Falafel at Route 66

[Aussie Mike]

There is a new foreigner food place open near Anhui University north gate (Anda Bei men), #11 Longhe Lu which sells falafel in fresh pita bread pockets.
It is served with tomatoe, cucumber, lettuce, pickled vegetable and sauces. Quite a taste. A large one, full pocket, sells for 8rmb and a half one for 5rmb.

Look for a white shopfront on the same side of the road as Anda but about 100 - 150 metres west of the gate, towards Hezuohua Lu.

If it's raining, take an umbrella as there is no inside seating.

[rgeczi]

Thanks to Aussie Mike's direction, I found the place quite easily, the only thing is, I got their too late.  Last night, I thought to make the journey to this Falafel place, to try some, but alas, I arrived past 10pm.  At home, while getting ready to go out, my thoughts were "get there before 10, get there before 10", but my body was telling me to be lazy.  I will attempt to make the journey there again, either today, or another day some time soon, to try out their stock.  Last night they ran out of ingredients, so I am not sure to look at that as a good thing, meaning tons of people bought falafels, or a bad thing, meaning underestimated the craving for these thingies.

If anyone has tried their falafels, post a review here to enlighten us of what might be in store when we make the trek there.  It's been a while since I ate some "foreign food", but I do hope to jump on the bandwagon at least this one time, with these falafels.

[Ra(c)hel]

Tried the place today.

Real good healthy taste. Good alternative for the known Chinese Shaobing.
They gonna serve some more food soon!
They start for lunch at about 11:30 am.

[rgeczi]

I also tried the place......so, let's give my review:

First, I thought these things wouldn't be filling.....Christ, filling as heck.  Maybe because I was sick when I ate them, so maybe I lost some of my "stomach room", but yeah, filling stuff.  I ordered 4 large ones, and I am just about to start the 3rd one.  These are good because they are lower in fat than some of the other alternatives currently out there, and healthy.  So, if you want a low priced healthy alternative to pizza, hamburger, and so on, give them a try.  You will NOT be disappointed.

The customer service was great, in addition to their food.  Good luck guys, and you will be seeing more of me in the future.  I love food, all kinds of food, so when I am looking for a "light meal", I will surely be going to the "Falafel Doctor" to cure my ills.   

@Rachel, you mentioned that they will serve some other food options soon, oh, do tell.  I am interested to know what other healthy stuff they are going to churn out.   

[rgeczi]

Well, I went back to "Dr. Falafel" for another helping of falafels, and I came to a conclusion.  The believe the "magic number" for me is 2 large falafels.  I think anything more than that I would be just waiting to explode.    Let me know if you can eat more falafels per sitting, and I will personally come to shake your hand.  I might be able to squeeze in a 3rd on a good day, but on average, 2 large ones do it nicely for me.

About rolling out new food items, I am game.  Anything that is healthy and somewhat lean, I am game for.  As long as the thing is not spicy, or has an option to opt-out, then I would be willing to try it.  BTW, going back to the falafels, the 8RMB price point for the large falafel is just right.  Can't go wrong.  Before, I mentioned a bakery that made sandwiches for 10RMB a pop, and that time I thought it was priced well.  But this.......outdoes that one, and "out-fills" it. 

Keep it up, Doc. 

[Andy72]

i should really visit this place!!!!

 

thx guys for keeping update with the reviews after our dear Aussie Mike posts the info!!!

andy

[rgeczi]

Andy, you should.  Great food and great convo.  I did a fill-up today....3 biggies. 

[Andy72]

for now i saw the pics that a friend of mine, and Erik (? the boss, and english teacher.. not sure about the name..) student took.. and looks great!

anyway, she ate 2.. but i don't know if they come in different size!

 

maybe tomorrow! still holidays.. and no extra work.. not like today (sitting at work now!)

andy.. becoming chiense too fast!

[rgeczi]

I went there today for my usual 3 big ones, and I found out today, that they are now serving vegetable soup.  The soup goes for 3.5RMB each, which is fair.  The taste, was good, and I give it 4 out of 5 stars.  I would give 5 stars but it's a tad sweet, which is like the devil for me (sweet foods).  I am not sure if sugar was added, or if it is naturally there because of the carrots, but yeah, it was a tad sweet.  Nevertheless, I will purchase it again, and make it part of my "falafel food run".  It sure as heck beats KFC's poor excuse for soup.

[Joeyhf]

I have to agree with all post above.Good Job Eric !!!! Your falafels are best !!!

[rgeczi]

By the way, is it only me, or does Eric's son remind you of Shia Labeouf?  If you don't know who this actor is, Google his name in the image section, to have a bunch of pics show up, and you tell me your thoughts about this comparison.  I don't know what it is, but Shia was the first popular movie person that popped into my head.  They are both Jewish, have somewhat the same build, hair more or less the same look.

His new nickname to me is "Hefei Shia". 

[Aussie Mike]

Some resemblance. 

[rgeczi]

I went again today, but this time, in the nighttime, which is a rarity for me.  The place was packed, wow.  For me, usually I go around 4:30 or so, which at that time, is a light trickle of people, but tonight, was rockin.

By the way, good job with the pretty girl behind the counter.  It's always nice to have something nice to look at, someone nice to talk with (in addition to Eric's son), while you are waiting for your grub to be handed to you. 

[rgeczi]

I went to pick up my usual 3 biggies and veggie soup the other day, and found out that they have a chicken sandwich using pita as the bread, so I decided to try it.  Below is my review.

The price is 10RMB, which is really fair.  You might be thinking that they skimp on the meat portion, but no, they give a decent amount of chicken breast.  And they load the pita pocket with the same vegetable options as they have for the falafel.  The only thing I hope they can change about it, is possibly to marinate the chicken, and if it is currently being marinated, maybe doing it for a longer time, such as overnight or something.  The chicken lacked flavour, and I think the marinate would really infuse life into the bird.  So, if they perfect the chicken taste, this thing can really be a winner.  Forget KFC, really.

I give this a 3.5 - 4 out of 5.  Fix the taste of chicken, and this thing automatically would be a 5 for 5 in my book.  Way to go, Route 66. 

[CapLou]

Is this place still there?