Sunrise Deli & Cafe

Sunrise Deli has some of the best falafels I've ever tasted.  If you think Falafel Drive In (see post HERE) in San Jose has good falafels, come here and you'll know what a real falafel is supposed to taste like (ahem..Guy Fieri this means you..). 

The procedure here is walk up to the counter, then order and step to the side.  It's a small shop so it might take a little time for your order to be ready.  You pay after your order is ready.

Any Narnia (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe) fans should know what Turkish Delight is.  These gelatinous, sugary treats are made fresh here.  The two flavors served here are rosewater, the most common, and nougat filled with walnuts.

The falafel plate comes with a side of hummus, four pieces of falafel, tahini, and cucumber and tomato salad.  The hummus is super creamy, almost too creamy for me.  I kinda prefer my hummus with some chunky texture to it.  The falafels here are pure perfection.  Deep fried to order, these balls of chickpeas have a crisp outer shell with a fluffy center.  Usually, I pick at the cucumber and tomato salad because I find the vegetables to be flavorless, but the salad here is refreshing and delicious.  It's made with English cucumbers, which give the salad that extra crunch. 

If you just want a couple falafels to snack on, Sunrise Deli sells it by the half dozen ($2.99), and a dozen ($4.99).

Pieces of pita bread for the falafel plate.

The lamb shawarma here is decent, but doesn't compare to the greatness of the falafels.  It was a little disappointing to see that the meat wasn't sliced off to order, but instead came from a tray then reheated.  The lamb shawarma is rolled in a pita with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce.  Surprisingly tender, but needed more flavor.  

updated - Working my way through SF Foodie's 2012 50 dishes 

Address:                     Sunrise Deli & Cafe
                                          2115 Irving St.

                                San Francisco, CA

Type:                             Mediterranean/Halal

Popular chomps: avocado falafel
                                            super falafel
                                            falafels
                                            lamb schwarma

Chomp worthy:     falafel