Falafel Tamdor- Worth the Trek to South Tel Aviv

Since the beginning of time, the one question that has everyone wondering is “Where is the best falafel in Tel Aviv?”. There so many options to choose from but I say Falafel Tamdor in south Tel Aviv is definitely in the discussion.

Almost 40 years ago, Rachel (the owner of this falafel stand), opened a tiny falafel stand on Salme Street in south Tel Aviv.  When I mean tiny we aren’t joking – this triangle-shaped stand has only enough room for Rachel to stand and make her delicious falafel for her street food customers. Since their opening, there is no resident in south Tel Aviv who doesn’t know of Rachel’s falafel  or who hasn’t been lucky enough to eat the fresh falafel she offers on a daily basis.

Heads up, there is no valid parking in the area at any time of the day, so customers tend to eat quickly and move on with a smile on their face after tasting this delicious falafel. Though it has been decades since it first opened the line that sweeps around the block still exist for her fresh falafel in a fresh pita.

Tamdor Falafel is only 11 NIS  for a whole falafel and 6 NIS for half pita. Each falafel is served in a large homemade pita which contains many falafel balls and different freshly made salads with spicy sauces. For those looking to test what level of spiciness they can handle, they offer an extremely spicy green zhug. I recommend trying their home made Turkish salad which is made with olives, uncommon in an authentic Turkish salad. Some will be against adding Turkish salad to their falafel, thinking it will change the taste, but I beg to differ – it enhances your pita with a splash of spiciness which makes the falafel even better.

Even though Tamdor is predominately known for their falafel, recently they have added shawarma to their menu. I recommend sticking to their falafel, but if you must, they offer shawarma for 20 NIS in a pita and 11NIS for half a pita. Many people will be against making the trip to the more exotic south Tel Aviv for a falafel, but we recommend you try it for yourself and don’t think twice.

Kosher

Address: Salme 98

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 9am-9pm and Friday 9am-2 hours before Shabbat

Truck De Luxe- Not Your Average Food Truck

In the exciting restaurant scene in Tel Aviv, people tend to get bored very easily. In previous posts we have offered the more common cafes and restaurants. However, we are always looking for new and exciting food venues that will get us foodies excited.

Close to a year ago, Truck De Luxe opened their doors (of their food truck) with many mouthwatering dishes we could only dream of. Located on Ben Ami street right next to Dizengoff square, this food truck is the more exciting smaller brother of Pundak Deluxe which is located in Jaffe. Unlike the Jaffe location, the prices are more affordable and present amazing food imagery for all you Instagram foodies. If you are a vegetarian, you might want to look elsewhere.

This is not your typical food truck- despite the kitchen being in a truck this a very fun and exciting restaurant with tables and a great atmosphere in the heart of Tel Aviv. Here you will see mashups of foods you have only fantasized about. Similar to Pundak Deluxe, you order different meat dishes by weight, but unlike the Jaffa restaurant, they offer different combos and mixes of different food that you won’t find anywhere else in town. Now onto their delicious and eye watering dishes

Their menu consists of 15 main courses, five side dishes, five first courses, 12 cuts of meat and four different desserts. The menu consists of dishes that range from 10 NIS to 50 NIS. Each dish is served fresh daily and the staff will recommend different side dishes that perfectly complement each main course. If you are looking for a tasty and simple choice, we recommend you try the Trailer Trash Bacon Burger (47 NIS). This simple burger is cooked with cheddar cheese on top and brioche. The perfect side is the mac and cheese (12 NIS). Despite thinking that a mac and cheese with a burger was a weird choice, I was totally wrong. The dish is very gentle and fun, and the top has crunchy crumbs that add a special flavor the dish. For those looking to add French fries with their burger, this is an option as well.

For those wanting a chicken dish, we recommend you try the chicken breast sandwich (39 NIS). Similar to the burger, the staff recommends we order the French bean stew (14 NIS) with the chicken entrée. This meat stew consists of two different types of meats and beans. It’s less of a stew but more of a side of meat.

 

The most extreme dish is their pancakes (44 NIS). These are not your typical pancakes; this dish is for extreme eaters. The pancakes are presented as a 3 layer tower with disassembled pork shoulder meat topped with sweet syrup. This dessert presents an unlikely but delicious mashup of food. For those who like to experiment with different types of foods, this is the dish you have been waiting for. For those who need a side dish with their pancakes, the staff recommends the mac and cheese with bacon sprinkles (16nis). A side dish I recommend ordering is their jack cheese fries (18 NIS).

For those who somehow have room to eat at the end of their meal, you must try their American ice cream which is served with caramel (15 NIS). They offer the option of adding bacon chips to the ice cream for a small charge. In summary, Truck Deluxe offers some of the most non-kosher interesting dishes you will find in Tel Aviv. You will spend less than 100 NIS, but it will keep you full all day long.

SUPER NOT KOSHER

Address: Ben Ami 13

Hours: Sunday- Thursday 5:30PM-Midnight and Friday-Saturday 10AM-Midnight

 

 

 

Changos-CLOSED

When people think of the trendy Florentine neighborhood in Tel Aviv, the first thing that comes to mind is it being a center for Tel Aviv’s “hipsters”. From the funky cafés to the eclectic bars, Florentine has become one of the trendiest places in Tel Aviv. Mexican food has been a recent arrival to Florentine, but none have generated much excitement. However, last summer Changos opened their doors and has provided an enjoyable and tasty Mexican eating experience.

Located on Washington Boulevard, Changos displays unique artwork throughout the restaurant which meshes perfectly with the Florentine feel. The seating options are however limited, with the majority seating indoors and a few tables outside. Once you sit down and order, you know that you have arrived at the Mexican restaurant that you have been searching for.

Picture taken by @mankochka

Like most Mexican restaurants, you can start your meal with a tasty margarita. They offer delicious frozen margaritas (very strong!) in different flavors, such as lime, pineapple and strawberry.

Over the years,I’ve told my friends here in Israel that they have no idea what real nachos are. Most places give you Doritos chips and salsa that has no zest and some guacamole. Changos offers nachos, made with homemade tortillas chips with refried beans, different kinds of salsa, sour cream guacamole and of course melted cheese 28 NIS.

Moving on to entrees, they offer different kinds of tacos (Fish, Beef, Chicken and vegetarian), which are made to perfection. I recommend ordering the beef taco, marinated with veal, cooked on the grill with onions, coriander and salsa. Each taco costs 15NIS or if you live life dangerously,  3 for 40 NIS. For those looking for a non-meat taco try the mushroom taco, made with portobello and champion mushroom cooked on the grill with tomatoes and seasoned with fresh pepper. Each taco costs 13 NIS or 3 tacos for 34 NIS.
Picture Taken by @mankochka

Now onto my favorite part of their menu, Burritos! They offer possibly the best chicken burrito found  in the Middle East. The chicken is cooked on the grill with rice, beans, onions, coriander, salsa and last, but not least, pineapples. The combination of the sweetness of the pineapple and the spiced chicken make a perfect burrito.

For those looking for something different and who have tough stomachs, try their tasty chili relleno which includes jalapenos, cheese, fried pepper and onions, costing. 30 NIS. They also offer different traditional Mexican desserts.

Overall you can’t go wrong with any dish on their menu. After experiencing Changos,  you will be sure to make the trek back to the Florentine area more often,

NOT KOSHER

Average Price: Up to 50 NIS

Address: Washington Avenue

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11AM-Midnight, Friday-Saturday 9AM-Last customer

Shi Shi- A Modern Twist of Sushi

For the past 10 years in Tel Aviv sushi has been the entire rave throughout the city. Recently, sushi has taken the back seat to new and exciting cuisine options. While these new culture foods have emerged, sushi has lost its cool.  Locals in Tel Aviv have become sushi snobs and have become bored. Following a trend started in New York, a new and modern twist on sushi has arrived, it’s called Shi-Shi.

Shi-Shi is located on the Corner of Ibn Gabirol and Naviim Street right across from London Minister. They provide an upbeat urban style with seating around a small indoor bar with outdoor wooden benches which meshes with the exciting and fast paced life of Tel Aviv. Concerning  the food, they offer different innovative variations of enlarged sushi. Each dish is based on rice with different filling and sauces that are fresh and will surprise you with their robust flavor.

So what is this dish? Shi-Shi is an even larger and healthier sushi. The dish itself is based on rice with differ choices of fillings with unique, flavorful sauces. Each large sushi roll is rolled to perfection with no dripping and can be eaten in place or take away.

Shi-Shi comes in 10 different variations – filling of fish and seafood, chicken, tofu and vegetables or fruit. Each customer chooses from different spicy sauces and fillings which are wrapped in rice.  One of their best rolls (my favorite) is chipotle vinaigrette marinated salmon with miso sauce and mango, ginger, carrots, beets, green herbs, cucumber and mango salad with spicy peanuts. Another roll I recommend is the chicken based roll which includes chicken breast curry-aioli, pickled kohlrabi, red cabbage, lettuce and green onions. For those looking for vegetarian options try the wasabi aioli-sweet potato tempura which is cooked with a fried tofu sauce.

Aside from Shi-Shi, they offer a delicious dish which is served with a base of seafood or chicken served on chapatti with special sauces such as chimichurri, aioli-asian and wasabi. Other non-sushi options are Asian salad of glass noodles with chicken, salmon or tofu. For those looking unique beverages, they offer different specialty drinks such as ginger and lemon beverage and green tea.

NOT KOSHER

Average price: 40 NIS

Address: Ibn Gabirol 33

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12PM-11PM, Friday 12PM-5PM and Saturday 5PM-11PM

 

Hamosad Specialty Sandwiches- Pulled Beef Sandwiches in the Heart of Tel Aviv.

 

This past summer a new sandwich stand opened their doors to please all. Hamasod offers a delicious pulled beef sandwich, without a doubt, the tastiest that can be found.

Close to a month ago a friend and I were searching where to eat in the Rabin Square area. Tired of the typical Tel Aviv cafés and gourmet burgers in the area, the owner of Hamosad overheard our conversation and  told us that we have to try his pulled beef sandwich. We were initially reluctant, but we gave it a chance. Upon walking in we knew were in for a treat; the owner offered us a tasting and we were shocked how delicious it was. We ordered the sandwich meal on the spot.

Hamosad opened their doors this past June in the heart of Tel Aviv on Ibn Gabirol Street next to Rabin Square. What makes this sandwich spot different from the others? When the owners of the restaurant came up with idea of the sandwich they had one dream in mind, to provide the best quality meat cooked in a perfect sandwich.

Picture taken by Jeremy Yaffe

They currently offer two different pulled beef sandwiches. They cook their pulled meat at 82 degrees for over 12 hours. This process provides the tender taste and then mixing different barbeque sauces with the meat provide that delicious taste. The owners jokily said it’s the Sloppy Joe of an Argentinean-American

Their signature dish is accompanied by crispy home fries that are half cooked in deep oil and a bit crispy which provide the softness of the potatoes. They offer a deal which includes the pulled beef sandwich, home fries, pickles and soft drink, all for 49 NIS. For those looking to add a beer, the meal costs59 NIS.

NOT KOSHER

Address: 67 Ibn Gabirol

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11AM-11PM and Friday 11AM-Shabbat starts