Generations have grown up on the falafels and fresh banana shakes at Falafel’s Drive-In, the popular eatery that has been a San Jose institution for nearly 60 years.
Co-owner Joanne Boyle grew up there too, hanging out with her siblings at the casual restaurant their parents, Anton and Zahie Nijmeh, opened in 1966 after moving to the Bay Area from Israel.
“I was crawling around here as a baby,” Boyle says.
Boyle can still be found at the family-run eatery most days, doing prep work in the kitchen and taking food orders from a long line of devoted regulars and their friends.
Those orders include other Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, as well as classic American fast-food fare. But the falafel sandwiches — falafel, tahini, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and the eatery’s signature red hot sauce wrapped in pita — are the big draw, best enjoyed at one of the picnic tables with a view of Lila Gemellos’ colorful murals.
Naturally, we had questions.
Q: Take me back to the early days of Falafel’s Drive-In. How did the restaurant get its start?
Boyle: My parents started it in ’66. (My dad) bought it from a relative. It was a Sno-White Drive-In – a burger place — and my father took it over and started selling falafels. At first, he just had samples for people to try – “Try it, you’ll like it!” — because 50 some years ago, we were the first falafel here.
Q: Were they concerned that the falafel might not catch on?
A: They were kind of worried at first. But it caught on. At first, it was just more of the au naturel people – the vegetarians, the vegans – (because) we’re like a healthy veggie option. Then after that, I’m telling you, everybody came. By 2000, we were like a landmark here. Everybody loves us now.
Q: Definite landmark! It’s one of the first restaurants people mention when it comes to San Jose.
A: Everybody talks about us. I mean, I went on trips to Hawaii, and I was recognized. People tell me that they were on a subway in Hong Kong, and they heard customers talking about our restaurant. I hear so many stories.
I get people, every day, coming straight from the airport – they move away and the first stop they make (when they come back) is here. I hear that every day – not exaggerating. At least one person every day (says), “I just got out of the airport.”
Q: How did being featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” in 2007 impact your business?
A: We got really busy. It was like the next level. And (Food Network) has reruns of it all the time.
Q: I’ve long wondered why the term “drive-in” is in the name… It’s not what I visualize a drive-in to be.
A: Well, it used to be Sno-White Drive-In — we just changed the front of the name. But it’s not a drive-in. We cook to order, so drive-through wouldn’t work for us. Some of the meals take 10 to 12 minutes to cook.
Q: Another long-held question: Why banana shakes?
A: That was something that my father started in the beginning. He liked to make shakes, and he liked fresh fruit – and bananas are in season all year long. So, we kept it going forever for him. And people love it. People come here just to get our shakes.
Q: Beyond the banana shakes and gyros, what other items should I consider ordering?
A: The gyros are very popular. The hummus and chips together are wonderful. All of our sandwiches are delicious, they truly are.
Q: But the falafels are the most popular item?
A: Falafels are No. 1, gyros are No. 2, chicken No. 3 and kebabs No. 4. And then we have the hummus – those all do well. We still have the American food.
Q: How much of your business comes from regular customers?
A: Eighty percent are regulars, believe it or not. I get people who come four times per week.
Q: A half-century ago, you may have been the only falafel game in town. But that’s certainly not the case these days…
A: I’m not worried. People can try all they want. There are 100 burger places, and now there are a 100 falafel places. But there are only a couple that stand out. And we are one of them.
Details: Falafel’s Drive-In is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and until 6 pm. Sundays at 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd. in San Jose; falafelsdrivein.com.
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