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
I’ve never been there, but it sounds yummy. Even if I do like me some meat!
NERDS all the way! Plus, I mean it’s kinda the coolest name ever! I’m sure a bunch of nerds came up with the name…
haha, proud to be a nerd myself!
Haven’t had either candy in a while. I did recently try to remember to find Runts when I was out shopping. Naturally, I forgot. Not sure where to find them either. Anyway, my vote goes to Runts 🙂
my sister bought me some nerds a few months ago and it was so funny to taste them as an adult, so sugary!
I’d love to try that! and runts all the way! haha, but twix sounds awesome. Cool blog! 🙂
xoxo,
whateverismarveloustoday.blogspot.com
thanks! I’m glad to have you here!
Wait, are runts and nerds not the same??? I’m so confused. Let’s say nerds. Those used to be my fave. I’ve never heard of Moaz…but they have one in Austin. I’ll be there in the spring, might have to hit it up!
haha, the runts are the ones shaped like the fruit (the bananas, strawberries, limes, etc are shaped like them) and nerds are the little pellets in different sizes and all different colors, they come in boxes.
Oops I forgot to vote in the previous one, but I’m glad Twix made it through.
This time it’s Nerds (it’s always been Nerds, school memories).
My last falafel was couple of years ago, in a sandwich, not as great as I expected it to be. I had it before and that one was way better. Shawarma, now that’s a different story, it’s so effin good! I would kill for one right now (free of course, and delivered to my door).
Mmm, reading these comments is making me hungrier than writing the post haha!
i didn’t know maoz was in madrid! i’ve seen this in NYC before but have yet to try it. i eat mediterranean food all the time! they have awesome vegan options :).
I think the original ones started in the Netherlands, and when I lived in Spain there wasn’t any in the U.S. yet. Now there’s lots I’m so happy!
Nerds. Those banana runts are the worst.
they are. however I love the strawberry ones so much that they probably overtake nerds just for that, for me…
Nerds (I may have never had Runts, actually).
I’ve never heard of Maoz…but I wanna find one! I have not had much in the way of falafel variety, but I will work on it 🙂
If you’ve ever had success baking it instead of frying I’d love to hear about it!
RUNTS!
that maoz place sounds good. i’m not too familiar with greek food except for gyros and greek salads, lol.
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I’m glad to see some love for Runts- there’s been a lot of nerd love!
I would LOVE to have one of these here just so I could see the happy look on Mr. A’s face.
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haha- and it would probably still be the closest one to MN then too 🙂
Never been, but sounds like something I would like. Mmmmm falafel!
Nerds for me!
It’s different than your average falafel!
I always felt like runts would break my teeth and their flavour sucks. So nerds it is. And their packaging with those fun boxes is way better. And all the colour/flavour combos. Definitely superior!
I was always fascinated by the non uniformity (disformit?) among nerd and the sizes of the little pieces. so strange!
have never been to maoz, and actually never heard of them =(
and for the candies, another disappointment – never tried them and can’t tell.
I know, I know, not much help today, but I’ll be back to drop my two cents!
well if you ever see a maoz, you’ll know to try it!