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Similarly to the impacts on other cultural narratives, the cuisines of Sephardic Jews from the Middle East are often overlooked as a consequence of Israel's unrelenting Eurocentric nationalism. As a result, many American Jews were until recently unfamiliar with the malawach, one of the prides of the Yemenite Jewish kitchen. The dish has started to appear on more menus in New York, and Batata's rendition in a secluded corner of Windsor Terrace is a beautifully crispy, caramelized take. The fillings are a bit untraditional, served with scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese, but paired with the tomato chutney often seen with jachnun. Hopefully we will eventually see more Sephardic cuisine in the city, beyond just Kubeh and an occasional malawach cameo.
Wow! I've never had sweet potato falafel but it might be my new obsession now that I've been introduced to it. It's got a more earthy and sweet taste than the regular chickpea falafels. We got: Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich 10/10 Sweet Potato Falafel Sandwich 10/10 I'm actually quite surprised as I've always thought Falafel Tanami would be my favorite falafel sandwich place but this place is pretty comparable. Their sandwiches have different fillings and they have more options here. They are very generous with the portion size and definitely fill up the sandwich even for a take out order. I love the beets in the sweet potato falafel. If you want meat the chicken schnitzel is delicious and unique option. Definitely give their sweet potato falafel a try!
Israeli food is one of my favorites-- the fresh salads and seared proteins all seasoned to perfection with spices and high quality olive oil are the stuff of gods. It's one of the cuisines correlated with the longest life span so maybe there really is something to it and if eating falafel is treating my body like a temple then give me a lifetime supply of it. This is a casual cafe where you order and pay at the register and bus your own table. There's plenty of indoor seating but it was a nice day so we sat at one of their outdoor tables, which was great for people watching along busy Fort Hamilton Parkway. I always have high hopes for falafel but good falafel where not only is it crispy, the interior is full of good flavor. Thankfully Batata's was of the good variety, each bite pairing deliciously with their tahini and hot sauce. The schnitzel and waffle was a great take on a chicken and waffle, with pillowy, fresh waffles and syrup. They have some amazing looking breakfast sandwiches, salads, and sandwiches so I'm bound to find myself here again soon.
The waffle was great, as was the honey butter. The chicken schnitzel was the thinnest chicken I have ever encountered. No chicken flavor at all. It was like I was eating breading. I'd rather have just ordered the waffle alone. The cashier was super sweet though!
A good spot for brunch, or to pick up a smoothie. The smoothies were healthy and refreshing, and I had no complaints about the food either. The egg and cheese malawich was definitely the highlight, and we got a plate of hummus which was smooth and flavorful, paired with freshly made pita. The chicken and schnitzel was good, but not my personal favorite as I'm not big on chicken and waffles. Overall- definitely try it out if you're in the area! -Navya J @nyconthetable
9 years ago
Cute place for a quick bite or to catch up with a friend. The place was small so large groups would not be recommended here. Seating was relatively easy for my party of three. It seems like customers don't overstay their welcome, which is helpful for everyone all around. I got their chicken schwarma sandwich and their mango pineapple ginger smoothie. The sandwich hit the spot for me and had a nice kick to it. The smoothie was refreshing. I would love to come back to try their Turkish coffee or coffee in general. read more
4 years ago
This place is off the beaten path and it's definitely a local spot. I see lots of people hanging out with their laptops and flip flops, very hipster vibe. It's a small shop with counter service so you order and pay first, then they bring the food to you. The food was pretty good. I'm not a big middle eastern food fan so I got the Schnitzel & Waffle. My girlfriends (who chose the spot) ended up getting the Chicken Shawarma plate, Goat cheese and honey malawach, Labane & Zaatar eggplant sandwich and a side of sweet potato fries. Schnitzel & Waffle - The waffle was so delicious, that was the first thing we devoured. The chicken was too bland and dry. Chicken Shawarma plate - tasted as good as it smelled but not a lot of chicken (according to my friend) Goat cheese and honey malawach - never had a malawach but it reminds me of roti and I loved it. I thought the goat cheese was a bit much and too gamey. Labane & Zaatar eggplant sandwich - looks like a massive stuffed pita and very messy to eat but it was very good. Sweet potato fries - a miss for me. Too soggy and burnt for my taste. I also got a mint lemonade which was ok. Tasted like fresh lemonade, not a lot of sugar, no mint taste at all. Overall, I was surprised. Like I said, I'm not a big middle eastern food fan but I enjoyed the food. So if you're like me, give this place a try. read more
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Ah yes! Batata. I've been meaning to write this review for the longest time. Well, ever since I discovered this delicious falafel spot in Kensington. Whether eating in or taking out, their food is always consistently fresh and tasty. I do notice that they have a high turnover of people running the register. Just a random observation. We have ordered the falafel platter, tuna sandwich, egg and cheese malawach, schnitzel & shawarma platter, brussel sprouts. The tuna sandwich is seriously something else. It has fresh tuna, with harrisa mayo and arugula in a pita. The entire combination is incredibly good. The schnitzel platter I like because they make the schnitzel crispy but its pretty tasteless. The crumbs don't have that zesty, flavourful taste you find in most schnitzels. Hopefully they'll change it because the dish is quite pleasing otherwise. The shawarma is delicious, mixed with onions, served with rice and salad. You really can't go wrong with it. I don't usually eat at the restaurant as I'm always rushing to get home but this past weekend my husband and I stopped in on our way home and decided to sit and eat. At the table behind us sat a few families with maybe 4 little very very obnoxious and unmannered children. They were noisy, reckless, running around, screaming. Everything you do not want happening to you while trying to eat they managed to do. And what do the parents do? Nothing! Please note we weren't the only ones trying to eat in peace. There were at least 3 other tables with couples. I also thought at some point the manager would tell them to leave but she just kept mouthing sorry and not in a comforting way. Finally a person waiting for his order belted out at them to quiet down and for a moment, just a moment there was silence. Moments later they were back to their screaming selves. So instead of finishing our food, we upped and left. I'm really not exaggerating --- it was so loud I started having a migraine! I was disappointed in management for not doing something about it. We weren't the only ones who chose not to stay. I hope they change their ways because food is definitely good. read more
Such a cute hippie spot thas hidden on a block w other very vintage lookin stores such as laundromat and coffee shop. The menu is right above the register, u order and they call u to pick up ur food. When ure done, u put the plates away in a bin. There is water u pour urself by the register--pretty neat. Bf ordered the falafel and i had the malawach. I also tried the kombucha drink (not sure of the spelling). We had fries as well. Food tasted very good. Bf said his falafel could use more sauce, he felt it was kind of bland. I enjoyed my meal but it was definitely on the oily side. But i didnt care cos the sandwich was so flaky, puffy and the filling was so so good. I also really liked the kombucha drink. Mine was strawberry flavor I believe. The space and restroom was clean. The restroom did feel very cold and only one. A very cute place that im sure id visit again. read more
I have a love/hate relationship with Batata. The falafel is gooood. Give it to me in a whole wheat pita with a heavy hand of hummus and pickled cabbage and I'm in heaven. They even have kombucha on tap which speaks to me on a spiritual level. The not so great: Service. I've tried everything. Placing an order in person. Calling ahead of time. Using Eat24 for pick up. But to no avail I always end up waiting a solid 15 - 20 minutes for my take-out order. Don't get me wrong, the staff is friendly. But the wait for one pita keeps me from giving this spot a higher rating. read more
Great addition to the neighborhood but the food is seriously just okay. I was expecting close to the great food I had in Jerusalem but was underwhelmed. My falafel plate was overdone and had burnt outer layers- I love me some good crispy, slightly done falafels but these were just overcooked and left too long in the fryer. The hummus that came with it had no flavor at all. The chicken shawarma my boyfriend had was not bad but again, far from what I've expected when I had read the reviews. Still, this cafe is much-needed in this area of Windsor Terrace. read more
Revisited again and was super disappointed with the quality of the food. I ordered the mallawash scramble and it was soo oily that I didn't even want to eat it..I literally just asked for it to be packed..on the other hand my partner ordered the chicken and waffles and I can't even believe they even call it "chicken" because there was barely any chicken..just fried dough and a hint of chicken lol...really sad that the quality dropped :/ read more
11 years ago
Warning... This is in regards to their Online orders. If you want get pick up or delivery call on the phone. I have had a few instances where my online order was accidentally ignored... Once making me almost miss a show and two other times where it resulted in getting no food at all. I have had fine times dining in and the atmosphere is pleasant enough... But until they start paying real attention online, I say skip that route if you actually want to get fed. read more
10 years ago
Who doesn't love a good restaurant redemption story? Our tale begins with a cute little falafel place. So full of promise. But soon, the food begins to disappoint. So much so that our Yelping protagonist (moi) decides to stop eating at this spot altogether. Flash forward a year and a half later: Our heroine (moi) decides to give this place another chance. Joined by her kid, she stops in for lunch: Classic Falafel Sandwich: If you scrutinized the individual components of this sandwich, which included overly thick Tahini, in need of garlic, lemon, and salt, plus nicely seasoned and fried, but too-dense chickpea balls, it would probably be found wanting. But all together, it worked. Colorfully fresh ingredients stuffed inside a warm, fluffy pita will apparently go a long way. Chicken Shawarma Sandwich: Just as with previous dining experiences here, our protagonist (moi) did not spot a shawarma spit in the small open kitchen. Meanwhile, her kid was pouting and insisting, "the food is not good here." Offered a choice between tahini or yogurt sauce, he begrudgingly opted for the latter. Then he took a bite. And another. And another. He inhaled the thing, in a mea culpa moment that needed no words. A word about the Zhug: This fiery Yemenite chile, garlic, and cilantro paste, which sometimes includes parsley and spices like coriander and cumin, is available by request at Batata. On this visit, it tasted entirely of pureed chiles. Nothing else. Overall though, in spite of some small stumbles, our heroine (moi) and her kid enjoyed their meal. Hope for good falafel and shawarma in the neighborhood springs eternal. The end. read more
Fresh, quality Israeli food like that which is served in Tel Aviv is hard to come by, especially in Brooklyn. Sure. There are plenty of pita places strewn throughout the borough, but I have yet to find anywhere that emphasizes freshness. Until recently. Batata, which means sweet potato in Hebrew, is a cute little Israeli restaurant in Windsor Terrace that serves up fresh and delicious Mediterranean flavors at a decent price. The owner(s) is/are Israeli so they try to stay true to that Middle Eastern flavor. I've frequented this place three times already and I've been pleased on every single occasion. I first tried the chicken schnitzel on pita. Delicious. Lots of fresh veggies, creamy hummus, velvety tahini, piquant schug and crispy chicken breast. All stuffed into a delectable whole wheat pita. One con: I had to add a bit of salt because it was missing. Still an A in my book. The second time I visited Batata I sampled the chicken shawarma on a pita along with the labane platter and the original falafel basket. The shawarma, which comes with hummus and tahini or yogurt with cucumbers, was quite nice but not as spiced as I would like. I also never saw a rotating spit like I'm used to seeing so I'm not sure it was 100% fresh. And it wasn't hot. It was a bit lukewarm which disappointed me. The hummus and tahini were still delicious though. Overall, a B- on the shawarma. The falafel were good. Crispy and moist. However, when they were first brought out they were a bit soggy. We simply asked them to fry them a bit longer which seemed to do the trick. It came with a tahini dipping sauce which needed a bit of salt. B+. The labane was fabulous. It comes with some za'atar on top, a bit of olive oil and some pita. A great snack if you want something light. A+ My last visit saw me ordering the breakfast plate. It comes with 2 fried eggs, some grilled halloumi cheese, hummus with olives, Israeli salad and pita. Quite a bit of food for $10. It was delicious! Definitely an A+. The eggs were runny, the hummus was creamy and nutty, the Israeli salad was crunchy and fresh and the halloumi was grilled perfectly. If you're in the area of Borough Park/Windsor Terrace/Kensington, I definitely recommend a stop into Batata. You won't be disappointed. read more
The items yelpers were raving about, that I was so excited to try, just weren't all that. For example, the falafel...which was extremley bland and just not good compared to other falafel joints. Also, the malawach people were literally going crazy over, was too greasy. I suggest finding a recipe and making it your self, it tastes way better. Another thing is the mint tea, the tea was literally a mint tea bag iced. Yeah, it wasn't bad but I was expecting authentic iced mint tea, black tea with mint leaves. But I guess this place isn't really a legit Middle Eastern restaurant. The eggplant labne pita sandwich was actually really good. Plus, there's a great coffee shop two buildings down. But let's be real, will I come back? Probably not. read more
Good middle eastern food. The place is pretty small with a hipster vibe to it. I started with the piña colada and it was very bland to my taste. My boyfriend tried the Mango pineapple ginger smoothie which was pretty strong with the ginger flavor. For food, I tried the batata breakfast platter which came with 2 choices of eggs, cucumber and tomato salad, halloumi cheese, hummus and pita. Hummus was ok, but overall the whole platter was ok. I have had better halloumi cheese. We never heard of Malawach so we decided to give this a try and ordered cheese Malawach and it was absolutely delicious. The bread is so nice and crispy, and the cheese was delicious (not sure what types of cheese they used). I would definitely come back to try different options. read more
6 years ago
10 years ago
The food is amazing...I love the chicken schnitzel and the sweet potato falafel ! Service is always great and fast. Portions are generous. Thanks you! read more
6 years ago
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11 years ago
Idk how this place has anything less than 5 stars. We got 3 dishes to try Each one was superb, bursting with flavor The best chicken and waffles I've ever eaten! Waffles were incredible, chicken juicy, shawarma very flavorful, malawach yummy too Even coffee was great I actually see myself craving this place read more
10 years ago
In the small strip of coffee shops and restaurants on this block, this is definitely the best place. The atmosphere is relaxed and the place is very cute inside. The service is slow for how many people are working crammed up in the small kitchen, but they are very nice and friendly. Tip: show up with a friend so while you wait for food you can have a good conversation. -This is not a quick meal, the wait was quite long and disorganized, you will see costumers that ordered after you get their food before you. Price: the prices are low, but the portions are small but very healthy read more
7 years ago
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Its a Laid back casual,small,noisy,good noisy place.They also have outside seats if you don't mind teenagers well its the place for you cause it's also convenient for them since it kinda give off the vibe for that but none the less i don't mind at all cause i came for the food and did take out cause that day was too windy so until next time; ););) read more
11 years ago
I think this is my favorite lunch spot in NY. Definitely by far the best in the area. The staff is friendly, the vibe is good, the place is very cute, I love the music they play, and they even have wifi. I have tried a few things on their menu and I am never disappointed. My favorites are the sweet potato falafel and egg&cheese malawich. If you don't try these two things you are missing out. read more
Wow, what a gem! Who knew a sweet potato falafel could taste so good?! The chicken schnitzel sandwich was also very good. Great laid back vibe with chill music in the background. They also offer a couple craft beers for $5, which is pretty fair, plus wine. Close to the subway if you don't live w/in walking distance. read more
9 years ago
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12 years ago
"Hmm, that looks like Anda Paratha (flaky Indian bread, resembling a thick puff pastry pancake, with scrambled egg), but the name sounds foreign, possibly Middle Eastern", I mused early on a Saturday morning after reading reviews for Batata featured under New Businesses following mostly 5 star reviews. Suddenly craving home-style breakfast, I hopped on the F Train to make my way to Windsor Terrace and entered a cute, but sadly and unfortunately (for the neighborhood), completely empty, space at 10:15 am. As I placed my order for Scrambled Egg Malawach, with Sweet Potato Fries, I inquired as to what cuisine this was. The girl smiled and said: Israeli. I stared back blankly and blurted: "then why have I never seen this despite living in the city for 12 years, and having visited more than my share of Jewish delis and Israeli restaurants?" However, as I said that I wondered: maybe due to Selective Attention? The girl patiently elaborated that Malawach was a staple of Yemeni Jews and was becoming popular in Israel after recent migration of Jews from Yemen (sadly suffering the consequences of a deadly strain of Severus Intoleranus that has been sweeping the Middle East in recent years). As I sat down and waited for my order, I looked up Malawach on the web and realized that the Yemeni dish owed its origins to trade with India centuries back. Smugly satisfied with the familiarity to my own cuisine, I bit into the scrambled egg and cheese Malawach, so familiar to the taste buds that I even wondered whether the cheese used was Paneer (Indian Cottage cheese)! And, similar to the tribulations of chefs striving to get the balance right on the flaky bread, it was burnt in parts. That's not a consistent experience at Batata though, as the Malawach today was absolutely perfect... any master of his or her craft in India or Pakistan would proudly take credit for it. I thoroughly enjoyed the Malawach with the Schug made from hot peppers, coriander and garlic - very similar in both concept and color to the, even spicier, Coriander Chutney often paired with the Paratha at homes in the Indian subcontinent. However, for my money's worth, the truly outstanding experience at Batata wasn't the eponymous Sweet Potato Fries (very competently done), but the supremely delicious hot drink: Molasses Cinnamon Milk. It hinted at a familiar drink back home, but only due to the individual tastes and not the creation itself. For my money's worth ($3), it has to be the very best hot drink I've enjoyed this winter - fully living up to the praise "it's delicious" uttered shyly by the girl at the cash register, following my inquiry. There's a tip jar near the cash register that encourages contributions "for world peace". Even though, it's meant in good humor, I'll still raise the delicious Molasses Cinnamon Milk to a toast: Shalom. Salaam. Peace. read more
6 years ago
The always delicious Batata. One of the best things about Kensington. Laid-back and friendly vibe. Great as a cafe and as a restaurant. Really tasty Israeli food. Pitas are soft and hot. Tender falafel. Great smoothies, too. We felt like the quarantine was almost over when they re-opened and we were able to get their food again. Today, a soul-satisfying falafel sandwich and a tray of hummus. Mmmmm read more
More info about Batata
3021 Fort Hamilton Pkwy
Brooklyn, NY 11218
Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Flatbush
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(347) 599-1260
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http://batatabk.com
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Is Batata kosher?
No. They serve meat and dairy together and I don't imagine products are hechshered. However, they do have several good vegetarian/vegan/dairy options.
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