other than chickpeas (flour?). My israeli husband likes the hummus well enough (its pretty good for NY), the malawach, and mixed grill, but can't eat the falafel. I really like the shwarma. On the other hand, once I misheard the amount of the bill when I was paying, I repeated it, he said yes and had a HUGE smile, later I found out I overpaid him 10$. I so know he did it on purpose. I really hate when people do that. I found other good, if not better, Israeli food in the city and go there only for emergency hummus needs now.
Okay. For you Yelpers who just want to browse, skim, and get straight to the point, read the following line: I LOVE HOOMOOS AND IT IS MY GO TO SPOT FOR CHEAP, DELICIOUS EATING WITH FRIENDLY SERVICE.
And now for everyone else:
I'm Vietnamese. I like Italian food. I was born and raised in Texas. What does any of this have to do with me liking Hoomoos? Absolutely nothing because I'm trying to get the point across that I'm just an average guy that enjoys food, and just like you, I don't want to spend a wad of cash getting what I like (unless, you know, it's a toy I gotta have).
I love Falafel. I've had Falafel at many different places. But Hoomoos will always be my go to place for it. No matter where I am. You say Falafel? I say Hoomoos. You say Hoomoos? I say Falafel. Get it? Good.
I've become good personal friends with the two brothers who manage the place and at this point, I walk in, and don't even have to order. They just know. They get it ready. We chat it up, we discuss any plans, and whether or not we want to meet up for drinks later and chase women. Working on the corner of Lafeyette and Kenmare, Hoomoos has never, and will never fail me. It is my go to spot for lunch when I don't want to think about where to eat, or if I am slammed at work and can't afford to take off too much time for break.
The service, if you haven't already assumed, is very friendly, personal and will get to know you and will encourage you to come back (and I'll do the same). For $7 I will get a Falafel sandwhich and their killer Mango Peach drink that tastes like heaven in your mouth. I've had their soup, potato salad, and french fries at various times, and each time it is fresh and delicious (though the fries are a bit greasy, ala Five Guys style).
If you haven't done so already, eat there. If you're thinking about it - stop thinking, hop on the 6 and get your hungry stomach there. They give nice portions for affordable prices with a nice interior that you'll most likely hear Bob Marley serenading.
Thanks Hoomoos for being there. Without you, my Falafel addiction would be forever unsatsified and unfulfilled.
People thought this was:
Delicious thick and fluffy pita, decent shakshooka, but overall good when it comes to craving for israeli food. You have to try the melawach! Egg, Tahina and pita ooooh sooooo good!
Jury Duty Lunch Tales: Day 1
After calling my mom to bitch for 45 minutes about having jury duty while wandering aimlessly, I somehow ended up here and remembered hearing good things: authentic, tasty middle eastern food, cheap, welcoming atmosphere. I got one out of three.
Thankfully, it's the food. I had a shwarma which was tender, delicious, spicy and creamy. Altogether totally yummy. But after I had ordered and paid, I told them I was staying here and went to sit. Then a waitress comes over and gives me a bunch of attitude saying "If you're going to stay, you have to order with me, etc." I apologized saying I didn't know (nor was this information posted anywhere), and she said it was fine. Then, after I finished by shwarma but still hadn't gotten the iced tea I ordered, she proceeded to tell me how it was my own fault because I hadn't ordered from her. Look, lady, I'm really sorry I ruined your little system, but could you just shut up and bring me the iced tea?
Finally, it's too expensive. A shwarma and an iced tea shouldn't cost $12. Not even in New York. I'd come back if I were in the area, but definitely get it to go.
People thought this was:
I had lunch here on grand jury service day number nine. After reading Sam P's review about the mean waitress that scolded him after ordering at the counter and sitting at the tables, I headed directly to a table and waited for my server.
I had a really good shawarma. The chicken was spiced well, the humus was kind of thick and heavy on the tahini (just the way I like it) and the pita nice and pillowy. It was topped off with diced tomatoes and cucumbers to acidify and balance the flavors out. They don't serve alcohol, so I ordered fresh lemonade with mint to create the mental illusion that I was drinking a mojito.
People thought this was:
Here's the skinny -- If you dig really good middle eastern food and don't want the formal dining experience, this is a great place. The food is truly fantastic (if you like Israeli food). The environment is really relaxed (which means it is ok to sit alone, reading a newspaper and occasionally bark out a request). The waitstaff are fun and friendly. Best of all, its reasonably priced so you don't have to feel guilty about eating fifty percent of your wages for the day.
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I've never eaten in and have only taken out, but the staff is always friendly. I've had the falafels and hummus and its good. I still like Mamoun's better but there's something good about this as well.
It's also a lot closer to where I live, so there's a convenience factor for me.
Busy lunchtime crowd with prices that are competitive for the area. Smiles from the staff, with either quick service to go or a place to eat in.
A little more upscale than mamoun's, and a lot more space than Taim. The spicy was spicy, the flavors were good, falafel was crispy and warm.
Yummy goodness. All the stuff I like and some stuff I never heard of but was happy to try with my Israeli friend who was in the know, of course.
A great option for a cheap and filling meal.
People thought this was:
The Israeli salad was really good - better than the hummus (i refuse to spell it the way they do, thank you very much).
Service is inattentive - but kind when you make a request..
Order a lemon with your food... you will need it!
People thought this was:
I will never go back. I stopped here with friends before a dance class around the corner. We ordered some falafel sandwiches and were ready to dig in. In my first bite I got a piece of broken glass. After looking I found more pieces of broken glass. We took it to the counter and it almost seemed like thought I put it there. They were not even nice about it - no apologies. Nor did they try to resolve it by giving me another order (not that I would have taken it). We just left.
Gotta admit, this place is great. It's all because of the pita-hoomoos combo. It's not my favorite pita, it's not my favorite hoomoos, but put them together and it's just right. They work together like Laverne and Shirley. Lentil soup is a must! Better than my Mom's.
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I love this place! I always order the same sandwich - hoomoos and eggplant. Everything is so flavorful, the salad is very fresh and the hoomoos is just the best! I've tried other places, but with their price, service and quality, I keep returning. The pita is excellent too! Too bad they don't have a whole wheat version...
People thought this was:
The falafel is nearly as good as Chickpea. Fresh and never dry. Great taste. The pita is warm thick and substantial. Fresh, too. A little pricey at just under $5 but still worth it if you are down around there. You know they put pride into it because it's authentic Israeli-owned and operated. You can even watch Israeli TV there.
What I love best is the lentil soup. Good price for the size. One of the best in the city. Comes with a warm pita for dipping, dunking, or whatever... When I lived around the corner I used ot go here every night for dinner or a study break.
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No doubt, the food here is very good. I went with no expectations but the falafel sandwich is excellent. I found the service to be a bit crappy - we waited for about 20 minutes on a hot day for our waters, but the food made up fo
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The many interpretations of reality have been debated for centuries. Does reality really exist? And could you pinch yourself to confirm that you exist in reality? These existential questions aside, the delectable fare at Hoomoos Asli ('real') delivers with unreal consistency.
Operated by a generally jocund, youthful Israeli crew, Hoomoos Asli is a laid-back eatery with cornerside charm and palatable prices, that make it a worthwhile stop in the Nolita neighborhood. Previously, their menu used to ask that you do not pronounce it hum-mus, claiming that the real thing can only be labeled and called 'hoomoos'. I typically get the hoomoos falafel platter. The hoomoos here is thick and smooth, and holds nicely onto the warm, fluffy pita. The falafel is invitingly crispy on the outside, in sharp contrast to the soft center, and doesn't quite rise to the level of the falafel at Taim, where the gradient from crispy to soft is relatively smooth. In over twenty visits to Hoomoos Asli, I have been with folks who have tried the shawarma, masbacha, kabobs, french fries and soups, partaking of the vegetarian options, yet always returning to the hoomoos, that is the 'asli' standout item. While no liquor is served, I have seen others bring their own bottles of wine and beer to complement their conversation or wash down the *extremely hot* sauce, available on the side, by request. They also carry Prigat, a line of bottled juices, the guava being my favorite. The lemonade with mint is too light and minty for my taste, and so is the mint tea.
Now I particularly remember the first time I was here. Seated at the next table was a 70-75 year old man, hunched over his table, intently staring at his laptop one moment and then taking his gaze away to engage in small talk in fluent Hebrew with the server. I cracked open my laptop, as if to mimic him. And then, before I knew it, my laptop had spotted its companion through the infrared.
_______,________ _______,________
// // // //
// Are you // // Yes, I //
// for real? // ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ // am 'asli' //
// // // //
',----------------------------,' ',----------------------------,'
| [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] | | [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] |
| [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] | | [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] |
| [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] | | [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] |
| ___ | | ___ |
|,_______.._______,| |________.._______|
While we never spoke, at least our laptops seemed to have engaged in 'real' conversation, even as I was busy, pita in hand, mopping off the last traces of the 'asli' hoomoos from my plate. Four stars for the excellent hoomoos and hot sauce, the friendly service and the earthy charm. Highly recommended for groups of one to ten!
People thought this was:
I have been eating here since they opened when I worked downtown on Centre Street and just recently visited NYC for an afternoon. I decided to visit my old lunch hour walk around that area for lunch and was happy to find this place exactly as it was back in 2000. Awesome food. Great people. I am a customer for life. Only four stars because the place is too small and only one server. This place is one of the things I really miss about NYC.
People thought this was:
Their hummus is fantastic, but the absolute best thing about this place is the pita bread. Soft, warm, pillowy slabs of pita bread that are soooooo good when after being baked. Seriously, I could just live on their pita bread alone, although I am SO ridiculously stuffed after eating just two pitas...
My goal is to try everything on the menu. The health sandwich was REALLY good (eggplant, hard boiled egg, tahini sauce, and Israeli salad) and probably my favorite on their menu. The mushroom & onions hoomoos is also pretty tasty...
People thought this was:
Six years after first having Hoomoss Asli and it's still my favorite place to get falafel in the city. I couldn't really say what they do different, but everything just tastes so good! Moreover, everyone there is SO nice which is always clutch in my book. I'd take a hike over just to grab a falafel sandwich and continue on with my day. Perfect for a hike mid-Soho shopping. Mmmm!
People thought this was:
Great place for a quick cheap meal. Their Falafel sandwich is only $4 and its huge, I really loved their Israeli Salad they stuffed inside. Most places add way to much onion to their Israel Salad but not here its fresh and tasty.
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Very authentic, as in it tasted like the Felafel/Eggplant/Israeli sandwiches I had in Jerusalem this past Spring. They even had the real-style Yemenite dishes and the Mint NaNa Tea. Tasty! But they could be a bit faster...oh that Israeli way...
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Great place for falafel. Every time I have eaten there, the falafel has been made fresh when I order it. Prices are great... especially for Soho where it's hard to get lunch under $10. (I work in the neighborhood.)
People thought this was:
Good falafel, spiced chicken, hoomoos. A great little lunch spot if you work in the area, and prices in the $5 range add to the appeal.
People thought this was:
I agree with the other reviewer that the service is a little tardy, but the food is good, home-cooked wholesomeness. The pita is very good. But the best thing about this place is the very cute Israeli waitress. I wanna wash her down with a delicious glass of mint tea ;-) Hahahaa.
I had a bowl of vegetable soup, shawarma plate with that amazing mashed potato with mushrooms and some mint tea for $20. It was a lot of food, but I was having lunch at 5pm after a late-start (no kidding Sherlock).
This started my first outing day in NYC very well. Afterwards I hit Zakka, Clientele, but Classic Kicks was closed and I was sad to see the Pop Shop is no more. And where did Prohibit and Stackhouse go?!
I miss this place, we don't go often enough. Great place for all foods "hoomoos", hummus, hoummus and humous [just no humus]. My favorite is Egyptian style platter and a combination salad plate with a treat of "baklawa" baklava. Veggie friendly & Kosher too. Not far from The Scholastic Store (on Broadway) and The Children's Museum of the Arts (on Lafayette) -- the Hoomoos here was my kid's first solid food and still loves it. But, the eaS'oHo location - corner of Kenmare [aka Delancey] & Centre Streets, at Lafayette Street & Cleveland Place, between Broome & Spring Streets - is very, very busy with car, bus and truck traffic and sometimes scary with a kid in tow.
awesome chicken shawarma and hummus dive
i'm from the san francisco bay area - the south bay, silicon valley - to be precise. out here, sephardic jewish food is a bit of a novelty, a recent trend. before that, we had plenty of falafels and hummus - but mostly at persian or lebanese restaurants. on my short trip to new york, i was really happy to have a chance to try out yemenite jewish cuisine here at hoomoos asli.
it's a nice-looking although comfortably casual joint with friendly service. although i personally don't mind sometimes adventurously ordering a mysterious dish off a foreign-language menu with no descriptions; i think some of you xenophobes or cautious types will appreciate the detailed descriptions on their menu.
my wife ordered the falafel sandwich - perhaps to make a fair comparison to the so many others we've had over the decades. i ordered the mellawach koufta sandwich. i don't remember if that's how they spelled koufta. i'm used to different systems of spelling these foods: koufta-kefta-kofta-koufta... koubi-kouby-kouba-kuba... tahini-tahina-tahine... i suppose the roman alphabet simply fails us miserably. let's all vow to write only in korean hangeul from now on, eh? deal? deal. cool.
well, the falafel sandwich was great. i like how they use a thick, handmade pita - something like what i'm more used to finding at our local greek eatery - yiassoo's in the south bay area. it was thick and moist, not thin and dry. i don't know if this is simply characteristic to yemenite cuisine as opposed to other jewish and middle eastern cuisine or just something _this_ joint does. yeah, to tell the truth, i have no clue what's going on, but i prefer _this_ kind of pita. i loved the authentic toppings, no inclusion of lettuce filler. i don't know why so many americanised meditteranean restaurants need to use so much lettuce filler. like, my greek friend praised my local, favourite greek joint because they don't use any lettuce. he said lettuce doesn't grow in greece. having never been to greece, israel, turkey, or anywhere in the meditteranean / middle east region myself, again, i have no clue what's going on; but i like what hoomoos asli has done. yeah, i don't travel much but prefer to visit the world through cuisine, and i'm glad the san francisco bay area has so much authentic food from all over the world. new york too, i suppose.
the mellawach koufta sandwich was like a souped up chalupa - in a good way. do you new yorkers know what chalupas are? ha ha... yeah, my friend peter who moved from the san josé area to new york a few months ago said he misses in-n-out and _taco_bell_. i understood in-n-out but was amazed he missed taco bell. well, taco bell has these chalupa and gordita sandwiches. a mexican friend of mine says that gorditas and chalupas are indeed real mexican food, but taco bell's taco-looking gordita and chalupa sandwiches are nothing ilke the real things. the chalupa bread at taco bell is like what some people have described as "indian fry bread," when they really mean to say "native american fry bread." it's just that when my bangledeshi-american friend brought "indian fry bread" and chili to a potluck picnic, so many people assumed they were south asian dishes when he was going for a southwestern theme. *slap forehead*
anyway, i loved hoomoos asli's mellawach koufta sandwich. the fried bried was like a fried roti (whether it be from india, malaysia, or burma). the koufta tasted like it was made with fresh ground lamb and had a good mix of seasoning. they looked like a carnivore's replacement for falafel balls. the sandwich was one of the pricier items on the menu at $12.95, but it was a hefty handful and well worth it. i had to pick out some pieces of aluminum foil though because when they thoughtfull cut the wrapped up sandwich in half, some of the foil got into it.
anyway, in general, i really loved this restaurant. i definitely recommend it.
People thought this was:
The first time I ever sunk my teeth into a bite of falafel was four years ago at Hoomoos. That marked the beginning of my falafel-fanaticism - I was determined to try every last place that deep-fried balls of chickpeas into crunchy perfection.
Four years later I still hail Hoomoos as the best and my personal favorite falafel place. The pita is perfect, the falafel is phenomenal, and they always make it extra spicy for me. Also of note: the shakshooka.
People thought this was:
Excellent food, friendly service, and reasonable prices. Like other Israelis I know, they open when they open, and close when they close.
People thought this was:
finally made it to hoomoos asli, thanks to my new job just a few blocks away. it was well worth the wait.
one of the things i liked the most about hoomoos asli is hwo well made their falafel was. not too overstuffed, with just the right amount of falafel, hoomoos (as they pronounce it), israeli salad, and tahini. the pita was also delicious, very fluffy. they even gave me chips (fries) in my falafel, which is the only correct way to have a falafel, in my opinion.
if i had to give them a knock it would be for the service. the restaurant was pretty empty when i went in, and given that i only ordered a falafel, i figured my order would be right up. i think i ended up waiting about 15 minutes for it, which in the grand scheme of things isn't that long and i guess it means that they made it to order, but it seemed a little long at the time. besides, the cute israeli girls working there made the wait a little more tolerable.
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