How To Feast at O’Falafel Etc.
Community
O’Falafel Etc.
790 E 2100 S #100, Salt Lake City 84106
(801) 487-7747
ofalafeletc.com
Mon-Sat: 10:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Murals surround you when you walk through the doors of O’Falafel Etc. Near the entrance is an enlarged photo of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and on other walls are paintings of the Petra in Jordan and the Egyptian pyramids by artist Kathem Alhamdani. More paintings in Ancient Egyptian papyrus style surround the register, catching your eye as you step up to order.
O’Falafel Etc. is a family-owned restaurant specializing in a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. The owners are Mustafa and Osama Khader of Jerusalem, and they’ve been sharing their culinary expertise, family recipes and friendly hospitality with Salt Lake City since opening in 2008. The restaurant is casual enough for lunch with friends or a quick to-go falafel sandwich, but it’s also a great dinner option with lots of seating to accommodate large groups of friends and family. The menu has a good amount of vegetarian options and reasonable pricing for their large portions of healthy, filling food. If you order Turkish coffee ($4.50), take the time to sip it and gaze at the murals.
“This is the falafel I prefer: the best falafel in Salt Lake City.”
I began my feast with a sampler plate of four appetizers ($13.95): falafel, foul, basil labaneh and hummus. This comes with fresh pita, baked in-house every day and the pride of the restaurant. I couldn’t not get falafel. It was perfectly browned, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, which was green with flavorful earthy herbs. I’ve had my fair share of falafel; I’ve had falafel with the texture of a crumbly dry granola bar and falafel with a decent crispiness and a not-green inside. This is the falafel I prefer: the best falafel in Salt Lake City.
The foul had a garlicky and lemony zing, and the fava beans were hearty. The basil labaneh, made of thick tangy yogurt and flecked with basil, contrasted the foul. The hummus was absolutely silken, completely smooth. It glided along the plate as I scooped it with pita. The drizzle of golden olive oil on top of the hummus added gleams of sun to every bite.
“This is my new favorite entree at O’Falafel Etc. It’s pure comfort food.”
For my main entree, I had the makhshi tin ($15.95): eggplant and ground beef in creamy tomato and yogurt sauce, layered over a bed of yellow basmati rice. When I first tasted the orange sauce, I was met with a delightful sprinkle of oregano. The eggplant was soft but not mushy, with a wholesome, mouthwatering flavor. The beef added chewiness to an otherwise soft dish. I think this is my new favorite entree at O’Falafel Etc. It’s pure comfort food.
O’Falafel Etc. has a few dessert options, one of the most popular being their baklava ($3.50). This time, I ordered the kunafa ($6.95). The dessert arrived warm with crushed pistachio on top, and when I lifted out a bite, it trailed a melty string of cheese. The crispy shreds of phyllo on top create a medley of texture and the combination of sweet rosewater syrup and savory cheese yield a balanced flavor. I’d recommend the kunafa to people who want to enjoy a delicious, warming dessert without an overload of sweetness.
“O’Falafel Etc. doesn’t just have delicious food ― it’s also a hearth of community, and you feel that warmth with every bite.”
Through my many years of eating here, I’ve seen the owners chatting with customers and personally pouring their coffee. I’ve seen the restaurant bustling on the day of a local protest for Palestine, the atmosphere high-spirited, everyone wearing keffiyehs and fueling up on nourishing meals. O’Falafel Etc. doesn’t just have delicious food ― it’s also a hearth of community, and you feel that warmth with every bite.
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