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| - First allow me to share my falafel pedigree. I hail from the Detroit area, which with approximately 200,000 people of Arab descent has the vibrant culture and cuisine that comes along with a large expat population. Which is to say, when it comes to Mideastern food and Lebanese food in particular Detroit is something of a Mecca. I grew over time to love this food dearly. This is to say, I am a bonafide and unreconstructed falafel snob.
I haven't lived in Detroit since 2006 and everywhere I have lived since (Connecticut, Chicago, Madison) I am perpetually disappointed in the flavorless mush balls passed off as falafel. These atrocities are presented by well meaning friends with great excitement upon discovering my love for the stuff, and I try my best to be polite while choking down the bland goo slathered with crappy hummus.
And thus had been my fate until last Friday when my wife and I happened upon Banzo. This falafel is the real deal. Freshly prepared with a hot and crispy exterior shell and a wonderfully textured center, they are seasoned just right. There are many options for how to get them - in a pita, a hummus plate, etc, but just get them. If you've had falafel at People's Bakery, Great Dane, or any of the other establishments in town - no disrespect to them - withhold judgement until you have tried Banzo. This is the only legit falafel in town, probably the only legit falafel in the state.
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