Falafel Cafe Has Reopened at Uptown in University Circle

The restaurant closed in June for a remodel and refresh as the decades-old business shifts to the next generation.

by Douglas Trattner | Aug. 18, 2026 | 5:30 AM

Courtesy Falafel Cafe

Earlier this summer, Sirjoon Elassal announced that he was taking over the day-to-day responsibilities at Falafel Cafe from his mother, who has been running the popular Lebanese restaurant for nearly 30 years. After 18 years at its previous location in University Circle, and another six at its present location at Uptown, Mae Elassal was ready to move on.

“Mom said, the lease is ending, I’m tired, I’m over it,” Sirjoon told me.

Elassal, who grew up in the family business and later received his master’s degree in organizational psychology with a focus on hospitality, decided to intervene.

“I’ve been in the industry my whole life,” he says. “I’m pretty equipped to take this restaurant over. And not in the way of just taking it over.”

Since temporarily closing the restaurant, Elassal has redesigned the space, brought back a Middle Eastern retail foods section and trimmed the menu of gratuitous items such gyros, burgers and cheese phillies.

“I’m decolonizing the restaurant, bringing back the Lebanese authenticity,” Elassal explains.

Falafel Cafe (11454 Uptown Ave., 216-381-1591) reopened this past weekend, continuing a tradition that his parents started in 1998 when they opened their first shop in South Euclid.

RELATED: Falafel Cafe To Reopen In University Circle Nearly Two Years After Closing

“I wanted to get away from the family restaurant for so long and then I got over myself,” he says. “The restaurant is such a great opportunity, not only to flex culinary stuff but also to have community, to work with other businesses. I’m in such a fortunate position.”

In this current chapter of Falafel Cafe, mom has transitioned from owner-operator to “Historian of Falafel.”

“She is super excited,” says Elassal. “She has wanted this for us for a long time. The hope is to let her go and enjoy herself and enjoy the world and let the restaurant be the restaurant.”

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Douglas Trattner

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.