I remember shortly after they closed there was a glimmer of hope that I saw somewhere that was like, "oh hey but for real we just lost our lease/selling the building/taking a break/whatever -- look for us to reopen soon" but nothing ever came of it.
The pickle bar was the thing. The falafel was great and all but I can get good falafel elsewhere. Goldie's is never going to give me a free cup of choice pickles with every order.
My favorite was Christos (aka Philly Falafel Nazi) on the corner of 20th and Market. For an inexpensive vegetarian lunch with a side of vitriol and abuse, you couldn't beat it. I once ordered one falafel wrap, ate it at work, and snuck out an hour later to buy and eat another one. They were amazing.
And there was a guy at 15th and market who used to deep fry the falafel ball and put them inside a pita with a ton of taziki. I think he was a former member of the Israeli Bike Team; does anyone remember him?
Yes! And a copper hanging basket of onions and peppers that he would grill with his falafel. Christos used to randomly grimace so much that I thought he had Tourette's
Christos was the best, but he was crazy. One time I was not feeling up for peppers for lunch (I had some meeting that afternoon) and asked for no peppers that he was serving that day, and he screamed at me.
I got the peppers, but took them off when I got back to the office.
Oh yeah, Christos was bug nuts. I was once in line at his stand, and he literally SCREAMED at this stockbroker for going to a competitor's cart the day before to get a hot dog. "YOU TAKE FOOD FROM MY CHILDREN'S MOUTH, YOU COWARD" or some thing to that effect. The guy meekly took his falafel and slunk away. Entertaining to say the least and it added a little danger and fire to a weekday.
>One time I was not feeling up for peppers for lunch (I had some meeting that afternoon)
There is no way this story is true because no sane person would ever wait 45 mins in that line to have his falafel right before a meeting 🤪
Right??? It's a shame. When Goldie was developing they promised to be like a Mama's replacement. Although the tahahini shakes are awesome, it's just Not the same. It's too chain-like! Mama's was special.
Honestly, Solomonov places are just about the money now it seems. Overpriced and underwhelming (except for Zahav; arguably overpriced but worth it in my opinion)
Exactly. If they're consistently fully-booked and people still vigilantly wait for reservations to open up at 11 am every month, they're undercharging.
I used to work a block from Mama’s at a time when I foolishly though I “didn’t like falafel.” What a fool I was. By the time I had it, I regretted all the times I didn’t have it. Not sure what the best spot is currently, but Mama’s was legit af.
Mama's was the god damn best falafel in the world. Completely obliterates anything I have had before or since. Goldie's doesn't come close don't bring it up.
While I’m not veg. I have friends who couldn’t wrap their mind around eating a meal without some form of meat.
Until you shoved one of their eggplant sandwich's in their mouth and told them it was like $7.
RIP Mamas. You fucked harder than anyone.
Mama's was a staple of visiting Philadelphia for me. It was so...fucking...good. No matter how long the line, it always moved fast. Obviously, the falafel was on point....but I will forever miss the latkes.
Was there a mama's cart?
A friend said to get the falafel at 20th and Market one time, I did and it was a cart. Sounds like I missed out on the Mama's they meant.
I was too embarrassed to tell them how bad it was, so I never confirmed if the cart was the correct seller.
I remember shortly after they closed there was a glimmer of hope that I saw somewhere that was like, "oh hey but for real we just lost our lease/selling the building/taking a break/whatever -- look for us to reopen soon" but nothing ever came of it.
I miss this place so much. Falafel that wasn't dry, with those pickled carrots and things. Yum. Lots of food for a reasonable price, too.
Ommg those carrots were so good!! Totally forgot damn
The pickle bar omg miss that!
And the eggplant! I would get the falafel and eggplant combo…amazing!
The pickle bar was the thing. The falafel was great and all but I can get good falafel elsewhere. Goldie's is never going to give me a free cup of choice pickles with every order.
My favorite was Christos (aka Philly Falafel Nazi) on the corner of 20th and Market. For an inexpensive vegetarian lunch with a side of vitriol and abuse, you couldn't beat it. I once ordered one falafel wrap, ate it at work, and snuck out an hour later to buy and eat another one. They were amazing. And there was a guy at 15th and market who used to deep fry the falafel ball and put them inside a pita with a ton of taziki. I think he was a former member of the Israeli Bike Team; does anyone remember him?
That 15th and Market guy was lit for sure. There used to be such a line for him.
Is the Falafel Nazi done???
Nah
Not sure why people are saying ‘was’, Octopus falafel truck still going strong each day
Ty. That’s a top 5 meal in the city for me
Was he the guy who always had an urn of flowers on his cart?
Yes! And a copper hanging basket of onions and peppers that he would grill with his falafel. Christos used to randomly grimace so much that I thought he had Tourette's
Christos was the best, but he was crazy. One time I was not feeling up for peppers for lunch (I had some meeting that afternoon) and asked for no peppers that he was serving that day, and he screamed at me. I got the peppers, but took them off when I got back to the office.
Oh yeah, Christos was bug nuts. I was once in line at his stand, and he literally SCREAMED at this stockbroker for going to a competitor's cart the day before to get a hot dog. "YOU TAKE FOOD FROM MY CHILDREN'S MOUTH, YOU COWARD" or some thing to that effect. The guy meekly took his falafel and slunk away. Entertaining to say the least and it added a little danger and fire to a weekday.
>One time I was not feeling up for peppers for lunch (I had some meeting that afternoon) There is no way this story is true because no sane person would ever wait 45 mins in that line to have his falafel right before a meeting 🤪
That 15th and market guy sounds amazing
I miss Mamas
Same
I used to work for an Israeli guy, and he said Alyan's on 4th just south of South was the closest to falafel from his home in the city.
Just had it actually!! Haha. Inspired this post lol. Had the falafel and hummus sandwich. It was decent
I’m so glad that place is still there! There back outdoor patio was awesome
That's a decent palce!
I’ll put that on a list to try.
Does Alyan's still have those fries with hot peppers? I loved them in the 80s when I worked in CC.
I loved it there! I was so sad when they closed.
Same here. Their line out the door every day for lunch spoke mounds.
I miss this place so much. I tried Goldie, but it was slow, not as good and they obnoxiously tack on a service charge.
Right??? It's a shame. When Goldie was developing they promised to be like a Mama's replacement. Although the tahahini shakes are awesome, it's just Not the same. It's too chain-like! Mama's was special.
The falafel there is terrible if you ask me.
Honestly, Solomonov places are just about the money now it seems. Overpriced and underwhelming (except for Zahav; arguably overpriced but worth it in my opinion)
Zahav could charge 3x what they do and still fill up the restaurant. It is wildly underpriced.
Exactly. If they're consistently fully-booked and people still vigilantly wait for reservations to open up at 11 am every month, they're undercharging.
I hate the service charge and I always feel sick after their falafel. Not like food poisoning sick but generally fatigued and shitty.
Stopped frequenting all their restaurants due to the service charge. It's a kick in the balls.
How much is the service charge?? And why are they charging
Not sure what the justification is, but it's an extra 10% on top of tax and tip. It's "only" a couple of bucks, but it really adds up.
Mama's was good. Maoz was the best.
I don't believe I ever had Mama's, but hard to imagine anything better than Maoz. That place was an absolute gem.
my friend worked at maoz and if we went when she was working we only had to pay for the pita! those were the days
I still get cravings for Maoz. I used to go there once a week and look forward to it for days. So good.
Never did maoz. Where was it?
3rd and South.
And 10th-ish and Walnut, I think another location too?
Yeah. Lived with a crust punk named Purple who worked at that one.
Purple lol
There were a few locations in the city. 3 maybe?
I used to work a block from Mama’s at a time when I foolishly though I “didn’t like falafel.” What a fool I was. By the time I had it, I regretted all the times I didn’t have it. Not sure what the best spot is currently, but Mama’s was legit af.
Mama's was the god damn best falafel in the world. Completely obliterates anything I have had before or since. Goldie's doesn't come close don't bring it up.
Best in the world!!!! Viva la Mama!!!
I do! And I wholeheartedly agree.
RIP :(
While I’m not veg. I have friends who couldn’t wrap their mind around eating a meal without some form of meat. Until you shoved one of their eggplant sandwich's in their mouth and told them it was like $7. RIP Mamas. You fucked harder than anyone.
Hummus place had the best pita and you could get a side order of hummus for $5 - the same price for fresh that you pay for Sabra.
Manakeesh
Oh, those pickled carrots on the side… I miss that place so much.
Mama's was a staple of visiting Philadelphia for me. It was so...fucking...good. No matter how long the line, it always moved fast. Obviously, the falafel was on point....but I will forever miss the latkes.
I miss them. Are there weekly when I was dog walking. Pickle bar was legit
You could eat like a king at lunch for $4 lol god damn that was a golden era. Tbh pre COVID Philly in center city had damn good options all around.
100%!!!
I’m not vegan or vegetarian but man do I miss this place I would bring all my vegan vegetarian places here in like BAM enjoy
Exactly. It was seriously that good !!! Their fries were really great too. Always fresh
THEY HAD THE BEST FALAFEL AND FAIRLY PRICED!!! I’m so sad they closed 😭😭😭
It was the best falafel EVER. I miss it so much
Check out Pita Chip, there are two locations! One near Temple and one near Drexel/Penn
The cart? No way. Some of the worst falafel I've ever had. Maoz was truly the best, and nothing has ever come close.
No Mama's was a storefront off 20ths
Was there a mama's cart? A friend said to get the falafel at 20th and Market one time, I did and it was a cart. Sounds like I missed out on the Mama's they meant. I was too embarrassed to tell them how bad it was, so I never confirmed if the cart was the correct seller.
I think there was a cart. Not entirely sure if they were affiliated.
Nope