Meat eaters beware. This column is geared toward the veggie lovers, as I spent my week searching for the perfect falafel.
For those who don't know, falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made up of spicy ground chickpeas (garbanzo beans) rolled into a ball and fried. Usually served in a pita with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions, falafels are a Middle Eastern delight.
Here's a rundown of the best and the worst falafels in and around Tempe.
The worst:
Sadly, the worst falafels I've ever eaten are served closest to campus at Extreme Pita (777 S. College Ave.). The falafels from this Canadian chain restaurant have a strange flavor to them. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is, but it can only come from Canada. You know what I'm talking aboot.
The second-worst falafels in Tempe hail from the Olive Branch Mediterranean restaurant (3231 S. Mill Ave.). Here I ordered the falafel appetizer with hummus dip. The only thing worse than the falafel was the hummus. The spices in both were completely wrong.
The best:
To find out what a falafel pita is really supposed to taste like, go to the Phoenicia Cafe (616 S. Forest Ave.) The cafe hangs a sign in its window boasting the best falafels in town. They're not far from the truth. This small, authentic restaurant is within walking distance of campus and has delicious food. You can get the falafels in a pita or as an appetizer, with hummus or without - pretty much any way you want 'em, you can have 'em.
The only thing better is the falafel from - drum roll, please - Pappoule's, a small Greek restaurant in the food court of Fiesta Mall (1445 W. Southern Ave., Mesa). Okay, it may seem strange that the best falafel in town is in a food court, but tell that to the 10 people who are always in line for this authentic meal. It seems like there are only two people who work at this restaurant at all times, but the meal is worth the wait. Six dollars will get you the vegetarian platter - a huge salad piled on a paper plate topped with four falafel balls, two slices of pita bread and a variety of sides and sauces.
So fellow falafel fiends, unite. You have nothing to lose but your hunger.
Reach the reporter at tara.brite@asu.edu
