If I'd gone to Emory for undergrad, I probably would've been at Falafel King a LOT. It's a very affordable family-owned shop that offers an eclectic selection of food. I've wanted to try it out for a while, but they randomly closed for a summer break for a few weeks and it wasn't clear from their voicemail greeting or the various internet sites (yelp, google, etc) when they'd be reopening. We just managed to get lucky and catch them after reopening while we were in the area. It's a small spot right by Emory campus, and finding a parking spot can be confusing. The lot in the CVS on the same block seems to be fair game. They seem to do mostly takeout, but they also have a small amount of seating both inside and outside. The folks who run the shop are super friendly. They offer an interesting mix of Middle Eastern and Japanese food. On the MidEast side, they've got falafel, shawarma, dolmas, etc. On the Japanese side there's ramen, udon, and sides like seaweed salad. I had the falafel sandwich and ramen, while my dinner buddy had the falafel plate with hummus and dolmas (stuffed grape leaves). I agree that the falafel is really good. Super crispy on the outside, soft and well-flavored on the inside. The pita is super soft! However, the falafel sandwich is pretty basic. The only other items in the sandwich are chopped up lettuce/tomato/cucumber. They do have a sauce, that seems like spicy mayo but more runny, that you can add to the sandwich, but since they didn't give us any initially, I didn't realize that was part of the game until halfway through. But there are no herbs, tzatziki, or olives, so without the sauce it really is quite bare bones. Thankfully we ate there so I got on the sauce train halfway through, and the sauce is good, but it's not really within the flavor profile I typically want in my falafel sandwiches. The ramen is not like ramen you will get at a dedicated ramen restaurant. It is basically spicy instant ramen with extra vegetables added. I'm not mad at that at all...spicy instant ramen is one of my favorite comfort foods. And they do give you a pretty hefty bowl. I personally was pleased with it, because again, I love spicy instant ramen. But if you're expecting "ramen restaurant" level of ramen, you will be sad. All of their menu items are very reasonably priced. My total for my two items was probably around $11, and I was pretty full. They definitely offer a great value here. My overall impression is that of the various options we have near Emory campus, this is definitely one of the best ones. The food is a great value, they're family-owned, with simple well-made dishes that would probably be less likely to pack on the freshman 15 than some of its neighbors. Do I consider this one of the best falafel sandwiches or ramen I've had? No. But if I were a college student living on or near campus, I would absolutely be here a couple times a month. read more

I have been going here for 10+ years. Even after I moved out of state, falafel king always seemed to be calling me back everytime I visited Georgia. A quaint small mom and pops fusion restaurant of the Mediterranean and Japanese cuisines. Can't ask for more If you're a first time goer, try their schwarma or falafel sandwich, you won't be disappointed. read more

Falafel King - Shawarma Sandwich - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Second time here and both times they got my order completely wrong. They charged me for the order I placed but gave me something different

A low key place with excellent falafel. They are super crispy with a soft and chewy inside and just feel... right. The dipping sauce is great as well. The plate comes with a small salad and two sides. You can't really go wrong coming here. It's a little confusing that they also supposedly have sushi but I didn't see it on the menu when I walked in. Service is quick and the couple that runs it are friendly. read more

Falafel King - Falafel plate with hummus and grape leaves - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

This is an unassuming Japanese place that happens to sell middle eastern food. I only had the middle eastern food and it was absolutely fantastic! The pita is so fluffy and they pack the sandwiches with so much meat and vegetables. The falafels are delicious and the spicy mayo sauce is surprisingly good! It tastes like the spicy mayo that they serve at a lot of sushi places. Plus, the sandwiches are only $6! Delicious and cheap! read more

Have always loved this place. Mostly excellent food today. Setting: super cramped space. If you come for lunch or dinner, you should expect to take it to-go. But whether you're stuck in line waiting for your food or you've managed to squeeze into a seat, you get a really home-y but urban feel. Food: you can never go wrong with the shawarma sandwich. Unless you're a vegetarian and decided to get the falafel sandwich, or you're feeling adventurous and want to get the mixed sandwich (shawarma + falafel), you'd be doing yourself a disservice-- if not committing a sin-- to not try this entree, especially if it's your first time here. It's heaven gently packed into a filling pocket pita. Don't forget to throw the spicy sauce on top. I occasionally go for the sushi. This time I had a couple of nigiri. The tuna nigiri didn't taste too fresh. However, the salmon was very rich, and was a bright and stark contrast to the tuna piece. [I have tried the crunch roll in the past, and it is nothing special in particular, especially compared to their pocket pita sandwiches.] Today's mixed sandwich and salmon got 5 stars, the tuna, maybe 3.5. Service: when it's crowded, it can be very slow, but it is so worth the wait. Just don't come starving if you're not patient. It's a small staff, but they're very friendly. And they get the order done. Cost: the most budget friendly place in a three-mile radius, I guess. read more

Falafel King - The Mixed - Falafel and Shawarma - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Falafel? Sushi? Or Both? Unique Korean owned sushi, shawarma and falafel hot spot near Emory University. Busy, but worth the wait. Pitas are stuffed with hummus ($3.99), falafel ($4.99) or shawarma (5.99). Ask for the spicy sauce to drizzle on your pita. read more

Falafel King - Falafel? Or Sushi? - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Located in Decatur next to Emory, this place has the best falafels ever!!!! The outside is so crunchy with strong spices and the inside is juicy + the best dipping sauce that we couldn't get enough of. Limited parking on the sides and back so go on a weekday when it's less busy. They have a table outside which was open when we were there even while the line inside was constantly flowing. It's more of a spot to take to go. Would definitely come back!!! read more

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I'd had this place bookmarked for the longest time - mostly b/c I was intrigued that they serve both Middle Eastern food AND sushi, they're owned by Koreans, the great reviews, their loyal following, and I love falafels. So apparently the Korean couple - very nice by the way - learned to cook Middle Eastern food from the previous owner. You can pretty much tell from the outside that the place is divey, and there's only a few tables plus a counter for seating. Take-out orders is probably common. Based on a friend's recommendation, i got the "Mixed" pita sandwich which is a combo of chicken shawarma and falafel. Sandwich alone is $5.95, and $8.95 if you want the plate + 2 sides (e.g., hummus, couscous, veggies, seaweed salad, edaname). I decided to get just the sandwich. Falafels are cooked-to-order so be ready for a wait. When my food arrived, the pita was fully stuffed and I loved the crunchy texture in each bite. Oh, and don't forget to add the spicy aioli sauce which adds a nice zing to make your sandwich more complete :) The falafels were very good - the only disappointing part was I felt like I got several of the outside crispy parts of the chicken instead of the inside meat. On the plus side - it did add to the crunchy texture :) Overall 3.5 stars - for the food, for being "different", and for being reasonably priced. I'd read good things about the sushi so I might try that next time. But I'd definitely recommend either the Mixed or the Falafel sandwich. FYI - they're closed on Sundays. Also, there's plenty more parking in the back next to CVS ... our cars were still there several hours later so I assume it's ok to park there :) read more

Falafel King - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Falafel is so good and refreshing. So well spiced. Fills you up... for only $6?? Sauce is delightful and spicy. Music is unmatched and makes dining such a moment. Baklava is so amazing! read more

Falafel King - Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I love this place so much. This is probably one of the only reasons I'd like to live near Emory! Their chicken shawarma sandwich and their mixed plate (which includes chicken shawarma, falafel, and 2 sides) is ridiculously good. I might even call it my comfort food. The actual store is tiny and doesn't have much seating so you'll see most people taking their food to-go. There's some seats outside. But with the weather getting real hot, I definitely recommend taking your food somewhere else to eat. The prices are so good to the your wallet. Very affordable, especially for struggling students. It means a lot to us, really. The owners are Korean and very sweet. They are hardworking people that make some dang good food so I definitely recommend giving them your business! read more

Very small place that has a hole-in-the-wall feel. Came for the much celebrated mixed sandwich and it was fine but not as a good as I hoped for the price. But a very affordable price at $6 so great for college students. Mixed sandwich - 3/5. Falafel gets totally lost by the chicken. There's a lot of texture but the flavor is subtle until you add the house sauce, which has a little kick. The veggies are all stacked on top so it is hard to eat it such that they're still around when you get to the second layer of the pita. Good amount of food for $6. read more

This place serves both Mediterranean food and sushi. My review is of the former, although the sushi did look amazing. I ordered the chicken shawarma platter with stuffed grape leaves and salad as sides. The meal was also served with pita. I asked the woman at the counter for sauces and she said the sauce is on the table in the baskets. She handed me the platter after a couple minutes and it looked great! I went outside to eat since it was a nice day and there are a couple spots to sit. The sauce in the basket is the same sauce used for the sushi, so it's like a spicy mayo. Before I tried the sauce, I missed the normal Mediterranean garlic, tahini, and tzatziki, but afterward I wasn't even thinking about them...the spicy sauce went so well with the chicken and pita! The grape leaves were ok, they were a bit slimier than I would have liked. Overall, good spot, definitely worth a visit. read more

So...I'm torn here. My boyfriend and I came here after the gym to grab a shawarma sandwich. He's never had shawarma before so I was excited to have him try "the best in Atlanta" according to several reviews. Unfortunately, this sandwich was completely underwhelming. When we got there, the steak shawarma wasn't cooked so we had to get chicken. The sandwich itself was FINE. The meat was well seasoned and the pita was fresh, soft and fluffy. But the sandwich was COMPLETELY dry. I would maybe give this place another try but honestly I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here. Extremely underwhelming. read more

This place is really good. I love their spicy mayonnaise on my falafel sandwich and their prices are very affordable.

This place gives me such a euphoric feeling after eating. I get the shawarma and falafel mixed sandwich and the spicy sauce that comes with it. I usually get a side of pita bread and hummus, as well. They've got to be blessing the ingredients before they cook and use them. I feel so well fed like the Falafel King's grandmother took care of and fed me herself. The falafel smacks EVERY TIME. The hummus is so refreshing to eat. Everything brings me into a proper spiritual alignment the moment I finish my food. As I crumple my sandwich wrapper and throw it away, a permanent smile rests on my face for the remainder of the day. Never been inside though, shout-out to my coworker! (Don't have a picture 'cause I ate it all) read more

This place is out of this world. I frequently come here to get their baklava, and let me tell you, it is some of the best and most authentic I've ever had. I grew up eating baklava, falafel, and shawarma with my family, and this place hits the mark. It's a small place that's easy to overlook, but, man oh man, the flavors are mighty. All hail Falafel King. read more

Falafel King - I love their baklava so much, I got a TRAY. A damn tray. It'll last an hour, tops. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

What a little gem! While the wife was having surgery at Emory I decided to go for a walk to find something to eat (wasn't allowed to be in the hospital) I came across this little shack that advertised an array of middle eastern food (and some Chinese?). Interesting. Due to the decent reviews I decided to give it a try. So glad I did. Courteous service, outside seating, reasonable prices and delicious food! I ate a chicken shawarma and an order of fried dumplings. The shawarma was huge and stuffed with chicken and veges. The dumplings were ok, probably would not order them again. But I would order that shawarma every week if I lived closer! It is fabulous! read more

I'm not sure there's a single Emory student that doesn't have an innate loyalty to Falafel King. What an amazing hole-in-the wall with affordable, delicious, and freshly made food. The falafel here is my favorite! It's super crunchy on the outside, and not too dense or dry on the inside. The pita is pillowy and the perfect vessel for holding all that delicious spicy mayo. This unconventional restaurant serves falafel and gyro sandwiches alongside sushi. You can even order a falafel sushi roll! It's definitely a tiny restaurant in the middle of Emory Village, but they work fast and you can easily take the food to go. Overall, this is a must if you're in the Emory area. read more

I'll never understand the popularity of this place. Could be the location? College kids don't know any better I guess and they'll eat anything cause they can't cook. First off, the combo of falafel and sushi is just ungodly. Like, why?? Second, the falafel here is burnt and tastes like cardboard and putting sweet Asian sauces on it isn't gonna cover that up, but make it ten times worse. And who even came up with that terrible idea? If sushi is what you know to do then maybe stick to that and leave the falafel to the Arabs. The nerve of calling this place Falafel King lmao. Absolutely offensive. read more

Any Emory Alum/employee is going to attest-Falafel King is where it's at! They serve up shawarma and falafel AND surprisingly great sushi at reasonable prices. Their sauce-a spicy mayo-is in bottles on the table or they pack generous cups of it if you're getting it to go. I always get the mixed sandwich-shawarma and falafels, and let me tell you, once you have falafel here nowhere else will compare. Crispy and flavorful without being greasy. Mmm maybe I need some FK today. Sometimes they have weird hours when the Emory academic year is off, so you might want to call ahead if you're making a trip in the summer or winter break. read more

Great chicken shawarma, the falafel was decent, a little overcooked, so they were hard. But it was a good meal. The portion was generous.

Great little family owned restaurant to try if you like middle eastern food! They had to close down for a while at the beginning of COVID19, but have now been open with a limited menu. They do not have any sushi products as they can't maintain a consistent delivery but their shawarma and falafels are as good as ever. Yummy and healthy option for sure. They are not allowing dine in but there is one table outside if you'd like to eat there. Their food travels well though so no issue taking it home. read more

I have eaten here too many times to count. I miss it when it's closed for it summerly hiatus. Best shwarma ever. I love their mixed sandwich as I can enjoy the shwarma and falafel together :) Vibe/Atmosphere: Hole and the wall. Amazingly limited seating but always seems like enough. Mom and pop shop ran by husband and wife who are always there! Occasionally, they may have one extra worker. Bonus: They do have a sushi bar. I have never indulged, but often ordered when I am there in addition to my beloved mixed sandwich Parking: On the side of the building or the back parking lot it shares with CVS read more

Falafel King - There's goodness beyond the tomatoes and cucumbers - Mixed sandwich - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I've been there three times. My advice is that you really need to be ready for long wait, even when the restaurant isn't busy. The last time I was there, I was the only dine-in customer. There were a few take-outs who came after me. However, they made take outs first. I waited for 15 min before I got my food. The reason why they are so slow is that the cashiers lady also is in charge of preparing your food. So when there are a lot of people making orders, she would be too busy taking money to prepare your food. Food-wise. I was grossed out by both the way they handled my food and the actual food. So I ordered broccoli as one of the side dish. And that Korean lady picked all the red beans in the broccoli to my plate and left all the broccoli for the next customer. I knew she did it on purpose because I watched her picking red beans and it took her five minutes to pick all them out into my plate. I mean, wtf? The last straw is that I found hair in the shawarma. read more

Falafel King - See the ratio between red beans and broccoli? I am pissed because the Korean lady purposefully kept all the broccoli for the next customer. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Love the sandwiches here. They also have some Japanese items but the sandwiches are so good that I haven't tried anything else. They have a falafel sandwich, chicken sandwich, and a mixed one. It is served with a sauce that is usually in Japanese food. Sounds like a strange combo but it works. Parking is available in the lot behind the shop. There is usually a line out the door if you come at lunch or dinner time. You can call ahead with your order. read more

To my favorite place hands-down, bar-none in Emory Village. I always have this strange constant craving for the falafel pita covered in orange sauce. Whatever they put in their spicy mayo sauce is crack. Like legitimate crack. I have yet to go to a sushi restaurant that has a better spicy mayo. At 3.95 its an incredible deal. I love their seaweed salad and always get a side of it for a buck. It tastes just like the kind at nicer sushi places that charge exponentially more. This place is a definitely hole-in-wall-styrofoam-only shack so be prepared. about three tables and a few other chairs so I'm sure it gets packed and slow during lunch. I normally go for dinner and the wait isn't normally bad at all. Ah I'm getting hungry just thinking about it... Now go, get falafel! read more

Falafel King - Spicy mayo crack! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

This place is sooooooo small. And I love it. Hey, what other place do you know of where you can get a spicy tuna roll, shawarma, hummus, and falafel? Probably few and far between until you see another joint like this. I was feeling a little squirrel-y, so I opted for the Shawarma sandwich and a spicy tuna roll. Hellllo, odd ball. It was totally worth it. Where the tuna roll was pretty textbook and just as I expected, the shawarma comes in the rotund pita with tons of other goodies inside. The shawarma itself was ok. Not my favorite texture or flavor from the varieties I've had, but it did the job. Also, it's a big enough pita to fill you to the rafters. Bottles of water, sodas, gatorade, etc in the cooler. Again, it's asses to elbows in here when it's busy. Tons of Emory kids go here and for a good reason -- it's cheap and really good. Best of luck finding a seat, so maybe take it to go or score a bench around Emory Village. read more

Falafel King - Shawarma - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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I got the $9 mixed plate. It comes with 2 meats, 2 sides (got the beans and tofu), and pita (which was very fluffy and good). Some humus would be nice but that's extra. I was told the portions doesn't warrant the $3 price jump from the sandwich. I agree. I would say a $2 price jump might be more reasonable but whatever. The problem isn't really the price. It's the taste. I thought the food was dry and not very flavorful. The bread is really good and the sides weren't bad but the main dish is the meat. You get the right amount for the price but it's too dry and lacks flavors. The inside is small with seating for about 15 tightly packed. They have patio seating, too. The Korean couple who own it are friendly and quick. Apparently, they sell sushi too. Interesting combo. Overall, it was below average for me. read more

Falafel King - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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The Shawarma sandwich and the Mixed Sandwich are great here! The falafel is delicious, the meat is perfectly cooked, and the portions are awesome for the price. I recommend sticking to the mediterranean food! Though I heard the sushi is alright as well. I would not recommend getting the overly expensive Ramen, but maybe I'm biased because I make that kind of Ramen at home for 50 cents, and I make it much better..but if you can't access Korean supermarkets to buy Shin Ramen, then you might as well get it here for $6. read more

Not bad. Not cool to hide your health score way back in the kitchen. Pro: 1. Convenient to Emory U and Emory U Hospital in Emory Circle 2. Quick, efficient service at lunch time on a Saturday 3. Inexpensive: Just under $10 for chicken shawarma, chips and a Snapple Cons: 1. Health score from the county is hidden in the kitchen. Only a sharp eye will see it's an 89B (as of 9/29/2018) 2. Chicken shawarma was ok but a bit dry. 3. Pita was kinda of meh. 4. They also sell sushi. Would you eat sushi from a falafel place? Not me. read more

Okay, I tried the "call ahead" strategy. "15 minutes," she said. So I spotted her a few minutes and then headed over. Then I waited. Then I did the Jonesin' crossword. Then I waited. Then I called my wife back to say that, no, I hadn't been killed in a freak accident, I was still waiting to pick up dinner. Then I waited. When our order was finally ready, it had been not fifteen minutes but fifty. I pointed this out and got free edamame and an apology. Still, there's something dreadfully wrong about the workflow here. Sometimes you'll be waiting only a few minutes, sometimes nearly an hour. The food is still delicious and well-priced -- I just don't know if I have the fortitude to try again. read more

Top notch - fast, to the point, cheap, and fresh! The pitas are really kind of amazing. The falafel is delicious -- perhaps slightly overly cooked, and maybe served with not enough tzatziki. But, for just a couple of bucks, I wasn't complaining. Service is not focused on accommodating your needs. This is a get-in-and-get-out kind of place. Not even any tap water to be found, and when I asked for some, none was provided. read more

You really get a variety of food options here. Shwarmas, falafels, rice plates, sushi. Can't really ask for more. =) I really enjoyed the shwarma here. And the sushi wasn't half bad either but the serving isn't the biggest. But it's not bad for the price. It's been several months since I've been here so everything is kind of a blur but I remember thinking the food was pretty good. read more

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I've never had a Korean-ified falafel sandwich, but folks, if that sounds intriguing, this is it. Gochujang spicy dipping sauce, random veggies inside the falafel balls, and chopped celery in the sandwich. The diced tomatoes and lettuce were there per usual. I probably won't come back, since it didn't satisfy my craving for that traditional spiced falafel mix, but I didn't hate it. The people who worked there were very nice and quick with the orders. read more

This is always my go-to for a quick lunch. You can get a great sized sandwich for less than $5. Pretty quick service and the food is authentic and delicious. read more

Falafel King - Shawarma sandwich - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Best chicken shawarma in Atlanta, by far. The spicy sauce is delicious. Quick and easy take out. Good parking options. Friendly owne

Just okay. The location is obviously very popular with college students as it is quick and relatively inexpensive. The falafel sandwich comes with cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes. The falafel itself was flavorful but also a little greasy. The sandwich is extremely dry as they don't put any hummus or tahini in the actual sandwich. Order comes with some sort of spicy Mayo sauce which I guess people just douse the sandwich with. Overall, I don't think I would return unless in the area. Could be improved by adding hummus or tahini in the actual sandwich. read more

When I think back to my four years of undergrad at Emory, I think Falafel King - lots and lots of Falafel King. An older Korean couple runs this restaurant, which serves an odd but delectable mix of Japanese (think sushi, udon soup, and ramen) and Mediterranean (think falafel and shawarma). On the outskirts of campus, this restaurant - embodying the definition of a dive - is a mainstay for Emory students, an icon of Emory culture. I mean...$5 for one of the best falafel sandwiches you'll ever eat? What's not to love? The space is tiny, and I wouldn't recommend coming during the lunch or dinner rush unless you're willing to wait for 20-30 minutes to get a table. I often like calling ahead and placing an order for pick-up - they're very quick and can usually have pick-up orders ready to go in 10-15 minutes. read more

Falafel King - Sushi Bars Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I came here not having any expectations, but I was so happy I did. I got the shawarma pita. I got seaweed salad as a side. I put the spicy mayo on my pita and the fusion of flavors was so delicious. I plan on coming here much more in the future. I eat Mediterranean and middle eastern food pretty often and this is one if the best I've tried in Atlanta! read more