Amazing Israeli food, authentic and super tasty. We came in after having lunch elsewhere (we should have known better) and couldn't resist - we had the masbacha, beet salad, split pee soup and falafel and enjoyed every bite. Will come again (hungry next time!) read more

The flash fried eggplant with labne and za'atar is frickin' fire!!! I could eat this all day, every day. Even after the eggplant had been sitting in the yogurt for over an hour, the eggplant still maintained its crispiness. 5 stars! We also got the lamb merguez which was disappointing. Lots of pickled veggies and sauces, which was great, but there were literally two dry lamb sausages at the bottom of the pita which were the size of my ring finger. 2.5 stars. Get the fried eggplant! read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - Flash Fried Eggplant with labne and za'atar - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

I'm afraid that this restaurant has declined in the past year or two. We loved it for a long time. The za'atar chicken has gotten drier. The sabich sandwich, a previous favorite, is so over-sauced that it's hard to taste anything BUT the sauces, and the soggy pita falls apart in your hands. After two sabich orders like this, I thought I would solve the problem by ordering the platter instead (no pita). The photo looked great, the individual components laid out on the plate. It arrived as a yellow soup with spoonfuls of hummus dissolving into it and the main ingredients having to be fished out of the liquid. It pains me to leave this review and I would have preferred to give feedback directly to the restaurant, but there's no method for doing that on their site. read more

Food was excellent, I just wish it wasn't as oily as it was. I love that they have challah as an option now and not just pita for their sandwiches. Clean establishment and cute merch. Staff were nice. read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

We were looking forward to trying what seems like the only Israeli-American restaurant in the area and were honestly disappointed. The falafel seemed pre-packaged and were dry and not flavorful. Salads were plentiful but very bland. The hummus also seemed like any prepackaged hummus you could buy at the store. Everything seemed like sort of an afterthought and not put together with a level of care regarding flavor and freshness. In terms of the overall location/setting, the restaurant was easy to get to and there was some seating inside. Service was fine. The bathroom was dirty - no paper towels were available and the toilet seat was not attached!!! For the price of the meals and the overall reputation of the restaurant, I expected a much better experience. This was, overall, lackluster at best. read more

Fresh appetizing food. We had the falafel platter and the sabich platter. Delicious, first time there but will be back soon. Also the Chutzpah Fries with feta cheese were delicious too. read more

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Excellent food! This Israeli-American spot offers tasty craveable dishes. If you're hungry, their sandwiches and bowls more than satisfy while their side/starter "Mezze" plates like Hummus and Babaganoush could double as smaller meals. In fact, their smokey babaganoush (which comes with a fluffy pita) lasted me 2 amazing meals. Their "Kufta Bowl" was great and comes with a lot: seasoned lamb/beef patties, Israeli and cabbage salads, hummus, tahina (creamy sesame-based sauce), harissa (red chile-based sauce), pickles, and amba (spiced mango- based sauce). Then my daughters (under age 10) enjoyed their Falafel over Hummus, but the garlicky toum (sauce) under the falafel was a bit much for them. Overall, my whole family approves of this spot powered by love and chutzpah. NOTES: I ordered takeout and delivery via Doordash but they have a dine-in area with a few small tables and a counter with barstools. read more

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The Sabich was tasty and well-filled. The falafel was a touch undercooked, but otherwise excellent. The salads were tasty--hummus smooth and creamy, babaganoush a little mild, and Israeli salad fresh. Pita was spot on. The prices for the salads were a bit high for the portions, I think, but at least the quality was there. read more

The size of the hummus and labaneh container is half of what it was and they charge 11$ for a tiny container. It's a real chutzpah! You can trick customers just once! read more

I have been coming here for a couple of years, and thought it is time to update my review. I love the pita sandwiches they have, the fried eggplant is really good. Baba ghanoush is one of my favorites, I buy the side (container) and eat it all week, making sandwiches at home. The service is friendly, and it is clean inside. There are also tables outside. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this spot. Take a look at the photographs on the wall, there are also interesting to look at. read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - Eggplant sabich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

Amazing Israeli casual restaurant. 1) I got the Sabich, Chutzpah Fries, Hummus & Tahina topped w/ Falafel. 2) The Sabich is a Middle Eastern Jewish sandwich with origins with Iraqi Jews. It is very popular these days in Israel and its capital Jerusalem. 3) The ambiance inside is amazing. 4) They offer free lemon infused water. 5) I really liked the Israeli grape juice. read more

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After trying their food at a local gathering, I was excited to have a full meal here recently. Having traveled to Israel, I really enjoy this type of cuisine and was pleased that the quality and flavor here lived up to my memories abroad. The food is very fresh and the portions are a good size! You order at the counter and can sit inside or take the food to go as seems to be popular. I had the falafel bowl which unbeknownst to me came with two large fluffy pitas! I could barely finish one in addition to all the falafels, salads, and hummus that it also comes with. The bowl was delicious and very filling. I would definitely come here again if I'm in the mood for some Israeli food or want something on the healthier side! read more

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Last lunch before the flight back west we were looking for something not too heavy. So Mediterranean food it was. Calling themselves the best Falafel in NJ, there is a good amount choices on the menu including - soups, pitas, salads and of course falafel among others. I got the Za'atar chicken - "Succulent" chicken thighs, it comes with purple cabbage salad, hummus, tahina, harissa, sliced pickles & amba (not sure what that is exactly). This was inside of a pita, though you can get it as a bowl which is a bit more expensive. It was great. The chicken was seasoned well, tender and the fixins inside the warm pita were quite good and quite filling. I had some falafel too which were decently sized and paired well with the hummus. The inside of Chutzpah is that of a cafe. somewhat modest seating table seating and some counter space. There is merch and Israeli spices etc. you can buy if you want to try do your own Mediterranean cooking. Chutzpah is a nice little spot to come for a quick lunch if you want something a bit less dense. - Take out or eat in. read more

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Can't believe I waited so long to try this place. Came for dinner before heading into the city. We were the only people to dine in but the takeout / pick up scene was poppin. The space is cute and cozy inside. Simple decor with some good photo spots. The staff was super nice and our food came out quickly and nicely plated. Absolutely loved the hummus - life changing. Could use it as a lotion it's so smooth. Everything was tasty and I can't wait to have it for take out again next week! read more

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Omg! was my first thought after biting into my kufta sandwich from Chutzpah. So many great flavors that work so well together. The sandwich was saucy but the pita held up well through the whole sandwich. Great food and fast delivery! read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - Kufta sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

I LOVE chutzpuh. I really love it. But I needed to call to attention that their delivery and take out really lacks detail. We ask for a side of their sauces EVERYTIME and it's always ignored. Today we picked up the order asked for the side sauces and it wasn't there, we had to drive back to get them. This isn't a strange requests it's technically pre-prepared behind the counter. Please just fix this, I'd be happy to adjust my review from there. read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - Sauces in question - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

My favorite takeaway restaurant in Maplewood. Two words.... Falafel sandvicheem. The crunch of the outer layers of falafel, the fragrant harissa, the pickles and hummus. Such a perfect combo. The service is mild and not really conversational but efficient and attentive. They have a couple of two tops for inside dining and in the summer outdoor seating is available. The space is warm and inviting with great local photography on the walls. I'm known to stroll the restaurant, gallery style while I wait for my order. read more

Very simple "take out" place we came across driving home late. The place is modern and very clean, staff was very pleasant despite being quite young. We are spoiled by Mediterranean/middle-Eastern food, but the food was absolutely delicious despite the place being a tiny "hole in a wall". Babaganoush was deliciously spiced, corn was absolutely mouthwatering. I ordered small falafel sandwich (pita pocket) and my husband had chicken sandwich and fries, all was delicious. My only regret is they are too far away from us, but we already made plans to come back if we are driving by. read more

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The food is amazing: fresh, zesty, creamy, crunchy, pillowy - all of the ingredients fire on all cylinders! You can tell there is thought put into each ingredient. The staff is also awesome! They took the time to answer all of our questions and even filled us in on how they make one of their "hot sauces". I'm convinced there is no wrong time for a trip to Chutzpah and we will definitely be back! read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - Kofta! So good! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

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As others said, high prices for small portions mean giving out sauce to make dried chicken edible. Eating inside felt rushed, and the staff seemed overstressed. Falafel was hard, and the babaganoush was not fresh. read more

Best falafel without a doubt. There is no comparison. The only place for falafel. Service was great. Can't wait to return. read more

Chutzpah kitchen is amazing! We placed an order for takeout online, which was incredibly easy and then got a text message when the food was ready for pickup. Just $80 later, we had a feast and multiple days left of leftovers as the serving sizes were great. We got fried artichoke, sautéed brussels sprouts and fries as a side, plus chicken schnitzel, za'atar chicken, and falafel for our entrees. Everything was hot, fresh, and delicious and the sauces were flavorful. read more

BEST. FALAFEL. SANDWICH. IN. NEW. JERSEY. The beet salad was pretty basic for the price and the hummus wasn't the best I've had but THAT SANDWICH was divine. read more

The food was served fairly quickly (Saturday at 5:30 PM) and was quite tasty. My wife had the chicken schnitzel platter (it comes with hummus, 2 salads, pickle and pitas) and I had the falafel sandwich and the fries that are made with spices and have feta on top. There was plenty of food. There are about 4 tables and an eating bar with seats on one wall. read more

Chutzpah Kitchen joins the ranks of fast casual venues that have a foundation in a traditional cuisine. In this case, the menu is full of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences with dishes including falafel, hummus and shakshuka. Opened by Sagi Ohayon, a Maplewood resident, the restaurant seeks to bring the flavors an Israeli shuk (market) to the area for an elevated, fast-casual experience. It would be very easy to walk right by Chutzpah Kitchen and miss it. Located on the main drag of restaurants and shops in Maplewood, it has a small store front. When you walk in, the interior really catches your eye, thanks in part to the Hamsas on the wall and a bright pink neon sign off to the side. The restaurant itself is long and currently there is no inside seating. Instead, all seating is outside under a roofed structure. If the weather is nice it's not bad, but the day I went it was very cold and even under the heating lamps it was a very chilly dining experience. I wound up having the Hummus Masbacha w/ Mushrooms, served with a pita. This Hummus is made in house and then topped with sautéed pepper mushrooms, with Harissa on the side. I'm going to give this a high compliment here and say it rivals my favorite mushroom hummus dish from Hummus Kitchen in Manhattan. This falls under the category of "things I would eat every day of the week", which is usually reserved for stuff like Dim Sum and Pizza! You should absolutely get this dish if you visit! The staff is nice and the food came out very fast. Since my original visit I have learned that another Chutzpah Kitchen is planned to open in one of my other favorite towns: Westfield and I am really looking forward to visiting that location too! read more

The softest most Middle Eastern pita I've had in the U. S. We had the Sabich platter and the schnitzel sandwich. Both were authentic, tasty and didn't skimp on the extras like salads, pickles, hummus, etc. Wasn't quite a fan of the m'augurez sausage on a second visit, however. To each their own. read more

Bland, inauthentic, generic "middle eastern" fare. Service was terrible. Waited 25 minutes for pre-prepared food. Pita On Essex in Millburn is infinitely better. Don't waste your time. read more

The food in Chutzpah Kitchen is amazing. Having said that, I have one suggestion to put less Za'atar Chicken in the pita sandwitch and add more salad and pickles for better balance. read more

This place is horrible. They don't pay their employees and the food is subpar. Maybe if they paid their employees I would have more respect. Don't go. I would give zero stars. read more

Wow, this place was so delicious. SO delicious! I honestly wish I lived closed because I would eat here regularly. The portion sizes are great and the food was so fresh and flavorful. To start my boyfriend and I split the za'atar fries which were good but a little dry. I thought it would be a light dusting of za'atar on top, maybe mixed with some olive oil, but there were big chunks of it that made it a little less appetizing. We mixed the za'atar with some hummus and dipped the fries in that which was really tasty! I got the kufta sandwich, which is mixed lamb and beef patties stuffed in a pita with cabbage, salad, and an assortment of dips (I chose to forgo the harissa because I am a baby with spice) and oooooooh boy it was so good! And so filling! I was so surprised with the amount of filling there was inside. My boyfriend got the chicken schnitzel bowl, which has the same fillings as the pita just in a segmented bowl. He said that it was tasty but he wished that the bowl didn't have the separations to make it easier to mix it all together and that next time he would go for the sandwich instead. All in all some delicious Israeli street food. The menu is taped to the window outside so you can easily see from the street, and there is a chalkboard inside with specials on it. read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - Kufta sandwich, za'atar fries, chicken schnitzel bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

This place has become a fast favorite of my family, as well as everyone I know who's visited it since they opened. Their take on Israeli street food is as good as any I've had (and I've had a LOT). Tons of flavor, super fresh, and generously portioned. I always order some extra mezze and pita (So fluffy. So good.) for amazing leftovers the next day. The staff is efficient, friendly, and takes mask-wearing seriously. Online ordering is smooth and easy - just make sure to do it early, as Chutzpah has quickly become one of Maplewood's most popular take-out spots. read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - My first falafel from Chutzpah. Now I'm hooked. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

Best Falafel sandwich around, the pita Bread is super light & fluffy, and the falafels are not dry! read more

The eggplant slices are an absolute must try. They are so good. The guy that worked the register was super friendly too. My only grief is they aren't able to customize. I came in just wanted the chicken and then eggplant side. I was told they don't just serve chicken I had to get the pita sandwhich or platter. I expressed that I was cutting back on carbs so didn't want the pita or rice. I even offered to pay the same price for a full meal but just get chicken and was refused. read more

We have been ordering from this place regularly and I have to say we love it. Everything is fresh and delicious. More importantly it's healthy and tastes good. For a starter love the Labne yogurt, EVOI Za'atar with a pita. The slightly sour yet creaminess with the za'atar is to die for. There are vegan options here. I went with a bowl containing kufta, harissa, Chutzpah hot sauce, shipka peppers, pickled mango, and hummus so good. The rest of the orders were falafel bowls. The falafel is quite good as I previously had as a side. Sign up for email offers regularly provide discounts. The food is excellent and ready for pick up in the front of the store. Mask required ( sigh). Parking in Maplewood is hard so plan accordingly. Great place to order from and refreshing and friendly. Highly recommend. read more

Delicious! Authentic! Fresh! So good. I can't say enough good things about it. Falafel Bowl read more

Chutzpah Kitchen - Falafel bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

Sagi and his team at Chutzpah Kitchen are just amazing! First off - the food is delicious. Everything on the menu is fresh and tasty and really so good. We eat here several times of month - and I crave it all the time. The eggplant is beyond the beyond as is the cauliflower. But on a service note - I ordered Chutzpah Kitchen catering for a lunch event - and had a fairly last minute emergency. Sagi the owner was so understanding and they were able to accommodate the change in date without any issue. When I was able to hold the event several weeks later - the group was so impressed with the food. I also had several people who were vegan and gluten free - no problem! I can't recommend these guys enough. For lunch, dinner or easy great priced and catering. yum. read more

Food was amazeballs...falafel and kofta platters, fresh pita, and sautéed Brussels sprouts. Getting rushed out from outdoor seating was a big bummer. The young guy who took our order, also rushed us out when he bussed our table. He gave us to-go containers (after we asked). Meanwhile, he left the plates from diners who had left awhile ago on another table. Didn't enjoy my meal experience. Felt he could have mentioned that we needed to leave by 9 p.m. from outdoor seating when we first ordered. read more

Why bother driving to Philly to visit Dizengoff for an authentic Israeli street food experience when you gave Chutzpah Kitchen closer by? Everything I have tried so far was fresh and yummy. One of the few places you can get a Sabich, which is an Israeli pita sandwich with hard-boiled eggs, and roasted eggplant! I have not yet tried the Falafel as I have other fav options for it, but I have no doubt that too is excellent based on my other sampling. I do agree with some that criticized the joint for using too much environmentally unfriendly packaging and even serving the food at the restaurant in unrecyclable #5 plastics. Please give them feedback about this to change their behavior. This is really my only issue with them. The Pita bread here is also special. Unlike the thin common regular pita bread, they serve the fluffy and meaty Israeli style pita, which is heaven and earth from each other. I will let you judge that by yourself but am willing to bet on it. They also have a few salads and prepared foods you can purchase to go in containers, as well as Israeli products, though those are not cheap. IMHO they should stick to the thing they do best rather than retail, but that's just me. Either way, this is a must for any Israeli food lover, and I feel fortunate it is so close by to me! read more

The GREAT: The fried eggplant slices were out of this world delicious! The hummus was also excellent The GOOD: The falafel and pita were solid, if a bit well done for my tastes The chicken z'atar was tasty and a nice portion The BAD: The rainbow carrots were awful. Barely cooked, with no taste, except for burnt flavor...covered up in an awful yogurt sauce. I tossed them. The cabbage slaw and Israeli salad were also terrible, with no vinegar or salt or flavor.....such a disappointment Glad there is a takeout place option for Israeli street food, but I would rather sit down at Pita on Essex in Millburn and have a meal where everything is good. 3/5 read more

Experience: Order Online, Pick-up Items: 1 falafel bowl, 1 schnitzel bowl, Moroccan carrots, a side of cucumber salad, and some bread (which was quite good). Cost: $60! Overall, I can say I would never order pick-up again. Cons: Lots of plastic containers and they were all a recycling score #5 which is not picked up in Maplewood. I cant' get behind that at any level. Carrots were still raw. I've had quite a few of these side dishes and they are generally blanched (slightly softened). Why do I care? They are $8. The Israeli Salad is a bit bland but more to the point the tomatoes are not very flavorful. The type you would find in really cheap Pico de Gallo. Falafel was really salty and a bit dense. Pretty steep price overall. Pros: Attentive staff, quick fulfillment, easy online ordering, and tasty bread! Conclusion I'm a huge fan of Middle Eastern food so I was hoping this place and the flavors therein would really resonate with me since I'm in Maplewood but alas, that was not the case last night. Perhaps in 6 months, I'll give it another go. I understand how incredibly hard it is to have a restaurant at any time much less now. read more