Vegan Falafel Shop Goldie Opened Over the Weekend

It wasn't an April Fools joke: On Saturday, chef Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook really did open Goldie, an all-vegan falafel shop that no one in this restaurant-obsessed town knew was in the works. But once the secret was out the crowds arrived, with lines stretching out onto the sidewalk. Even a rainbow showed up (in the photos, anyway) to shine down on Goldie and, right below it, CookNSolo’s Rooster Soup Co., the new luncheonette that gives all of its profits to the Broad Street Ministry’s Hospitality Collaborative.

Goldie (1526 Sansom Street) has a short menu, with falafel sandwiches and salads, fries, and tehina shakes — a vegan version of a milkshake made with ground sesame seeds. Chef Caitlin McMillan, who was already with the CookNSolo group, runs the kitchen. The restaurant is named for “baby Zahav”: The venerable Zahav gets its name from the Hebrew word for gold. It’s open seven days a week, for dining in (there are cafe tables and a standing counter) and take-out. Good luck getting a seat.

Rachel Vigoda

• Goldie [Official]