Happy Falafel Nears Joliet Opening On Route 59

JOLIET, IL — A suburban businessman is following his intuition and opening his second Middle Eastern restaurant in Joliet. Happy Falafel aims to open within the next month at 2119 Route 59.

"Bringing you fresh and tasty Mediterranean cuisine!" its Facebook page alerts future customers.

The menu selections for Happy Falafel are practically unheard of around Joliet's far west side:

• Falafel Pita
• Chicken Shawerma Pita
• Chicken Kabob Pita
• Falafel and Arabic Salad over a bed of Basmati Rice, served with Tahini Sauce
• Beef Shawerma Pita
• Kafta Kabob Pita

In a phone interview with Joliet Patch, Happy Falafel owner Bilal Beiram said he expects to be open for business in early to mid-November. Incidentally, November will mark the seventh anniversary of his main restaurant, which is in Lyons. That restaurant is called Falafelji.

Why choose Joliet for his second restaurant?

"I'm kind of taking a gamble," Beiram told Patch.

He said that he signed a lease on the property in July. The property on Route 59 had been vacant for at least a year. It used to be Weng Lee Chinese Kitchen.

Now, Happy Falafel is in the midst of the final stretch of interior renovations. Contractors were inside over the weekend painting.

When it opens, the new Joliet restaurant will seat about 40 guests. Besides sit-down, Happy Falafel will offer carryout, delivery and catering services.

Beiram said that his son, Jafar, will also help him manage the new restaurant which encompasses about 1,500 square feet.

Happy Falafel could be a popular new dining option for residents of Joliet, Plainfield, Shorewood and perhaps people who live along the Route 59 corridor near Naperville, its owner said.

After all, the Mediterranean cuisine will be unique for the Joliet area along Route 59.

"I'm hoping the business does well," Beirnam told Patch, noting that residents who live in the area should look for an advertising mailer for Happy Falafel in the coming weeks.

The website is already up for Happy Falafel.

Additionally, a copy of the future menu is taped on the front door, even though it is not open yet.

"Grandfather Hasan started his own falafel shop after retiring from his job and that’s when I started learning," the owner of Happy Falafel explains on his website. "At the young age of 10 years old, I started helping my grandfather. Peeling the garlic, cleaning the herbs and making the falafels were some of my chores. It was plenty of fun to go and help out on my summer breaks.

"My grandfather told me that the secret to good food is good ingredients. Always use fresh and high quality vegetables and meats was his advice which I followed all my life. In 2012 , I opened Falafelji, which simply means a guy who sells falafels, staying true to grandfather Hasan’s advice. Happy Falafel is the continuum of many decades of my family's collective experience of making great middle eastern food."

Even though Happy Falafel has yet to open, it already has a five-star review on Google.

"You will not be disappointed!! I was driving to Lyons to get Kafta sandwiches and hummus. Excellent food every single time! So glad they are now closer to where I live. I will be stopping here often!" one woman wrote.