Falafel Den reopening
Popular eatery Falafel Den to reopen this weekend in new downtown location
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» A small downtown eatery is opening at a new nearby space with more square footage.
Falafel Den, formerly located at 6 Phila St. in downtown Saratoga Springs, is moving a few doors down to 10 Phila St., where it is expected to open to the public this weekend.
Owner Zouhir Lian originally started Falafel Den in 2014 in a tiny basement unit with seating for only four people.
The roughly 100-square-foot business would often have a line out the door, as it became popular with locals, college students and out-of-town visitors alike.
“We have very, very famous falafel here,” Lian said, noting that customers drive from Albany, Schenectady and Clifton Park to eat Falafel Den food.
Because of Falafel Den’s success over the past three years, Lian has decided to expand into a larger space. Though his business strategy was to start small, Lian said he decided to make it bigger.
While the new estimated 400-square-foot unit isn’t gigantic, is certainly feels roomy in comparison to the first spot.
Now Falafel Den will have a total of 15 chairs where guests can sit to enjoy their food.
“Hopefully in the future I’m going to have 50,” Lian said, already thinking ahead to his next step.
After seven months of renovating the former boutique and four months of Falafel Den being closed, Lian is aiming to reopen the business this weekend.
As the owner awaits some final approvals, he is eager to show off his new expanded eatery and customers are anxious to check it out as well.
“They can’t wait to see us open,” Lian said. “People are very excited. They are very happy we are here in this town.”
For the past few months, each day around lunchtime customers have been poking their heads in the new storefront, which has been styled with eclectic decor that gives off a Saratoga-meets-Middle East vibe.
But what patrons like most about Falafel Den is the food. The eatery serves Mediterranean cuisine, a unique offering for the area. Menu item include gyros, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and, of course, falafel. Falafel and gyro, which comes in beef or chicken, are the business’ biggest sellers.
Once reopened, Falafel Den will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
Customers are welcome to dine in the new space or take their food out.
With the location change, Falafel Den will now offer delivery service throughout downtown Saratoga Springs.
Falafel Den can also provide catering for parties and events.
A native of Syria who previously lived in New York City, Lian’s goal for the future is to grow Falafel Den even more and to open additional restaurants and businesses in the Saratoga Springs region.
More information about Falafel Den is available at www.falafelden. com, through which customers can place online orders.
Updates on the eatery’s grand reopening will be posted on the Falafel Den Facebook page.
Falafel Den can be contacted by phone at (518) 886-9192.