Falafil (72 East Adams)

This restaurant has recently opened its third outlet in the Loop where Patty Burgers used to be (and is not missed). The concept is that you order your falafil either in a bowl or pita and then go to their salad bar and add what you want. They have over a dozen salads and several sauces. This, frankly, doesn't do a lot for me. I want someone to put together a classic falafil sandwich for me, and when I need that, I'll scoot up to Oasis Cafe. Not to suggest anything negative; the falafil look relatively fresh and the salads are O.K. I'm just not into that kind of deal.

What is outstanding at this place, however, is their sandwich of the month. Each month they get a well known local chef to design a falafil sandwich, and $1 from each sale goes to charity. Last month Chris Pandel (Bristol) was the desginer, and this month it's Dirk Flanigan of the Gage. Both were outstanding. This month's features lentil based falafil with a cripsy salad and home made gardiniera. Both sandwiches were very sloppy to eat. I suspect the chefs want to pack a lot in, and when they make it, it works architecturally, but a little gets lost in the transalation. However, I don't care if I make a mess when it tastes this good. These are some of the best sandwiches available in the Loop, IMHO.

Jonah

I really enjoy the Falafill(two l's) on Broadway for two major reasons: they scoop and fry the falafel to order and it comes through in the taste of the final product, and also the sweet potato fries seem to be freshly cut with some kind of crispy coating and are delicious.

One small (possible) correction to what Jonah said- last time I was there they did offer a fully assembled falafel wrap, made with a soft flat bread, that tasted great and cost around $5. I have tried the pita/salad bar option and didn't really care for it either.

So I take it we're not yet at falafel saturation in the Loop? I am now within walking distance of 2 Roti's, Med Kitchen, 2 I Dream of Falafels, Benjyehuda, Jaffa Bakery, Mezza, and the soon to open Naf Naf and Nesh. Somebody knows something I don't.

It appears that the Loop has outdone both Midtown and Downtown Manhattan for Falafel options. I'd never dreamed the day would come...

Habibi wrote:It appears that the Loop has outdone both Midtown and Downtown Manhattan for Falafel options. I'd never dreamed the day would come...

And my list doesn't even include mainstream chains that offer it like Pret A Manger or the abominable faux-lafel at Subway.

thanks bnowell: I'll give that a try, particulary because I like the wraps even better than the pita for a sandwich.

Jonah

Jonah wrote:Both sandwiches were very sloppy to eat. I suspect the chefs want to pack a lot in, and when they make it, it works architecturally, but a little gets lost in the transalation.

I suspect it may be a staff training issue. I regularly get the monthly special wrap at the Broadway location and I'd never describe it as sloppy. One key: Don't remove the paper/foil wrapping when you start eating the wrap. Instead, pull it down a couple inches ever few bites.

I'm sure it's a training issue, and I want to emphasize that it didn't detract at all from the pleasure of eating the sandwhich.

Update: At least at the Adams location, they do not currently make fallafil sandwiches using wraps. I was told that the sandwhich of the month usually uses wraps, but since the current edition doesn't, they don't have any wraps on hand.

Further update: Had another monthly special. Better constructed; seems like they get used to it as the month goes on. Still one of the best sandwiches in the Loop. I don't know why everyone doesn't put gardiniera on a falafil sandwich.

Jonah

I wish these folks well, largely because I ventured into the first one in Lakeview when it was very new and ended up having a long conversation with the owners who had been hovering nearby watching me as I ate, and then wanted to debrief me. I do wish there was a way to attack the salad bar without just piling everything on top of everything else in a plastic tub. The various dressings and flavors deserve better. But overall, I've liked what they're doing, and have always had very fresh felafel from them.

Just had about my fifth and final June sandwhich of the month. Lentil falafil, frisee with duck fat dressing and homemade garniniera. Maybe the best part was the bottom of the pita bread which had soaked up the duck fat dressing and garndiniera juice.

Jonah

The July falafel of the month is designed by Maher Chebaro, who I gather is the founder of the mini chain.
It's regular falafil with a red pepper sauce, spicy potatoes and pickled eggplants stuffed with walnuts. It comes in a wrap.
It's a truly excellent creation. My only two minor complaints are that its a bit sloppy (I expect this to get better as the month goes on), and it's a bit too large for me for lunch (most people would find this to be a plus).
These quibbles aside, it's a fine creative falafil sandwich and the proceeds from the sale go to a charity.

Having this falafil of the month available has single handedly upgraded my local lunch options.

Jonah

The August falafil of the month was created by chef Jason Hammel of Lula and Nightwood. It's got corn and smoked tomatoes, fried kale, pickled pistacios, and honey labne. Although just a hair on the sweet side for me, it is very creative and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Given that $1 of each purchase price goes to a charity, this continues to offer one of the best options in the Loop.

Jonah

Now open in Oak Park

Chicago-based restaurant company Forever Brands LLC has acquired a 50 percent stake in Mediterranean restaurant chain Falafill with the intent to grow the franchise by at least 10 locations in the Chicago area in 2015, the companies said.

With the deal, Forever Brands — parent company of the 30-store Forever Yogurt chain — hopes to package its frozen yogurt concept with Falafill stores and market the combination to franchisees.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... n-falafill