Simply Falafel in Oklahoma City: Hand-Rolled Middle Eastern Sandwiches
Simply Falafel is a counter-service sandwich shop in Oklahoma City that specializes in falafel, shawarma, and kebab wraps made fresh to order, sitting somewhere between casual lunch spot and customizable fast-casual concept without the markup of a trendy chain.
What Simply Falafel actually is
The shop operates as a walk-up counter with minimal seating, built around a straightforward menu of Middle Eastern sandwiches. The kitchen rolls falafel (chickpea patties), chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, and lamb kebab into pita or flatbread with your choice of toppings: hummus, baba ganoush, pickled vegetables, lettuce, tomato, onion, and tahini sauce. Everything is assembled per order rather than pre-made, which means a 10-15 minute wait during lunch but also a sandwich that reflects what you actually want in it.
Menu and pricing
A falafel sandwich runs $7 to $8, depending on whether you choose pita or flatbread. Meat-based sandwiches (shawarma or kebab) are $10 to $12. Sides like hummus, tabbouleh, or a small salad range from $3 to $5. A typical meal with sandwich and side costs $13 to $17 before tax. Prices should be verified directly with the shop, as food costs shift seasonally, but the spread reflects what you pay for hand-rolled work in Oklahoma City's mid-market restaurant tier.
How it compares to other Oklahoma City sandwich options
Simply Falafel fills a niche that overlaps with but does not directly compete with sandwich chains or deli counters. Compared to Jimmie's Egg (breakfast and lunch diner sandwiches), Simply Falafel offers a different flavor profile and source material; Jimmie's leans into American comfort, while Simply Falafel centers Middle Eastern spice and technique. Against Loaded Bowl (salad bowls and wraps with farm-sourced ingredients), Simply Falafel offers lower cost and faster execution but less nutritional customization. If you want a Mediterranean-style wrap with chickpea or meat filling made right in front of you at a straightforward price, this is the place. If you prioritize ingredient sourcing documentation or speed comparable to a chain, other options may suit you better.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Simply Falafel works for lunch-hour efficiency, vegetarians comfortable with fried chickpea, people seeking authentic or semi-authentic Middle Eastern flavor without formal sit-down dining, and anyone willing to wait 10-15 minutes for made-to-order food. It does not suit people who need to eat in under five minutes, those avoiding fried foods entirely, or diners expecting table service or a full alcohol menu.
What the first visit involves
Walk in, review the handwritten or printed menu at the counter, order by sandwich type and bread choice, then state your toppings (all or a subset). Pay at the counter. Step aside and wait while the staff rolls and warms your sandwich. Collect it at the counter, find a seat at one of a handful of small tables if available, or take it with you. Condiments like hot sauce or additional tahini are self-serve.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Simply Falafel operates primarily for lunch service; verify current hours with the shop directly, as opening and closing times can shift with staffing or season. Parking is street-level or nearby lot parking depending on the neighborhood location; it is not a large establishment and does not have a dedicated lot. The shop is accessible by car and suitable for carryout, though seating capacity is limited to roughly a half-dozen seats.
Simply Falafel earns its place in Oklahoma City's sandwich conversation by refusing to compromise on execution for speed, offering Middle Eastern flavor at prices that do not inflate beyond the work involved.
