The Knoxville-canonical Syrian falafel sandwich: hand-rolled chickpea fritters in pita with tahini, pickled vegetables and Yassin Terou's hot sauce.
Where to eat it: 2 restaurants across 1 city.
Yassin Terou arrived in Knoxville as a Syrian refugee in 2011 and opened Yassin's Falafel House on Walnut Street in 2014. The shop was named Reader's Digest 'Nicest Place in America' in 2018. The brand now operates from Marble City Food Hall, West Knoxville on Peters Road and Alcoa, with a presidential portrait of Yassin shaking hands with leaders on the wall.
Common allergens: Gluten, Sesame
Tip from the editors. Use dried chickpeas, never canned. Canned chickpeas turn the falafel mushy. The overnight soak is essential.
Yassin's Falafel House at Marble City Food Hall, Yassin Terou's Syrian falafel and shawarma counter named Reader's Digest Nicest Place in America in 2018.
OrderA falafel sandwich with hummus and the daily Mediterranean salad sides.
TipThe downtown location runs from Marble City Food Hall while the original Walnut Street space rebuilds; West Knox and Alcoa branches stay open.
Yassin's Falafel House on North Peters Road in West Knoxville, the original Yassin Terou Syrian counter, runs the falafel and shawarma menu that earned.
OrderA falafel sandwich with the chicken shawarma plate and a side of hummus.
TipThe N Peters Road location runs reliably weeknights; weekend lunches fill the small dining room.
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
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