Sunrise Deli

I went there during lunch and got an Avocado falafel and fries for $6.99, which is one of the lunch specials. I wasn't going to come here because I was craving fries and none of the photos had fries. But I saw the sign on the window with the falafel pita and fries special and went in. Unfortunately, the fries took a while since they had to fry them and so people who ordered behind me got their food first. It took awhile for the fries to be done, about 15-20 minutes but the cashier saw my impatience and said he would bring it to my table.

The seating is pretty tight because of the small space. I sat on a side table and two others joined me and it was squished to say the least. The lines can also get pretty long and it can be hard to know where to stand or sit while waiting.

The hummus side was the biggest disappointment. The hummus was so watery and had no flavor to it that I didn't even finish a quarter of it before I threw it away. But I did like that they scooped and fried the falafel as people ordered - I just wish my falafels weren't so over-fried.

The portions are significantly smaller than expected given the price, and even with the discount from Snackpass, it still feels like a rip off. Like some reviews indicate, the plate is pretty soupy so they just didn't really try...

The primary reason for the one star was during the check in offer. After receiving my order, I asked to redeem it. Well, the guy said "sorry we only give that for PAYING customers." I DID PAY, as seen with the chicken shawarma. He was hesitant and rudely turned away, saying "just a few minutes" even though the falafel is obviously made already and it just takes 5 seconds to squeeze in 6 pieces of falafel in the bag. Minus 4 stars just for that.

When they say "best falafel in town," I honestly don't think so. The falafel was very dry and cold, clearly left out in the open for a long time while there were warm/hot falafels given to those who actually paid for the side dish. In terms of flavor, it is bland. I think almost all the places I tried the falafel is way better than this.

Overall, they really should not ignore the customers that use the Snackpass and yelp check in offer because I honestly was just testing to see if this would be the place I would go regularly if I'm craving the food. You missed the chance and you just lost a potential regular customer. Good job!

Many many years ago, my buddy took me to Sunrise Deli in The Sunset (SF) and told me that it was the closest thing he'd seen to the falafel he'd get in Israel. I loved it from the get-go. The tahini sauce they make is the specific thing that keeps me going back. Many tahini's are pasty and plain. Their's has depth that I've never experienced anywhere else - without a doubt my favorite tahini.

So I decided to try Sunrise Deli on Bancroft. Before ordering, I asked, "Do you also have a restaurant in SF?" Yes, they assured me it was the same. So I ordered the falafel platter. It arrived - but no tahini. I asked the clerk - where's the tahini. She said it does not come with the falafel plate. I looked at the menu (photo attached) and it says "tahini". I pointed that out to her and she acquiesced and gave me a side of tahini (weird).

So I enjoyed my meal - the tahini wasn't exactly as I remembered it, but it was pretty good. The falafel was fine - almost impossible to mess that up. The side salad was excellent. Overall, it's not quite what I remember about the SF location, but still good.

Poor quality food and service, to the point where I'm upset their prime real estate isn't occupied by a better eating establishment. Lol.

I've eaten here several times while at Cal and each instance has left me underwhelmed and annoyed at spending $10 on bad food. Their falafel is bland and usually overfried.

This particular instance, I ordered a chicken shawarma sandwich. When I entered, there was only one employee who was sweeping the floors. In order to make my food, she washed her hands but wiped them on a dirty rag and proceeded make my food without gloves, which really grossed me out.

My meal was an 8" long wrap ($8.50) with chicken, spinach, tomatoes, radishes, and beets. The chicken was very sketchy - tough to chew and didn't seem fresh at all. Same with the veggies, you could definitely tell they were sitting out for a while and/or frozen at one point. I also had an issue with sogginess similar to other reviewers, where the bottom half of my wrap was incredibly soaked and soupy.

I generally assume that food close to campus is tasteless and over priced.

I was hesitant to try this place out as a result, but I had been walking all day and was desperate for ANY FOOD (like seriously, any food at all).

The place is small. Nothing fancy. The cashier wasn't the most warm and welcoming guy, but I tried not to take it personally. There was a yelp check-in coupon for a free half dozen falafel, so I got that to split with my friend along with a regular falafel. She got an avocado falafel.

Y'all when their menu advertises "the best falafel in town" THEY AINT LYIN. It's not green inside like most falafel, but it's fresh as all hell and so perfectly crispy on the outside that it's startling. The avocado and tomato were beautiful, vibrant colors and also tasted fresh.

I will definitely be back for a healthy lunch on the run after class or to refuel after the gym.

I'm really sad. They had the best falafel in Berkeley. I haven't worked at Cal for six years now, so I really had to make an effort to come to Sunrise Deli at lunchtime, and sadly, I didn't come often enough.

The San Francisco locations remain, and that's good, but it seems that every month another little part of the twentysomething me dies as beloved businesses that existed when I moved here in 2003 close. It happens over and over, and they're usually replaced by expensive, crappy substitutes with poor service and ridiculously small portion sizes. Even when I first came across Sunrise, this stretch of Bancroft between Oxford and College seemed like it was precariously frozen in time. The developers finally noticed, I guess.

Sunrise Deli was right up there with the original Ali Baba's Cave in San Francisco (RIP). The good places close, yet the mediocre Middle Eastern places soldier on.

Thank you for all the delicious food, Sunrise. I already miss you, even though I didn't know I did.

Went this morning and ordered the small veggie plate. The dolmas and falafel here are super yummy, and my meal tasted fresh and looked so colorful :) The man helping me was pleasant and service was really fast!

I wish it came with some more cucumbers and tomatoes, but overall, I'm really happy with what I ordered. I had to attend class soon after ordering, but the seating inside looked pretty clean! The convenience can't be beat for anyone hanging around the south side of campus!

Solid stuff!

This is the not so hidden gem that sits across from campus, yet is probably overlooked.

I got the small veggie combo plate and it was satisfying and cheap! Probably the best bang for your buck ($8), especially if you get the free Yelp check in for 6 falafels!

Not mega amazing or anything but definitely would rather come here over The Halal Guys.

Food was ok. I think I ordered the wrong thing - lamb shawarma platter which was basically lamb on top of hummus with a side of pita bread. The platters that come with two sides do look better. The half a dozen falafels aren't bad, especially since they're free with a Yelp check-in.

My biggest gripe is with the service. The place seems to be a bit disorganized, and some of the staff seems to be unnecessarily mean-spirited. When I first got there, there was no one at the counter for ten minutes before someone ran out and hurriedly took orders. Then there is someone who appears to be the owner(?) who seems to scoff at every request - can I have a to go container? (glare) can I please have a plastic bag? (exasperated sigh + impatient flick of wrist/body language/eye roll). Just a really negative vibe for no reason at all...

Overall, the food is ok, but you'd probably do better to eat somewhere else and save yourself from the path of the negative energy....why pay money to feel bad?

TL;DR: really dry meat, smaller portions than expected, check in deal

I always walk by this spot on my way to the gym or campus, so I wanted to check it out. It also has a check in deal for a free 1/2 falafel, so I had it for lunch today. Unfortunately, I wasn't very impressed. The staff was very friendly, but the food didn't meet my expectations. It's another lunch spot on Southside, but with the many options you have, I don't think this is the best choice.

I ordered the small Lamb Shawarma Plate.

LAMB SHAWARMA PLATE (2.5/5)
- Really dry meat, not very tasty
- Hummus was really runny, like a liquified version
- Onion has a really strong, overwhelming flavor (as expected)
- Not a whole lot of food, but it's a small

The staff was really friendly when we walked in. I think their check in deal is really good, but unfortunately, I didn't receive it with my order and didn't check soon enough to ask for it again. Would I come here again? Probably not. I'm just glad I was able to try another restaurant in the area to add to my experience.