Balad Falafel Introduces Halal Cart to Orange County in the US

Waiting in line on a recent afternoon, the fragrant aroma of fresh falafels from the Balad Falafel cart wafted through the air, overpowering even the scent of In-N-Out’s grilled burger patties across the street in Little Arabia.

“As-salaam Alaykum,” greeted a man as he picked up his phone order, the traditional Arabic greeting meaning “Peace be upon you.”

Shortly after, two youngsters eagerly ordered falafel sandwiches from the halal cart attached to a Ford truck in a West Anaheim parking lot. Ziad Morra, one of the co-owners, along with a hired chef, got to work in the cart’s tight quarters.

A Taste of the Middle East in Anaheim

Falafels were dropped into a vat of boiling oil, achieving a perfectly browned and crunchy exterior before being mashed and stuffed into pita bread pockets. The sandwiches were then topped with finely diced tomatoes, pickles, and cucumbers, all drizzled with creamy tahini sauce. The patrons took their sandwiches and enjoyed them in their car, savoring every bite.

As night fell, the Balad Falafel cart kept its grill hot. More patrons arrived, ordering and dining under a pop-up tent with tables and chairs.

“As long as there’s business for the night, we will continue,” said Moe Morra, Ziad’s brother. “The other night, we left the parking lot at 5:30 in the morning.”

Halal Cart Culture Reaches Orange County

While falafel sandwiches are a familiar sight in Little Arabia, a halal cart is a new and exciting addition. Halal carts, known for serving everything from kebabs to falafels to hot dogs, are a common sight on the East Coast, particularly in New York City. The Halal Guys, which started as a Manhattan food cart, has grown into a national and international franchise.

Before the three Palestinian brothers — Ziad, Moe, and Sanad — set up shop as co-owners of the Balad Falafel, the closest thing Orange County had to a halal cart was Shawarma Palace at Disney’s California Adventure.

More than a month into their venture, the Morra brothers report that their concept is thriving. “We have noticed that people are coming back and bringing more family to enjoy our sandwiches,” Moe said. “We haven’t had any complaints, just people complimenting how good our sandwiches are.”

A Family Tradition of Quality

The Balad Falafel’s simple yet delicious menu includes chicken, chicken liver, and rib-eye sandwiches. Unlike the falafel sandwiches, these meat fillings are served in lengthy sesame seed baguettes. Patrons can also order fries and drinks separately.

The Morra brothers have big plans for their location on Brookhurst Street. They are set to open Al-Karmel Meat Market and Bakery next month, with no plans to move the Balad Falafel cart. “That’s actually where the idea started from,” Moe said. “We thought we could have the Arabic market and the food trailer right in front of our business.”

Hailing from the West Bank city of Ramallah, the Morra brothers are continuing their family’s tradition in the food industry. For years, the Morra family has imported cattle to the West Bank, and an older brother still living in Palestine has been working professionally in the food industry for over a decade.

Authentic Flavors from Home

The name “Balad” translates to “a taste from home” in Arabic, and the Morra brothers take great pride in living up to this promise. Their recipes are steeped in family traditions. “We also bring olive oil from Palestine,” Moe said. “We focus on quality more than anything else.”

Despite the high shipping costs, importing olive oil from Palestine is part of the brothers’ commitment to quality. The Balad Falafel sandwich, made from a family recipe, aims to provide an authentic taste of Palestine. “Our falafels taste like back home,” Sanad Morra said.

The cart also offers sodas from the Arab world, with slim cans of Pepsi and 7-Up emblazoned in Arabic, imported from countries like the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the Morra brothers have partnered with the Kunafa Man, a local caterer, to offer patrons the delicious Palestinian dessert, knafeh.

With early success under their belt, the Morra brothers have ambitious plans to expand their menu and continue serving the community. “We want to be the best that we can,” Moe said. “That’s our mission.”