Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant
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There is a reason that Mamoun's has been a NYC institution since 1971- good food, great prices, and crazy-late hours! Where else in NYC can you get a sandwich and side for less than $5, at 4am? Still, I would rather pay a little more than have a sandwich that is mostly lettuce and tahini, which is basically what we got. At $5 the shish kabob sandwich was an excellent choice and the tabouli salad was delicious once you dug beneath the onions and tomatoes. Perhaps the plate options are the way to go, all the good stuff without the sandwich. Try the shish kabob sandwich, a plate of falafel and tabouli.
Atmosphere
There isn't much of an atmosphere here, as the line out the door takes up most of this teeny tiny dark storefront on Mac Dougal. There are a few tables to be had, but if you sit at one you are constantly being hovered over by those waiting in line, and waiting for their orders. There are one or maybe two tables to be had outside. If you can snag one, go for it. Otherwise, better to eat in nearby Washington Square Park.
ServiceCounter service that, remarkably, can keep the orders straight. A bit harried but friendly overall.
Food
Of course, Mamoun's is famous for the falafel, but we also enjoyed a shish kabab sandwich ($5.00) that had wonderful chunks of meat with delicious grilled steak flavor. The baba ganoush ($1.75) was creamy but tasted almost entirely of tahini (sesame paste). Likewise, the tabouli salad ($2.50) had a wonderful lemon flavor but was almost all onions and tomatoes and very little tabouli. As far as the falafel, what we tasted of it was nice and crisp, hot, and had an excellent blend of spices, but it was hidden under a mound of lettuce, tomato, and tahini. Still, you can't argue much with a sandwich that's only $2.50!
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Cleanliness
Who can tell? It was so busy and dark I couldn't see anything, clean or dirty. Maybe it's better that way.
Pros
Great tasting food and amazingly cheap prices. Open very late at night.
Cons
The great food was hidden under mounds of tahini, tomatoes, and onions. I'd rather pay more for more falafel or tabouli. Long line and long wait for food.
