Falafel in Durham
It’s not about the destination but about the journey, they say, and that has been the theme of our trip to the Healthy Living Summit. Flying would have been easier, I guess, and after all our gas and parking fees and parking tickets and cab fares, we may not really be saving any money. But just 24 hours in I can safely say that I wouldn’t go back and do this trip any other way.
Driver and navigator/restaurant finder
After all, I don’t know an airport in the world where you can find falafel as good as what we had for lunch yesterday.
We hit the road around noon but held out for a late lunch so we could stop about two hours out in Durham, NC. Diana held down the fort as our official restaurant finder and pulled out a freaking gem at the last possible must-make-a-decision-now-before-I-miss-the-exit second. Presenting: International Delights.
Success!
YESSSSSSSS
This is my idea of a perfect restaurant: family owned, hole-in-the-wall, Middle Eastern food, tacky decor that makes no sense whatsoever (Native American mural? Eiffel Tower?), crotchety old man hocking loogies in the back (uhhh). The point is they’re not trying to impress you and they don’t have to because the food speaks for itself.
Just say no to ketchup.
“In the East, cooking is an art. Every ingredient is painstakingly measured to delight the palate… We believe ketchup is used to cover the bad flavor of junk food… We will decline to provide our customers with ketchup to add to their food because our dishes are simply the best.” <– AMAZING
International Sampler
I got the International Sampler: hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, foul maddams and pita.
I done good.
This is a bold statement but this was definitely some of the best falafel I’ve ever had. AND IT WAS GREEN. Everything was amazing. I inhaled it and then wanted more. I didn’t get more, but the sweet son of the owner did give us baklava for free.
Whatever you like, you can have.
And for all the men out there… When Diana asked this guy for a to-go box, his response was: “Whatever you like, you can have.” Granted, all she wanted was a styrofoam box, but it came across as the sweetest, most genuine response. And this should be your response to everything.
I rounded the meal out with one of Diana’s dough balls:
So good.
I LOVE places like that – there’s one somewhat near my house I pop into because the food is great and the staff are just awesome.
Funnily enough, I spent last night with my chopper making some grilled falafel. I make mine green, too! Then I take a nice egg-sized ball and drop it onto the Forman grill – it comes out nice and patty-like for burgers, though I usually eat it just off the grill with yogurt dip.
Glad you’re having a good road trip!
Delish. Hah, I love the ketchup sign, too. I used to be a ketchup fanatic but it’s true that it’s mainly used to cover up the taste of subpar food.
Looks perfect – I love great customer service… when people are actually glad to see you enjoy their food. Green falafel, eh? What made it greeen????
Just found out falafel is supposed to be green! Yikes. Ignore my comment. Never had good falafel.
i like the way you write…funny and interesting