Octopus Falafel Truck

This place is amazing. There’s no menu, no options of what to order, you just stand in line, and when it’s your turn, he just gives you a platter of deliciousness. It’s 20$ but I stuffed my face and could only finish half, then just stuffed my face again for dinner. So basically $20 for 2 delicious meals, not bad. The details apparently change each day (but I have a feeling the chicken and falafel are always the base, although I can't be certain). Today, I had: A boatload of immaculately charcoal-grilled chicken thighs. Just perfectly blackened and seasoned incredibly. The pictures don’t show it much but underneath that big pile there’s tons of chicken. Then this awesome falafel, so green on the inside and delicious. And then the most random ingredients I could ever imagine, but they work so well: grapes (!! really worked well, maybe my favorite part), the flesh of a lemon, red cabbage, noodles with some sort of light sauce on it, some sort of green mushy vegetable that was similar to avocado but definitely not avocado, spring onions, and maybe some sort of green garnish. Freaking fantastic. Thank you, sir, for your service.

Honestly I thought this place might be overhyped but it was not. Our dish was pears, chicken, lo mein, peppers, and grapefruit and it was one of the best things I’ve ever had from a food cart (even some nice restaurants). No notes, will go back every chance we get.

The food, especially the falafel, is delicious. Its definitely one of the mpst unique food carts I've been to and I would definitely try it again. This single meal is likely to be 2-3 meals for me. 😵❤️‍🔥

Came here 12/6/24 for the first time since around 2017 where it was $10 for platter where you’re given what’s made for you fresh and hot! I was off this random Friday and reminded myself to come by since I can never make it during the regulars work day since I only take 30 min lunch and this is too far but glad to see he’s still around. I got there around 1pm and there were 2 people waiting for their food. I put in my order and stepped back off the side with one other. I read you can ask for sandwich but I’d rather go with the platter which is chefs choice as normal and after he made mine I gave him a $10 but he was like no $20 lol which threw me off but wasn’t surprised with current market prices. It was easily one of best values in city when at $10 but now I’d say it’s on par and fair for the portion. Good fresh food that can easily feed more than one. Still cash only and also bring your own utensils and napkins/bag since he doesn’t have any to spare lol. Worth trying once

Been coming to this cart since 2007. By far the best falafel platter in the city, probably the US, maybe the world. No menu, you get what you get and it is always mouthwatering. He is a true artist and take great pride in his food and his cart. I can't recommend him enough. - There will always be a line so be prepared to wait - Cash only $20 bucks for a platter, no menu but you can request vegetarian.

I will happily wait an hour in line in the freezing cold to eat whatever he's cooking up.

The line was already forming at 1145am. We were the 10th people in line at that time. My husband said it’s really good the first time he had it and it was only $10 last year, but now it’s been increased to $20 plus you get a fresh fruit. He basically fill up the to go box entirely. It got everything from veggies to meat to fruit all in one box. It’s pretty good considering there is no menu to choose from and you eat whatever he cooks. The guy is pretty nice. I can’t believe how long the line still was even when we got our food. He’s only there from like 12-3p or something like that. So if you’re in Philly , try this at least once.

This food seemed like a strange combo at first but it was so delicious! The falafels were the best I have ever had! I loved that there was a little bit of carbs with the noodles, lentils, chicken, all kinds of veggies and fruits. I can’t wait to go again.

I've been going here for 25+ years. Great guy. Fresh food. Nothing you would expect from a good truck but always wanted! The BEST!

Been going here about 15 years and never knew the name. I nicknamed him the Food Truck Nazi as a play on the Seinfeld reference and because he used to be so mean!!! "NO SOUP FOR YOU!!" If you asked about a menu, utensils or a bag!!! Now he's smiling and talking and playing music! Price went up, but that's still some of the best seasoned chicken you can buy. He said his doctor told him he wasn't eating enough! Now he's grubbing and pleasant!! No more FTN!! Now it's the Octopus Falafel Truck!!! Respect!

I love this man and his giant platters of food. It's the freshest in the city. All the pasta is made fresh THAT morning. All the produce is whatever he could buy fresh at the farmers' market THAT morning. Seasonal and daily availability is what dictates what goes in the plate and I respect that so much. Freshness is key above all else. The chicken so juicy and good, each batch made fresh just for you. As is the falafel, each batch fresh. And it all goes together in this giant, strange, unique medley of flavors. Amazing stuff. There is exactly one item on the menu each day. If you're vegetarian, he just forgoes the chicken so that is an option. You walk up, order the platter, and you wait for greatness. And Gus the owner is so friendly, so chill, the time flies by while waiting. The line is often long, and slow, but that is a worthy cost for excellence. Do attend

It was $15 two and a half years ago and now it's $20, but still one of the best meals around for the price and quality. You will likely never find better chargrilled chicken in Philadelphia than here. Gus puts his heart and soul into every meal and you can definitely see and experience it. Yes, you may have to wait in a very long line to receive your meal (bring your own utensils and drink if you're planning to sit outside somewhere to eat), but it's always worth the wait. It's amazing that he's come up with so many different dishes that start off with the same three ingredients: chicken, falafel, and rice/pasta. Highly recommended.

This food truck here is awesome. The flavor and the fresh ingredients make this truck one of a kind. The platter had an assortment of vegetables, fruit, noodles, falafel, and grilled chicken. The chicken had a wonderful char grill flavor due to the charcoal grill that was used. The falafel one of the best I have had. I have been trying to catch this truck for a long time since I do not live in Philadelphia and I finally did . It was definitely worth the only problem I had was I did not order two.

This place is way too good. For 20 dollars you get basically 3-4 meals. My husband and I got one to share and we literally have a whole other meal leftover. The quality of the food is also unbelievably good. The platter came with charcoal grilled chicken, asparagus, falafel, noodles, peppers, cabbage, fruits, lemon slices, and a hefty amount of avocados. There's no sauce like you would expect, but no sauce is needed because somehow everything is seasoned perfectly. The owner is also so funny and nice. He's been doing this for a long time (34 years) so he definitely knows what he's doing. Highly highly recommend. It is cash only!

Great meal can last 2 days if conserved., $20 cash. Expect a rant of you ask any questions. Will be back soon

Wait outside for almost an hour to get food. What an experience that was. Great opportunity to catch up on work business with your coworker while you smell what Gus is cooking in the cart. There is no menu. You pay $20 cash. You get whatever he's cooking that day. You get a lot of it. I think put nearly 3lbs of food in my box. All fresh ingredients that are in season. I had been wanting to try this place for years because he always has a line going around the corner.

unassuming gem of a food truck with delicious food! such a unique concept! you pay $20 (cash) for a surprise plate of whatever is in season. the box is hefty, and every bite is packed with flavor. although $20 seems a bit pricy for a food truck, the portion definitely makes for two solid meals. everything was fresh and absolutely delicious! i loved the surprise in not knowing exactly what i'm getting. gus is such a sweetheart, and if you're lucky, he'll hand out bites of falafel for those waiting in line. this is a super simple, no frills spot for a grab and go. each portion is cooked fresh and comes out piping hot. the line can definitely get long, but it's worth it!

I've been back 3 times since my first review 8 months ago. Still 15/10 quality, portions, service. His food will help you through whatever you're going through rn.

The food is as always very delicious unique filling and moth watering. We were here on Friday afternoon and saw that there was not much line, so we decided to get food here. But the guy was preparing chicken so it took him some time to get things ready. It was cold and windy outside, so he passed free chicken pieces while people waited in line. This was to let folks know what they were waiting for. Since the line was small, we were able to get an extra box. The price has increased a bit. It used to be $10 but now it's $20. The food quantity is sufficient to last more than one meal. He uses all the fresh ingredients and food is delicious. Highly recommend it.

I read about Octopus Falafel truck in the Inquirer. Been working down the city for about 2 years now and I finally made it here! I don't carry cash everyday and Gus is cash only. Funny story, I was walking on the wrong side of 20th and zipped right past Ludlow where Gus's cart is located. I circled back some 4 blocks later and saw this small little cart billowing out the most wonderful smelling smoke! It was a super cold day so there were only about 6 people in line. I watched with fascination as he worked his charcoal grill filled with chicken breast and peppers. Although there is much prep work done in advance, he creates each meal individually and pulls your chicken right off the grilled and your falafels from the fryer. When is my turn, Gus gave me a couple samples and engaged me in a warm conversation about healthy eating, you can see his passion. The food was amazing! His meal that days was a marinating grilled chicken grilled to perfection, the absolute best falafels I've ever had, home made pasta, asparagus, some sort of an apple slaw. The meal was $20 and was quite large so plan to enjoy it over several meals (I split mine in to 4 meals). I officially designate one day a week to enjoy the cart and looking forward to it!

On a beautiful an warm November afternoon I was rushing to go to this food truck thinking that there would be a long line. To my surprise there were only three people standing. Due to inflation, the price has gone up to $15. He served a mixture of homemade noodles and rice with juicy grilled chicken as usual. He also included grilled plump grapes which looked like olives. So tasty and worth the price.

You might wait in line. He makes one thing. It's generally some mashup of a falafel, chicken, fruit, and sauce. You order one of it. It's $15. It's delicious. The chicken was juicy, tender, and nicely charred. The falafel was savory, crunchy, and delicious. The noodles and rice were not overcooked and had enough sauce to cover them. All around a great lunch and a generous portion. I'll be back.

Talk about an amazing experience. This guy really has a talent and it shows when you visit his food truck. There is no sign/name for this food truck and the wait was literally 45 minutes but it was worth it. He takes his time with every dish prepared. There is no set menu so you either have to choose a vegetarian or non vegetarian dish. Every dish is super fresh and tastes so healthy. The falafel was the perfect amount of crispiness and were very freshly made. I loved the apples in the dish- it added a good amount of crispness as well. This place is cash only and the guy who runs it is a man of very few words.

I had some time in town, started walking and stumbled upon octopus falafel. It's been a few years since I was here, so I gave it a go. It's easy to pass because it doesn't have any signs. Gus is still at the helm of his charcoal fired food truck. You wait in line, pay $15 (cash only) and see what you get. No silverware or drinks. (Get a fork at the coffee shoppe on the corner). Since each plate is made on the spot, you might have to wait a little. Not "instant-microwave" food. I was delighted when Gus gave those in line a chunk of chicken each. That was the hook that got us through!!" I got a good plate. Noodles, falafel, garlic grilled chicken, rice, and a grilled jalapeño! SO SO GOOD!

The falafel truck is back! Identified by the mouthwatering smoke and long line. Still the one plate for all at an unbeatable price ($10). Including fresh fried falafels, charred chicken with oregano, grilled potatoes and carrots, spinach (seasonal veggie), on a bed of yellow rice. The cherry on top are fresh cherries and cherry tomatoes which balance out the strong smoke flavor and spices. The only thing to note is cash only and there's always a line due to popularity, but it's totally worth it!

I always stop by the truck when I can make it in time before it closes/runs out of food (usually around 2-2:30PM). Love hearing him talk about the ingredients he uses and honestly always surprised by how good the combinations are. The owner is super friendly and it's always fun talking to him :) The wait can be anywhere from as short as 5 mins and as long as 25 mins. Really depends on what time you arrive and if you're joining the lunch rush. Today's meal has been my favorite so far, with snow pea sprouts, blueberries, chick, falafel, noodles, spinach, and a jalapeño scallion sauce that was *chefs kiss* (Also got an apple) It's pricier than other food trucks, but it's usually worth it because there's so much food that I can eat it for two meals or I share with a friend. I mean, just look at the picture!!

Great food! The falafel is excellent. The platter of food is full of flavorful grilled chicken and interesting combinations of fresh fruit, vegetable and other flavors. This is definitely one of the best food carts in Philadelphia.

Honestly we went here because the pictures of food looked a little weird to me. We stood in line for 30 minutes and I would do it again everyday. Like maybe I should move to PA for this food. Cost $20, menu non-existent, no silverware, cash only, short hours, long line - ALL worth it. Go! Go often! This food cart is amazing.

Amazing! Always quality ingredients made with high quality no-fucks-given for moronic customers. Don't mess with Christos!

As a food cart there is high value here. You get two meals here when you buy lunch. There are no choices here but what is served is extremely good. However, this is very rustic cooking: The grill is a wood fired grill that requires the management of the grill temperature using grill height and adding in wood chips. So expect uneven cooking. He cooks with one set of tongs, so I fear that he uses the same tool to pick up raw and cooked product. A basic food service no-no that will keep me away.

It's just one of the best things to eat in the entire city. Huge and fresh. I've found the owner to be nothing but kind and passionate about his craft. Get your own fork....

Unbelievable falafel, hands down best I've ever eaten, it's not even a competition. The base meal will always be homemade pasta noodles, grilled chicken, and falafel. The veggie and fruit medley changes based on the day but the combinations are always amazing. The hours are very limited and expect to wait in line, so dress warmly for the winter months. I usually come when I have at least 30-45 minutes to spare since each plate does take about 5-10 minutes to prepare. However, if you're lucky, you may get a piece of chicken or falafel to sample when you get closer to the front of the line. It's important to know what you're getting: it's $20 (used to be $15 when I started going a few months ago) for no frills and no substitutions. You'll get what is made that day and it doesn't come with utensils or napkins. Personally, I think it's what keeps the quality top notch!

Absolutely the best food cart I've ever been to. The price is now $15 for a packed box filled to the brim with grilled chicken Falafel, various veggies and fruits. Everyday this guy switches up the vegetables and sauces so you would be getting something new from the day before. The chicken is smoky, juicy, and well seasoned and the vegetable is crunchy and not overcooked. The wait can be long, about 15 minutes or so. Also remember its cash only and you need to provide your own utensils. Possibly one of the best food establishment I've been to and definitely worth the money and wait.

No sign, no menu, no prices. Just a man constantly attending to chicken and veggies on the grill, with charcoal filled smoke rising into the air. Though it is unclear why this food truck is named "Octopus", this place is undoubtedly the best food truck/street food I have ever tasted. It's pretty simple--the famed man ("Gus" I believe) takes high quality chicken, veggies, and fruit, throws on top some of the BEST falafel I've ever had, and this slightly sweet sauce. This is all placed on a bed of rice. Depending on the day, your lunch will look slightly different. Yesterday, I was served chicken, baby eggplant, leafy greens of some kind, pears, and then rice and falafel and sauce. For only $10, this man gives you a dense to-go box that fills you up. Yet, because of the quality of his ingredients, you are not weighed down or sluggish like fast food or even most American restaurants. In sum, this is the best food truck I've ever encountered. A one of a kind experience. Do not visit Philadelphia without coming here!

Parking can difficult and location conditions vary based on weather. The falafel truck cooking produces a delicious aroma that wafts through out the block, enticing both customers and bystanders (future customers?) alike. Owner seems to be in his world, only peeking up when he's ready to serve. The food is fresh, moist, and full of flavor.

The best best falafel I've ever had hands down. The plates he puts together are creative, healthy and very very tasty. There is no menu or options, just whatever he is cooking today. You might hear him babbling about random stuff but he is very sweet and good at creating delicious food. I love that it's not just meat, carbs and veggies. He somehow always incorporates some fruit too! Creative, fun and delicious!!

Taste 10/10 - Very comforting, homemade cooking! Service 9/10 - The guy is super friendly! He treats every customer equally, but I wish he included utensils or napkins with his food. Ambiance - 9/10 No frills, no complaints. Nothing special, nothing to note. The line was about 45 minutes long, even in the rain. The owner of the truck told us to stand underneath the building cover and he took our orders in turn.

Believe everything that you've read/heard about the magic of this food truck! I've been four times in the past 2 weeks, and have had an amazing experience each time! Don't look for a menu! Don't look for online ordering! Instead, expect the most pleasant of culinary surprises when you open what's handed to you after paying $15 cash. Don't be intimidated by lines, patiently await your turn, understanding that the the reward is well worth the wait. Enjoy!

If you're in the downtown Philly area, I would recommend you seek this food truck out. Located on a side street close to City Hall, this guy, who some might compare to the soup man from Seinfeld, operates a food truck; that has no menu, no name, & he doesn't give you any utensils or a bag to carry your food. He hands you a box of food, & you hand him $10. If you try to talk to him, he may/ may not respond to you. The container contains rice, some sort of sauce, grilled chicken, falafels, & some grapes; I believe that's the general offering. Before you come here, best to walk into a Wawa's, & grab a fork. The food was fresh, & delicious, I especially like the falafels. We found an outdoor space that had some chairs, & tables to enjoy our meal. It was a fun little adventure finding him, & one of the better meals I had when I visited. P.s., I believe he only operates on certain days, & times; check the other reviews for details.

I'm not a first-timer but I haven't ordered a platter from here in a while. I did today and am very disappointed. Normally my platter would be filled to the max but today on 9/12/2023 after waiting on line for nearly an hour fighting latternflies I was given this child serving and charged $15....Like why? Not worth the wait or the price in my opinion. Also, I was not given a fork, spoon, or bag. I arrived shortly after 12noon so I can't imagine why I was given such a small serving.

If you want to experience the view at the chef counter, along with cheap, fresh, and high-quality lunch box, this is the place. 10/10 for the food. Totally worth the wait. p/s: He personally picks the freshest veggies and fruits that are available in the market that day to cook. So newly updated menu everyday

Has one menu item which is a mix of falafel and grilled chicken with various grilled vegetables and fruits topped with greens. Good quantity and quality. Expect a long wait at lunch. Only one menu item but he makes them one at a time. Bring your own fork and drink.

What a fantastic food truck! There's no sign, no prices, no menu, just the smell of grilled marinated charcoal chicken and vegetables, grapes, cooked to order noodles, falafel, rice and varied secret sauces. It's a huge platter of food for $15. I just spent several hundred dollars the week before at Zahav, but this just might be better.

When visiting Philly, my sister said, "You have to try this food truck. You just pay this guy $10 and he makes you food. There's no menu, but it's SO good!!" I was totally confused, but intrigued by this. We ended up going two times! This food truck is quite an experience. The man is the only cook and food is made to order. You can watch him cook as you're waiting in line. When I got the food, I was surprised how heavy the box was. It's packed with fresh fruit, veggies, rice, falafel, and chicken covered in this light, creamy sauce. The falafel is homemade. Overall, it's light and heavy at the same time. If I visit Philly again, the Octopus Falafel Truck will be a must on my list!

When the boss looks you in the eye and tells you to write him a review on yelp.. you do it. After wanting to try this food truck for a while, I finally found it and patiently waited in line with all of the other customers. It took about 30 min for me to get my order (after arriving at 1230) but it was well worth it. As you get closer to the truck, you can see the artistry of a master at work, and I was mesmerized. There are no specific orders and it is cash only, everyone just stands quietly until it is their turn when he hands you a huge plate of food and you hand him your $10. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect, but it was the best food truck food I've ever had. The chicken had a beautiful char and smokiness, the falafel was wonderfully flavorful, and the combination of the vegetables with the addition of fruit made it a perfect medley. My favorite bits might be the falafel, but everything was truly excellent. One of the best hidden gems in philly is in a little food truck that is only open a few hours a week. But if you can make it for those few hours, you'll have an experience that is truly one of a kind.

The most eccentric but delicious food truck in the city! Menu changes every day and there's only one option, but it never fails to be good. Cash only!

Been coming here since I moved into the neighborhood. However, "inflation" has gotten the best of him. Price was originally $10 but moved to $15 during 2022. Like others have said, always some mix of rice/noodles, chicken, falafel, veg and fruit. IF time is not a concern, wait in the line. It takes him about 5-10 mins to make each plate so do the time calculation accordingly. He isn't the guy you go to for a "quick" lunch with a line there. But overall ok for the price at $15. I'm not a frequent customer now since his price point basically competes with restaurants.

The falafel? Perfect. The chicken? Tender. The portions? Huge. The value? Insane. For $10 you get a huge serving of food made from fresh ingredients in front your eyes at this food truck! Nothing to order because only one option daily. Definite must try!

My friend told me his #1 spot in Philly was Octopus Falafel, so I knew I had to try it!! I went at a Monday afternoon around 1:40 and there was only 1 person ahead of us thankfully. He makes everything fresh on the spot, and even gave everyone waiting a piece of chicken to try! It's only $10 for a massive portion with so much meat & falafel - he definitely doesn't skimp out. The chicken is super flavorful and the falafel is one of the best I've ever had. My sister & I shared one and couldn't even finish. Don't be thrown off by the fruit because it works surprisingly well or you can just eat it on the side. I would definitely recommend stopping by!! He told us he'd been at this location since 1990 and that's definitely for a reason - because it's delicious, fresh, and affordable!

Awesome food! We got one chicken and one veggie platter. The produce used was fresh, cooked on charcoal, super tasty! the portion was huge! The veggie platter had falafel balls, rice, asparagus, charred baby eggplant and spicy peppers, brussel sprouts, and some sauce. The chicken platter had all the above plus chicken cooked on the charcoal grill. Make sure to carry napkins, forks, spoons. Gus is worried just about serving awesome food. How you eat it is up to you. We got some drinks and spoons etc from a nearby Wawa around the corner, got into our parked car and enjoyed the food. I also liked that there is no menu....he cooks what he finds is fresh and in season. What is being cooked is displayed outside is what someone said and it was true that day....he had baby eggplants laid out on the cart If you are in this area, do try this cart!

I've been here several times, after wondering for years what the aromas coming from this food truck around 20th and Market were all about. (Freshly grilled chicken is what the aromas were all about!) The lines are usually really long, but if you try to avoid good weather and the lunch rush, you might be in luck and get your food within 20 mins. A good estimate is that it takes 3-4mins per person in line. He fries the falafel for each order individually. For $10, it is a lot of food - probably about 2 meals worth. The caveat is that you don't know what you're getting ahead of time, though if you have friends ahead of you in line, they may be able to tell you. There's no menu and the guy there makes one type of dish for the whole day (and another dish for a whole other day). It's definitely worth trying a few times if you've got some lunch break flexibility.

Food is amazing always. I love the little piece of chicken he gives out when we're waiting in line! One order is enough for 2 people which is always a plus.

Definitely a hidden gem! One man operation out of a nondescript cart posted up on 20th street. No menu, only one uniform platter per day. The char-grilled chicken here is splendid, really well seasoned and perfectly roasted over a charcoal grill. The falafel are also very good and quite light and airy, definitely not super dense or grainy. It all comes served over a bed of rice, with other vegetables (I got snow peas and cauliflower) and doused in sauce. The gentleman running the cart is so welcoming and you can tell he works really hard to put together a fulfilling and delicious plate. Apparently he's only open until he sells out so don't wait till too late in the lunch rush. Also be prepared for a lengthy wait even if the line doesn't look too long: even though there were only 6-7 folks ahead of us, it took us probably 40+ minutes to get to order. The good thing is he prepares everything to order right in front of you so you know your food hasn't been languishing behind the counter. We took our food home so I'm not sure if it was the 20 minute walk, but the rice and veggies definitely got cold. Besides the wait, everything about this place is grade A! I'd definitely pay him a visit if you're looking for a healthier food truck option for lunch.

I was so happy to see our guy still out there on 20th! You can smell the charcoal for blocks. I don't know how he keeps this up for so many years, but he's still serving the same amazing homemade fresh food. We chatted at Length about the benefits of fresh organic food. He only uses the best stuff. I'm still dreaming about the smell. Again. Just go there, hand him 10 bucks, and eat whatever he gives you. Honestly at this point, he should have a statue erected. He's a treasure to our city.

I meeeeeeaaaannn: IYKYK. Best food truck in the city, hands down. New folks: here's the deal: there is One Thing every day. You will have that and it will be delicious. You can get it "vegetarian", meaning your veg are still grilled on meat grill, but there's more falafel instead of chicken. But that's it for options. Don't worry. It's glorious. Yes, on a nice day you will wait. Yes, it will be totally worth it. Trust the process. Spare this lovely man small talk. Have him, instead, pour his love in his food. Via garlic. Omg. It's SO good.

What you get with $10 - fresh and tasty food that's probably better than most sit down restaurants, including falafel, rice, veg, protein, and fruits - if the chef is in the mood, an eloquent lecture on a variety of topics while you are waiting - sometimes snacks if the chef feels like it; today he literally handed out grilled chicken to folks waiting in line (yes, it was delicious)

This food truck is such a Philly hidden gem!! No name on the truck, no posted menu, no frills just amazing food that you can smell cooking a block away. It's $15 cash-only and usually opens around 11am until sold out. Menu changes daily. You never know what you're going to get, but always features PERFECTLY grilled chicken, crispy falafel and whatever fresh veggies and fruits the chef is feeling that day. Blueberries, bell pepper and noodle? Goes together better than anyone would've thought. If you pass by, there's almost always a long line around lunch so get here early!