Yassins Falafel House, Knoxville, Tennessee

Yassin's Falafel House, Knoxville, Tennessee “Let’s have lunch at Yassin's Falafel House in Knoxville,” said Andrew one Sunday. “ He has the best shawarma’s which could be better than the ones you get at home in Bangalore.” So we jumped into the larger car where both mothers could fit and zoomed off to Knoxville. Walking in, my eyes fell on a number of newspaper articles proudly displaying that Yassin Terou, owner of Yassin's Falafel House in Knoxville, Tenn., had won the Reader's Digest Nicest Places in America award. Lovely pictures showed him and his family as guests on "Good Morning America," with host Robin Roberts.

The menu which we had to choose from The network had Yassin's Falafel House owner Yassin Terou in a back room where he was showing staff how to make his popular falafel when Roberts walked in and revealed that his restaurant had won the title. Terou's response was one of surprise before he wrapped Roberts into a warm hug. "Yes, it's an honour but America is the winner, Knoxville is the winner, Tennessee is the winner," Terou said. "When he sent you to choose me in Knoxville, I say this prayer to everyone around this country," he told Roberts. "What makes us a winner is the people in this country, not us. So thank you very much."

The Grilled chicken shawarma is served with pickles Reading that really warmed my heart as thats the America we grew up knowing and admiring. And what brought my son to this country. A place where immigrants dreams came true. Where hard work is rewarded and people can make their fortunes if they are focussed. We looked up at the menu to choose what we wanted to eat: There were Falafel’s which are a Falafel ( thin chappatie) wrapped in a pita with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and sprinkled with homemade tahini sauce. They could be ordered spicy or regular. The Grilled chicken shawarma is served with pickles, garlicky white sauce & french fries all wrapped inside pita. Both spicy or regular and I ordered that. Andy ordered a mouth-watering gyro meat, onions, tomatoes & our homemade tzatziki sauce, inside a warm gyro pita. These too were in spicy or regular.

BAKLAVA – Delicious walnuts in layers of flaky filo, laced w/sugar water, topped w/chopped pistachios If you are veggie you are not left out with seasoned grilled veggies, wrapped in pita with crisp french fries & our garlicky white sauce. You could also order a meal which consisted of : Falafel salad, homemade hummus & baba ganoush with a side of Pita & a drink. Or a Grilled Chicken Shawarma served over rice, paired with garlicky white sauce & baba ganoush with a Pita & a drink.

The nice looking board outside The sides on offer were creamy homemade hummus & pita. Or a chunky, homemade baba ganoush & pita. I have tried the same food in Dubai and the stuff here at Yassins were comparable.