King of Falafel & Shawarma is a Palestinian American restaurant in Astoria, Queens, New York City, founded by Fares ("Freddy") Zeideia. [1] The business started as a street cart in 2002 and opened a storefront on Broadway in January 2016. [1] It has been covered for its Palestinian-style, chickpea-only falafel shaped as oblong patties and for winning the 2010 Vendy Award for Best Street Food. [1] The operation has also run multiple food trucks serving New York City neighborhoods. [2]
Zeideia was born near Ramallah and moved to New York City as a teenager in 1981. [3] He launched a falafel cart at Broadway and 30th Street in Astoria in 2002. [1] After more than a decade vending on the street, he opened a permanent restaurant on 30-15 Broadway in January 2016, near the cart’s longtime corner. [1] In July 2022, he announced plans to sell the restaurant and associated trucks, but later chose to continue running the business following strong community support. [4] [2] In 2024, he opened a new location in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, and expressed interest in further expansion. [5]
Coverage describes the menu as centered on Palestinian recipes, including falafel made from chickpeas without fava beans, shaped as oblong patties to increase crisp surface area, and seasoned with a spice blend; the menu also includes chicken and lamb shawarma and house-made pita. [1] [2]
King of Falafel & Shawarma was a Vendy Awards finalist in 2009 and later received the Best Street Food (Vendy Cup) in 2010. [6] [2]
Beyond the Astoria restaurant, the business has operated several food trucks at rotating sites around New York City. [1] [2]
Reporting has noted Zeideia’s public presentation of Palestinian identity at the Astoria storefront, including political imagery and symbols visible at the entrance and on the walls. [2]