Falafel's Drive In, San Jose CA

I’ve been going here since 1970 - I was five years old. My parents told me I’d always ask for falafels when I was older and made them take me there whenever we were close to the area!

! It’s kind of funny - every time I try a falafel, I hold it to their standards! Been out of the country many times and have crisscrossed the US - nothing compares to their falafels, fries, and shakes! Up.

Moved to Georgia 23 years ago and every time I visit California (northern or southern) I find a way to go there. That’s how much I love this place!

I also have my entire family going there and they’ve had the same experience. They love it!

I'll be back any time I'm in the area. Tried a few things over the weekend. The falafel is the best I've ever had, gyro was also excellent. Don't sleep on the Dolmas, I've never had them before anywhere else but I can say they were delicious and I sadly didn't see anybody ordering them. Try those for sure, an order of them can be a modest meal all on their own.

Portions are generous, fair price and quick service.

They've been there since 1966. Obviously they've been doing things well for a long time.

Large falafel sandwich is $9 and filled to the brim with falafel. Much better value than similar places I've been to. Banana shake was too sweet for me.

Must visit place. The falafels here are always just so fresh. Large is really big and filling

Update: after coming here 2-3 x wk, myself and one other, we haven't been back. 3 yrs & counting after coming here since the 70s. I haven't missed it. Orig: Sadly after being a customer for over 30 years I'm going to stop coming here. I've enjoyed their food & brought many friends here and turn them on to this place over the years. Despite it being a dive for sure and not all that clean it is popular for the food. The pricing is about what you could expect maybe even a little above average for Mediterranean and Greek style food. The falafel's are small overcooked greasy balls. Really not the healthiest or best falafel in town.
But after I called to tell them the pineapple shake was a yellow watery consistency with dried foam around the edges I was basically called a liar and hung up on.

I don't care how long you been in business if you don't know enough to not hang up on your customers and not try to make them feel bad for letting you know about a problem then God only knows what's going on behind the counter.

He actually told me this is the very first ever complaint about a milkshake.he clearly has not ever read his customer reviews. I see two complaints in just the last 10 customer reviews.

San Jose staple. Banana shake & falafel are must haves and the special is such a good deal. Definitely support a lovely local business!

I’ve been going to this place for over 30 years! I Love their daily special, falafel and a banana shake. Their dolmas are the best I have ever tasted! Strongly recommend this place!

The food was very mid. There were pigeons everywhere coming inside and sitting on where you eat. They are rude to customers because they are busy but being busy should not be a justification to be rude. Wouldn’t recommend. The falafel wasn’t any good either.

The special, falafel pita with banana shake is super! It is crowded, especially during lunch hours, but the cashier and cooks are quick and efficient in getting the orders out without having any quality issues. Good taste and great value.

The food here is good, but it can sometimes be inconsistent in terms of the quality. They very quickly prepare the falafel wrap, and sometimes I feel like its just thrown together so fast, it is very messy to eat. And the paper wrapping of the wrap is covered with sauce.

However, I always enjoy the falafels here. They are crispy and love the green color.

Outdoor seating available. Street parking.

Falafel drive in is a staple of our family’s drives down the coast. The food there is delicious and the quality is always amazing. This time around we had the falafel sandwiches, onion rings, and pita chips. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere around the restaurant is amazing with people eating in their cars and a beautiful mural nearby.