Business-of-the-Week, Cambridge Chronicle
Ryan Kearney Khaled and Moody Moody's Falafel Palace has always been all about the food. After all, this not-so-hidden
treasure in Central Square is an intimate spot, to say the least.
Housed in a miniature tower of white porcelain brick - a relic of the
White Castle hamburger chain - the entire restaurant is about the size
of your bedroom. With an eating area not much larger than a king-sized
bed. Meanwhile, an incongruous mix of faded awards, still-life prints
of flowers, Mediterranean photography and newspaper clips hangs on the
walls.
In other words, what Moody's lacks in spaciousness, it makes up
for in character - and value. The prices and service compete with
nearby fast-food joints, and the food is, some say, better for you. The
classic falafel sandwich, for instance, comes in at $4.00 A chicken or
lamb shawarma rollup is just 50 cents more, with meat thatÕs been
marinated overnight and slowly cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
While
Moody's has been a constant since it opened in the early 1980s, the
times are a-changin'. Khaled took over for his
cousin, founder Moody Kassar, who is retired to his
native Syria. Seffo has
expanded the menu, offering more soups and salads, as well as pastries
and fruit shakes.
With Seffo putting his mark on Moody's, is the
restaurant in for a name change? "NO," he says. shaking his head and
frowning. I have to respect the name because he worked hard to
build up his reputation. I have to be loyal to my cousin. The
customers, in turn, are loyal to him. Taking a lunch break at Moody's
last Thursday. Grant Scott, 44, of Swampscott, says he often works in
the area and makes a point to stop in. According to Scott. The homemade pomegranate hot sauce is unbeatable, "I
want to buy gallons of it" he said. Seffo blushed, then gave him a pint of it, free of charge.
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About Khaled Seffo
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Khaled Seffo |
Born in Aleppo, Syria 1976. After coming to the US in 1992 Khaled began his restaurant career working and managing various restaurants in New York City. In 2003, Khaled took over the Falafel Palace from Moody when he retired. Since then Khaled has made major changes to the restaurant.
Expanding the menu adding a variety of vegetarian roll-ups and plates as well as a new flavor to the shwarma and kabobs. Khaled created his own unique flavor to a variety of the items such as the baba ghanouj and his own pomeganate hot sauce as well as a variety of soups, salads and freshly made pastries, bakalawa and more.
One thing that has not changed since Khaled took over is the goal to offer quick and healthy food, for a very reasonable price. Khaled has also expanded the hours of operations to 3am. All the food and ingredients are prepared FRESH every morning. One thing Khaled has always remembered is to be committed to his restaurant by providing good service and quality food to his customers!
I hope that I have met and satisfied my customers expectaions of a quick and healthy meal!
Thank you for your support and patronage.
"M Khaled Seffo" |
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