The King of Falafel | Street Food Icons
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- Опубліковано 10 тра 2024
- King of Falafel & Shawarma has been serving mouthwatering Middle Eastern cuisine on the streets of Astoria for the last 17 years. The falafel recipe, with its unique oval shape, is a guarded secret of owner Freddy Zeideia, who mastered it with techniques he learned while growing up in Palestine.
After being dissatisfied with the falafel and shawarma offerings in New York, Freddy took matters into his own hands by starting King of Falafel & Shawarma in 2002. Since then, his enterprise has grown, with a truck in Astoria, a cart in Midtown, and a newly opened restaurant in Queens.
They also serve chicken over rice, kebabs, meatballs, and other Palestinian specialties. As Freddy would say, "Yeah Baby!"
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This guy is the man every time I go he sneaks a falafel into my hand like it's a drug deal haha
Hahaha
He’s the plug!
😂😂
Thats what they do in the middle east. God I love it.
Always ask for a free piece of falafel it tastes way better then the once you pay for
the man is insulted and called a terrorist, offers them free falafel.
That is sterling character that few in this world possess. fight hatred with love and compassion. Do good anyways
Ghosts people are so stupid and fear people who are a little different! Very sad
I hear it in my own town in the north of England
Credit due to this guy spreading the love and winning these narrow minded idiots over with great food ! Legend
@@punkxxt outstanding move
@@SuperElite27000000 lol
Don't give Flafel to anyone who called you terrorist, they will think it's small hand grenade.
SuperElite27000000 stfu
"you're a terrorist" "no I'm not, try a falafel"
Fighting fire with water
@@eazythedon54st Fighting Fire with Falafel.
Now I want a fire truck to fire falafel into my mouth.
No he's racist and sexist
Tina Quirke who?
Tina Quirke why?
New Yorkers are so lucky having these people.
Tarobrob Yes we are! These people is what makes NYC the greatest city in the world!
@@LucasPenido you're lucky but they aren't
@@loudwhispers6283 You don't know me, and don't blame it all on the US!
@@LucasPenido i didn't blame you at all I'm saying he's not lucky enough to be able to stay in his country and have a normal peaceful life there but when it comes to saying don't blame it on the US wellllllllllllllllllllllllllll i can't not not blame it on the US
There's more middle easterners in Michigan than New York.
He deals in Falafel like a drug dealer. First one is free! I love it!!!!
Wow. I love the hospitality
Secret recipe
WHERE WERE THE OTHER DRUGS GOING?
My guy never gave any freebies
Gotta hook up your customers on it first
I would sell my socks to eat those falafels
8:30 man went from "what's that" to "shokran habibi" after ONE falafel
Tala Al Zaghal this transformation 😂👌
Tala Al Zaghal what that mean
lll lll “thanks my love”
😂😂🤣🤣🤣☝🏾
That's mean thanks my love 🤗
I moved to Astoria in 2003 and tried his food for the first time, and was instantly hooked. Highly recommended! Definitely the best falafel I've had.
Falafel is the most underrated food
@@ChristopherTradeshow it's ridiculous how good they are.
@@ChristopherTradeshow every good dishes is underrated if you don’t eat them often,it’s the same for Middle East people to say something like donut and bagel underrated as they don’t get to try them often
Lies again? KFC Asian
🔴 Very bad
The owner of the restaurant, King Falafel, is anti-Semitic
"Try it. Falafel!"
"What is it?"
"VEGETABLES!"
i think he means its vegetarian in case the guy is not eating meat lol
@@Ahreman_egy ore as in its chickpeas which is a vegetable
Chickpeas, onion, spices, vegetable oil, definitely plant based and not much fruit, so it's not far off lol.
Mick3y Abb9y yes even tahini
Freddy is a personal friend. Congrats on your success.
What's his location in Astoria? Ditmas and What street? TIA
@@nvwhatuc not sure where the cart is i know he moved it cuz they put up a new building on the same corner where he was. Where the supermarket was they took it down. I was in NY december went to his restaurant on BWY / 31st... if you want to know where the cart is just call the shop they'll tell you. i dont live in NY at the moment.. good luck
Moe Lebdeh get him drunk and steal his recipe lol
Ani benosaf rotza lehagid l'kha masheu: khikiti sha'ot bator lafalafel!
It's near the last on the N Train station
I don’t care about the food at this point, my mans pants is straight HEAT🔥🔥🔥🔥
Cpt. WaddleDoo 🤣💯
I SWEAR
was looking for this comment
You know you made it when you can wear Pjs at work.
Hell yeah
I work in London, there are those 2 Palestinian guys who have a falafel stand. I’ve never seen kinder people. While waiting for my falafel every day on my lunch break, they pick up 2 falafels and tell me “Try,try”. I eat it and then again - “Try, Try” and this was every day!
Loved these guys. How kind and genuine they are! Amazing falafel as well!
Palestinians and jordanians are the kindest peoplw
Calm down dude, they only offered you a falafel.
@@lionwithmanbun7204 nah arabs genoures man dont shock we give gold for people we love them not flafel .. flafel is nothing hhhhhhh lol
@@obitouchiha8053 damn man you speak English like you come from London habibi. 😛
@@lionwithmanbun7204 nope my english weak lol iknow that 😌😌
Arabs have one of the most warmest hearts in the world they sometimes care about nothing but just warm feelings.
Yes but sadly the media portray us as terrorists
Yup, you should've visit Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and basically all countries pre-war. Man the vibes and warmth of the people is otherworldly. People eat food together with their neighbours and family, they invite random tourists from the streets. Always upbeat arabic music and just a very festive vibe. These people celebrated the joy of life every single day, but now that the countries have been invaded... "democracy" has been introduced by the US. The countries have never been this polarised and divided. Back in the days, christians, muslims and jews lived together peacefully under the regimes of dictators. But now those same people will rip their heads off each other because they disagree on some stupid political or religious indifference.
we love you too!!!
You have to read about islam and im proud to be muslim
@@eyoo369 100% correct, I know many Kurds living in London who remember the good-old-days in Baghdad, they had successful businesses / restaurants and no one was setting off car bombs in busy markets every other day.
I love how America is a huge mixing pot of culture and we can connect to our roots by cooking for others.
@rencrow, white ppl as a whole- No. but irish ppl hav culture.
@rencrow Wdym unless you're white? White people have one of the best cultures and roots. Go to Italy, Greece, Caucasus and much more.
@@historyhistory5885 Ik everyone says white people have no culture
American whites have no culture
European whites have plenty of it
Yes it’s amazing
This man was asking “what is this?” And in the end he goes like “shukran habibi”.... Bruh you been knew it’s falafel. Lmao
Its the different guy
Yeah he knew probably just wanted a free sample 😂😂
Lu 😂😂😂😂😂
We are bless to have good street food here! Much love!
Black guy asked what it was lol
We came from the UK and stayed in Astoria. We had his falafel and it was INCREDIBLE. It is truly the best falafel ever!
I absolutely love that Munchies did all of these profiles. It is heartwarming and so wonderful to see their work celebrated, and also to see how passionate they are about their work.
He is the absolute best. Everybody knows, "A goldmine is only as good as the man digging it." This man is a goldmine. The world needs more like him...
"if I collapse tomorrow, I just stop making it" lol
He clearly doesn't trust his employees lol
You can't blame him if he leaks the secret to his employees they could just quit and start their own food stand
@@jacklo2227 Well obviously. The whole point is about succession planning, like teaching the recipe with someone he trusts so that his employees don't go out of a job when he does collapse. So it doesn't change the fact that he doesn't trust any of his employees, otherwise he would have already started training someone or at least had someone in mind to make the falafel when he gets sick or something. He clearly cares more about the falafel recipe, and making sure it dies with him rather than the people who help sustains his business. It's not me who's blaming him, but i wouldn't be surprised if he experiences high turnover of kitchen staff.
@@jacklo2227 It is never about the recipe trust me, it is always the person that makes the difference, if you believe that your biggest asset is your recipes then you are basically a middle class worker, and never getting out of that spot. I am a medical student, and I enjoy cooking during my free time. Man I have given my recipes to so many, and I am yet to see someone replicating what I do, although some of them are measured by a scale, bakeries for example, but the thing is, it is not only about a recipe. It's also a technique and an ability to improve your recipes and come up with something better, and this is coming from someone who happens to enjoy cooking. He takes too much pride in his recipe, and honestly that from a business point of view is not cool at all, I mean someone else with his recipe and fame would take the business to a whole new level, and make way more. Nothing to take from him or anything, but he is a typical middle class worker, who chooses working hard over smart. I see this all the time where I come from.
This Street Food Icons series is amazing man, the stories feel so fresh and you are able to show the kindest side of people.
I'm drooling. This guy is so determined and I can only respect him and say thank you for contributing goodness to this world.
Please do a story on Yassin's Falafel house in Knoxville, TN. It was recently voted the kindest place in America. His food is amazing!
Abi Tolliver wow, never heard of that award before, thats lovely. Why were they voted the kindest, what did they do?
I walked by that place on the way to the Knoxville convention center several times but never went in
What? There's a falafel house in Knoxville?? I have to convinced my husband to go with me now since we only live 1.5hrs away from Knoxville.
Raie The Fanti Bae I would imagine that they were kind.
In the Shadow of Yggdrasil your names pretty edgy
its sad that people say things like that, we need to learn to love each other. i respect his response to something that was said to him.
Yeah you're right, we really need to learn to love each other; and not fly commercial airliners into buildings killing thousands of people. Sheesh. Why can't people just be nice to one another?
@@jackgrimaldi8685
Jesus, that's a reach if I ever see one..
Real World Is Not All Fairy Tail, You Learn To Live With It.
its because people look for shit to insult or complain about in others instead of looking at themselves, look at that douchebag Jack Grimaldi in the comments hes a perfect example
Lets worry about our community before this we shit
As an American , sorry for what you and your family went through in Palestine. I Pray things get better
Free palestine for real
Sigh
i love that he is tough on his own family! that's what makes a good leader - someone who is willing to treat everyone equally!
He should make his slogan yeahhhh Habiibi instead
Norah Bint Noor exactly what I thought lol
@Eviscerate Ronnie Coleman is "Yeah Buddy"
I almost thought that was what it said and was sad when I realized it doesn't
you is GENIUS
More like yeahhhh Warde
I'm Egyptian so seeing that gold shaper brings back memories
Ani rotza lehagid lakh masheu: khikiti sha'ot bator lafalafel
@NEGUS MBARKA fuk u
Who do you like better you're mummy or daddy
So happy this Palestinian family thrives somewhere. Heart full. Taameya yum
Lmao “shaking my booties” 😂😂 that part had me dying... this dude is absolutely amazing, what a wonderful world this is
May Allah protect these beautiful people during these trying times.
Quality ingredients can only get you so far, but you can tell this guy is putting his heart and soul into his food. It looks amazing! Now I'm so damn hungry.
actually what he is putting is "Admiration" 100% refined and bleached GMO soybean oil. You can see it in the background at 2:46, he has stacks and stacks of them in his basement storage. This type of oil makes people sick and has contributed to many autoimmune problems. It is not a healthy cooking oil, but it is CHEAP and saves money. But people don't realise that by cutting costs in money you are are also increasing costs in health. 😞 It is so sad, he otherwise has a great recipe and business idea! I mean, clearly he isn't losing money, but I also feel like he is using ingredients that make people sick.
When you have to comfort people by wearing weird clothes and "distract" them, even though you're an honest and decent human being.
One of the best Shawarma I ever tried, and I have tried them all over the world. Keep it up my man!
Us Mexicans get our tacos al pastor from you guys! yess we put our own little twist on it but the idea comes from yall so thank you for such a wonder gift😁
True. Dat.
There are many Palestinian Christians who are allowed to eat pork
There are many Palestinian Christians who are allowed to eat pork
You deserve an award for your kindness and for being real
Serena Rios al pastor is marinated bistec 🥩. So no :) it comes from a cow
He is a beautiful person. I'm not talking about what meets the eye. There is far more to this man. Nothing but love.
NEGUS MBARKA bruh
He's such a humble and hard working guy, kudos to you man! I'd love to visit someday!
This man has great character and lots of ambition. His food looks amazing!
Sad... Why cant I wear chilli pants to work 😣
Justin Belling Just become a cook! 😂 I have pants with fish, flowers, all kind of patterns! 🤩
Chilli pants
@@ARealCookinMama nobody is forcing you to wear it? 🤔🤣🤣🤣🤣
MAD RESPECT FOR THIS MAN AND HIS FAMILY 🤩 man the food looks so damn good
Congrats, this concept by far one of the best in the US. They really did transform a common comfort fast food into a fabulous gourmet experience that have astounded many in NY, Chicago and California.
Have lived in Astoria for a long long time and this man's food is AMAZING. A neighborhood institution. Always get hooked up with a free falafel while you wait for your food too 😉
So beautifully put together, love his struggles into progression and success. The best ingredient for food, your culture and your history!
Omg girl yaaas I love falafel 💕
I can tell you love falafel and Hummus, chicken and chips 😂
Savanna So well said. Thank you very much!
🔴 Very bad
The owner of the restaurant, King Falafel, is anti-Semitic
I love this series. Seeing so many people come together through food, and seeing people work hard to create it and get good recognition, is a special thing. It should be documented.
Love this story! And the food🤟🏽
Freddie is the man, best food hands down. I’ve been eating and turning other people onto his food for over 25 years. I love you Freddie ♥️😎
Thank you Freddy for all the hard work you do! You are a true American - it's an honor to have you in our country.
THAT was a good video. Huge respect for that man's accomplishments.
These are the fucking people I'm soo happy are here. Bless you I hope you boom everywhere you go. Maybe Chicago/NWI area?
One day I hope to visit New York and go on an eating expedition trying all kinds of different cuisine like this guys. Man it looks so good.
He’s got a great personality! I wish him and his family the best. Keep chasing the dream King!
God bless you Freddy & family. In the 80s I lived in LA. We new some gentlemen that had a falafel stand a few blocks from our house and we were there EVERY day! haha! YUM! Since then we have not found any falafel anywhere! Now we are in Wisconsin and falafel is REALLY no where to be found. So I have learned to make it fresh myself. I sure wish I was closer to your location, my sons & I would be your fathful customers! hahaha! Thanks for the video! We really enjoyed t!
Dude wears some spicy crocs 🌶🌶🌶
Love the dedication.
I lived in Astoria and at this wonderful food for 3 years. I can't find it anywhere else where I live now. I miss Freddy's Jr the most.
BEEN repping this place for years, deserves every bit of praise!
Love your story my heart goes out to your people.. food is the way to everyone s hearts particularly in these times.thank you for sharing your story
8:24 the lady looking at him like “what about me “😂😂
A true entrepreneur! Clearly passionate about making sure that people enjoy a taste of the Middle East! I wish I knew about this when I visited New York! Great job man! Best of luck with the family business. You are truly inspirational
Wow, this guy has sooo much personality, dude's so unique. I really liked his struggle and success story. What a guy
Respect. Thanx for your services
What a lovely guy. Sorry to hear he had a rough time after 911 but I'm glad he's still around and feeding people wonderful food. Godbless America.
I LOVE this story. I will look for your falafels when I'm in town
nikki pls bring me sum too
This is one of my favorite videos u made the story and production is amazing 💜💜💜💜💜.
Amazing human being very passionate about what he does and the quality speaks for itself one of the best falafel’s I have ever had.
You guys so amazing 🙏
I need to go to ones of his trucks asap.
NEGUS MBARKA So can kitchens in ANY restaurant you go to. One of my best friends is a commercial plumber and he says percentage wise.....Indian and Chinese food places are the dirtiest he has ever seen.
Not in new york they aren't. Do you know how expensive a food cart license is in NY?
They can't afford to serve rotten food.
So happy this Palestinian family thrives somewhere. Heart full. Taameya yum
They should go back to Egypt where they come from, most common name among "Palestinians" is Al-Masri (The Egyptian).
@@SuperElite27000000 Go back to europe
@@SuperElite27000000 go back to poland
@Mariam Alammar give me the rundown of what happened in Europe please
I'm happy for them too, hope Palestinian people get their land and freedom again
i remember when freddy first open up infront of C-town & i was a college student; i come home from school & look forward to his chicken over rice w/ falafel on the side. it’s been more than 15 years & i still go to his cart, now located in ditmars
I remember going to his newer spot in Garfield, NJ before it closed. This place is so great! Hands down the best falafel and shawarma I've ever tasted. And they were so friendly and hospitable walking into the establishment. I don't mind crossing the bridge every now and then to grab me some mixed shawarma!
Freddy is an amazing person. Super cool and friendly guy.
An Astoria Queens Legend.
Healthy Recipe Channel yesssss he is 💕💕💕💕 my fav place in the city for falafel 🥙
So humble 🙌🏽🙌🏽
I can see why he is tough, homie over here throwing the sodas like they aren't about to explode on the customer
His chili pants though 😂
I'm lucky to work down the block from his restaurant. I'm a regular customer
Love his attitude and drive. God bless him.
LMFAOOO I love this guy working around with those vege pants 😂😂😂😂
Some of the best falafel I’ve ever had! So crispy and flavorful
I love the restaurant and the food truck ... King of falafel
What a great American. So glad you are here with us, my brother.
Palestinians and Jordanians are very sweet people #freepalestine mash Allah may Allah swt bless and protect you and your family and the business ameen ramadan mubarak
Indeed Allah is the greatest and the most powerful
Israel is Jewish Country never forget
I go here all the time in Astoria😭 They got the best food and the guys always have the best attitude🙏🏼
i LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. there's really no one comparable to the King edit: God what a story. even more respect for the man now.
The Israelis wrote him out of legal existence. Crazy shit.
@@ErezShory I was hoping not to find you here. But you never fail to disappoint. ALL Semites lived in relative peace in Palestine. You immigrants from Europe & America brought your anti-Semitic hatred with you to Palestine, as well as the Nazi playbook on how to erase humans from their homeland. Just another minion drone of the Israel lobby making it difficult for the rest of humanity to wait silently for you to stop the Nakba.
@@dusanvuckovic17 damn man you should try writing fairy tail you have great imagination
@@ErezShory Oh dear did you even read what you wrote, well you sound like an incredibly unhappy person and with that hateful nonsense I think you deserve it dude!
@@ErezShory Crazy shit is that in the name of a religion you are expelling people from their houses and denying them their own identity. That's exactly the opposite of what a proper Jew should do, where are the principles dude.
This man personifies what America is all about. Come here with nothing but your culture, use your culture to make money, build a family, and live well. Beautiful!
Thanks for that video. Next time in NYC I’m gonna check his place out!
Falafel is one of the greatest things humans have ever created
@Fariston oh yeah? What's your favourite dish?
Will Brundish ... Yes. Come to think of it, I do not know anyone who’s tried it do not like it!
Ines De La Hoya me, it’s dry as fuck
Thanks to the chickpea plant
Kales Went Your falafel shouldn't be dry. Either the person who made it has done it wrong or you are not buying it fresh enough.
oh my, i'm Egyptian and our falafels are made with green beans not chickpeas but i really wana try this!!
The spicy ones are so addicting .
I almost died the first time i ate one of them 😂
Real Flafel made from chickpeas, not Fava beans " Fool " if you tried the Chickpeas one, you will never stop eating it.
@@JakMesh You're the fool. Egypt invented falafel. Look it up. I'm from Iraq and we do chickpea falafel as well but Egyptian falafel is also amazing and is the original.
@@mustafabarzanji9280 why the insult then ? and who said Egyptian falafel is not good ? i like the chickpeas one, anyone can like what they wants, i didn't force u on anything.
@@JakMesh Indeed, why the insult? You said fool first. Unless you meant the Egyptian name for falafel (fuul) then in that case I apologize for the misunderstanding xD
Why do I only get food recommendations in Ramadan?
ua-cam.com/video/0SQazmrMKqU/v-deo.html
I wish I could try your food!!! Looks so delicious 😋
Thanks for sharing
This video put a smile on my face! :)
"The other room its for DEE SALAHD"
I noticed that 😂😂😂
The one in Astoria is great I go almost everyday on break !!!
When he danced with the belly dancers 😂
Loved it!
So glad I grew up in Astoria! Some of the best foods in the world made with love by good people.
I know this man, growing up in Astoria, Queens its really hard not to!
I grew up 2 blocks away from his first cart in front of C-Town, been eating his food for ever since I can remember. This man is one of the best people I know. To this day his Falafel and chicken over rice is the best I ever tasted.
This is so cool finally a place I always got food is on UA-cam!!!!!
I've been to Astoria and tried his Shawarma, the best street food i've ever had in New York.🤤
If I Collapse tomorrow they stop making it wow that a Legend
He really needs to put the recipe into a bank safe and leave the key in his will 😁
Sick story I love hearing these stories from vendors mostly around NY
Bravo. Great video great content. All who participated - good job!
Love when you guys step back into history of other cultures and bring it to present day 👍