A local favorite of mine is Abu Ala’s ful, falafel and humus restaurant. In Ramadan, Abu Ala’s is heaving with people waiting to pick up their order for Iftar; however, you can drop in all year round and still pick up their signature falafel sandwich for only SR3 or ful and humus dishes for SR4. Abu Ala specializes in three things, ful, falafel, and humus — the bread and butter of Saudi Arabia, and Abu Ala does it very well. It’s a short walk down Darweesh Kayal Street. Look for a bright red sign and you’ve found Ala’s.
It doesn’t look like much from the outside; in fact someone over the last few years created a makeshift parking garage which covers half the front of the store — this is now a permanent fixture — but it is easy to find as it is right next to the local baqala (grocery store), Bushiya Foodstuffs.
The falafel here is how it should be, none of the stale and crumbly dry mush you get in some places abroad. Here it is cooked fresh, and it shows by its crispy coating and moist middle, (yes its slightly oily, but in a good way). I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The falafel sandwich here is also a personal favorite and is exceptionally good; it comes stuffed with fresh aubergine, salad, tahina and sometimes mint — a meal in its own right.
Be sure to order some of their humus. The ful is also usually very good, soft, smooth and creamy. If you like your ful spicy, Abu Ala’s does an excellent and freshly chopped green chilli sauce, this comes in a small plastic bag and adds a ‘kick’ to the usually bland dish.
Other items such as sandwiches are also available including egg (SR1), Tuna (SR2) and vegetables (SR3). Dishes of humus will set you back SR4, and if you don’t fancy a sandwich and are just after the falafel itself, a bag with five pieces is only SR1! So check out Abu Ala’s for the bread and butter of Arabia.
Address: Darwesh Kayal Street, Just off Rawdah Street at the Life store.
Opening times: 6.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 12 midnight.