Mamoun's in the daylight? Would it, could it be the same?

If you live in the tri-state area and have gone out for a night of shennigans or on a full out bender here in "the city" (the island of Manhattan is referred to as "THE City" as if it's the only city that matters... and it is isn't it?) many of us have ended up at Mamoun's to feed those crazy booze filled munchies and this place always has satisfied.

(They have locations in NJ but I live in THE city so this is all about my experience and love for their locations in THE city)

I've found myself here many times, and I mean, literally found myself, as in, having no clue as to how in the hell did I physically get to this place? Does Mamoun's have some secret strong force that pull's in all of "THE city's" drunk, drugged up, bender fueled partiers? I believe that it does. It's kind of amazing that people who are so drunk and out of it that they don't know their own name, manage to use their pre-frontal cortex just enough to get themselves to Mamoun's.

Now, let's be honest, when a person is so drunk and out having a good time, almost anything will taste good at 3:00am. But clearly this place has a good thing going. Stroll by this place anytime, day or night and there is always a line out the door, anytime of year, spring, summer, fall and even those cold winter months.

Right now we are enjoying the beautiful crisp pre-fall sunny days where we don't really know if we need a jacket or not and me and a friend of mine decided that we wanted to try Mamoun's in broad daylight, stone cold sober. I know, I totally live on the edge.

Sure enough there was a line but boy does it move fast, and everyone that works there moves really fast, it kind of makes you feel that you need to walk in there knowing just what you want, pay quickly, get your order (my shawarma was ready as I was putting my change back into my wallet) and move along.

We snagged a table right outside and let the feeding begin.

Good god that picture is way too close.... photo cred to my friend for being a shitty photographer, on purpose.

The portions at Mamoun's are perfect. Not at all overwhelmingly huge and the fresh ruffage (lettuce, onion, tomato) have that perfect crisp that I just love how they accent that perfectly rotisseried seasoned lamb. It's a great mouth feel. God I do love saying that. They also add just the right amount of tahini and I of course, had them add their famous hot sauce. You should too, trust me.

No surprise here, it's just as good in the middle of the day as it is in the middle of the night. There's a reason this place has been around since 1971. They make some seriously damn good food.

The Village Voice in 1976 famously said this about Mamoun's;

"Henry Kissinger can take a lesson in diplomacy. Mamoun has Arabs and Jews sitting at the same table"

All you fetuses can go google Henry Kissinger and learn some history.

And of course, I couldn't neglect my sweet tooth, I got a piece of their baklava.

Their baklava is amazing, it's crunchy, flaky, sweet, chewy, juicy, with just a suggestion of salt, all at the same time. They also cut their portions of baklava just right. It's just enough for one person, I did not share. Tough shit, you should have got your own piece. And my sweet love of Buddha, does it satisfy this girls sweet tooth.

Mamoun's menu has such a great variety and everything is so good, it's difficult to stay faithful to just one thing on their menu. Go ahead, be a Mamoun's slutbag, go all of the time and try something different everytime you go, it's the best kind of slut bag you could ever be.