Amsterdam Falafelshop

by Chris O.

The falafel here is amazing.  There are so many toppings and it's quick and hot.  I actually don't know why I'm reviewing this place since it's all been said before.  Go here instead of risking getting your ass beaten at the jumbo slice places.

by Brittany G.

Delicious falafel, excellent toppings bar. Doesn't take cash, which is difficult to understand when you come here wasted (which is when you will come here). Less of a bad decision than jumbo slice or julia's empanadas. Sit by the window if you can.

by David K.B T.olivia d.Beverly T.Hyunoo P.

Was looking for a place to eat in the DC area that was good, quick, and cheap.  Amsterdam Falafelshop fulfills all three of those requirements. It's located right in the heart of the Adams Morgan Neighborhood.  So it seems to be a converted row-house or something as do most of the venues in that area.  This leads to a fairly small and cramped dining area that is probably best described as "cozy".  It adds to the ambiance of the place though.  It just feels friendly.They basically serve two things: falafels and frites (AKA fries).  They also serve fountain pop and I believe they also had some sort of dessert/brownie on their menu but I was there for the falafel and fries.I got the regular falafel and regular fries (all for $10.49) and it is a crap-ton of food.  The regular falafel comes with 5 balls (while the small comes with 3) on either a white or whole wheat pita and you get to pack it full of fillings from the condiment bar.  NOTE: Be sure to follow their instructions on how to pack the pita.  I tried to get all the condiments to the bottom of the pita, but was not quite successful in doing so.  I imagine that is only a technique that can be mastered through practice (translation: I'll be back).The condiment bar comes with plenty of options.  Their website has a full listing.  Definitely some of the better falafel I have had.The fries were pretty standard.  Nothing to write home about (though next time, I will probably just get the small, the regular size is a pretty generous portion for only 1 person who already has a regular falafel to eat).  Like in Amsterdam, you can get mayo to dip your fries in.  They also offer a peanut sauce and of course, Ketchup.It's a great place to eat.  I imagine the place to be packed after the bars close.As already stated, I'll definitely be back the next time I am in the area.Multiple visits - each one interesting.  Sometimes it is empty - sometimes so crowded I eat outside.  I get the regular falafel, but this might not be the best idea, as it is hard to fit the toppings all the way down without ripping the pita.  Next time - Im trying the small.  I want my toppings evenly distributed.  So the latest involved a visit with guess who - its Hyunoo! - who proceeds to refill his toppings half way through the falafel (health code violation...)One time one of the flafels wasnt cooked at all.  Very squishy and cold.  I might have to try Old City Cafe if that ever happens again.Sorry yelpers, I dissed y'all after the Saki event to figure out whether I would buy into the hype around Amsterdam Falafelshop.I bought it all right.Now as a disclaimer, I don't really know a proper thing about falafels. I've heard something about chickpeas, something something vegetarian, and sometimes they smell like dirty underarms... but when it comes to things like which toppings to use, what the multicolored toppings actually are, something about crushing balls, and how you're supposed to eat a falafel... I know nothing about that stuff. So I approached the toppings bar with ignorance and an open mind and started just piling the stuff on. "I think this is hummus.""What is this? beets?""I think this is some kind of hot sauce.""Cucumbers! Green vegetables sound good.""Yogurt sauce?"Once my pita pocket could be filled no more, I was good to go. We sat down at a table, watched the crazy party people with their neon green and purple 80slicious coats and ate our way through some cheap deliciousness. I made mine a little too spicy, but in a good way because it tasted good while burning my tongue, instead of just burning my tongue.Many a times, what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular. But sometimes the popular does get it right. Deep thoughts by Olivia.So hubby and I weren't that hungry. It was 10:30 at night. We were tired from all the fun stuff in DC and it was raining outside. BUT I figured when the heck am I ever going to be in DC again? So we dragged our butts out of the hotel room, grabbed and hooded jacket and made the trek to this heaven.It's small. The large can feed two people. The fries are amazingly crispy. The toppings are so good. My favorite were hummus, this stewed tomatoe thing, garlic mayo, tzatziki, picked cucumbers, and I loved the fries with this peanut sauce.You don't get any utensils, so i would suggest making multiple trips back to the condiment bar and fill up those little cups with what you want. I regret not eating here more than once during our stay in DC.This was pretty good falafel.  Moist and crumbly interior with a crispy exterior.  It may be a recipe thing, but I prefer my falafel to be vibrant green (from being freshly ground) on the inside.  It lends a certain flavor/texture that gives birth to dreams and hope... however, this place is still good.  I like the idea of having toppings served in salad bar format.  Load up on cucumber sauce, hummus, fatoush-esque veggies to your heart's content!  Said salad bar is an excellent vector for spreading diseases.  It's like getting an extra treat in your pita! Also, the place is small.  So it's relatively easy to sidle up next to people you saw at 9:30 club the same night and strike up conversations.  Wwooooo!

by Amy K.

OVERALL: 4.6FOOD (Quality): 5FOOD (Quantity): 5 (If anything, TOO generous)SERVICE: 4AMBIANCE: 4VALUE: 5This falafel is no joke....$10 (tax included) gets you:- a 'regular' (re:ginormous) freshly toasted pita (white/wheat) crammed with piping hot falafel+self-serve condiment bar (check their website for full listing)-fresh fries (try the peanut sauce)-sodaCASH ONLY!!!

by David K.B T.olivia d.

Was looking for a place to eat in the DC area that was good, quick, and cheap.  Amsterdam Falafelshop fulfills all three of those requirements. It's located right in the heart of the Adams Morgan Neighborhood.  So it seems to be a converted row-house or something as do most of the venues in that area.  This leads to a fairly small and cramped dining area that is probably best described as "cozy".  It adds to the ambiance of the place though.  It just feels friendly.They basically serve two things: falafels and frites (AKA fries).  They also serve fountain pop and I believe they also had some sort of dessert/brownie on their menu but I was there for the falafel and fries.I got the regular falafel and regular fries (all for $10.49) and it is a crap-ton of food.  The regular falafel comes with 5 balls (while the small comes with 3) on either a white or whole wheat pita and you get to pack it full of fillings from the condiment bar.  NOTE: Be sure to follow their instructions on how to pack the pita.  I tried to get all the condiments to the bottom of the pita, but was not quite successful in doing so.  I imagine that is only a technique that can be mastered through practice (translation: I'll be back).The condiment bar comes with plenty of options.  Their website has a full listing.  Definitely some of the better falafel I have had.The fries were pretty standard.  Nothing to write home about (though next time, I will probably just get the small, the regular size is a pretty generous portion for only 1 person who already has a regular falafel to eat).  Like in Amsterdam, you can get mayo to dip your fries in.  They also offer a peanut sauce and of course, Ketchup.It's a great place to eat.  I imagine the place to be packed after the bars close.As already stated, I'll definitely be back the next time I am in the area.Multiple visits - each one interesting.  Sometimes it is empty - sometimes so crowded I eat outside.  I get the regular falafel, but this might not be the best idea, as it is hard to fit the toppings all the way down without ripping the pita.  Next time - Im trying the small.  I want my toppings evenly distributed.  So the latest involved a visit with guess who - its Hyunoo! - who proceeds to refill his toppings half way through the falafel (health code violation...)One time one of the flafels wasnt cooked at all.  Very squishy and cold.  I might have to try Old City Cafe if that ever happens again.Sorry yelpers, I dissed y'all after the Saki event to figure out whether I would buy into the hype around Amsterdam Falafelshop.I bought it all right.Now as a disclaimer, I don't really know a proper thing about falafels. I've heard something about chickpeas, something something vegetarian, and sometimes they smell like dirty underarms... but when it comes to things like which toppings to use, what the multicolored toppings actually are, something about crushing balls, and how you're supposed to eat a falafel... I know nothing about that stuff. So I approached the toppings bar with ignorance and an open mind and started just piling the stuff on. "I think this is hummus.""What is this? beets?""I think this is some kind of hot sauce.""Cucumbers! Green vegetables sound good.""Yogurt sauce?"Once my pita pocket could be filled no more, I was good to go. We sat down at a table, watched the crazy party people with their neon green and purple 80slicious coats and ate our way through some cheap deliciousness. I made mine a little too spicy, but in a good way because it tasted good while burning my tongue, instead of just burning my tongue.Many a times, what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular. But sometimes the popular does get it right. Deep thoughts by Olivia.

by Kool P.

OK, I just realized that what I ate was completely vegetarian, it never occurred to me because I was eating French Fries with Mayonnaise too... So, if I could eat here everyday, then I could become a vegetarian... All for only $10 per meal. Nuf Said.

by David K.

Was looking for a place to eat in the DC area that was good, quick, and cheap.  Amsterdam Falafelshop fulfills all three of those requirements. It's located right in the heart of the Adams Morgan Neighborhood.  So it seems to be a converted row-house or something as do most of the venues in that area.  This leads to a fairly small and cramped dining area that is probably best described as "cozy".  It adds to the ambiance of the place though.  It just feels friendly.They basically serve two things: falafels and frites (AKA fries).  They also serve fountain pop and I believe they also had some sort of dessert/brownie on their menu but I was there for the falafel and fries.I got the regular falafel and regular fries (all for $10.49) and it is a crap-ton of food.  The regular falafel comes with 5 balls (while the small comes with 3) on either a white or whole wheat pita and you get to pack it full of fillings from the condiment bar.  NOTE: Be sure to follow their instructions on how to pack the pita.  I tried to get all the condiments to the bottom of the pita, but was not quite successful in doing so.  I imagine that is only a technique that can be mastered through practice (translation: I'll be back).The condiment bar comes with plenty of options.  Their website has a full listing.  Definitely some of the better falafel I have had.The fries were pretty standard.  Nothing to write home about (though next time, I will probably just get the small, the regular size is a pretty generous portion for only 1 person who already has a regular falafel to eat).  Like in Amsterdam, you can get mayo to dip your fries in.  They also offer a peanut sauce and of course, Ketchup.It's a great place to eat.  I imagine the place to be packed after the bars close.As already stated, I'll definitely be back the next time I am in the area.

by E G.

My favorite falafel place in the DC area... and I love falafel.  The falafel is always cooked perfect and the endless array of toppings and salads is awesome.  Only problem is it's a long walk for me.  If it were closer, I'd go there at least once a week.

by nicey b.

Ok, so I took everyone's advice to give this place a shot. And I couldn't tell you how freaking excited I was. I mean seriously, sugar pie and I went and made this a weekend plan just to make a trip to try these famous falafels. Maybe I'm just not a big falafel girl? I don't fully understand all the hype. And I totally agree with Scott S. It is a royal pain in the anus to enjoy these, but having read his review and plenty others about the potential "messy-ness" of these falafels, I came prepared, and strategically ate my falafel as carefully as I possibly could. Success :) Make sure you smoosh them before eating. they stay put and don't jump out that way. ..yes.. one of my falafels tried to jump out of my pita. I know better now ;)The shop was a hell of a lot smaller than I imagined. No biggie...but I am thankful as hell that when we finally got our falafels, filled them with all the goodies, that two spots opened for us along the wall so we can sit our giddy butts down and dig in. I loved all the signs and frames with tips and advice made for newbies like my lover boy and i. I found them slightly calming, since I had no idea what to order, or how to order them. When I got to the cashier, I told him straight up that we have never eaten here before. And although he was a little pushy and just a little impatient, he was cool enough to do his best to remain calm and take our order, without making us feel like complete morons. We got two full falafels (we hadn't eaten ALL DAY, and this was our breakfast/lunch/dinner. blinner?) on wheat, and a large order of the fries. Right, I know..fatasses. :) The staff is efficient and fast. one guy's molding the falafel shapes, the other guy is pulling them out and assembling, and the last guy is cashier. They've got a good system going. My heart went out to all the wasted falafels/frites though. the guy threw them out literally 15 seconds after they were made if no one grabbed them immediately. my goodness, at least put them in a nice place so you can pass them to the homeless people of dc. and u know there's plenty of them..The condiments bar was fully stocked, and overwhelming. I didn't know where to begin. And although they left "tasting sticks," there was such a rush for regulars it didn't feel right to stand there and keep picking new tasting sticks to try everything. Its ok, that just means I have to go back again. :)The taste of the falafels were pretty normal and plain. They weren't out-of-this world, but then again like I said, I'm probably just not familiar with falafels and haven't gorged myself in their glory. The frites were a little greasy, and didn't have much salt so they tasted pretty plain too. I did like the delicate texture of the frites though. They were crispy outside and fluffy inside. :) Now that is memorable. The garlic sauce didn't taste like garlic, but more like a sweet mayonnaise.  :/ Over all, its not something I'd crave often but every now and then I know I'd appreciate something that is ironically filling, but not heavy. If that makes any sense... We were full for the rest of the night, but didn't feel groggy and lazy. pretty cool! Definitely give this place a shot. Its a nice experience, and the food obviously can only be judged on personal preference.. I did like it, but I wasn't head-over-heals in love with it like everyone else sounds.

by Hyunoo P.

This was pretty good falafel.  Moist and crumbly interior with a crispy exterior.  It may be a recipe thing, but I prefer my falafel to be vibrant green (from being freshly ground) on the inside.  It lends a certain flavor/texture that gives birth to dreams and hope... however, this place is still good.  I like the idea of having toppings served in salad bar format.  Load up on cucumber sauce, hummus, fatoush-esque veggies to your heart's content!  Said salad bar is an excellent vector for spreading diseases.  It's like getting an extra treat in your pita! Also, the place is small.  So it's relatively easy to sidle up next to people you saw at 9:30 club the same night and strike up conversations.  Wwooooo!