Where in town serves the best falafel? My husband has never tried them. I want his first experience
to be a good one.
COMMENT 261199P
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2012-03-02 09:37 AM |
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Not Hollister Brewing Co. Their falafel's pretty disappointing.
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COMMENT 261201
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2012-03-02 09:38 AM |
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Zaytoon.
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COMMENT 261208P
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2012-03-02 09:57 AM |
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The Jewish Festival at Oak Park on April 29th.
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COMMENT 261210
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2012-03-02 09:58 AM |
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Natural Calfe has a good one..
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MOARTS51
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2012-03-02 10:04 AM |
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agree with 201 - Zaytoon
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COMMENT 261218
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2012-03-02 10:09 AM |
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Natural cafe's is pretty good, however I wish I could get it spicy. Will have to try Zaytoon.
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EDHATBARBARA
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2012-03-02 10:14 AM |
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I love the falafel salad at Sojourner.
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COMMENT 261223
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2012-03-02 10:15 AM |
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261208P - I have never seen falafel at the Jewish festival. Sadly, this town is void of good falafel. There used to be one across the street from Honey Baked Ham, but alas that is now another useless Japanese restaurant. Unfortunately your best bet, as 210 points out, is the Natural Cafe. But paying over $7 for a mediocre falafel is an outrage...something I certainly won't do.
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COMMENT 261224
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2012-03-02 10:16 AM |
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I just had some up in Santa Cruz and it was awesome, made me realize how much I miss good falafel. I have not tried Zaytoon's so I will have to give that a shot.
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ZIPPER101
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2012-03-02 10:22 AM |
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They are pretty easy to make, not what you asked I know. For many years I've used a recipe by Claudia Rosen found online.
There are, of course, many variations. Also, the frozen ones at Trader Joe's are honestly quite good if you're looking for quick and easy.
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COMMENT 261235P
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2012-03-02 10:31 AM |
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I thought there were some great ones in IV. Have they closed?
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COMMENT 261237
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2012-03-02 10:42 AM |
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There is no such thing as a "good" falafel ...
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COMMENT 261248P
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2012-03-02 10:56 AM |
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@261223, it depends on who the vendors at the festival are. My daughter and I had falafel last year.
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COMMENT 261250
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2012-03-02 11:02 AM |
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Again, not what your looking for, but I LOVE the recipe for crock pot falafel found on food.com. Come home from work Friday, mix 'em up. put in the crok, and after happy hour we come home to aromatic and tasty falafel.
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COMMENT 261252
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2012-03-02 11:06 AM |
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235
Almost forgot IV deli. I think they are like 4 or 5 bucks and pretty tasty too...
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COMMENT 261255
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2012-03-02 11:09 AM |
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there often is a food booth that sells falafel at the jewish festival at oak park. this year the festival is on april 29
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COMMENT 261261
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2012-03-02 11:28 AM |
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What's a falafel? Rhymes with waffle, is it sweet?
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MOONWILLOW
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2012-03-02 11:35 AM |
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I know you asked for in town, but there is a place in San Luis Obispo called Petra that makes the best I've had since visiting Israel. They are at 1210 Higuera on the corner at Toro. Friendly customer service and they give you a sample of the homemade pita fresh from the oven. I LOVE going there! Their other menu items are great also. Open 7 days, 10:30am to 10:30pm. It's a beautiful drive this time of year too, all green and flowers starting to bloom. :)
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COMMENT 261270
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2012-03-02 11:54 AM |
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I miss Baba's. IV in the 70's and on State for a brief while.
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COMMENT 261274
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2012-03-02 12:06 PM |
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The chicken ranch in Las Vegas
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AQUAHOLIC
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2012-03-02 12:11 PM |
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This too is not what you're asking for, but I'm really surprised we don't have this in SB. I know it would do really well. We stumbled into a Greek 'fast food' joint down in Florida of all places, it was so good, we ate there 3 nights in a row! They had falafel, along with giros and souvlaki...really simple food done well...will someone please open a restaurant or food truck serving this....pulleeeze!
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COMMENT 261284
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2012-03-02 12:37 PM |
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uuuyyyhhhmmmm ... NUTHIN compares to NYC street food ... the BEST falafels ever and super inexpensive ... why is our food scene in SB so dismal? WHY???!!!
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COMMENT 261294
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2012-03-02 01:14 PM |
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Mamoons on MacDougal Street near NYU is good and cheap. It SB, the Burger Bus serves the best falafel sandwich. At least they used to. . . .
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COMMENT 261298
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2012-03-02 01:19 PM |
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I had a SUPER yummy falafal in Ventura at Shamsi's Deli, corner of Thompson and Borchard. The mix was a little spice, they put tons of hummus in it and they serve it with a side; I get the pasta salad, which is penne pasta and the dressing is so tasty with a bit of pesto mixed in. You will be stuffed when you leave! Shamsi's Deli
2705 E Thompson Blvd
Ste B
Ventura, CA 93003 Look for the green and white striped awning, can't miss it!
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COMMENT 261309P
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2012-03-02 02:10 PM |
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Cafe Mediterra behind Sizzler in Goleta has a good one.
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COMMENT 261314
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2012-03-02 02:33 PM |
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Jumping on the NY bandwagon.....the best I ever had was on Ave. M near the E. 16th train station in Brooklyn. MmmmmMm then over to Carvel's for ice cream dessert.
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BIPOLARESQUE
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2012-03-02 03:06 PM |
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@223... SHINTORI ISN'T USELESS! it's our favorite japanese food place in town! the jewish festival will have fantastic falafel!
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COMMENT 261330
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2012-03-02 03:50 PM |
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Soak a cup of dried chickpeas in water over night. Strain water and then combine with 6 green onions, 1/2 cup or parsley, 1/2 cup cilantro, a few cloves of garlic, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/8 tsp cinnamon and S&P in a food processor. Roll into flattened balls and fry in oil.
viola!
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COMMENT 261331P
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2012-03-02 04:13 PM |
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"viola"?!
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COMMENT 261336
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2012-03-02 04:28 PM |
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For the record, Taim off 7th Ave on Perry in the Village has the best falafel in NYC. I never heard of Cafe Mediterra, but I plan to try it. I prefer my falafel with babaganoosh (spicy mashed eggplant).
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COMMENT 261352
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2012-03-02 06:01 PM |
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viola is french for tah dah....and Trader Joes has a terrific premade falafel...and yummy pitas, but I like to put the falafel and pitas (chopped up a bit) into romaine lettuce (chopped) and add in some tomato, onion, shredded carrots, humus and tahini....its great. And if hubby doesnt like the falafels, have some precooked chicken on the side and he can have a chicken salad instead. :)
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COMMENT 261357
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2012-03-02 06:17 PM |
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Forget it and have a BLT.+A
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CAPTAIN HALEY
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2012-03-02 07:35 PM |
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No...viola is French for a big violin.
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AQUAHOLIC
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2012-03-02 07:44 PM |
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It's Voila...and yes, it is French, it's an interjection that essentially means.. "there you are"
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COMMENT 261431
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2012-03-03 07:21 AM |
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Doesn't the little Greek hole in the wall on Haley have falafel?
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SEEDLADY
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2012-03-03 07:23 AM |
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...literally, 'See, there!'
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SEEDLADY
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2012-03-03 07:27 AM |
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there used to be King Falafel on N Broadway in Santa Maria, but I think it's a burger joint now. It was pretty good. Fresh oil (or not) can make or break a falafel.
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COMMENT 261447
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2012-03-03 07:56 AM |
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Yes, The Greek House on Haley, right off State has one of the best falafels around. Yes it is a hole in the wall, 4 stools, 2 small tables on the sidewalk, packed during lunch. GREAT FALAFELS! Really nice people. The rest of their food is excellent as well. Groupon has good deals there once in a while. Zeytoon is good, 2nd place for me. I have eaten falafels all around world, Greek House is world class eats, never mind the cheesy look of the place. Enjoy! The Zoob.
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COMMENT 261453
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2012-03-03 08:27 AM |
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Cafe Mediterra behind Sizzler is the best here!
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COMMENT 261455
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2012-03-03 08:33 AM |
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I second for the Burgerbus. "Wa La" also works in this txting, phonetic society!
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COMMENT 261458
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2012-03-03 08:55 AM |
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Agree with Zaytoon. Have to try the new Greek restaurant on State.
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COMMENT 261476
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2012-03-03 09:44 AM |
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BIPOLARESQUE - Shintori is absolutely useless to me. I can't stand Japanese food. If every sushi place burnt to the ground there would be no tears shed here.
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COMMENT 261492
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2012-03-03 10:43 AM |
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Where is Zaytoon?
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COMMENT 261498
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2012-03-03 11:09 AM |
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Zaytoon is on Canon Perdido between SB & Garden.
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COMMENT 261510
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2012-03-03 11:42 AM |
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I didn't ask the question but I'm grateful for all the tips on places I didn't know about.
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COMMENT 261523
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2012-03-03 01:00 PM |
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Pita Pit in Isla Vista is pretty good. The pita they use is amazingly elastic and they custom stuff them for you with your choice of nearly 20 items. While you can get them with chicken or ham or bacon, plain old falafel balls are the basic and they can be quite yummy.
The IV Deli mart also has them but I find them very dry. However their Gyro is incredibly good (and hot too if you don't ask for it mild. Fat sauce is required I think to take it all the way). The chicken shwarma is not bad.
Jungle George on Calle Real also has Falafel but there are much better things on their menu, had too much cucumber and little else IMHO but great food overall there.
Mediterra is high quality but small for the money. McKenzie's market on State has gyros, not sure about falfels.
It used to be the Fairfax district of LA had several amazing falafel stands and I recall a couple on Topanga Canyon Blvd once but it's been a long time since I was there.
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COMMENT 261952
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2012-03-05 07:09 PM |
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So interesting, all of his input. I say 'Thank You" for the tip about Greek place on Haley. Must try that soon. Zaytoon has good food but is expensive.
Lazy Acres sells falafel mix (in bins). I have used that. Whoever mentioned "Baba's" in I.V.----oh my god. Was that the name? When I saw this discussion topic that was the place I thought of. Summer days, salty from swimming in the ocean and then falafels. I remember eating them with "Ranch" style dressing, but was Ranch even around back then? And thanks for the recipe (in comment at 3:50pm)---I am definitely going to try that one.
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COMMENT 262256
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2012-03-06 05:31 PM |
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iv deli is by far the BEST> authentic and spicy without too much heat. they also have the best PASTRAMI which is no where else in Santa Barbara. The owner is from Jerusalem.
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COMMENT 276021
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2012-04-30 04:12 PM |
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I. V. Deli is great for falafel- you can get it as spicy as you want, and they have tatziki (sp?) and hummus, and cucumber, of course. Friendly people working there, affordable, quick and tasty. They even deliver to me when I'm on campus. However, I wish they did have some more toppings like shredded carrots, or sprouts, and tahini dressing (there might be tahini in their hummous but i don't know).
So Pita Pit (also in I.V.) has a bit of advantage because, even though they don't have baba ganoush anymore, you can get onions and mushrooms grilled added into it. Neither of these places has whole-grained pitas though.
I agree with the poster about Natural Cafe's being satisfactory but a little expensive. Also not quick.
I'm sure Zaytoon's are great, but when I go there I always seem to want to get something a little more fancy than falafel. I'm going to try the Greek place. Hopefully that can be my go-to place when I'm in SB instead of I.V.
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COMMENT 345073P
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2012-11-19 05:54 PM |
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I absolutely love the falafel at Avant Tapas & Wine in Buellton!
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