I've been driving by Shami Falafel in Hackensack for a few months now and finally decided to stop in and get takeout, and I'm happy I did. When I got home with my order, I was delighted at the size of the falafel, which are made with ground chickpeas, and they are the first I've seen studded with sesame seeds. They were prepared to order while I waited in a cast iron skillet on a stovetop. The Falafel Platter has 6 pieces of falafel with hummus, tahini sauce and pickles ($9.99). I also took home a small Tabbouleh Salad ($5.99), a small Arabic Salad ($5.99), and a bag of pocket or pita bread ($2.50). I warmed one of the pocket breads in a toaster, cut it in two and made two small sandwiches, each with two falafel, pickles, hummus and tahini, and ate some of the two salads on the side. I was stuffed, and I have enough leftovers for another small meal. I'm looking forward to trying other items on the menu, including fava beans, muhammara, stuffed grape leaves and baba ghanouj, all of which I enjoyed growing up. Both my parents were from Aleppo, Syria, and my mother was a great cook. The family that owns and runs the restaurant are originally from Damascus, Syria, or "Shami." I picked up a paper menu on the way out and some of the prices are outdated. Prices that appear online are correct.

Shami Falafel is a must visit restaurant in Hackensack! If you want laid-back, easy-going, authentic food from the Middle East, Shami Falafel is where you want to go. From the moment I went there for the first time, there was a warm smile from the owner greeting me and asking me what I would like to order. This is a lovely, casual environment that will satisfy your taste buds for Falafel and more!

I’ve ordered falafel and kibbeh and they were both amazing. I highly recommend those dishes.

I moved into the area recently and oh man, this is the best Mediterranean grill / shawarma place I've had in a long time. this was just a random Google search because we were in the mood for platters. Shami Falafel among a few other places were in the area but Shami had awesome reviews. The place was tucked in a quiet unsuspecting street and the store was simple and without any unnecessary flash. Shami, his wife and his daughter who was at the front were all incredibly nice. I bought a couple of mix platters and a beef shawarma for my mom, a mango drink and baklava for dessert. It was delicious! It's like someone's mom just whipped it up, ha! You guys rock. Thanks again for making our Friday evening. We look forward to stopping by in the near future.

I found this gem when I was in Jury duty in a close by court. Their beef shawarma meal was great and the hummus was really nice. Next day I tried their chicken shawarma which was great as well, subtle crispy wrap and juicy chicken but the surprise was their Falafel. Likely the best I have tried in 10 years, nice size, thin crispy layer and softer and juicy inside. Fairouz songs which are not too loud makes the meal even better :) Will definitely be back if I am around.

Over the course of multiple visits, I have come to appreciate the excellent quality and flavors they offer. Shani Falafel offers a variety of mouthwatering options, but their chicken shawarma sandwich stands out as a crowd favorite. The chicken is tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. It is complemented by fresh and crisp vegetables, along with their homemade sauce that adds an extra layer of zest. Each bite is a delightful burst of flavors that keeps me coming back for more. The falafel at Shani Falafel is equally impressive. The traditional recipe results in perfectly crispy on the outside, yet moist and flavorful on the inside falafel balls. The combination of spices and herbs provides a satisfyingly authentic taste that leaves me craving them repeatedly. To complete the meal, I highly recommend trying their French fries. These golden and crispy delights are cooked to perfection, making them an ideal accompaniment to any dish. The fries are flavorful and offer a satisfying crunch that will leave you wanting another bite. One aspect that sets Shani Falafel apart is their commitment to consistency. Each time I have ordered, whether for delivery or dine-in, the food has been perfectly prepared and packed with care. The flavors are always vibrant, and the presentation is impeccable, showcasing the attention to detail that goes into every dish they serve. Another factor worth mentioning is the reasonable pricing. Shani Falafel offers generous portions at affordable prices, making it accessible to a wide range of customers. The value for money is exceptional, considering the high quality of both the food and service. I highly recommend Shani Falafel for a delicious and satisfying dining experience. From the exemplary service to the consistently flavorful chicken shawarma, falafel, and scrumptious fries, every aspect of Shani Falafel exceeds expectations. Treat yourself to a truly memorable meal and discover the culinary delights this establishment has to offer.

I might be biased because I was craving chicken shawarma but this place is really good. Friendly workers, clean space and wow the food was good. I don’t think the presentation or the taste could be beat at this price. The chicken shawarma actually was filled with chicken unlike the place I got ripped off recently haha. GL to the business! Will visit again for sure. (Fries were good too!)

Awesome place to eat falafel, highly recommend Best falafel I ever eat at very reasonable price.

A nice family owned & operated Syrian restaurant. I order the Lamb Shawarma Sandwich, the lamb was delicious seasoned well.

This place is absolutely amazing. I knew a soon as I tasted the hummus that it was going to be great. Everything was top notch. Highly recommend!

The place is a nice small cute place to eat! Their food is really good too!

This place was incredible! From the food to the service, it was one of the best middle eastern restaurants I’ve been to. Highly recommend If you’re looking for authentic, great flavors. Baklava was to die for, we ordered two big pieces to go after we had the smaller baklava. We also ate za’atar, grape leaves and falafel sandwich. I’m so impressed by the speed and quality.

Staff was all super nice, I even watched the owner make some lemon water and take it outside to some construction workers, unprovoked, just because it was hot and he thought they would appreciate it. Most importantly though, the food was great. Well made and very flavorful. Everything was cooked just right. The flavor profiles are exactly what is expected with no weird twists. All in all a great little lunch spot with available seats for dine-in.

Beautifully executed, I got the falafel wrap and chicken shawarma 🤍 Moist and fresh…the best part of it all is homemade 😍 DONT KNOCK IT TILL YOU TRY IT 😁

This food is SO GOOD! We ordered to be delivered and was fast and fresh. Best falafel I’ve had!

Hubby has been wanting to try this place. I am so glad we get to try their food today. We ordered the following for takeout - lamb shawarma platter (lamb, salad, hummus), grape leaves and baklava. Oh wow!! Everything tastes so good. The lamb has this complex savory taste.. it is hard to explain but it was so delicious. The hummus is also yummy. The platter come with 2 sauces which are equally unique and yummy, one is spicy and other is like garlic mayo airline. Grape leaves are also good. We've tried other grape leaves before but these are superb. Baklava is just a great dessert which makes the meal complete. The food is highly recommended. We will be back to try other items in the menu. Ohh while waiting for our takeout order, the kind lady offered us some tea. Thank youuuuuuu....

Omg food was excellent we ordered the mixed kebab and chicken shawarma so good 😊 I loved the garlic sauce with kebab also delicious fatush salad with chips , very good service and friendly , recommended You must try it 👍

Best mediterranean food I've had in years!!

What are you doing reading the reviews? Order from this place, it is phenomenal, get the chicken anything, lambs good too! Why are you still reading this go order some food already.

Chicken shawarma was terrible. 0 taste at all they must mixed a bunch of sauce together. And the whole thing was very cold. Do not come here

10/10 definitely my new shawerma spot! I was sleeping on this place for a while before I tried it out. Amazing quality and service! Even tried their homemade olive and uggghh so amazing. Never going back from here👌

The best food ever , best service, very kind people working there . The food was made with love!! Just like you eat at your home . Thank you guys for your hard work and best service ever Absolutely I would love to to give this place more than 5 ⭐️ See you soon 😋

I am not fan of falafel, but I liked the taste of falafal of this place. Reasonably priced. Great taste.

Delicious, consistent, and great service! I’ve gotten lunch here many times and they are always great. Had such a good chicken kebab with a Turkish coffee today. Highly recommend.