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Shawarma sandwich at Mamouns Falafel
A long time ago, when I was still trying to overcome my social retardation (I've since given up), I found myself at this bar. Someone asked me how I got into food blogging, like what influenced me. Was it my mom? My grandmother? Besides the fact that I really didn't know how to return the small talk, there wasn't an answer. See, some of you might have noticed that I don't post as regularly anymore, and that's because neither writing nor the exploration of food tickles my fancy. The reason I started was because I saw a shit ton of food blogs out there and thought, "How hard could it be to buy a big camera, take three pictures, and spew out some nonsense?" This obviously poses a problem for a blog that should have three posts a week, and also because sometimes food itself just doesn't make me go berserk. What does make me absolutely ga-ga is cheap food. Maybe it's the thrifty gene that's embeded in many Asian folks, or maybe it's that I'm absurdedly cheap... but I just love food when it's not expensive.
It's safe to say that even though I'm perpetually hungry, food really has to be cheap to completely capture my fancy. The rapture over exquisite food is there, but it's not the same as $0.40 wing nights at Buffalo Wild Wings. When I was in school, the cheapest and tastiest thing was the falafel sandwich. In particular, those at Mamoun's falafel restaurant. It's basically this hole-in-the-wall with enough seating for 8, and back then, a falafel sandwich was $2 dollars (now $2.50). Think about it, a whole sandwich for $2 dollars. A fucking hot dog outside of The Metropolitan Museum of Art would have cost that much.
When you walk into Mamoun's, the most imposing thing is not a pile of fried chickpeas though. It's actually a giant hulk of shawarma. Of course the falafel sandwiches were nice, but I always needed two to be full. And back then, for $4 (now $5) one could get a shawarma sandwich. Real meat in a sandwich for $4!
Of course I had to try that, and after the first time trying the shawarma at Mamoun's, I kind of stopped getting falafel sandwiches there. Crispy bits of lamb roasted on a spit was just awesome. Of course memory of such meals always taste better in my mind. The memories grow fonder over time as do the memory of the taste. I tried it again last week and it wasn't as mind blowing as it was when I went to school. It certainly wasn't the price, because at $5, the sandwich is still a good deal.
I think back then I just really loved this sandwich because of the price. Instead of eating some greasy take-out from Sammy's, I could just get filled up on a relatively healthy lookin shawarma sandwich for less money. As a college student, this just blew my mind. These days I still look for cheap deals that excite me, but somehow it's just not the same. The takeaway from all of this is just that while you're eating something, just enjoy the experience. Sometimes you won't remember what you love about it at a later date.
Mamoun's Falafel
119 MacDougal St.
New York, NY 10012
212-674-8685
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Like what you've read today? Subscribe to my RSS and never miss a post!Posted by Danny on November 10 2009 at 4:46 pm
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Hear, hear! I totally agree!
I went back to the Hummus Place (i love hummus) today after a 2 years hiatus. Hummus still great (despite the raise in price...of course), but it's just not the 'same', like there are other things going on in life that just makes my old eating experience so much more 'authentic' and 'innocent' if you know what I mean. But I still love that place. I also love cheap eats, but can't be poor quality though. I used to go to Mamoun's for the side hummus, but just not the same...and the pita is too thin for me. Still...a really cool and economical place.
kim on November 10 2009 at 7:35 pm
You are delusional if you think shawarma is "healthy"
Ang on November 11 2009 at 12:37 am
I love how clearly falafel breaks into categories by price. There's arguably better (and more expensive) falafel in the city, but can you find another king of anything when it comes to $2.50? Hell, why not have Taim for the main course and Mamoun's for dessert? You'll still end up spending less than ten bucks.
Anyway, that was kind of random diversion into the falafel thoughts bouncing around my mind, but thanks for pointing out the virtues of an old favorite.
James on November 12 2009 at 3:12 pm
@kim,
cool and economical places are where it's at, you're totally right about that. So where do you go for hummus now?
@Ang,
what?! delicious != healthy?! plus I think shawarma is more healthy than say, gyro sandwiches. It's not toooo bad right?
@James,
Taim and Mamoun's! That's a great idea. Although I think one of the best things at Taim is their french fries. So maybe fries and then falafels? Hmm... there's an idea...
Danny on November 12 2009 at 3:15 pm
Fuggedabout Mamoun's.If you want the best lamb sandwich around (it's right across the street!) head over to Yatagan (104 MacDougal) for the doner kebab. I had Yatagan and Mamoun lamb for a side-by-side a while back, and it was no comparison. Yatagan was huge, tasty, and a bit messy because of all the juice. Mamouns is good for falafel, but head across the street to fill that lamb craving.
stevenp on November 25 2009 at 1:16 am
Needs more hot sauce.
Mr. Pork Chop on December 21 2009 at 11:48 am