Joe's Falafel

As with most reputable eateries in the Valley, Joe’s Falafel can be found in a small Studio City strip mall, where the scent of cumin and coriander is heavy in the air. Follow your nose. A dozen tables are scattered about, along with a row of chairs at the kitchen counter and a blackboard describing the daily specials dangles above the cashier. Most customers don’t come for the specials, though—they come for the falafel, available on a plate ($8.95) or a pita sandwich ($5.50). An expertly fried exterior breaks open to reveal a well seasoned mash of chickpeas; get the plate and you’ll be rewarded with six pieces of falafel, rice, salad and hummus, alongside a warm pita. If you really want to treat yourself, order the freshly made laffa to accompany your meal. Plates are large—enough, sometimes, to split with a friend—but they’re also meant to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, under ceiling fans that spin lazily against the Valley heat.