Magic Carpet

The only way I could ever dream of being a vegetarian is if all the food tasted like this. Now I am usually a meat loving person that would take his steak with a side of pork belly but this little food cart is good enough that I don’t need the meat. I’ve had two things from here and they were both amazing. First of all is the falafel which is why I go here most of the time. It is perfect, nicely seasoned and you couldn’t ask for more. But the real hero here is the tofu meatballs. I know what you are thinking, tofu meatballs sound disgusting and that is what I thought too. I was even talking about it while I was waiting in line to get some falafel which is when one of the people from the cart overheard me. She said that I don’t what I am missing and gave me a sample. My world was changed. These were better than most meat containing meatballs. The sauce was one of the best I have ever had anywhere and the texture was surprisingly nice for tofu, again better than most meatballs.
Overall, I will be back but be forewarned there is usually a long line at all times because the food is delicious

A favorite food truck on campus! They make awesome veggie versions of everything.
Feeling savoury? Bella donna meatless meatballs!
Want a crunch? Tempeh salad tastes like your favorite homemade chicken salad
Want something sweet? Absolutely don’t miss the chocolate chip cookies.

I had a Bella Donna: veggie «meat“ball in red sauce on rice, warm, full of taste, a little spicy, perfect for fall/​winter.
I didn’t go on «lunch time» — went there at 3pm and there was no line at all.

The food at Magic Carpet is fine. The falafel is often quite dry and the hummus is quite bland. Other items, like the Bella Donna I enjoy but feel no passionate urge to write home about it.
As for that mythic line, it seems like its partly due to the incredibly slow pace with which they move that seems to generate hype. That old truism that wherever there is a line people will just randomly join it. Some people think this is part of the truck’s charm. While other trucks try and serve you the food as quickly as they can, the people at Magic take their time and will engage you in conversation about their tastes in music, the weather, student life all while moving at a leisurely pace. That’s not shade: If that kind of interfacing is your cup of tea, you will find this charming. To my mind, however, its no indicator of the actual quality of the food.

Mmm don’t see what the huge deal is about Magic Carpet… I got falafel sandwich, which was eh okay. All the food looks okay, just so-​so average. Maybe because it’s one of the few vegetarian places, vegetarians love it, but I’m not a vegetarian.
It’s a food truck, so the prices are pretty cheap, but still, i feel like the food is kind of expensive compared to other food trucks, which have larger and tastier portions but at cheaper prices.

Visit this food truck almost every day. Usually get a small foo chow, really like the fried tofu.

So far this is the best food truck in town. I went with two vegan friends so I got a vegan plate myself. It was so good I didn’t miss the meat or cheese. The owners/​servers were patient when we had some questions to ask, even though there was a line behind us. Service was fast and friendly. I wish they’d open a restaurant.

I got the Deverish Delight and was treated to a story of the truck from the owner. They’ve been in business for 31 years now, and I can see why. Excellent service, good people, fast Mediterranean/​vegan food.
Will be coming back sometime soon!

I was so psyched about the extensive vegetarian menu, but I was not thrilled with my lunch. My magic meatball pita sandwich was a soggy mess and falling apart when I tried to eat it. Luckily I had a fork, but the wet pita was a no-​go so I ate the insides only, which tasted more like salt than anything else. I’ll try this place again but will definitely order something different.

Always a good option when I’m studying in the library at Penn and I don’t have time to go somewhere too far for a meal. I’ve tried a few things, but I’ve found that my favorite is the falafel sandwich — the meals that come with rice tend to be a little to heavy for me and lead to a food coma instead of productivity, which is terrible for long sessions in the library. I’ll note here that I like spicy food (like really like it) and I’m not a fan of the hot sauce that they use here. It’s more heat than flavor and to me, it’s like what’s the point. SO you might want to take it light on the spicy sauce.
I would say overall that the food cart is 4.5 stars because it’s one of the few in the area that take credit card (mastercard and visa) and cash; however, their prices are steeper than surrounding trucks and the quantity/​value doesn’t match for some choices on the menu so I am rounding down to 4 stars total. The line is usually really long around lunch time and they leave around 3pm during the week so make sure to plan your trip accordingly (ie make sure you have enough time to wait in line if you’re going around 12 and don’t wait too long).

I had the Bella Donna and loved it!
It’s tofu and it honestly tasted like meat for me. Although that isn’t really important to me, it’s impressive. I had a really enjoyable meal.

Located at 34^th and Walnut (on the UPENN grassy side)
Sawthe reviews and had to give it a try. I usually don’t like falafel, but this sandwich had the right consistency to it.
For $ 5.50 you get a huge pita bread stuffed alllll the way to the top with falafel patties and salad. The tahini sauce is great and the hot sauce is a definite for those of us who love our spicy food! You get so much for the price and its all delicious.
Kind and fast service considering theres always a long line here. Thank you for a wonderful meal! I’ll be back soon!

One of my favorite go-​to food trucks in the University City area! Seriously… I went here every day for an entire week. I always ordered the falafel sandwich, extra spicy, sprinkled with sesame seeds. Their falafels are well prepared, flavorful, soft, and fresh. I’ve also tried the Bella Donna upon the server’s recommendation which is rice topped with tofu meatballs covered in sauce and cheese all served in a small aluminum bowl. Both of these items are decently priced but it’s worth it with the fair portions that they give you.
There’s a reason why there is always a long line for this food truck! With their fresh ingredients and friendly service, customers keep coming back and new ones keep wanting to trek over.

Dishes here are really hit or miss for me. Even though I am primarily a vegetarian eater, this place just doesn’t have the same appeal for me as it apparently does for others (the line gets extremely long during peak lunch hours!)
I’ve tried; baked tofu with a salad, Bella Donna, and Seizan. The Bella Donna was probably my favorite and would be the dish I’d order again. The baked tofu had a weird rubber-​like texture with little to no seasoning/​flavor, and the Seizan meal just tasted slimy and weird with a whiteish cream-​like sauce. Weird. The faux meat was floppy and had a weird aftertaste as well.
I’d love to try the baked goods as well as the veggie buger. I’ve tried a bite of some of the burrito/​wraps and those are good.
Overall; there are some hits and some misses on the menu. You’ll have to be patient to find the ones that take you to a whole new world!

I came here for lunch 3 days in a row for a week. I’m not a vegetarian but after hearing about how great this place is I really wanted to try it out. The first time I came I was so overwhelmed by the menu and I wasn’t sure what to order. The guy working gave me a suggestion of mixing the seizan and bedouin for a meal so I had that. Although I wasn’t blown away the food was still really delicious and great for the price!
I always get the meal deals and it comes with pita. I’ve had the foo chow, the seizan, the bedouin and the bella donna so far. The foo chow was very average and I would not recommend it. I really like the bella donna and I’ve gotten it so many times. It’s definitely my go to. They also have daily desserts and I am always so tempted to get them and I have caved a few times. The cookies are so soft and chewy! I have heard great things about their pasta specials as well.
Try to come here during off peak hours, the lines can get crazy long. Before noon and after 1 40 seems to be better on most days.

Their perfectly spiced tofu meatballs could convert meat-​eating cavemen and the subtle black pepper in their homemade hummus is divine. I can’t wait to eat my way through their menu.

I’m not a vegetarian but I come to this food truck often for lunch. The line can sometimes be impossibly long and the trick is to come at off-​peak hours. The owner is super friendly and always gives me great recommendations for what to try. The prices are also extremely reasonable (~$ 5)
My go-​to dish is the Bella Donna (Tofu Meatballs on a bed of rice topped with cheese and sauce). I also order the seasonal menu offering when its available. They’re usually delicious. My favorite one is the Peanut Sate. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone (vegetarian and non-​vegetarian alike).

Although I am not vegetarian, I decided to try the high-​rated and popular food truck, Magic Carpet foods. It was my first time tried the food here. Fortunately, it was a great decision! I was recommended by the friendly seller to take the meal, Seizan. It taste so unique which I have never had before. The food makes me feel healthy and greenly. Even though Seizan is cook without meat, it still has strong taste. By the way, this is my first time eat something without sick feeling in Philly, since from I moved here 2 months ago.
The seller joked that, ‘You can come back if you think the food is not delicious! And I will make a other one for you.’ Now I have to say, your food will not ever be returned. I like it! I will definitely try some other meals next time.
So as you, you should definitely try Magic Carpet foods. If you are indecisive, you may try Seizan for first time. Good Luck n enjoy your meal! Trust me! You would not be regretted! :)

After getting incredible service and taking my first bite of the falafel pita, I knew I had to review. To start, this cart is so cheap. $ 5.50 for a falafel pita is fantastic, especially if it’s delicious. And growing up outside of Dearborn, Michigan – you learn a thing or two about falafel. And the lady who made my pita was probably the nicest person in the food industry I’ve met in Philadelphia. The only downside was that the they included some celery with the greens in the pita, and I’m not a big fan of celery.
The banana chocolate chip cookies were pretty great. Banana-​y and nutty is a great combination.

This place has been a staple of my diet for the past 22 years and my only complaint is recently the portion size has gotten a bit small. I’ve ordered the small Bella Donna many times before and every server would fill the little cup to the brim, but the new girl doesn’t. I miss the young guys who used to serve in that truck (Ryan and the newer one).
Anyway, on to the food. Many of the items are, indeed, yummy. The best bang for your buck are the regular size portions of the meals like the Bella Donna, Seizan, etc. The veggie burger on Fridays is absolutely delicious, absolutely the best veggie burger I’ve ever had and I’m normally a meat eater! However, if you want more of a meat experience, do try the Bella Donna meatballs. The combo meals with salad and entrée are good, but a bit pricey. However, these guys always use the freshest ingredients. I could really taste it in their rice and veggies. The burst of juice in the squash is just amazing.
I’m not a big fan of their wraps. I’ve tried several and I think they’re a bit dry. Their specials every day (of which the veggie burger appears every Friday) are not to be missed, especially if you’d like a change from the everyday menu. The Jambalaya and Fra Diavola are not to be missed. I’m not a fan of their tofu or falafel, but I know some people really like them.