Pocketful of rainbows

When I’m not sweating it up in the education kitchen, I like to take some time to explore the pret-a-manger eats around town. One of the first places we hit when we arrived (thanks for the suggestion, Vanessa!) was L’as du Fallafel, right around our corner in the Marais. Known far and wide as “the best” falafel shop in town, L’as du is never without a tourist-heavy crowd seeking a pita-full of falafely goodness.

the extra "l" is for love

Having eaten my fair share of this mainstream middle eastern staple (most notably at Amsterdam Falfelshop in DC and a food cart near central station in actual Amsterdam), I was eager to sink my teeth in. Though you can eat inside at a cramped dining space, the more authentic procedure involves ordering at the walk-up window and struggling to stay clean as you eat your overstuffed sandwich in a side alley.

"l'as du face", a common side effect

The magic of L’as is not only in its expertly fried chickpea fritter (with thick, crispy crust and smooth, garlicky interior), but in each of its fresh condiments, which include lemony tahini, creamy hummus, bright pickled cabbage, and a kickin’ sauce piquante. A generous helping of falafel and extras is layered in a warm, soft pita then topped with deep-fried eggplant, wrapped in paper and handed over piping hot. Almost as a joke, the purveyors also give you a napkin or two, which last through a maximum of three bites.

pocketful of rainbows

The flavors and textures of the L’as falafel can’t be denied, but I found it a bit difficult to get through a whole sandwich without feeling the need for a stomach pump and a hosing-off. Turns out the falafel balls and condiments, while delicious individually, can add up to a lot of heft (and a big ol’ mess) when taken as a single bite. The fried eggplant added an extra pop of grease that I could have done without.

The minor pepto moment notwithstanding, one taste and it’s easy to see why they call themselves “The Ace of Falafel.”

all the right stuff