It's difficult to articulate the juiciness and scrumptiousness that Maoz delivers to its customers. The originally Dutch chain has a single location in all the U.S, right in the middle of Philly. This all-vegetarian falafel joint is more than just the best, happiest and most colorful place to eat a hearty sandwich. It's a personal challenge. Beyond the chickpea balls, mixed together with fresh garlic, coriander, and cumin and fried in fresh vegetable oil, there is an array of delightful, mouth-watering, pile-it-on-yourself toppings that distinguish this place from any other.
The sauces have a range of heat. On the left side of the bar you'll see bottles of plain tahini and their own garlic mayo, followed by a jolting mango curry, spicy haba¤ero sauce, less spicy cilantro chutney, red chili sauce and sweet "turkey" sauce.
To the right of the sauces sits a buffet of fresh toppings that provide a cooling sensation over the warm pita and falafel. Starting with pickled eggplant, your eyes will make their way across a tin container-scape of jalape¤os, sour pickles, green olives (mind the pit!), crunchy white and red cabbage, the unexpected coleslaw, freshly diced tomatoes and cucumbers, fried cauliflower, marinated carrots (the best one), tabouli, cous cous, lettuce and long hot peppers.
The best way to start your falafel creation is to first layer sauces on top, and then add on your veggies ($4.38), or maybe experiment with some added hummus and/or eggplant ($4.93). The guy behind the counter will usually stuff in three falafels, but it's not a bad idea to ask him to subtract one so that you can get your fill of everything else. With no limit to the times you may return to the bar, there's no telling when you will finish, and there's no reason to make less than three trips.
Be prepared to get a little messy, a little squished (there are roughly five stools up against the front window so that everyone can watch you stuff your face), and really thrify with the toppings. Maoz also offers a hearty salad box with falafel ($4.93), or without ($3.83), a new chickpea soup ($2.81), and foil-wrapped Belgian chips ($2.40). Open late, until 3 a.m. on weekdays and Saturday, there is really no wrong time for a Maoz run.
