Description
Charbel Hamad wants you to focus on his wife Fadia's sweets when you visit his deli and bakery, and you probably should. His baklava is light and sweet compared to dense saccharine versions that often eat like a gut bomb. But the falafel served in this small storefront in Richardson may be one of the area's best kept secrets. It could be the best falafel in all of Dallas. the falafel starts with a recipe he got from his brother back in Lebanon. He soaks dried chickpeas overnight and then runs them through a meat grinder. Then he folds in minced cilantro, parsley, onion, jalepeno, and garlic. Next Hamad waits. It's not until you place your order that he grabs some of the falafel dough and folds in baking soda and a blend of spices. Hamad claims that's the secret to these crusty herbal fritters. That's why they're light as air. Whatever the reason these savory little fritters pack a lot of punch into a pillowy, fluffy package encased it an impossibly crunchy and savory exterior. Eat yours plain if you want but they're best enjoyed with a sandwich paired with tomatoes, parsley, pickles and tahini sauce. It will only set you back $3.99 so you should have plenty of scratch left over for all those sweets.
