Victor (cook) was so kind, gave recommendations and cooked the merguez so attentively. Unfortunately the restaurant is too cold, and the staff have to brave winters with little to no heat inside the restaurant. Outside seating has two heaters but they run low and we could not feel anything so we left early. Many others decided to take to go because the restaurant was just too cold. Owner should install heat inside, not freezing while laboring is a basic human right.

Even in a neighborhood that has every possible cuisine, Merguez & Frites offers authentic Algerian classics you don't often see. Everything was packed with flavor. A fair amount of vegetarian options. The mahadjeb (onion tomato stuffed flatbread) stood out--you'd be looking under and around the flatbread wondering how they possibly fit in so much flavor. The Garantita is moist and flavorful, if you're not familiar with it, don't assume it is dry like many chickpea dishes are. Generous portions and perfect service. Clear menu and prices.

With all due respect to vegetarians and vegans, I seldom choose the vegetarian option on a menu. I love vegetables, but I usually love meat and seafood more. However, I came to Merguez and Frites specifically eyeing the kabantita sandwich even knowing it did not have meat and it was the best thing I had. The other food was good - we got a meat platter and tried their pizza, but the kabantita is chef's kiss. To this day, I still talk about it and tell my brother he needs to go here for the sandwich alone. So y'all should follow suit. Delicious. It's a small place, but they do have a bit of seating and the staff is so nice. Definitely support this local business; your taste buds will thank you.

0.5/1 Ambience; 1.5/2 Food + Beverages; 1/1 Service; 1/1 Value A friend and I came to Merguez & Frites as part of our Astoria food tour and introduction to Algerian cuisine. The restaurant is a hole in the wall with an essentially open kitchen and some seating in the covered patio and stools along the back wall. The inside was clean and maintained well, although I do wish the outdoor seating area was a bit neater because the tables looked like they hadn't been cleaned for a while with many crumbs and stain remnants. My friend and I shared a Merguez sandwich with a side salad. The sandwich contained spicy lamb sausage, fries, and little red sauce (harissa?) on crusty white bread, and despite having such few fillings, it was incredibly flavorful from the warm and rich spices in the sausage. Neither the sausage nor the harissa were spicy for us, but there certainly is a light kick. The sausage casing is soft rather than crisp or snappy, and the sausage has a crumbly texture without at all being greasy or dense. The fries more so add the crispy textural contrast. My only complaint would be that I wish there was more sauce on the bread because it was a little on the drier side in an otherwise starch-dense sandwich. The side salad, which was similar to a Greek horiatiki salad with lettuce for a fuller meal, was refreshing and just what we needed to contrast a heftier sandwich. Lastly, the staff was friendly and the service was very quick without compromising the quality, freshness, or attention to which they prepared our food. This casual joint makes for excellent quick lunches or late night bites, and for $10, is certainly worth the value! I will definitely return to try other menu items!

Ordered: Merguez Sandwich (~$10): with fries Pizza Kari (~$2) Aya's take: This Merguez Sandwich has been on my mind for some time now! I didn't know it was possible to crave something you never had but here we are. I've never had Algerian cuisine before but Merguez is a spicy sausage made of beef or lamb. It was soft, not as snappy as a hot dog or typical sausage and extremely well-seasoned and full of flavor. The bread was also super fresh and soft! The fries could've been crispier and the sauce was a little light. For ~$10, the Merguez Sandwich is loaded with ingredients and definitely a solid street food. The Pizza Kari tastes like a homemade pizza my grandma would make. It's doughy and the ratio of cheese to tomato was surprisingly just right. I was worried the tomato would be overpowering but that wasn't the case. Great spot on Steinway, would definitely go back!

Merguez sandwich with fried within it: a solid sandwich, it's filling and satisfying without being overly greasy or heavy. The sausage is flavourful and tender, fries were nice and added texture. It wasn't too spicy despite the spicy sauce (optional). The bread was really nice and soft and tender too. All this for $10 is very reasonable, I would recommend. I enjoyed the pizza, the crust reminds me of the thin crust Chicago style pizza, it's almost like a pie crust, nice and flaky but not overly buttery. The cheese was kinda odd, it didn't seem like mozzarella, tasted more like a cream cheese, maybe Laughing Cow? It's definitely worth a try, and at only $2 it's a no brainer! Quick, courteous service. There's no seating inside but there's an enclosed outdoor patio at the front. I'll be back to try the chicken sandwich and get more of the pizza, the chicken looks really good too!

I loved the Merguez sandwich, was my first time trying one. Simple, filling, and delicious. Really flavorful and I thought all the spices worked well together. Kind of food you want when it's late at night and you're hungry. Would visit again if I'm in the area.

Delicious, clean, and simple. The merguez sandwich with fries was filling and delicious. The sauce really takes it to the next level otherwise, the sandwich may be a bit dry. Very fast and perfect late night meal.

Small, causal Algerian restaurant known for their merguez. They are also halal. I had the mixed platter with merguez sausage, kofta, and rice. They meats were very good and flavorful! Their mahadjeb was very good too. It's similar to a paratha with a pepper, tomato and onion filling. Great food and friendly staff. Will have to come back to try the sandwich, garantita, and the Algerian pizza!

This place has been on my list for a long time. As far as I know, Merguez and Frites is the lone outpost of non-Moroccan Maghrebian cuisine in the New York region, following the closure of the Tunisian "La Goulette" in Williamsburg a few years back. I had the garantita sandwich, which offered a flavor profile with few corollaries to other dishes I've tried. The custardy chickpea flour (besan)-based filling is almost like a savory flan, served with a mild harissa paste on a toasted baguette. The dish this came closest to reminding me of is faina, a chickpea cake served underneath Argentinian pizza when ordered a caballo (on horseback). Truly a unique gem in the city that I hope stays for the long haul.