Gazali's - Des Moines

When my daughter and I arrived, there were two very young women, likely high school or college students, working behind the counter. They appeared to be inexper... read more When my daughter and I arrived, there were two very young women, likely high school or college students, working behind the counter. They appeared to be inexperienced, and although they were friendly (it is Iowa, after all), they messed up our orders. We both ordered falafel wraps, but the falafel tasted like it had been fried two days prior and left to dry out. It was also overcooked and falling apart, with large pieces that were hard to eat. The tomatoes and lettuce were not fresh, making the whole experience much worse than what one would expect from a food truck in Central Park. To add to the odd experience, an extremely problematic Elvis movie was playing on a projector in the dining area. I truly hope someone takes over this restaurant and gives it the care it needs. It seems they are just trying to stay open because of the college crowd from Drake University nearby, who might eat anything when they’re drunk or hungover. (Updated from a previous review on 2020-02-19)

This restaurant is conveniently located near Drake University, although parking can be a bit tricky. Inside, there’s plenty of seating, and the staff is incredi... read more This restaurant is conveniently located near Drake University, although parking can be a bit tricky. Inside, there’s plenty of seating, and the staff is incredibly friendly. I ordered a falafel wrap but ended up with a salad by mistake. It was a pleasant surprise, and I guess I could use a healthier option! The salad was really tasty. They even gave me a dessert as a complimentary gesture for the mix-up. I’ll definitely be returning! Updated from my previous review on June 7, 2018.

This restaurant is located very close to Drake University, but finding a parking space can be quite challenging. The seating area is spacious, and the staff mem... read more This restaurant is located very close to Drake University, but finding a parking space can be quite challenging. The seating area is spacious, and the staff members are extremely friendly. I ordered a falafel wrap, but they mistakenly served me a salad instead. That actually worked out fine for me—perhaps I should focus on eating healthier, haha! The salad was delicious. They even gave me a dessert on the house due to their mistake. I’ll definitely be coming back! This update revises my previous review from June 7, 2018.

Ordered the falafel burger with a few starters we shared. It was pretty good. There's a decent number of vegan options. The customer service was great. I will d... read more Ordered the falafel burger with a few starters we shared. It was pretty good. There's a decent number of vegan options. The customer service was great. I will definitely eat there again, but I'll bring a bigger appetite next time.

They are delicious and family owned. Really recommend this place! read more They are delicious and family owned. Really recommend this place!