Naf Naf Grill recently expanded into the Malvern area, bringing its efficacious fast food concept of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine to the suburbs. Located just off the recently completed Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 29 interchange, the Chicago-based eatery has planted itself for further success within the expansive and attractive Atwater development of mixed-use and townhome communities.
Oven-baked pitas (made daily), hand-cut salads and freshly prepared sauces all serve as an accompaniment to the award-winning shawarma and falafel here. The restaurant is counter service only, and the informative staff was more than adept at assisting first-timers during our busy lunchtime visit.
At Naf Naf (the Hebrew word meaning “fan the grill,” or “flame”), the overhead menu is easy to navigate by first selecting a starter pita or base bowl, then adding sliced-as-you-watch shawarma, steak or falafel, then adding salads and any garnishes and finishing with a selection of five housemade sauces. Supersizing your meal (called “Naf It Up”) for an additional $3.25 adds a drink and side of your choice.
We opted for the vegan feast ($8.95), chock full of four golf ball-sized crunchy falafel, baba ganoush, hummus, chopped salad, purple cabbage and sumac onions. We kicked up the zest-meter with a sizzling drizzle of green s’khug sauce, a spicy relish with jalapeno, red pepper, garlic and cumin.
Must-have sides include hummus ($3.25/$5.25) and baba ganoush ($4.25/$6.25), and we recommend adding any of the housemade sauces to complement the dishes. The signature Naf Fries ($2.75) are popular—thin slices of deep-fried potato (resembling chips) that make a great side for a pita sandwich. Basmati rice ($2.75) and lentil soup ($2.75) round out the menu.
The atmosphere is sleek, clean and uses a minimalistic-modern approach with tons of booths, pub-height and counter-like seating, using beiges with burnt orange accents and the camel logo as art.
“In addition to early raves, our takeout business has taken off very well,” says district manager Jairo Coronel, and will be made even easier with online ordering (coming soon). Local catering is also available.
With recent openings in the King of Prussia Town Center and Philadelphia, Naf Naf Grill continues to expand, with fall launches lined up in Bala Cynwyd and Marlton, New Jersey.
Naf Naf Grill is located at 625 Morehall Rd., Ste. 100 in Malvern; phone: (484) 466-8373.
- Photo: Ed Williams
