New Georgetown Falafel Shop Helps Refugees

GEORGETOWN, DC — Washingtonians are lining up on Potomac and M streets to get their hands on a falafel sandwich from the newly-opened Falafel Inc. The sandwiches are only $3, but for every $10 spent, Falafel Inc. feeds a refugee for a day through their donations to the World Food Programme.

Falafel Inc. offers sandwiches with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, red cabbage, tahini and red sauce served in a freshly baked pita. The restaurant also serves za'atar fries, falafel bowls and eight different sides like salads and hummus.

According to WTOP, Falafel Inc.'s founder is Ahmad Ashkar, who is the CEO of the Hult Prize Foundation, which is backed by former President Bill Clinton. Huffington Post called the Hult Prize the "Nobel Prize for Students." The not-for-profit organization offers college students and social entrepreneurs the chance at $1 million in startup money to create for-profit businesses that solve "the planet's biggest challenges," the organization states. This year's Hult Prize "President's Challenge" is "Refugees - Reawakening Human Potential."

“I think food, in general, is an ultimate equalizer. Falafel, in particular, it’s actually the go-to food of choice for refugees, and it’s not because it’s so delicious or refreshing or vegan or healthy — it’s because it’s cheap,” Ashkar told WTOP. “And what we thought to do was create a vehicle where people in the West could experience falafel, but experience it through the eyes of a refugee.”

The shop's walls are covered in plywood, similar to the stands in refuge camps. There are a few standing-only tables inside and various tables outside, but Falafel Inc. is mainly meant to be a grab-and-go spot.

Ashkar hopes to launch a Falafel Inc. Foundation once the restaurant grows, so he can send donations directly to the Middle East refugees he wishes to help, according to Washington City Paper. As of now, restaurant employees take total sales on a weekly basis, every Sunday, and make the donation via the ShareTheMeal app. The ShareTheMeal app by The World Food Programme lets people around the world make donations to help eliminate global hunger. It costs just 50 cents to feed one child for a day through the app.

So far, Falafel Inc. has received high praise on Yelp:

• This little shop just opened up last week, and you'd think they'd been there 10 years! Amazing Falafel puts sandwiches and for every meal you buy, they feed a refugee! Highly recommended if you're near the DC area and especially Georgetown!
• Great food, great cause, great price, great location, great outdoor seating. What more can you want. The falafel was probably some of the best I've had (my bowl had mini falafel that made it easier to eat).
• The best Falafel sandwich I've had this side of the Atlantic

Check out Falafel Inc. at 1210 Potomac St. NW from 12-9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 12-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Photo: Falafel Inc. Georgetown Instagram