Victor's Gyros Falafel & Mediterranean Food

4007 Farnam Street

Omaha, NE 68131
402.341.7347
Open lunch and dinner, closed Sundays

Falafel Sandwich

Victor, the man, wears many hats. Owner, chef, and server. We can assume he also had a hand in the restaurant design, that he places the daily orders for the tomatoes and pita bread, and that he mops the floors after each busy night. During our dinner, every single customer that came and went seemed to know him personally. He even heroically shoveled out my friend's plowed-in car last winter, just to be nice. Ah, yes, Victor and his restaurant. It's about as locally owned and mom-and-pop (or in this case, just "pop") as it gets, but, does this mean we have to love it?

First, Victor nonchalantly crushed my dreams to try fava bean dip, stating that he was fresh out. Fortunately, the hummus served as a fine standby; it was coarse and garlicky, suiting my personal taste. The falafel was an almost buttery, beany goo with sesame seeds adorning the crisp exterior, and a complex spice blend that would probably puzzle the dudes at Amsterdam. The presentation of the falafel, however, was anything but complex: Spring mix, store-bought pita, chopped tomatoes, and a tasty tzatziki-like sauce that will give you some mean breath. There is no doubt that Victor serves some quality stuff, but seriously, what's up with the price? One hummus and one falafel sandwich came to $18.50, which is extremely steep, let's admit it.

Are we paying for the vibe? There are neat posters of Egypt to gaze at, but no music whatsoever makes me self-consious. I'm a really loud chewer! (Or do I just have thin cheek skin? I can't figure it out.) And halfway through the meal, I started giving my dining buddy the "I'm-still-going-to-be-hungry-after-this" look. I want to support Victor and his one man show, especially since his falafel patties are heavenly, but I think I have to wait for my tax return to go there again.

Hummus

Amsterdam Falafel

620 North 50th Street (Just south of Underwood Avenue)
Omaha, NE 68132
(402) 504-3223
Open every day for lunch and dinner, extra late on weekends 
http://www.eatafk.com/


I sometimes feel left out when ordering at Amsterdam, like I'm not cool enough, in the incestuous heart of Dundee where everyone knows each other anyway. I guess it depends on who's working, but on my most recent visit I was subjected to loud indie crap music and my order was messed up. But alas, the food is pretty good, and fast, and cheap, and it's open late, and this is why I will go back again and again. The döner--yes they call them döners--and the falafel sandwiches are both served on pressed Turkish style bread just as they are in... Amsterdam. The sauces are pretty legit (spicy, herby, garlicky). I do think the meat has a bit of a spongy quality, and they really do put too much on the sandwich. (Bigger isn't always better.) Also, I think it's odd to add chickpeas to the döner, and I don't fancy tabbouleh in the mix either, but this is NOT Amsterdam OR Turkey and I get that they're doing it their own way. Here's to more independently owned, quality street food places in Omaha, snotty counter dudes and all. 

Döner Sandwich

Döner close-up--Meat, Red Cabbage, and Tabbouleh Salad with Tomatoes

Chickpeas 

Hummus plate:
Warm pressed bread, side of tabbouleh salad, carrot sticks, and a HUGE serving of hummus

Casablanca Moroccan Cafe

3025 Farnam Street

Omaha, NE 68131

(402) 884-3362

Closed Mondays and between lunch and dinner

Lots of raving about this place, including the recent feature in the Reader, allowed our expectations to soar. Unfortunately, I'm still a little confused about the hype. Gratis hummus and salad were served immediately, both in large bowls with no side plates or serving spoons, so let's hope your dining mates don't have cooties or Hep C. The chef then came out and dissuaded us from ordering off the menu, promising to "take good care of us" if we just let him make us something. We didn't really have much of a choice. 

Half hour later out came the big ole bowl of rice, rice, and more rice, topped with grilled meats, potatoes and veg. Another twenty minutes later and the falafel arrived--three patties cut in half on a plate, dry and overcooked as could be, which was a shame because though the spices were flavorful, it was difficult to swallow, seriously. Sliced strawberries and grapes at the end helped to quench our thirst from all the dry food. All this for only $11 per person, but we left kinda scratching our heads, vowing to maybe try the sandwiches some day, if the chef will let us. 

Chef's Special with Rice, Grilled Peppers, Sweet and Russet Potatoes, Beef, Chicken and Shrimp

Falafel

El Basha Mediterranean Grill

7503 Pacific Street (in the shopping strip with Spirit World)
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 934-6266
Open Monday thru Saturday, 11am to 9pm, closed Sunday
http://elbashagrill.com

Do you know about döners? The sandwich made with the meat that spins on the big thing in the restaurant window and is shaved off by a dude with a big knife? Yeah, those. Most of my experience is with the Turkish version in Germany, but they come in all shapes and sizes, different breads and different meats from different animals and they're called different things. Gyro, shawarma, kebab, etc. In my opinion the best way to end your night out is by shoving one of these down your gullet. I think I must have had hundreds of döners in the past couple of years. The search has been on for the best döner (or döner-like meal) since I arrived in Omaha. The winner, so far, is to be found at El Basha. The Gyro, an open-faced version served on (mediocre) pita covered in tzatziki sauce and topped with fresh onions, tomatoes and herbs, was tasty, but the real star is the Beef Shawarma Wrap. Big enough for two, and filled with thinly sliced meat, grilled tomatoes, pickles, onions, and tahini sauce, this is very close to the "real deal" shawarma I often ate in Berlin. The pickles are key.

We both made our sandwiches combos by adding (mediocre) fries and a drink, and it wound up being way too much food for two people, so I suggest splitting. They are constructing more outdoor seating off to the side of the building (they currently have three tables overlooking traffic-y Midtown Pacific Street), and you can also partake in some hookah, if that's your thing. I only regret ignoring the baba ghanoush, hummus, and falafel in favor of the fleish-filled dishes. Next time, next time (perhaps tomorrow).

Gyros

Beef Shawarma Wrap

Second visit: 

Fresh and filling. Enough for two to have as an entree, really. 

Mezza Mix Plate with Hummus, Baba Ghanuje, Falafel and Taboule