Falafels Middle Eastern Grill
430 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN, 47408
Falafels Middle Eastern Grill Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Bloomington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Bloomington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Bloomington for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
430 E Kirkwood Ave
Bloomington, IN, 47408 - Phone (812) 355-3555
- Website https://www.falafelsonline.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Greek Cuisine
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
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Amy S.
Oh my! Not your average gyro! As you walk from the entrance back to the tables, you go past the kitchen with the spits. My mouth began to water! It was made up of different pieces of meat, not the homogeneous round spit you are used to seeing. Nowhere near as greasy as the average gyro and not the overly garlicky flavor either. The taziki sauce was fabulous. The pita bread soft and fluffy. I had the platter so it came with a salad, nothing to fabulous but I did appreciate is was more than iceberg lettuce. Then came the toasted pita with a side of tomato sauce. It really tasted like fresh tomatoes. The fries were seasoned with middle Eastern seasoning, light and crispy. Oh, and the hot Nana tea hit the spot on a cold day. If I lived in Bloomington I would definately go back. Love me some middle Eastern food!
(4)Peter D.
Very good falafel and especially good for Bloomington. It could have been a little cheaper, but the quality was there and the product was most certainly fresh. Would for sure recommend if you're looking for a quick bite that isn't your standard burger, pizza, or hot dog. Also of note: the fries here. They add rosemary and garlic to the fries and they are very tasty as a result.
(4)KJ M.
VEGAN REVIEW Yah, sometimes you want yourself fried falafel goodness, but you also want the fries INSIDE the sammich. Two fried things, one sandwich. No problemo here. Plus, they bring you all the delightful cabbage if you ask, and it's still hot hot pink and delicious. I love eating here.
(5)Whryne R.
I've eaten here a few times as well as popped in many many more times to grab a sandwich and jet. I give them four yums up. I'm super sad that they stopped staying open until drunk o'clock because back in the day this place would beat heading for Taco Hell for that late night 'fourth meal'. The location is an easy walk from the University or Kirkwood and it's nice and chill inside. The staff has always been friendly and the prices are quite decent!
(4)Zack S.
Best gyro I've had in town. Prompt service. Great specials, as well. Unfortunately, I've had some bone dry felafel here, or this would be a 5-star review.
(4)Mona M.
Wowowowowowow! LOVED the falafel and gyro! There was a little bit too much hummus on the falafel sandwich for me but I just scraped it off. I can't wait to go back! Check campus special (app or website) for coupons!
(5)Denise D.
Overall, I had a good experience at Falafels. I was nearly 11:00 p.m. and I was happy to find an actual restaurant open (plenty of bars and places like Qdoba were around, but I wanted food-food). Our server was very sweet, very attentive but new. (As a former server, I know new when I see it. Not super knowledgable about the menu and not yet down with the multi-tasking). I recommend the chicken shwarma- it was amazing, tender and seasoned just right. The tahini sauce made it work, and I was surprised and delighted that my meal came with grilled asparagus. The prices are a little high, but they are serving their full menu until 12:30 on weekends, which is nice when you need real food but it's late. *As a sidenote, reading Laurel W.'s review, I have to say, they have changed their recipe as the falafel I had on Friday night was green. I'm not crazy about falafel in general, so I dunno, she might be happier with it now?
(3)Les D.
I love this place, and have been coming here on a pretty consistent basis for the past four years. I come for lunch, split the falafel entree, or I grab a falafel sandwich. I get the roasted peppers and cucumber and tomato in the sandwich. Love the salad dressing of lemon, olive oil, sesame, oregano as well as hummus, the stuffed grape leaves are always a nice treat, but the real champion is the falafel. A Bloomington staple for vegans and vegetarians. The service is great when it wants to be. I like to come in here during the slow time between 2 and 4 to get down on some conversation with the waitstaff.
(4)Matthew W.
Great falafels, fresh fried. They also have nice daily specials for eat in or carry out. One of my favorite places in Bloomington!
(4)Kelly M.
No Gluten free menu and you take your chances eating there if you are Celiac (if you are, you know that everything is risky), but the food is really good. There was a sampler of a bunch of dips that I had that was wonderful. They have super flat appetizer pitas that my friends said were really really good. I had the sampler type plate and all was flavorful. I will go back. Their tea was delicious as well.
(4)Claudia S.
Had the house salad and lentil soup. very tasty. Presentation of the salad was very pretty.
(4)Victoria H.
This is an Israeli Restaurant with great middle east flavors. It has the best babaganoush I have ever tasted. I love their chicken shashlik and their pitas, especially the special one they always include that has zatar flavoring. You get lots of vegetable sides, also my preference and the price and service are just right. I can't think of anything I don't like.
(5)Hannah A.
I love this restaurant! I've been there a couple of times and the service was great! I usually order nowadays because I live farther from campus. They are always super quick with delivery. I've had most of the things on the menu. Falafels are amazing, gyros are amazing, pita chips, hummus, chicken shawarma, and kabobs are also all amazing. The fries are also pretty tasty. Definitely recommend.
(5)Melissa K.
Food--BLAND. PRICEY. Cute ambiance.
(2)Allison W.
Fresh ingredients, always well-prepared. The staff is super nice, too.
(4)Laurel W.
Disappointing falafel. I'm addicted to Sultan's Market (in Chicago), and was hoping to find a Bloomington joint to satisfy my falafel cravings. Not here. It was okay, but my falafel was a pasty tan color (none of the green, indicating lots of parsley, like I love) and was served in a pita with...baby mixed greens??? No, not with Jerusalem salad and tahini, which would be more traditional. Otherwise, cute enough place. But my plain falafel sandwich was $7...silly, to me!
(3)Ron P.
Excellent, freshly prepared food at a reasonable price. Love this place.
(4)WFIU P.
Definitely the best falafel sandwich in Bloomington. I agree with Laurel that the price is a little steep, but I've always enjoyed their food (even the free bread you get when you dine in is excellent!) and the people are warm and friendly.
(5)Ali M.
the worst shawarma I've ever tasted in my life, in top of that its so expensive! I went inside to order a "to go" I saw the chicken and beef rotisserie so juicy and hot thought ok I'll get those since they're going to be served hot like their shown "Big Mistake"! After I went back to my office the chicken and beef shawarma was cold, dry, and very hard to chew! with these two shawarma's and coke the total came up to $19,what a waste .. also what's up with the hummus in the shawarma? I thought hummus goes with falafel ..
(1)Drew L.
First Yelp review here. I've never been so upset that I felt the need to write and warn others. I had to try Falafels after reading all the glowing reviews, but wow was this food terrible. It seems that their idea of authentic Middle Eastern flavor is to cover every piece of lettuce, rice, meat or vegetable in heavy-handed spices I can only imagine come from a GFS tub labeled "Mediterranean Blend." The Basmati rice looks and tastes suspiciously similar to something you'd be served with tacos and refried beans. The salad is merely lettuce and aforementioned offensive spice blend. Every piece of chicken in both my sandwich and my girlfriend's entree was fatty (read: low-cost) dark meat. Hummus had as much flavor as joint compound. The falafel was the only thing that didn't have me reeling in disgust and disappointment, but it was decidedly dry. Every bite of the meal either didn't taste like anything or assaulted my tongue like the burning end of a no-filter cigarette. I have to wonder if the providers of these five-star reviews have ever eaten Middle Eastern food in their lives. Garbage.
(1)Paul P.
Decent food, and quick service. Great fast lunch, and they offered free fries on Monday's.
(4)Anne J.
Yummmm. Everything here is perfection. I recommend the fringlings with their amazing homemade hummus
(5)Christiana R.
I am a huge fan of trying international cuisines, but my boyfriend is a little more trepidatious. I had been to Falafels for lunch once prior, and then I convinced him to try it for dinner. I was not surprised when he loved the food because Falafels is seriously delicious! I have had the falafel and the chicken shawarma several times now and have been impressed each time without fail. The tzatziki sauce is also a delight, as is the pita that comes while you wait for your food. I am getting hungry just thinking about it! The restaurant itself is no-frills, but comfortable. The decorations are goregous, the traditional deep blue color. On to of great food, they also serve great Gelato, which is homemade from scratch! If you have even an inch of space left in your belly after eating, the Gelato is totally worth it.
(5)F H.
This is one of my favorite go-to spots in Bloomington. Don't let the casual ambiance deter you: Falafel's has great food, efficient and friendly service, and good prices - topped off by outstanding home-made gelato! Meat eaters cannot go wrong with the various kabobs and schawarmas; vegetarians will get full meals from salads, falafel and hummus. A not-very-Middle Eastern side, mashed potatoes, is a house speciality. But be sure to save room for the gelato...
(4)Patrick L.
Enters are available as gluten free options...had the gyros without the flatbread. They were decent, with the right amount of spice. Salad greens are just that...A few species of lettuce with flavored olive oil dressing; couldn't they add some feta? For dessert, pumpkin spice gelato. Surprising amount of spice; almost too much. Also, get a free pita chips with hummus through Yelp offer.
(4)Ally S.
GOOD FALAFELS! Fresh herbs everywhere. Unbelievably good and endless red sauce that I want to drink. Falafels that are just right. This deep fried pita nonsense that is so good. If I lived in Bloomington, I'd have a problem.
(4)Peter P.
This place is great. I have no idea why it isn't rated better. Maybe it is because the gyro meat isn't very good, but I usually stick with the falafel---in particular the falafel platter--and that is one solid meal. The house salad and cous cous (with stewed veggies) the platter comes up with are both excellent. I've eaten here a dozen times, and plan on continuing to do so.
(5)Colin B.
Food is great and servers are very nice. We have some food allergies and they are very accommodating. Second time here in less than a month (and won't be our last!)
(5)Evelyn Z.
OMG I love this place!!! Very nice dishes, super cute and friendly waiter and lovely decorations.
(5)Marta G.
This place has the dankest Schwarma in town. If you don't get it you don't enjoy like. Plus get a side of falafel and kill it. Go big or go home.
(5)Bee W.
Super tasty. Fresh food, good decor, great service. Went with my brother and it was good for chatting and eating. We ordered the sampler plate as an app and there wasn't a miss on it - especially liked the spicy carrot pickles. The pita was a bit drier than I prefer, but wasn't stale. I wanted the lamb kabob, but they had run out. I had the surf & turf kabob with spiced rice on the waitress's suggestion. The side salad was simple, but delicious. The beef was prepared rare as I ordered, but was a bit chewy (caused by the cut, not the doneness). Flavors were spot on, though the food overall lacked the pungency of spice I'm used to with middle eastern food (likely due to the local demographic). Brother had falafel and they were pretty on par as good. Server was attentive and friendly The food arrived surprisingly fast, but hadn't been microwaved ( probably due to us ordering a lot of sides and items not requiring much cook time). I'd definitely come back again and recommend to others.
(4)Jon A.
Excellent gyros - probably the best in town *IF* you like dill. If you don't like that flavor, then you will prefer gyros at other establishments, as their meat is heavily spiced. Their pita chips with hummus are delicious as well. I typically eat here for lunch, and each day has a specific special - these are worth learning ahead of time because a free soda isn't great if you only drink water, whereas free fries or chips might be more appealing. Service always feels a little slow but the waitstaff are very friendly.
(4)Jessica G.
I cannot say enough good things about this place! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with a warm welcome and attentive staff. Start off with a delicious cup of Nana tea and it will just keep getting better. The menu options are outstanding and you can't go wrong with anything you choose. My favorite hands down has to be their gyros. You won't find anything better anywhere else! The meat is seasoned with a delicious blend of spices and the homemade tzaziki sauce is out of this world! I frequent them with friends on a weekly basis, and if I can't make it in to their restaurant then I place an order for delivery! I have to have my fix! Hands down great food and service across the board!
(5)Sue Y.
Sometimes the grill part went a little bit off, but the gelato and the service was ALWAYS amazing! Love their fries as well.
(4)Fuzz H.
The chicken shwarma sandwich is pretty good for the price ($8)! Service is efficient at this informal dining spot. That being said their Pita is pretty standard, so I usually end up just eating the insides with a fork. Be sure to try the ice cream!
(4)Rachel C.
This place looked like a whole in the wall from the outside, but was surprisingly spacious and clean inside. I ordered the falafel pita sandwich for $6.50 and it was good. The falafel was very flavorful and was very crispy. The pita bread was however too dry - not as good as the pita at Roti in DC. Thought about getting a side of fries for $2.50 but glad I didn't bc it was a hefty sandwich. For the price paid it was a good meal.
(4)Robin K.
Food is good, of course, because almost any restaurant serving Mediterranean food that I have visited is good. However, it was more expensive than I would like and there are cheaper options in town. Maybe it was the delivery charge.
(3)L'Raughn H.
The pita-chos. Blow. My. Mind. Salty, delicious, goodness. A heart attack waiting to happen. The flavors. My blood vessels. Oh my god. I feel guilty even thinking about it.
(4)Bajango F.
All the wasted years..... I just ordered from this restaurant for the first time, and I am an extremely fat, happy, satisfied, fat, sleepy, fat customer. I ordered the Meshui: A mixed platter of four grill selections (your choice) served with grilled asparagus, a green salad, and choice of side. I chose two beef and two chicken selections. Firstly - while ordering, there is an option that serves one, and an option that serves two. I am a big gal, so trust me when I say that the option for one could *easily* serve two or three people, if you ask them for a couple extra pitas. The meat was so delicious and well prepared. Each had a unique taste, with a wonderful grilled similarity. At first glance, I thought the portions of each meet were a little skimpy for the price, but once I dug in, I quickly realized that my eyeballs were assholes, and that there was no way for me to finish this dish. I also rolled the dice on their Babaganush - which is very hit and miss with me, and was blown away. We've all gotten that bad batch o' baba, that's completely bitter and gross-tasting. This is everything Babaganush should be. It was perfect in every way, and served with two slices of some sort of delicious naan-lookin' bread. Not sure exactly what it was. The Baba was so delicious I even used it as a spread inside my pita with the Meshui because I'm a fatty fat walrus. My only complaint with the grilled asparagus was that there wasn't more of it, because it, too, was perfect. That exactly right blend of soft but crisp, and not at all over-seasoned. The mashed potatoes (my chosen side) are delicious, but I was honestly so full by the time I got to them that I haven't tried much. They are very firm, mix white and sweet potatoes, and sprinkled with what I can only assume is magic manifest. I have plenty left for dinner, not that I even remember what "hungry" feels like at this point. I can't remember the last time I was so blown away by a Btown restaurant. Eat here. They have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options if you're not into devouring four animals at a time like I am. Eat here as soon as you possibly can. Don't live with the knowledge that you've wasted a lifetime without this delicious food; a tragedy I am currently coping with. tl;dr: When I die, fill my coffin with this food. I want it forever.
(5)Reuben L.
The Greek Falafals are perfectly done. The seasoned fries too are excellent but I skip these now for the hummus & tabouli (because I like to believe all that bread with the hummus is better for me than the fries somehow). It is all so very good here.
(4)Abdulrahman A.
I tried Flafel sandwich and it was good! I got the Lintel soup and it was pretty good! I am not a big fan of Flafel but I just wanted to give this restaurant a try and I'm kinda happy with it. Cons: there are cameras everywhere and it's kinda awkward when you know someone is watching you eating.
(4)Jordan B.
Excellent food and service at Falafels. For lunch, I ordered the "halfalafel" (half falafel sandwich) and because it was Monday, fries were included for free. The sandwich was great. It included about 4-5 well-seasoned fried falafel balls in a pita pocket with hummus and lettuce. Included with this meal was an aromatic tomato-sauce-dip and a unique tahini sauce. They were both delicious. The fries were seasoned with what seemed like rosemary and garlic. This added a great flavor profile to the typical fried-then-salted potato. The hot tea was also good, adding a nice warm touch to the meal. Service was quick and kind. Prices were fairly moderate, perhaps even a bit on the cheaper side. The food portions were great; you definitely get a lot of value for your dollar here at Falafels. I will certainly be back in the future.
(5)Anna L.
Falafels, I'd have to say that a sprinkle of za'atar here and there sure does make your food tasty. Za'atar is a Middle Eastern blend of dried herbs mixed with sesame seeds, dried sumac, and often salt, as well as other spices. Whether it's atop salad, fries, meat, chickpeas, hummus...anything, it's like an appetite stimulator where you'll keep eating and eating even though you're ready to explode. We walked in around 3:30 just missing the lunch specials, but I found the entrees a better deal with the salad and sides. The salad was a refreshing spring mix topped with a za'atar evoo dressing. It came with a side of grill toasted mini-pita bread halves dashed with za'atar again with some tomato puree and evoo dip on the side. Of course I had a plate of falafels with 2 generous dip cups full of hummus and tomatoe-y chickpea topped couscous. I like the chargrilled asparagus that they put on every plates, gives it that pop of color and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the gyro entree. It was a heaping platter of chargrilled lamb with a generous helping of crispy za'atar seasoned fries. There was a flatbread with tomato-onion toppings to the side and a creamy yogurt dip. The meat had a really good charred flavor, but it was a bit dry probably since it was midday. They have a wide offering of sauces but I loved the tomato-based one. I must've finished 1/2 of the squeeze bottle. If I'm ever looking for a fresh and semi-healthy meal with this so-called-diet-attempt, I'd stop here to get an all-veggie and beany-protein option.
(4)Joshua C.
Falafels has really good food. It's nice that they have some non-meat options too. I really enjoy Pita Sandwiches (Beef Shish Kabob is my favorite), the Pitachos, Pita Chips and the Tunisian Couscous (super delicious). Prices aren't the best for what you get but you'll be satisfied...the portions are just right and it tastes great. If you like middle eastern food I would recommend trying Falafels.
(4)Andrea A.
The food here was tasty, fast, and the dining room clean and quaint (albeit a bit of close quarters with the other diners). I had the stuffed grape-leaves to start and enjoyed a Greek-style falafel wrap for my meal. My main complaint was that a Yelp check-in offer for a free order of pita chips was not honored -- not a major deal as this was not the reason we came of course, but the offer should not be available if the restaurant doesn't want to honor it.
(3)Devin C.
Best gyro in Bloomington. Tzatziki sauce is spot on, gyro meat was fresh and well seasoned. Food came a little slow, but it was a busy evening (a couple of huge take out orders happened just before we came in) and the server filled our glasses constantly. Bill came a little slow, but again it was a busy Friday night. Loved the atmosphere, loved the food. The pita served in the beginning was a little charred, but it had character to it so I liked it. I'll come again when craving a gyro. I will try the falafel sometime and the shwarma looked good too!
(5)Stephen D.
Really, really good food. I live in Chicago and have this type of food all the time and myriad restaurants, so I feel I know good falafel when I encounter it. This place offered easily some of the crispiest, tastiest falafel I've had in a long time. The lentil soup was also awesome and definitely unique, but in a good way. They also have $2 mint (Moroccan?) tea, with free refills to boot. I decline to give 5 stars simply because it's definitely NOT inexpensive. $8 or so for a falafel sandwich with multiple toppings -- stuff that should be included, like onion/tomato/cucumber, are extra -- is excessive. (I'm not sure they have any competition in Bloomington....) That said, they do have good weekday specials and even if they didn't, I'd still eat here all the time if I lived nearby.
(4)Zeeshan S.
I just ordered a Chicken Shishlick Sandwich via BTown Menus. It is actually supposed to contain Grilled Chicken. It sounded delicious. But trust me the Chicken was BURNT. Yes! Completely ruined a Sunday night Dinner.
(1)Andrew R.
What a disappointment. After reading good things about this restaurant, me and a friend decided to check it out. There were a few ants roaming the restaurant and the decor was a little tacky. The staff was also very apathetic. The food was a major disappointment, the pita bread was charred and tasted burnt. The gyro was tough sloppy, and the French fries were way over salted and greasy. The falafels were very dry and bland. The pita chips and hummus that we shared were also very greasy. In addition to all of this, lunch cost about $13. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere than a place with a apathetic staff and bad food.
(2)F.C. B.
All of the vegan foods are marked on the menu, which is always cheering, and even though there's only the one sandwich or an entree, I'm not sure why you would want more choices. You get to go in, order your vegan falafel sandwich, pick a bonus topping or two... (oh, right. The toppings section isn't actually labeled. But the only miss, "mamaganush", is described elsewhere on the menu) ...then get your sandwich and eat. Service has always been very fast and friendly, the food simple but good.
(5)Nate S.
I like Falafels in theory, but in practice it fell short. Very nice service and atmosphere, but the food--and it all comes down to the food--was middling. I had the mezze platter and the gyro sandwich. The ganoush was good, as were the pickles. The carrots tasted of BO, and the flatbread was over charred. The gyro lamb looked soooooo good, but the sandwich was greasy, fatty, and not very pleasingly seasoned. I wouldn't return.
(2)Jori G.
Pretty damn tasty, but the wait for a falafel seems a bit excessive.
(3)Austin J.
This place is excellent! There are a lot of good gyros in Bloomington, but I think Falafels has the best. I ordered mine with feta and it came with there seasoned fries, which are also very good. The gyro isn't spicy, although they do have a spicy one if that's your thing. And they're very generous with their portions. The restaurant itself is small and mildly Mediterranean in feel, and service is great. Every weekday they have a different special, which was free pita chips the day I went. The pita chips are okay. I mean its pita chips, you can't really screw those up, or make them exciting for that matter. If you're in the mood for Mediterranean, Falafels is a great, affordable option.
(5)Anna W.
My friends and I get lunch every Wednesday and I suggested we come here because of their lunch deal- free toppings on their sandwiches. We got here at 12:10 and many of us had to leave by 1. However, since we were only ordering sandwiches we figured this wouldn't be a problem. Wrong. Not only was our service slow, we were chastised rudely by the waitress for coming to a small restaurant during lunch and expecting quick service. Seriously.
(2)Jess B.
I'm picky about falafel. Very picky. Falafels was fantastic--lots of flavor, great topping options, great sauces. The menu offered so much we were unsure what to get but decided to stick with the restaurant's namesake. I had falafel with pickles and added hot sauce and tahini (Get the hot sauce!), and my husband had falafel with black olives and added the same sauces. Both were excellent. I can't wait to go back to try their other dishes (especially the shukshooka to see if it's as good as homemade). Definitely visit, especially if you're vegetarian.
(5)Britta M.
We had a last minute catering need for a Saturday afternoon. Not only was the food amazing(per usual), but they were able to accommodate our request very quickly. Thanks!
(5)Katie B.
I had a falafel sandwich here for lunch. It comes with hummus, but I swapped it out for the tzatziki - even though it cost extra to do so. It seems a little ridiculous to charge extra for it, but I guess I was willing to pay. The falafel was very good. Crispy and a little bit crunchy, just how I like it. It also came with free fries, which were nicely salted. Some of the best falafel I've had in a while. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back for more soon.
(4)Erica R.
We had delivery through btowmenus, and the best thing I can say is, "Gee, the delivery sure was quick!". Yep, less than 30 minutes to get our trays of burnt meat pile, wilted vegetable matter, and cold fries liberally covered in stale Mrs. Dash Italian Seasonings, paired with a box lettuce and foil wrapped burnt, greasy pita. So nope, not going to try that again. Thanks, but I already have the recipe for burnt yuck.
(1)Amber P.
I am a Fan of Falafel! I don't know what 'authentic' flavors taste like or even what they should look like, but more times than not when I'm in Bloomington I try to stop by this spot. The pita chips are SOOOOOOOOO wonderful and I recently stopped getting my favorite (the hot dog) and tried the Chicken Swarma(sp?). It was delcious, though I would have liked the chicken to be seasoned a bit better. The place is very small but the service was great and I'll keep coming and trying new things on the menu!
(4)ryan f.
the best falafel i've ever eaten. crisp and moist and flavorful. the spicy carrots are a superb accoutrements. do yourself a favor: request extra red salsa (it's like a marinara) and put this on the falafel. sublime.
(5)Scotty Z.
Falafels is GREAT! If you've never been, start with the namesake; they have delicious falafel. The Shawarfel is my personal favorite these days (shawarma, falafel, hummus, plus toppings). They have a daily special: sometimes free fries (which are REALLY good), sometimes it's an extra free couple ingredients. Falafels isn't particularly huge, but it's clean, a nice place to eat in, and I've never had trouble finding a table.
(4)Tom M.
The food is really excellent. This time when I ordered the Burekas that spoke of in my last review had been reduced from the $6.99 price point down to $6.49... Still, I will not be moved!! I can still clearly see that the 4 for $1.50 is .49 less. cheers
(5)Ellen G.
Good food, but the service is slow. I think they just guess how much to charge you, so -- as I was -- you may be overcharged.
(3)Vince V.
Really good salad selection. Nice in-restaurant seating but the take-out service was fast, friendly and equally delicious. They have a couple of sampler style entrees that are filling and delicious.
(4)Dea A.
The hummus, chicken shwarma and falafel are all really tasty. Get a hot nana tea to go with your meal, or an iced one if it is hot outside. But the best part of this place is the pitas. Oh my god, so amazing, so delicious. You can buy a stack to take home and they sell them in the local markets. The best pita in town, no doubt about it.
(4)Danielle L.
I was in Bloomington for a conference and I was worried about dining options nearby. I am Paleo, and it is hard to find food that consists of just plain meat and veggies! Falafels Middle Eastern Grill accommodated me wonderfully by substituting the carbs in the shewarma entree with salad, butter free asparagus, and tabouli! Best part--they deliver! They nicely delivered to my hotel room. The food was fresh and tasty. Not too salty and not too oily.
(5)Jessica T.
Best falafel I've ever had. Many tend to be bland but this was smokey with cumin and soft!
(5)Matthew W.
Good selection of entree items and toppings however, coming from L.A. I'm used to a dryer falafel with a lot of spices in it. Here their falafel was moist in the middle with little to no spices. I gave this restaurant three stars for having a clean dining area, friendly service, and a good menu with a large toppings list. Although it didn't have many spices, it was a tasty sandwich that I plan to have again! And btw, Wednesday is free toppings day!
(3)Merry K.
This place was great. Food tasted great, food came out reasonably quickly and the resturant is really clean and relaxingly decorated. Fries are deliciously uniquely seasoned. Dessert and Turkisk Coffee is also a must. I heard they recently underwent renovations so it may be nicer than it used to be.
(5)Mike C.
Falafel's has among the best lunch offerings around campus, and the place has only gotten better since they remodeled. The menu continues to focus on Israeli/Middle Eastern cuisine (though a gyro has recently been added). I have always found it fresh and tasty. The service is by and large good (when it's crowded, they get a bit overwhelmed). And the prices are very reasonable.
(4)Matthew B.
Falafel? Schwarma? Authentic "tastes of Jerusalem"? Please, this place can barely call what they serve these things. I surely don't remember the last time I had schwarma doused in butter served in a pita with Mexican salsa, falafel, and feta cheese.The place switches owners every year or two, the most recent ones offering the aforementioned inedible chicken schwarma and a dry, tasteless falafel. The hummus is horrible at best, no tahina is to be found on site, and the overall feel of the place is just negative. And the prices? Ridiculous for American standards for good stuff, let alone the stuff prepared here. The only redeeming quality here is the schug, which for some reason they call salsa. Cheese is served here, an absolute no-no, the owners presumably trying to mainstream themselves due to their location, not keeping in mind that cheese isn't even served with the food they make. The people working here, including the owner with no connection to the Middle Eastern or Israeli cuisine, know nothing about the food they're serving. Don't roll here unless you really can't eat anything else, which is just about never. Falafels: FUB
(1)Mark R.
My brother and I went here my first day in Bloomington. He's from NYC and picky about his falafel. The food was fantastic! The service was a little slow for sit-down, but they had take out that seemed to be moving much faster. Great tahini, excellent falafel and the sauces they offer will make your mouth water
(4)A B.
Had a falafel sandwich which was pretty good ! Loved the hummus and tahini sauce that it came with, the best part was the really fresh pita bread.
(3)Jordan B.
Excellent food and service at Falafels. For lunch, I ordered the "halfalafel" (half falafel sandwich) and because it was Monday, fries were included for free. The sandwich was great. It included about 4-5 well-seasoned fried falafel balls in a pita pocket with hummus and lettuce. Included with this meal was an aromatic tomato-sauce-dip and a unique tahini sauce. They were both delicious. The fries were seasoned with what seemed like rosemary and garlic. This added a great flavor profile to the typical fried-then-salted potato. The hot tea was also good, adding a nice warm touch to the meal. Service was quick and kind. Prices were fairly moderate, perhaps even a bit on the cheaper side. The food portions were great; you definitely get a lot of value for your dollar here at Falafels. I will certainly be back in the future.
(5)Anna L.
Falafels, I'd have to say that a sprinkle of za'atar here and there sure does make your food tasty. Za'atar is a Middle Eastern blend of dried herbs mixed with sesame seeds, dried sumac, and often salt, as well as other spices. Whether it's atop salad, fries, meat, chickpeas, hummus...anything, it's like an appetite stimulator where you'll keep eating and eating even though you're ready to explode. We walked in around 3:30 just missing the lunch specials, but I found the entrees a better deal with the salad and sides. The salad was a refreshing spring mix topped with a za'atar evoo dressing. It came with a side of grill toasted mini-pita bread halves dashed with za'atar again with some tomato puree and evoo dip on the side. Of course I had a plate of falafels with 2 generous dip cups full of hummus and tomatoe-y chickpea topped couscous. I like the chargrilled asparagus that they put on every plates, gives it that pop of color and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the gyro entree. It was a heaping platter of chargrilled lamb with a generous helping of crispy za'atar seasoned fries. There was a flatbread with tomato-onion toppings to the side and a creamy yogurt dip. The meat had a really good charred flavor, but it was a bit dry probably since it was midday. They have a wide offering of sauces but I loved the tomato-based one. I must've finished 1/2 of the squeeze bottle. If I'm ever looking for a fresh and semi-healthy meal with this so-called-diet-attempt, I'd stop here to get an all-veggie and beany-protein option.
(4)Joshua C.
Falafels has really good food. It's nice that they have some non-meat options too. I really enjoy Pita Sandwiches (Beef Shish Kabob is my favorite), the Pitachos, Pita Chips and the Tunisian Couscous (super delicious). Prices aren't the best for what you get but you'll be satisfied...the portions are just right and it tastes great. If you like middle eastern food I would recommend trying Falafels.
(4)KJ M.
VEGAN REVIEW Yah, sometimes you want yourself fried falafel goodness, but you also want the fries INSIDE the sammich. Two fried things, one sandwich. No problemo here. Plus, they bring you all the delightful cabbage if you ask, and it's still hot hot pink and delicious. I love eating here.
(5)Whryne R.
I've eaten here a few times as well as popped in many many more times to grab a sandwich and jet. I give them four yums up. I'm super sad that they stopped staying open until drunk o'clock because back in the day this place would beat heading for Taco Hell for that late night 'fourth meal'. The location is an easy walk from the University or Kirkwood and it's nice and chill inside. The staff has always been friendly and the prices are quite decent!
(4)Zack S.
Best gyro I've had in town. Prompt service. Great specials, as well. Unfortunately, I've had some bone dry felafel here, or this would be a 5-star review.
(4)Mona M.
Wowowowowowow! LOVED the falafel and gyro! There was a little bit too much hummus on the falafel sandwich for me but I just scraped it off. I can't wait to go back! Check campus special (app or website) for coupons!
(5)Denise D.
Overall, I had a good experience at Falafels. I was nearly 11:00 p.m. and I was happy to find an actual restaurant open (plenty of bars and places like Qdoba were around, but I wanted food-food). Our server was very sweet, very attentive but new. (As a former server, I know new when I see it. Not super knowledgable about the menu and not yet down with the multi-tasking). I recommend the chicken shwarma- it was amazing, tender and seasoned just right. The tahini sauce made it work, and I was surprised and delighted that my meal came with grilled asparagus. The prices are a little high, but they are serving their full menu until 12:30 on weekends, which is nice when you need real food but it's late. *As a sidenote, reading Laurel W.'s review, I have to say, they have changed their recipe as the falafel I had on Friday night was green. I'm not crazy about falafel in general, so I dunno, she might be happier with it now?
(3)Allison W.
Fresh ingredients, always well-prepared. The staff is super nice, too.
(4)Laurel W.
Disappointing falafel. I'm addicted to Sultan's Market (in Chicago), and was hoping to find a Bloomington joint to satisfy my falafel cravings. Not here. It was okay, but my falafel was a pasty tan color (none of the green, indicating lots of parsley, like I love) and was served in a pita with...baby mixed greens??? No, not with Jerusalem salad and tahini, which would be more traditional. Otherwise, cute enough place. But my plain falafel sandwich was $7...silly, to me!
(3)Ron P.
Excellent, freshly prepared food at a reasonable price. Love this place.
(4)WFIU P.
Definitely the best falafel sandwich in Bloomington. I agree with Laurel that the price is a little steep, but I've always enjoyed their food (even the free bread you get when you dine in is excellent!) and the people are warm and friendly.
(5)Mike C.
Falafel's has among the best lunch offerings around campus, and the place has only gotten better since they remodeled. The menu continues to focus on Israeli/Middle Eastern cuisine (though a gyro has recently been added). I have always found it fresh and tasty. The service is by and large good (when it's crowded, they get a bit overwhelmed). And the prices are very reasonable.
(4)Sue Y.
Sometimes the grill part went a little bit off, but the gelato and the service was ALWAYS amazing! Love their fries as well.
(4)Fuzz H.
The chicken shwarma sandwich is pretty good for the price ($8)! Service is efficient at this informal dining spot. That being said their Pita is pretty standard, so I usually end up just eating the insides with a fork. Be sure to try the ice cream!
(4)Rachel C.
This place looked like a whole in the wall from the outside, but was surprisingly spacious and clean inside. I ordered the falafel pita sandwich for $6.50 and it was good. The falafel was very flavorful and was very crispy. The pita bread was however too dry - not as good as the pita at Roti in DC. Thought about getting a side of fries for $2.50 but glad I didn't bc it was a hefty sandwich. For the price paid it was a good meal.
(4)Bee W.
Super tasty. Fresh food, good decor, great service. Went with my brother and it was good for chatting and eating. We ordered the sampler plate as an app and there wasn't a miss on it - especially liked the spicy carrot pickles. The pita was a bit drier than I prefer, but wasn't stale. I wanted the lamb kabob, but they had run out. I had the surf & turf kabob with spiced rice on the waitress's suggestion. The side salad was simple, but delicious. The beef was prepared rare as I ordered, but was a bit chewy (caused by the cut, not the doneness). Flavors were spot on, though the food overall lacked the pungency of spice I'm used to with middle eastern food (likely due to the local demographic). Brother had falafel and they were pretty on par as good. Server was attentive and friendly The food arrived surprisingly fast, but hadn't been microwaved ( probably due to us ordering a lot of sides and items not requiring much cook time). I'd definitely come back again and recommend to others.
(4)Jessica G.
I cannot say enough good things about this place! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with a warm welcome and attentive staff. Start off with a delicious cup of Nana tea and it will just keep getting better. The menu options are outstanding and you can't go wrong with anything you choose. My favorite hands down has to be their gyros. You won't find anything better anywhere else! The meat is seasoned with a delicious blend of spices and the homemade tzaziki sauce is out of this world! I frequent them with friends on a weekly basis, and if I can't make it in to their restaurant then I place an order for delivery! I have to have my fix! Hands down great food and service across the board!
(5)Peter P.
This place is great. I have no idea why it isn't rated better. Maybe it is because the gyro meat isn't very good, but I usually stick with the falafel---in particular the falafel platter--and that is one solid meal. The house salad and cous cous (with stewed veggies) the platter comes up with are both excellent. I've eaten here a dozen times, and plan on continuing to do so.
(5)Britta M.
We had a last minute catering need for a Saturday afternoon. Not only was the food amazing(per usual), but they were able to accommodate our request very quickly. Thanks!
(5)Devin C.
Best gyro in Bloomington. Tzatziki sauce is spot on, gyro meat was fresh and well seasoned. Food came a little slow, but it was a busy evening (a couple of huge take out orders happened just before we came in) and the server filled our glasses constantly. Bill came a little slow, but again it was a busy Friday night. Loved the atmosphere, loved the food. The pita served in the beginning was a little charred, but it had character to it so I liked it. I'll come again when craving a gyro. I will try the falafel sometime and the shwarma looked good too!
(5)Stephen D.
Really, really good food. I live in Chicago and have this type of food all the time and myriad restaurants, so I feel I know good falafel when I encounter it. This place offered easily some of the crispiest, tastiest falafel I've had in a long time. The lentil soup was also awesome and definitely unique, but in a good way. They also have $2 mint (Moroccan?) tea, with free refills to boot. I decline to give 5 stars simply because it's definitely NOT inexpensive. $8 or so for a falafel sandwich with multiple toppings -- stuff that should be included, like onion/tomato/cucumber, are extra -- is excessive. (I'm not sure they have any competition in Bloomington....) That said, they do have good weekday specials and even if they didn't, I'd still eat here all the time if I lived nearby.
(4)Bajango F.
All the wasted years..... I just ordered from this restaurant for the first time, and I am an extremely fat, happy, satisfied, fat, sleepy, fat customer. I ordered the Meshui: A mixed platter of four grill selections (your choice) served with grilled asparagus, a green salad, and choice of side. I chose two beef and two chicken selections. Firstly - while ordering, there is an option that serves one, and an option that serves two. I am a big gal, so trust me when I say that the option for one could *easily* serve two or three people, if you ask them for a couple extra pitas. The meat was so delicious and well prepared. Each had a unique taste, with a wonderful grilled similarity. At first glance, I thought the portions of each meet were a little skimpy for the price, but once I dug in, I quickly realized that my eyeballs were assholes, and that there was no way for me to finish this dish. I also rolled the dice on their Babaganush - which is very hit and miss with me, and was blown away. We've all gotten that bad batch o' baba, that's completely bitter and gross-tasting. This is everything Babaganush should be. It was perfect in every way, and served with two slices of some sort of delicious naan-lookin' bread. Not sure exactly what it was. The Baba was so delicious I even used it as a spread inside my pita with the Meshui because I'm a fatty fat walrus. My only complaint with the grilled asparagus was that there wasn't more of it, because it, too, was perfect. That exactly right blend of soft but crisp, and not at all over-seasoned. The mashed potatoes (my chosen side) are delicious, but I was honestly so full by the time I got to them that I haven't tried much. They are very firm, mix white and sweet potatoes, and sprinkled with what I can only assume is magic manifest. I have plenty left for dinner, not that I even remember what "hungry" feels like at this point. I can't remember the last time I was so blown away by a Btown restaurant. Eat here. They have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options if you're not into devouring four animals at a time like I am. Eat here as soon as you possibly can. Don't live with the knowledge that you've wasted a lifetime without this delicious food; a tragedy I am currently coping with. tl;dr: When I die, fill my coffin with this food. I want it forever.
(5)Reuben L.
The Greek Falafals are perfectly done. The seasoned fries too are excellent but I skip these now for the hummus & tabouli (because I like to believe all that bread with the hummus is better for me than the fries somehow). It is all so very good here.
(4)Abdulrahman A.
I tried Flafel sandwich and it was good! I got the Lintel soup and it was pretty good! I am not a big fan of Flafel but I just wanted to give this restaurant a try and I'm kinda happy with it. Cons: there are cameras everywhere and it's kinda awkward when you know someone is watching you eating.
(4)Jess B.
I'm picky about falafel. Very picky. Falafels was fantastic--lots of flavor, great topping options, great sauces. The menu offered so much we were unsure what to get but decided to stick with the restaurant's namesake. I had falafel with pickles and added hot sauce and tahini (Get the hot sauce!), and my husband had falafel with black olives and added the same sauces. Both were excellent. I can't wait to go back to try their other dishes (especially the shukshooka to see if it's as good as homemade). Definitely visit, especially if you're vegetarian.
(5)Zeeshan S.
I just ordered a Chicken Shishlick Sandwich via BTown Menus. It is actually supposed to contain Grilled Chicken. It sounded delicious. But trust me the Chicken was BURNT. Yes! Completely ruined a Sunday night Dinner.
(1)Colin B.
Food is great and servers are very nice. We have some food allergies and they are very accommodating. Second time here in less than a month (and won't be our last!)
(5)Evelyn Z.
OMG I love this place!!! Very nice dishes, super cute and friendly waiter and lovely decorations.
(5)Marta G.
This place has the dankest Schwarma in town. If you don't get it you don't enjoy like. Plus get a side of falafel and kill it. Go big or go home.
(5)Matthew W.
Good selection of entree items and toppings however, coming from L.A. I'm used to a dryer falafel with a lot of spices in it. Here their falafel was moist in the middle with little to no spices. I gave this restaurant three stars for having a clean dining area, friendly service, and a good menu with a large toppings list. Although it didn't have many spices, it was a tasty sandwich that I plan to have again! And btw, Wednesday is free toppings day!
(3)Merry K.
This place was great. Food tasted great, food came out reasonably quickly and the resturant is really clean and relaxingly decorated. Fries are deliciously uniquely seasoned. Dessert and Turkisk Coffee is also a must. I heard they recently underwent renovations so it may be nicer than it used to be.
(5)Danielle L.
I was in Bloomington for a conference and I was worried about dining options nearby. I am Paleo, and it is hard to find food that consists of just plain meat and veggies! Falafels Middle Eastern Grill accommodated me wonderfully by substituting the carbs in the shewarma entree with salad, butter free asparagus, and tabouli! Best part--they deliver! They nicely delivered to my hotel room. The food was fresh and tasty. Not too salty and not too oily.
(5)Jessica T.
Best falafel I've ever had. Many tend to be bland but this was smokey with cumin and soft!
(5)Victoria H.
This is an Israeli Restaurant with great middle east flavors. It has the best babaganoush I have ever tasted. I love their chicken shashlik and their pitas, especially the special one they always include that has zatar flavoring. You get lots of vegetable sides, also my preference and the price and service are just right. I can't think of anything I don't like.
(5)Les D.
I love this place, and have been coming here on a pretty consistent basis for the past four years. I come for lunch, split the falafel entree, or I grab a falafel sandwich. I get the roasted peppers and cucumber and tomato in the sandwich. Love the salad dressing of lemon, olive oil, sesame, oregano as well as hummus, the stuffed grape leaves are always a nice treat, but the real champion is the falafel. A Bloomington staple for vegans and vegetarians. The service is great when it wants to be. I like to come in here during the slow time between 2 and 4 to get down on some conversation with the waitstaff.
(4)Matthew W.
Great falafels, fresh fried. They also have nice daily specials for eat in or carry out. One of my favorite places in Bloomington!
(4)Sue Y.
Sometimes the grill part went a little bit off, but the gelato and the service was ALWAYS amazing! Love their fries as well.
(4)Fuzz H.
The chicken shwarma sandwich is pretty good for the price ($8)! Service is efficient at this informal dining spot. That being said their Pita is pretty standard, so I usually end up just eating the insides with a fork. Be sure to try the ice cream!
(4)Rachel C.
This place looked like a whole in the wall from the outside, but was surprisingly spacious and clean inside. I ordered the falafel pita sandwich for $6.50 and it was good. The falafel was very flavorful and was very crispy. The pita bread was however too dry - not as good as the pita at Roti in DC. Thought about getting a side of fries for $2.50 but glad I didn't bc it was a hefty sandwich. For the price paid it was a good meal.
(4)Bee W.
Super tasty. Fresh food, good decor, great service. Went with my brother and it was good for chatting and eating. We ordered the sampler plate as an app and there wasn't a miss on it - especially liked the spicy carrot pickles. The pita was a bit drier than I prefer, but wasn't stale. I wanted the lamb kabob, but they had run out. I had the surf & turf kabob with spiced rice on the waitress's suggestion. The side salad was simple, but delicious. The beef was prepared rare as I ordered, but was a bit chewy (caused by the cut, not the doneness). Flavors were spot on, though the food overall lacked the pungency of spice I'm used to with middle eastern food (likely due to the local demographic). Brother had falafel and they were pretty on par as good. Server was attentive and friendly The food arrived surprisingly fast, but hadn't been microwaved ( probably due to us ordering a lot of sides and items not requiring much cook time). I'd definitely come back again and recommend to others.
(4)Jessica G.
I cannot say enough good things about this place! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with a warm welcome and attentive staff. Start off with a delicious cup of Nana tea and it will just keep getting better. The menu options are outstanding and you can't go wrong with anything you choose. My favorite hands down has to be their gyros. You won't find anything better anywhere else! The meat is seasoned with a delicious blend of spices and the homemade tzaziki sauce is out of this world! I frequent them with friends on a weekly basis, and if I can't make it in to their restaurant then I place an order for delivery! I have to have my fix! Hands down great food and service across the board!
(5)Amy S.
Oh my! Not your average gyro! As you walk from the entrance back to the tables, you go past the kitchen with the spits. My mouth began to water! It was made up of different pieces of meat, not the homogeneous round spit you are used to seeing. Nowhere near as greasy as the average gyro and not the overly garlicky flavor either. The taziki sauce was fabulous. The pita bread soft and fluffy. I had the platter so it came with a salad, nothing to fabulous but I did appreciate is was more than iceberg lettuce. Then came the toasted pita with a side of tomato sauce. It really tasted like fresh tomatoes. The fries were seasoned with middle Eastern seasoning, light and crispy. Oh, and the hot Nana tea hit the spot on a cold day. If I lived in Bloomington I would definately go back. Love me some middle Eastern food!
(4)Peter D.
Very good falafel and especially good for Bloomington. It could have been a little cheaper, but the quality was there and the product was most certainly fresh. Would for sure recommend if you're looking for a quick bite that isn't your standard burger, pizza, or hot dog. Also of note: the fries here. They add rosemary and garlic to the fries and they are very tasty as a result.
(4)Robin K.
Food is good, of course, because almost any restaurant serving Mediterranean food that I have visited is good. However, it was more expensive than I would like and there are cheaper options in town. Maybe it was the delivery charge.
(3)Andrew R.
What a disappointment. After reading good things about this restaurant, me and a friend decided to check it out. There were a few ants roaming the restaurant and the decor was a little tacky. The staff was also very apathetic. The food was a major disappointment, the pita bread was charred and tasted burnt. The gyro was tough sloppy, and the French fries were way over salted and greasy. The falafels were very dry and bland. The pita chips and hummus that we shared were also very greasy. In addition to all of this, lunch cost about $13. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere than a place with a apathetic staff and bad food.
(2)F.C. B.
All of the vegan foods are marked on the menu, which is always cheering, and even though there's only the one sandwich or an entree, I'm not sure why you would want more choices. You get to go in, order your vegan falafel sandwich, pick a bonus topping or two... (oh, right. The toppings section isn't actually labeled. But the only miss, "mamaganush", is described elsewhere on the menu) ...then get your sandwich and eat. Service has always been very fast and friendly, the food simple but good.
(5)Nate S.
I like Falafels in theory, but in practice it fell short. Very nice service and atmosphere, but the food--and it all comes down to the food--was middling. I had the mezze platter and the gyro sandwich. The ganoush was good, as were the pickles. The carrots tasted of BO, and the flatbread was over charred. The gyro lamb looked soooooo good, but the sandwich was greasy, fatty, and not very pleasingly seasoned. I wouldn't return.
(2)Erica R.
We had delivery through btowmenus, and the best thing I can say is, "Gee, the delivery sure was quick!". Yep, less than 30 minutes to get our trays of burnt meat pile, wilted vegetable matter, and cold fries liberally covered in stale Mrs. Dash Italian Seasonings, paired with a box lettuce and foil wrapped burnt, greasy pita. So nope, not going to try that again. Thanks, but I already have the recipe for burnt yuck.
(1)Katie B.
I had a falafel sandwich here for lunch. It comes with hummus, but I swapped it out for the tzatziki - even though it cost extra to do so. It seems a little ridiculous to charge extra for it, but I guess I was willing to pay. The falafel was very good. Crispy and a little bit crunchy, just how I like it. It also came with free fries, which were nicely salted. Some of the best falafel I've had in a while. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back for more soon.
(4)Amber P.
I am a Fan of Falafel! I don't know what 'authentic' flavors taste like or even what they should look like, but more times than not when I'm in Bloomington I try to stop by this spot. The pita chips are SOOOOOOOOO wonderful and I recently stopped getting my favorite (the hot dog) and tried the Chicken Swarma(sp?). It was delcious, though I would have liked the chicken to be seasoned a bit better. The place is very small but the service was great and I'll keep coming and trying new things on the menu!
(4)ryan f.
the best falafel i've ever eaten. crisp and moist and flavorful. the spicy carrots are a superb accoutrements. do yourself a favor: request extra red salsa (it's like a marinara) and put this on the falafel. sublime.
(5)Scotty Z.
Falafels is GREAT! If you've never been, start with the namesake; they have delicious falafel. The Shawarfel is my personal favorite these days (shawarma, falafel, hummus, plus toppings). They have a daily special: sometimes free fries (which are REALLY good), sometimes it's an extra free couple ingredients. Falafels isn't particularly huge, but it's clean, a nice place to eat in, and I've never had trouble finding a table.
(4)Tom M.
The food is really excellent. This time when I ordered the Burekas that spoke of in my last review had been reduced from the $6.99 price point down to $6.49... Still, I will not be moved!! I can still clearly see that the 4 for $1.50 is .49 less. cheers
(5)Ellen G.
Good food, but the service is slow. I think they just guess how much to charge you, so -- as I was -- you may be overcharged.
(3)Vince V.
Really good salad selection. Nice in-restaurant seating but the take-out service was fast, friendly and equally delicious. They have a couple of sampler style entrees that are filling and delicious.
(4)Dea A.
The hummus, chicken shwarma and falafel are all really tasty. Get a hot nana tea to go with your meal, or an iced one if it is hot outside. But the best part of this place is the pitas. Oh my god, so amazing, so delicious. You can buy a stack to take home and they sell them in the local markets. The best pita in town, no doubt about it.
(4)Hannah A.
I love this restaurant! I've been there a couple of times and the service was great! I usually order nowadays because I live farther from campus. They are always super quick with delivery. I've had most of the things on the menu. Falafels are amazing, gyros are amazing, pita chips, hummus, chicken shawarma, and kabobs are also all amazing. The fries are also pretty tasty. Definitely recommend.
(5)Melissa K.
Food--BLAND. PRICEY. Cute ambiance.
(2)Kelly M.
No Gluten free menu and you take your chances eating there if you are Celiac (if you are, you know that everything is risky), but the food is really good. There was a sampler of a bunch of dips that I had that was wonderful. They have super flat appetizer pitas that my friends said were really really good. I had the sampler type plate and all was flavorful. I will go back. Their tea was delicious as well.
(4)Claudia S.
Had the house salad and lentil soup. very tasty. Presentation of the salad was very pretty.
(4)Jori G.
Pretty damn tasty, but the wait for a falafel seems a bit excessive.
(3)Austin J.
This place is excellent! There are a lot of good gyros in Bloomington, but I think Falafels has the best. I ordered mine with feta and it came with there seasoned fries, which are also very good. The gyro isn't spicy, although they do have a spicy one if that's your thing. And they're very generous with their portions. The restaurant itself is small and mildly Mediterranean in feel, and service is great. Every weekday they have a different special, which was free pita chips the day I went. The pita chips are okay. I mean its pita chips, you can't really screw those up, or make them exciting for that matter. If you're in the mood for Mediterranean, Falafels is a great, affordable option.
(5)Andrea A.
The food here was tasty, fast, and the dining room clean and quaint (albeit a bit of close quarters with the other diners). I had the stuffed grape-leaves to start and enjoyed a Greek-style falafel wrap for my meal. My main complaint was that a Yelp check-in offer for a free order of pita chips was not honored -- not a major deal as this was not the reason we came of course, but the offer should not be available if the restaurant doesn't want to honor it.
(3)Colin B.
Food is great and servers are very nice. We have some food allergies and they are very accommodating. Second time here in less than a month (and won't be our last!)
(5)Evelyn Z.
OMG I love this place!!! Very nice dishes, super cute and friendly waiter and lovely decorations.
(5)Matthew B.
Falafel? Schwarma? Authentic "tastes of Jerusalem"? Please, this place can barely call what they serve these things. I surely don't remember the last time I had schwarma doused in butter served in a pita with Mexican salsa, falafel, and feta cheese.The place switches owners every year or two, the most recent ones offering the aforementioned inedible chicken schwarma and a dry, tasteless falafel. The hummus is horrible at best, no tahina is to be found on site, and the overall feel of the place is just negative. And the prices? Ridiculous for American standards for good stuff, let alone the stuff prepared here. The only redeeming quality here is the schug, which for some reason they call salsa. Cheese is served here, an absolute no-no, the owners presumably trying to mainstream themselves due to their location, not keeping in mind that cheese isn't even served with the food they make. The people working here, including the owner with no connection to the Middle Eastern or Israeli cuisine, know nothing about the food they're serving. Don't roll here unless you really can't eat anything else, which is just about never. Falafels: FUB
(1)Mark R.
My brother and I went here my first day in Bloomington. He's from NYC and picky about his falafel. The food was fantastic! The service was a little slow for sit-down, but they had take out that seemed to be moving much faster. Great tahini, excellent falafel and the sauces they offer will make your mouth water
(4)A B.
Had a falafel sandwich which was pretty good ! Loved the hummus and tahini sauce that it came with, the best part was the really fresh pita bread.
(3)Amy S.
Oh my! Not your average gyro! As you walk from the entrance back to the tables, you go past the kitchen with the spits. My mouth began to water! It was made up of different pieces of meat, not the homogeneous round spit you are used to seeing. Nowhere near as greasy as the average gyro and not the overly garlicky flavor either. The taziki sauce was fabulous. The pita bread soft and fluffy. I had the platter so it came with a salad, nothing to fabulous but I did appreciate is was more than iceberg lettuce. Then came the toasted pita with a side of tomato sauce. It really tasted like fresh tomatoes. The fries were seasoned with middle Eastern seasoning, light and crispy. Oh, and the hot Nana tea hit the spot on a cold day. If I lived in Bloomington I would definately go back. Love me some middle Eastern food!
(4)Peter D.
Very good falafel and especially good for Bloomington. It could have been a little cheaper, but the quality was there and the product was most certainly fresh. Would for sure recommend if you're looking for a quick bite that isn't your standard burger, pizza, or hot dog. Also of note: the fries here. They add rosemary and garlic to the fries and they are very tasty as a result.
(4)Robin K.
Food is good, of course, because almost any restaurant serving Mediterranean food that I have visited is good. However, it was more expensive than I would like and there are cheaper options in town. Maybe it was the delivery charge.
(3)Anne J.
Yummmm. Everything here is perfection. I recommend the fringlings with their amazing homemade hummus
(5)L'Raughn H.
The pita-chos. Blow. My. Mind. Salty, delicious, goodness. A heart attack waiting to happen. The flavors. My blood vessels. Oh my god. I feel guilty even thinking about it.
(4)Ali M.
the worst shawarma I've ever tasted in my life, in top of that its so expensive! I went inside to order a "to go" I saw the chicken and beef rotisserie so juicy and hot thought ok I'll get those since they're going to be served hot like their shown "Big Mistake"! After I went back to my office the chicken and beef shawarma was cold, dry, and very hard to chew! with these two shawarma's and coke the total came up to $19,what a waste .. also what's up with the hummus in the shawarma? I thought hummus goes with falafel ..
(1)Patrick L.
Enters are available as gluten free options...had the gyros without the flatbread. They were decent, with the right amount of spice. Salad greens are just that...A few species of lettuce with flavored olive oil dressing; couldn't they add some feta? For dessert, pumpkin spice gelato. Surprising amount of spice; almost too much. Also, get a free pita chips with hummus through Yelp offer.
(4)Ally S.
GOOD FALAFELS! Fresh herbs everywhere. Unbelievably good and endless red sauce that I want to drink. Falafels that are just right. This deep fried pita nonsense that is so good. If I lived in Bloomington, I'd have a problem.
(4)Drew L.
First Yelp review here. I've never been so upset that I felt the need to write and warn others. I had to try Falafels after reading all the glowing reviews, but wow was this food terrible. It seems that their idea of authentic Middle Eastern flavor is to cover every piece of lettuce, rice, meat or vegetable in heavy-handed spices I can only imagine come from a GFS tub labeled "Mediterranean Blend." The Basmati rice looks and tastes suspiciously similar to something you'd be served with tacos and refried beans. The salad is merely lettuce and aforementioned offensive spice blend. Every piece of chicken in both my sandwich and my girlfriend's entree was fatty (read: low-cost) dark meat. Hummus had as much flavor as joint compound. The falafel was the only thing that didn't have me reeling in disgust and disappointment, but it was decidedly dry. Every bite of the meal either didn't taste like anything or assaulted my tongue like the burning end of a no-filter cigarette. I have to wonder if the providers of these five-star reviews have ever eaten Middle Eastern food in their lives. Garbage.
(1)Paul P.
Decent food, and quick service. Great fast lunch, and they offered free fries on Monday's.
(4)Peter P.
This place is great. I have no idea why it isn't rated better. Maybe it is because the gyro meat isn't very good, but I usually stick with the falafel---in particular the falafel platter--and that is one solid meal. The house salad and cous cous (with stewed veggies) the platter comes up with are both excellent. I've eaten here a dozen times, and plan on continuing to do so.
(5)Christiana R.
I am a huge fan of trying international cuisines, but my boyfriend is a little more trepidatious. I had been to Falafels for lunch once prior, and then I convinced him to try it for dinner. I was not surprised when he loved the food because Falafels is seriously delicious! I have had the falafel and the chicken shawarma several times now and have been impressed each time without fail. The tzatziki sauce is also a delight, as is the pita that comes while you wait for your food. I am getting hungry just thinking about it! The restaurant itself is no-frills, but comfortable. The decorations are goregous, the traditional deep blue color. On to of great food, they also serve great Gelato, which is homemade from scratch! If you have even an inch of space left in your belly after eating, the Gelato is totally worth it.
(5)F H.
This is one of my favorite go-to spots in Bloomington. Don't let the casual ambiance deter you: Falafel's has great food, efficient and friendly service, and good prices - topped off by outstanding home-made gelato! Meat eaters cannot go wrong with the various kabobs and schawarmas; vegetarians will get full meals from salads, falafel and hummus. A not-very-Middle Eastern side, mashed potatoes, is a house speciality. But be sure to save room for the gelato...
(4)Jon A.
Excellent gyros - probably the best in town *IF* you like dill. If you don't like that flavor, then you will prefer gyros at other establishments, as their meat is heavily spiced. Their pita chips with hummus are delicious as well. I typically eat here for lunch, and each day has a specific special - these are worth learning ahead of time because a free soda isn't great if you only drink water, whereas free fries or chips might be more appealing. Service always feels a little slow but the waitstaff are very friendly.
(4)Ali M.
the worst shawarma I've ever tasted in my life, in top of that its so expensive! I went inside to order a "to go" I saw the chicken and beef rotisserie so juicy and hot thought ok I'll get those since they're going to be served hot like their shown "Big Mistake"! After I went back to my office the chicken and beef shawarma was cold, dry, and very hard to chew! with these two shawarma's and coke the total came up to $19,what a waste .. also what's up with the hummus in the shawarma? I thought hummus goes with falafel ..
(1)Patrick L.
Enters are available as gluten free options...had the gyros without the flatbread. They were decent, with the right amount of spice. Salad greens are just that...A few species of lettuce with flavored olive oil dressing; couldn't they add some feta? For dessert, pumpkin spice gelato. Surprising amount of spice; almost too much. Also, get a free pita chips with hummus through Yelp offer.
(4)Ally S.
GOOD FALAFELS! Fresh herbs everywhere. Unbelievably good and endless red sauce that I want to drink. Falafels that are just right. This deep fried pita nonsense that is so good. If I lived in Bloomington, I'd have a problem.
(4)Drew L.
First Yelp review here. I've never been so upset that I felt the need to write and warn others. I had to try Falafels after reading all the glowing reviews, but wow was this food terrible. It seems that their idea of authentic Middle Eastern flavor is to cover every piece of lettuce, rice, meat or vegetable in heavy-handed spices I can only imagine come from a GFS tub labeled "Mediterranean Blend." The Basmati rice looks and tastes suspiciously similar to something you'd be served with tacos and refried beans. The salad is merely lettuce and aforementioned offensive spice blend. Every piece of chicken in both my sandwich and my girlfriend's entree was fatty (read: low-cost) dark meat. Hummus had as much flavor as joint compound. The falafel was the only thing that didn't have me reeling in disgust and disappointment, but it was decidedly dry. Every bite of the meal either didn't taste like anything or assaulted my tongue like the burning end of a no-filter cigarette. I have to wonder if the providers of these five-star reviews have ever eaten Middle Eastern food in their lives. Garbage.
(1)Paul P.
Decent food, and quick service. Great fast lunch, and they offered free fries on Monday's.
(4)Anne J.
Yummmm. Everything here is perfection. I recommend the fringlings with their amazing homemade hummus
(5)Christiana R.
I am a huge fan of trying international cuisines, but my boyfriend is a little more trepidatious. I had been to Falafels for lunch once prior, and then I convinced him to try it for dinner. I was not surprised when he loved the food because Falafels is seriously delicious! I have had the falafel and the chicken shawarma several times now and have been impressed each time without fail. The tzatziki sauce is also a delight, as is the pita that comes while you wait for your food. I am getting hungry just thinking about it! The restaurant itself is no-frills, but comfortable. The decorations are goregous, the traditional deep blue color. On to of great food, they also serve great Gelato, which is homemade from scratch! If you have even an inch of space left in your belly after eating, the Gelato is totally worth it.
(5)L'Raughn H.
The pita-chos. Blow. My. Mind. Salty, delicious, goodness. A heart attack waiting to happen. The flavors. My blood vessels. Oh my god. I feel guilty even thinking about it.
(4)Jon A.
Excellent gyros - probably the best in town *IF* you like dill. If you don't like that flavor, then you will prefer gyros at other establishments, as their meat is heavily spiced. Their pita chips with hummus are delicious as well. I typically eat here for lunch, and each day has a specific special - these are worth learning ahead of time because a free soda isn't great if you only drink water, whereas free fries or chips might be more appealing. Service always feels a little slow but the waitstaff are very friendly.
(4)F H.
This is one of my favorite go-to spots in Bloomington. Don't let the casual ambiance deter you: Falafel's has great food, efficient and friendly service, and good prices - topped off by outstanding home-made gelato! Meat eaters cannot go wrong with the various kabobs and schawarmas; vegetarians will get full meals from salads, falafel and hummus. A not-very-Middle Eastern side, mashed potatoes, is a house speciality. But be sure to save room for the gelato...
(4)Marta G.
This place has the dankest Schwarma in town. If you don't get it you don't enjoy like. Plus get a side of falafel and kill it. Go big or go home.
(5)Bajango F.
All the wasted years..... I just ordered from this restaurant for the first time, and I am an extremely fat, happy, satisfied, fat, sleepy, fat customer. I ordered the Meshui: A mixed platter of four grill selections (your choice) served with grilled asparagus, a green salad, and choice of side. I chose two beef and two chicken selections. Firstly - while ordering, there is an option that serves one, and an option that serves two. I am a big gal, so trust me when I say that the option for one could *easily* serve two or three people, if you ask them for a couple extra pitas. The meat was so delicious and well prepared. Each had a unique taste, with a wonderful grilled similarity. At first glance, I thought the portions of each meet were a little skimpy for the price, but once I dug in, I quickly realized that my eyeballs were assholes, and that there was no way for me to finish this dish. I also rolled the dice on their Babaganush - which is very hit and miss with me, and was blown away. We've all gotten that bad batch o' baba, that's completely bitter and gross-tasting. This is everything Babaganush should be. It was perfect in every way, and served with two slices of some sort of delicious naan-lookin' bread. Not sure exactly what it was. The Baba was so delicious I even used it as a spread inside my pita with the Meshui because I'm a fatty fat walrus. My only complaint with the grilled asparagus was that there wasn't more of it, because it, too, was perfect. That exactly right blend of soft but crisp, and not at all over-seasoned. The mashed potatoes (my chosen side) are delicious, but I was honestly so full by the time I got to them that I haven't tried much. They are very firm, mix white and sweet potatoes, and sprinkled with what I can only assume is magic manifest. I have plenty left for dinner, not that I even remember what "hungry" feels like at this point. I can't remember the last time I was so blown away by a Btown restaurant. Eat here. They have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options if you're not into devouring four animals at a time like I am. Eat here as soon as you possibly can. Don't live with the knowledge that you've wasted a lifetime without this delicious food; a tragedy I am currently coping with. tl;dr: When I die, fill my coffin with this food. I want it forever.
(5)Reuben L.
The Greek Falafals are perfectly done. The seasoned fries too are excellent but I skip these now for the hummus & tabouli (because I like to believe all that bread with the hummus is better for me than the fries somehow). It is all so very good here.
(4)Abdulrahman A.
I tried Flafel sandwich and it was good! I got the Lintel soup and it was pretty good! I am not a big fan of Flafel but I just wanted to give this restaurant a try and I'm kinda happy with it. Cons: there are cameras everywhere and it's kinda awkward when you know someone is watching you eating.
(4)Anna W.
My friends and I get lunch every Wednesday and I suggested we come here because of their lunch deal- free toppings on their sandwiches. We got here at 12:10 and many of us had to leave by 1. However, since we were only ordering sandwiches we figured this wouldn't be a problem. Wrong. Not only was our service slow, we were chastised rudely by the waitress for coming to a small restaurant during lunch and expecting quick service. Seriously.
(2)Matthew B.
Falafel? Schwarma? Authentic "tastes of Jerusalem"? Please, this place can barely call what they serve these things. I surely don't remember the last time I had schwarma doused in butter served in a pita with Mexican salsa, falafel, and feta cheese.The place switches owners every year or two, the most recent ones offering the aforementioned inedible chicken schwarma and a dry, tasteless falafel. The hummus is horrible at best, no tahina is to be found on site, and the overall feel of the place is just negative. And the prices? Ridiculous for American standards for good stuff, let alone the stuff prepared here. The only redeeming quality here is the schug, which for some reason they call salsa. Cheese is served here, an absolute no-no, the owners presumably trying to mainstream themselves due to their location, not keeping in mind that cheese isn't even served with the food they make. The people working here, including the owner with no connection to the Middle Eastern or Israeli cuisine, know nothing about the food they're serving. Don't roll here unless you really can't eat anything else, which is just about never. Falafels: FUB
(1)Mark R.
My brother and I went here my first day in Bloomington. He's from NYC and picky about his falafel. The food was fantastic! The service was a little slow for sit-down, but they had take out that seemed to be moving much faster. Great tahini, excellent falafel and the sauces they offer will make your mouth water
(4)A B.
Had a falafel sandwich which was pretty good ! Loved the hummus and tahini sauce that it came with, the best part was the really fresh pita bread.
(3)Jordan B.
Excellent food and service at Falafels. For lunch, I ordered the "halfalafel" (half falafel sandwich) and because it was Monday, fries were included for free. The sandwich was great. It included about 4-5 well-seasoned fried falafel balls in a pita pocket with hummus and lettuce. Included with this meal was an aromatic tomato-sauce-dip and a unique tahini sauce. They were both delicious. The fries were seasoned with what seemed like rosemary and garlic. This added a great flavor profile to the typical fried-then-salted potato. The hot tea was also good, adding a nice warm touch to the meal. Service was quick and kind. Prices were fairly moderate, perhaps even a bit on the cheaper side. The food portions were great; you definitely get a lot of value for your dollar here at Falafels. I will certainly be back in the future.
(5)Anna L.
Falafels, I'd have to say that a sprinkle of za'atar here and there sure does make your food tasty. Za'atar is a Middle Eastern blend of dried herbs mixed with sesame seeds, dried sumac, and often salt, as well as other spices. Whether it's atop salad, fries, meat, chickpeas, hummus...anything, it's like an appetite stimulator where you'll keep eating and eating even though you're ready to explode. We walked in around 3:30 just missing the lunch specials, but I found the entrees a better deal with the salad and sides. The salad was a refreshing spring mix topped with a za'atar evoo dressing. It came with a side of grill toasted mini-pita bread halves dashed with za'atar again with some tomato puree and evoo dip on the side. Of course I had a plate of falafels with 2 generous dip cups full of hummus and tomatoe-y chickpea topped couscous. I like the chargrilled asparagus that they put on every plates, gives it that pop of color and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the gyro entree. It was a heaping platter of chargrilled lamb with a generous helping of crispy za'atar seasoned fries. There was a flatbread with tomato-onion toppings to the side and a creamy yogurt dip. The meat had a really good charred flavor, but it was a bit dry probably since it was midday. They have a wide offering of sauces but I loved the tomato-based one. I must've finished 1/2 of the squeeze bottle. If I'm ever looking for a fresh and semi-healthy meal with this so-called-diet-attempt, I'd stop here to get an all-veggie and beany-protein option.
(4)Joshua C.
Falafels has really good food. It's nice that they have some non-meat options too. I really enjoy Pita Sandwiches (Beef Shish Kabob is my favorite), the Pitachos, Pita Chips and the Tunisian Couscous (super delicious). Prices aren't the best for what you get but you'll be satisfied...the portions are just right and it tastes great. If you like middle eastern food I would recommend trying Falafels.
(4)Andrea A.
The food here was tasty, fast, and the dining room clean and quaint (albeit a bit of close quarters with the other diners). I had the stuffed grape-leaves to start and enjoyed a Greek-style falafel wrap for my meal. My main complaint was that a Yelp check-in offer for a free order of pita chips was not honored -- not a major deal as this was not the reason we came of course, but the offer should not be available if the restaurant doesn't want to honor it.
(3)Jess B.
I'm picky about falafel. Very picky. Falafels was fantastic--lots of flavor, great topping options, great sauces. The menu offered so much we were unsure what to get but decided to stick with the restaurant's namesake. I had falafel with pickles and added hot sauce and tahini (Get the hot sauce!), and my husband had falafel with black olives and added the same sauces. Both were excellent. I can't wait to go back to try their other dishes (especially the shukshooka to see if it's as good as homemade). Definitely visit, especially if you're vegetarian.
(5)Britta M.
We had a last minute catering need for a Saturday afternoon. Not only was the food amazing(per usual), but they were able to accommodate our request very quickly. Thanks!
(5)Devin C.
Best gyro in Bloomington. Tzatziki sauce is spot on, gyro meat was fresh and well seasoned. Food came a little slow, but it was a busy evening (a couple of huge take out orders happened just before we came in) and the server filled our glasses constantly. Bill came a little slow, but again it was a busy Friday night. Loved the atmosphere, loved the food. The pita served in the beginning was a little charred, but it had character to it so I liked it. I'll come again when craving a gyro. I will try the falafel sometime and the shwarma looked good too!
(5)Stephen D.
Really, really good food. I live in Chicago and have this type of food all the time and myriad restaurants, so I feel I know good falafel when I encounter it. This place offered easily some of the crispiest, tastiest falafel I've had in a long time. The lentil soup was also awesome and definitely unique, but in a good way. They also have $2 mint (Moroccan?) tea, with free refills to boot. I decline to give 5 stars simply because it's definitely NOT inexpensive. $8 or so for a falafel sandwich with multiple toppings -- stuff that should be included, like onion/tomato/cucumber, are extra -- is excessive. (I'm not sure they have any competition in Bloomington....) That said, they do have good weekday specials and even if they didn't, I'd still eat here all the time if I lived nearby.
(4)Zeeshan S.
I just ordered a Chicken Shishlick Sandwich via BTown Menus. It is actually supposed to contain Grilled Chicken. It sounded delicious. But trust me the Chicken was BURNT. Yes! Completely ruined a Sunday night Dinner.
(1)Andrew R.
What a disappointment. After reading good things about this restaurant, me and a friend decided to check it out. There were a few ants roaming the restaurant and the decor was a little tacky. The staff was also very apathetic. The food was a major disappointment, the pita bread was charred and tasted burnt. The gyro was tough sloppy, and the French fries were way over salted and greasy. The falafels were very dry and bland. The pita chips and hummus that we shared were also very greasy. In addition to all of this, lunch cost about $13. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere than a place with a apathetic staff and bad food.
(2)F.C. B.
All of the vegan foods are marked on the menu, which is always cheering, and even though there's only the one sandwich or an entree, I'm not sure why you would want more choices. You get to go in, order your vegan falafel sandwich, pick a bonus topping or two... (oh, right. The toppings section isn't actually labeled. But the only miss, "mamaganush", is described elsewhere on the menu) ...then get your sandwich and eat. Service has always been very fast and friendly, the food simple but good.
(5)Nate S.
I like Falafels in theory, but in practice it fell short. Very nice service and atmosphere, but the food--and it all comes down to the food--was middling. I had the mezze platter and the gyro sandwich. The ganoush was good, as were the pickles. The carrots tasted of BO, and the flatbread was over charred. The gyro lamb looked soooooo good, but the sandwich was greasy, fatty, and not very pleasingly seasoned. I wouldn't return.
(2)Jori G.
Pretty damn tasty, but the wait for a falafel seems a bit excessive.
(3)Austin J.
This place is excellent! There are a lot of good gyros in Bloomington, but I think Falafels has the best. I ordered mine with feta and it came with there seasoned fries, which are also very good. The gyro isn't spicy, although they do have a spicy one if that's your thing. And they're very generous with their portions. The restaurant itself is small and mildly Mediterranean in feel, and service is great. Every weekday they have a different special, which was free pita chips the day I went. The pita chips are okay. I mean its pita chips, you can't really screw those up, or make them exciting for that matter. If you're in the mood for Mediterranean, Falafels is a great, affordable option.
(5)Anna W.
My friends and I get lunch every Wednesday and I suggested we come here because of their lunch deal- free toppings on their sandwiches. We got here at 12:10 and many of us had to leave by 1. However, since we were only ordering sandwiches we figured this wouldn't be a problem. Wrong. Not only was our service slow, we were chastised rudely by the waitress for coming to a small restaurant during lunch and expecting quick service. Seriously.
(2)Erica R.
We had delivery through btowmenus, and the best thing I can say is, "Gee, the delivery sure was quick!". Yep, less than 30 minutes to get our trays of burnt meat pile, wilted vegetable matter, and cold fries liberally covered in stale Mrs. Dash Italian Seasonings, paired with a box lettuce and foil wrapped burnt, greasy pita. So nope, not going to try that again. Thanks, but I already have the recipe for burnt yuck.
(1)Katie B.
I had a falafel sandwich here for lunch. It comes with hummus, but I swapped it out for the tzatziki - even though it cost extra to do so. It seems a little ridiculous to charge extra for it, but I guess I was willing to pay. The falafel was very good. Crispy and a little bit crunchy, just how I like it. It also came with free fries, which were nicely salted. Some of the best falafel I've had in a while. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back for more soon.
(4)Amber P.
I am a Fan of Falafel! I don't know what 'authentic' flavors taste like or even what they should look like, but more times than not when I'm in Bloomington I try to stop by this spot. The pita chips are SOOOOOOOOO wonderful and I recently stopped getting my favorite (the hot dog) and tried the Chicken Swarma(sp?). It was delcious, though I would have liked the chicken to be seasoned a bit better. The place is very small but the service was great and I'll keep coming and trying new things on the menu!
(4)ryan f.
the best falafel i've ever eaten. crisp and moist and flavorful. the spicy carrots are a superb accoutrements. do yourself a favor: request extra red salsa (it's like a marinara) and put this on the falafel. sublime.
(5)Scotty Z.
Falafels is GREAT! If you've never been, start with the namesake; they have delicious falafel. The Shawarfel is my personal favorite these days (shawarma, falafel, hummus, plus toppings). They have a daily special: sometimes free fries (which are REALLY good), sometimes it's an extra free couple ingredients. Falafels isn't particularly huge, but it's clean, a nice place to eat in, and I've never had trouble finding a table.
(4)Tom M.
The food is really excellent. This time when I ordered the Burekas that spoke of in my last review had been reduced from the $6.99 price point down to $6.49... Still, I will not be moved!! I can still clearly see that the 4 for $1.50 is .49 less. cheers
(5)Ellen G.
Good food, but the service is slow. I think they just guess how much to charge you, so -- as I was -- you may be overcharged.
(3)Vince V.
Really good salad selection. Nice in-restaurant seating but the take-out service was fast, friendly and equally delicious. They have a couple of sampler style entrees that are filling and delicious.
(4)KJ M.
VEGAN REVIEW Yah, sometimes you want yourself fried falafel goodness, but you also want the fries INSIDE the sammich. Two fried things, one sandwich. No problemo here. Plus, they bring you all the delightful cabbage if you ask, and it's still hot hot pink and delicious. I love eating here.
(5)Whryne R.
I've eaten here a few times as well as popped in many many more times to grab a sandwich and jet. I give them four yums up. I'm super sad that they stopped staying open until drunk o'clock because back in the day this place would beat heading for Taco Hell for that late night 'fourth meal'. The location is an easy walk from the University or Kirkwood and it's nice and chill inside. The staff has always been friendly and the prices are quite decent!
(4)Zack S.
Best gyro I've had in town. Prompt service. Great specials, as well. Unfortunately, I've had some bone dry felafel here, or this would be a 5-star review.
(4)Mona M.
Wowowowowowow! LOVED the falafel and gyro! There was a little bit too much hummus on the falafel sandwich for me but I just scraped it off. I can't wait to go back! Check campus special (app or website) for coupons!
(5)Denise D.
Overall, I had a good experience at Falafels. I was nearly 11:00 p.m. and I was happy to find an actual restaurant open (plenty of bars and places like Qdoba were around, but I wanted food-food). Our server was very sweet, very attentive but new. (As a former server, I know new when I see it. Not super knowledgable about the menu and not yet down with the multi-tasking). I recommend the chicken shwarma- it was amazing, tender and seasoned just right. The tahini sauce made it work, and I was surprised and delighted that my meal came with grilled asparagus. The prices are a little high, but they are serving their full menu until 12:30 on weekends, which is nice when you need real food but it's late. *As a sidenote, reading Laurel W.'s review, I have to say, they have changed their recipe as the falafel I had on Friday night was green. I'm not crazy about falafel in general, so I dunno, she might be happier with it now?
(3)Les D.
I love this place, and have been coming here on a pretty consistent basis for the past four years. I come for lunch, split the falafel entree, or I grab a falafel sandwich. I get the roasted peppers and cucumber and tomato in the sandwich. Love the salad dressing of lemon, olive oil, sesame, oregano as well as hummus, the stuffed grape leaves are always a nice treat, but the real champion is the falafel. A Bloomington staple for vegans and vegetarians. The service is great when it wants to be. I like to come in here during the slow time between 2 and 4 to get down on some conversation with the waitstaff.
(4)Matthew W.
Great falafels, fresh fried. They also have nice daily specials for eat in or carry out. One of my favorite places in Bloomington!
(4)Dea A.
The hummus, chicken shwarma and falafel are all really tasty. Get a hot nana tea to go with your meal, or an iced one if it is hot outside. But the best part of this place is the pitas. Oh my god, so amazing, so delicious. You can buy a stack to take home and they sell them in the local markets. The best pita in town, no doubt about it.
(4)Danielle L.
I was in Bloomington for a conference and I was worried about dining options nearby. I am Paleo, and it is hard to find food that consists of just plain meat and veggies! Falafels Middle Eastern Grill accommodated me wonderfully by substituting the carbs in the shewarma entree with salad, butter free asparagus, and tabouli! Best part--they deliver! They nicely delivered to my hotel room. The food was fresh and tasty. Not too salty and not too oily.
(5)Jessica T.
Best falafel I've ever had. Many tend to be bland but this was smokey with cumin and soft!
(5)Matthew W.
Good selection of entree items and toppings however, coming from L.A. I'm used to a dryer falafel with a lot of spices in it. Here their falafel was moist in the middle with little to no spices. I gave this restaurant three stars for having a clean dining area, friendly service, and a good menu with a large toppings list. Although it didn't have many spices, it was a tasty sandwich that I plan to have again! And btw, Wednesday is free toppings day!
(3)Merry K.
This place was great. Food tasted great, food came out reasonably quickly and the resturant is really clean and relaxingly decorated. Fries are deliciously uniquely seasoned. Dessert and Turkisk Coffee is also a must. I heard they recently underwent renovations so it may be nicer than it used to be.
(5)Victoria H.
This is an Israeli Restaurant with great middle east flavors. It has the best babaganoush I have ever tasted. I love their chicken shashlik and their pitas, especially the special one they always include that has zatar flavoring. You get lots of vegetable sides, also my preference and the price and service are just right. I can't think of anything I don't like.
(5)Hannah A.
I love this restaurant! I've been there a couple of times and the service was great! I usually order nowadays because I live farther from campus. They are always super quick with delivery. I've had most of the things on the menu. Falafels are amazing, gyros are amazing, pita chips, hummus, chicken shawarma, and kabobs are also all amazing. The fries are also pretty tasty. Definitely recommend.
(5)Melissa K.
Food--BLAND. PRICEY. Cute ambiance.
(2)Kelly M.
No Gluten free menu and you take your chances eating there if you are Celiac (if you are, you know that everything is risky), but the food is really good. There was a sampler of a bunch of dips that I had that was wonderful. They have super flat appetizer pitas that my friends said were really really good. I had the sampler type plate and all was flavorful. I will go back. Their tea was delicious as well.
(4)Claudia S.
Had the house salad and lentil soup. very tasty. Presentation of the salad was very pretty.
(4)Allison W.
Fresh ingredients, always well-prepared. The staff is super nice, too.
(4)Laurel W.
Disappointing falafel. I'm addicted to Sultan's Market (in Chicago), and was hoping to find a Bloomington joint to satisfy my falafel cravings. Not here. It was okay, but my falafel was a pasty tan color (none of the green, indicating lots of parsley, like I love) and was served in a pita with...baby mixed greens??? No, not with Jerusalem salad and tahini, which would be more traditional. Otherwise, cute enough place. But my plain falafel sandwich was $7...silly, to me!
(3)Ron P.
Excellent, freshly prepared food at a reasonable price. Love this place.
(4)WFIU P.
Definitely the best falafel sandwich in Bloomington. I agree with Laurel that the price is a little steep, but I've always enjoyed their food (even the free bread you get when you dine in is excellent!) and the people are warm and friendly.
(5)Mike C.
Falafel's has among the best lunch offerings around campus, and the place has only gotten better since they remodeled. The menu continues to focus on Israeli/Middle Eastern cuisine (though a gyro has recently been added). I have always found it fresh and tasty. The service is by and large good (when it's crowded, they get a bit overwhelmed). And the prices are very reasonable.
(4)