lifestyle
McDougall Street Serves Greenwich Village's Most-Loved Takeout Destinations
Guides and longtime residents point to the street's mix of quick spots and deep neighborhood roots as reasons the area stays a go-to for everyday eating.
How we reported this
Guides Katherine Weatherford and Lori Pickhardt led a walking tour through Greenwich Village that put McDougall Street at the center of the neighborhood's takeout scene. The pair regularly lead food tours here and chose spots that stay open late and serve quick meals without seating.
Street draws students and late-night crowds
McDougall Street sits close to New York University, which helps explain the steady flow of customers looking for affordable options at all hours. Many places along the block stay open until four or five in the morning, giving residents and visitors a reliable stretch for simple meals after other spots close.
The tour focused on places that sell food to go, skipping the sit-down restaurants that line other Village blocks. This choice keeps the emphasis on fast service and the variety packed into one short stretch.
Owners who arrived in 1971 built a lasting stop
One early stop on the tour was Mamoun's Falafel, which opened in 1971 when the family first came to the United States. The owners claim it as the first falafel restaurant in New York and one of the earliest Middle Eastern spots in the country. The falafel uses chickpeas mixed with garlic and plenty of parsley, then formed into balls and deep-fried.
Customers can order the falafel on its own or inside a pita with lettuce and tomato, or as part of a larger platter. The shop also offers shawarma, kebabs, hummus and grape leaves, giving people several choices beyond the signature item. Tour participants noted that the interior of each falafel ball shows a bright green color from the parsley.
Weatherford and Pickhardt said they return to the spot often because it remains a favorite for both locals and the people who join their tours. The video they recorded shows how the same street continues to serve as an entry point for anyone exploring Greenwich Village food options.
Viewers can watch the full tour on the Tours by Foot - New York YouTube channel or follow the self-guided version posted on the company's website. The live version of the Greenwich Village food tour is still available through the same operator for anyone who wants to walk the route in person.