Falafel Yoni (Verdun)

Montreal’s Second Falafel Yoni Will Open on Wellington in Verdun | Eater Montreal

"Launching from its Mile End roots, Falafel Yoni is hauling its crowd-pleasing hummus and deep-fried chickpea balls to Verdun: co-owner Yoni Amir says a lease is signed and a second location on Wellington Street (expected to open this summer at 4549 Wellington Street) will replicate the pared-down menu that made the St-Viateur shop a quick community hit — $10 Israeli-style falafel pitas and salads — and the collaboration with chef Daniel Maislin, who Amir says is “beaming” at the chance to work in his old neighbourhood. I was told the new spot keeps the same minimalist-but-playful aesthetic by designer David Dworkind of MRDK, but will have a larger kitchen so chickpea goods can be crafted and shipped daily to the Mile End; the Wellington site appealed because, like the original, it sits on a main artery yet in a largely residential area, a positioning that helped the business survive the pandemic by drawing sustained community support rather than relying solely on nearby employers like Ubisoft. Falafel Yoni first opened on St-Viateur Street in 2018 and currently sublets its space from neighbouring British pub Bishop & Bagg." - Valerie Silva