Best food in Durham. Fresh ingredients, authentic taste, great staff. The dining area is very tight, so get your food to go. My goto is the Turbo. The food business in Durham is challenging for anything besides pizza, and this place has outlasted almost everyone, for good reason. read more

Evan is an amazing (and quick) chef! We stopped for lunch on our drive from NY to Maine and he took great care of us. We had the chicken salad (two fresh chicken breasts chopped w/ lettuce, veggies and pita), falafel wrap, gyro and dolmades. Everything was so fresh and huge portions....definitely bang for your buck!! We ate there but it's a nice college town so another option would be to get it to go and enjoy a picnic in the park. read more

Pauly's is exactly what you need for a quick yummy meal after a tough day. Extremely nice and happy chef that cooks your food in a clean kitchen. I always get the falafel wrap with everything and a side of jedra. The jedra is VERY good. read more

Incredible felafel pita wrap. Best ever. and very friendly people behind the counter. Don't miss this. I'll be back.

Best gyros ever. Made fresh. Fast service. The cute little shop is a great place to stop in for a yummy lunch. Very friendly staff. Pita is great, veggies were fresh. Meat was good as well. Prices are very good. read more

Pauly's Pocket - Gyro Pocket Lunch - Sandwiches Near Me - Durham, New Hampshire

I've been going to Pauly's since 2009 and the food has never been anything but wonderful. The perfect takeout for your falafel fix. read more

Pauly's Pocket - Falafel plate with salad. Bread not pictured. - Sandwiches Near Me - Durham, New Hampshire

See all

Pauly's Pocket was just okay. I got the chicken kabob plate and the chicken was pretty tasty but everything else was very average. The gyro meat in my husband's meal was the flat, frozen kind and not good at all. The hummus was flavorless. Tzatziki and hummus both come with the plates in small little cups. The tzatziki was more flavorful than the hummus. It seems Pauly's is the only Mediterranean option in the area. That's a bummer. It might fix a craving but I'd definitely stay away from the gyro option. read more

Yes! This place is the best hands down for Mediterranean food. I have been eating here for the past 2 years. The food has stayed consistently delicious and so has the service. We always get their plates and wraps. It comes with a nice size salad, taziki sauce hummus with a whole pita cut in 4, choice of meat or vegan(falafel), lentil rice. It's a lot of food and usually feeds me lunch and dinner both. The portions are big, place is always cleaned. There's an older gentleman that has an accent that does the cooking. He def knows His food well and so it right! read more

I really enjoy the 2 times I've been here, I ordered the chicken plate and the gyro plate twice as well. The older gentleman I believe may be the owner is very nice, kind and welcoming: the service overall has been overly satisfactory to us. I LOVE lentil rice and this one was very delish! The meats on both of the meals held up to be consistently delish both times. The pita bread and hummus came with the meals and that was also delish!! This has now become my number one place to go for real Mediterranean food now. My search is over as long as the service and food holds up. read more

TAKE OUT REVIEW: online hours are listed until 9, however when I called the first night they informed me that they closed at 7. I ordered the chicken Caesar wrap and although it was definitely not your traditional chicken Caesar wrap, this wrap (lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, chicken and Caesar dressing) was really good. The chicken gyro was flavorful and fresh too. read more

The profile for this place doesn't do them justice. They have a new store front with new stenciling and new seating and overall it looks cleaner! Would recommend updating your yelp page with new photos Paul! For what it's worth, Paul, the owner was my landlord (I lived above his restaurant my senior year) and he was a fairly reasonable guy. Very responsive as a landlord and even gave us a discount at his place for living in his apartments too! The turbo pocket is amazing! Falafel apetizer is also really really good. I use to treat myself Once a week and buy a turbo pocket (chicken, falafel, gyro) and a piece of baklava and it reminded me of my Classic NY shawarma place! Paul is super nice. Evan was the man when I lived there. He is one of the workers. Not sure if he's still there, but guy works really hard and makes some Damn good pitas!!!!!! Made with love and always fresh! 10/10 recommend. PS for what it's worth, I live in New York City and this place blows all street food and halal/shawarma out of this world. Hope Paul is still there because he did a great job as a landlords and a restaurant owner while I was there! read more

Consistently fresh and prepared with care over many years. The falafel wrap is my favorite but they have a selection of meats if you prefer. The falafel plate comes with Jedra and a salad. There are tables inside or out. read more

Pauly's is fabulous. Tiny little place (a couple of seats and that's about it) with huge flavor. I have never tried anything other than the falafel pocket because it is PERFECT and I just crave it... But I've heard the "turbo" is to die for as well. Whatever you get, you can get the red sauce AND the tzatziki if you like. And I'm betting you do :) They have arizona tea in the soda cooler, which I also love (delicious and cheap-win!). Pauly's really is a perfect lunch! One of my go-to's on campus. read more

Best falafel around by the nicest guy around. Been going to Pauly's since he opened across the street where Franz's is now. The veggie falafel plate with jedra is delicious and a great deal. read more

Best around. I have never had something I didn't like. Paul is a stellar guy and excellent member of our community. The food is top notch. Favorites for us include a gyro/falafel combo and the falafel plate with jedra. read more

I've been going here since 1997 and I kind of regret it now. I'm strict vegetarian and after asking if chicken was cooked in the same oil as falafel he said no, but I caught them doing it twice. I started only going on the days they switched the oil. Then I found out Paul goes to a place in Boston for the meats, he gets it cheap cause they are throwing it out the next day. Then he pushes every gyro on people, saying the meat and falafel are a good combo. He makes his employees push the gyro combo as well to every customer. I'm an animal rights activist and Paul is fine using animals for food. We've talked about it. As long as you are Christian, your safe, according to him. LOL. read more

friendly staff good food especially falafel with tahini sauce so yummi highly recommended

Their wraps are good, but I've never understood why they use tortilla wraps instead of pita bread. These are Greek sandwiches, they should be in a pita! I usually got falafel or a gyro, both of which are quite tasty and filling. The appetizers and salads are good too. read more

Great food. Fresh and very good quality ingredients. Prices are reasonable for the quantity and quality.

I decided to give this place a try after the locals said that it was a must that I go before I leave the area. I was willing to give it a try based on the cute name alone. LOL. Parking can be a bear during lunch time, but I called my order in and had my co worker circle the block while I ran in to pick up our orders. The owner is very nice, and the food was super good. I loveeeee the falafel. It is something special, moist, well seasoned and fried to perfection. On two separate occasions I ordered the gyro platter and the Gyro salad. I liked the salad better. I didn't really care for the lentil/rice concoction. The only other thing that I really didn't like is the fact that the gyro meat doesn't come off a spit. The meat appears to be processed. However the upside to this is that he adds it to the char broiler which gives it a unique flavor profile. I really like to show love to local business owners and he is definitely doing a great job with this place. Check it out if you are in the area. read more

See all

My favorite place to eat in Durham by far! I've been 3 times so far and Paul already recognizes me when I come in the door. I always get the falafel wrap, which I can't recommend enough. Best falafel I've ever had! Paul is so kind, hardworking, and personable. He treats everyone like a friend and we are lucky to have him in Durham! read more

Great falafel made to order, fresh veggies and super quick. Always a safe bet when in Durham!

The service is quick and the falafel is delicious! The pictures are outdated, the restaurant has been renovated since. If you're in the Durham area, definitely try it out! read more

Ate this all the time in college. I walked in about 10 years later and the guy still remembered me. Awesome food and service read more

My absolutely favorite place to get a Greek pocket. The falafel is delicious and I highly recommend doing a combo chicken/falafel with all the fixings. Everything is cooked in front of you and tastes as well as looks super fresh. The owner couldn't be nicer and I've always been greeted by his college age staff with a smile. The price point is great as well for a big stuffed pocket, I almost always have to save some for later. I only wish it was closer to where I live! read more

Update August 2019: Evan is no longer there. So while still good, it's different. Wraps aren't made the same, service takes longer, and all around it feels a bit messy. Nevertheless, still the best place around though. Hopefully the new guy(s) can fill Evan's shoes who was amazing and there all the time. read more

There are many possible reasons for Bostonians to visit or at least travel through Durham. For the seriously academically inclined, Durham maintains its scholarly environment while being a real change of pace from the top Cambridge and Boston schools; on a writing deadline or under serious research pressure of any kind, the academician can continue working while possibly changing habits of thought, etc. A trip directly to or from Durham would only take an hour and a half as a result of serious meandering, not necessarily a bad thing, or congestion on the way. For those less entrenched in higher education, Durham is a pleasant town not too far off important routes from Boston to major parts of northern New England. A side trip here after an early start from, say, some location south of Portland, would still allow one to beat rush hour back in the Hub. If you are heading north intending to take the Maine Turnpike to Kennebunk or anywhere north of Wells ME for example and run into congestion, sometimes unavoidable, around the Portsmouth bridge, a trip to the Maine Pike at Wells ME via Durham adds only about 1/4 hour to nicely timed travel via I95. The delay in getting to the assessment of Pauly's food is not entirely unintentional. Compared with other places where I have bought this class of gyro, falafel-oriented food, this probably would be rated a 2.5 or more likely a 3 on the Yelp 5 point scale. On the other hand, given its location, one can understand 5 star ratings, and a 4+ average makes sense. The food is fine, prices are not outrageous, and it is, importantly I think, right across a street from UNH. It is probably obvious that a stop here from downtown Durham or from much of the University is more than convenient. I have enjoyed each visit here. At a more detailed food-related level, the falafel tasted fine, the portions reasonable, and based on what I could steal from a companion, the fries were of the excellent quality associated with this class of food. I unfortunately have not been able to try the dolmathes because, although they are better than reasonably priced, they have never been available when I have thought to try to add that to my order. If you want to eat indoors at Pauly's, there are a few tables; if you want to be nearby and even if the restaurant's outdoor seating is occupied, there is limited bench space and other pleasant spots in a moderate sized park right next door. In sum, I in common with friends of mine who I have asked, will happily return. read more

I can't believe no one has reviewed this place yet! This place has the best falafel I have ever had. I graduated from UNH in 2000, and try to stop by Durham whenever I can just to get falafel here! I was a patron back before it was in its current location - it used to be Alladin's Pockets and it used to be inside the laundromat. A few years ago they relocated across the street. I haven't been in maybe a year, but in all seriousness I always compare falafel restaurants to Pauly's falafel, because to me it's the standard. Very good falafel wraps here and they cook the falafel just right ... not too dark not too light. read more

If you are in Durham, this is where you need to eat lunch. Forgo JP's. Forgo DHOP. Treat yourself to a truly delicious and healthy lunch. And say hi to Pauly for me-- that man works wicked hard! read more

Great place to quickly find lunch or dinner in Durham. Tasty and fresh, never had a bad experience.

I recently visited Paulys because of the awesome Yelp reviews. Upon walking in I was surprised by how small the place was. There's a couple tables for dine in service but really it seems best suited to take out. I ordered the Turbo Pocket. It was delicious. The chicken was perfectly grilled and the vegetables were fresh and tasty. Next time I go back I'm going to get the Gyro. read more

Pauly's Pocket is, undoubtedly, the best food in the state. In terms of Mediterranean-style wraps, it is the best I've ever had anywhere in the United States of America, and I've had a lot of such wraps in a lot of states. I've always found myself missing Pauly's Pocket (which, when I first started frequenting, was called "Aladdin's Pocket" and was located - literally - inside of a laundromat). The differentiating factors between Pauly's pocket and nearly any other Mediterranean-style wrap joint in the country is (1) the freshness of preparation and ingredients (2) the tangy/spicy red sauce (which, though not traditionally Mediterranean in nature, adds a flavor that, after you've had it, you notice the fact that it's missing elsewhere and long for it) (3) the quantity to price provided in a wrap. I'm very lucky that I don't live close enough to potentially go there every day, because I would and I'd likely die of a heart attack at 30. read more

As a student at UNH, Main st. rarely meets most of my needs, i might get some supplies from its little shops, coffee and occasionally a beer in between classes, but thats about it. Pauly's pocket on the other hand definitely meets my needs; their falafels are just scrumptious, it might be a preppy kid from Durham serving it to you, but he's definitely gotten the mediterranean style thing down when it comes to the food. I passed this little gem of Durham too many times and simply had never given it a chance just because of how shabby the place looked from the outside, but i advise you to go in and get yourself a falafel... you will not be disappointed. Diversity here may be an issue, but when it comes to the matters of the palate, Durham definitely is making improvements in offering options that cover your taste. read more

I've been here twice and have been disappointed both times. I had the falafel sandwich each time. The falafel was too dry, and fried to a fossil. The 'spicy' sauce isn't spicy at all and tastes rather like ketchup (the cook actually pulled out what looked to be a ketchup bottle when making it). If you are one who cares about bathrooms in reviews, the bathroom were a mess. And no paper towels. It would be nice if Durham had more affordable, healthy restaurants to chose from. Unfortunately I find myself going back to the same places despite these types of experiences. read more

Most delicious falafel ever. I have a friend who moved back here from CA just for the falafel. Okay, maybe not entirely true, but he does rave about it :) And it's THAT good! read more

Four words: Turbo pocket with everything. Their little servings of Baklava are worth it as well! read more

My New Englander friend was rolling in circles about me trying this middle eastern fast food spot raving how the falafel is the best i can have. They used to be doughnut shaped in the past they no longer are but i must say the food (falafel and sauces and all) was spectacular. I come from the east of the globe where middle eastern food is prevalent in a wide variety and i must say Pauly's pockets has some amazing food, best falafel i had in the us. We were served by Pauly him self whom made history in the area with this little food joint and that was a very sweet experience. I am delighted to have had such familiar welcome and serve this delicious meal in such athmosphere. The place is spotless and there is a variety to choose from wether you like meat or not. I am kind of curious to taste the gyros as the smells were mesmerizing. Great stop for a quick bite! read more

I graduated from UNH 5 years ago , moved to Seattle, and I STILL think about Pauly's Pocket. The place is unparalleled. The pockets are AMAZING, and any time I was able to scrounge up the money in college my first stop was Pauly's for the Chicken Falafel combo. The ingredients are fresh, great tasting, and the proprietor is just awesome. Pauly is a really friendly, easy going guy who will likely remember your name and your "usual" if you become a repeat Falafel Offender like me and squander your book money on tasty lunches. There's inside and outside seating, and it's easy to have things wrapped up so you can eat on the go or take it home. Pauly has a decent drink selection, a few different platters and dishes, and some great desserts too. You're able to get a good, healthy lunch for under $10--what more could you ask for? read more

"Medium Spicy" Falafel Wrap + Ice Cold Diet Coke + Summer Outside = YummTime That is the perfect equation for life, I've decided. The staff is friendly, it cracks me up when they wear their "I 'heart' Falafel" T-Shirts (I want one!), the food is made up fresh, and it's unique in the face of a pizza slice you could get anytime and anywhere. More Please. (Oh Yea, I also tried the honey rich, gooey, yummy greek dessert pastry YUMMY) read more

The falafel themselves were cooked for my order and were very good, but the pockets were dry. Maybe more tahini sauce was needed? The prices on the online menus and on the menu board at the counter aren't accurate. When I was surprised by the total for four, I was told there have been a couple of price increases, but no one has updated large sign! read more