Mamoun’s: The Family That Keeps Us Full

Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant is a staple. If you haven’t eaten there for a quick lunch or a 2 AM drunken munch down, then you haven’t lived in New York City. Mamoun’s opened in 1971 and since then Mamoun and his sons have run each of the institution’s six locations. Late one night, this reporter was lucky enough to share a cup of cardamom tea and a slice of baklava with Muhammad Atef, a six-year veteran cashier at the company’s flagship restaurant on MacDougal street.

“It’s school here,” says Atef. “Working here I’ve learned to speak Arabic and Spanish fluently.” Atef is a native English speaker, born and raised in Brooklyn, though his family hails from Yemen. “I can deal with just about anyone, it’s a learned patience” says Atef. From regulars, tourists, and even people from New Jersey, Atef has picked up valuable people skills and claims that from behind the counter he has “seen it all.” Situated next door to the Comedy Cellar, Mamoun’s also has its fair share of celebrities. Atef said that recently, a well-known comedian came in and ordered a chicken kabob. In the chaos, Atef sadly neglected to put the order in. Atef said the comedian never complained, and that he sat patiently and waited. Eventually some fans walked in and recognized the celebrity and Atef immediately asked the cook to prepare two chicken kabobs free of charge. Atef said, “he wasn’t mad at all.” Having become such an important landmark in New York City, even the city’s illuminati understand that Mamoun’s Falafel is well worth the wait.

Also working behind the counter were Omar and Roberto. Luckily for Atef ,who is not allowed to touch the food (being a cashier), Omar and Roberto slyly pass him Shawarma when foot traffic is slow. Atef says that beyond educating each other, the three of them have become good friends. They share traditions, foods, and music with each other (The ongoing music at Mamoun’s is a playlist of 3000 songs and is completely changed once played through. Atef says he has never heard the same song twice). But most importantly, working the long shifts, Atef, Omar and Roberto share laughs; “we don’t care, we fuck around.” Atef says that they each have nicknames for each other, but he refused to divulge the names. Cashiers from different shifts also spend time together during off hours says Atef. It seems that Mamoun’s has been able to maintain its excellence by remaining a family. Atef’s brother manages the MacDougal location as well as lives upstairs. Atef turns around and motions to Omar, “yeah, he’s my cousin too.” Atef then clarified that it is an Arabic custom to refer to other Arabic people as cousins. Whether it’s blood relation, or adopted customs, Mamoun’s is a perfect example of a well run multicultural operation that appreciates and respects all of it’s employees as well as customers. If you’ve ever been to Mamoun’s, know it’s not just the food you’re tasting, but the extensive and diverse family history behind it.