Really good falafel! So many middle eastern places have dry falafel. This is what it should be - crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Had the falafel, hummus and tabbouleh roll-up and was really pleasantly surprised. Definitely a surprise in Downtown Crossing!
(5)
A J.
Big portions, good price equals great value! Ordered Chicken Kabob with a side order of freshly made Falafel & Hummus. Salad, Tabouli and Hummus incl on the plate along with Chicken Kabob. Including a bottle of Coke it was less than $14. Great tasting Salad with a mix of dressing and hot sauce.
(4)
Vivian C.
Yes, I was a Falafel King newbie. I knew they gave their customers a falafel to eat as they waited in line, but that's basically it. Two men were handling orders the time of my lunch visit. The fellow further in the line, closer to the door, waved me over, so I told him my order, he handed me a falafel, and worked on putting together my dish. I got the chicken kebab plate (with rice and salad) $8.50. There was one falafel tucked in with the single de-skewered line of meat, humus, salad, and rice. Was I gyped with just the one falafel? Some of the photos on Yelp show two... The falafel was nice, with a good crispy crust. The cucumber fresh and crisp, though a bit sour. The humus had too much lemon. The rice was good. The chicken tender. The pita bread which accompanied it was a bit small a portion.
(3)
Tayana C.
I've never had them at lunch time but usually after work, so I do not have the same experience waiting in line as the other reviewers. In my experience they have moved quickly because they're always cooking and churning out food. It's a no frills place. Don't expect 5 star service. But that's not what their model is. The food is fresh and good. They are not overpriced unlike some places that use being downtown as an excuse to over charge. You can always count on one of the guys to let you have a falafel. They're big, moist and perfectly seasoned. I've had bad experiences with tiny and dry falafels. The lady at the register acts like a distant cousin of the soup nazi. She scares me a little and I just want to give her my money and run.
(4)
Alex S.
Solid choice for lunch. Generous portions, always fresh and delicious.
(4)
Derek C.
This place has a system. They're quick! It's not a glamorous interior but if you're picking up lunch it's great. I like it because it seems like less of a chain. More independently owned. Here's a perk: they give you a piece of falafel as you're waiting! Only thing I found is that the tomatoes tasted kind of weird.
(4)
Yuk L.
Complimentary piece of falafel while they make your order! Straight up and delicious. No frills. Great quality lamb every time I get their lamb. Friendly service. Hands down the best falafel joint in Boston!
(5)
Emily C.
I love that they give you a falafel while you wait in line! That is A+ customer service right there. This was my second time here. The first time, I got the falafel wrap and was thoroughly impressed! Would have probably given 5 stars if I was writing reviews at the time. I remember it was filling and the falafel was delicious. This time, I decided to try the babaghanoush salad plate, and it was...decent. The plate that I got was quite empty. I don't think it would hurt them to add more salad or babaghanoush to make it seem like I am getting a full order. Also, I am pretty sure I read "eggplant" in the menu description, but there was no eggplant in the order. Moral of the story: I will stick to their wraps from now on. The seating area is small, but clean. During the lunch rush, you might struggle to find a seat. Most people order to go, though, so odds are that seats will be available. I arrived at 12:30 PM, and there were about 2-3 tables free.
(4)
Simon L.
The line looks daunting. Once in it, it moves quickly. As you order, a piping hot piece of falafel dunked in tahini is handed to you as a sample. Place your order - hot sauce or no. A chicken kebab plate has nuggets of moist chicken pulled off a metal skewer and placed on a bed of rice pilaf. Hot sauce and tahini are squirted over the top. A fresh salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce is topped with a large scoop of humous. Lid closed. Pita, napkin, fork and knife placed in a bag handed over as you pay. A delicious assembly line of food.
(4)
Eli s.
What happened to the delicious falafel? Pita was cold, straight from the plastic bag. Falafel was luke warm and meh. New location (at least since my last visit). Lost its charm, direction and deliciousness. Definitely edible but now just average. Too bad.
(3)
Vic G.
A very ok to borderline disappointing experience at this place in downtown crossing. It is as good as having fast food but it's kinda not because it is healthy to a good extent - minced meat, salad, hummus, rice and pita bread for the chicken shawarma plate that I got. The thing that really disappointed me about this place was really the set up. I understand it's in downtown crossing and all the tourists and people working in the financial district can get a quick and easy meal and get going with their lives. But - that is not the best of things to experience when your meat plate is being prepared in front of you in less than a minute - where the chicken shawarma is pre chopped, sitting in a container on top of warm water. Not my expectation from the meat being served at a middle eastern place. And finally, if the goal really is to make it fast, and make it for masses - at least have the quantity on par with the price tag if compromising so much on the quality. I have had much much bigger plates at much lesser prices where the quality of food was so much better. I would give it 2 stars but will stick with 3 because although it was really disappointing on so many levels, at least it is not totally unhealthy a food choice. Oh well. Lesson learnt. Some other notes: For a not so big a joint, the place was packed with tourists and was ready to get overwhelmed with office lunch hour crowd. I guess it has to be an easy take out option. The overall rating split out of 5: Service: 4 Food: 3 Ambiance: 2 Price: 3
(3)
Raviv G.
Really disappointing experience. I love hummus and falafel, and I'm originally from Israel, so my standards are high... The pita was flat and cold (the falafel too!). The guy who made my falafel loaded it with lettuce before I even blinked. Lettuce! in falafel! really? I want to see him going back to his home country and selling people falafel pita filled with lettuce. He will be out of business in a week. On top of that he was also not very friendly. The place is located in a very touristic area so I guess the quality is not too important, there will always be hungry people around.
(1)
Angel M.
So many locations doe... I think we picked the wrong one doe. Harsh lighting. Uncomfortable chairs. Bad chair to table height ratio. The seating area was like REALLY dirty. The womens bathroom was backed up really bad (i know...how do i know?). The falafel was like, yeah, it was good. I loved the back alley sketchy goodness of the original kings throne. And not that Im comparing this place to that one, but. It does look like a chain from the outside, which is weird.
(2)
Ben S.
Now this is a damn good place for a lunch break. Quick, friendly service, fair prices, a little falafel ball to go with your order that I wasn't expecting... This place gives plenty bang for your buck. Yeah, from the look of it, it might be a big chain, but I really don't care. Needless to say, there's a level of authenticity here that certain Kings do not provide, but really; The pita is fresh, spongy, and perfect for holding humus and containing the sauce on the tasty (though probably not shaved) meat. It might not be that kind of artisanal stuff that the snobs might expect from the more distal boroughs, but I'll be sure to be back.
(4)
Jessica K.
Super fast - awesome for us lunch hour patrons. Lots of vegetarian options - good for me! Delicious - good for everyone. The babaganoush is ON POINT!
(4)
Kimella D.
After an afternoon of shopping I was hungry but wasn't sure what I had a craving for. I called my boyfriend to ask what he likes to eat for lunch since he works downtown. He suggested I try this Falafel King, he said he's heard great things about it and at lunch time the line is always out the door. I went there not knowing what to expect. I was greeted by a guy and lady behind the counter. The menu is great not too overwhelming. I decided I wanted to try a kafta roll-up. I placed my order and they started to prepare it.... Without asking Freddy (one of the guys preparing my roll-up) gave me a falafel with a little hummus to sample. His offering caught me off guard but it was appreciated. This was hands down the best falafel I have ever tasted. It was warm, delicious and was given to me right in time for me to change my order to a kafta roll-up with falafel :-). I went back 5 days later. This time I tried a chicken and falafel salad. Everything on the plate was delicious. I can't wait to go back and try something different. Thanks Freddy and crew for making me a Falafel believer. :-)
(4)
Patrick J.
The BEST. Makes you feel like you're in the Middle East. Authentic food great service and generous. People process product. First time here and it won't be my last.
(5)
Mark Z.
To start, I've been going to the Falafel King regularly for 6 years now, and I used to recommend it to everyone. What's unfortunate is that this place has declined to merely average in a sea of other, superior options. For those craving similar food, I would recommend Sultans Kitchen (much better food, slightly more $), Pita Thyme (better quality, same $), or Piperi (better quality, lower $). My top issues are... 1.) Price - I just bought a chicken kebab salad with a drink, and it came out to over $11. Not only has this risen a lot over the years, but it's now a premium price to others. Right across the street, Chipotle burrito bowls are ~$7, as are salads with chicken at Piperi. 2.) Service - The last two times I've gone, ingredients were missing from my order, and it's not exactly rocket science to make a chicken kebab salad with feta. Additionally, the general vibe is depressing now with no thank yous or anything...a huge change from when the King himself used to work there, who is the man, makes jokes, smiles, and calls everyone his friend. 3.) Quality - I wouldn't say that quality of the food has declined, but let's face it...this has always been a value product. Iceberg lettuce, bulk veggies, etc. The beauty of this place used to be that the value product was perfectly fine given the taste and attractive price. It still tastes fine, but when you factor in points 1 and 2, the quality is no longer acceptable. I originally wanted to email these comments to the restaurant, but they don't have any website or address. I also wouldn't hesitate to tell the actual King, but he's no longer there. Thus, I have to resort to Yelp in the hopes that they can improve the experience before people realize the value proposition is gone. In the meantime, you'll find me at the others.
(2)
Victoria E.
Children never had falafel. Read the sign that says "falafel king", seven year old wants to dine there because who does not want to be in a restaurant named king? These are Northern Californian babies, middle eastern food just isn't as common there. Falafel was delicious, warm and fluffy outside, the rice was has a great flavor without being too soggy or salty and of course the kofta was tender and fresh served over a bed of salad. Hummus was creamier than what you'd find back in the west coast. It was way better than other fast food choices around us. Well, there you have it, my very first fast food chain review.
(4)
Jenn K.
If I eat here one more time I'm going to become part chick pea. Seriously, this place is so damn good and the price really can't be beat. A combo plate that doubles as my lunch and dinner? For $7.99??! Oh, and you're going to give me a free falafel, dipped in hummus, to nom on while I'm perusing the menu? As if they didn't reel me in with a fresh, hot falafel for free, the food's delicious and they're really willing to customize the menu items for you, too. Not feeling tabbouleh? Not a problem. Just tell 'em and they'll add another pile of falafelly-goodness to your takeout tray. Super friendly staff, too. If you're off-put by the exterior, fine. Leave all that falafel for me!
(5)
John S.
Stopped in here for lunch as this place is right along the Freedom Trail on a recent visit to Boston. The gentleman behind the counter gave us each a free sample of the falafels, and they were very good. So we got a couple of falafel wraps, along with a couple of beef shawarma wraps, and we shared them amongst the 4 of us. Everything was delicious - very fresh tasting and wonderfully spiced. Plenty of food, and we all left feeling very satisfied. The restaurant seemed clean & well lit. They had a row of tables for customers who wanted to eat in, but there seemed to be a lot of customers stopping in & taking their food to go. We will definitely go back next time we are in Boston. Glad we stumbled upon them.
(4)
Lynn H.
Great place for a quick lunch. Foods is sooo good and fresh. One of the best falafel places in Boston hands down.
(5)
Biba B.
This place is why God invented chickpeas. Or Allah. Whatevs. Best falafel downtown. Nice folks work there. Good lamb, too. And the salad plates are enough food to feed you and the guy in the cubicle next to you-- you know, the one who's always hinting around for food.
(5)
Noa C.
This is the perfect lunch place! They give you a free falafel with hummus while you wait for your food. They rolls ups are loaded with hummus, salad and meat and/or falafel. It's delicious!
(4)
Macie S.
They give you free falafel in line. It's a glorious thing.
(5)
Chris P.
High quality middle-eastern style food for fast-food prices! I always get the same thing, a chicken shawarma plate with extra falafels. Honestly, before I found Falafel King, I was NOT a fan of hummus (or chick peas in general) and I had no idea what a falafel was. Could not recommend enough.
(5)
Devika G.
I had chicken roll up and it so was delicious. Fun thing: u get free falafel to curb ur hunger while u wait in the line ;)
(4)
Adam M.
The exterior appears to be of a "chain" nature. DON'T be fooled! The food is fresh and very very tasty. I'll be honest. I've inly ever had the chicken kabob plate. It's just too good to try anything else. I walk in with the best of intentions to broaden my culinary palate, but the scent is too strong. I'm weak. Don't hate me. Every plate comes with a salad, rice, and a falafel with a gob of hummus. Included with the orders are a fork, knife, napkin and slice of pita bread. Exceptional value for the money.
(5)
Mr. E.
Great falafel and really quick service. I really want them to expand to Dallas. This place is a must visit every time I am in Boston. Plus, free sample of falafel while you wait!
(4)
Ayelet R.
It's okay. I've realized that when it comes to falafel, you need to take Yelp reviews with a huge grain of salt. The free falafel ball when you order bumps it up from two to three stars, since hey, who doesn't love a free sample? But the falafel itself kind of just tasted like it's been sitting out for too long. It's not warm or soft or any of the good things a falafel should be, but at least the actual flavor is okay. It tastes like a falafel is supposed to taste like, but not much more. The pitas they use in their wraps are totally flat and unremarkable, which would explain why they would rather offer roll-ups than actual pita sandwiches. The hummus is pretty good, but also, far from fresh. The portions are big though - I came in hungry and couldn't finish my sandwich (although that may have more to do with the fact that I was generally unimpressed by the food).
(3)
Michelle K.
Staff is pretty unfriendly. We were there at 1:30 to eat and they were taking away chairs and closing up around us. Falafel is ok but overpriced. I would choose the summer street location over this one.
(2)
G U.
Went here for a late lunch. The food was ok - hummus didn't have that much flavor, falafel was dry and greasy, grape leaves were alright.
(3)
Abbie M.
How do I love Falafel King? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height Chicken kabobs can reach, when ordering the King Special. For the ends of being delicious and ideal falafel. I love thee to the level of every day's Most busy storefront, by lunch and afternoon snack. I love thee freely, as men strive to find perfect hummus. I love thee purely, and cannot cease to praise. I love thee with the passion previously put to use In my old hatred of Middle-Eastern cuisine, and with my full tummy. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose When you moved so far down Washington. I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after I eat every last morsel.
(5)
Amanda K.
OMG Soooooo delicious!!!!!!!! Seriously awesome, just like English late night kebabs... Except fresher. Falafel is to die for.
(5)
Shweta K.
I'm pretty picky about my falafel - love it when it's good, despise it when it's bad. My fiance and I were out running errands and, starving, stumbled upon this happy hole in the wall. Since then we've been back a couple of times. The service is always fast, the portions are big for the price, and the food hits the spot for both of us. Only 2 qualms: wish there was a hotter "hot" sauce and wish the evening/weekend hours were better. Overall, not the best I've had but Falafel King is my current go-to whenever I have a mad hankering for the stuff.
(4)
Mansour A.
We had checkin Kabab and beef Kabab, it was perfect, they gave us complementary: falafel hummus, and salad. For free. All taste nice.
(5)
Jillian K.
Unfortunately got a live wriggling bug in my salad today. Totally turned me off from this place for a while. Really unfortunate because I usually love this place.
(2)
Raj B.
Average fare and prices are higher than where they should be I think. There is too much tartness in the humus and the salad. The falafel is good though. What really irked me was the fact that if you ask for just tap water, they tell you that they DO NOT HAVE TAP WATER, but there is a faucet and sink right behind the counter! That is poor sense and not treating the customer right. So even if your food is average to good, it leaves a bad taste.
(2)
M K.
Food = 4 stars Cleanliness of seats and legs of tables = 0 stars. They need to figure out a way to clean the $&@" chairs! Anyway, I really do like this place for one thing - the King Special - it's sofa king good! Nom nom nom. Get it with chicken. Here's what it is: Chicken kabob in a pita with hummus, 2 or 3 smashed up falafel, lettuce, marinated cucumber and tomato salad, tahini sauce, hot sauce, and then I also like to add pickles and a little tabbouleh and a little cheese. It is a gargantuan sandwich. You will need a plate to eat it over because things will start dripping everywhere once you're near the bottom of the wrap. But, for as messy as it is, it's like CRACK and should make even the shittiest of days better. Additionally, you will usually be offered a falafel dipped ok hummus while you wait in line. Seating in Falafel King can be tight and it's a very popular place. Fortunately, at prime time lunch hour, they have up to 3 serving stations open. They also recently opened a third location on Summer St. That drastically helped to cut down the "line out the door" that this place used to have.
(3)
Joey C.
Can I add 1/2 a star? Unfortunately I cannot. It used to a good value but increasing their chicken kebab plate over a $1 seems pretty aggressive. Just like how the King makes a mean falafel now he can really roll in the dough.
(3)
Jenn Z.
Great fast food place with delicious dishes and generous portion. Even though I'm not a fan of getting chicken from a restaurant, I find the chicken here to be very tasty and I actually develop cravings for it if I don't have it in a while. What's also good is their Greek Salad; very refreshing and comes with the kind of hummus that just makes me want to dip all my food in it. The lamb in the kebab was nicely flavored and the kebab was HUGE. The pita itself was almost the size of a small pizza and they've included two flafels in addition to the meat. The stuffing was essentially bursting out of my kebab. In addition to providing generous portions, they often give out extra falafels with the food ordering. The service has been consistently good so far and the environment (space between tables, cleanness, etc) is fine for a fast food place.
(5)
Adina R S.
Delicious. I had the chicken shawarma and it was amazing. You also get a free falafel :) The store doesn't look much, but go on in, looks can be deceiving.
(5)
Kim Y.
Came here on a whim with my boyfriend and left with a great experience! The servers are very kind and helpful with the menu since it was my first time trying Mediterranean food. The food is a blast of flavor! I love the hummus, rice and chicken kebab together, it was spot on! We will definitely be returning. The owner or manager (not sure) was also extremely polite and welcoming =)
(4)
Duna R.
Great food. Fast service. Can't wait to go back! Definitely THE falafel king - they give you a free falafel while waiting in line, and it was a perfect little scrumptious thing - crunchy on the outside and delectable on the inside. I know my falafel and this was a memorable one. I ordered the lamb kabob entree. Fluffy rice, solid kabobs, drizzled with tahini sauce, along with sides of tabbouli and hummus (tabbouli was an upgrade I requested). I randomly found another falafel in my dish - yet another serendipitous encounter with their amazing falafel. Great meal for the price. They also sell orangina in their fridge. I walked out of here a happy girl.
(4)
Merry L.
I made the mistake of skipping breakfast and running errands, so when I saw the long line, I was tempted to abandon my plan and run to quicker fare. They move very fast and they offer a sample of the falafel while you order. It is incredibly crispy and crunchy but not dry at all. When he offered hot sauce for my falafel roll up, I knew I made the right choice. Crispy, refreshing cucumbers, creamy hummus, crunchy lettuce and sweet tomato made this crispy falafel roll up the perfect lunch!
(5)
Jake S.
Bostonians are idiots when it comes to food. The rating on this place once again confirms this. This place is garbage and is also located in a garbage location. Save those few dollars and go somewhere else. Quality is cheap. Yeah it's 7 bucks for a meat wrap, but there are other places at the same price point but that give better quality (not in Boston). Feed anything to Bostonians and they will eat it.
(1)
Tatum L.
Oh my days falafel king. Nasty, terrible restroom. Had had HAD to go so I went. It was not ok. Pee all over the floor (in the women's!) and the seat was too. I won't go into more details -- just know it was bad. Good food, terrible restroom.
(4)
Hannah R.
I love letting the hipster out when I talk about knowing about the King before it was cool. I was going to Falafel King before you even knew what falafel were (actually true when I'm talking to my midwestern co-workers)! I was going to Falafel King when they were just a counter at the back of the divey food closet below Mojitos! But seriously, I'm happy for the brothers who own this business and were able to buy themselves a second, larger place to expand into. When Eat Kitchen shuttered its windows without so much as a see-ya-later, Falafel King pounced on that location like a kitty on a laser dot. They had the doors back open before anyone even knew Eat was gone--and since they didn't bother to take down the Eat Kitchen menus, change the decorations, or get a new sign for a few months, some people probably mistakenly though Eat Kitchen never left. Nonetheless, leave they did, and Falafel King is straight up pwning this location. Long lines are basically a given if you hit them during the lunch rush window, but most people will tell you it's worth it. You get to eat falafel and hummus samples in line! I personally like to get one of the shish kabob platters or the grape leaf wrap. These folks do it up right, with hot sauce, tahini, and pickles! The only way this could taste more like their Israeli counterparts' versions is if they offered chips (french fries) as a filler. You get a big meal when you go to the King, but odds are you'll be pretty hungry after waiting in that line. Bon appetit!
(4)
Krysten C.
I stopped here today with my kids because my younger son has been asking to try shawarma since he saw the 2nd ending to The Avengers. I'm glad I brought him here. We ordered 2 beef-lamb plates and a chicken kabob plate. Oh my delicious! And at about $8 a plate and the huge serving size (rice, falafel, hummus, cucumber salad), it was a great deal.
(5)
Anjali K.
We stopped into Falalfel King on a Tuesday afternoon in Boston. The line was long, so obvioulsy the food must be good. Hubby and I both ordered the falafal wrap, mine with pickles, and his without. We both got spicy sauces, and the preparer was kind to provide us with whole pieces of falafel to sample. Crisp, chickpea, and all around a-ok. The wrap was great. Hubby and I agreed that the falafel wrap + pickles gave the extra dimension of flavor that was necessary to make it good. The portion was very large, so we ate half there, and half much later. I must say the flavors maintained for up to 4 hours later as we munched on the wrap. Overall, A-OK place. Would be tempted to try their kabobs at another date.
(3)
G R.
The falafel sample is a nice touch. It's true the small sandwich is huge, I could only eat half for dinner. The ingredients were very fresh the hummus creamy with a nutty bite to it. Everything is laid out salad bar style (behind glass of course) for you to pick out your combination of toppings. Fast, friendly, filling and frugally priced.
(4)
Tim A.
Outstanding falafel wrap in boston. Big fluffy falafels, lots of veggies, great hot sauce, super clean restaurant. And a free falafel ball dipped in hummus as they make your sandwich!! Great great sandwich!!
(5)
Charles M.
Awesome spot for lunch. The food is excellent and the portions are HUGE. Prices are Super Cheap for this area. The regular roll ups are hard to finish. Order the plates and you'll wan to go back to work and take a nap. Super Fast service and free Falafel's while you wait in line.
(5)
Julie B.
Couldnt have asked for anything better. Good and quick food, not too expensive; actually a fair price for downtown crossing. Its clean too, very important! hubby got a falafel wrap and I, a kofta salad with all the fixings
(5)
Linda W.
Oh Falafel King... We had a rocky start in the beginning but you guys managed to turn it around.. sort of. I'll just start off by pointing out that my first experience was at the Winter St. location which proved to be super underwhelming. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high but considering all the hoopla about it online & the lines during lunch I figured they had to be nothing short of amazing. The wrap was definitely a decent size but I it ended up unfinished because I wasn't too crazy about the falafel, which seemed to be lacking in freshness and seasoning. HOWEVER, after stopping by the Washington St. location, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and maybe I went on an off day the first time around.. (or maybe this location is just better!) The falafel was noticeably improved and the guys working behind the counter are quick and efficient. The free falafel in the beginning doesn't hurt either! I just really wish they were somewhat more flexible, my spot Piperi on Beacon St. lets you do half chicken/half falafel and their falafel's slightly tastier for around the same price too. Whether its this FK location or the other one (both in downtown), I have to say I wouldn't really be able to give more than three stars. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad place but even being the falafel newbie that I am, I feel there may be better places around Boston that are not as overhyped. But then again, that's just my two cents.
(3)
Ashley D.
I just visited THE Falafel King of downtown and to be honest as a first timer was overwhelmed, especially because it was loud and crowded, the staff has a fast assembly line, the menu covers everything from plates, to kabobs, salads, and wraps. Long story short it was my turn I'm at the counter and the staff shoved a falafel with hummus in my face... it was good, great not bland and not too much spice like others I've had in the past. I order a vegetarian falafel wrap and they start loading on EVERYTHING lettuce, sauce, pickles, red peppers. I was overwhelmed as I don't like pickles and had to tell the guy 'go slow with me it's my first time here' he just smiled and kept going, didn't ask and kept assembling. When at my desk I wasted 2/3rds of my wrap only eating a few pits of the wrap and all of the falafel. I'll definitely visit again, early before the 12 o'clock lunch rush and only to order a side of falafels. I'd rather have it that way to pay less - consume less white carbs, and potentially add them to my salad. I still am shocked that people go out for lunch every day totaling roughly $7-$12 per day = between $35 and $60 per week.
(3)
Michael R.
Study the menu and take fast talking lessons. These dudes do not play around. They give you a free sample, then when you're mouth is full they ask you what you want...my coworker almost choked to death and I got the wrong thing. And it was all awesome and I'm already planning my next trip! Perfect lunchtime place for the city worker.
(4)
David H.
This falafel is delicious, and the portions are ridiculous. And they give you falafel in line. The chicken is amazing, very flavorful and juicy. Great spot for a quick bite
(5)
Tingting L.
Visit: Once. Food: I like falafel, and free samples make me happy. :) Had a lamb shish kebab in a pita wrap, and it was very tasty, if perhaps a little oily (what restaurant food isn't?). I dug the textures and combination of flavors, though it was a little bit drippy. The veggies were very fresh, and the lamb was delicious (and freshly grilled!). All in all, very, very good. Atmosphere: Can't say I understood why there was a yuppie looking word wall on one side - it looked more like a chain frozen yogurt store than anything else. It doesn't bother me, though, given that it does more or less function like a fast food place, at least in speed (rather superior in taste). Service: Lose a point here - I'm not sure why the cashier yelled at me while I was at the table regarding paying for the food when my boyfriend was up getting our orders. I don't think she meant to be mean or even as loud as I perceived, but it did come off that way to me, so I can't say it felt particularly welcoming. The guy at the grill was super awesome, though. Cost/Benefit: 8 for a solid, tasty, on-the-go, fresh wrap made to order? Definitely no complaints here!
(4)
Joelle K.
I had never had falafel before my visit to Falafel King, and I was blown away. You get a falafel while waiting in line, which is an awesome start! Everything is so fresh and tasty. There is a reason that there is a line out the door at lunchtime! The falafel wrap was delicious and very inexpensive. I can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Michael C.
Really good falafels in downtown crossing. On a nice day this place can get packed with the financial district crowd. Things move at a pretty quick pace in here, my falafel was ready before I could even inquire about different toppings, so be quick.
(4)
Gonzalo B.
The three stars is a Sunday-kinda-thingy. I've thought of - and given - better than this in the past. First, the guy making the veggie falafel wrap on Sunday put in about 11 pieces of cucumber. Then He Didn't Offer a Free Taste of a Falafel. When I asked he looked at me like:" You know about that?" Um...yeah. Thanks. It's not getting docked from your pay, is it? The Big Bummer here though is The Woman - I'd call her the "C" word but let's not go there right here. Let's just call her the "B" word as in ^&%$#@$% BITCH. With a nasty attitude. You know the one. That resents working a cash register, who thinks she's above it. Bitch, you are in the "People Business". Don't act like you are doing me a favor taking my money. When I told her to put the change in the tip jar she positively flung it in. She took my cash like it was poison. Just a mean, nasty, rude, dumb BITCH with a Fowl Attitude. No, you're not as pretty or hot as you think. Maybe the royalty bus missed you on the last stop. The owner should kick her and her Sucky Attitude to the curb. I should have told her to take the falafel wrap and ram it up that not-as-nice-as-she-thinks-it-is ass. And watch the grape leaves on Sunday. They were probably made on thursday. And tell the guy to hold half the dozen cucumbers - and, yes, you'd like the free falafel too.
(3)
Kathleen C.
This was the first time I've ever had a falafel and I love them! I ordered the King special which consisted of pita on the outside with their DELICIOUS hummus on it, veggies (cucumber, lettuce, etc), falafels, and a chicken kabob inside and I was STUFFED. While the employee was preparing our wraps, he made sure he first provided us with a free sample falafel while we were in line. Their service was quick and easy and we were able to sit down and enjoy our falafels in the shop. I definitely suggest stopping by and eating here if you get the chance!
(5)
Ido W.
Bottom line: Not the best falafel / kebab plate I've had but not bad at all, friendly and reasonably priced. I will probably come back for more. Pros: Generous portions, fresh ingredients, many vegetables, feel good good, price/product ratio is good Cons: Not the best kebab I have had, the "feel" is really "fast food" (and the customer area of the store is not very clean), there are no salads you can take for yourself ("a la Falafel Amsterdam"), the hot sauce is not authentic and they put the food in styrofoam containers which stay forever (why not offer cardboard plates for in-store diners?)
(3)
Anna D.
De-licious falafel. The rumors are true, it looks like a chain restaurant, but isn't; they give you a free falafel while they make your food; cheap and super clean. Will definitely be going back.
(5)
Jessica S.
I love Falafel King. This is the same as the one people know on Winter st. It is nice that they finally have seating. The food here is always fresh and so good. I got the falafel salad plate with chicken, hummus, and tabbouleh. Very filling. The decor in this new spot is nice and the staff are always friendly and very fast
(5)
Daniel M.
I love The King. There is no falafel better and no service friendlier in DTX. I love that they're finally settling in to the former Eat Kitchen space by removing the previous menus :) No matter, the place has been packed since day 1 and with good reason. The falafel is the best. The free falafel while ordering doesn't hurt either. Everything I have had from here has been delicious and they are always affordable. You cannot go wrong with Falafel King.
(5)
Stephanie M.
Crazy amount of food for a great price. Plus, they give you a falafel with hummus on it to eat while you order and wait for your food. Only disappointing part is their pita isn't great, but the falafel more than makes up for it in my opinion!
(4)
Caitlyn T.
I'll start off by saying that the servings sizes are huge! Unlike a lot of places in the area, you definitely won't leave here hungry. I got the lamb kabob over salad and it was just what I was craving today. The service is fast but not very friendly. Lots of people working behind the counter, none of which are too concerned with customer service. Not a lot of smiling going on. The place has a good location in downtown crossing, enough seating to accommodate a small crowd and is pretty clean.
(3)
Jacob R.
Amazing food, fast service, and friendly staff.
(5)
Jon P.
Falafel King was a very good experience everything tasted fresh in my chicken Kabob wrap. They have many choices from Lamb to Chicken and so on. Very affordable at around at around 7 bucks roughly 9 with a drink.The seating area is decent not made for many but definitely nothing to complain about. I plan on visiting again to try something new on the menu.
(4)
Ladyjane S.
Honest-to-god I could eat here everyday. Each time I come here I'm blown away by the well oiled machine that is Falafel King. These dudes have it down! I'm trying to be healthy and usually order the chicken kabob salad, but really you can order anything here and it is fantastic. The tomatoes and cucumbers are fresh, the chicken is moist and juicy and the falafels are yummmm. The hummus here is some of the best hummus I've had. I don't know why it's so good but it definitely doesn't taste healthy. I just tell myself it is... You can get in and out of here in about 10 minutes even when the line is out the door. 5 stars for efficiency, 5 stars for fresh, tasty food and 5 stars for the nice man that gives everyone in line a free falafel. One of my favorite businesses in Boston.
(5)
Food D.
Ok, I had such a nice review for this place, I've been a loyal customer since their winter st. days... but oh man, why did this have to happen?! WHY?! I hit the busy lunch time rush hour. Love it, because the food is so fresh. Got my falafel , hummus, rice + salad plate. Couldn't wait. Got home. I opened up the box. Started digging in furiously. Then... I found a huge, thick, black curly hair in my salad. I'm sorry. I couldn't. The thought of it every time, makes me gag :(. I can't stomach another falafel king meal ever again, and it's such a damn shame. Hygiene is huge in my books. Finding a massively thick hair deep in my salad was not OK.
(1)
Tina D.
Thank you for this location, which is conveniently right next to where I work. The food is so incredibly good and the service is always with a smile. You may feel a little rushed, but never at the sacrifice of good service! The lines get long but move really fast and you get a falafel patty while waiting in line. Yum yum! I come here maybe twice a week now.
(5)
Valerie J.
Don't let the long lines during the lunch hour rush fool you, these people can move. I highly recommend the Falafel Wrap, the Falafel platter, the chicken kabobs...I could go on. Reasonably priced, fast friendly, and they give you a free falafel while you wait in line. They don't call it Falafel King for nothing people.
(5)
Cintia L.
I have to tell you this story. Yesterday we had a party at Language Skills English ( languageskills.us ) Center, to celebrate Eid with our Arabic students. They catered the best food! First the owner, Kadhim personally took my order over the phone. He said "Honey I will make you happy with the food". And boy he delivered! The food was cooked that morning with the fresh ingredients. For $10 per person, he delivered an abundance of food! Our students had a blast at this party, but it would not be possible without great Middle Eastern food. I absolutely recommend Falafel King for your next catered party!!!!
(5)
Lauren L.
I love Falafel, and I heard this was "the place to go for falafel" so I said hey, I will listen to Yelp, why not! So I headed over there from my office nice and early, I think it was 11:30. I tried the door, it was locked. Luckily a friendly customer got up and opened the door for me. Was it just stuck? I have no idea. I was helped sort-of quickly, but some guy ahead of me was ordering 5 sandwiches (that's so annoying, right? I hate being behind THAT GUY), so after about 4 minutes of waiting to be served, the lady offered me a free falafel. mmmm, that was good. So I ordered the falafel sandwich. It was decent. I really wish I hadn't gotten the pickles. I love pickles, I put them in my PASTA for crying out loud, but they didn't mesh with the sandwich. But the sandwich was really good. I'd definitely recommend, though I would actually recommend Pita Kabob more, I think it's a slightly better. I'd go again!
(3)
Jennifer C.
I only eat falafel from here-it is the best! The falafel sandwich is the absolute best I have ever had. I am so glad a friend found this place and told me about it-it is fantastic!!
(5)
Peter H.
I like eating here when I don't mind smelling like garlic for the next 24 hours.
(3)
Adam E.
Well, he went and did it. The Falafel King opened another location. A well-lit, spacious location that is on Washington, close to State. With this move, he jumps from a 3 to a 5, easily! It does not feel anything like a back alley and is not terrifying in the slightest. While the other location did make me feel like a bad ass due to its dark and dangerous-seeming exterior, there is nothing less tough than me, in a sweater vest and lesbian sneakers, buying a falafel and hummus on my corporate lunch break. So why pretend. With this new location, I can wear my sweater vest proudly. Sometimes I even leave my security badge on. I always get the falafel and hummus combo, with hot sauce. Someday maybe I'll try something else, but I dunno. Bonus falafel while you wait in line doesn't hurt either.
(5)
Steve W.
Got the Lamb kabob plate. It was very good, fresh. Like the falafel sample while waiting in line. Definitely come back.
(4)
Chelsie H.
I've told y'all about the glory of Falafel King before. Were you listening the first time? No?? WELL IT'S FREAKING AMAZING. There, my first review in a nutshell. This review is for the new location. The King has taken up residence in place of the old Eat Kitchen on Washington Street, opposite Potbelly's and Q'doba, and neighboring Subway. Bright, clean, spacious and inviting, it's about time the King had a fitting kingdom! The staff is friendly and smiling as ever, with a warm, crispy, hummus--dipped falafel ready for you to snack on as you place your order. Super fast and efficient, in the blink of an eye you've ordered, paid, and stuffed it into your face before you can even consider walking out the door. Which brings me to my next point - seating!! There is now a place to sit and enjoy your food, instead of having to go find somewhere outside, a lå the Winter Street location. Oh, and a basket of warm kittens upon the King's house for choosing a location just steps from my office. You've gained a loyal subject for life!
(5)
Shuang C.
Came here for lunch yesterday, surprisingly good for an area known for mediocre food catered towards the office worker lunch crowd. First, the free falafel dipped in hummus they gave me in the beginning was pretty dang tasty. The falafel was nice and crispy (I know I know, legit falafel isn't supposed to be fried, blah blah sue me), the hummus was good too. They almost made me change my mind about ordering lamb kebab, almost. I'm glad I stuck to my original order though, because the lamb patties were very nicely seasoned. There were hints of some herb that I can't identify in the patties that just made it taste so much better than all the other lamb kebabs in the area. Must be dat magic kush.
(4)
Jonathan T.
Fast, delicious, good portions, you can't go wrong.
(5)
Christopher B.
I ordered a chicken kabob wrap. I was expecting falafel *in* the wrap, but instead I got handed a ball dipped in hummus. Amusingly this resulted in a mouthful of falafel while I was trying to pay. The falafel was middle of the road, not quite awesome (like the former Sapal in the CambridgeSide Galleria) but nothing identifiably wrong with it. Maybe it just needed more toppings like how I normally eat it. Chicken kabob wrap was also kind of OK. It could have used more seasoning; it was not that flavorful. I ordered it without hot sauce; maybe sheer heat normally makes up for lack of flavor. Service is indeed extremely fast and other than the food it's a nice fast lunch place. Given the many other choices around Downtown Crossing, I doubt I'll be back.
(2)
Jeff G.
"My friend my friend" he yells "You want hummus? I give you hummus" :dumps hummus on a plate. "You want falafel....here take" in a very funny middle eastern accent handing me a perfectly crispy and disc shape falafel ball (for free). I literally feel at home at this place because the staff are so funny and the service is so fast. Prices are very reasonable for the area and its a ton of food. Most notable the beef is "beef/lamb" which not many places have. I actually like this place better than Zo down the road. The only thing I wish was that the bread was a lafa handmade and chewier instead of that bagged crap. If they did that it would be 5/5 stars no doubt. Go try it!
(4)
Ouezzanie K.
This place is amazing! I'm a falafel lover, and a frequent customer to this location. I know the employees by name and the owner. It's not the reason why I'm writing this review. BUT, I'm being honest, they are simply doing a great job, the falafel are awesome as well as the service. I don't go to the winter st location anymore. The service there sucks. The two Iraqi brothers there don't know how to smile or make you feel welcomed. 5 stars to this place and I would def recommend it.
(5)
Allen C.
Best falafel I have ever had. Being a falafel lover, I can honestly say that this is the best place to get it. The falafel is crispy on the outside, hot, and delicious. The falafel wrap is the best thing there. AsIde from the delicious food, the service is great and the staff is so nice. The chef gave me a free falafel and hummus just for entering the restaurant. I really love this place, and I would recommend it to any falafel lover. Lastly, falafel king is in a great location, right in Boston and within walking distance to Faneuil hall. It is a great place to stop by if you happen to be in the area.
(5)
Ethan A.
YES. The other falafel king was in a very undesirable location. This place is bright, clean, and I don't need to worry about being stabbed while waiting. The line goes very fast during the lunch rush and I like having that extra few seconds to throw the free falafel into my container - I don't want to waste this munching in line. Vegetarian combo plate is perfect - heap of simple salad, big splatter of hummus and baba ghanoush, a couple falafels, grape leaves, and tabouli, with tax $8.51. I don't even like grape leaves but with even the smallest bit of hummus, can more than enjoy them. Half-pita added in works well to get every last bit of that oh so awesome hummus.
(5)
Steve T.
While in town for the month, my co-workers took me here on my first day. The service was fast, the food was delicious and the price was just right. I can't think of a single complaint and I will definitely be visiting the kingdom again.
(5)
Angelee N.
First time in here and these workers are rude as hell! Hummus is plain and they use iceberg lettuce. Disappointed.
(1)
Edith K.
This location is way nicer and better than the location on Winter Street. I got the King's Special or something when I came here the last time. Got it with lamb kebab, hummus and falafel. YUM!
(4)
Frank G.
Falafel wraps are cheap, around 6 bucks for a pita full of veggies and falafel balls. I wasn't too impressed with the other options on the menu but I'll only be going here for the falafel anyway!
(5)
Alyssa K.
Walked in this place and was offered a falafel dipped in hummus to munch on while I decided. The falafels are super crunchy and tasty. Every time I've gone there I have gotten a falafel wrap and have not been disappointed.
(5)
Brad H.
Falafel is some of the best I've had, lamb-beef roll up not as good . Staff is friendly. Price is on point
(4)
Samantha S.
Delicious, huge portions, good price. At lunch hour this place gets pretty packed, but the line moves SO quickly. Seriously, these people are good at what they do.
(5)
Whytnee B.
This place is fantastic. Glad to see they opened a new spot with significantly better visibility. Eating my chicken shwarma salad with feta right now ... delicious, fresh, AND guess what I just found ? A tomato with the gross brown part thoughtfully cut out ! So pleased ... I must be used to restaurants just being lazy and leaving it on. No extra charge for the feta, and he tossed in a falafel, which is also handed out for free as you wait. What's not to love ? And it was just over $7 for a ton of food, right on par with the neighborhood.
(5)
Scotty F.
I think this amazing place has the best falafel in Boston. My favorite thing to get is the Falafel plate with rice and salad. They give everyone in line a falafel ball dipped in hummus, which is really nice of them. For those looking for something other than falafel, they have all the standard Middle Eastern favorites like Shawarma and kebabs. Very efficiently run operation.
(5)
Valerie F.
Walking the Freedom Trail. It's 3pm and debating whether to skip lunch. Transformed that thought into skipping dinner instead when I saw Falafel King! Ordered chicken shawarma (my "go to" favorite) in the guise of a salad. Served with hummus, feta, a falafel, and pita. The chicken was hot and lean though a bit dry perhaps from being kept hot and the produce fresh and crisp. Very satisfying. Next stop, Mike's Pastry. After all, I'm skipping dinner, aren't I?!
(4)
Lola A.
There are good falafel place in Downtown, and then there's Falafel King. This restaurant earns it's name because the falafel is supreme to others in the area. You get a sample dipped in hummus while you wait in line. The hummus is creamy and flavorful. The falafel is crispy and filled with love.
(5)
Dee H.
I like this location, with its set up for fast service to take out or quick sit and eat, and get going about your business. They give a large portion, so if you had skipped breakfast, a falafel plate is plenty of fuel to cover for both meals.
(4)
Meep M.
Come hungry and your stomach will love you when leaving this place. First off they give you a falafal each time you wait in line no matter what time of day. The portions are very filling and you get to sample a good variety if you get the plates. Can't say I've ever been disappointed with any meal here, but I can say it's Meeperlious!
(4)
C. Leslie L.
I love falafel. I love the way it's a little different depending on which country the restauranteur is from. I love the sides that come with it on a plate, or the things that different places put in a wrap. I was so excited when I saw so many great reviews for this place. Well, it was originally the one on winter street I saw the reviews for. I've been to both of them. This is the worst falafel I've ever had. It's almost tasteless and so is the hummus. It's just fried crunchy. The salad is even tasteless, just a bunch of packaged lettuce that tastes like refrigerated cardboard. Boston has some amazing falafel places. How this one gets so many good reviews, I will never understand.
(1)
Tanya H.
I've been a few times. I prefer the chicken to the falafel. I find it dry and hard. I think the atmosphere is too geared up for the product. There is no need to rush the way they do, espcially if your a novice and have questions. I've experienced that each time I've gone. The older woman at the cash register has zip personality and acts as if she is being incovenienced taking your money. Anyway..been there, done that. I'm thru. Meh.
(2)
Alex C.
Have no fear of the long line at lunch, the lightening fast service at Falafel King will have you back out the door or sitting down with your order in just moments. Plus, while you "wait", you will get a FREE falafel dipped in humus to snack on. The name here is apt since this is falafel at its best: crunchy exterior, very flavorful & light interior. The salads and other fixings are always fresh - the lamb or chicken kabobs and numerous roll-ups are generous and delicious. The combination of high quality food, very fast counter service, friendly staff, reasonable prices along with a neat & clean restaurant easily earn The King 5 stars.
(5)
Emily M.
The food was amazing and truly authentic! It has a pleasant environment and the staff was friendly. They make the sandwiches pretty fast which is nice but still good quality. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for an authentic Falafel!
(5)
Heidi S.
I can't say enough great things about this place. The falafel is ALWAYS fresh and delicious. The humus is perfect. I usually order a falafel wrap with no meat. I'm not a vegetarian, but the falafel itself is so good that I don't even want to add anything to it! I go during lunch and the staff is always energetic and efficient. Don't let the long line scare you - it moves very fast!
(5)
Jennie P.
Best falafel in the Financial District. Good prices and good value on the salads, wish they had better olives but that's a small thing. Very glad this location opened - super convenient.
(4)
Jared H.
Holy crap the falafel here is amazing! Every time I come here the line is always out the door and for a reason. The falafel is fried to perfection and the combination of the hummus is enough to send you to food heaven. I always go with the Salad plate and get falafel and kufta. They also give you a sample falafel with hummus while you order and wait just to remind you about the food experience that awaits you. It also only costs like $8.50 with tax so its real cheap. DEFINITELY go here!
(5)
Jesse O.
Good place to grab a quick falafel. Wraps are good not great, but the free falafel with humus while you order bumps this place from a 3.5 to a 4.
(4)
Michael K.
Hit the spot. Although I thought I was the only one getting a free falafel ball until I read the other reviews. I felt so special only to feel so ordinary. No line at 2pm on a Sat.
(5)
David S.
Good falafel, good grilled chicken, good hummus, free samples.
(4)
Paul V.
Great food. Fast. Cheap. Awesome service. And a free falafel dipped in hummus while you wait in line. My favorite Kabob place in Boston.
(5)
Daniel P.
Cheap and cheery. Falafel not super fresh during off-peak hours
(3)
Firas N.
I had the special king wrap, what the lady working there recommended. It's made up of shredded lamb and beef with falafel spread with hummus on a layer of pita. The wrap is quite heavy. The falafel isn't that bad, not the most authentic tasting ever, but the meat was cold. After eating half the wrap, had to stop as I didn't feel well afterwards, partially because I saw a guy in the back cut the pickles with his bare hands. The concept of the store is nice and the ambiance is open and clean, but the quality of the food I had is unfortunately ok. Maybe some of the rest of the items are better.
(3)
Michele P.
This is definitely the best Falafel sandwich/plate you will get in the Financial District. The new location is awesome (on the way to DT Crossing on Washington St if your coming from State) . Oh... and don't let the line scare you! It moves super fast and you get to nibble on a delish falafel pattie while your in line. All of the fresh ingredients are laid out in front of your eyes so there is no mystery as to what is going onto your delightful lunch. ;) This place should be on everyone's "I'm starving and I want something yummy today" lunch list.
(4)
Mrs. G.
I really like Falafel King. My husband and I meet here for lunch during the work week. They give you a free falafel with hummas when you are in line so it's worth the wait. The food is great for a quick lunch. The hummas is yummy and the falafels are pretty good as well. Their chicken is also very moist and not dried out. I love the falafel wraps, they are huge so I usually get leftovers for later :)
(4)
Oscar A.
I don't know suddenly something wrong going with this restaurant, I went again today after 14 days gap, chicken kebab tastes weird, like maybe stale meat. I used to go 2-3 days a week to this place but may be after today, I need a month break at least.
(3)
Brandy S.
Love, love, love this place. We have an office of around 30 people and everyone hits up this place once a week or so. Just finished my combo plate - delicious & healthy!!!
(5)
Bethany S.
By far my favorite lunch spot in downtown Boston. Fresh and delicious everytime. The staff is super friendly, and you're in and out in no time, even when the line is out the door. You also get a falafel while waiting in line, which is a great added bonus. Highly recommend!
(5)
Jillian W.
So delicious! This place may have the best falafel in the entire Boston area. While Amsterdam Falafel Shop in Davis Sq gives it a run for it's money, the hummus/falafel combo here is to die for. While the service is not necessarily the friendliest, it doesn't even matter because the food is so amazing. I highly recommend Falafel King for anyone who likes mediterranean food. (One downside - no tatziki sauce). But the free falafel when you walk in makes up for it!
(5)
Donald C.
I go here for lunch once a week! Great wraps and the falafels are the best around. The staff is very friendly. It gets pretty busy around lunch time but the line moves very quick.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
L W.
Really good falafel! So many middle eastern places have dry falafel. This is what it should be - crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Had the falafel, hummus and tabbouleh roll-up and was really pleasantly surprised. Definitely a surprise in Downtown Crossing!
(5)A J.
Big portions, good price equals great value! Ordered Chicken Kabob with a side order of freshly made Falafel & Hummus. Salad, Tabouli and Hummus incl on the plate along with Chicken Kabob. Including a bottle of Coke it was less than $14. Great tasting Salad with a mix of dressing and hot sauce.
(4)Vivian C.
Yes, I was a Falafel King newbie. I knew they gave their customers a falafel to eat as they waited in line, but that's basically it. Two men were handling orders the time of my lunch visit. The fellow further in the line, closer to the door, waved me over, so I told him my order, he handed me a falafel, and worked on putting together my dish. I got the chicken kebab plate (with rice and salad) $8.50. There was one falafel tucked in with the single de-skewered line of meat, humus, salad, and rice. Was I gyped with just the one falafel? Some of the photos on Yelp show two... The falafel was nice, with a good crispy crust. The cucumber fresh and crisp, though a bit sour. The humus had too much lemon. The rice was good. The chicken tender. The pita bread which accompanied it was a bit small a portion.
(3)Tayana C.
I've never had them at lunch time but usually after work, so I do not have the same experience waiting in line as the other reviewers. In my experience they have moved quickly because they're always cooking and churning out food. It's a no frills place. Don't expect 5 star service. But that's not what their model is. The food is fresh and good. They are not overpriced unlike some places that use being downtown as an excuse to over charge. You can always count on one of the guys to let you have a falafel. They're big, moist and perfectly seasoned. I've had bad experiences with tiny and dry falafels. The lady at the register acts like a distant cousin of the soup nazi. She scares me a little and I just want to give her my money and run.
(4)Alex S.
Solid choice for lunch. Generous portions, always fresh and delicious.
(4)Derek C.
This place has a system. They're quick! It's not a glamorous interior but if you're picking up lunch it's great. I like it because it seems like less of a chain. More independently owned. Here's a perk: they give you a piece of falafel as you're waiting! Only thing I found is that the tomatoes tasted kind of weird.
(4)Yuk L.
Complimentary piece of falafel while they make your order! Straight up and delicious. No frills. Great quality lamb every time I get their lamb. Friendly service. Hands down the best falafel joint in Boston!
(5)Emily C.
I love that they give you a falafel while you wait in line! That is A+ customer service right there. This was my second time here. The first time, I got the falafel wrap and was thoroughly impressed! Would have probably given 5 stars if I was writing reviews at the time. I remember it was filling and the falafel was delicious. This time, I decided to try the babaghanoush salad plate, and it was...decent. The plate that I got was quite empty. I don't think it would hurt them to add more salad or babaghanoush to make it seem like I am getting a full order. Also, I am pretty sure I read "eggplant" in the menu description, but there was no eggplant in the order. Moral of the story: I will stick to their wraps from now on. The seating area is small, but clean. During the lunch rush, you might struggle to find a seat. Most people order to go, though, so odds are that seats will be available. I arrived at 12:30 PM, and there were about 2-3 tables free.
(4)Simon L.
The line looks daunting. Once in it, it moves quickly. As you order, a piping hot piece of falafel dunked in tahini is handed to you as a sample. Place your order - hot sauce or no. A chicken kebab plate has nuggets of moist chicken pulled off a metal skewer and placed on a bed of rice pilaf. Hot sauce and tahini are squirted over the top. A fresh salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce is topped with a large scoop of humous. Lid closed. Pita, napkin, fork and knife placed in a bag handed over as you pay. A delicious assembly line of food.
(4)Eli s.
What happened to the delicious falafel? Pita was cold, straight from the plastic bag. Falafel was luke warm and meh. New location (at least since my last visit). Lost its charm, direction and deliciousness. Definitely edible but now just average. Too bad.
(3)Vic G.
A very ok to borderline disappointing experience at this place in downtown crossing. It is as good as having fast food but it's kinda not because it is healthy to a good extent - minced meat, salad, hummus, rice and pita bread for the chicken shawarma plate that I got. The thing that really disappointed me about this place was really the set up. I understand it's in downtown crossing and all the tourists and people working in the financial district can get a quick and easy meal and get going with their lives. But - that is not the best of things to experience when your meat plate is being prepared in front of you in less than a minute - where the chicken shawarma is pre chopped, sitting in a container on top of warm water. Not my expectation from the meat being served at a middle eastern place. And finally, if the goal really is to make it fast, and make it for masses - at least have the quantity on par with the price tag if compromising so much on the quality. I have had much much bigger plates at much lesser prices where the quality of food was so much better. I would give it 2 stars but will stick with 3 because although it was really disappointing on so many levels, at least it is not totally unhealthy a food choice. Oh well. Lesson learnt. Some other notes: For a not so big a joint, the place was packed with tourists and was ready to get overwhelmed with office lunch hour crowd. I guess it has to be an easy take out option. The overall rating split out of 5: Service: 4 Food: 3 Ambiance: 2 Price: 3
(3)Raviv G.
Really disappointing experience. I love hummus and falafel, and I'm originally from Israel, so my standards are high... The pita was flat and cold (the falafel too!). The guy who made my falafel loaded it with lettuce before I even blinked. Lettuce! in falafel! really? I want to see him going back to his home country and selling people falafel pita filled with lettuce. He will be out of business in a week. On top of that he was also not very friendly. The place is located in a very touristic area so I guess the quality is not too important, there will always be hungry people around.
(1)Angel M.
So many locations doe... I think we picked the wrong one doe. Harsh lighting. Uncomfortable chairs. Bad chair to table height ratio. The seating area was like REALLY dirty. The womens bathroom was backed up really bad (i know...how do i know?). The falafel was like, yeah, it was good. I loved the back alley sketchy goodness of the original kings throne. And not that Im comparing this place to that one, but. It does look like a chain from the outside, which is weird.
(2)Ben S.
Now this is a damn good place for a lunch break. Quick, friendly service, fair prices, a little falafel ball to go with your order that I wasn't expecting... This place gives plenty bang for your buck. Yeah, from the look of it, it might be a big chain, but I really don't care. Needless to say, there's a level of authenticity here that certain Kings do not provide, but really; The pita is fresh, spongy, and perfect for holding humus and containing the sauce on the tasty (though probably not shaved) meat. It might not be that kind of artisanal stuff that the snobs might expect from the more distal boroughs, but I'll be sure to be back.
(4)Jessica K.
Super fast - awesome for us lunch hour patrons. Lots of vegetarian options - good for me! Delicious - good for everyone. The babaganoush is ON POINT!
(4)Kimella D.
After an afternoon of shopping I was hungry but wasn't sure what I had a craving for. I called my boyfriend to ask what he likes to eat for lunch since he works downtown. He suggested I try this Falafel King, he said he's heard great things about it and at lunch time the line is always out the door. I went there not knowing what to expect. I was greeted by a guy and lady behind the counter. The menu is great not too overwhelming. I decided I wanted to try a kafta roll-up. I placed my order and they started to prepare it.... Without asking Freddy (one of the guys preparing my roll-up) gave me a falafel with a little hummus to sample. His offering caught me off guard but it was appreciated. This was hands down the best falafel I have ever tasted. It was warm, delicious and was given to me right in time for me to change my order to a kafta roll-up with falafel :-). I went back 5 days later. This time I tried a chicken and falafel salad. Everything on the plate was delicious. I can't wait to go back and try something different. Thanks Freddy and crew for making me a Falafel believer. :-)
(4)Patrick J.
The BEST. Makes you feel like you're in the Middle East. Authentic food great service and generous. People process product. First time here and it won't be my last.
(5)Mark Z.
To start, I've been going to the Falafel King regularly for 6 years now, and I used to recommend it to everyone. What's unfortunate is that this place has declined to merely average in a sea of other, superior options. For those craving similar food, I would recommend Sultans Kitchen (much better food, slightly more $), Pita Thyme (better quality, same $), or Piperi (better quality, lower $). My top issues are... 1.) Price - I just bought a chicken kebab salad with a drink, and it came out to over $11. Not only has this risen a lot over the years, but it's now a premium price to others. Right across the street, Chipotle burrito bowls are ~$7, as are salads with chicken at Piperi. 2.) Service - The last two times I've gone, ingredients were missing from my order, and it's not exactly rocket science to make a chicken kebab salad with feta. Additionally, the general vibe is depressing now with no thank yous or anything...a huge change from when the King himself used to work there, who is the man, makes jokes, smiles, and calls everyone his friend. 3.) Quality - I wouldn't say that quality of the food has declined, but let's face it...this has always been a value product. Iceberg lettuce, bulk veggies, etc. The beauty of this place used to be that the value product was perfectly fine given the taste and attractive price. It still tastes fine, but when you factor in points 1 and 2, the quality is no longer acceptable. I originally wanted to email these comments to the restaurant, but they don't have any website or address. I also wouldn't hesitate to tell the actual King, but he's no longer there. Thus, I have to resort to Yelp in the hopes that they can improve the experience before people realize the value proposition is gone. In the meantime, you'll find me at the others.
(2)Victoria E.
Children never had falafel. Read the sign that says "falafel king", seven year old wants to dine there because who does not want to be in a restaurant named king? These are Northern Californian babies, middle eastern food just isn't as common there. Falafel was delicious, warm and fluffy outside, the rice was has a great flavor without being too soggy or salty and of course the kofta was tender and fresh served over a bed of salad. Hummus was creamier than what you'd find back in the west coast. It was way better than other fast food choices around us. Well, there you have it, my very first fast food chain review.
(4)Jenn K.
If I eat here one more time I'm going to become part chick pea. Seriously, this place is so damn good and the price really can't be beat. A combo plate that doubles as my lunch and dinner? For $7.99??! Oh, and you're going to give me a free falafel, dipped in hummus, to nom on while I'm perusing the menu? As if they didn't reel me in with a fresh, hot falafel for free, the food's delicious and they're really willing to customize the menu items for you, too. Not feeling tabbouleh? Not a problem. Just tell 'em and they'll add another pile of falafelly-goodness to your takeout tray. Super friendly staff, too. If you're off-put by the exterior, fine. Leave all that falafel for me!
(5)John S.
Stopped in here for lunch as this place is right along the Freedom Trail on a recent visit to Boston. The gentleman behind the counter gave us each a free sample of the falafels, and they were very good. So we got a couple of falafel wraps, along with a couple of beef shawarma wraps, and we shared them amongst the 4 of us. Everything was delicious - very fresh tasting and wonderfully spiced. Plenty of food, and we all left feeling very satisfied. The restaurant seemed clean & well lit. They had a row of tables for customers who wanted to eat in, but there seemed to be a lot of customers stopping in & taking their food to go. We will definitely go back next time we are in Boston. Glad we stumbled upon them.
(4)Lynn H.
Great place for a quick lunch. Foods is sooo good and fresh. One of the best falafel places in Boston hands down.
(5)Biba B.
This place is why God invented chickpeas. Or Allah. Whatevs. Best falafel downtown. Nice folks work there. Good lamb, too. And the salad plates are enough food to feed you and the guy in the cubicle next to you-- you know, the one who's always hinting around for food.
(5)Noa C.
This is the perfect lunch place! They give you a free falafel with hummus while you wait for your food. They rolls ups are loaded with hummus, salad and meat and/or falafel. It's delicious!
(4)Macie S.
They give you free falafel in line. It's a glorious thing.
(5)Chris P.
High quality middle-eastern style food for fast-food prices! I always get the same thing, a chicken shawarma plate with extra falafels. Honestly, before I found Falafel King, I was NOT a fan of hummus (or chick peas in general) and I had no idea what a falafel was. Could not recommend enough.
(5)Devika G.
I had chicken roll up and it so was delicious. Fun thing: u get free falafel to curb ur hunger while u wait in the line ;)
(4)Adam M.
The exterior appears to be of a "chain" nature. DON'T be fooled! The food is fresh and very very tasty. I'll be honest. I've inly ever had the chicken kabob plate. It's just too good to try anything else. I walk in with the best of intentions to broaden my culinary palate, but the scent is too strong. I'm weak. Don't hate me. Every plate comes with a salad, rice, and a falafel with a gob of hummus. Included with the orders are a fork, knife, napkin and slice of pita bread. Exceptional value for the money.
(5)Mr. E.
Great falafel and really quick service. I really want them to expand to Dallas. This place is a must visit every time I am in Boston. Plus, free sample of falafel while you wait!
(4)Ayelet R.
It's okay. I've realized that when it comes to falafel, you need to take Yelp reviews with a huge grain of salt. The free falafel ball when you order bumps it up from two to three stars, since hey, who doesn't love a free sample? But the falafel itself kind of just tasted like it's been sitting out for too long. It's not warm or soft or any of the good things a falafel should be, but at least the actual flavor is okay. It tastes like a falafel is supposed to taste like, but not much more. The pitas they use in their wraps are totally flat and unremarkable, which would explain why they would rather offer roll-ups than actual pita sandwiches. The hummus is pretty good, but also, far from fresh. The portions are big though - I came in hungry and couldn't finish my sandwich (although that may have more to do with the fact that I was generally unimpressed by the food).
(3)Michelle K.
Staff is pretty unfriendly. We were there at 1:30 to eat and they were taking away chairs and closing up around us. Falafel is ok but overpriced. I would choose the summer street location over this one.
(2)G U.
Went here for a late lunch. The food was ok - hummus didn't have that much flavor, falafel was dry and greasy, grape leaves were alright.
(3)Abbie M.
How do I love Falafel King? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height Chicken kabobs can reach, when ordering the King Special. For the ends of being delicious and ideal falafel. I love thee to the level of every day's Most busy storefront, by lunch and afternoon snack. I love thee freely, as men strive to find perfect hummus. I love thee purely, and cannot cease to praise. I love thee with the passion previously put to use In my old hatred of Middle-Eastern cuisine, and with my full tummy. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose When you moved so far down Washington. I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after I eat every last morsel.
(5)Amanda K.
OMG Soooooo delicious!!!!!!!! Seriously awesome, just like English late night kebabs... Except fresher. Falafel is to die for.
(5)Shweta K.
I'm pretty picky about my falafel - love it when it's good, despise it when it's bad. My fiance and I were out running errands and, starving, stumbled upon this happy hole in the wall. Since then we've been back a couple of times. The service is always fast, the portions are big for the price, and the food hits the spot for both of us. Only 2 qualms: wish there was a hotter "hot" sauce and wish the evening/weekend hours were better. Overall, not the best I've had but Falafel King is my current go-to whenever I have a mad hankering for the stuff.
(4)Mansour A.
We had checkin Kabab and beef Kabab, it was perfect, they gave us complementary: falafel hummus, and salad. For free. All taste nice.
(5)Jillian K.
Unfortunately got a live wriggling bug in my salad today. Totally turned me off from this place for a while. Really unfortunate because I usually love this place.
(2)Raj B.
Average fare and prices are higher than where they should be I think. There is too much tartness in the humus and the salad. The falafel is good though. What really irked me was the fact that if you ask for just tap water, they tell you that they DO NOT HAVE TAP WATER, but there is a faucet and sink right behind the counter! That is poor sense and not treating the customer right. So even if your food is average to good, it leaves a bad taste.
(2)M K.
Food = 4 stars Cleanliness of seats and legs of tables = 0 stars. They need to figure out a way to clean the $&@" chairs! Anyway, I really do like this place for one thing - the King Special - it's sofa king good! Nom nom nom. Get it with chicken. Here's what it is: Chicken kabob in a pita with hummus, 2 or 3 smashed up falafel, lettuce, marinated cucumber and tomato salad, tahini sauce, hot sauce, and then I also like to add pickles and a little tabbouleh and a little cheese. It is a gargantuan sandwich. You will need a plate to eat it over because things will start dripping everywhere once you're near the bottom of the wrap. But, for as messy as it is, it's like CRACK and should make even the shittiest of days better. Additionally, you will usually be offered a falafel dipped ok hummus while you wait in line. Seating in Falafel King can be tight and it's a very popular place. Fortunately, at prime time lunch hour, they have up to 3 serving stations open. They also recently opened a third location on Summer St. That drastically helped to cut down the "line out the door" that this place used to have.
(3)Joey C.
Can I add 1/2 a star? Unfortunately I cannot. It used to a good value but increasing their chicken kebab plate over a $1 seems pretty aggressive. Just like how the King makes a mean falafel now he can really roll in the dough.
(3)Jenn Z.
Great fast food place with delicious dishes and generous portion. Even though I'm not a fan of getting chicken from a restaurant, I find the chicken here to be very tasty and I actually develop cravings for it if I don't have it in a while. What's also good is their Greek Salad; very refreshing and comes with the kind of hummus that just makes me want to dip all my food in it. The lamb in the kebab was nicely flavored and the kebab was HUGE. The pita itself was almost the size of a small pizza and they've included two flafels in addition to the meat. The stuffing was essentially bursting out of my kebab. In addition to providing generous portions, they often give out extra falafels with the food ordering. The service has been consistently good so far and the environment (space between tables, cleanness, etc) is fine for a fast food place.
(5)Adina R S.
Delicious. I had the chicken shawarma and it was amazing. You also get a free falafel :) The store doesn't look much, but go on in, looks can be deceiving.
(5)Kim Y.
Came here on a whim with my boyfriend and left with a great experience! The servers are very kind and helpful with the menu since it was my first time trying Mediterranean food. The food is a blast of flavor! I love the hummus, rice and chicken kebab together, it was spot on! We will definitely be returning. The owner or manager (not sure) was also extremely polite and welcoming =)
(4)Duna R.
Great food. Fast service. Can't wait to go back! Definitely THE falafel king - they give you a free falafel while waiting in line, and it was a perfect little scrumptious thing - crunchy on the outside and delectable on the inside. I know my falafel and this was a memorable one. I ordered the lamb kabob entree. Fluffy rice, solid kabobs, drizzled with tahini sauce, along with sides of tabbouli and hummus (tabbouli was an upgrade I requested). I randomly found another falafel in my dish - yet another serendipitous encounter with their amazing falafel. Great meal for the price. They also sell orangina in their fridge. I walked out of here a happy girl.
(4)Merry L.
I made the mistake of skipping breakfast and running errands, so when I saw the long line, I was tempted to abandon my plan and run to quicker fare. They move very fast and they offer a sample of the falafel while you order. It is incredibly crispy and crunchy but not dry at all. When he offered hot sauce for my falafel roll up, I knew I made the right choice. Crispy, refreshing cucumbers, creamy hummus, crunchy lettuce and sweet tomato made this crispy falafel roll up the perfect lunch!
(5)Jake S.
Bostonians are idiots when it comes to food. The rating on this place once again confirms this. This place is garbage and is also located in a garbage location. Save those few dollars and go somewhere else. Quality is cheap. Yeah it's 7 bucks for a meat wrap, but there are other places at the same price point but that give better quality (not in Boston). Feed anything to Bostonians and they will eat it.
(1)Tatum L.
Oh my days falafel king. Nasty, terrible restroom. Had had HAD to go so I went. It was not ok. Pee all over the floor (in the women's!) and the seat was too. I won't go into more details -- just know it was bad. Good food, terrible restroom.
(4)Hannah R.
I love letting the hipster out when I talk about knowing about the King before it was cool. I was going to Falafel King before you even knew what falafel were (actually true when I'm talking to my midwestern co-workers)! I was going to Falafel King when they were just a counter at the back of the divey food closet below Mojitos! But seriously, I'm happy for the brothers who own this business and were able to buy themselves a second, larger place to expand into. When Eat Kitchen shuttered its windows without so much as a see-ya-later, Falafel King pounced on that location like a kitty on a laser dot. They had the doors back open before anyone even knew Eat was gone--and since they didn't bother to take down the Eat Kitchen menus, change the decorations, or get a new sign for a few months, some people probably mistakenly though Eat Kitchen never left. Nonetheless, leave they did, and Falafel King is straight up pwning this location. Long lines are basically a given if you hit them during the lunch rush window, but most people will tell you it's worth it. You get to eat falafel and hummus samples in line! I personally like to get one of the shish kabob platters or the grape leaf wrap. These folks do it up right, with hot sauce, tahini, and pickles! The only way this could taste more like their Israeli counterparts' versions is if they offered chips (french fries) as a filler. You get a big meal when you go to the King, but odds are you'll be pretty hungry after waiting in that line. Bon appetit!
(4)Krysten C.
I stopped here today with my kids because my younger son has been asking to try shawarma since he saw the 2nd ending to The Avengers. I'm glad I brought him here. We ordered 2 beef-lamb plates and a chicken kabob plate. Oh my delicious! And at about $8 a plate and the huge serving size (rice, falafel, hummus, cucumber salad), it was a great deal.
(5)Anjali K.
We stopped into Falalfel King on a Tuesday afternoon in Boston. The line was long, so obvioulsy the food must be good. Hubby and I both ordered the falafal wrap, mine with pickles, and his without. We both got spicy sauces, and the preparer was kind to provide us with whole pieces of falafel to sample. Crisp, chickpea, and all around a-ok. The wrap was great. Hubby and I agreed that the falafel wrap + pickles gave the extra dimension of flavor that was necessary to make it good. The portion was very large, so we ate half there, and half much later. I must say the flavors maintained for up to 4 hours later as we munched on the wrap. Overall, A-OK place. Would be tempted to try their kabobs at another date.
(3)G R.
The falafel sample is a nice touch. It's true the small sandwich is huge, I could only eat half for dinner. The ingredients were very fresh the hummus creamy with a nutty bite to it. Everything is laid out salad bar style (behind glass of course) for you to pick out your combination of toppings. Fast, friendly, filling and frugally priced.
(4)Tim A.
Outstanding falafel wrap in boston. Big fluffy falafels, lots of veggies, great hot sauce, super clean restaurant. And a free falafel ball dipped in hummus as they make your sandwich!! Great great sandwich!!
(5)Charles M.
Awesome spot for lunch. The food is excellent and the portions are HUGE. Prices are Super Cheap for this area. The regular roll ups are hard to finish. Order the plates and you'll wan to go back to work and take a nap. Super Fast service and free Falafel's while you wait in line.
(5)Julie B.
Couldnt have asked for anything better. Good and quick food, not too expensive; actually a fair price for downtown crossing. Its clean too, very important! hubby got a falafel wrap and I, a kofta salad with all the fixings
(5)Linda W.
Oh Falafel King... We had a rocky start in the beginning but you guys managed to turn it around.. sort of. I'll just start off by pointing out that my first experience was at the Winter St. location which proved to be super underwhelming. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high but considering all the hoopla about it online & the lines during lunch I figured they had to be nothing short of amazing. The wrap was definitely a decent size but I it ended up unfinished because I wasn't too crazy about the falafel, which seemed to be lacking in freshness and seasoning. HOWEVER, after stopping by the Washington St. location, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and maybe I went on an off day the first time around.. (or maybe this location is just better!) The falafel was noticeably improved and the guys working behind the counter are quick and efficient. The free falafel in the beginning doesn't hurt either! I just really wish they were somewhat more flexible, my spot Piperi on Beacon St. lets you do half chicken/half falafel and their falafel's slightly tastier for around the same price too. Whether its this FK location or the other one (both in downtown), I have to say I wouldn't really be able to give more than three stars. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad place but even being the falafel newbie that I am, I feel there may be better places around Boston that are not as overhyped. But then again, that's just my two cents.
(3)Ashley D.
I just visited THE Falafel King of downtown and to be honest as a first timer was overwhelmed, especially because it was loud and crowded, the staff has a fast assembly line, the menu covers everything from plates, to kabobs, salads, and wraps. Long story short it was my turn I'm at the counter and the staff shoved a falafel with hummus in my face... it was good, great not bland and not too much spice like others I've had in the past. I order a vegetarian falafel wrap and they start loading on EVERYTHING lettuce, sauce, pickles, red peppers. I was overwhelmed as I don't like pickles and had to tell the guy 'go slow with me it's my first time here' he just smiled and kept going, didn't ask and kept assembling. When at my desk I wasted 2/3rds of my wrap only eating a few pits of the wrap and all of the falafel. I'll definitely visit again, early before the 12 o'clock lunch rush and only to order a side of falafels. I'd rather have it that way to pay less - consume less white carbs, and potentially add them to my salad. I still am shocked that people go out for lunch every day totaling roughly $7-$12 per day = between $35 and $60 per week.
(3)Michael R.
Study the menu and take fast talking lessons. These dudes do not play around. They give you a free sample, then when you're mouth is full they ask you what you want...my coworker almost choked to death and I got the wrong thing. And it was all awesome and I'm already planning my next trip! Perfect lunchtime place for the city worker.
(4)David H.
This falafel is delicious, and the portions are ridiculous. And they give you falafel in line. The chicken is amazing, very flavorful and juicy. Great spot for a quick bite
(5)Tingting L.
Visit: Once. Food: I like falafel, and free samples make me happy. :) Had a lamb shish kebab in a pita wrap, and it was very tasty, if perhaps a little oily (what restaurant food isn't?). I dug the textures and combination of flavors, though it was a little bit drippy. The veggies were very fresh, and the lamb was delicious (and freshly grilled!). All in all, very, very good. Atmosphere: Can't say I understood why there was a yuppie looking word wall on one side - it looked more like a chain frozen yogurt store than anything else. It doesn't bother me, though, given that it does more or less function like a fast food place, at least in speed (rather superior in taste). Service: Lose a point here - I'm not sure why the cashier yelled at me while I was at the table regarding paying for the food when my boyfriend was up getting our orders. I don't think she meant to be mean or even as loud as I perceived, but it did come off that way to me, so I can't say it felt particularly welcoming. The guy at the grill was super awesome, though. Cost/Benefit: 8 for a solid, tasty, on-the-go, fresh wrap made to order? Definitely no complaints here!
(4)Joelle K.
I had never had falafel before my visit to Falafel King, and I was blown away. You get a falafel while waiting in line, which is an awesome start! Everything is so fresh and tasty. There is a reason that there is a line out the door at lunchtime! The falafel wrap was delicious and very inexpensive. I can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)Michael C.
Really good falafels in downtown crossing. On a nice day this place can get packed with the financial district crowd. Things move at a pretty quick pace in here, my falafel was ready before I could even inquire about different toppings, so be quick.
(4)Gonzalo B.
The three stars is a Sunday-kinda-thingy. I've thought of - and given - better than this in the past. First, the guy making the veggie falafel wrap on Sunday put in about 11 pieces of cucumber. Then He Didn't Offer a Free Taste of a Falafel. When I asked he looked at me like:" You know about that?" Um...yeah. Thanks. It's not getting docked from your pay, is it? The Big Bummer here though is The Woman - I'd call her the "C" word but let's not go there right here. Let's just call her the "B" word as in ^&%$#@$% BITCH. With a nasty attitude. You know the one. That resents working a cash register, who thinks she's above it. Bitch, you are in the "People Business". Don't act like you are doing me a favor taking my money. When I told her to put the change in the tip jar she positively flung it in. She took my cash like it was poison. Just a mean, nasty, rude, dumb BITCH with a Fowl Attitude. No, you're not as pretty or hot as you think. Maybe the royalty bus missed you on the last stop. The owner should kick her and her Sucky Attitude to the curb. I should have told her to take the falafel wrap and ram it up that not-as-nice-as-she-thinks-it-is ass. And watch the grape leaves on Sunday. They were probably made on thursday. And tell the guy to hold half the dozen cucumbers - and, yes, you'd like the free falafel too.
(3)Kathleen C.
This was the first time I've ever had a falafel and I love them! I ordered the King special which consisted of pita on the outside with their DELICIOUS hummus on it, veggies (cucumber, lettuce, etc), falafels, and a chicken kabob inside and I was STUFFED. While the employee was preparing our wraps, he made sure he first provided us with a free sample falafel while we were in line. Their service was quick and easy and we were able to sit down and enjoy our falafels in the shop. I definitely suggest stopping by and eating here if you get the chance!
(5)Ido W.
Bottom line: Not the best falafel / kebab plate I've had but not bad at all, friendly and reasonably priced. I will probably come back for more. Pros: Generous portions, fresh ingredients, many vegetables, feel good good, price/product ratio is good Cons: Not the best kebab I have had, the "feel" is really "fast food" (and the customer area of the store is not very clean), there are no salads you can take for yourself ("a la Falafel Amsterdam"), the hot sauce is not authentic and they put the food in styrofoam containers which stay forever (why not offer cardboard plates for in-store diners?)
(3)Anna D.
De-licious falafel. The rumors are true, it looks like a chain restaurant, but isn't; they give you a free falafel while they make your food; cheap and super clean. Will definitely be going back.
(5)Jessica S.
I love Falafel King. This is the same as the one people know on Winter st. It is nice that they finally have seating. The food here is always fresh and so good. I got the falafel salad plate with chicken, hummus, and tabbouleh. Very filling. The decor in this new spot is nice and the staff are always friendly and very fast
(5)Daniel M.
I love The King. There is no falafel better and no service friendlier in DTX. I love that they're finally settling in to the former Eat Kitchen space by removing the previous menus :) No matter, the place has been packed since day 1 and with good reason. The falafel is the best. The free falafel while ordering doesn't hurt either. Everything I have had from here has been delicious and they are always affordable. You cannot go wrong with Falafel King.
(5)Stephanie M.
Crazy amount of food for a great price. Plus, they give you a falafel with hummus on it to eat while you order and wait for your food. Only disappointing part is their pita isn't great, but the falafel more than makes up for it in my opinion!
(4)Caitlyn T.
I'll start off by saying that the servings sizes are huge! Unlike a lot of places in the area, you definitely won't leave here hungry. I got the lamb kabob over salad and it was just what I was craving today. The service is fast but not very friendly. Lots of people working behind the counter, none of which are too concerned with customer service. Not a lot of smiling going on. The place has a good location in downtown crossing, enough seating to accommodate a small crowd and is pretty clean.
(3)Jacob R.
Amazing food, fast service, and friendly staff.
(5)Jon P.
Falafel King was a very good experience everything tasted fresh in my chicken Kabob wrap. They have many choices from Lamb to Chicken and so on. Very affordable at around at around 7 bucks roughly 9 with a drink.The seating area is decent not made for many but definitely nothing to complain about. I plan on visiting again to try something new on the menu.
(4)Ladyjane S.
Honest-to-god I could eat here everyday. Each time I come here I'm blown away by the well oiled machine that is Falafel King. These dudes have it down! I'm trying to be healthy and usually order the chicken kabob salad, but really you can order anything here and it is fantastic. The tomatoes and cucumbers are fresh, the chicken is moist and juicy and the falafels are yummmm. The hummus here is some of the best hummus I've had. I don't know why it's so good but it definitely doesn't taste healthy. I just tell myself it is... You can get in and out of here in about 10 minutes even when the line is out the door. 5 stars for efficiency, 5 stars for fresh, tasty food and 5 stars for the nice man that gives everyone in line a free falafel. One of my favorite businesses in Boston.
(5)Food D.
Ok, I had such a nice review for this place, I've been a loyal customer since their winter st. days... but oh man, why did this have to happen?! WHY?! I hit the busy lunch time rush hour. Love it, because the food is so fresh. Got my falafel , hummus, rice + salad plate. Couldn't wait. Got home. I opened up the box. Started digging in furiously. Then... I found a huge, thick, black curly hair in my salad. I'm sorry. I couldn't. The thought of it every time, makes me gag :(. I can't stomach another falafel king meal ever again, and it's such a damn shame. Hygiene is huge in my books. Finding a massively thick hair deep in my salad was not OK.
(1)Tina D.
Thank you for this location, which is conveniently right next to where I work. The food is so incredibly good and the service is always with a smile. You may feel a little rushed, but never at the sacrifice of good service! The lines get long but move really fast and you get a falafel patty while waiting in line. Yum yum! I come here maybe twice a week now.
(5)Valerie J.
Don't let the long lines during the lunch hour rush fool you, these people can move. I highly recommend the Falafel Wrap, the Falafel platter, the chicken kabobs...I could go on. Reasonably priced, fast friendly, and they give you a free falafel while you wait in line. They don't call it Falafel King for nothing people.
(5)Cintia L.
I have to tell you this story. Yesterday we had a party at Language Skills English ( languageskills.us ) Center, to celebrate Eid with our Arabic students. They catered the best food! First the owner, Kadhim personally took my order over the phone. He said "Honey I will make you happy with the food". And boy he delivered! The food was cooked that morning with the fresh ingredients. For $10 per person, he delivered an abundance of food! Our students had a blast at this party, but it would not be possible without great Middle Eastern food. I absolutely recommend Falafel King for your next catered party!!!!
(5)Lauren L.
I love Falafel, and I heard this was "the place to go for falafel" so I said hey, I will listen to Yelp, why not! So I headed over there from my office nice and early, I think it was 11:30. I tried the door, it was locked. Luckily a friendly customer got up and opened the door for me. Was it just stuck? I have no idea. I was helped sort-of quickly, but some guy ahead of me was ordering 5 sandwiches (that's so annoying, right? I hate being behind THAT GUY), so after about 4 minutes of waiting to be served, the lady offered me a free falafel. mmmm, that was good. So I ordered the falafel sandwich. It was decent. I really wish I hadn't gotten the pickles. I love pickles, I put them in my PASTA for crying out loud, but they didn't mesh with the sandwich. But the sandwich was really good. I'd definitely recommend, though I would actually recommend Pita Kabob more, I think it's a slightly better. I'd go again!
(3)Jennifer C.
I only eat falafel from here-it is the best! The falafel sandwich is the absolute best I have ever had. I am so glad a friend found this place and told me about it-it is fantastic!!
(5)Peter H.
I like eating here when I don't mind smelling like garlic for the next 24 hours.
(3)Adam E.
Well, he went and did it. The Falafel King opened another location. A well-lit, spacious location that is on Washington, close to State. With this move, he jumps from a 3 to a 5, easily! It does not feel anything like a back alley and is not terrifying in the slightest. While the other location did make me feel like a bad ass due to its dark and dangerous-seeming exterior, there is nothing less tough than me, in a sweater vest and lesbian sneakers, buying a falafel and hummus on my corporate lunch break. So why pretend. With this new location, I can wear my sweater vest proudly. Sometimes I even leave my security badge on. I always get the falafel and hummus combo, with hot sauce. Someday maybe I'll try something else, but I dunno. Bonus falafel while you wait in line doesn't hurt either.
(5)Steve W.
Got the Lamb kabob plate. It was very good, fresh. Like the falafel sample while waiting in line. Definitely come back.
(4)Chelsie H.
I've told y'all about the glory of Falafel King before. Were you listening the first time? No?? WELL IT'S FREAKING AMAZING. There, my first review in a nutshell. This review is for the new location. The King has taken up residence in place of the old Eat Kitchen on Washington Street, opposite Potbelly's and Q'doba, and neighboring Subway. Bright, clean, spacious and inviting, it's about time the King had a fitting kingdom! The staff is friendly and smiling as ever, with a warm, crispy, hummus--dipped falafel ready for you to snack on as you place your order. Super fast and efficient, in the blink of an eye you've ordered, paid, and stuffed it into your face before you can even consider walking out the door. Which brings me to my next point - seating!! There is now a place to sit and enjoy your food, instead of having to go find somewhere outside, a lå the Winter Street location. Oh, and a basket of warm kittens upon the King's house for choosing a location just steps from my office. You've gained a loyal subject for life!
(5)Shuang C.
Came here for lunch yesterday, surprisingly good for an area known for mediocre food catered towards the office worker lunch crowd. First, the free falafel dipped in hummus they gave me in the beginning was pretty dang tasty. The falafel was nice and crispy (I know I know, legit falafel isn't supposed to be fried, blah blah sue me), the hummus was good too. They almost made me change my mind about ordering lamb kebab, almost. I'm glad I stuck to my original order though, because the lamb patties were very nicely seasoned. There were hints of some herb that I can't identify in the patties that just made it taste so much better than all the other lamb kebabs in the area. Must be dat magic kush.
(4)Jonathan T.
Fast, delicious, good portions, you can't go wrong.
(5)Christopher B.
I ordered a chicken kabob wrap. I was expecting falafel *in* the wrap, but instead I got handed a ball dipped in hummus. Amusingly this resulted in a mouthful of falafel while I was trying to pay. The falafel was middle of the road, not quite awesome (like the former Sapal in the CambridgeSide Galleria) but nothing identifiably wrong with it. Maybe it just needed more toppings like how I normally eat it. Chicken kabob wrap was also kind of OK. It could have used more seasoning; it was not that flavorful. I ordered it without hot sauce; maybe sheer heat normally makes up for lack of flavor. Service is indeed extremely fast and other than the food it's a nice fast lunch place. Given the many other choices around Downtown Crossing, I doubt I'll be back.
(2)Jeff G.
"My friend my friend" he yells "You want hummus? I give you hummus" :dumps hummus on a plate. "You want falafel....here take" in a very funny middle eastern accent handing me a perfectly crispy and disc shape falafel ball (for free). I literally feel at home at this place because the staff are so funny and the service is so fast. Prices are very reasonable for the area and its a ton of food. Most notable the beef is "beef/lamb" which not many places have. I actually like this place better than Zo down the road. The only thing I wish was that the bread was a lafa handmade and chewier instead of that bagged crap. If they did that it would be 5/5 stars no doubt. Go try it!
(4)Ouezzanie K.
This place is amazing! I'm a falafel lover, and a frequent customer to this location. I know the employees by name and the owner. It's not the reason why I'm writing this review. BUT, I'm being honest, they are simply doing a great job, the falafel are awesome as well as the service. I don't go to the winter st location anymore. The service there sucks. The two Iraqi brothers there don't know how to smile or make you feel welcomed. 5 stars to this place and I would def recommend it.
(5)Allen C.
Best falafel I have ever had. Being a falafel lover, I can honestly say that this is the best place to get it. The falafel is crispy on the outside, hot, and delicious. The falafel wrap is the best thing there. AsIde from the delicious food, the service is great and the staff is so nice. The chef gave me a free falafel and hummus just for entering the restaurant. I really love this place, and I would recommend it to any falafel lover. Lastly, falafel king is in a great location, right in Boston and within walking distance to Faneuil hall. It is a great place to stop by if you happen to be in the area.
(5)Ethan A.
YES. The other falafel king was in a very undesirable location. This place is bright, clean, and I don't need to worry about being stabbed while waiting. The line goes very fast during the lunch rush and I like having that extra few seconds to throw the free falafel into my container - I don't want to waste this munching in line. Vegetarian combo plate is perfect - heap of simple salad, big splatter of hummus and baba ghanoush, a couple falafels, grape leaves, and tabouli, with tax $8.51. I don't even like grape leaves but with even the smallest bit of hummus, can more than enjoy them. Half-pita added in works well to get every last bit of that oh so awesome hummus.
(5)Steve T.
While in town for the month, my co-workers took me here on my first day. The service was fast, the food was delicious and the price was just right. I can't think of a single complaint and I will definitely be visiting the kingdom again.
(5)Angelee N.
First time in here and these workers are rude as hell! Hummus is plain and they use iceberg lettuce. Disappointed.
(1)Edith K.
This location is way nicer and better than the location on Winter Street. I got the King's Special or something when I came here the last time. Got it with lamb kebab, hummus and falafel. YUM!
(4)Frank G.
Falafel wraps are cheap, around 6 bucks for a pita full of veggies and falafel balls. I wasn't too impressed with the other options on the menu but I'll only be going here for the falafel anyway!
(5)Alyssa K.
Walked in this place and was offered a falafel dipped in hummus to munch on while I decided. The falafels are super crunchy and tasty. Every time I've gone there I have gotten a falafel wrap and have not been disappointed.
(5)Brad H.
Falafel is some of the best I've had, lamb-beef roll up not as good . Staff is friendly. Price is on point
(4)Samantha S.
Delicious, huge portions, good price. At lunch hour this place gets pretty packed, but the line moves SO quickly. Seriously, these people are good at what they do.
(5)Whytnee B.
This place is fantastic. Glad to see they opened a new spot with significantly better visibility. Eating my chicken shwarma salad with feta right now ... delicious, fresh, AND guess what I just found ? A tomato with the gross brown part thoughtfully cut out ! So pleased ... I must be used to restaurants just being lazy and leaving it on. No extra charge for the feta, and he tossed in a falafel, which is also handed out for free as you wait. What's not to love ? And it was just over $7 for a ton of food, right on par with the neighborhood.
(5)Scotty F.
I think this amazing place has the best falafel in Boston. My favorite thing to get is the Falafel plate with rice and salad. They give everyone in line a falafel ball dipped in hummus, which is really nice of them. For those looking for something other than falafel, they have all the standard Middle Eastern favorites like Shawarma and kebabs. Very efficiently run operation.
(5)Valerie F.
Walking the Freedom Trail. It's 3pm and debating whether to skip lunch. Transformed that thought into skipping dinner instead when I saw Falafel King! Ordered chicken shawarma (my "go to" favorite) in the guise of a salad. Served with hummus, feta, a falafel, and pita. The chicken was hot and lean though a bit dry perhaps from being kept hot and the produce fresh and crisp. Very satisfying. Next stop, Mike's Pastry. After all, I'm skipping dinner, aren't I?!
(4)Lola A.
There are good falafel place in Downtown, and then there's Falafel King. This restaurant earns it's name because the falafel is supreme to others in the area. You get a sample dipped in hummus while you wait in line. The hummus is creamy and flavorful. The falafel is crispy and filled with love.
(5)Dee H.
I like this location, with its set up for fast service to take out or quick sit and eat, and get going about your business. They give a large portion, so if you had skipped breakfast, a falafel plate is plenty of fuel to cover for both meals.
(4)Meep M.
Come hungry and your stomach will love you when leaving this place. First off they give you a falafal each time you wait in line no matter what time of day. The portions are very filling and you get to sample a good variety if you get the plates. Can't say I've ever been disappointed with any meal here, but I can say it's Meeperlious!
(4)C. Leslie L.
I love falafel. I love the way it's a little different depending on which country the restauranteur is from. I love the sides that come with it on a plate, or the things that different places put in a wrap. I was so excited when I saw so many great reviews for this place. Well, it was originally the one on winter street I saw the reviews for. I've been to both of them. This is the worst falafel I've ever had. It's almost tasteless and so is the hummus. It's just fried crunchy. The salad is even tasteless, just a bunch of packaged lettuce that tastes like refrigerated cardboard. Boston has some amazing falafel places. How this one gets so many good reviews, I will never understand.
(1)Tanya H.
I've been a few times. I prefer the chicken to the falafel. I find it dry and hard. I think the atmosphere is too geared up for the product. There is no need to rush the way they do, espcially if your a novice and have questions. I've experienced that each time I've gone. The older woman at the cash register has zip personality and acts as if she is being incovenienced taking your money. Anyway..been there, done that. I'm thru. Meh.
(2)Alex C.
Have no fear of the long line at lunch, the lightening fast service at Falafel King will have you back out the door or sitting down with your order in just moments. Plus, while you "wait", you will get a FREE falafel dipped in humus to snack on. The name here is apt since this is falafel at its best: crunchy exterior, very flavorful & light interior. The salads and other fixings are always fresh - the lamb or chicken kabobs and numerous roll-ups are generous and delicious. The combination of high quality food, very fast counter service, friendly staff, reasonable prices along with a neat & clean restaurant easily earn The King 5 stars.
(5)Emily M.
The food was amazing and truly authentic! It has a pleasant environment and the staff was friendly. They make the sandwiches pretty fast which is nice but still good quality. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for an authentic Falafel!
(5)Heidi S.
I can't say enough great things about this place. The falafel is ALWAYS fresh and delicious. The humus is perfect. I usually order a falafel wrap with no meat. I'm not a vegetarian, but the falafel itself is so good that I don't even want to add anything to it! I go during lunch and the staff is always energetic and efficient. Don't let the long line scare you - it moves very fast!
(5)Jennie P.
Best falafel in the Financial District. Good prices and good value on the salads, wish they had better olives but that's a small thing. Very glad this location opened - super convenient.
(4)Jared H.
Holy crap the falafel here is amazing! Every time I come here the line is always out the door and for a reason. The falafel is fried to perfection and the combination of the hummus is enough to send you to food heaven. I always go with the Salad plate and get falafel and kufta. They also give you a sample falafel with hummus while you order and wait just to remind you about the food experience that awaits you. It also only costs like $8.50 with tax so its real cheap. DEFINITELY go here!
(5)Jesse O.
Good place to grab a quick falafel. Wraps are good not great, but the free falafel with humus while you order bumps this place from a 3.5 to a 4.
(4)Michael K.
Hit the spot. Although I thought I was the only one getting a free falafel ball until I read the other reviews. I felt so special only to feel so ordinary. No line at 2pm on a Sat.
(5)David S.
Good falafel, good grilled chicken, good hummus, free samples.
(4)Paul V.
Great food. Fast. Cheap. Awesome service. And a free falafel dipped in hummus while you wait in line. My favorite Kabob place in Boston.
(5)Daniel P.
Cheap and cheery. Falafel not super fresh during off-peak hours
(3)Firas N.
I had the special king wrap, what the lady working there recommended. It's made up of shredded lamb and beef with falafel spread with hummus on a layer of pita. The wrap is quite heavy. The falafel isn't that bad, not the most authentic tasting ever, but the meat was cold. After eating half the wrap, had to stop as I didn't feel well afterwards, partially because I saw a guy in the back cut the pickles with his bare hands. The concept of the store is nice and the ambiance is open and clean, but the quality of the food I had is unfortunately ok. Maybe some of the rest of the items are better.
(3)Michele P.
This is definitely the best Falafel sandwich/plate you will get in the Financial District. The new location is awesome (on the way to DT Crossing on Washington St if your coming from State) . Oh... and don't let the line scare you! It moves super fast and you get to nibble on a delish falafel pattie while your in line. All of the fresh ingredients are laid out in front of your eyes so there is no mystery as to what is going onto your delightful lunch. ;) This place should be on everyone's "I'm starving and I want something yummy today" lunch list.
(4)Mrs. G.
I really like Falafel King. My husband and I meet here for lunch during the work week. They give you a free falafel with hummas when you are in line so it's worth the wait. The food is great for a quick lunch. The hummas is yummy and the falafels are pretty good as well. Their chicken is also very moist and not dried out. I love the falafel wraps, they are huge so I usually get leftovers for later :)
(4)Oscar A.
I don't know suddenly something wrong going with this restaurant, I went again today after 14 days gap, chicken kebab tastes weird, like maybe stale meat. I used to go 2-3 days a week to this place but may be after today, I need a month break at least.
(3)Brandy S.
Love, love, love this place. We have an office of around 30 people and everyone hits up this place once a week or so. Just finished my combo plate - delicious & healthy!!!
(5)Bethany S.
By far my favorite lunch spot in downtown Boston. Fresh and delicious everytime. The staff is super friendly, and you're in and out in no time, even when the line is out the door. You also get a falafel while waiting in line, which is a great added bonus. Highly recommend!
(5)Jillian W.
So delicious! This place may have the best falafel in the entire Boston area. While Amsterdam Falafel Shop in Davis Sq gives it a run for it's money, the hummus/falafel combo here is to die for. While the service is not necessarily the friendliest, it doesn't even matter because the food is so amazing. I highly recommend Falafel King for anyone who likes mediterranean food. (One downside - no tatziki sauce). But the free falafel when you walk in makes up for it!
(5)Donald C.
I go here for lunch once a week! Great wraps and the falafels are the best around. The staff is very friendly. It gets pretty busy around lunch time but the line moves very quick.
(5)