The best falafel in Kansas City? We think we found it!

​The last time that KCUR’s Walt Bodine Show hosted its panel of restaurant critics, the theme was Mediterranean food (you can hear an archived program here). When the subject turned to falafel — which the Food Lover’s Companion describes as “small, deep-fried croquettes or balls of highly-spiced ground chickpeas” — a listener called in to rave about a combination restaurant-and-market called The Olive Cafe at 9530 James A. Reed Road.

I had never heard of the place but was eager to go. I’m a falafel fan, but generally disappointed in the texture and taste of the too-crunchy, over-fried versions found in Midtown (although the falafel at the Jerusalem Cafe and the Jerusalem Bakery is generally pretty good and not very spicy).

The Olive Cafe isn’t easy to find. There’s a 7-11 store on East Bannister Road right before you get to James A. Reed Road, and the Olive Cafe is in a really ugly, desolate-looking shopping strip right behind it. Make two rights and you’re there. Ignore the storefront near the entrance to the center with the Olive Cafe sign and the windows shrouded with paper — that’s the old location. The current market and restaurant is a few feet away.