Eat in San Francisco: Truly Mediterranean

Regular Falafel Wrap made with falafel, hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and tahini sauce

Located on 16th and Valencia in the Mission District, Truly Mediterranean is a casual Mediterranean restaurant known for their falafel wraps. Like Thanh Tam II, a Vietnamese restaurant half a block down Valencia, it's one of those places that I've frequented with friends or on my own a lot over the years, but have taken years to review. (This often happens with food that is wrapped in foil and can be hard to photograph.) I was introduced to Truly Med when I ran into a Palestinian friend who was doing some errands. An employee gave me a sample falafel ball as we were waiting for her order and I was hooked. 

Unsurprisingly, I've only ever had the falafel wrap, which is made with falafel, hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and tahini sauce. Truly's falafel balls are bright green — probably just a reflection of the various herbs they're made with, but this signals freshness to me. The wrap is packed with the fresh vegetables I love and then topped with delicious tahini sauce. 

Since this is more of a grab-and-go spot, I usually pick one up and enjoy it at Dolores Park a few blocks away as a seemingly healthier alternative to the burritos served at the copious nearby taquerias. Unlike a burrito, I can finish a wrap in one sitting — yes, I am very full, but not as uncomfortably so — so it doesn't leak in my bag like a half-eaten burrito usually does.  

Truly Med is more than just a place to grab well-priced food in one of the most expensive cities; it is the reason that I eat falafel at all. Before this, I didn't know falafel could actually taste good, after only ever consuming dry falafel balls that seemed like a sad, vegetarian alternative to a beef and lamb gyro (my other go-to at similar establishments). I've even spent time in the Middle East and haven't had falafel this good. 

Truly Mediterranean

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3109 16th St., San Francisco, CA 94103

Open: Sunday - Thursday 11am - 10pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 12am

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Eat in Oakland: Abba's Hummus

Falafel sandwich

Abba's Hummus is one of those places that I frequent often, but never have reviewed. Located on Lakeshore near Mandana, Abba's Hummus is a hummus bar and New York style deli that sells classics like falafel, shawarma, and pastrami sandwiches. 

I've only ever tried the Falafel sandwich because it's that good. Every falafel sandwich starts with a few falafel balls in a fluffy pita. You can then put in whatever fillings you want; some of the options include hummus and baba ganoush, beet salad, Moroccan eggplant salad, tabouli, and pickled vegetables. It is a Mediterranean food lover's dream menu. Since my sandwich is often stuffed to the brim, it makes a filling lunch, perfect for a day by the lake or at their parklet out front. 

I'm so glad there's an incredible falafel option in Oakland, so I don't need to trek out to Truly Mediterranean, my favorite spot in the San Francisco Mission district. Next time, I will also get the falafel.

Abba's Hummus

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3419 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, CA 94610

Open: Monday - Wednesday 9am - 6pm, Thursday & Sunday 9am - 7pm, Friday 9am - 3pm

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Eat in Oakland: Shawarmaji

Beef & Lamb Shawarma Fries with red onions, tomatoes, and tahini

Falafel Sandwich made with falafel, cucumber and tomato tahini salad, mint, and lemon in toasted Khobz Hamam (French roll)

My dining companion and I visited Shawarmaji, a casual Middle Eastern restaurant on Franklin between 21st and 22nd in Uptown Oakland, for the first time in late January of this year. 

We ordered two entrees: the Beef & Lamb Shawarma Fries with red onions, tomatoes, and tahini and the Falafel Sandwich made with falafel, cucumber and tomato tahini salad, mint, and lemon in toasted Khobz Hamam (French roll). The shawarma fries were incredible. Not only were the fries themselves delicious, they were complemented by the fattiness of the beef and lamb shawarma perfectly. This dish was made for sharing and the other ingredients added to the dynamic flavor. I've been thinking about these fries ever since. The falafel was served on a French roll, a first for me, and featured fresh vegetables, mint, and tangy lemon. (My favorite falafel place is still Truly Mediterranean in the Mission, however.) 

I want to return to Shawarmaji soon. If you've been, what do you recommend trying?

Shawarmaji

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2123 Franklin St., Oakland, CA 94612

Open: Daily 11am - 9pm

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Eat in Oakland: Pomella

Hummus Plate with Cheese-Stuffed Falafel + Tahini made with olive oil, paprika, parsley, and pine nuts, served with pickles and pita

Hummus Plate with Chicken Shishlik made with olive oil, paprika, parsley, and pine nuts, served with pickles and pita

I visited Pomella, a casual Israeli restaurant located on Piedmont and W. MacArthur, for the second time in early July, while catching up with an old friend. Right next to Doña, a favorite Mexican restaurant, Pomella has an expansive menu of rice and hummus plates, wraps, stews, and hot and cold mezze.

We both ordered a Hummus Plate (mine with the Chicken Shishlik and my friend's with the Cheese-Stuffed Falafel and Tahini sauce), which came with pita bread and pickles on the side. I remember everything being very good. The hummus was just how I like it — delicious chickpeas blended with olive oil, paprika, parsley, and pine nuts — while the strips of chicken were perfectly cooked, the pickles had the tang I like, and all these elements combined nicely with the pita bread. My friend's cheese-stuffed falafel was also quite good and the cheese inside complemented the falafel more than overpowered it.

I would definitely stop by Pomella again, especially considering how good their food tasted and how many more things they have to offer.

Pomella 

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3770 Piedmont Ave., Unit B, Oakland, CA 94611

Open: Daily 11am - 8pm

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Eat in Oakland: Souley Vegan

Monster Salad with green leaf and romaine lettuce, baby spinach, cucumber, tofu, falafel, sprouts, avocado, parsley, cayenne pepper, and a house cilantro dressing


Seitan “Chic” n Waffles made with house-made seitan, two waffles, vegan butter, and syrup

This past weekend, I visited Souley Vegan on Broadway at 3rd St. in Oakland. Located a few blocks from Jack London Square, this hip restaurant serves soul food made with only vegan ingredients.

I tried a half order of the Monster Salad, which came with everything from tomatoes and romaine to sprouts and falafel. It was very good. The dressing tied all of the ingredients together, while the tofu and falafel provided an interesting texture. I would definitely order this again.

My dining companion ordered the Seitan "Chic" n Waffles, a vegan spin on traditional chicken and waffles. It was pretty good as well. Although the seitan doesn't taste like chicken, it is very tasty on its own and is complemented by the waffles well.

Overall, Souley Vegan is worth visiting especially if you're vegan or vegetarian. It seems like their menu has expanded recently, with many appetizers, entrees, and beverages available. If you've visited Souley Vegan, what would you recommend?

Souley Vegan
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301 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 11am - 10:30pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 11:30pm, Sunday 9am - 1pm & 2 - 6pm

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