Alfanoose
150 Fulton St
(212-528-4669)
Meticulously rolled thin pita, superb spicing, crunchy pickled veggies ($4).

Azuri Cafe
465 W. 51st St.
(212-262-2920)
A swipe of hummus, artful splashes of zhug and amba, and a distinctive, pillowy pita ($4).

Kwik Meal #1
Sixth Ave. at 45th St., SW corner
Bangladesh-born, Russian Tea Room–trained street vendor griddles his bread to deliciously greasy effect ($3.50).

Olympic Pita
1419 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn
(718-258-6222)
Crisp, kosher, and coddled inside sturdy lafah bread; includes unlimited salad-bar fixings ($3.99).

Miriam’s
Sixth Ave. at 46th St., SW corner
Heavy on the pepper-flecked hot sauce, uncommonly ripe tomatoes, and a thickish pita that holds it all together ($4).

Rainbow Falafel & Shawarma
26 E. 17th St. (212-691-8641)
Thinnish whole-wheat pita isn’t the sturdiest, but the herb-tinged falafel and fresh fixings draw lunchtime throngs ($3).

Mamoun’s
119 Macdougal St
(212-674-8685)
The basic formula—super-fresh falafel, lettuce, tomato, and tahini—since 1971 ($2).

Related:

• Archive: “Cover Story”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: Jul 28, 2003 issue of New York | Subscribe!