For those of you lucky bastards who have one in your city, this Travelin’ Thursday post is devoted almost entirely to this delicious vegetarian and falafel fast food franchise. If not for the Sugarbowl, it would be ENTIRELY devoted to my passion and love for this charming chain.

Yes, I’m talking about Maoz.

Living in Madrid a few years back, I found myself to be a vegetarian in a strange land. Even though its a large city, the country’s cuisine is based largely upon meat, and so imagine my delight to find a cheap and healthy vegetarian fast food option.

Based mostly upon falafel and veggies, you can get yourself a simple pita with falafel and then fill it with tabouleh, tahini, veggies, special sauces, and more. The best part always was that you could eat half of it and then refill more from the salad bar on top. To go along with this I often got the flamenco fries in a cone (french fries, but everything is better in a cone right?)

I dragged my mom to Maoz when she visited me. I braved crazy swooping birds (among other hazards) in Amsterdam to get my maoz fix. When bussing to Barcelona I knew I’d find something upon arrival as they boasted many in their fair city.

Now back in the states, I have to rely on the lackluster gyro shops and Falafel Kings nearby. Sure, they are delicious, but nothing compares to my veggie heaven that is Maoz.

Some day soon, Maoz- I’ll be back. Be it in Austin, New York, or a reunion meal back in Madrid… I’ll be back.

In the mean time, I guess I’ll drown my sorrows in sugar. The Sugarbowl, that is… in last night’s installment of Munch Madness, we had Twix vs. Kit Kat. Both two bars, both chocolatey goodness. Will wafer or caramel win?

Caramel it is! Twix moves on to the next round… and tonight, we’ll go back to the candies, and you can place your precious votes for one of these rainbowy delights, either:

RUNTS or NERDS?

Who’s it gonna be? Ever been to maoz? What toppings do you pile on top of your falafel and pita?

Meri