Chipotle veterans are pouring money into this falafel chain that's poised to take over NYC - here's what it's like to eat there

Jessica Tyler,Jessica TylerApr 9, 2018, 19:51 IST

Business Insider/Jessica Tyler

New York City-based falafel chain Taïm is poised to take over Manhattan.
Founders Einat Admony and Stefan Nafziger have partnered with an investment group spearheaded by Chipotle veterans to plot an expansion.
The chain recently opened its third location in New York, and two more are on the way.

After more than a decade in business, beloved New York City-based falafel chain Taïm is starting to expand.

Chef Einat Admony and Stefan Nafziger opened their first Taïm (pronounced "tah-eem," Hebrew for "tasty" or "delicious") restaurant in 2005. The fast-casual chain stays true to its founders' roots by specializing in Israeli food, serving falafel, hummus, and Israeli salad on pita or as a platter. It also serves a variety of salads, french fries, and other side dishes.

There are three Taïm restaurants operating in Manhattan, with an additional two in the works. The West Village location was the first to open, followed by outposts in Nolita and now, Midtown East, at the Urbanspace Food Hall. The Financial and Flatiron Districts will be the next neighborhoods to welcome the Israeli chain.

Eventually, Taïm will likely expand beyond New York and into other markets such as Washington, DC, according to Restaurant Hospitality. To aid in its expansion, the founders of Taïm have partnered with an investment group spearheaded by Chipotle vets Phil Petrilli and Bethany Strong.

We recently visited Taïm's second outpost in the Nolita neighborhood of New York City. Here's what it's like to eat there:

See Chipotle veterans are pouring money into this falafel chain that's poised to take over NYC - here's what it's like to eat there >>

The Taïm I went to was in the Nolita neighborhood in NYC. Across the street was one of its top Mediterranean-food competitors, Cava.

It was packed when I arrived just after noon.

The menu had a few types of falafel that you can order on a pita or platter. It also had salads, fries, sides, and smoothies. Everything was generally priced around $8 to $12.

Everything looked delicious. Like many fast-casual chains in the era of Chipotle, everything is prepared at the counter in front of you.

I ordered the traditional falafel on a pita with Israeli salad — made from tomato and cucumber — and hummus, and mint green tea to drink. There were a ton of people working behind the counter, so everything moved quickly.

On the back of the menu was more information about the food they're serving and where it comes from.

The food took less than five minutes to prepare, and everything looked delicious.

The pita was fresh and warm, and the falafel was perfectly cooked. There was a good balance between the falafel, salad, hummus, and tahini. I could see why everybody raves about it.

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