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    East Side Pockets

    4.6 (1.4k reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated a few days ago

    Order East Side Pockets Takeout or Delivery

    East Side Pockets Photos

    Business Info

    EAST SIDE POCKETS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - East Side Pockets

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    Falafel. I ate two befor I remembered to take a photo!.
    Starla F.

    Great spot on Thayer to get my falafel fix. Light fluffy hot little circles of love. Tziziki and hummus with Syrian bread. The store is fast paced, sitting on Thayer in the midst of Brown University. The space is small. A few booths and window seats if you want to dine in, a table outside if you want to people watch. Worth the trouble to find parking!

    Chicken kabob plate
    Kevin M.

    I am a frequent regular at East Side pockets. Consistent value, great quality and the best hummus, falafels and pita chips around. Their chicken and salads are amazing as well. Don't forget a piece of baklava at the register. Pita bread is fantastic as well. The staff is great and food is prepared fast. Never long waits at East Side Pockets

    Combo Wrap (chicken & falafel with everything) - sorry, mostly eaten
    Maryssa M.

    What can I say- East Side Pockets is always a strong staple- simply the BEST! I highly recommend all of their wraps, particularly the combo of chicken and falafel, or gyro and falafel- both with everything. The chips are also fantastic and super fresh- I could eat here everyday! Fantastic service as well, there is often a line but it goes fast! Small space to eat inside or outside but when it's a nice day I like to take my food to a nearby park!

    Falafel Salad
    Mary R.

    My husband is obsessed with this place. He gets a chicken, falafel salad, religiously such as simple menu choice but it's so so good.

    Storefront
    Steven F.

    Unbelievable Mediterranean food. I seek out these types of places but this is the best I've ever experienced. Got a Greek chicken veggie wrap and a falafel with hummus and all of it was super flavorful and cooked perfectly. Friendly staff as well and cultural music videos in the background. Total package. Highly recommend.

    Baklava
    Matt R.

    It's taken me a shamefully long time to dine here, but so glad I finally did! The food is so so fresh and everything is done so quickly. Don't even bother to order ahead because if you stop in, your food will be made to order and will be ready in about 2-3 minutes. I tried a falafel and chicken combo and it was so good. I ordered a gyro for dinner for later and that was great as well. There are a few booths and tables to dine in as well as a handful on Thayer street outside. It has a very casual vibe with music playing. No frills atmosphere and pretty self-serve. I loved it. I am looking forward to putting East Side Pockets in my regular rotation of food spots.

    Beef Steak Kabob Plate
    Ariel L.

    Good value, good food, and large servings! This is a good healthy alternative if you're on a budget and live in Providence. They also have baklava! There's a long line during peak lunch and dinner hours but it moves fast. Limited seating in the store but the food is packed to go anyway. This is a good go-to place for us since our Son is vegetarian and there's plenty of options at this place. Enjoy!

    From the Grill Salad ($12.04), Greek salad with chicken kabob, romaine, tomatoes, onions, banana peppers, pickles, olives, tabouleh, feta
    Kristen H.

    East Side Pockets is practically a Brown University institution at this point, serving up cheap Middle Eastern Eats on the university-adjacent, ever-popular Thayer Street since 1997! The restaurant exterior is unassuming, with pictures displaying some of their most popular dishes. The interior has a counter where you order, as well as several booth tables (although it seems that most people carry out). Since we were visiting during reunion weekend, the restaurant was packed on a Friday at 2pm, and we ended up waiting in line for our food (although it moved quickly, and they were giving out free samples of their falafel)! The menu is extensive, with options for everyone: from appetizers such as tabouleh, various dips, and kibbeh to pita wraps, salads, platters, and more, you can certainly find something to indulge in! Additionally, every menu category has options with different types of proteins, so if you're vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, etc., it's easy to customize your meal to your dietary preferences. There's nothing on the menu that exceeds $15, which is a steal in this day and age. We received our food within 5 minutes of ordering, despite how busy the restaurant was. You can see them prepping and assembling your food on the flat-top grill, showcasing how truly everything is made to order. Two members of our party ordered the Falafel Wrap ($9.03), which comes with "Hot sauce, Hummus, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions, Hot Peppers, Pickles, Tabouleh, Tahini, Tzatziki." It's truly a monster of a wrap, with plenty of flavorful, crispy falafel, fresh vegetables, and a pillowy pita wrap. We also ordered their French Fries ($6.48) to share - it comes with a mountain of crispy fries that are perfect to pair with the plethora of fresh dips that they offer. I ordered their From the Grill Salad ($12.04), which is Greek salad with your choice of chicken kabob, gyro, kafta, or beef steak. I opted for the chicken kabob, and it came with 3 huge pieces of chicken breast atop fresh romaine lettuce with tomatoes, onions, banana peppers, pickles, black olives, tabouleh, and feta cheese. All of the vegetables tasted fresh and delicious, and the feta cheese really adds a nice tangy acidity. The chicken breast was tender and well-seasoned, and the three dips on the side (hummus, tahini, and tzatziki) were perfect as dressings and/or dips. I particularly enjoyed the smooth nuttiness of both the hummus and tahini (which was a bit thinner), and the tangy, refreshing quality of the tzatziki. This was a huge salad that kept me full for hours on end. Overall, it's easy to see why East Side Pockets has been a Brown institution for years: the large portions of delicious, affordable food and fast service makes this a college student's dream, and we'll certainly be returning if we're ever back in the area!

    Lahamajeen "Meat Pie" with hummus and Tzatziki
    Robert G.

    I've been a huge fan of East Side Pockets; however, my last two visits have been very disappointing. I always order a chicken kebab wrap and not once but TWICE they forgot to put chicken in it. It's almost five dollars more for chicken in the wrap... that's unacceptable. My suggestion to everyone would be to check your take-out order before you leave. Their wraps have also been lazily prepared lately, leaking all over the place and making a mess. The falafel, hummus, and baklava were all amazing as usual.

    Menu (2/3) as of 11/30/25
    Winston L.

    Great spot for some Mediterranean fare. The Combo Chicken Kabob and Kafta Kabob wrap I got was chunky and quite a steal for $13! Both meats were succulent and had a delicious charred flavor. The other wrap ingredients looked and tasted fresh too. It was good enough for two meals! Easily recommend!

    Chicken Kabob Wrap

    Absolutely DELICIOUS food!!!! I used to dislike falafel because most of the stuff I've eaten was too dry to be saved by any sauce, but the falafel at this place is SPECTACULAR. It's moist, crunchy, and the sauce is to die for. I split a chicken kebab wrap with some friends after our horror movie night and it was perfect. Wonderful service, kind staff, and a welcoming atmosphere. I will definitely be coming back!

    Angel S.

    Ordered takeout, good food, friendly and fast service. Would def like to try more from the menu.

    Falafel wrap and fries
    El H.

    I had heard incredible things about this place, so I decided to stop in for lunch. They offered a sample of falafel and hummus while I waited for my food, and it was delicious. However, the hot sauce was just ketchup with added spices. I hate ketchup, and it was not hot sauce like I paid for. It was in the wrap as well, so it made it not my favorite. Definitely ask for no hot sauce, even if you like spicy food. It is not spicy, and it is just ketchup. Total waste of money!

    Falafel wrap

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    1 year ago

    Went today and just a small update to say this place still has the same awesome, high quality food they had however many decades ago. :)

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    7 months ago

    Business owner information

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    1 year ago

    Great food!!! Definitely recommend here over anywhere! Great service and food. Great ambiance as well.

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    1 year ago

    Love their wraps, so many options and always fresh and delish . They also have amazing desserts

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    1 year ago

    This place deserves all the hype!! Never had a bad meal from here. Every flavor is so satisfying!

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    2 years ago

    Hands down BEST gyro I've ever had! Personalize it or ask for suggestions! Great customer service!! It's one of my go tos when in town! Yum

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    2 years ago

    I have been going here for well over 30 years, I will drive from Coventry just to have their Fallafe.

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    2 years ago

    By far the best falafel around! Nothing else compares. The service is quick and friendly and also the hummus is amazing. Highly recommend.

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    1 year ago

    The yummiest food. Cleanest, most affordable protein meals. I go as much as I can after a nice lift.

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    Page 2 of 36

    East Side Pockets Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - East Side Pockets

    I saw on another website you sell the falafel mix. Is that true?

    Hello Dear, Thank you for reaching out. No, we do not.… 

    What items on the menu, if any, are halal?

    Hello dear, As of February 1st 2021 all of our grilled chicken is %100 Halal, Gyros upon request, Meat pies and kibbeh.… 

    Do you make your own hot sauce?

    Hello Dear, Yes we do.

    What is their hot sauce made out of? Is it soy free?

    Hello Dear, Hunts Ketchup, Red hot pepper, Cyan pepper black pepper and salt. Soy Free. Thank you

    Is everything here halal?

    Hello Dear. No unfortunately is not. Thank you

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    El Laham Restaurant - knafe

    El Laham Restaurant

    3.2(68 reviews)
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    Absolutely incredible food in large portions at a reasonable price. Employees are kind and provide…read moregreat, timely service. I've been multiple times and will gladly keep coming back for more. Instant 5-star.

    Respectfully sharing an unpleasant experience from our recent visit…read more We've been loyal patrons of this restaurant for a long time, usually visiting every other Sunday with a group of 9-10 friends to enjoy good food and time together. The ambiance and general quality of the food have always been excellent, and we've genuinely appreciated that. However, during our most recent visit, we had a rather disappointing experience that I feel compelled to share--constructively and respectfully--so it can hopefully be improved going forward. We ordered a spicy fish dish that unfortunately was not up to the restaurant's usual standards. It appeared to be a frozen tilapia, not fully cooked, with a strong raw fish smell that made it quite unappetizing. I returned it and politely explained I wasn't satisfied with the quality. I even mentioned I didn't mind paying for the meal if it met basic expectations--but I was met with a dismissive smirk rather than any understanding or acknowledgment. Later, when we went to pay, we were surprised to see an unexpected charge for tea! This was especially disappointing since tea had always been served complimentary during our previous visits. There was no signage or prior communication indicating a change in this policy. When I politely asked for clarification, the lady at the counter responded very rudely and was not willing to listen. Wanting to resolve the matter calmly, I spoke with a gentleman who appeared to be closely affiliated with the owner--possibly his son. He respectfully listened to my concerns and communicated them to the owner, who ultimately agreed to deduct the charges for the fish and the tea. While I appreciate that decision, the attitude of the front staff, especially the lady at the counter, remained rude and unprofessional! There was no apology--only resistance and continued arguing. As returning customers, we didn't expect perfection--but we did expect respect and consistency. I hope this feedback is taken in the spirit of improvement, because we've enjoyed this place many times in the past and would like to continue doing so in the future. Good service is just as important as good food--and I truly hope future guests are treated with a bit more courtesy and care!! !!!A long-time customer!!!!!!!

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    El Laham Restaurant
    El Laham Restaurant - Warbat or shaybiyeh depending on where you're from! fresh crispy out the oven with 2ater!

    Warbat or shaybiyeh depending on where you're from! fresh crispy out the oven with 2ater!

    El Laham Restaurant - Arabic Tea, available in front at the register or back room.

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    Arabic Tea, available in front at the register or back room.

    M&E Syrian Cuisine

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    Please note that this is NOT a fast food restaurant as advertised. This is actually a small mom &…read morepop shop with a few basic items used to cook Middle Eastern foods, serving a few prepared items, such as kibbeh, tabouleh, spinach pies, flat bread topped with zaatar, and milk pudding dessert. I was hoping to find a complete renovation from the previous business it replaced but, alas, the only thing that changed is the name and a few added items in their prepared food section. The new owners have recently immigrated to the US, so the woman who assisted me had challenges communicating with me in English. Luckily, she had a translator on her phone that translated the list of food on my text message into Arabic writing . I think these people are VERY BRAVE for starting over in a far away land. In the grocery section I bought a jar of pickled turnips for the chicken pita wraps I make at home. (Trader Joe's now sells toum, or garlic sauce, traditionally used as a condiment in Lebanon similar to garlicky mayonnaise. You can use meat from rotisserie chicken available at most local grocery stores). They also have fresh lebneh, or strained yogurt. From the prepared foods section, I highly recommend their kibbeh (if you like lamb; my hubby thought it was good) and their slow cooked chicken with Syrian rice pilaf, which is an authentic Syrian regional home cooked meal. This was delicious and the portion was perfect for the price. I also liked their milk pudding cups, though I wish the portion was larger. If you decide to try the cheese or spinach pies, you might need to baked it in the oven a while longer as they were undercooked. My four stars is for the slow-cooked chicken with rice pilaf and the milk pudding, which I will come back for. Hopefully, we will see some renovations in the future since it still looks shabby as it did before this business took over

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    M&E Syrian Cuisine - Authentic Syrian regional home made slow-cooked chicken on a bed of rice pilaf. Comes with 2 drumsticks (sorry, ate the other).

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