Falafel/Hummus reviews from native Middle Easterners?

[ericjdaniels]

I have read a lot of reviews on the boards of Boma and the Tangierine Cafe and their hummus and falafel. But I haven't seen anyone who is actually a native Middle Easterner.

Having recently returned from the Middle East, I want an honest opinion of the best place to get ME food (incl falafel and hummus) and whether it is as good as the real stuff.

Any help??

 

[disneygirlinnj]

OK so I'm Greek...not technically Middle Eastern but....we love our hummus! I haven't had the hummus from either but I have had the hummus somewhere else in the park. (I honestly can't remember where) It was decent. I want to say it was pretty much like any hummus you can buy pre-made in a grocery store. I'm assuming Boma and Tangierine Cafe would be of higher quality since I'm going to hope it's freshly made.

I know it doesn't really help but just thought I'd put in my 2 cents!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I don't get what the difference is if a review comes from an actual Middle Eastern person or not, or that the people giving the reviews aren't Middle Eastern, since I know not every poster posts pics of themselves or add what race they are to their reviews.

 

[mickeymousemom]

I don't get what the difference is if a review comes from an actual Middle Eastern person or not, or that the people giving the reviews aren't Middle Eastern, since I know not every poster posts pics of themselves or add what race they are to their reviews.

I don't get your post. The OP wants a review from a Middle Easterner b/c that is the native areas that these foods come from. She wants to know how authentic tasting they are.

As for us, Tangierine Cafe is DH's and my favorite CS. We love the food there, but I can't tell you how authentic it is. As for Restaurant Marrakesh, we ate the for the first time last year, and I'm betting its about spot on when it comes to authenticity. That is my favorite restaurant in all of WDW!
Hopefully, someone can come along who can really help you out. I'm also interested in the answer.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I don't get your post. The OP wants a review from a Middle Easterner b/c that is the native areas that these foods come from. She wants to know how authentic tasting they are.

I found the original post kind of rude, like other's reviews weren't good enough because they aren't of a certain race?

 

[wendy46001]

Half Greek so i guess i dont 100% qualify...best hummus is at Fresh in the dolphin (they didnt have falafel the day we went)....Boma has good hummus but i guess i like more garlic in mine as for the Tangerine Cafe its a little bland....if you go into Marrakesh ask the wait staff to make the food like they do at home....its very dulled down ....they can add some spice to all the dishes but you have to ask

If you can get off property go to Cedar’s on Sand lake....wonderful food and authentic.

 

[maraki527]

Another Greek here as far as the lamb at the Tangerine Cafe it tasted just like gyro meet. The hummos was a little dull to my liking. The Tabbouleh is very good and tastes just like the Tabbouleh I have tasted from all of my middle eastern friends. I didnt taste any Falaffel there because I dont like it to begin with.

And by the way I had no problem with the original op post. :0)

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I found the original post kind of rude, like other's reviews weren't good enough because they aren't of a certain race?

I kind of agree. I mean, OP said he hasn't "seen" anyone who is a native Middle Easterner or whatever. I don't see people posting their ethnicity in their signatures to make their opinions more valid.

I know what OP is saying - they just want to know if the food is close to being authentic but I think it was written in a way that could be taken the wrong way.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I found the original post kind of rude, like other's reviews weren't good enough because they aren't of a certain race?

I don't think the OP had intentions of being rude. I just figured his question was like asking an Italian person from Italy to rate an Italian restaurant on the authenticness (??) of the cuisine. The American version of food is often very different from the version the country of origin offers

 

[Beautybelle43]

I don't think the OP had intentions of being rude. I just figured his question was like asking an Italian person from Italy to rate an Italian restaurant on the authenticness (??) of the cuisine. The American version of food is often very different from the version the country of origin offers

I agree-I don't think the OP meant to be offensive at all and I think he/she was asking a fair and helpful question.

Especially with the World Showcase-many people are interested in knowing how authentic the food tastes to the native country. Who better to ask than someone who was raised amongst the "real thing."???

I've definately read umteen reviews about WDW fried chicken & iced tea from native US southerners, so what's the difference?? I think sometimes people read too much into these things...

Anyone can offer great and helpful dining reviews, but getting input on how authentic the food is can be a very helpful perspective for people interested in trying out these places.

I am interested in hearing more info about this too!

 

[desertbloom]

I eat a LOT of Middle Eastern food. The food at Disney is certainly nothing like home made. Commercial hummus (think cedars or josephs). It's like Middle Eastern cafeteria food. I was not impressed. Though I could just be spoiled by all that home made hummus, baba, sambousik, and grape leaves. MMmmmmm. I am making myself hungry!

 

[ericjdaniels]

Well, I really really appreciate all of the help. It is amazing how, no matter how hard I tried to phrase it correctly, some people are just offended. It wasn't about ethnicity or being rude. I never mentioned whether someone had a certain skin tone or racial background. Rather, whether they were a native Middle Easterner. I miss how the rest of the world isn't so PC.

I appreciate the posts. I have yet to even find any hummus that is close to what I ate for so long while I was over there, except from a friend who is a native. Oh well. I guess I'll just have to go back!! Such good stuff.

Great suggestions. I really so appreciate it. Sorry for those offended. It was not my intention. Thanks so much for the help everyone.

This guy makes me laugh.

 

[Beautybelle43]

Any Germans on here? Or people raised amongst German food?

I'm curious to know their take on the Biergarten's cuisine.

 

[pjb_hockey_mom]

I am of Middle Eastern descent, my grandfather was Lebanese. He was an excellent cook, my aunts are excellent cooks, so needless to say I've been spoiled by their cooking.

I have to agree with a pp that the food at Disney just doesn't compare. I have some his old recipies that I've copied from my aunt, there's definately a knack to the cooking.

BTW: no offense taken here, OP!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

The original post was a completely fair question! I don't know why it was considered offensive. I wonder the same thing about ALL the different types of food at the WS. Would someone from that particular country think that the food is authentic? And yes, a review from someone from that country is worth more than other reviews if you are wondering about authenticity.
For example - I've never been to Italy or Mexico or China - I only know the American versions of these foods!

 

[ericjdaniels]

Thanks all for the help.

pjb_hockey_mom - I kinda figured what you have said would end up being true. By the way, Lebanese food is my FAVORITE!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Brian Noble]

I've only tried the hummus, not the falafel. Like most all of the food at Disney: passable, but not really great. We get much better around here, but we also have a pretty significant Middle Eastern immigrant population. My local Syrian place runs circles around it.

 

[BCV23]

Have any of you tried the hummus at Spoodles? Very good I think. Jiko's has very good hummus too.

I wouldn't expect counter service hummus to be of any better quality than counter service food in general.

 

[Beautybelle43]

Have any of you tried the hummus at Spoodles? Very good I think. Jiko's has very good hummus too.

I wouldn't expect counter service hummus to be of any better quality than counter service food in general.

Is the Jiko hummus the same as they offer at Boma?

 

[BCV23]

Is the Jiko hummus the same as they offer at Boma?

I don't know.

My guess would be no but it's strictly a guess.