So Long Elmwood, Hello University District
Ever since the Falafel Bar opened on Allen Street, it was only a matter of time before the Elmwood location was no longer for this world. I spoke to owner, Oded Rauvenpoor, who told me that the decision to close came when he was at a crossroads. He found himself happy with his Allentown diggs, but began eying another part of the city for the Elmwood restaurant. In the end, Oded decided that he wanted to try his hand in the University District (3476 Main Street). I guess there was no real need to keep two places open that served a similar customer base - the University District will certainly deliver an untapped clientele. Plus, the U-South spot will cater to UB, the city and the suburbs. Oded is anticipating late-night foot traffic from the university when he opens in February.
The new Falafel Bar will be situated directly across from the UB campus next to T-Mobile. If everything goes according to plan, the pending deal will be a satellite version, where there will be no tableside service. Rather, Oded is pushing towards the most authentic Falafel Bar yet. This will also be a preliminary step towards franchising the operation. The small size of the space will allow for quick customer service, and though the menu will look much like the current one, all customers will have a chance to order to their individual specifications much more readily.
Fans of the Allentown eatery will be pleased to hear that there are plans to introduce a Sunday brunch menu. Starting in January there will be a number of selections that offer a different Mediterranean take on traditional brunch items. Don't be surprised to see lamb, specialty sausage, whole grain breads, pitas, granola and yogurts on the menu. Oded has certainly been keeping us busy as we follow his entrepreneurial whereabouts... I'm sure that his most recent decision will be a good one, although I don't think we've heard the last of him.
I don't think that it will take long to see the Elmwood building fill up again. That little spot has turned into quite the incubator. That's where Pano's first entered the scene. Now The Falafel Bar is moving on to bigger (manner of speaking) and better things as well. It will be interesting to see who lands this place next.
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allthingsbuffalo
thats great. that building has had a hard time getting/keeping tenants and now its going to be fully occupied for the 1st time. kabob and curry is opening at the old mondo video too. great to see a growing diversity of interesting food places in the heights.
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jwy
Why leave elmwood? I'd much rather see that awful strip-mall vacant than the Falafel Bar.
It was nice to have something on elmwood that's cheap, quick, and not pure grease.
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sbrof
while i am glad that the owner is trying to change it up and start something new but I really do wonder about the move to close their Elmwood location. It was always packed and I can't imagine that the rent was high enough to push them away. I know so many people that would go there but chose not too because there already was not enough seating. Having a purely to go place is fine, and perfect for the University District but having it be the only place between it and Allentown means that a lot of people may choose to not go if they have to go all the way 'downtown' to sit and have a falafel.
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Hoss
Is Kabob and Curry opening at the old Mondo location on Elmwood, or Main? I haven't been to their primary eatery on Transit, but I hear they serve the best Indian food around.
Falafel bar does a pretty damn good job, and the few times I have dealt with Oded, he has been nothing short of outstanding. I'm glad to see him succeed, and I hope the new location works well. It's closer to me than Allentown, so I'm glad for the option. Seems like things are happening in the U.
I just wish you could get a proper Gyro or Shawarma in this town. How come no spit roasted meat concoctions? Is it some stupid, outdated law preventing my joy or something?
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allthingsbuffalo
hoss: on main.
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MikeInWNY
The Falafel Bar on Sheridan Drive has seating and does a nice business.
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sbrof
yeah but I don't own a car so I can't go to the one on Sheridan. My friends and I all live in Buffalo and Elmwood was the go to location. I guess Allentown will work but it is going to make a lot of those people who used to live and walk in the Elwmood Village go somewhere else for food now. I think he should get his feet wet in the university district before closing the shop down on Elmwood. I just don't see as many people going there only for take out. It was a place to sit down and have great food, not a drive thru kind of place.
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stephenjames716
while it's nice to see them expanding their business, it's a total bummer that they will no longer be right around the corner from me.
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benfranklin
The food here is surprisingly good. Perhaps of interest to the owner, I would have not tried the place if it weren't for being open on Sunday (in Allentown). Since finding it, I've also taken people to Sheridan.
Let's hope that cutting the seating isn't a simple move to reduce rent that might not fit well with the rest of the business. In tough economic times, eating out is an escape, which to me means sitting down in a restaurant. Some of the better dessert items work in the restaurant, but not as takeout. Let's hope the move works.
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CaptVonTrapp
I like the Elmwood spot... no matter what has been in there.... Pano's... Edrito's... Falafel Bar... everything except that over the top ice cream jobber.... to cute for its own good... and the neighborhood's....
I hope FB does start late night hours... they were supposed to have on Allen but no... or at leasta not yet.
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scottnorwood
HUUUUUUUGE mistake to close the Elmwood location. There goes the last healthy alternative in that area. Back to Chicken Finger Subs i guess.
I always wonder about these types of moves. I don't know his business model, but it seems to me that the success of the Elmwood location allowed him to expand to Allentown. If that is the case, where is the sense in then closing down what must be a successful location to roll the dice with a new one? Just seems odd to me.
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tzone
Didn't Edrito's close in the Key Center after leaving the Elmwood location? I don't know that I'd call that an "incubator" for success.
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Hoss
Aren't the Coop, Brodo, Globe, Spot, an Indian Restaurant, and ETS all within 3 or 4 blocks of the corner of Elmwood and Bidwell? Those all have food selections that are quite healthy. If you're looking for health, a 1/2 mile walk is probably a good thing anyway.
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scottnorwood
way too far for my fat ass.
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peripatetic
First, welcome to University Heights. I wish you success. I wish this were a sit down restaurant, not take out only. I hope it won't add more paper plates, plastic cups, and wrappers to the streetscape.
Second, I did nt realize there was a T-mobile store there. I don't pay much attention to that little strip of buildings. It's another example of Buffalo allowing Benderson to ignore the City Zoning requirements for the district.
The Falafel Bar may entice me to set foot there.
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RichmondWestUtica
I can understand the reasoning... I live in the Elmwood District and I love the Falafal Bar.... but guess what? Sahara Grill is right across the street- and it's good too! So for all you fans who don't want to trek down to Allen- just go to Sahara Grill.
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nicoleshoe
very sad falafel bar is leaving my 'hood
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