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Taim Falafel & Smoothie Bar
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Food Juice Bars & Smoothies Middle Eastern, Juice Bars & Smoothies [Edit]
222 Waverly Pl(between Perry St & 11th St)
New York, NY 10014
Neighborhood: West Village
(212) 691-1287
- Nearest Transit:
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14 St (1, 2, 3)
Christopher St - Sheridan Sq (1, 2)
8 Av (L)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
620 reviews for Taim Falafel & Smoothie Bar
Review Highlights
"amazing ginger mint lemonade -- amazing baba ganoush."
(in 30 reviews)
"And I loved the Israeli salad they put on it."
(in 80 reviews)
"The whole wheat pita was soft and perfect."
(in 36 reviews)
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620 reviews in English
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Review from Elle L.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 2/5/2012 11 photos
seriously, it cannot get any better than taim. best best best.
i got the mixed falafel platter (a sample of taim's three different falafel flavors (green, red, harissa), served with hummus, tabouli, and israeli salad)
babaganoush (classic smoked eggplant spread) and
of course, the date, lime, and banana smoothie.
although i have never been to mamoun's, i don't know it i would ever go
because i am too into taim's falafels. it is really worth the extra price!!
the falafels i have tried before, and so it doesn't need any more description
but the tabouli and israeli salad...it was amazingly crunchy and fresh!
(non-fried veggies...just raw veggies...crunchy?
YES, they veggies can be crunchy too, in taim)
remember, cash only!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/22/2012
I am in love.
after a long 4.5 hour bus drive from dc to ny,
i trudged with all my heavy luggage to… Read more »
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Review from Melissa M.
Manhattan, NY
2/6/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This place is becoming one of my neighborhood go-tos for quick weeknight meals. I'm not usually a falafel fan but I like the way they make 'em here. Of the three falafel flavors (Green (herb blend), Yellow (harissa) and Red (red peppers)), I like Green best - nice blend of herbs. I love their baba ganoush - thick, creamy and smoky. The toasted pita that comes with it is substantial - fresh and doughy, topped with zaatar. I wish it came with additional pitas without my having to order more since I always seem to run out of it when there's about half a container of baba ganoush left.
The place itself is tiny, with maybe a total of 8 -10 seats so I typically pick up to-go. Service is quick and efficient. -
Review from Rebekkah H.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 2/1/2012
I love the Harissa falafel. I want to have its babies.
I'm gonna go as far as to say that Taim has the best Falafel in the city- and I've been a lot of places. The flavor of the sandwich, the hot sauce, the whole wheat pita, it's just a blessing. I will go out of my way to this tiny spot in the West Village.
There's rarely any place to sit, so don't plan on staying. just grab your falafel, maybe a little hummus and a small cup of chai and go eat in bliss.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/6/2010
just tried taim for the first time. The harissa falafel is the TRUTH. Can't wait to go back and… Read more »
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Review from Anne C.
New York, NY
1/21/2012
If there were 6 stars, Taiim would get 7. I. love. this. place.
As Middle Eastern food is probably my favorite cuisine, I generally haven't met a piece of falafel I didn't like. But here? Here is falafel heaven. 3 different kinds, all fried to perfection yet still soft inside. The fatoush salad is always fresh, pita bread warm and hummous melt-in-your mouth. And if you like spicy, you will get it here - one of the falafel flavors is really spicy (I think it is the red? maybe the yellow?) and there is a spicy garnish of some sort that really kicks it up, so use sparingly unless you can handle it.
Mamoun's has NOTHING on this place (well, maybe the price: the falafel platter with fatoush, pita and hummous is $10 even here, a falafel sandwich there only $3.50 - but you get your money's worth here with more food, so we're comparing figs and dates).
By the way, you might not want to plan to sit here - it is pretty cramped and only has a small bar that sits about 4 people. In summer it is fine, and you can sit outside on the bench or on a nearby stoop, but in winter I'd recommend takeout. Also, this place is cash only.
Taiim lives up to its name (tasty in Hebrew), so eat here. Frequently. That is all. -
Review from Kevin H.
1/10/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Ginger mint lemonade and spicy falafel equal perfection on a hot day. Absolutely hit on all cylinders.
This may be my shortest review ever, but this is all I have. I will say that after visiting and much trial and error I have perfected making ginger mint lemonade at home. Great mixer for the home made limoncello I might add. The falafel we leave to the professionals. -
Review from Aditya P.
West Village, Manhattan, NY
2/5/2012
It's a fine place, but I've eaten here 4 times and haven't figured out what everyone is raving about. It's a fine falafel, very good hummus, and AWFUL soggy flavorless fries (with amazing aioli). And for all that (including extra for kalamata olives and feta cheese), it ends up costing me ~$19.
I've given it a few chances, and I don't think I'll be giving it more. Too many other great falafel places to check out. -
Review from Tim N.
New York, NY
2/3/2012
Fantastic falafel. I just got the sampler with a little bag of hot falafel balls with tahini for dipping and it was the perfect snack. Also, the people who work here are very sweet.
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Review from Terrence L.
Manhattan, NY
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I tried the Harissa Falafel Sandwich from Taim. Each falafel ball is extremely moist, well seasoned, and has that much needed crunch. The Israeli salad within is really good compared to other places where they throw in a few limp pieces of lettuce and tomato. At $6.25, this sandwich may be a little pricey. Fortunately, the quality makes up for it.
Do get the ginger mint lemonade. At $3, it makes for a refreshing thirst quencher. -
Review from Jessica S.
Manhattan, NY
1/27/2012
I love love love this place. Unpretentious, inexpensive, delicious.
Get the falafel sandwich and the hummus. Great place to start your night in the West Village. -
Review from Tinamarie A.
Ridgewood, NY
2/3/2012
I had the green falafel sandwich with everything on a wheat pita and it tasted so good. It filled me up as well, something that is hard to accomplish. Luckily I had a place to sit since I don't like eating outside. (I'm a messy eater) It's a bit pricey than other falafel sandwiches, but at least it's a good size and really tasty.
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Review from Elizabeth M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/24/2011 1 photo
LOVEEEEE this place! I ordered the harissa falafel sandwich. It wasn't spicy as they noted but it was flavorful. Despite being deep fried in a huge vat of oil, it wasn't heavy or greasy. And you must order the banana and date smoothie, it will change your life :)
It's a tiny shop and can only seat about 8 so if you want to eat there, it's prob best to go during off peak hours. -
Review from Kim M.
Fairfax, VA
1/2/2012
Was visiting the city and wanted to try something that was highly rated on yelp. It was really good!
First off, I wish that I had ordered the falafel platter, and if you have not been there before I would recommend that because you get to try all 3 of their falafel flavors and the hummus and the tabouli and some other stuff in there.
We got an order of the red pepper falafel and hummus. Hummus was fantastic, and easily overshadowed the falafel (it might not have if I got the platter). Very rich, and a massive portion.
The place is obviously very popular, and I would go here again. This is the kind of place that makes me wish I lived here.
Why not 5 stars? We wanted to eat there, which is really cramped and hard to do (if we were doing takeout it would have gone better). Also, the service gets a bit of a ding because they forgot about our order of pita bread amidst the rush of people, which is understandable but since it was so crowded in there we wanted to eat and get out quickly.
Would definitely go back! Best hummus I have ever had! -
Review from d'N'L m.
Brooklyn, NY
12/20/2011
Wow.. I was doing an event the other day close to Taim. Someone asked me if I wanted as sandwich, sure I replied, get me whatever.. Well, I am happy I decided to ask for the food as it was incredibly good..
Just a wonderful falafel sandwich.. I was also bought a jar of their terrific harissa sauce. this too was fantastic..
I don't really remember much as it was the first thing i ate all day and it was around 3 pm.. But, yeh, best falafel sandwich I have had in recent memory. -
Review from Cher A.
Manhattan, NY
1/29/2012
What a disappointment. I expected a lot more based on the previous reviews but thought it was just average. My bf, friend and I all got the falafel platter which includes their 3 different types of falafels with hummus. To drink, we all got the ginger mint lemonade. The platter was good but fairly average. The lemonade was good but wouldn't crave it. It was also approx. $12 for the falafel platter which I thought was overpriced for what it was. Don't love it. There was barely any seating area so for a meal that we can't eat at a restaurant, I'm expecting outstanding good to make up for the fact I'll need to eat it at home or on a bench down the street.
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Review from Abby W.
New York, NY
12/25/2011
They had me at amba... and harissa. YUM!
As good as it gets when you are talking falafel, fresh ingredients, quick, friendly service and the best iced tea, lemonade & Arnold Palmers.
Cash only, best for takeout since very limited seating inside. -
Review from Megan S.
12/29/2011
Perfection in a pita. There's really not much more I can say - this place kicks the ass of any other falafel I've ever had in my entire life. My husband and I both went with the green falafel sandwiches and a couple of smoothies - everything was uber fresh and bursting with flavour.
This was actually our last meal in New York after a delightful one week trip, and I can definitely say that we left on a high note. -
Review from Eddy B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/25/2012
Hole in the wall. Worth the price, go with the classic--green. The spicy one was good, but not as good as the classic.
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Review from S S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/25/2012
I really liked my falafel there was nothing wrong with it. But, I was kind of expecting the greatest falafel experience known to man - I've had better Israeli falafel at whatever places in Forest Hills -- and as for falafel in general, I like rainbow more. Really good pita! A bit pricey for what it is.
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Review from Bianca B.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really really love Taim falafel. The harissa falafel sandwich is basically perfection. The slaw and tahini sets off the lovely blend of spices in the falafel. And it's SO yummy that I eat it really slowly. By the time I'm done, I'm full.
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Review from Edward L.
Manhattan, NY
12/22/2011
My favorite place in NYC to grab a healthy delicious lunch!!! I wish they would open a branch in Hell's Kitchen........
Fresh ingredients, unique and wonderful flavors.. Just about every single take out/ lunch joint in the city could/should learn from them!!!! -
Review from Cynthia J.
Austin, TX
1/14/2012 1 photo
I've passed by this place so many times and always see it full with people. So I finally took time to go try it out. Thankfully it this place wasn't as crowded in the afternoon than at night. The falafel was good. And oh their smoothies... Is just so different. It's a but pricy since its almost the same price as a falafel, but it goes great with the food. To be honest I think I like the smoothies better than the food. But that's just me. I got the pear, mint n lemon. It's refreshing even when its in the 30s outside.
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Review from Mike B.
New York, NY
11/15/2011
Best falafel in NewYork, hands down. Date & lime smoothie also a winner. The only issue: the price. Falafel is one of those foods where the price in NYC happily hasn't kept up with inflation over the years (i.e. in a lot of places it's about the same price is was in 1990.) With their recent price increase that sends the price of a simple falafel sandwich (prob. 5-cents worth of chickpeas) around $7 it's cut my visits here by more than half. The sandwich does weigh, like, a pound, but still...Especially when there's a line now, I don't bother waiting.
Also, the harissa is the weakest of their 3 'flavors' so my tip is, if you like spicy, order the green with extra hot sauce! -
Review from Denean P.
1/2/2012
You cannot go wrong with Taim... Best food, better prices and they deliver! This place is a perfect go-to for catering a party... for $80 you can feed more than 8 people and everyone will LOVE what you've put out! Make your tummy happy, get some great eats at Taim!
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Review from Christopher W.
Manhattan, NY
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place has the best falafel pita I've ever had.
Enough said. -
Review from Kenny C.
Falafel AND smoothies? Must be a gimmick to get butts in seats, right? Well, joke's on you. They only have limited seating. And also, the food is quite good.
I had the falafel sandwich with the mild hummus. Was surprised by how crisp and fresh the chopped veggies were (tomatoes, cucumbers, and something else green). The falafel was crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside and dripping in tahini sauce.
If you like falafel, you need to come here!
Cash only! -
Review from Barb J.
Portland, OR
12/22/2011
Oh, my. Excellent food. I could have come back the next day for the same exact meal - if my husband would have let me. Great hummus, falafel, and date/banana/lime smoothie. Oh, my. Teeny place.
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Review from Liaty Z.
Palo Alto, CA
11/14/2011
This falafel is fairly legit, and this is coming from someone who grew up on a steady diet of falafel balls and hummus. But, the extra charge for schug and for pickles? I can't really be down with that, so I must subtract a star.
Also, the seating kind of blows, so you can either expect to sit on the bench outside or walk over to one of the many benched areas in the city, but you are screwed if it is raining.
Edited: A New Yorker friend of mine told me they stopped charging for Schug. The seating on the other hand is still a real minus. -
Review from Nick W.
New York, NY
1/8/2012
THE BEST IN ALL OF NYC!
Wish they had more seating though... -
Review from Lu E.
10/10/2011
thought it was good, but I went on a food tour a while back and i had the best falafel...but unfortunately i think the place is closed now, but i still compare all NYC falafels to that one.
I didn't love this place, but I didn't hate it either. I guess it wasn't quite what I was looking for on my falafel quest.
If you are in the neighborhood and you have a craving, give it a whirl, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. -
Review from Noah G.
New York, NY
10/10/2011
BANANA-DATE-LIME SMOOTHIE. Remember these words. No West Village stroll is complete without a stop to this packed falafel stand. It has a religious following, and with good reason. First and foremost (in my opinion), the smoothie: the perfect combination of dates, lime, banana and soy milk. It never disappoints, and the best part are the chunks of dates that make their way up the straw. It's really one of the best in the city.
The falafel and sabich is also amazing. Everything is fresh and tasty and the sandwiches come packed with vegetables and condiments. The falafel is unique-- wouldn't say it's the best-- but with everything else in the pita it somehow becomes a perfect combination.
Sitting inside is slightly problematic, but taking everything to-go and eating in a nearby park or along the river is thoroughly rewarding.
Get the smoothie! -
Review from Lu H.
9/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
In a city where restaurants are vying for the superlative "best" at what they serve, Taim earns it for falafels. Judges are my tastebuds, and yours may differ. If I were to quantify "best", this is why Taim earns the title for me:
1. The falafels are different - not just chickpeas balled up and fried, which is delicious in itself but a dime a dozen in the city. These pack flavor into each bite. In fact, each falafel is so small that it is just one bite. Smaller than a Dunkin Donut's munchkin. You do not get the greasy after taste like you would from Mamoun's or King Falafel in Astoria (both have their own places in the niche of falafels).
2. The other ingredients -- picked veggies, and whatever other yumminess they pack into the pita that I can't recall because the whole thing was so good -- are great quality. They really add to the sandwich so that when you take a bite and get falafel, hummus, veggies, warm pita, it REALLY hits the spot, both taste and texture.
3. Quite simply, it's the only falafel I actually crave. It is so delicious that each bite is actually memorable. I've had other good falafels, sure, and once I'm done with them I have a vague memory of satisfaction and a happily full belly. After a Taim falafel sandwich, there's that warm fuzzy feeling of a craving satisfied, but also the memory of great flavor. That's what will keep me coming back, and what makes Taim the best falafel in the city. -
Review from Chris D.
Leonia, NJ
10/17/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Lets start with the best.
The hummus here is fantastic... some of the best ive ever had.
The isralie salad is very good but this could be a side affect of mixing it with the amazing hummus.
The fallafels are good but very small and one platter will NOT fill you up.
French fries are good. Nice skinny crispy fries.
I tend to enjoy my smoothies really thick, but the banana strawberry smoothie I got here was not thick and still very very good.
Overall this place is great. But I doubt you will ever leave full and satisfied because one... its so delicious your always going to want more... and two the portions are small. -
Review from Linda H.
New York, NY
10/27/2011
Yum!! This place is tiny and you'll most likely have to take it to go unless you get lucky and can get a stool by the window.
The different varieties of falafel are really tasty. While I've had better falafel this place is certainly rivals the best. I love that the pitas are fresh and they have a whole wheat options as well. I ordered the platter with a sampler of all three varieties along with hummus. It was delicious! They have amazing smoothies. I loved the tamarind pear. A must try in NYC for sure! -
Review from Kassy M.
Brooklyn, NY
10/13/2011
It's not easy for me to spend $6.25 on a falafel when Oasis in Wburg offers pretty large and decent falafels for just $3. BUT I always see the Taim food truck on Bedford Ave (right around the corner from Oasis), and have always been intrigued. So when I heard about Taim having a store front, I had to check it out!
I got a falafel and a Taim signature smoothie. The falafel was very tasty...just the right amount of spiciness and flavor! I also loved their whole wheat pita. Their smoothie was equally delicious. The signature smoothie consisted of banana, date, cantaloupe, ginger and lime. I'm not even that crazy about ginger but I mostly just tasted the banana so it was perfect for me. -
Review from Saori E.
9/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wish there was a "Not Cool" button for all the reviewers (albeit few in number) who gave this place less than 4 stars--- especially when those reviews base it on something so seemingly unrepresentative as the quality of one type of smoothie on the ONE occasion they happened upon this place. NOT COOL. A self-imposed Yelp commandment of mine is: Thou shalt not negatively review a place of which you only know one dish. It's simply unfair.
On to the actual review...
I am really glad I met you, Taim.
We first met at a Truck Food Rally, shortly after I had moved to New York from California. What a welcome. Needless to say, I fell in love with New York. Though the truck is never anywhere convenient for me to patronize, I can always count on this falafel/smoothie bar to fill me up with delicious middle eastern yumminess.
FOOD:
Probably the most-ordered item (not just by me) on the menu is their falafel sandwich. They offer three uniquely delicious kinds of falafel that vary in spices and spiciness so try them all for yourself, but traditional (green: parsley, cilantro, mint) is my favorite. Freshly fried to perfection, these falafels are complemented by creamy hummus that should win Best Supporting Condiment in some award show, cabbage salad and tahini.
Their sabich sandwich (fried eggplant and hardboiled egg) is equally delicious. The eggplant is so soft and giving that what looks like it would be messy to eat, ends up not being much of a struggle.
DRINKS:
At $5.50-- nearly the same price as the sandwiches---these smoothies are slightly too expensive for me to enjoy every time, but they're definitely worth the price. Deny yourself one beer next weekend to justify a smoothie :)
If you don't feel like splurging for a smoothie, treat yourself to a ginger mint lemonade. This is in face my drink of choice. I am such a big fan of ginger drinks, and Taim does this very well.
LOCATION:
6 bar stools and a bench outside. Nothing fancy.
Take your stuff to go or wait for a seat (everyone is courteous and usually leaves promptly after devouring their food). -
Review from Ari H.
Irvington, NY
9/9/2011
I've only eaten from their food truck, so décor and service are relatively moot. Although, as far as trucks go, it was nice looking, I suppose.
But the food? Holy Fuckin' Wow! Best falafel sandwich I've ever had, no contest. I had one today, and I will most likely go back again tomorrow or the day after, it was that good. My friend had it too, and completely agreed.
The pomegranate honey iced tea was also quite good.
Can't wait to go again. Is it tomorrow yet? -
Review from Gidger B.
Manhattan, NY
1/19/2012
It's hard to walk by this spot without stopping in - the food is delicious! I just wish there was more sitting space...and a restroom wouldn't hurt either - but the fact that I keep going back despite this attests to the food!
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Review from Ravi J.
7/7/2011
This is pretty good falafel, I said to myself, as I greedily scarfed down another pint-sized ball of fried chickpea, garlic and spices. But did it change my life? Probably not.
Don't get me wrong, Taim is tasty. And it is a fun (albeit not that fun in 100 degree weather) experience to squeeze into the 50 square foot space, order a mixed platter of falafel, gawk at the reasonable (for Manhattan, at least) $11 price tag and wait in anxious anticipation for the goods to arrive. When your order does arrive, it is served on a pretty square plate, with a neat stack of tabouleh and a geometric dollop of housemade hummus, and a smaller three-by-one square plate of three dipping sauces. It's all very pretty and design conscious, which is (somewhat) surprising for a restaurant that serves up humble street food yet (at the same time) not that surprising for a place that hails from the West Village.
I get it, this is Manhattan style falafel, I think to myself. And I mean that with not the slightest bit of snobbery or disdain. $11 buys you a pretty, tasty, and healthy meal.
So what are my gripes? I don't know, but the flavors weren't that bright. Once I stopped oogling at the presentation, I sank my teeth into the three types of falafel. The taste of all three -- which were supposed to be parsely-mint, harissa, and red pepper -- was indistinguishable. The hummus too lacked a bit of zing, and the three sauces (tahini, hot sauce, and -- the most intriguing one -- tangy mango) tasted about as mild as the unsalted tahini that has been sitting in the back of my fridge for about 9 months. Tabouleh was fresh and crisp, however, with crackling pieces of bulgar wheat.
This ain't authentic Middle Eastern falafel, but it is a nice, clean and healthy interpretation of a classic street food. -
Review from Dan C.
Astoria, NY
10/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Seeing as many five star reviews of this place makes me rethink my confidence in people's reviews. The food here is very solid albeit slightly expensive for what you get but there is definitely love in the food.
The location is great. Tucked away on a beautiful street in a very small storefront you can smell the spice down eagerly as you approach from the North.
With only seven or so seats at a window bar I was glad I showed up at an awkward time and was able to skip any struggle for seating. Although the road is quiet enough to sit outside and still enjoy your food on the bench.
Their list of smoothies looked semi unique and the flavor profiles sounded delicious but with such a high price tag I couldn't justify the expense and chose the Ginger-Mint tea. Absolutely delicious and probably my favorite part of my experience.
I read the entire menu for several minutes taking in the small selection of choices and settling on trying the classics. I ordered a traditional falafel salad on white pita and a side of baba ganoush with a whole wheat pita and zaatar.
The falafel was very good. It was packed with fresh mint, cilantro and parsley and boasted a beautiful green interior and crispy outside. Made of primarily bulgur wheat I tasted a hint of coriander which was a pleasantly aromatic finish. The only criticism was that it was slightly under seasoned. It needed more salt and some background notes. Paprika or allepo, something, would have brought it to a seriously ridiculous level.
The entire pita itself worked really well. The sauce was good, the Israeli salad was the star. Perfectly seasoned and fresh enough to hold up to the strong overbearing flavor of tahini. The hummus was solid but not life changing. All in all a solid pita.
The babaganoush was good not great. It had a great amount of char flavor but seriously lacked some seasoning. The texture was very smooth. Probably took a run on the robot coupe which wasn't terrible. It had a good amount of salt but it needed to be more than just charred eggplant. It could have used some tahini and olive oil and some lemon juice. They would have added to the smokey flavor without being overbearing. Where I work we spice or baba ganoush with zaatar and some other dried spices which give it a much more complex finish but definitely hide the eggplant flavor. The pita served with it was delicious. Veery fresh and soft, lightly rubbed with olive oil and sprinkled quickly with zaatar it was itself delicious.
All in all like said the food is very solid. I would give it four stars if it were a better value but at sixteen dollars for a pita and some baba it isn't worth all that expense. I will definitely go back to try some other options which will hopefully blow me a way a little more. -
Review from Jordan J.
Updated - 8/9/2011
Taim, take 2.
After my mildly disappointing first experience here, I came back determined to get a sandwich instead of a platter and without the mega-high expectations of my first visit. This time I picked up a green falafel sandwich with everything, and it was really tasty - the falafel was delicious and well-textured, the hummus was super-creamy, and it was pretty filling. I also got a brown sugar lemonade, which was nothing special but nice and refreshing on a humid summer day.
I definitely enjoyed my sandwich more than the platter I got last time, but I still give Mamoun's a slight edge in taste and a huge edge in value.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/3/2011
Maybe the anticipation was just too much?
People have been raving to me about Taim for a long time,… Read more »
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