Ed Fuentes

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Falafel Express opened just over a month ago, but the simple and well executed cafe already seems to have found its place Downtown.

During the July Downtown Art Walk, the restaurant planned to extend its hours and find enough customers to stay open until the event's official 9pm end time. Turns out the cafe was filled with gallery goers until 11:30pm. Not a bad bit of understanding the market for a spot new to the neighborhood.

The new Glatt Kosher restaurant is located at 433 S. Spring Street and during last weeks Downtown Art Walk, they had planned stay open past 5pm hoping to get enough customers to stay open until 9pm. I checked in a few days later and learned the new café was filled with gallery goers until 11:30pm.

The simple breakfast menu includes pancakes and omelets, and a complete lunch/early dinner menu are plates and pitas with Falafel, Shawarma, Kabobs, and Lafa––along with the traditional salads and dips. The restaurant serves food that is , with certification done by Rabbi Yehuda Bukspan.

Lunch delivery business has also been on a steady climb from both the jewelry district a few blocks away, and those working and living in the Old Bank District.

Falafel Express is open from Monday through Friday, from 7am to 5pm, and extra touches inside were a surprise. They carry newspapers subscriptions, including the NY Times, for customers to read while sipping cappuccinos and juices. A large screen TV is mounted on the wall to keep you updated on the days events, and importantly for those wanting a spot to work (or blog), they have WiFi inside the cafe and a power outlet is available.

Safe to say Falafel Express is a great addition to the Gallery Row. But don't linger too long beyond your lunch purchase without buying anything else. You may also be under the supervision of a higher authority.

Falafel Express / 433 S. Spring / Monday-Friday 7am - 5pm (They have been closing at 6pm due to demand) / Closed Saturday and Sunday.