Ibby's Falafel
Middle Eastern restaurant · Jersey City ·
Middle Eastern eats: falafel, shawarma & hummus; sidewalk seating
Middle Eastern eats: falafel, shawarma & hummus; sidewalk seating
"The crispy falafel and nicely charred chicken shawarma at Ibby’s both cost less than $8, but this isn’t just an inexpensive, filling takeout spot. Well, it is those things, but the wraps and platters at this Grove Street spot have combinations of spices and textures that wouldn’t be out of place somewhere that served food on Christofle plates rather than tin foil. And now that they have sidewalk seating, it’s not just a takeout spot either." - hannah albertine, nikko duren, matt tervooren
"Owned by Adnan Kwara, a nephew of the Mamoun’s founder Mamoun Chater, Ibby’s has been a dining resource of the historic downtown neighborhood for 25 years. Favorites on a fundamental Lebanese-Syrian menu include lamb shawarma and falafel sandwiches whose chickpea-bearing orbs are notably fried to order. Vegetarians will do spectacularly here, with a fattoush salad filled with crisp toasted pita, or a platter of baba ganoush and foul — the garlic-stewed fava beans. This remains a budget option in a neighborhood with an upscale restaurant collection." - Robert Sietsema
"Like lots of other counter-service falafel spots, Ibby’s is a good option when you get home late from work, or when you realize that your dinner consisted of two mozzarella sticks and four vodka sodas. But Ibby’s isn’t just an inexpensive, filling takeout spot. The wraps and platters have combinations of spices and textures that wouldn’t be out of place at an expensive, sit-down meal. But we’re not complaining that the crispy falafel and nicely charred chicken shawarma both cost less than $8." - Matt Tervooren
"A wallet-friendly, beloved falafel spot that remains a go-to for longtime locals and returning visitors." - Annie Fitzsimmons
"Located downtown across from the old city hall and very close to the PATH, Ibby’s has been slinging falafel for 22 years and they’re some of the best in the metropolitan area, but my favorite is the lamb shawarma sandwich: cut to order from the rotating cylinder, the meat is piled on a pita, heaped with roughage, and sluiced with tahini and a gritty red hot sauce — delightful. The place was founded by Adnan Kwara, a nephew of Lebanese restaurateur Mamoun Chater, and the Middle Eastern dessert pastries are particularly good here." - Robert Sietsema
