Philadelphia Falafel Project review #1 - Mama's Vegetarian

Mama's Vegetarian

18 S. 20th St.

www.mamasvegetarian.com

Falafel - ****

General food - ****

Dining - ** 1/2

Cost - $6 large sandwich, $3.50 small sandwich, $8 platter

One of the best restaurants to spring out of the falafel boom, Mama's gets it right with a well-constructed sandwich available quickly and at an acceptable price. Don't waste your time with a small sandwich unless you are too hungover to eat a real meal. The falafel balls are dense and mid-sized, with the perfect balance of textures. The hummus is exceptionally creamy, perhaps acting as the meal's strongest component. Both the large sandwich and platter fill out the meal with lightly vinegared tomato, cucumber and cabbage, all pretty tasty for space-fillers, and the small fixin's bar features smokin' chili sauce, delicious pickled radishes and fried cauliflower, although it is often understocked during lunch hours. The lunch hour concern is present for the falafel joint, however, as its diminutive dining area is quickly stuffed with Center City suited types. The place is much more pleasant during the off-hours, when one can keep close and unobstructed company with the fixin's bar. (Note - the short-lived second location at 7th and South is now gone. This is just as well, for the vegetarian-only 20th Street location was preferable to begin with.)