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The Organic Falafel Stand
Categories: Restaurants Vegan Restaurants Middle Eastern Food Street Vendors Vegan, Middle Eastern, Street Vendors [Edit]
7224 Carroll AveTakoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 512-7535
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 12 pm - 8 pm
Sun 12 pm - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- 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
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for The Organic Falafel Stand
Review Highlights
"The falafel platter comes with big portions of sides: a..."
(in 4 reviews)
"It comes with very fresh, crispy salad in the pita."
(in 11 reviews)
"Homemade sauces - drinkable."
(in 9 reviews)
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31 reviews in English
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Review from No W.
Washington, DC
11/21/2011
Fantastic falafel on wheels!
Finding places like this makes you love life... The Organic Falafel Stand (Truck?!) serves up made-to-order, fresh deliciousness on the cheap.
The falafel platter comes with big portions of sides: a crunchy cabbage-y salad and hummus/baba ganouj/taboulli. And of course, those amazingly satisfying, perfectly-formed, little balls of falafel goodness. And if you choose the sandwich (pita), it is jam-packed with all of that yummy goodness in a handheld version.
Takes less than 10 minutes to get a satisfying, healthy sack of YUMMAAAYYY in the palm of your hands. For an $8 platter or a $6 pita sandwich, you can't do much better than that in the DC area. -
Review from dan f.
12/22/2011
Finally tried this after driving by it countless times. I hate bringing up other business but I have to compare it to Amsterdam Falafel shop or Maoz. In a nutshell, it is in the same league with the competition. Excellent Falafel, excellent fries and yummy sauces.
As others have said, call your order in first then go pick it up. I had the Falafel sandwich meal that comes with fries and a soda. The soda is good, no HFCS and in several fruit flavors. The fries were excellent and flavorful. The Falafel came with three different sauces, all very good and flavorful with interesting spices. And of course, it's all organic which is great.
Great spot for healthier fast food.
Advice to owners: Move the trash can away from the ordering window, when you walk up to the window all you smell is rotting trash. Not exactly good for the appetite. Also, refresh the display on the front, the soda cans have long since faded in the sun. -
Review from Allie B.
Takoma Park, MD
10/26/2011
DEEEELICCCCIOUSSS!
My boyfriend and I have stood in front of the truck counting our money (because they are cash only) to see how much falafel goodness we could afford.
And now they are open seven days a week! Saturdays are so much better when there's falafel in them :D -
Review from Daniel H.
Silver Spring, MD
1/14/2012
I drive East-West Highway daily on my way to work and I had noticed this foodtruck in the gas station parking lot. One evening on my way home from work when I had no idea what to do for dinner I decided to try out the Falafel Stand... And boy was I impressed. The falafel itself was perfectly cooked all the ingredients were fresh and the hummus was really good. They also have some excellent fruit sodas that were surprisingly good. Be sure to stop by and support this local business!
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Review from William P.
Gaithersburg, MD
5/14/2011
Hey.....hey DC food trucks catch a clue!!!!! Do it up right like MD's Yaron and his son.......large portion platters for only $8.
Yaron's actually been in food truck biz and catering since 1990 wayyyyyyyy before all of the hipster steamlined $$$$$$ trucks down in DC skipping out on the DC sales tax.
I had the Falafel platter and it was HUGEEEEEEE!!!!!!! Tabouleh and hummus on the side with a few slices of yummy soft pitas.
The FOUR falafel balls were sooo appetizing to look at and as many others have stated crunchy on outside and softness on inside. Just look at the pics!!!!!
Everything is soooooo fresh and healthy.....you just feel RIGHT after eating.
He has sides and drinks and even desserts on his menu.......he has to put one of dese in Bethesda....... (hint.....hint) might have to steamline a lil for the Bethesda crowd. :)
Keep up the good work Yaron!!!!!! -
Review from Paneez K.
Washington, DC
7/6/2011
Um... yes.
The three requirements for a falafel are definitely present:
1) flavorful-yes.
2) thin amount of crunchy exterior without being burnt-yes.
3) chewy and soft on the inside without being grainy-yes.
I'm a fan...will be back. -
Review from Ari C.
Silver Spring, MD
1/26/2011
Yes, it's a truck in a gas station parking lot. No, don't let that put you off.
FIRST THINGS FIRST, CALL UP BEFOREHAND! Everything's prepared to order. If you forget to call go shopping at the Coop or be prepared hang out for about 10-15 minutes.
Their falafel sandwich is superb--perfectly cooked, crisp and juicy--what more can you ask for? Sure, it's regular package pita, but whadda ya expect from a small three-person operation? Their soups are also delicious.
In the drinks department, most of it is canned soda, but the fresh lemonade is brilliant--it's not sugary, and it's not too tart and sour. Just be aware that it contains more than a little pulp.
All in all, it's great, authentic, home-cooked meals on the cheap. If you're really lucky, snag one of the tables outside the truck and enjoy. If you want to eat at home, you might just eat your order in the car.
I have but one complaint--the hours are highly irregular. Check their website before leaving.
A word to the health-conscious: their stuff is fried in corn oil, which is considered to be kind of unhealthy.
The truck is owned by Olive Tree Foods, who also brings you soup at the TPSS Coop. -
Review from N S.
Washington, DC
9/16/2010
3.5 stars
First off, CALL AHEAD. Falafel was good, but I waited for about 30 minutes. If you don't call ahead, show up, place your order and go shopping at the coop for a good 20 minutes. I was low on funds or I would have done that in a second. This stand is popular and the ones in the know got the memo about calling ahead. It's cheap, so don't worry about wanting to get there and decide, order it all! Splurge! It's inexpensive!
I ordered the falafel, lemonade and baba ghanouj. Wanted to try the fries, but they were out. The falafel was tasty with the fresh cabbage, but I really needed some more ooomph. The hot sauce they gave me only got through a few bites so they need to make more hot sauce available, even at a cost because I could have used at least 4 of those. Falafel was nice and golden brown not overly done and not super dense and dry like other falafel places.
Pita was a pretty plain standard pita. Not toasted or anything so I wouldn't recommend trying to travel too far with this sandwich unless you have some backup pita at home.
Lemonade was decent, following the trend of the newer, healthier lemonade styles that's popular right now. This is not your grandma's lemonade.
Baba ghanouj... ok, generous portion that came with one small pita. 8 oz of baba... and one small pita? In addition, the baba had this scorched taste to it. It just was not tasty at all. Not sure if it wasn't fresh, or what the deal was, but I won't be ordering that again.
I will return. -
Review from jiny u.
Woodside, Queens, NY
8/4/2010
Viky took me here. IT IS AMAZING. I saw an older woman and two boys in a truck putting food together. The falafel platter comes with CREAMY, NUTTY hummus, 2 spicy dipping sauces (green and red-orange), fresh tabbouleh, and pita slices. Those falafel balls were so crisp and moist, the only kind of balls I'd want in my mouth!
The fresh lemonade is wonderful. It's not tart or sugary. -
Review from Hue K.
4/22/2010 2 photos
After reading Fenny L's review, I really wanted to try this Falafel stand for a while. I went there at around 2 pm but there were still a few people waiting for their food. I was pretty hungry and didn't want to wait for too long and thought to go Middle eastern cafe down a few block to compare falafel side-by-side, so I just ordered 2 falafels and pita bread on side.
1. Falafel was the best one I've had in DC metro area. Perfect balance of crunchy outside (not sand-like crunchy but panko-crumb like crunchy) and soft inside. Great flavor. So cute looking...
2. You can get just a falafel ball for $0.50.
If there wasn't a line for falafel platters and wraps, I would have gotten falafel wrap but falafel ball itself was so tasty, I wouldn't need anything else.
3. Great service. very friendly.
I will definitely return.
PS: Pita bread was very soft and fresh, even if it was whole-grain pita, it was softer than white pita. -
Review from Fenny L.
OK. I know. I said that I'm anti-organic holistic granola-crunching vegan healthy anything. However, there are times when pure yumminess over rides any negative connotations of what "organic" conjures up for me (*cough* hipster *cough*). The Organic Falafel Stand is one of them.
I think there were several things that where in The Organic Falafel Stand's favor. To start with, it's a food truck! My stomach has a Pavlovian response whenever it sees a food truck...YUM! Then, even in the gray and drizzly day, the delicious aromas were wafting and tantalizing us as we strolled around Tacoma Park. Finally, lured by all of these elements, we stroll up to the stand and spy a "People Love Us On Yelp" sticker, proudly displayed. We could not resist this triple threat.
As we had just come from lunch, we opted for the Organic Half Falafel to share. My husband was very excited to see the half portion option, and I agree with him that more places should have this option! Brilliant - and perfect for a little snack. The Falafel had mega taste and was easily the best Falafel we've ever had. Remarkably fresh veggies! Flavorful slaw! Good crunch! Hot and crispy (and tasty) Falafel! Soft pita. Tasty sauces! YUM!!!
It was so good that it was only after we were done with the last bite, that I realized that I just had organic...and I wanted...MORE!
Well played Organic Falafel Stand...well played!Listed in: Tacoma Park...better then you…
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Review from Megan K.
Denver, CO
2/20/2009
I've been wanting to try The Organic Falafel Stand in Takoma Park since I saw it opened a few months ago. A van in the Citgo parking lot across from the Takoma Park Co-Op, it offers falafel (duh), tofu sandwiches, sides like french fries, baba ganoush and hummus, as well as soup--ginger miso on the day I was there. There are different drinks, like coffee and lemonade, not too expensive.
In truth, this review will not be as useful as it could be, because I've only been there the one time and I only got the falafel platter. But here's what I can say: The falafel platter comes with 4 falafel, a pita, tabbouleh, regular salad, baba ganoush, and hummus for $7.95. I didn't actually have the right amount of money, and they were nice enough to let me pay what I had, $7.65 (I had to scrounge around in my car to even find that). The very nice man who owns it--the interwebs tell me his name is Yaron Senititsky, which has to be the BEST NAME EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD--said, "Oh, don't worry, a dollar, two dollars, as long as you're close." Wow, old school Takoma Park all the way!
The platter also came with tahini and two homemade hot sauces--one cilantro lime and one mango habenero (??--not sure about the habenero part). They were both excellent, as was the falafel. It's not highly spiced, but it was very light and expertly fried to a crispy light golden brown. The hummus and baba ganoush are pretty good (a little heavy on the tahini for my test, but not bad), as are the tabbouleh and the regular ol' salad. Pita was not exceptional, but it was fine.
I'm definitely, definitely going back. I got my food in approximately 3 minutes, no joke, but the falafel was definitely not microwaved. I don't know how he did it! They were much faster than Middle East Kitchen in Takoma and much more convenient than Lebanese Taverna (which I LOVE) in Silver Spring, so...plus, there are other things to try. I gave it 4 stars because I didn't love love love it, but I really really liked it and actually look forward to going back.
Yaron Senititsky also owns Olive Tree Works, which provides a lot of ready-made meals to the Takoma Park Co-Op. I'm happy that I can support a local business that's also yummy. -
Review from William S.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2010
Really good food and really nice people. Good for a quick bite at a great price!
Get the Falafel Platter, twas grand. -
Review from Peggy H.
Takoma Park, MD
8/17/2009
Best eats in Takoma Park: The falafel - perfect. Tofu - amazing. Soups - delicious. Sides - irresistible. Homemade sauces - drinkable! Everything here is fresh, filling and well prepared.
Now, if they would open up a veg friendly taco truck - heaven! -
Review from Jim H.
Takoma Park, MD
8/30/2010
Great food-a bit slow at times but it's a couple people (sometimes a teenager) in a truck. THe hours are a but inconsistent too but the food, especially the falafel, is outstanding-great sauces too.
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Review from eun y.
Washington, DC
10/19/2011
the falalef platter was so so. the falalels were ok--not that flavorful. and the sides were meh.
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Review from Johnny A.
8/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
Sandwiches made with love is how I would describe them! No really these are pretty darn good falafel sandwiches! and I love the fact that they are made with chickpeas only without fava beans! true to eastern Mediterranean style. The salad mix is nice, but someone should let them in on a secret: when you put the falafel balls in the sandwich, you should smash them before adding the salad, this way you get a taste of falafel in every bite. I also wonder if they do special requests, like adding hummus or fries to the sandwich?
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Review from Natalie F.
Silver Spring, MD
11/22/2009
Fabulous Falafel sandwiches! Fresh crispy moist Falafel surrounded by a fresh vegetable salad in a delicious pita, and the perfect size for a filling yet light meal. They come with tahini sauce and two amazing hot sauces (mango-lime and green Chile). They also offer a Falafel platter that comes with the vegetable salad, tabouli, hummus and all the sauces. The daily soups are delicious too. It's an interesting establishment, the operate out of a trailer more or less. They're is out door seating but it's in a gas station parking lot so I always get the food to go. The owners are so nice too, great service! Can't wait to some back soon.
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Review from Ruth N.
Takoma Park, MD
9/19/2009
A vegan food truck! I love it! The falafel is delicious and always made fresh, while you wait. You can order a full plate with the side fixings, or get them at 50 cents per falafel. We also enjoyed the lentil and coconut soup, made with fresh coconut milk while maintaining the traditional brown lentil base. Yum! Eat at the little table outside, if it isn't taken, or call ahead and bring home an order for dinner.
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Review from James B.
Chicago, IL
3/26/2010
Absolutely delicious!
I had been meaning to drop by this place for months, and finally had my first chance last night as I was walking home. The service was incredibly friendly, and my food was ready in just a few minutes.
I ordered the the tofu grill sandwich and a side of fries. I've got to say that I was absolutely blown away. This was probably the most amazing tofu sandwich I've ever had. Everything was seasoned perfectly, and the salad in the sandwich really wowed me with its flavor. I'm willing to bet that even those who are skeptical of tofu would be satisfied! The fries too, were amazing, and it was hard to resist eating all of them on my way home.
I'll definitely be back, and I'm telling my friends! Next time, I'm going to try the falafel. -
Review from Cheryl H.
Houston, TX
7/23/2010
I am a falafel fanatic! I've lived here for about a year and have been searching for "my favorite place to get falafels." The DC metro doesn't have as many middle-Eastern restaurants as I'm used to coming from Houston and most of the ones they DO have are chain restaurants. To me, there are 4 key components to a good falafel:
1) Falafel Balls: Theirs are pretty perfect. Well-spiced, fresh, not dry and hard, cooked just right.
2) Pita Bread: Theirs is average, but I like my falafel in the pita pocket itself instead of rolled up like a burrito, so they score here. I also like the fact that their pita is whole wheat, thus making it healthier.
3) Overall texture: They've got the ratio down of falafel balls to crunchiness. I like their slaw and because it has the purple cabbage in it giving it more dimension. However, I could go for at least some chunkiness to my crunch, like perhaps adding cucumber.
4) The Sauce: I am a condiment fanatic, too. Their sauces rock! In fact, of these 4 components to a good falafel, this one stands out the most. Their tahini is the perfect balance of smooth and tangy. But even better are their green and red sauces that pack some legitimate heat. I can't say which I like better, as they're both good! I like taking a green bite and then a red bite. Then maybe a tahini bite or an all of the above bite. The fact that they put all of these sauces on the side allow me to customize the way I eat my sandwich and that's a good thing!
So not the best falafel I've had in my life, but the best overall I've found in DC metro so far and I've tried a lot! -
Review from Nan W.
Silver Spring, MD
7/27/2009
I lived in the Middle East (OK, Israel) for a long time and know good falafel when I get it. And I get it here. It's organic, freshly made to order, carefully prepared, and very affordable.
Yes it's a takeout truck in a gas station parking lot near the fire station; but on a pleasant summer's eve there's a small table and chairs if you are lucky enough to snag them, or else you rush it home - IF you manage to withstand the temptation to wolf it down in the car.
My picky 10 year old loves this falafel - it's very child-friendly.
The people are really nice. They'[re the same people who bring you the soups at the Co-op. Their fresh lemonade is terrific. The fries are excellent. The tofu mixed grill is a hearty satisfying meal. In a recession economy, this gets all ten fingers up.
PS Call ahead if you want to avoid the wait. They do prepare to order and are in a small truck, so if you don't call ahead, be prepared to hang about for 10 minutes or so. -
Review from CL R.
Washington, DC
4/7/2010
First, I so wanted to love this place. Then, after witnessing their "service," I wanted to hate this place. Someone needs to tell the girl in the glasses that a blase "Here you go" is not the same as "Thank you." Sorry I needed a napkin (after all, you asked me if I did!). I guess it's a huge convenience.
But despite my desire to hate this place-- the falafel is awesome. Light, crispy. It comes with very fresh, crispy salad in the pita. And the green and orange condiment sauces are fresh, flavorful and full of heat.
Ok- so I figured I'd come back despite the service. I'd just not tip upfront. But then I had the baba ganoush. It was bitter and underseasoned. I threw it away. Sooooo. . . .where does this leave us? Maybe one more try. Only time will tell-- I imagine I'll start to crave that lovely falafel sandwich. If so, I hope they are nicer next time. -
Review from Jay F.
Washington, DC
9/18/2009 1 photo
Wow! Awesome falafel sandwich. And I never thought I'd write the words "awesome falafel sandwich" in my life.
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Review from Maria P.
Colesville, MD
4/1/2010
This place is AMAZING!! People may be put off because it's (literally) a stand, but I think that once you try the food you'll change your mind :) The falafel is cooked to perfection, and the taboulli is seasoned just right. The sauces (green chile cilantro and mango lime chile) are so delicious, I even saved the container!! I also recommend the coconut lentil soup, but the soup types change from day to day :) TRY THIS PLACE!!
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Review from Meghan G.
Washington, DC
4/23/2009
Yum yum yum yum yum. The best falafel I have had outside of NYC, and better than some I have had there by a long shot. What is not to love? For $7.95 I opted the Falafel Platter that came with four of the tastiest falafel balls I have had, hummus, baba ganouj, tabouli, and a fresh veggie salad. The portions were perfect and it took only a matter of minutes for the food to be ready. They also have amazing homemade lemonaid, not too sweet and perfect for washing down yummy food stuffs. They don't appear to be open during the weekend yet, and they are open until 8:30 during the late spring and summer months. Their all vegan stand has a great assortment of carry out foods that should not be missed!!!
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Review from Melissa J.
Silver Spring, MD
8/27/2010
My mother (who happens to be a vegan and terribly picky about her food) and I decided to have an early and light dinner/snack at the Organic Falafel Stand tonight. I read amazing reviews on Yelp prior to us coming to this spot - but taste buds are different. Let me tell you - the falafels were "smack-ya-mama" delicious (well, not literally b/c my mother don't play that)!!! ALL of the ingredients were fresh and falafels cooked on the spot. The way my fellow "yelpers" described the crisp and fried-to-perfection falafel was exactly on point. I had the pita sandwich and my mother had the platter (she did not have the taboulli and pita due to allergies). Nothing but silence as we devoured our food! Only thing - my mother was not too impressed with the eggplant side concoction that they serve. Nonetheless - this will become my weekly staple (hehehehe) unless someone else outdoes this spot. I am sold:)
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Review from Seth G.
Takoma Park, MD
2/27/2010
I head to Yaron's for a falafel once a week or so and tried his soup for the first time yesterday. The food's great. It's wonderful having the stand here in Takoma Park. And by the way, you can follow The-Organic-Falafel-Stand on Facebook.
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Review from Alex P.
Washington, DC
3/2/2010
As soon as I saw this place was on Yelp, I had to sign up just to say how awesome it is.
Don't let it's location on a gas station's parking lot fool you. This place is every bit as excellent as you've heard and more.
Go there. Get whatever you think looks good and enjoy! -
Review from linda o.
Takoma Park, MD
8/10/2011
glad to have this in the 'hood. awesome falafel half sandwhich. the tofu sandwich has a curry (?) sauce I wasn't keen on, but I imagine others might enjoy. excellent place to grab dinner when you are tired and dont want to spend a bundle.
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Review from Brian R.
Berkeley, CA
2/5/2010
I also got the falafel platter. It was good, although maybe next time I'll just get the falafel sandwich to maximize the falafelness.
