Crunchy, green, good
Warm Falafel in Joliet, Made Our Way
Falafel in Joliet doesn’t have to be dry little hockey pucks. Ours comes out warm and crisp, ready for a swipe of tahini, and it’s welcome in a bowl, a wrap or a box of bites.
What is falafel?
Falafel is a crisp ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans or both, mixed with fresh herbs like parsley, plus garlic, onion and warm spices such as cumin and coriander. Crunchy outside, soft and green inside. It’s one of the most loved street foods in Lebanon and across the Middle East.
It’s also the easiest way to eat meat-free without feeling like you’re missing out. Skip the spit for a day. Nobody at your table will feel like they missed out.
Shape and size change from house to house. Some families make small, round balls, others flatter patties, and the herb mix is something every cook argues about. That’s half the fun of trying it in different places.
How to order falafel at AMBA
We serve falafel a few different ways, so pick your mood:
First time? Get the bites with a side of hummus and see what you think. If you’re hooked, the bowl is next. Add the +$6 combo for fresh-cut fries and ginger mint lemonade.
- Falafel bites. 6 pieces for $6 or 12 for $10. Great as a side or a snack to share.
- Falafel wrap or pita. Our signature wraps and pitas are $11 with falafel, with a spread, three toppings and house sauce.
- Falafel bowl. Choose falafel as your protein in a build-your-own bowl, starting at $15.
- Family Feast Meal. Pick falafel as one of the proteins to feed four to six for $49.99.
Is our falafel vegan and gluten free?
On our menu board, the falafel is marked V and GF. To keep a falafel bowl fully plant based, build on saffron turmeric rice or greens, add classic hummus, baba ghanouj or roasted red pepper hummus, and finish with tahini, harissa or amba mango sauce. Skip the feta, tzatziki and spicy feta, since those have dairy.
If you’re avoiding gluten, go with rice or greens instead of pita or bulgur pilaf. And if you have a serious allergy, tell us at the counter so we can walk you through it. For more meat-free ideas, see our vegetarian and vegan guide.
What to dip it in
Falafel loves a dip. Tahini is the classic, a nutty sesame sauce with a little lemon. Our hummus and dips are made in house and pair perfectly. One guest’s favorite move is dunking warm falafel into spicy feta and hummus at the same time. Bold, but we respect it.
Toppings matter too. Pickled turnips (the bright pink ones), sumac onions and the tomato and cucumber salad add crunch and tang that cut right through the richness.
Grab some falafel today
Feeding a group? Falafel can be one of the proteins in our Family Feast Meal, and our catering team can bring falafel and dips to office lunches, birthdays and graduations. It’s an easy way to make sure the vegetarians at the party eat as well as everyone else.
Find us at 1522 Illinois Rte 59 in Joliet. We’re open Monday to Saturday 10:30am to 8:30pm and Sunday 11:30am to 7:30pm. Order online for pickup or get delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats. All prices on this page are from our in-store menu and can change.
“Falafel was warm and fresh, dipped it in spicy feta and hummus! Easy to make a Keto bowl.”
Good questions
Asked at the counter.
What is falafel made of?
Falafel is made from ground chickpeas, fava beans or both, mixed with herbs, garlic, onion and spices, then cooked until crisp. Recipes vary by family and region. Ask us at the counter if you want to know exactly what goes into ours.
Is falafel vegan?
Falafel itself is plant based, and ours is marked V on the menu board. Watch the extras: feta, tzatziki and spicy feta contain dairy. Tahini, hummus, baba ghanouj and harissa keep it vegan.
Is falafel gluten free?
It depends on the recipe and the kitchen. Our falafel is marked GF on the menu board. Pita and bulgur pilaf are not gluten free, so choose rice or greens, and tell us about any serious allergy.
Is falafel healthy?
We’re cooks, not dietitians, so we won’t make health promises. What we can say is that falafel is built on chickpeas and herbs, and in a bowl you control the rest. Go heavy on veggie toppings and choose your sauce to suit you.
What sauce goes with falafel?
Tahini is the classic pairing. Hummus, spicy feta, harissa and amba mango sauce are all great too. You can ask to taste any of them before you decide.
Come hungry. Leave family.
1522 Illinois Rte 59, Joliet. Mon to Sat 10:30am to 8:30pm, Sun 11:30am to 7:30pm.
