Speedy Falafel (El Cajon)

Speedy Falafel has closed.  It will be missed. 

This, mmm-yoso!!!, is a food blog.  Cathy is writing today. 

We noticed this rather large building after visiting City Bistro earlier this year (it's one block West).  There were notes made and finally, The Mister and I returned to the neighborhood. IMG_8321 Order, pay, grab a beverage, find a seat; your food will be brought to the table.  There is plenty of seating.  Speedy Falafel has been in this El Cajon location for about ten months. 
IMG_8321 The menu is on the wall, where you order and pay, also HERE.  IMG_8278IMG_8278IMG_8278(EDIT: there is a new chef and some menu items may be added or not available at all times; I'm pretty confident that the choices we made on these visits are 'standard') IMG_9102 Falafel sandwich ($3.99).  There is a choice of falafel types; this is Lebanese (made with garbanzo and fava beans, cilantro and spices).

Other falafel styles are Iraqi (garbanzos, onion, garlic and spices) and Syrian (garbanzos, cilantro and spices).  You can get sandwiches made with either flatbread or samoon bread.
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Here is a beef kabob sandwich ($5.99) on a samoon. Each sandwich came with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle.  There was a small side of hummus, a small serving of fresh made fried potatoes and we each got a bowl of soup (I think because we were eating in).IMG_9088 A very good vegetable soup this day; celery, mushrooms, carrot and onion.  Hearty. The sandwiches were each fresh, flavorful, definite return-for items.

IMG_8300 IMG_8309On another visit, we tried a Bureg (beef and vegetable stuffed in a baked, thicker egg roll wrap ($2).  This was good, but one was enough. 
IMG_8300We also shared a Za'tar topped flatbread ($4.99) Gosh, this was great.  The fresh za'tar spices (oregano, sumac, sesame seed, salt, pepper) mixed with olive oil on this wonderful, fresh, slightly crisp flat bread was just a perfect treat.  

IMG_8300 IMG_8293We decided to share the Pompano Zubidi (fried fish) ($10.99).  This came with two bowls of wonderful lentil soup.  The perfectly fried fish had yellow basmati rice and tomatoes, onions, cucumber and pickles on the side.  It was wonderful; tender, fresh, flavorful.  
IMG_8288 On the far end of the eating area is a small bakery with a few individually priced items and mostly different 'by the pound' baklava pieces. IMG_8316  This mixed nut roll was $1.50 and really good- there were small hazelnuts, pistachios and walnut pieces. IMG_9112 These baklava creations, one with shredded filo filled with nuts and fig and one triangle piece, a more nutty traditional baklava cost $2.86 (pricing of $10.99/lb).  These are sugar syrup, not honey based, sweets. very fresh, crispy, nutty, deep flavored bits of just enough dessert.   

Speedy Falafel 1142 E Main St. El Cajon, CA 92021 (619) 938-4455 Open daily 8-10 (yes, there is a breakfast menu; basturma, foul medammas and other traditional Armenian items are available)(again, there is a new chef and the menu may be changing) website

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