3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by Sgt. Philip Klein

By Sgt. Philip Klein
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

COMBAT OUTPOST APACHE, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers operating out of Combat Outpost Apache now have another choice for meals in addition to the dining facility: the Falafel King.

Ronnie, an Iraqi citizen who operates the small stand outside of the gym at this base in northern Baghdad, got the idea after being approached by Soldiers interested in eating Iraqi food.

"They would always ask me, or other Iraqis working here, if they would go out to the city and buy food to prepare traditional Iraqi meals," said Ronnie. "My uncle is a translator, so we contacted a few people to see what kind of set up we would need, what equipment and things like that, and we got started."

Ronnie, who runs the stand with his cousin, Kirk, serves basic staples of Iraqi food, like falafels and kabobs, but has also expanded their menu to include American favorites, such as cheeseburgers and french fries.

"Business is good; we have been set up since, Aug. 11, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, since we are always here, we also feed Soldiers when they come back from a mission and might have missed meal time. Instead of eating a Meal Ready to Eat, we will cook up something for them," said Ronnie.

Another positive result of the Falafel King is that it allows Soldiers to relax after a mission. It also provides the Soldiers the opportunity to spend time with local citizens and make new friends over a cup of chai.

"For an Iraqi, if you sit down to talk, it is always done over a cup of chai, so we do the same here with our American friends," said Ronnie.

For Staff Sgt. Jimmy Martinez, a section leader with Company A, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, the Falafel King offers a break from the typical lunch time meals.

"Usually lunch here is just self-serve sandwiches, but coming here breaks up the monotony of meal times; and whether I eat a falafel or have a burger and fries, it's nice to have an option for something different," said Martinez.

"It is also nice around his stand. We have a little deck and some picnic tables, so it is a nice place to unwind," said the Orosi, Calif., native.

Ronnie said he is happy that the Soldiers seem to enjoy the opportunity to try a different venue for their chow and relaxation, adding that he also hopes that he can eventually use his new experience to springboard into something even more significant.

"I hope that one day I can go to America and open a restaurant that serves both Iraqi and American meals, and then I can serve customers both genuine Iraqi food and American food and, through food, bring our two cultures closer together," Ronnie said.

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