King of Falafel & Shawarma

The false front of a lime-green truck festoons the exterior of this Middle Eastern storefront in Astoria—a playful sign it’s the brick-and-mortar home of a food truck. King of Falafel & Shawarma, which still runs mobile operations, won the coveted Vendy Award for best street food in 2010 and is finally able to display the trophy cup in a permanent setting. The gregarious co-owner and self-described “king,” Freddy Zeideia, is spreading himself thinner, but even if he’s not behind the counter, rest assured the quality of the falafel, creamy hummus, shawarma and grilled chicken thighs are the same.