Falafel is a small, deep-fried patty or ball made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, blended with herbs like parsley and cilantro, garlic, and warm spices such as cumin and coriander. It’s one of the most iconic street foods of the Middle East and Mediterranean, and it’s popular for a simple reason: it’s naturally plant-based, endlessly versatile, and genuinely satisfying whether you eat meat or not.
At Mr. Falafel in Morgan Hill, it isn’t just a menu item — it’s the restaurant’s namesake, and has been since the doors opened in 2009.
From Chickpea to Crisp: How Falafel Is Made
Good falafel starts with dried chickpeas (or a chickpea-fava blend), soaked and ground raw rather than cooked, which is what gives properly made falafel its distinct texture — crisp and golden on the outside, tender and herb-flecked on the inside. The mixture is seasoned, formed by hand into balls or patties, and fried to order. Falafel that sits under a heat lamp for hours loses that contrast; fresh, hand-formed, made-to-order falafel is what separates a memorable plate from a forgettable one.
Falafel on the Mr. Falafel Menu
Because falafel is the restaurant’s namesake, it shows up across nearly every section of the menu, not just as a single dish:
- Falafel Dozen ($10) and Falafel Half Dozen ($6) — the purest way to try it, plain and fresh-fried, perfect as a side or a snack.
- Regular Falafel Wrap ($12.95) and Falafel Deluxe Wrap ($14.95) — falafel wrapped in warm pita with fresh vegetables and house sauces, the most popular way to order it.
- Falafel Plate ($13.95) — a fuller, fork-and-knife portion for anyone who wants falafel as the meal’s centerpiece.
- Falafel Salad ($17.95) — falafel served over crisp greens for a lighter, still-filling option.
- Falafel Burger ($12.95) — falafel reimagined in a familiar American burger format.
- Vegetarian Combo Plate ($16.95) — falafel paired with hummus, baba ganoush, and fresh salad on one tray, the best single order for sampling multiple plant-based dishes at once.
Why Falafel Matters for Halal and Plant-Based Diners Alike
Falafel is one of the few dishes that genuinely works for every kind of diner at the same table. It’s naturally vegan and vegetarian, so plant-based guests aren’t stuck picking around a menu built for meat-eaters. And because it’s fried in the same halal-certified kitchen as every other dish at Mr. Falafel, halal diners don’t have to ask separate questions about cross-contamination or shared equipment with non-halal proteins — the entire kitchen, falafel included, runs on one standard.
That combination — plant-based by nature, halal by kitchen practice — is part of why falafel has stayed the anchor of this menu for over 15 years. It’s the dish that welcomes a vegan college student, a halal-observant parent, and a curious first-time visitor to the same table without anyone compromising.
How to Try It
New to falafel? Start with the Falafel Dozen ($10) to taste it plain, or order the Regular Falafel Wrap ($12.95) for the full handheld experience with vegetables and sauce. Either way, it’s made fresh, fried to order, and ready whenever Mr. Falafel is open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is falafel made of? A1: Falafel is made from ground chickpeas (or a chickpea-fava bean blend), mixed with herbs like parsley and spices such as cumin and coriander, formed into balls or patties, and deep-fried.
Q2: Is falafel vegan and vegetarian? A2: Yes. Falafel is naturally plant-based with no meat, dairy, or eggs in the traditional recipe, making it suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
Q3: Is falafel halal? A3: Falafel itself contains no meat, so it’s inherently compatible with halal dietary practices. At Mr. Falafel, it’s also prepared in a fully halal-certified kitchen alongside the restaurant’s halal chicken, beef, and lamb.
Q4: What’s the difference between the Falafel Wrap and the Falafel Plate? A4: The Falafel Wrap ($12.95) is falafel wrapped in pita with vegetables and sauce for a handheld meal, while the Falafel Plate ($13.95) serves the falafel open, typically alongside sides, for a fork-and-knife meal.
Q5: What does falafel taste like if I’ve never had it? A5: Expect a crisp, golden-fried exterior with a soft, herby, slightly earthy interior from the chickpeas, garlic, and fresh herbs — often compared to a savory, spiced veggie fritter.
Q6: Can I order just plain falafel without a wrap or plate? A6: Yes — the Falafel Dozen ($10) or Falafel Half Dozen ($6) are plain, fresh-fried falafel with no wrap or plate required.
