PrintFor One of the Best Falafels, Head to Ashkara in the Lower East Side
When Ed and I passed a sign outside Ashkara in the Lower East Side declaring, "The Best Falafel in New York," our destiny was clear: We had to try it. Our expectations were built up even more when we spotted another sign in the restaurant that read, "Warning: Our falafel is addictive." You can't ignore that kind of confidence.
While we wouldn't necessarily call Ashkara's falafel the absolute best in the city (Ed and I recommend Taim for having the best falafel), it was easily one of the better falafels we've had.
Like popular falafel chain Maoz, Ashkara has a "shove in as much as you want" toppings bar for your pita sandwiches. It features pickles, olives, fried cauliflower, carrots, cucumber salad, and more.
Before and after the wrath of the toppings bar.
As I have no intuitive pita sandwich-making skills, this kind of freedom of choice doesn't work well for me—I treated my sandwich like a buffet plate and piled in more toppings than I should have, probably upsetting the delicate balance of falafel-to-non-falafel-matter. But whatever I piled in tasted good, my favorite being the fried cauliflower. I'd prefer the ability to disperse the toppings throughout the inner falafel goodness.
I tore through the toppings to reach the heart of fried mashed chickpea. First bite was a thumbs up. Along with the second, third, and so forth. The falafels were crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, light in texture, and had a good flavor. Ed and I would only complain that they were more moist than we would've preferred, but they weren't mushy, which would've earned an automatic fail.
Another plus was the freshly baked pita bread. Few things disappoint me as much as eating a falafel pita sandwich where the pita is about as sturdy and thick as a paper towel and practically disintegrates as you eat it. Ashkara's pita was fluffy and soft and stood up to its fillings.
I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at Ashkara, but if I had a hankering for a falafel in the Lower East Side, it'd be my pick.
Ashkara
189 E Houston Street, New York, NY 10002 (b/n Orchard Street and Ludlow Street; map)
(212) 260-8302
urbanpita.com
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6 Comments:
Is there any other true israeli style falafel places that are worth eating at in manhattan? I was in Jerusalem this past winter and loved the falafel or shwarma with french fries in them. I also had something called Jerusalem Mix, which was a combo of chicken livers, hearts, and pieces of chicken in a pita with pickled lemon, among other condiments. Any leads? My craving must be satisfied!
ChiefHDB at 1:33PM on 10/14/08
This looks good, but how does it rate versus Taim?
hondo3777 at 2:00PM on 10/14/08
@ChiefHDB: Never having been to Jerusalem, I wouldn't know what falafels here would taste as good. :( But I recommend Taim to everyone and I think it's run by Israelis. I've never heard of Jerusalem Mix before; it sounds awesome!
@hondo3777: It's not as good as Taim. I'd rate it in between Maoz and Taim...but man, I haven't found anything as good as Taim.
roboppy at 2:11PM on 10/14/08
@ChiefHDB - I think you can get two really good Israeli style falafels at Pick a Pita (in Midtown) and Olympic Pita (locations in Brooklyn and Midtown). Both will put french fries in your falafel! Very exciting...
Btw... that "Jerusalem Mix" sounds amazing. If you find that in NYC, please let me know!
Zach Brooks at 5:51PM on 10/14/08
Pick a Pita has the absolute best falafel! I've tried others, but theirs is the best!
ReneeC at 10:21PM on 10/14/08
three cheers for ashkara! this place really is the best, whether i'm popping in on a lunch break or lining my stomach after (or, more wisely, before) a night of drinking on the LES. the salad toppings make it bargain -- although i too fail at properly proportioning them within my pita. their belgian-style frites aren't bad, either....
rawksavvy at 5:37PM on 10/15/08