Veggie Fast Food is Coming to Bean Town!

This past March, my lovely friend Jess and I spent a crisp day traipsing around Philadelphia. I was re-starting my latest attempt at a vegetarian diet after battling bronchitis, when I suffered a meat-eater's relapse and reluctantly ate chicken. Newly healthy, this trip to Philly was my test-- could I stick to my new veg diet when traveling? Lucky for me and other veggie devotees, Philly has at least one amazing vegetarian option...


I happened upon Maoz (sounds like "cows") by mistake - I was just looking for a warm place to perch on a chilly night and was lured in by the wafting scent of fries - but it sure felt like divine intervention. There I found mouth-watering falafel burgers, loaded inside whole wheat pitas with salad bar toppings and paired with the best Belgian-style fries I have ever had. Ever!

Turns out that Philly fast food place is part of a European chain and was the first to open stateside. New York City has three locations (luckies!), with stores opening in D.C. and Florida in the near future. I've been hoping to relocate to New York (my home state) or Philly-- not because of my mind-blowing experience at Maoz (though I've been sorely tempted!). But with a new Maoz opening in Boston by 2010, I no longer have to! I can eat the world's best falafel and pommes frites right friggin' here! Wicked pissah!

Can't wait? Bostonians can get their falafel fix at any of the Greek food stands in Faneuil Hall-- they're not as good as Maoz, but they're great if you don't have time to make your own. I've gotten lazy and bought pre-packaged falafel at Whole Foods, but it tasted weird heated up. The best falafel I've had locally is at a Syrian/Lebanese restaurant on uber-hip Thayer Street in Providence: East Side Pocket. The falafel is served in huge wraps that you can choose toppings for, and there are plenty of yummy sauces and veggies to pick. Do keep in mind that this eatery is not strictly vegetarian. But good falafel is hard to find, and ESP (Haha!) is a nice little slice of veggie heaven in the meantime. Mmm...

*Photo of Boston: blog.e-democracy.org