In the heart of Montreal's hip Mile End neighbourhood, Falafel Yoni has carved out a niche as the go-to spot for authentic Middle Eastern falafel. Over the years, owners Daniel and Yoni have created a beloved local eatery and leveraged the power of DoorDash to expand their reach and grow their business.
The birth of Falafel Yoni
Daniel and Yoni were friends growing up and with their combined love for restaurants and business, they came up with the idea to open a restaurant of their own. Their vision was clear — a simple menu that specialized in one thing and did it exceptionally well. With a focus on fresh, made-to-order falafel, Daniel and Yoni set out to bring the rich flavours of the Middle East to Montreal.
"I always knew I wanted to open a restaurant, and I wanted to make sure it was a simple, and not elaborate menu. We specialize in one thing and one thing only and make sure that it is done properly."
Bringing a taste of the Middle East to Montreal
Falafel Yoni's menu lets the nuanced flavours speak for themselves. Everything is made in-house, from the falafel to the pickled mango sauce known as Amba. "People can't believe we're pickling the mangoes ourselves," Daniel shared.
The most popular item on their menu is the falafel pita, featuring their famous falafels paired with a variety of fresh salads and sauces, including the beloved Amba and a spicy hot sauce. Customers rave about the authentic taste and the crisp, crunchy texture of the falafels. The owners carefully choose quality ingredients to ensure the best experience for their guests. "I'm excited that people are going to eat a fresh fried falafel, the traditional way it's done in the Middle East," added Daniel.
"Our falafels are fried to order from scratch. We make everything in-house, and there's just a lot of love in the kitchen."
Embracing the local Mile End community
Located in the bustling Mile End, Falafel Yoni benefits from a diverse mix of locals and tourists. The neighbourhood's vibrant energy and eclectic crowd make it the perfect spot for a restaurant that values community as much as Falafel Yoni does.
"This neighbourhood is amazing. You have a mixture of tourists, locals, and all types of clientele coming in. We have a big corporate lunch crowd from nearby offices and serve the community and families at night."
Falafel Yoni's presence in Mile End goes beyond serving food. They have become an integral part of the community, participating in local events and supporting neighbourhood initiatives. This community engagement has helped solidify their reputation and build a loyal customer base.
Partnering with DoorDash has helped attract new customers to Falafel Yoni
As the restaurant grew in popularity, Daniel and Yoni realized the importance of expanding their reach beyond the local foot traffic. This is where DoorDash came in. Partnering with DoorDash allowed Falafel Yoni to tap into a broader customer base and streamline their delivery operations.
"Thanks to DoorDash we're able to extend our reach a lot further than we otherwise would've been able to. We're able to hit neighbourhoods that are not just adjacent but even a little bit further and attract new customers."
By integrating DoorDash into their business model, Falafel Yoni was able to reach customers who might not have discovered them otherwise. The reliable delivery service made sure that their fresh falafels arrived at customers' doors as delicious as if they were served in the restaurant.
Partnering with DoorDash was a key component in helping Falafel Yoni grow their business by providing quick and timely deliveries that customers were happy with, allowing them to focus on what they do best, which is make amazing food.
DoorDash analytics and marketing support have supported the Falafel Yoni team in growing their visibility
DoorDash didn't just help with delivery; they also provided valuable marketing support. Local marketing initiatives, both in-app and through out-of-home and social media ads, played a big role in increasing Falafel Yoni's visibility and reaching new customers.
"DoorDash has provided us with multiple local marketing initiative opportunities both in-app and also with community signage."
The customer insights from DoorDash's analytics tools also helped Falafel Yoni make strategic decisions about their business. One of the things Yoni was pleasantly surprised by was not only the access to analytics that were fundamental to understanding their business performance, but the analytics and heatmaps from DoorDash to help figure out where they might open next.
"Integrating DoorDash into our regular business has been made very easy by the support of the DoorDash team. If anything comes up, a representative is a phone call away and incredibly helpful."
Falafel Yoni sees a bright future with DoorDash
The team at Falafel Yoni has seen firsthand how powerful the right technology, partnerships, and delivery channels can be for business.
"If you are considering getting into the delivery space, do yourself a favour and contact DoorDash."
Falafel Yoni's success story serves as an inspiration for other restaurant owners. It highlights the importance of maintaining high standards and being open to innovative partnerships that can drive growth and enhance customer satisfaction.
New and existing restaurants can partner with DoorDash and access opportunities to grow and reach new customers.
