After a handful of inebriated visits, I’ve finally visited this late-night gem while sober. Originally opened in 1982, George’s King of Falafel and Cheesesteak is an “if you know, you know” Middle Eastern takeout spot near the corner of 28th and M streets NW in Georgetown. Brothers and co-owners Souheil and Sofiene Ben Mansour took over managing their father’s business after he retired in 2007 and shortly after they moved to the area from Tunisia.
Most of George’s customers are Georgetown University and George Washington University students. They also get a fair amount of foot traffic from revelers and night-shift frontline workers.
“We want to provide good halal food, similar to the street food found in the Middle East,” Souheil says. Their late-night hours make this a prime location for night owls looking for a healthier-ish option. It gets packed, so be patient if you stop by after 10 p.m.
The 100 percent halal menu is a mix of appetizers, sandwiches, wraps, platters, and a few desserts. With the exception of their baklava, everything is made to order. The owners are also half Lebanese, so there is a bit of French influence in some of the menu items.
A quick quick glance behind the cashier shows a vertical broiler cooking chicken shawarma, their bestseller. Chicken breasts are marinated for up to 48 hours in their special seasoning.
George’s chicken shawarma sandwich with fries and garlic whip Credit: Crystal Jones
“The most important ingredient in this blend is cardamom,” Souheil says. “We only use it for the chicken.”
Freshly sliced chicken is wrapped in pita, toasted in a panini press, and cut into four slices. It then gets a light drizzle of pomegranate syrup and a dusting of sumac, served with a side of crunchy pickled vegetables and fries.
I’ve had my fair share of shawarma, and the pomegranate sumac combo separates this dish from the rest—adding a tiny bit of sweet and smoky. The sandwich also comes with a side of their whipped garlic sauce made of fresh garlic blended with yogurt and potatoes. I seriously could not get enough of it. It reminded me of a thicker version of the garlic dressing from Cava, but better. I asked for two more sides to keep in my fridge.
Another popular item, and my favorite, is their steak and cheese sandwich. Shaved rib eye is seasoned with salt and pepper, then sauteed on the flattop with onions and jalapenos. White American cheese gets melted onto the steak and placed inside a toasted hoagie roll. The meat wasn’t shaved too thin, so it stayed juicy. I took Souheil’s suggestion and added some of their tahini sauce, and errrmagerrd that was the game changer. Even without it, this needs to be included in the ongoing debate about the best steak and cheese in D.C.
George’s steak and cheese sandwich Credit: Crystal Jones
The lamb gyro plate is a perfect portion for dinner. Ground lamb gets marinated for 24 hours with their special blend, and slowly cooked in a vertical rotisserie. Then, the meat is thinly sliced to order and seared. It’s served on a bed of basmati rice with onions and tomatoes, along with a side of hummus, pickled veggies, and sliced pita. The lamb is super tender—no sauce needed.
Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth with a warm crepe. If the shop isn’t too crowded, you can watch them being prepared at the front counter. Fill your crepe with Nutella or chunks of a Kinder Chocolate bar. You can also throw in sliced bananas, strawberries, crushed Oreos, and halawa—a Middle Eastern candy made of sweetened sesame paste. Each crepe gets rolled, cut into bite-size pieces, and dusted with powdered sugar. If you aren’t a fan of chocolate, try the classic baklava, a sweet dessert with layers of flaky filo pastry, pistachios, and honey.
George’s banana and Nutella crepe Credit: Crystal Jones
You’re probably wondering if I tried their falafel—I did not. I’ve tried falafel several times, and I’m honestly not a fan. I get that George’s is the (self-proclaimed) “king,” but I chose to skip them because of my anti-falafel bias.
Although they don’t have any firm plans at the moment, Souheil says they would love to expand the company, preferably in the city.
“We love D.C.,” he says. “That’s where we like to do business. We’re used to it, and we know a lot of people. Business did really good during the pandemic, and a lot of people discovered us. So we’d like to keep them around, step by step.”
Take-out ratings:
Packaging: Items are packaged in eco-friendly containers with clear lids.
Does it travel well? The food will stay warm for about 30 minutes without the need to reheat.
Is the food good? Yes! Simple menu, but packed with flavor.
The leftovers: All items, excluding the crepes, can be reheated. I recommend eating the crepe within a couple of hours.
George’s King of Falafel and Cheesesteak is located at 1205 28th St. NW. It’s open Sunday through Wednesday 12 p.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday 12 p.m. to 3 a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 a.m. Prices range from $10 to $15.