Mamoun's Falafel

Mamoun's has been serving falafel and shawarma on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village since 1971, making it one of New York's oldest Middle Eastern restaurants and its longest-running falafel counter. It is still family-owned and has grown to locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond.

The food

The order is simple: falafel or shawarma in pita, with tahini and, for the brave, a spoonful of the notoriously hot sauce. Prices are low by Manhattan standards, which helps explain its staying power.

Good to know

• The MacDougal Street original is tiny, with a few seats; most people eat on the go.
• It is listed on the Zabihah halal directory, and Mamoun's publishes halal information on its website.

Sources: Mamoun's own history page and the Zabihah halal directory. Not yet scored by Shawarma.com. Hours, menus and halal status can change, so check with the restaurant before you go.