Photo by Brendan Mohler
The purveyors of the self-proclaimed “best falafel in town” are setting up shop just a few blocks away from “The original falafel restaurant.” (Thanks to Ronen for the tip.)
Advertisement
Moshe’s Falafel launched its food truck back in 1981 on West 46th Street between 5th and 6th avenues, where it continues to operate. In recent years, a second truck opened near Times Square, and now, Moshe is setting up a full-time restaurant on the Upper West Side.
ALSO READ: Salt & Straw, a Popular West Coast Ice Cream Brand, Announces UWS Expansion
An employee at Moshe’s has confirmed that the eatery will open at 142 West 83rd Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues), in the storefront right next to The Vitamin Peddler. It’s also several blocks away from Mamoun’s, which, to be fair to their claim, did open ten years before Moshe’s.
Photo by Brendan Mohler
When asked for an opening date, they stated the goal as “two weeks after Passover” or “the middle of May.” The current menu (which is vegetarian and certified Kosher, FYI) is fairly bare bones, offering up falafel balls, a salad platter, a hummus platter, a daily soup, french fries and soft drinks. We’ve been told a few new additions are on the way, but as of now, details are scarce. They’re not planning on doing any renovations, according to a worker who was moving things in on Thursday evening.
Photo by Brendan Mohler
Advertisement
The space Moshe’s is taking over was previously home to Scoozi Events, a catering company owned by Stella Ballarini. She was also the owner of Amused NYC, the kid-friendly grilled cheese spot which leased the space now occupied by The Vitamin Peddler.
(Google Maps)
That location isn’t ‘several blocks’ from Mamoun’s but rather just around the corner from it–and thanks god, because Mamoun’s has been so disappointing since it opened in the hood, especially its thin soulless pita bread and totally uninspired shwarma plate–could not be happier that Moshe’s is coming to the Columbus/Amsterdam/W80s neighborhood!!!
Totally Agree!
Totally Agree! Mamouns is terrible!
For what it’s worth, Mamoun’s kitchen on St. Mark’s Place puts out far better food and, as if there is no such thing as quality control given how bad the Columbus Avenue outlet is, the original Mamoun’s on MacDougal Street (West Village) has fallen behind post-COVID as well. St. Mark’s opened decades after the MacDougal Street Mamoun’s and yet from the outset had better prepared and seasoned shawarma and generally, better sandwiches. Don’t understand the differences between the 3; I know they have “franchises” in Jersey but I’m not sure they even compare notes on menu prices in NYC. The Columbus Ave branch may not be owned and operated by the guys who O&O St. Mark’s and MacDougal but you wouldn’t expect there to be such differences between those two.
Mamoun’s is good but they keep raising their prices over and over again. The plain pita is Mamoun’s tradition going back to the 80’s on McDougal Street. For great bread try Zaad. We are truly the falafel center of Manhattan with this and Zaad and that kosher place on Amsterdam and Naya and soon Taim and some others I’m forgetting.
Why the nastiness to Mamouns? We all have different taste, so if you don’t like one place, eat at another. This seems mean.
Moshe’s Falafel Is kosher so observant Jews can eat there. Mamoum’s may be older but the observant can’t eat there. So for many on the UWS it will be a welcome new choice.
Has this place opened as yet on the UWS?
A case in point. I ordered a falafel sandwich from Mamoun’s on Columbus Avenue, which is a block away from where I live. When my home attendant brought it to me. The pita was actually ice cold! The falafel inside the pita was warm. Apparently, they store the different sauces, like tahini, in a freezer and then put them in the falafel pocket while they are ice cold. It was disgusting!
A case in point. I ordered a falafel sandwich from Mamoun’s on Columbus Avenue, which is a block away from where I live. When my home attendant brought it to me. The pita was actually ice cold! The falafel inside the pita was warm. Apparently, they store the different sauces, like tahini, in a freezer and then put them in the falafel pocket while they are ice cold. It was disgusting!
No, I have not posted this before.
when will you open