Sunrise Deli & Cafe

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Sunrise Deli has some of the best falafels I've ever tasted.  If you think Falafel Drive In (see post HERE) in San Jose has good falafels, come here and you'll know what a real falafel is supposed to taste like (ahem..Guy Fieri this means you..). 

The procedure here is walk up to the counter, then order and step to the side.  It's a small shop so it might take a little time for your order to be ready.  You pay after your order is ready.

Any Narnia (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe) fans should know what Turkish Delight is.  These gelatinous, sugary treats are made fresh here.  The two flavors served here are rosewater, the most common, and nougat filled with walnuts.

The falafel plate comes with a side of hummus, four pieces of falafel, tahini, and cucumber and tomato salad.  The hummus is super creamy, almost too creamy for me.  I kinda prefer my hummus with some chunky texture to it.  The falafels here are pure perfection.  Deep fried to order, these balls of chickpeas have a crisp outer shell with a fluffy center.  Usually, I pick at the cucumber and tomato salad because I find the vegetables to be flavorless, but the salad here is refreshing and delicious.  It's made with English cucumbers, which give the salad that extra crunch. 

If you just want a couple falafels to snack on, Sunrise Deli sells it by the half dozen ($2.99), and a dozen ($4.99).

Pieces of pita bread for the falafel plate.

The lamb shawarma here is decent, but doesn't compare to the greatness of the falafels.  It was a little disappointing to see that the meat wasn't sliced off to order, but instead came from a tray then reheated.  The lamb shawarma is rolled in a pita with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce.  Surprisingly tender, but needed more flavor.  

updated - Working my way through SF Foodie's 2012 50 dishes 

Address:                     Sunrise Deli & Cafe
                                          2115 Irving St.

                                San Francisco, CA

Type:                             Mediterranean/Halal

Popular chomps: avocado falafel
                                            super falafel
                                            falafels
                                            lamb schwarma

Chomp worthy:     falafel             

53rd and 6th Halal Cart - NY

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53rd and 6th Halal cart

New York city is filled with 3 things - hot dog stands, halal carts, and pizza spots.  The bright yellow shirts and addictive white and red sauce distinguish this halal cart from the hundreds scattered all over the city. 

Combo (chicken and lamb) rice platter  with yellow rice, lettuce, and pita

Combo platter with the perfect portion of LOTS of white sauce and a SMALL amount of red sauce =LOVE

Comfort food at its best.  Make sure you add the red sauce based on your level of spiciness - its can get pretty hot.  The combination of all the ingredients is addicting.  So flavorful, juicy, spicy, and satisfying.   East coast's answer to the California's burrito.

Verdict:           Must go when heading out to New York

Address:          53rd and 6th Halal cart

                                corner of 53rd St & 6th Ave. 

                                New York, NY 10079

Type:                 Middle Eastern, Halal
                                casual

Chomp worthy:  chicken platter with red AND white sauce

Random facts:

• cash only
• open from 7:30p to 4a ( best eaten after wandering the bars at night) - beware the lines for this can get extremely long
• click here if you want to know the calories (It's not pretty!)  Calories in chicken and rice plate