Pauly’s Pocket

This place could completely suck but it doesn’t — go there
reading the reviews I think other Unilocalers pretty much covered everything I was going to say.
fresh, awesome, tasty, turbo wrap is crazy good and filling. friendly service. not a lot of seating, but in warm weather there’s some additional outside tables.

I recently visited Paulys because of the awesome Unilocal reviews. Upon walking in I was surprised by how small the place was. There’s a couple tables for dine in service but really it seems best suited to take out.
I ordered the Turbo Pocket. It was delicious. The chicken was perfectly grilled and the vegetables were fresh and tasty. Next time I go back I’m going to get the Gyro.

Pauly’s is fabulous. Tiny little place (a couple of seats and that’s about it) with huge flavor. I have never tried anything other than the falafel pocket because it is PERFECT and I just crave it… But I’ve heard the «turbo» is to die for as well. Whatever you get, you can get the red sauce AND the tzatziki if you like. And I’m betting you do :)
They have arizona tea in the soda cooler, which I also love (delicious and cheap-​win!). Pauly’s really is a perfect lunch! One of my go-to’s on campus.

Pauly’s is the real deal! I suggest trying many different options on the menu. The service is friendly and the price is right. I love the falafel and grape leaves.

I graduated from UNH in 2001 and I remember when Pauly’s used to be inside the laundromat. It is nice that now it’s got its own space, but the food has been consistently awesome for the last 15 years.
The staff is SO friendly and the food is authentic Middle Eastern deliciousness. The falafel, the salads, the hummus– everything is awesome.
My favorite is the combo salad with chicken and falafel. It needs no dressing– I just get a side of tahini for my falafel and I’m happy. The gyro is delicious, too. I just love everything at this place– you really can’t go wrong with Pauly’s.

Oh my gawwwwwd. This place is an absolute staple. Pauly is nice as hell and the food is consistantly satisfying. Good omnivore, vegetarian, and vegan options for all. I’m fond of a simple falafel pocket with spicy sauce and no tomato… Pauly’s Pockets is a tiny little place that is not to be missed.

Oh, I miss working in Durham next to this place. I would eat here every damn day if I could! Fantastic little ‘hole in the wall’ place!!! Love Love Love the falafel! Delicious!!!

Just the best. You get so much more for your money than any other sub place in town. Amazing

I haven’t actually eaten at Pauly’s Pockets.
I went in yesterday for lunch. My bf and I said hello to the man behind the counter (Paul, I presume). He scowled at us without returning the greeting.
We waited as another customer seemed to be finishing up her order. He was snarky and rude with her.
We left quickly without ordering.
I’m baffled by the reviews claiming the owner is a great person.
I won’t pay someone to serve me a bad attitude.

I LOVE PAULY’S!!! I always get the Veggie falafel pocket with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, banana peppers, cucumbers, feta, tzatziki, hummus, and tahini. I ask for mine spicy, but you can ask for mild… Spicy just means that they put more sauce on it. I sometimes get this wrap as a salad, which is just as good, just depends on what you’re in the mood for. Curly fries are good as well, and so is their baklava.

Not only is the food great, but Paul the owner is truly a great human being.

Rather surprisingly large gyro which explains the price. Toppings were fresh and lots of them with quite a few choices to customize. If the meat was actually carved off a spit, it would have been a great gyro but it looked like the meat was purchased pre-​sliced and heated on his grill when you ordered so it came out a little dry and on the thin side. Not anything to rave about but for a college town in New Hampshire, not bad. Spicy sauce could use a little more kick. He needs to find a new recipe for the sauce due to it being bland and sweet.

Easily the best falafel in Durham. Also the only falafel in Durham.
This is a chickpea-​based falafel, it seems a bit over-​fried to me but is not awful by any means. I would not bother with the chicken pocket, it’s not that great. The gyros are ok. The prices are very reasonable, service is quick. The hummus seems to be shop-​made and is very good. The «spicy sauce» is spicy ketchup and is not that great; too sweet I think.
For my falafel fix, I prefer «Quick to Go» in Dover, but stop in at Pauly’s occasionally if I need a very quick bite.

I’ve had Pauly’s upwards of ten times, as long as you don’t take the tinfoil off the bottom of your wrap prematurely, you will enjoy your experience. Fresh ingredients make for delicious wraps and a good way to experience something different from the usual pizza or a sub in downtown Durham. I went with my girlfriend today just a minute before the scheduled closing time and the man behind the counter still took the time to prepare us some makeshift gyros and falafels. Nothing but good experiences!

Great food. Excellent and helpful staff. I wish I still went to college at UNH so I could go more.

Best falafels. I get the salads, which come with bread and sauce. Delishhhhh. Eat that up.

There are many possible reasons for Bostonians to visit or at least travel through Durham. For the seriously academically inclined, Durham maintains its scholarly environment while being a real change of pace from the top Cambridge and Boston schools; on a writing deadline or under serious research pressure of any kind, the academician can continue working while possibly changing habits of thought, etc. A trip directly to or from Durham would only take an hour and a half as a result of serious meandering, not necessarily a bad thing, or congestion on the way.
For those less entrenched in higher education, Durham is a pleasant town not too far off important routes from Boston to major parts of northern New England. A side trip here after an early start from, say, some location south of Portland, would still allow one to beat rush hour back in the Hub. If you are heading north intending to take the Maine Turnpike to Kennebunk or anywhere north of Wells ME for example and run into congestion, sometimes unavoidable, around the Portsmouth bridge, a trip to the Maine Pike at Wells ME via Durham adds only about ¼ hour to nicely timed travel via I95.
The delay in getting to the assessment of Pauly’s food is not entirely unintentional. Compared with other places where I have bought this class of gyro, falafel-​oriented food, this probably would be rated a 2.5 or more likely a 3 on the Unilocal 5 point scale. On the other hand, given its location, one can understand 5 star ratings, and a 4+ average makes sense. The food is fine, prices are not outrageous, and it is, importantly I think, right across a street from UNH. It is probably obvious that a stop here from downtown Durham or from much of the University is more than convenient. I have enjoyed each visit here.
At a more detailed food-​related level, the falafel tasted fine, the portions reasonable, and based on what I could steal from a companion, the fries were of the excellent quality associated with this class of food. I unfortunately have not been able to try the dolmathes because, although they are better than reasonably priced, they have never been available when I have thought to try to add that to my order. If you want to eat indoors at Pauly’s, there are a few tables; if you want to be nearby and even if the restaurant’s outdoor seating is occupied, there is limited bench space and other pleasant spots in a moderate sized park right next door. In sum, I in common with friends of mine who I have asked, will happily return.

I confess, I never liked falafels. Love saying the word, but just never had one that I enjoyed eating. Not even in NYC, with homemade pockets. Pauly’s has changed my mind. I don’t know how, but their falafels are scrumptious, and they stay warm ’til the last bite. Just spicy enough. Fresh vegetables. Only drawback is the wrap it’s rolled up in. It’s dry and tough and hard to bite through. Probably why the falafel stays warm and intact, though. Moral of this story: whether you like falafels or not, you will probably love Pauly’s Pockets.

I’ve been here twice and have been disappointed both times. I had the falafel sandwich each time. The falafel was too dry, and fried to a fossil. The ‘spicy’ sauce isn’t spicy at all and tastes rather like ketchup (the cook actually pulled out what looked to be a ketchup bottle when making it).
If you are one who cares about bathrooms in reviews, the bathroom were a mess. And no paper towels.
It would be nice if Durham had more affordable, healthy restaurants to chose from. Unfortunately I find myself going back to the same places despite these types of
experiences.

If i could eat here everyday I would, I love the veggie falafel pocket! Everything here is fresh and absolutely delicious! I always get mine spicy but this is still a pretty mild spicy so don’t worry about that!
Definitely go here and try it out, you won’t be disappointed!