King of Falafel and Shawarma

King of Falafel and Shawarma operates from a cart at the corner of Steinway Street and 28th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, New York, and is considered by many food writers and neighborhood devotees to be the finest falafel and shawarma available anywhere in the New York metropolitan area. The business was built by Walid Barhum, a Palestinian-American vendor who named himself the 'King' of his category and spent years on the corner developing the recipes and relationships that made his cart a destination rather than just a local convenience. The falafel balls — herb-green in the interior, crispy outside, made fresh and fried to order — are packed into a pita with tahini, fresh vegetables, and pickles, achieving a balance of texture and flavor that justifies the walk to Astoria for visitors from all five boroughs. The chicken shawarma, carved from a rotating spit and assembled similarly, is equally compelling. Prices remain some of the lowest for the quality in all of New York: a falafel sandwich runs approximately $6 and a shawarma $7. Cash is preferred but cards are increasingly accepted. Barhum became something of a celebrity in the food cart world after receiving media coverage and awards, including a recognition from the Vendy Awards — the annual competition that recognizes the best street food vendors in New York City. The cart operates from late morning through the early hours of the morning most days, with some seasonal variation.