Ibby’s Falafel
“I have been eating falafels from here ever since my vegan days in high school when my mother worked nearby and would bring a few back for me every so often.”
“Ibby's is delicious, I only wish their servings were bigger so I could taste more of their falafel, shawarma, hummus, baba and tangy pink pickles.”
“I tried some of the Shwarma, and found it to be moist, seasoned beautifully, and basically delicious.”
Ibby’s Falafel
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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Ibby's is great for sandwiches, but eh for platters. The sandwiches are delicious, the chicken shwarma is so juicy! When compared to Gypsy Grill, the sandwiches at Ibby's is hands down better. However, the platters at Ibby's fall short compared to those at Gypsy Grill. For the price, you do get a fair amount of food, but the quality just isn't there. It doesn't taste as fresh or as flavorful as the Gypsy Grill platters. It has its' pros and cons, as does every restaurant. I still think this place is a solid 4 stars, especially for the price. Plus, it's close by, perfect for picking up dinner or late night drunk food!
I appreciate that they are open late and the convenient location but the food didn't do it for me.
I had a combo which had both lamb and chicken. The quality of the meat was not great, lots of fat. It was also insanely salty, to the point of being almost inedible.
The hummus was pretty good so I would potentially come back here and get that or try the baba ganoush. Pita bread was not too great. Salad was okay but it's salad- not that tough to screw up.
Maybe the falafel is better than the meat so if I come back, I would get that. Prices are pretty reasonable and you get a good amount of food, but that doesn't mean much when the food isn't particularly good and so salty that you can't really eat it.
As others have mentioned, service is pretty nonexistent and they seem almost angry. With so many other options in JC, I'm in no hurry to come back.
My review may be biased. I have been there after consuming a copious amount of fermented drink- DRUNK….
Soooooo, I've always enjoyed my meals there. I've never eaten there and been disappointed. I will have to go when I'm sober to be fair, but I do love this place.
Ibby's is a tiny, very clean and cute place on Grove St, just two blocks from the PATH station. The food was good, and I would have been tempted to rate this four stars if not for the spectacularly surly service.
The shawarma was good–I have had better and found it a little dry, but it had good flavor. The rice was pretty tasteless. My wife's Falafel sandwich was quite good, however.
The problem was that the guy taking orders and running the register was simply being rude to customers. He was short with my wife and I, getting frustrated with a couple questions and answering so quickly (with a thick accent) that we honestly couldn't understand him. Eventually, we got the idea he didn't really want to help us, just take our order, so we gave up trying to figure out the difference between two items on the menu and just ordered one of them.
While we ate, a woman came in to complain about the meat she had been delivered, and he leaned against the counter and told her in the most disdainful manner that some people just expect a different sort of meat than they prepare at Ibby's. Then, another customer went up to ask for some additional sauce, and he acted like he couldn't understand her request. She eventually got flustered and walked away.
What was especially telling was that, after glaring through three customer interactions in a row, a delivery guy returned to the restaurant and soon the manager was smiling and roaring with laughter. He couldn't be troubled to treat customers with a minimum level of patience or respect, but hanging with the guys behind the counter he was full of good nature.
I will not be returning. The food is good, but life (and money) is too short to spend it with people who think customers are a bother.
Don't think that just because Ibby's is open till 12AM it's your go to post-drinking spot. I mean it is, and should be, but it is also just as amazing sober , unlike some other places (sorry Hollywood Chicken).
I agree with everyone here about the solid choice that Ibby's is for your Middle Eastern fix- the Schwarma, falafel, hummus are all soooo goooooood. Don't let the small and simple space it is – just behold the rotating lamb and chicken behind the counter that await you
One thing I would suggest is stuck with the classics — platters – wraps — but no salads. I got one and just wasn't as good. Don't waste a good meal.
$10 credit card minimum
This place is owned by Ibby Azalea. She likes to come in to "work" looking "fancy", but don't try and ask for free stuff or she'll put a "black widow" in your to go bag along with your sandwich and your other "booty".
What to get: Combo sandwich with Falafel, Hummus, Babaghanoush and Shawarma
Why: Because I said so
When: Whenever you want to
Where: This is getting ridiculous. Move on. Get over it.
Do I actually find Ibby Azalea attractive? Well yes, to be honest. Aren't we supposed to? But I absolutely can't stand her music. Who knew that her stuffed pita would look, smell, and taste so good, really. And it feels so good in your mouth. It's so moist, so heavenly. I could honestly eat Ibby's Pita all night. And I have, and more than once. I think all of you out there should go to Ibby, and pay, and eat her pita too. Once it's in your mouth you'll be in heaven.
I've only been to Ibby's Falafel twice. The first time was about 6 years ago, and I wrote a short review of it which I never posted. The second time was on a recent food tour, I bought it about 20 mins after I bought a similar pita sandwich from nearby Mamoun's, to compare the two.
Arnold Schwarzeneger came here by the way (not literally). Then he walked out, saying "Ibby Back."
My conclusion is that Mamoun's is the king and the gold standard by which all others will be judged and most will fail. But that Ibby's is a very good and very tasty alternative to Mamoun's, and true fans of this type of food should definitely try both. The service is much better at Mamoun's, and the hours are amazing (open til the middle of the night every night, basically, sometimes til sunrise), but Ibby's holds its own and dishes out delicious Middle Eastern treats to the Jersey City locals.
So when I try and decide between this place and Mamoun's, I get all Shakespearian. "Ibby, or not Ibby. That is the question."
I got (as usual) the shawarma sandwich stuffed in a pita with Falafel also in there, as well as Hummus, Tahini, you name it. It was a little pricier because of all the stuff I had packed in there, but it was worth it. Every bite was dripping and dreamy and delicious. So many different flavours and spices. It reminded me of Mamoun's in a lot of ways, actually. Just not quite as good as that, or as Hummus World on Long Island which is the #1 and is currently closed.
You have to be 21 to order sandwiches here btw, but that's ok, if you're not, just get yourself a Fake IB.
This is what I wrote, and saved, as my review 6 years ago. I was less verbose then:
Oooh! Yum! I got the combo sandwich which was a little Falafel, a little Hummus, Babaghanoush, and some meat shawarma. Now please don't go comparing it to the place in Long Island I just reviewed (Hummus World), cause it would get a 2 by comparison, but standing on its own, this is delicious and pretty cheap. Yum. It scores 5/5.
So there you have it. And 5 years later, having gone back for a second try, and having since discovered the excellence of Mamoun's, I can say that yes… this is a 5/5 pita sandwich and it's absolutely delicious.
You and I must make a pact
We must bring Shawarma back
Where there is hunger
Ibby there (Ibby there)
I reach out my hand for your pita
I have faith that you're a big eater
Just call my name…
And Ibby there (Ibby there)
If you should ever eat somewhere new
I know they better make good food for you
Cause if they don't
Ibby there (Ibby there)
I came here for lunch and thought I ordered a lunch special but since my meal was $13 it clearly wasn't the lunch price, we must've ordered the platter instead. For that price I expected a lot more food but it was a lot of salad and half chicken with some rice, the rice was delicious, the chicken pieces a little larger, charred, and too salty for my taste. The desserts were delicious, we got the baklava and the namoura. This place lost two stars since we were waiting more than 15 minutes to get our food and most of the food was already prepared so not sure what took so long and we saw people before us who ordered more items get their food much faster. This place was also a little pricier than I would have expected considering the quantity and quality of the food. It was a two man shop and it was at prime lunch time so it a little understandable for the wait time I also didn't get a chance to try the falafel so I will probably be back to give that a try when I'm in the area again.
My bf and I got a chicken shwarma and regular shwarma sandwich here. Both yummy. The meat was charred, which really added to the flavor. Both the sandwiches had a lot of meat in them which was nice.
Didn't try any sides this time because I wasn't that hungry, but I would stop by again next time I was in the mood.