Our Story | Falafel Taco — Pleasantville, NY

Founded in 2018 by Jonathan Langsam and Rosie Hernandez-Langsam, Falafel Taco is a family-owned kosher restaurant in Pleasantville, NY. Inspired by our Mexican and Jewish heritage, we bring together bold Mexican and Middle Eastern flavors, fresh ingredients, and scratch-made recipes in the heart of Westchester County.

Where Love Meets Flavor

Falafel Taco began with a love story that brought two cultures together. Jonathan Langsam, with his Jewish heritage and years in hospitality, and Rosie Hernandez-Langsam, originally from Veracruz, Mexico, combined their family traditions and love of food. In their family kitchen, Mexican flavors met Israeli and Mediterranean recipes. When their daughters embraced plant-based eating, homemade falafel became a family favorite. What began as family meals grew into something bigger: a restaurant celebrating fresh food, cultural traditions, and the joy of bringing people together.

A Taco Twist Begins

In our family, tacos were always a favorite. But when two of our daughters embraced a vegan lifestyle, we began experimenting with new ways to bring our Mexican and Israeli food traditions together. Jonathan started making fresh chickpea falafel, homemade pita, tahini, and Israeli salad. Then came the idea of putting those Mediterranean flavors inside a Mexican tortilla. One evening, Andrea came up with the perfect name: Falafel Taco! What started as a creative family meal became the inspiration for our restaurant — a unique blend of Mexican and Middle Eastern flavors that we proudly call Mex-Raeli cuisine.

History in Every Bite

Mexican and Jewish culinary traditions share a rich history of resilience, family, and community. For generations, Jewish families in Mexico have preserved their heritage while embracing the ingredients, flavors, and cooking traditions of their Mexican homeland. At Falafel Taco, we celebrate that cultural connection through food. From our slow-braised Ropa Vieja brisket and homemade falafel to chicken mole, shawarma, and freshly baked pita, every dish reflects our love of Mexican, Israeli, and Mediterranean cuisine. Our Mex-Raeli kitchen brings these traditions together in unexpected and delicious ways — honoring the past while creating something uniquely our own.

More Than a Meal—It’s a Shared Story

At Falafel Taco, food is about more than what's on your plate. It's about family, friendship, community, and bringing different cultures together. Since opening in Pleasantville in 2018, we've been proud to share our Mexican–Israeli flavors with our neighbors, support local organizations, and welcome new friends into our restaurant. We're not a chain. We're a family-owned, scratch kitchen where every meal is made with care, and every customer is part of our story. From our family to yours, thank you for supporting Falafel Taco. We look forward to welcoming you! **With love, Jonathan & Rosie**