It's a Wrap: Falafill and Trencherman Collaborate on an Autumnal Falafel

I live right around the corner from the Lakeview location of Falafill, but even if I didn’t, I’d make a trek for the restaurant’s pita pockets. The falafel rounds are nicely spiced and always perfectly crisped on the outside, and the toppings bar includes fresh Jerusalem salad, a variety of pickles, and a selection of tangy sauces. But the real draw is the chef collaboration wraps, in which noteworthy chefs from around the city create a falafel sandwich. Past chefs have included Chris Pandel, Stephanie Izard, and Paul Virant, and it’s a great way for diners to experience a chef’s cuisine for $6.50, instead of dropping more than $50 on dinner.

Trenchermen's Mike and Pat Sheerin teamed up to make the October wrap, and it’s made with butternut squash falafel, duck confit, coconut curry aioli, pickled watermelon rind, and cilantro leaves. The Sheerins are responsible for one of this fall’s most buzzed about restaurants, but their wrap should get just as many accolades. The squash falafel is a nice autumnal tweak to the classic, though it’s not as crispy as most falafel you’re used to. The duck confit is an unexpected ingredient to find paired with falafel, but it’s tender and works very well. The pickled watermelon rind adds a snap of acidity, and the coconut curry aioli is a really lovely sauce that gives the wrap an Asian sensibility. Cilantro ties everything together, adding freshness to cut the sweetness from the duck and aioli and make the sandwich reminiscent of banh mi.

Part of the proceeds of each wrap benefit the charity of the chef’s choice, and this sandwich benefits the Standing Tall Foundation, which helps homeless, underserved, and at-risk children and families. You can find it the rest of the month at Falafill’s locations in Lakeview, the Loop, and Oak Park.

Falafill
Lakeview
3202 North Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-0052
Website

Trenchermen
2039 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-1540
Website