Falafel Town Brings Middle Eastern/Mediterranean Flair to Poughkeepsie
Few people have traveled to the Middle East, a far-off region of the world around 6,000 miles away from Poughkeepsie, New York. Whereas we have the Hudson River in close proximity, the Middle East boasts the Tigris, Euphrates, Jordan and Nile rivers among many others. Locals and tourists gawk at the views from the Walkway Over the Hudson, but in in the Middle East, tourists gaze in awe at the Great Pyramids of Giza or enjoy the view from the observation desk in the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
This isn’t to say that Dutchess County isn’t as impressive as the Middle East, but it’s no wonder that the owners of Poughkeepsie’s newest Mediterranean-Middle Eastern restaurant, Falafel Town, thought there was a lack of Middle Eastern influence — specifically food — in Dutchess County. That’s why they opened their restaurant last month.
“We felt that Dutchess County needed something like this,” Anan Elzogheir, one of the three co-owners of Falafel Town, says. “It’s a special kind of food that not everyone can just make at home,” he continues.
Not a lot of people can hand slice beef and lamb, season it with the proper spices, and then top it off with tzatziki sauce to make the perfect Greek gyro — but Falafel Town can and it’ll only cost $7.49.
And just in case you were questioning the authenticity of the food, Elzoghier, as well as fellow co-owners Danny Khalil and Sam Zughayer, are from Jerusalem and Jordan; naturally they are experts in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Elzoghier has been in the U.S. for nine years now, first in Westchester County and then eventually, Dutchess County where he now resides. Khalil moved to the U.S. from Jordan 26 years ago with his family, following in his uncle’s footsteps searching for better opportunities and a better education.
The three friends have previous restaurant experience creating, owning, and selling various pizzerias and American and Italian delis throughout Dutchess County and New York state. Most of their previous businesses have been sold to other owners, as Falafel Town is their main focus now.
“[Falafel Town] takes a lot of work, a lot of prep, and a lot of time to manage compared to our previous businesses,” Elzoghier says. While the other businesses were easier to deal with, Falafel Town is Elzoghier’s favorite thus far because of its personal connection. “We meet all types of people here and can serve them with a smile and traditional, authentic food from our home countries,” he says.
Elzoghier cites the falafel sandwich as the most popular customer dish so far, but the menu includes everything from kababs to shawarmas and from tabbouleh to kunafa. Elzoghier’s personal favorite dish, however, has and always will be, the hummus. “Back home, people called me a hummus-addicted baby,” Elzoghier smiles.
Falafel Town is located at 264 North Rd.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 433–0123
Hours: 10AM-10PM Monday-Saturday
12PM-9PM Sunday
