Mid Market's 'Flying Falafel' plans Castro outpost

Mid Market's 'Flying Falafel' plans Castro outpostFlying Falafel at 1051 Market St. | Photo: Pudding/Instagram
Steven Bracco
Published on July 22, 2019

The Castro could soon be the home of Mid Market's Flying Falafel's second San Francisco outpost.

Owner Assaf Pashut has proposed a change of use at 463 Castro Street, most recently Outfit, from retail to a limited restaurant use.

463 Castro St. is currently vacant. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

Hoodline reached out to Pashut, who confirmed Flying Falafel is planning to move in to the space. He could not provide an opening date as the project is in its early stages.

In 2015 Pashut opened Flying Falafel, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant at 1051 Market Street (between 6th and 7th), to overwhelming popularity along an area of Market Street with limited lunchtime options.

Two years ago he opened his second location in Berkeley at 2114 Shattuck Avenue.

Falafel at Flying Falafel. | Photo: Flying Falafel/Instagram

Flying Falafel's signature dish is a pita pocket stuffed with falafel balls and veggies topped off with sauce. Chicken shawarma, dolma, hummus and seasoned fries are also on the menu.

Planning Department records filed earlier this month estimate construction costs on the approximately 429 square foot space at $7,500.

Planned modifications to the space include adding a food prep area, counter space, tables and chairs, and a new floor finish.

Inside now vacant 463 Castro St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

At this time there are no plans to alter the front facade of the building.

A 30 day neighborhood notice was issued July 15th and will be completed August 14th. According to SF Planning's Gina Simi if no request for discretionary review has been filed the planner will approve the project. 

Conditional Use authorization is not required for this project and Simi says that anyone can file for Discretionary Review.

Castro residents will recall that Outfit closed earlier this year after nine years in business. Previously, 463 Castro was the longtime home of All American Boy, which opened in 1972 and closed in 2008 after nearly 40 years in business.

As Hoodline learns more information about this new location we'll keep you updated.