From a quick, affordable meal in Westwood to a specialty dessert worth the drive, these recommendations offer more than just something good to eat. For Jordanian American students, spots like Falafel Inc. and Filo Dessert Co. bring familiar flavors, comforting memories and a sense of cultural connection through every bite.
Whether you are looking to try savory shawarma and za’atar fries or sample baklava ice cream and Middle Eastern-inspired treats, these recommendations are worth checking out.
Falafel Inc.
Address: 933 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024
Connection through food can come at any price point from up-scale fine dining to an affordable quick meal. Falafel Inc. is a Palestinian-owned restaurant serving falafel and shawarma at an affordable price for UCLA students in Westwood.
The majority of the menu is under $6, making it an easy way to satisfy any cravings. Omar Aqaileh, a second-year student studying computer science, said, “One favorite memory of mine is when I went with my friend during Ramadan last year and ate there.”
Aqaileh’s go-to order is the shawarma meal which houses a bed of long-grain basmati rice and house-made shawarma topped with red pickled cabbage and pickles that pack an acidic punch. On the side, he can’t miss the fries, which are seasoned with za’atar, a savory and nutty spice blend from the Middle East and a popular combination in Jordan.
Filo Dessert Co.
Address: 227 E Chapman Ave. Unit D, Orange, CA 92866
When you think of ice cream, what flavors first come to mind? Most likely vanilla, chocolate and possibly rainbow sherbet if you’re feeling more adventurous.
Filo Dessert Co. crafts ice cream and coffee brews with Middle Eastern flavors such as Levantine Coffee and Mistika Mastic, a unique combination described as pine, mint and licorice with hints of vanilla and citrus. For Joy Jweid, a fourth-year student studying political science, she enjoy a Middle Eastern equivalent to “ice cream on a brownie,” by ordering a baklava ice cream on top of warm knafeh. For those who may not be familiar, baklava is a crispy phyllo dough layered with walnuts and a delectable syrup.
While the mouth-watering desserts are what draw many in the doors, what immerses you is the decor that represents the multitude of countries who enjoy these familiar sweets back home. When Jweid went with her family, they were excited to see Jordan represented through “mirrors shaped like countries in the Middle East. When they had Jordan, I took a mirror selfie with my mom!”
Flavors That Take Different Forms
Just a short walk to Westwood can fill holes in hearts that are only fully fulfilled with food made with a family’s touch of love. For Jordanian American members, a nutty pistachio or an acidic taste of za’atar can take popular American dishes such as fries or ice cream to transform into a nostalgic bite.
These mixes of familiar creamy and crunchy textures with rare flavors of mistika or tangy yogurt sauces make it an ideal introduction to those wanting to sample the cuisine. Aqaileh recommends establishments who have a passion for embracing the authenticity of a memory-making Jordanian meal.
