Maoz in Soho, London: The Search for the Perfect Falafel

When I am feeling a little down and craving some falafel (the two often seem to coincide, for some reason), there's only one place to head: down Shaftesbury Avenue to Maoz. Walking through busy Soho would cheer anyone up, and with a pita stuffed with falafel, salad and hummus in hand, suddenly everything seems right with the world.

Fresh falafel isn't all that hard to find in London, so Maoz must be something special if I'm willing to trek all the way to Soho for it. The staff's multi-linguistic banter gives it a colorful atmosphere, but the gleaming interior doesn't cause the same squeamish stomach as some of the shadier kebab shops do.

Plus, it's cheap. For a little less then £5, you can get a huge pita with falafel, hummus, grilled aubergine (eggplant) and all the salad you want, Belgian chips, and a drink. Where else can you get a deal like that in Central London? If you're feeling healthy, you can have your falafel in a salad box. In addition to the usual soft drink offerings, Maoz also has a freshly made mint and lemonade drink, which is delicious.

One of the best things about Maoz is they have a salad bar and sauces out for you to help yourself. While I may prefer the wrap to the traditional pita as my falafel hand to mouth vehicle, nothing can beat making sure you get just as much tomato, cucumber, garlic and chili sauce as you like. Plus, they have some slightly less traditional toppings on offering as well, such as olives and couscous. (But watch out-those olives haven't been pitted!) Also, I suggest putting a layer of sauce on your steaming fresh balls of falafel and bed of hummus before digging into the salad bar. That way your chili sauce is more evenly distributed throughout your falafel and salad toppings.

Maoz is located on Old Compton Street, just past Dean Street when coming from Shaftesbury Avenue. It is perfectly situated for a quick bite or a filling dinner, whether you are headed sight-seeing, to Theatreland, or to the bars and clubs of Soho. They only take cash so be sure you drop by a cash point before following your nose to the source of freshly fried falafel. You'll recognize it by all the stickers on the door from Time Out. They're also open late, so if you find yourself craving a midnight snack after a night on the town, Maoz is the place to go!