By contributor Claire Zakiewicz – a healthy eating enthusiast and keen marathon runner.
Just Falafel started in Abu Dhabi and has grown to be the biggest falafel franchise in the world with 1200 outlets in 19 countries and they’re hoping to expand further. I visited their Covent Garden branch, which is on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue and Monmouth Street. There are huge windows onto the street and it’s a good place for people-watching!
Falafels are a fairly healthy and tasty take-away option for vegetarians and although they are usually fried, Just Falafel also have a baked version. I was surprised at the range of falafel wraps with variations inspired by different cultural cuisines. I ordered Japanese with Fresh Avocado, Ginger, Lettuce, Tomato and Japanese Sauce. I loved the combination, which was healthy and fresh with a spicy wasabi kick. At £3.49 it’s a great price and fairly filling on its own.
Japanese Falafel Wrap
The homemade hummus was good for the price at £1.99 and I particularly liked the very flavoursome Red Pepper with Paprika Hummus.
Red Pepper with Paprika Hummus
Soups change daily so I had Tomato Soup, which claims to be freshly-made. For me it had quite a processed taste and it just didn’t taste like it was made from fresh ingredients. It has a processed taste which I was disappointed by.
Tomato Soup
The Fresh Mint Lemonade was somewhat sweet considering sugar wasn’t listed in the ingredients so I probably wouldn’t order it again either as I prefer to stay away from sugary drinks.
Fresh Mint Lemonade
I would also note that, compared to other outlets that are filling the gap in the fast healthy food market, I was surprised there were many non-healthy options such as French Fries and Nutella Toasties.
Just Falafel do excellent falafels but for me it was only the falafels that I would go back for. If they could work on the quality of their sides, soups and deserts with a real emphasis on fresh, healthy eating it would be an excellent franchise. But for me it’s only half way there.
Food I Fancy dined as a guest.
Just Falafel
1 Monmouth Street
Covent Garden
London WC2H 9DA
