Oh Maoz, how I love thee, let me count the ways.
1. Amazing salad bar
2. Delectable hand cut fries
3. Dr. Pepper on hand
4. Kitchy green intertior
5. Great service
Last week I stopped into one of my favorite lunch spots. Maoz Vegetarian over on Walnut Street (between 11th and 12th). The neon green European eatery became an after work obsession when I worked at a bar in the Gayborhood. I would crave something filling late night but didn’t want grease in a paper wrapper from joints like Wendy’s or HomoHut (the go-to for gay pizza), Maoz is open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays! (10pm Sun-Thurs)
During my latest visit I got the number two: a half of a falafel sandwich, fries and a drink. They have a variety of canned and bottled beverages on hand; sodas, juice, ect… you just help yourself to something from the fridge. I usually go for water (they only carry Dasani) or Dr. Pepper. MMM!
A word of caution: there are four meal deals on the menu and they all center around falafel, so if you’re not a fan, don’t waste your time! (P.S. What’s wrong with you?!)
When ordering your falafel sandwich you can add options such as hummus, or grilled eggplant. They’ve now started offering fresh feta or avocado as well. (Don’t get me started on how much I adore avacado.)
With a plethora of salad bar options to top off my sandwich already available however, I opted out of the upgrades.
Always take a fork and mash your falafel balls against the inside of the pita so that you can fit more veggie goodness inside. On my most recent trip I decided to garnish my sandwich with red cabbage, cucumber, a spicy evergreen sauce and onions. I always add mayo too because I love the creamy consistency mixing with the spices. Every time is a little different.
I was also eying the coleslaw, olives, corn salad, beets, mango chutney and tahini sauce, all of which I’ve had before with stunning success.
What is thoroughly consistent despite my salad bar experimentation, is the staff. Always the same friendly people behind the counter. Very kind. Very professional. Like Starbucks, but selling crack of another nature. They put on great music and just seem to have fun. Once more, the food always comes up quickly.
Num…Num…Num!!
Grab your sandwich from the plastic racks on the counter and make your way over to one of the thick wooden benches or ask an employee for some foil and wrap it up to go.
I sat by the window, pulled out my PROBLOGGER book, started munching on those delicious thick-cut fries and watched the world go by. As I was studying and taking notes I watched as people puddle-hopped in the pouring rain, trying to make their way in between bars for Center City Sips. I was half tempted myself to head across the street to the *newly blue* Moriarty’s for a beer but I WAS phreaking TOO FULL!!
*Little known fact*
Want to get a lil salad side action? One of the first times I went to Maoz I was drunk off my ass and could not decide what toppings I wanted. I’m positively glutenous. I asked one of the employees if I could have small side plate because I didn’t want to put all the toppings in my sandwich but eat them on the side. He happily obliged saying he could give me some tin foil (as they don’t really have plates) or charge me 50 cents for a plastic salad container. You should see how deep the bowl is! Without hesitation I handed over the change and loaded up the platter like I had just gotten out of a fallout shelter and been subjected to canned spinach my whole life. Needless to say this fellow with glasses and “too-big” jeans is seriously my favorite employee there. He has earned it for putting up with my antics.
