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• Why is Maoz so popular?

I have no idea. It's a basic falafel joint, nothing more. I don't see what bonus it has over the many other falafel places around. In a review of one of the other Amsterdam Maoz outlets, one reviewer complains about the hygiene - and I have to agree. The guy who handles the money is the one who handles the bread, and he does both without washing his hands. Unlimited trips to the salad bar is great in theory, but it does mean that every customer is double-dipping and touching the ladles against their half-eaten food. It's not particularly cheap for all this, either. You can add "grilled aubergine" to your order for 50 cents extra, but this really means a slice or two of chewy, cold, dried-out aubergine that's been sat on the counter all day. (That's eggplant to you North Americans!) So if it's 10.30pm and you've just arrived in Amsterdam and you're desperate for something hot and greasy, go to Maoz. Otherwise, avoid.