Nestled at the top of Petticoat Lane Food Market is Eye Falafel, a traditional Jordanian food stand where hundreds of people queue every day to get their hands on a fresh falafel wrap.
Shaker Al-Bdour has been running the food stall in the heart of the City of London for 15 years. Considered one of the oldest and most popular stalls on Petticoat Lane Market, the homemade falafel wraps, salads, hummus, and chilli sauce have become a lunchtime staple among nine-to-five city workers. The popularity of Shaker’s daily-made, vegan falafel can be attributed in part to his late mother, who passed down the family recipe.
“Because I wanted to make it so special, I trusted my mum with the recipe when she was alive. She was over the phone, back home in Jordan… We don't use any powder in our falafel. This is what makes us unique because we use only fresh herbs.”
Eye Falafel is one of the food stands featured in the Standard’s new video series Street Food Stories. It looks at the lives and businesses of immigrants who have moved to London and diversified the capital’s food scene.
Shaker grew up in Jordan but moved to London to go to university. He earned his degree but quickly realised corporate life wasn’t for him.
“I had a big shop in Paddington, and it was too much for me. So I wanted to do something easy, simple and unique…When I started, I was making £30 a day. But I believe in patience. When you want to do something, you have to be patient. If you know what you're doing, just give it a bit of time.”
Despite a slow start, Eye Falafel has become a firm local favourite, which Shaker puts down to three things.
“This is my policy, three things: good customer service, good food, good price. You make good money.”
Through his genuine and engaging customer service, Shaker’s built a loyal community of customers that keep returning for more.
“I have customers since day one, every single day, honestly. And we have a bond with our customers…This is the main thing, customer is king. This is what I believe. So, good customer service, eye contact, respectful – good business.”
And customers themselves agree. Regulars in the winding queue said Eye Falafel have “the best customer service” and that Shaker and his team are “so lovely”.
They dish out free falafel to those waiting, and if you’re lucky Shaker might even throw some halloumi in your wrap on the house. So head down to Petticoat Lane Market on your next lunch break and join the hundreds of other Londoners getting their fix of some of the city’s freshest falafel – just don't be surprised if you have to wait.
